How should we assess democracy — accountability, quality of life, economic growth, dignity, and rights
Democracy is expected to produce good governance. We can assess it on the following dimensions:
• Accountable, responsive, and legitimate government
• Economic growth and development
• Reduction of inequality and poverty
• Social justice and dignity
• Accommodation of social diversity
• Freedom and equality for citizens
A democratic government is accountable to citizens:
• Elected representatives must answer to voters → if they fail, voters can replace them at next election
• Right to Information (RTI Act 2005): Citizens can ask government for any information
• Free press, independent judiciary, and opposition parties constantly scrutinise the government
• Transparency: Democratic government must explain its decisions; cannot act secretly
Citizens willingly accept democratic decisions even when they disagree, because the process is fair. They voted and had a say — even if their candidate lost, the winner was chosen by majority through a legitimate process.
Dictatorial governments may be "efficient" but lack this legitimacy — people comply from fear, not consent.
Research shows: Democracies do NOT necessarily grow faster than dictatorships economically. Some authoritarian regimes (China, Singapore) have had faster economic growth.
But democracy has other advantages:
• More equitable distribution of wealth (in principle)
• No famines in functioning democracies (Amartya Sen's finding)
• Better respect for economic rights
In practice, even democracies often fail to reduce inequality — this remains a major challenge.
Belgium successfully accommodated its diverse linguistic communities through democratic power-sharing → peace and stability.
Sri Lanka's "democracy" that suppressed minority rights → civil war.
Lesson: Democracy that does not accommodate diversity leads to conflict. True democracy must protect minority rights while respecting majority preferences.
Democracy ensures equal dignity and freedom for all citizens regardless of gender, religion, caste, or economic status:
• Everyone has equal right to vote (one person, one vote)
• Right to speak, protest, organise, practice religion
• Woman today has legal equality with men (though social reality lags behind)
• Dalits can contest elections, hold public positions — unthinkable under the old caste system
The expectation of dignity and freedom — once raised by democracy — becomes a powerful force demanding continuous improvement!
Despite all its failings, democracy remains better than alternatives because:
• It allows peaceful transfer of power — no need for revolutions or coups
• Citizens can correct mistakes by voting out bad governments
• It protects fundamental rights — even imperfect democracies are far better than dictatorships for most citizens
• People participate in their own governance — crucial for human dignity
As Winston Churchill said: "Democracy is the worst form of government — except all the others that have been tried."