Class 6 Social Science Important Questions Chapter 10

Grassroots Democracy — Part 1: Governance

Question 1. What is the meaning of ‘governance’?

Answer: Governance is the process of taking decisions, organizing the society’s life with different sets of rules, and ensuring that those rules are followed. It involves the group of individuals or the system responsible for making and enforcing these rules, which is called the government.

Question 2. Why do we need a government?

Answer: We need a government to maintain order and harmony in society. When a large number of people live together, disagreements and disorder can arise. The government establishes rules, known as laws, to ensure that society functions smoothly and that the rights and responsibilities of individuals are respected.

Question 3. What are the three organs of government? Explain their functions.

Answer: The three organs of government are:

• Legislature: It makes new laws or updates/removes existing laws. The legislature is an assembly of representatives of the people.
• Executive: It implements or enforces the laws. This includes the head of state (President, Prime Minister, or Chief Minister) and other agencies responsible for law and order.
• Judiciary: It interprets the laws and decides whether someone has broken the law. The judiciary also examines if decisions made by the executive are right and whether laws passed by the legislature are fair.

Question 4. What is the difference between direct democracy and representative democracy?

Answer:

• Direct democracy involves every citizen taking part in the decision-making process. For example, in a small group like a class, every student may vote to decide on a particular issue.
• Representative democracy is when citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. In India, Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) at the State level and Members of Parliament (MPs) at the national level are elected to represent the people.

Question 5. Why do we need three levels of government in India?

Answer: India has three levels of government—local, state, and central—because different matters need to be handled at different levels. For instance:

• Local government deals with matters affecting local areas like towns or villages.
• State government handles matters that involve the whole state.
• Central government manages issues that affect the entire country. This structure ensures that problems are dealt with at the appropriate level of governance.

Question 6. Explain the concept of ‘separation of powers’ in governance.

Answer: The concept of separation of powers refers to the division of government responsibilities into three branches: the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. Each branch operates independently and checks the others, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful. This system provides a balance and ensures accountability within the government.

Question 7. How does democracy function in India?

Answer: India is a representative democracy, where citizens elect representatives to make laws and decisions on their behalf. Elections are held regularly, and all citizens above the age of 18 have the right to vote. Representatives in the State assemblies are called MLAs, while those in the national Parliament are called MPs. These representatives discuss and debate laws, problems, and solutions in the legislative assemblies.

Question 8. What role does the government play in maintaining law and order?

Answer: The executive branch of the government, including law enforcement agencies such as the police, is responsible for maintaining law and order. The government ensures that laws are followed, and any violations are dealt with appropriately. The judiciary also plays a role in interpreting the laws and punishing those who break them.

Question 9. Give an example of how the three organs of government work together in case of a cybercrime.

Answer: In the case of cybercrime:

• The legislature creates laws to combat cybercrime.
• The executive (cyber police) implements and enforces these laws by catching the criminals.
• The judiciary interprets the law, holds a trial, and punishes the criminals if they are found guilty.

Question 10. What is grassroots democracy?

Answer: Grassroots democracy refers to a system that enables ordinary citizens to participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives. It emphasizes the involvement of people at the lowest level (local level) in governance. This concept is important in democratic countries like India, where the participation of citizens in elections and governance ensures that their voices are heard.

Question 11. What is the role of the legislature in the government?

Answer: The legislature is the branch of government responsible for making new laws, updating existing laws, and sometimes removing outdated laws. The legislature consists of representatives elected by the people, and these representatives debate and discuss various issues before passing laws.

Question 12. Why is the separation of powers important in a democracy?

Answer: The separation of powers is important because it ensures that the three branches of government (legislative, executive, and judiciary) function independently. This helps in maintaining a system of checks and balances, where no single branch can dominate or misuse its power, thereby preserving the democratic principles of fairness and justice.

Question 13. What are the three levels of government in India?

Answer: In India, the government functions at three levels:

• Local Government: This level deals with local matters, such as village, town, or city governance.
• State Government: The state government handles issues that concern the entire state.
• Central Government: The central or union government deals with national and international matters, including defense, foreign affairs, and currency.

Question 14. Explain how the government deals with issues like floods.

Answer: In the case of floods:

• Local Government may handle minor floods by providing immediate relief to affected areas.
• State Government steps in for more severe floods, organizing rescue operations and sending help to multiple affected areas.
• Central Government becomes involved in massive floods, providing national relief efforts, mobilizing the army, and coordinating with state and local authorities.

Question 15. What is the difference between a direct and an indirect role of citizens in democracy?

• Answer:In a direct role, citizens themselves participate in decision-making, as in direct democracy where everyone votes on every issue.
• In an indirect role, citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf, which is how representative democracy works. In India, citizens elect MLAs and MPs to represent them in the government.

Question 16. Why do countries like India need laws to fight cybercrime?

Answer: With the rise of digital technologies, cybercrimes, such as theft of personal or financial information, have increased. To protect individuals and maintain security, governments need laws that address these crimes. Such laws allow authorities to take action against cybercriminals, prevent fraud, and ensure justice is served.

Question 17. What role does the judiciary play in governance?

Answer: The judiciary interprets and applies laws, ensuring that justice is served. It resolves disputes and decides if laws have been broken. The judiciary also checks if actions by the executive are within the law, and whether laws passed by the legislature are fair and just for all citizens.

Question 18. What is meant by ‘checks and balances’ in a government?

Answer: Checks and balances refer to the system where each branch of government (legislature, executive, and judiciary) monitors the actions of the others. This ensures that no branch oversteps its power or acts beyond its authority, thereby maintaining balance and fairness in governance.

Question 19. What is the meaning of the phrase ‘Satyameva Jayate’?

Answer: ‘Satyameva Jayate’ means “Truth alone triumphs.” It is the motto of the Government of India, and it emphasizes the importance of truth and justice in the functioning of the government.

Question 20. How does the government influence our daily lives?

Answer: The government plays a role in many aspects of our daily lives, such as:

• Ensuring safety and security through law enforcement.
• Providing public services like healthcare, education, and transportation.
• Regulating industries and businesses to ensure fair practices.
• Creating laws that ensure the well-being and rights of citizens are protected.