(a) "Accommodation of social diversity is the key feature of democracy." Explain the statement in the Indian context.

i. Accommodation of social diversity in democracy helps the citizens to lead a peaceful and harmonious life. For example, Belgium successfully negotiated differences among ethnic populations.

ii. Democracies usually develop a procedure to accommodate competition amongst various social groups.

iii. Democracies are better able to evolve mechanism to handle and negotiate the social differences, divisions and conflicts.

iv. Majority works with minority so that governments function to represent general view.

v. It is tried that rule of majority doesn’t become rule of majority community in terms of religion, race or language etc.

vi. Every citizen gets a chance of being in majority at some point of time.

(b) “Democracy is an accountable, responsive and legitimate government.” Explain the statement.

i. Decision making is based on deliberation and negotiation for better decision making.

ii. Follows norms and procedures.

iii. Citizens provided rights and means to examine the process of decision making.

iv. Open public debates on major policies.

v. Government is attentive to the needs of people.

vi. People have right to choose their representatives through regular, free and fair elections.

vii. People have control over the rulers.