question_answer

Give arguments to support or oppose the following assertions.          (a) Industrialised   countries   can   afford democracy but the poor need dictatorship to became rich. (b) Democracy can not reduce inequality of incomes between different citizens. (c) Government in poor countries should spend less on poverty reduction, health, education and spend more on industries and infrastructure. (d) In democracy all citizens have one vote, which means that there is absence of any domination and conflict.

Answer:

                (a) Democracy means every citizens takes part in the decision-making process either directly or indirectly through  the  elected  representatives.   Under dictatorship all powers are with a single person or party who takes all the important decisions. The economic development of a country does not depend on the democratic set up of the government. It depends on several other factors like, country's population size, global situation, cooperation from other countries, economic priorities adopted by the country, etc. If we compare democracy and dictatorship regimes between 1950 to 2000, we find countries under dictatorship to be more economically advanced. But if we compare between less developed countries, the difference is negligible. India being a third world nation, now becomes one of the fast growing economies of the world. On the other hand, Zimbabwe which was a fairly prosperous nation, has run into huge international debt with the progression of Robert Mugabe's rule. Thus, it is not always proper to say that the poor need dictatorship to become rich. (b) There is no denying fact that we find growing inequalities in democracies. There is a wide gap between the rich and the poor. A small proportion of population enjoy a high share in income and a large proportion of population has to live on a very small share in income. However, the democratic governments play an important  role  in  removing  economic disparities. The Minimum Wages Act, enacted by the Indian Government and other policies which regulate the basic price at which agricultural producers and small industries sell their goods, have helped increase the per capita income of the country. Thereby making its citizens more prosperous. (c) Industry and infrastructure are very important for the economic development of a nation. But these are not the only inputs needed for the economic development of a country. Human resource is the most important resources for any country. The government in poor countries should maintain a balance between investment on poverty, food, clothing, health, education and on industries and infrastructure. A country needs to spend on all the sectors maintaining a balance, so that every sector helps the other sector to grow. (d) A democracy gives every citizens and every social group  equal  importance to avoid any domination and conflict in the society. Since, every citizens has one vote, political parties can not avoid any social group. The political parties have to formulate policies which will benefit all the groups. But all these do not mean that conflicts are totally absent in a democracy. They can happen if the demands of one social group are against the demands of the other social group. Democracy only avoids the  possibility of such conflicts by giving everyone  equal rights and freedom in the society.                 (a) Democracy is considered much superior to any other form of government in promoting development, security and dignity of the individual. The passion for freedom and respect are the basis of democracy. This has been achieved in various degrees in different democracies. (i) It enhances dignity of the individual as it gives equal rights and freedom to all citizens. In democracy long struggle by women have also created some sensitivity today. (ii) In India, democracy has strengthened the claims of OBCs for equal status and equal opportunity. All enjoy the right to get elected and become a part of the decision-making machinery or even government. (iii) Democracy provides an effective method to resolve disputesymd to correct mistakes. (b) From the democracy we can get legal and moral values, like equality and justice.