(a) Why is Democratic Government considered as Legitimate Government? Explain.

(i) People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them. They also believe that democracy is suitable for their country.

(ii) It is responsive to the needs of the people

(iii) It is accountable and whenever they are not, people have the right to select any other governance.

(iv) It is transparent as whatever policies they are forming, the knowledge of the same is there with the people also.

(v) They accommodate differences and work for the economic development.

(vi) Democratic govt follows procedures and are accountable to the people.

(vii) Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation

(viii) Regular free and fair elections are the regular feature of democracy.

(b) ‘How is Democracy a better form of government in comparison to dictatorship? Explain.

(i) Non-democratic rulers do not have to bother about deliberation or worry about majorities and public opinion. It may take decisions that are not accepted by the people and may therefore face problems.

(ii) Unlike any alternative government,the democratic government will take more time to follow procedures before arriving at decisionhowever it ensures that decision-making will be based on norms and procedures.

(iii) Transparency factor is often missing from a non-democratic government.

(iv) It is right to expect democracy to produce a government that follows procedures and is accountable to the people unlike dictatorship.

(v) Government develops mechanisms for citizens to hold the government accountable and mechanisms to take part in decision-making whenever they think fit.

(vi) Respect to and equal treatment of women is necessary ingredients of a democratic society.

(vii) Non-democratic regimes often turn a blind eye to or suppress internal social differences. Ability to handle social differences, divisions and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of democratic regimes.