Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Democracy is considered better than other forms of government in upholding dignity because it recognises, at least in principle, that all individuals are equal and deserve respect. This legal and moral recognition is crucial.

For example, even though caste-based discrimination and atrocities still occur in India, democracy has strengthened the claims of disadvantaged castes for equal status and opportunity. These practices now lack any legal or moral foundation.

Similarly, once the principle of equal dignity is established, it becomes easier for oppressed groups to wage a struggle against what is legally and morally unacceptable — something impossible in a non-democratic setup where individual dignity has no legal force.

Source: Democratic Politics II, Chapter 5 — Dignity and Freedom of the Citizens

---

• The examiner wants you to show why principle matters even when practice is imperfect — this is the core argument.
• Use the two examples from the text: women's dignity and caste inequality. Either one or both are fine; using both strengthens a 3-mark answer.
• Key phrase to include: "lacks legal and moral foundation" — this is what makes democracy superior even when discrimination exists.
• Do not write about economic outcomes or social diversity here; stay focused on the dignity angle from the passage.