AI-generated practice question — model-generated for extra practice, not a previous-year CBSE board question.
(i) Speed and Efficiency: Dictatorships make decisions faster as rulers need not consult assemblies or public opinion. Democracy is slower due to deliberation and procedures, but decisions are more acceptable and effective, making the time cost worthwhile.
(ii) Economic Growth: Data (1950–2000) shows dictatorships averaged 4.42% growth vs. democracies' 3.95%. However, among poor countries, the difference is negligible (4.34% vs. 4.28%), so dictatorship has no clear advantage here.
(iii) Legitimacy: Democracy is clearly superior. It is the people's own government — chosen through free elections, based on norms and transparency. Dictatorships lack this public mandate. Surveys show 94% in South Asia support elected rulers.
The claim is partially valid on speed and growth, but fails on legitimacy, where democracy is undeniably superior.
Source: Chapter 5 — Outcomes of Democracy
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Examiners expect you to address all three parameters separately and conclude. For 3 marks, one crisp point per parameter + a brief conclusion works well. Use the textbook data (3.95% vs 4.42%) to show you know the evidence — it makes the answer stand out. The key textbook line to remember: "Democratic government is legitimate government" — this is the clinching point of the chapter.