(a) Democracy is attentive to the needs and demands of the people because:
(i) Democracy is a type of government which is elected by the people and the basic aim of democracy is to create a welfare state.
(ii) A democratic government is responsive to the needs and expectations of the people. Democratic governments provide subsidies and welfare policies for their citizens keeping in mind the welfare of the common people.
(iii) It promotes the formation of public opinion and cares about the public opinion.
(iv) Democracy is attentive to the needs and demands of the people and it responds to the grievances of people faster.
(v) Democracies provide practices and institutions like- regular, free and fair elections and open public debate.
(vi) Citizens have right to information about the government and its functions.
(vii) It is expected that a democratic government is largely free fromcorruption and often sensitive to the demands of the people.
(Any five)
OR
(b) Democracies accommodate social diversities and provide dignity and freedom to the citizens because:
(i) Democracies lead to peaceful and harmonious life: Democracies lead to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens. It will be a fair expectation that democracy should provide a harmonious social life.
(ii) Ability to handle social differences, divisions and conflicts: Democracies usually develop a procedure to conduct their competition. This reduces the possibility of these tensions becoming explosive or violent. No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts amongdifferent groups. Ability to handle social differences, divisions and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of democratic regimes.
(iii) Democracy promotes dignity and freedom of the citizens: Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual. Every individual wants to receive respect from fellow beings.
(iv) The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy: The passion for respect and freedom are the basis of democracy. Democracies throughout the world have recognised this, at least in principle.
(v) Democracies provide equal status and equal opportunity to the depressed class people: Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity. There are instances still of caste-based inequalities and atrocities, but these lack the moral and legal foundations.