Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Area of Relative Success — Accommodating Social Diversity:
Democracies have shown success in managing social conflicts and divisions. Countries like Belgium have peacefully negotiated differences among ethnic groups. Democracies develop procedures for competition, reducing the chance of tensions turning violent. Non-democratic regimes often suppress such differences, whereas democracy evolves mechanisms to respect and negotiate them.

Area Where Democracies Fall Short — Reducing Economic Inequality:
Democracies have not been very successful in reducing economic inequalities. In South Africa and Brazil, the top 20% take over 60% of national income, while the bottom 20% receive less than 3%. Even poor voters remain largely unserved — elected governments do not appear keen enough to address poverty seriously.

Why This Does Not Undermine Democracy:
The mixed record does not reject democracy because the difference in economic growth between dictatorships and democracies is negligible, especially in poor countries (4.34% vs 4.28%). When significant differences exist, it is better to prefer democracy for its several other positive outcomes — accountable government, political equality, and protection of dignity.

Source: Chapter 5 — Outcomes of Democracy

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• Examiners expect one clear success point (social diversity/accommodation) and one clear failure point (economic inequality/poverty reduction) — both with supporting evidence from the tables or text.
• The third part (why democracy is still preferred) must reference the negligible growth difference and democracy's non-economic advantages. Many students forget this part and lose marks.
• Use data from Table 1 and Table 2 wherever possible — it shows you can interpret evidence, which CBSE rewards.
• Avoid vague statements like "democracy is good" — be specific and text-based.