CBSE Class 10 · Outcomes of Democracy

Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate Government Class 10

Updated 14 October 2026 · Fact-checked

The most basic outcome of democracy is a government accountable to citizens and responsive to their needs. Democracy may be slower because of deliberation, but its decisions are more acceptable and transparent. Its record on fair elections, information and corruption is mixed, yet it is better than non-democracies and is legitimate: it is the people's own government.

Notice the loop between citizens and government, and that democracy's delay buys decisions people accept.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate Government

Why assess outcomes. People support democracy against monarchy or military or religious rule, yet few are satisfied with democracy in practice. Democracy is good in principle but felt to be not so good in practice. The first step to judging it fairly: democracy is just a form of government; it can only create conditions for achieving goals, and citizens must use those conditions.

The basic outcome. In a democracy we care most that people can choose their rulers and control them, and participate in decisions that affect them. So the most basic outcome should be a government that is accountable to citizens and responsive to their needs and expectations.

Is democracy inefficient? Non-democratic rulers need not deliberate in assemblies or worry about majorities and public opinion, so they can decide and act quickly. Democracy is based on deliberation and negotiation, so some delay is bound to happen. But think in terms of costs: a fast government may take decisions the people do not accept, and so face problems. A democratic government takes more time following procedures, but its decisions may be more acceptable and more effective. The cost of time is perhaps worth it.

Transparency. Democracy ensures decisions follow norms and procedures. A citizen who wants to know whether a decision followed the correct procedure has the right and the means to examine it. This is transparency, often missing in non-democratic governments. We can expect democracy to develop mechanisms for citizens to hold government accountable and to take part in decisions.

How to measure it. Look for: regular, free and fair elections; open public debate on major policies and laws; and citizens' right to information about the government.

The actual record: mixed.

Democracies have done better at holding regular, free elections and creating conditions for open debate.
Most fall short of elections that give a fair chance to everyone and of putting every decision to public debate.
Their record on sharing information with citizens is not very good.
In substance, we expect a government attentive to people's needs and largely free of corruption; here the record is not impressive: democracies often frustrate people's needs, ignore the majority's demands, and corruption persists. But there is nothing to show that non-democracies are less corrupt or more sensitive.

Overall, democratic regimes are much better than any non-democratic regime in these respects.

Legitimacy: where democracy is certainly better. A democratic government is a legitimate government. It may be slow, less efficient, not always responsive or clean, but it is people's own government. That is why there is overwhelming support for democracy worldwide. Evidence from the State of Democracy in South Asia survey (2007): support exists in countries with and without democratic regimes; people wish to be ruled by elected representatives and think democracy suits their country. Democracy's ability to generate its own support is itself an important outcome.

Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate Government: key facts

Basic outcome: Government accountable to citizens and responsive to their needs and expectations; People choose and control rulers.
Efficiency vs acceptability: Dictatorship: fast but decisions may be rejected. Democracy: slower (deliberation), but more acceptable and effective; time cost worth it
Transparency: Citizen's right and means to examine whether a decision followed correct procedures; Often missing in non-democracies.
Measures of accountability: Regular, free and fair elections; open public debate on policies and laws; right to information
Record: Good: regular elections, open debate. Weak: fair chance for all, information sharing, responsiveness, corruption. Still better than non-democracies
Legitimacy: Democratic government = people's own government; generates its own support (South Asia survey); Where democracy is certainly better.

How to answer Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate Government questions

Questions ask why democracy is accountable and legitimate, whether it is inefficient, what transparency means, and how good its record is. Balanced answers earn full marks.

1State the basic outcome: accountable, responsive government.
2Handle the efficiency question with the cost argument: slower but more acceptable and effective.
3Define transparency as the citizen's right and means to examine procedures.
4Give the record honestly: successes, shortfalls, and the comparison with non-democracies.
5End with legitimacy: people's own government, overwhelming support.

Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate Government in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Speed versus acceptability

Suppose a school principal decides overnight to change the school timings without asking anyone, while another school's principal takes two weeks to consult teachers, parents and students before changing timings.

Compare the two decisions using NCERT's argument about democratic decision-making.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

First principal: fast, like a non-democratic ruler.
Risk: people may not accept the decision and problems follow.
Second principal: slower, deliberation and procedure.
Result: more acceptable and effective; the cost of time is worth it.

Answer: The first principal acts like a non-democratic ruler: quick, but parents and teachers may resist the decision, causing problems. The second follows a democratic procedure of consultation, which takes time but produces a decision people accept and follow, so it is more effective. As NCERT argues, the time cost of democracy is often worth paying.

Memory hook: Slow to decide, quick to be accepted.

Tricks to remember Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate Government

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

A-R-L
Accountable, Responsive, Legitimate: what democratic government should be.
Use it when: Topic heading.
E-D-R measures
Elections (free, fair), Debate (open), Right to information.
Use it when: How to measure accountability.
Slow but owned
Democracy may be slow, but it is people's own government.
Use it when: Legitimacy answers.

Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate Government: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Transparency · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

A citizen's right and means to examine whether a government decision was taken through correct procedures is called:
(a) legitimacy
(b) transparency
(c) efficiency
(d) accountability

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

NCERT calls this transparency (1 mark).

Answer: (b) transparency

Example 2: Is democracy inefficient? (3 marks) · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

'Democracy produces a less efficient government.' Do you agree? Give reasons. (3 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Partly: non-democratic rulers need not deliberate, so they decide quickly; democracy's deliberation and negotiation cause delay (1 mark).
But fast decisions may not be accepted by people and may face problems (1 mark).
Democratic decisions follow procedures, so they are more acceptable and effective; the cost of time is worth it (1 mark).

Answer: Only partly. Non-democratic rulers decide quickly because they need not deliberate or worry about public opinion, while democracy involves deliberation and some delay. But quick decisions may be rejected by people and run into problems. Because democratic decisions follow procedures, they are more acceptable and effective, so the cost of time is worth it.

Example 3: Assertion-reason: legitimacy · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

Assertion (A): Democratic government is a legitimate government.
Reason (R): Democratic governments are always quick, efficient and free of corruption.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Democracy may be slow, less efficient and not always clean; it is legitimate because it is people's own government (1 mark).

Answer: (c) A is true, but R is false.

Example 4: Record on accountability (5 marks) · 5 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Examine how far democracies have succeeded in producing an accountable, responsive and legitimate government. (5 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Expected: citizens choose and control rulers; measures are free and fair elections, open debate and right to information (1 mark).
Success: democracies have done well in holding regular, free elections and creating conditions for open public debate (1 mark).
Shortfalls: elections often do not give everyone a fair chance; not every decision is debated; information sharing is poor (1 mark).
Responsiveness and corruption: democracies often frustrate needs and ignore majority demands, and corruption persists; but non-democracies are no better (1 mark).
Legitimacy: democratic government is people's own government, with overwhelming support, as the South Asia survey shows (1 mark).

Answer: We expect democracy to let citizens choose and control rulers, through free and fair elections, open public debate and the right to information. Democracies have done well in holding regular, free elections and allowing open debate. But they often fall short of giving everyone a fair chance in elections, of debating every decision, and of sharing information with citizens. In substance, they often frustrate people's needs, ignore the majority's demands, and are not free of corruption, though non-democracies are not shown to be better. Where democracy clearly wins is legitimacy: it is the people's own government, and surveys such as the State of Democracy in South Asia show overwhelming support for it.

Example 5: Source: support for democracy in South Asia · 4 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

Read the source and answer the questions.

Source (NCERT, from SDSA Team, State of Democracy in South Asia, 2007): Share of people who agree with rule by leaders elected by the people: South Asia 94, Sri Lanka 98, Bangladesh 96, India 95, Nepal 94, Pakistan 81 (per cent). Share who say democracy is suitable or very suitable for their country: South Asia 88, Bangladesh 93, Sri Lanka 92, India 92, Pakistan 84, Nepal 79.

(i) In which country is agreement with rule by elected leaders the highest? (1)
(ii) What share of Indians find democracy suitable for their country? (1)
(iii) What does this evidence tell us about democracy's legitimacy? (2)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

(i) Sri Lanka, 98 per cent (1 mark).
(ii) 92 per cent (1 mark).
(iii) Large majorities in all countries, including those without democratic regimes at the time, want elected rulers and see democracy as suitable (1 mark).
(iii) Democracy generates its own support; people see it as their own government, which is the basis of its legitimacy (1 mark).

Answer: (i) Sri Lanka (98 per cent). (ii) 92 per cent. (iii) Large majorities across South Asia want to be ruled by elected leaders and think democracy suits their country, even where democratic regimes were weak. This shows democracy generates its own support: people see it as their own government, which is the source of its legitimacy.

Example 6: Measuring accountability (2 marks) · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

Which practices and institutions would you look for to measure whether a democracy produces accountable government? (2 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Regular, free and fair elections (1 mark).
Open public debate on major policies and laws, and citizens' right to information about the government (1 mark).

Answer: Regular, free and fair elections; open public debate on major policies and legislation; and citizens' right to information about the government and its functioning.

Where students lose marks in Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate Government

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Claiming democracy is always efficient
Over-praising.
Wrong working
Democratic governments are quicker than dictatorships.
Right working
They are slower due to deliberation, but decisions are more acceptable and effective.
Do this: Admit the delay, then argue the cost.
Usually costs: 1-2 marks.
Mistake: One-sided record
Only successes or only failures.
Wrong working
Democracies have no corruption.
Right working
Mixed record: good on elections and debate, weak on information and corruption, but better than non-democracies.
Do this: Give both sides.
Usually costs: 2 marks.
Mistake: Confusing accountability with legitimacy
Related ideas.
Wrong working
Legitimacy means the government answers to citizens.
Right working
Legitimacy means it is the people's own government; accountability means it answers to them.
Do this: Define both separately.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Wrong survey reading
Several countries and two charts.
Wrong working
Pakistan has the highest support for elected rule.
Right working
Sri Lanka (98) is highest; Pakistan (81) is lowest.
Do this: Read carefully.
Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

For 'is democracy inefficient?', always use the cost-of-time argument.
Use 'transparency' and 'legitimacy' as defined terms in answers.
Present the record as mixed but better than non-democracies.
Political Science word limits: 40 (2 marks), 60 (3 marks), 120 (5 marks).

Practice questions on Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate Government

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
Democracy is based on the idea of:
(a) quick decisions by one ruler
(b) deliberation and negotiation
(c) military discipline
(d) secrecy
Hint
Why is there some delay?
Answer
(b) deliberation and negotiation
Q2 · 2 marks · Very short answerHarder board level
Why does NCERT say democracy is 'just a form of government'? (2 marks)
Hint
Conditions vs goals.
Answer
Democracy can only create conditions for achieving goals; citizens must use those conditions to achieve them. So we should not expect it to solve every problem automatically or blame the idea when some expectations are not met.
Q3 · 2 marks · Very short answerHOTS / competency
Suppose a citizen files a request to learn how a local road contract was awarded and receives the details. Which feature of democracy does this show, and why is it important? (2 marks)
Hint
Right and means to examine procedures.
Answer
It shows transparency: the citizen has the right and means to check whether the decision followed correct procedures. It makes government accountable and is often missing in non-democratic governments.
Q4 · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHOTS / competency
Assertion (A): Democracies have a very good record of sharing information with citizens.
Reason (R): Democracy ensures that decision making is based on norms and procedures.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Hint
What does NCERT say about information sharing?
Answer
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Q5 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level
'Democracy is seen to be good in principle, but felt to be not so good in its practice.' Explain this dilemma with reference to accountability, responsiveness and corruption. (3 marks)
Hint
Principle vs record.
Answer
In principle, democracy promises citizens control over rulers, accountability and responsive government, so most people prefer it to alternatives. In practice, elections do not always give everyone a fair chance, information is not well shared, governments often ignore the majority's demands and corruption persists. So people value democracy but are dissatisfied with how it works, though non-democracies do no better.
Q6 · 5 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency
Evaluate the claim that 'democracy's ability to generate its own support is itself an outcome that cannot be ignored'. (5 marks)
Hint
Weak spots vs legitimacy; survey evidence.
Answer
Democracies have weaknesses: decisions are slower because of deliberation; elections often do not give everyone a fair chance; information sharing is poor; governments sometimes ignore people's needs, and corruption persists. Yet democracy keeps winning people's support. It is legitimate because it is the people's own government, chosen and controlled by them through procedures they can examine. The State of Democracy in South Asia survey showed large majorities in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan wanting rule by elected leaders and finding democracy suitable for their country. This support gives democratic governments stability and acceptance that faster but unaccepted regimes lack, so it is indeed a major outcome.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.What is the most basic outcome of democracy?Show answer
A government that is accountable to citizens and responsive to their needs.
2.Why are democratic decisions slower?Show answer
Democracy is based on deliberation and negotiation.
3.In what respect is democracy certainly better than its alternatives?Show answer
It is a legitimate government, the people's own.
4.Which survey does NCERT use for South Asia?Show answer
State of Democracy in South Asia (SDSA), 2007.
5.Name three measures of accountable government.Show answer
Free and fair elections, open public debate, right to information.

Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate Government: frequently asked questions

What is meant by accountable government?

A government that answers to citizens, who choose and control their rulers and can examine its decisions.

Is democratic government less efficient?

It is slower because of deliberation, but its decisions are more acceptable and effective, so the cost of time is worth it.

What is a legitimate government?

A government that is the people's own, chosen by them; democratic government is legitimate even when slow or imperfect.

What is transparency in democracy?

The citizen's right and means to examine whether decisions were taken through the correct procedures.