NCERT Political Science Class 10 Chapter 5 Notes | Reduction of Inequality and Poverty
Topic & sub-topics covered: “Reduction Of Inequality And Poverty” and MCQs Questions: Outcomes of Democracy (All single detail notes are exam-oriented).
We have discussed in-depth and exam-oriented pointers that can be asked in the board exam of class 10th about “Reduction Of Inequality And Poverty” from the NCERT Political Science (Civics) notes for class 10th chapter 5 “Outcomes of Democracy“.
Download the NCERT Political Science (Civics) for Class 10 Chapter 5 Outcomes of Democracy PDF Notes
Download the NCERT Political Science (Civics) Class 10 Chapter 5 “Outcomes of Democracy” PDF Notes to revise key concepts quickly. This chapter explains how democracy affects a country’s governance, economy, social equality, and citizen rights. It discusses whether democratic systems meet people’s expectations by being accountable, inclusive, and respecting individual dignity. These notes offer a concise summary—perfect for exam prep or quick understanding.
Reduction Of Inequality And Poverty
1. Expectations from Democracies:
- Democracies are expected to reduce economic disparities, ensuring just distribution of wealth and opportunities.
Question: Does economic growth in democracies lead to greater inequalities?
Answer: Yes, economic growth in democracies is often accompanied by growing inequalities:
- A small number of ultra-rich individuals hold a highly disproportionate share of the country’s wealth and income.
- Their share in total national income continues to increase, leaving those at the bottom with declining incomes.
- Economic disparities persist despite democracies promoting political equality.
Question: Do democracies ensure a fair distribution of goods and opportunities?
Answer: Democracies have not been very successful in ensuring a just distribution of goods and opportunities:
- Many individuals, particularly the poor, struggle to meet their basic needs (food, clothing, housing, education, and healthcare).
- Although democratically elected governments rely on the votes of the poor majority, they often fail to address poverty and inequality effectively.
- In some poor nations, people remain dependent on wealthier countries even for necessities.
2. Political Equality vs. Economic Inequality:
- Democracies promote political equality: All individuals have equal weight in electing representatives.
- However, economic inequalities often grow parallel to political equality:
a. Ultra-rich minority holds a disproportionate share of wealth and income.
b. Their share in national income is increasing, while the incomes of the poorest decline.
3. Economic Inequalities Among the Poor:
- Poorer sections struggle to meet basic needs:
a. Food, clothing, housing, education, and healthcare. - In many cases, democracies have failed to ensure a minimum standard of living for all.
4. Democracies and Poverty:
- Democracies in practice often fail to prioritise poverty reduction despite the large number of poor voters:
a. Example: India has a significant proportion of poor voters, but poverty remains unaddressed adequately.
b. Example: Bangladesh has over half its population living in poverty.
5. Dependence on Rich Countries:
- Several poor countries depend on rich countries even for essential food supplies.
- Economic inequalities in poorer nations are exacerbated by global dependencies.
6. Conclusion:
- While democracies ensure political equality, they often fall short in addressing economic disparities.
- Economic inequalities remain a major challenge for democracies, both domestically and globally.
Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE Political Science (Civics) Class 10 Chapter 5: Outcomes of Democracy
| Topics No. | Topics Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | How do We Assess Democracy’s Outcomes? |
| 2 | Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate Government |
| 3 | Economic Growth and Development |
| 4 | Reduction of Inequality and Poverty |
| 5 | Accommodation of social diversity |
| 6 | Dignity and freedom of the citizens |
MCQs on NCERT Civics Class 10 Chapter 5 Topic – Reduction Of Inequality And Poverty
Here are the top exam-oriented MCQ-type questions on “Reduction of Inequality and Poverty” that you should prepare for your CBSE or state board exams:
Question 1. What is a reasonable expectation from democracies regarding economic disparities?
(a) To completely eliminate economic disparities
(b) To reduce economic disparities
(c) To ensure equal wealth distribution among all citizens
(d) To focus solely on economic growth
Answer: (b) To reduce economic disparities
Question 2. What is the relationship between economic growth and wealth distribution in democracies?
(a) Economic growth always leads to wealth equality
(b) Economic growth often accompanies increased inequalities
(c) Economic growth eliminates poverty completely
(d) Economic growth ensures basic needs for all
Answer: (b) Economic growth often accompanies increased inequalities
Question 3. What is the basis of democracies?
(a) Economic equality
(b) Social hierarchy
(c) Political equality
(d) Religious uniformity
Answer: (c) Political equality
Question 4. Who enjoys a highly disproportionate share of wealth in democracies?
(a) The middle class
(b) The ultra-rich
(c) The poor
(d) The government
Answer: (b) The ultra-rich
Question 5. What has been observed about the incomes of those at the bottom of the society in democracies?
(a) Their incomes have been rising steadily
(b) Their incomes have been declining
(c) Their incomes are equal to the middle class
(d) Their incomes surpass the ultra-rich
Answer: (b) Their incomes have been declining
Question 6. What basic needs do people at the bottom of society struggle to meet?
(a) Luxury goods and entertainment
(b) Food, clothing, housing, education, and health
(c) Business investments and savings
(d) Political representation
Answer: (b) Food, clothing, housing, education, and health
Question 7. How successful are democracies in reducing economic inequalities?
(a) Very successful
(b) Completely unsuccessful
(c) Not very successful
(d) Always fail
Answer: (c) Not very successful
Question 8. Why might democratically elected governments not address poverty as expected?
(a) Poverty does not affect voting patterns
(b) The poor do not vote in large numbers
(c) Governments prioritise other issues over poverty
(d) Political parties avoid addressing poverty to stay in power
Answer: (c) Governments prioritise other issues over poverty
Question 9. What percentage of Bangladesh’s population lives in poverty?
(a) Less than 10%
(b) More than half
(c) About 25%
(d) None
Answer: (b) More than half
Question 10. What do many poor countries rely on rich countries for?
(a) Political Guidance
(b) Food supplies
(c) Economic investments
(d) Educational programs
Answer: (b) Food supplies
Question 11. Which contradiction is observed in democracies regarding equality?
(a) Economic equality is ensured alongside political equality
(b) Economic inequalities increase despite political equality
(c) Both economic and political inequalities increase
(d) Political equality eliminates all disparities
Answer: (b) Economic inequalities increase despite political equality
Question 12. Why do political parties in democracies focus on the poor during elections?
(a) The poor have a negligible influence on elections
(b) The poor constitute a large proportion of voters
(c) To fulfil all promises made to the poor
(d) To avoid criticism from international organisations
Answer: (b) The poor constitute a large proportion of voters
Question 13. What is one key failure of democratically elected governments, as mentioned in the text?
(a) Failure to hold elections regularly
(b) Lack of focus on addressing poverty
(c) Refusal to adopt economic priorities
(d) Inability to maintain political equality
Answer: (b) Lack of focus on addressing poverty
Question 14. What happens to the share of wealth and income of the ultra-rich in democracies?
(a) It decreases steadily
(b) It remains stagnant
(c) It increases disproportionately
(d) It becomes evenly distributed
Answer: (c) It increases disproportionately