How is democratic government known as a responsive government? Explain with an example. (CBSE 2014)

1. The institution of democratic politics is practiced in different ways in various countries today. These countries have formal institutions, hold regular elections and guarantee rights to their citizens. However, the very practice of democracy differs from country to country because of the difference in the internal makeup, social, economic and political conditions specific to each country’s society. Thus, the democratic government in each country needs to be responsive to the varying needs of their society.

2. In a country like India democracy provides opportunities to the people who can not only participate in the process of governance but at the same time ensure the responsiveness, accountability, and legitimacy of the government’s actions at every step through democratic mechanisms such as Right to Information (RTI).

3. India is an appropriate example of unity in diversity. A government which is of the people, by the people, and for the people, it has been successful in uniting the country under one umbrella of democracy and has also taken care of the needs of varying communities and groups.

NOTE – Democracy, in its true spirit, has emerged as the most progressive form of governance which is constantly concerned with the betterment and well-being of the members of a society. This has been ensured by the representatives of the people at various levels of the government, who have time and again responded to the needs of the people effectively.