Social Science (087) — CBSE Class 10 board question

Economic Growth: Evidence from 1950–2000 shows that dictatorial regimes had a slightly higher average growth rate (4.42%) compared to democracies (3.95%). However, when comparing only poor countries, the difference is negligible — dictatorships (4.34%) vs. democracies (4.28%). Therefore, democracy cannot be considered a guarantee of economic development, but it does not significantly lag behind dictatorships either.

Economic Inequality: Democracies have not been very successful in reducing economic inequalities. In democratic countries like South Africa and Brazil, the top 20% capture over 60% of national income, while the bottom 20% receive less than 3%. The poor often struggle to meet basic needs despite having equal voting rights.

Source: Chapter 5 — Outcomes of Democracy, Economic growth and development; Reduction of inequality and poverty

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• This question has two implied parts: economic growth and economic inequality — address both for full marks.
• Quote the growth rate figures from Table 1; examiners reward use of data.
• Key conclusion: democracy is not a guarantee of growth, but the difference with dictatorship is negligible in poor countries.
• For inequality: use country examples (South Africa, Brazil) and the income share data from Table 2.
• Avoid writing a long essay — keep it tight within 3-mark word limits (~70–80 words).