DEMOCRACY AND ITS CRITIQUES Flashcards
Democracy and Economic Development
- Examines the “Lee hypothesis” suggesting authoritarian states are more effective in economic development.
- No empirical proof for a general relationship between democracy and economic development.
- Democracy influences political incentives, making governments more responsive to people’s suffering.
- Sen argues that no substantial famine has occurred in independent and democratic countries with a free press.
- Additional Detail: Sen highlights the correlation between political incentives in a democracy and the prevention of major disasters like famines. Democratic governments, accountable to the people, prioritize immediate needs over authoritarian and colonial governments, which may prioritize other objectives.
The Indian Experience
- Challenges the effectiveness of democracy in poorer countries.
- The yardstick for measuring democracy’s effectiveness is a key question.
- India serves as a case study, demonstrating adaptability and survival of democracy amidst religious, linguistic, and ethnic diversity.
- Additional Detail: Sen contends that India faced skepticism during the colonial period, with the British arguing that Indians were not fit for self-governance. However, post-1947, democracy in India adapted to challenges posed by diverse groups, showcasing its resilience.
The Functions of Democracy
- Sen emphasizes that democracy is more than majority rule.
- Democracy involves voting, elections, respect for the law, protection of liberty, and political freedoms.
- Identifies three components essential for democracy’s universal value:
1. Intrinsic value for human life in political and social participation.
2. Instrumental value for expressing demands through democratic mechanisms.
3. Constructive value, fostering understanding and empathy through shared experiences. - Additional Detail: Sen delves into the multifaceted nature of democracy, stressing its components beyond mere electoral processes. The three identified values contribute to the holistic understanding of democracy’s significance.
Democracy and Cultural Values
- Addresses the argument that democracy is incompatible with certain cultural values.
- Sen rejects the notion of a grand dichotomy between Asian and European values.
- Asserts the importance of recognizing diversity within cultures to avoid oversimplified generalizations.
- Additional Detail: Sen challenges the oversimplified views propagated by political leaders regarding Asian values, emphasizing the need for nuanced understandings and rejecting the notion of a fundamental clash between Asian and European values.
Tutorial Questions
Q1. On Asian Values and Democracy (p. 15)
* Q1(a): Sen critiques the monolithic interpretation of Asian values as hostile to democracy, attributing these claims to political leaders rather than scholars.
* Q1(b): Sen is not arguing that Asian values are incompatible with democracy; instead, he challenges the oversimplified, divisive views propagated by political leaders.
Q2. Relationship Between Famines and Democracy
* Sen argues that democracies, with political and civil rights, are more responsive to the acute suffering of people, preventing major disasters like famines.
* Example: Democratic governments, accountable to the people, prioritize immediate needs over authoritarian and colonial governments, which may prioritize other objectives.
* Additional Detail: Sen’s argument underscores the role of democracy in preventing humanitarian crises, providing a nuanced understanding of the relationship between political systems and the well-being of citizens.
Conclusion:
- Sen presents democracy as a nuanced system with multifaceted values.
- Stresses the universality of democratic principles while debunking misconceptions about cultural incompatibility.
- Additional Detail: Sen’s comprehensive exploration encourages a deeper appreciation of democracy, its adaptability, and its impact on various aspects of societal well-being.
