Give arguments to support or oppose the following assertions:
Industrialised countries can afford democracy but the poor need dictatorship to become rich.
This assertion is opposed. The context shows there is overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world. People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them and believe democracy is suitable for their country. Democracy is people’s own government and is preferred over dictatorship everywhere, indicating that the poor do not need dictatorship to become rich.
Democracy can't reduce inequality of incomes between different citizens.
This assertion is supported. While democracy ensures political equality by giving all citizens one vote, it has not necessarily eliminated economic inequalities. The context suggests that while democracies have successfully eliminated the idea of political inequality, they have not successfully eliminated economic inequalities among people.
Government in poor countries should spend less on poverty reduction, health, education and spend more on industries and infrastructure.
This assertion is opposed. Democratic government is people’s own government and is legitimate because it represents the people. A government that ignores poverty, health, and education fails to be responsive to the needs of its citizens. Since democracy is the people's own government, it must prioritize the welfare and needs of the people to remain legitimate.
In democracy all citizens have one vote, which means that there is absence of any domination and conflict.
This assertion is opposed. The principle of one vote ensures political equality, but it does not lead to the absence of domination and conflict. The context identifies challenges to democracy such as separate entry doors for dalits and non-dalits, farmer suicides, and fake encounters. These examples prove that social conflict and domination exist in democracies despite equal voting rights.
Explanation
The answer uses the provided context to oppose or support each assertion. For (i), the text highlights overwhelming support for democracy globally. For (ii), the distinction is drawn between political equality (achieved) and economic inequality (not eliminated). For (iii), the definition of democracy as 'people's own government' is used to argue against neglecting welfare. For (iv), specific examples of challenges like caste discrimination and farmer suicides from the text are used to prove that conflicts persist.