Archives

Are there restrictions on the right to freedom justified? Give reasons for your answer. a) Indian citizens need permission to visit some border areas of the country for reasons of security. b) Outsiders are not allowed to buy property in some areas to protect the interest of the local population. c) The government bans the publication of a book that can go against the ruling party in the next elections.

There are restrictions on the right to freedom. Right to freedom never allows a person to violate the freedom of his or her fellow citizens. The... View Article

Here are different opinions about what made India a democracy. How much importance would you give to each of these factors? a) Democracy in India is a gift of the British rulers. We received training to work with representative legislative institutions under the British rule. b) Freedom Struggle challenged the colonial exploitation and denial of different freedoms to Indians. Free India could not be anything but democratic. c) We were lucky to have leaders who had democratic convictions. The denial of democracy in several other newly independent countries shows the important role of these leaders.

Answers: a) Democracy in India is a gift of the British rulers. We received training to work with representative legislative institutions under... View Article

Here is some information about the four countries. Based on this information, how would you classify each of these countries. Write ‘democratic’, ‘undemocratic’ or ‘not sure’ against each of these. a) Country A: People who do not accept the country’s official religion do not have a right to vote. b) Country B: The same party has been winning elections for the last twenty years. c) Country C: The Ruling party has lost in the last three elections. d) Country D: There is no independent election commission.

Answer: a) Country A is Undemocratic Every citizen should be given the right to vote and choose their rulers. If people are not given the right... View Article

Read the following statements about a constitution. Give reasons why each of these is true or not true. a) The authority of the rules of the constitution is the same as that of any other law. b) Constitution lays down how different organs of the government will be formed. c) Rights of citizens and limits on the power of the government are laid down in the constitution. d) A constitution is about institutions, not about values

Answers: a)False The Constitution is the basic foundation of democracy. All the articles in the Indian Constitution are guided by the Preamble... View Article

Write a response to the following arguments against democracy: a) The army is the most disciplined and corruption-free organisation in the country. Therefore the army should rule the country. b) Rule of the majority means the rule of ignorant people. What we need is the rule of the wise, even if they are in small numbers. c) If we want religious leaders to guide us in spiritual matters, why not invite them to guide us in politics as well. The country should be ruled by religious leaders.

a)No, the army should not rule the country. If we consider the actual examples of different countries across the globe, the nations which are... View Article

In dealing with social divisions which one of the following statements is NOT correct about democracy? a) Due to political competition in a democracy, social divisions get reflected in politics. b) In a democracy, it is possible for communities to voice their grievances in a peaceful manner. c) Democracy is the best way to accommodate social diversity. d) Democracy always leads to the disintegration of society on the basis of social divisions.

Answer: The correct answer is option (D) - The statement - Democracy always leads to the disintegration of society on the basis of social... View Article

Read the following passage and pick out any one of the prudential reasons for power sharing offered in this. “We need to give more power to the panchayats to realise the dream of Mahatma Gandhi and the hopes of the makers of our Constitution. Panchayati Raj establishes true democracy. It restores power to the only place where power belongs in a democracy – in the hands of the people. Giving power to Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency. When people participate in the planning and implementation of developmental schemes, they would naturally exercise greater control over these schemes. This would eliminate the corrupt middlemen. Thus, Panchayati Raj will strengthen the foundations of our democracy.”

Power sharing will bring out better outcomes is the prudential reason. When people participate in the planning and implementation of... View Article

Arrange the following statements in a logical sequence and select the right answers by using the code given below. A) But all political expression of social divisions need not be always dangerous. B) Social divisions of one kind or the other exist in most countries. C) Parties try to win political support by appealing to social divisions. D) Some social differences may result in social divisions. i) D, B, C, A ii) D, B, A, C iii) D, A, C, B iv) A, B, C, D

Answer: The correct answer is option (i) - D,B,C,A. D) Some social differences may result in social divisions. B) Social divisions of one kind... View Article

Between 1880 and 1920 forests cover in the Indian subcontinent declined by 9.7 million hectares, from 108.6 million hectares to 98.9 million hectares. Discuss the role of the following factors in this decline: a) Railways b) Shipbuilding c) Agricultural expansion d) Commercial farming e) Tea/Coffee plantations f) Adivasis and other peasants users

a)Railways  A new demand was created in the 1850s due to rapid expansion of Railways. For the movement of imperial soldiers and to carry... View Article

Are the following statements in keeping with democracy as a value? Why? a) Father to daughter: I don’t want to hear your opinion about your marriage. In our family children marry where the parents tell them to. b) Teacher to student: Don’t disturb my concentration by asking me questions in the classroom. c) Employee to the officer: Our working hours must be reduced according to the law.

a)No, it is not in line with democratic values People should respect others' basic rights. As a father, he will have a moral obligation and... View Article