Chapter Overview
Democracy is expected to produce accountable, responsive and legitimate government, accommodate social diversity and support dignity and freedom. Its outcomes must be judged realistically rather than by ideal expectations alone.
Detailed Textbook-Aligned Concepts
Accountable government
Democratic institutions allow citizens to question governments, use elections and public debate, and demand information and explanations.
Responsive government
Democracy creates procedures for responding to citizens, though decision-making may be slower because consultation and deliberation are involved.
Economic outcomes
Democracy does not automatically eliminate poverty or inequality. Economic outcomes depend on policies, institutions and social conditions.
Accommodation of diversity
Democracy provides mechanisms for negotiating differences and reducing the risk that social divisions become violent conflicts.
Dignity and freedom
Equal citizenship and rights strengthen the dignity of women and disadvantaged groups and protect individual freedoms.
Last-Minute Revision
Revise the definitions, causes, effects, examples, comparisons and textbook activities. Practise map/figure-based points where applicable and answer the chapter exercises in your own words.