Democratic governments are often criticised for being slow because they follow established norms and procedur…

Question

Democratic governments are often criticised for being slow because they follow established norms and procedures. Do you think this procedural approach is a strength or a weakness of democracy? Justify your answer.

Accepted Answer

## Model Answer The procedural approach is a **strength** of democracy. Although following norms and procedures causes delay, it ensures that decisions are more acceptable to the people and more effective. It also brings **transparency** — citizens can examine whether correct procedures were followed. Thus, the time cost is worth the accountability and legitimacy it produces. *Source: Accountable, responsive and legitimate government, Chapter 5* --- ## Explanation The passage directly says: *"the democratic government will take more time to follow procedures… But because it has followed procedures, its decisions may be both more acceptable to the people and more effective. So, the cost of time that democracy pays is perhaps worth it."* Examiners want you to: 1. Take a clear stand (strength). 2. Give the two key reasons from the text — **acceptability/effectiveness** and **transparency**. 3. Avoid writing a long essay — 2 marks = ~2 crisp points.

Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question