From the Rulers to the Ruled: Types of Governments
1. What is the main role of a government according to the document?
Answer: The main role of a government is to maintain law and order, ensure peace, stability, and security, manage relationships with other countries, take care of national defense, deliver essential services like education and healthcare, manage the economy, and work for the welfare of the people.
2. What does Kautilya say about a ruler’s duties in the Arthaśhāstra?
Answer: Kautilya says a ruler’s duties are threefold: rakṣha (protecting the state from external aggression), pālana (maintaining law and order within the state), and yogakṣhema (safeguarding the welfare of the people).
3. What does the term “democracy” mean?
Answer: Democracy means “rule of the people,” where the people of the country are the source of power and authority.
4. Why is the third method of forming a student committee in the school example considered democratic?
Answer: The third method is democratic because students choose their representatives through voting, ensuring that each grade has a representative who advocates for their needs, similar to how people elect representatives in a democracy.
5. What are the three main functions of a government?
Answer: The three main functions of a government are:
- Legislative function: Creating rules or laws.
- Executive function: Implementing and administering the rules.
- Judicial function: Ensuring the rules are followed.
6. What is the difference between a direct democracy and a representative democracy?
Answer: In a direct democracy, all citizens directly participate in making decisions and rules, while in a representative democracy, people elect representatives through voting to make decisions on their behalf.
7. Why is it difficult to practice direct democracy in large countries?
Answer: Direct democracy is difficult in large countries because involving every citizen in decision-making is impractical, leading to challenges in reaching decisions and managing tasks effectively, as seen in the school committee example.
8. What is universal adult franchise?
Answer: Universal adult franchise is the right of every citizen above a certain age to vote and choose their representatives in elections.
9. How does a parliamentary democracy differ from a presidential democracy?
Answer: In a parliamentary democracy, the executive (prime minister and ministers) is part of the legislature and accountable to it, while in a presidential democracy, the executive (president) is elected separately and works independently of the legislature.
10. What is meant by the separation of powers in a democracy?
Answer: Separation of powers means that the three organs of government—legislature, executive, and judiciary—work independently and do not interfere with each other’s functions.
11. Why is an independent judiciary important in a democracy?
Answer: An independent judiciary is important because it:
Protects citizens’ fundamental rights.
Ensures laws are followed by both citizens and the government.
Prevents the legislature and executive from abusing power.
12. What is a monarchy, and how does it differ from a democracy?
Answer: A monarchy is a government ruled by a king or queen (monarch) who usually inherits power. It differs from a democracy, where power comes from the people through elections, not from a hereditary ruler.
13. What is the difference between an absolute monarchy and a constitutional monarchy?
Answer: In an absolute monarchy, the monarch has complete control over laws and governance (e.g., Saudi Arabia). In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch has limited or nominal power, and real power lies with elected officials, like in the United Kingdom.
14. What is a theocracy, and can you name one example from the document?
Answer: A theocracy is a government ruled by religious leaders based on religious rules. An example is Iran, officially called the Islamic Republic of Iran.
15. What is a dictatorship, and how does it affect citizens’ rights?
Answer: A dictatorship is a government where one person or a small group has absolute power without constitutional limits. It often restricts citizens’ rights, like freedom of speech and choice, as seen in the example of Shane in North Korea.
16. What is an oligarchy, and how might it appear in a democracy?
Answer: An oligarchy is a government where a small, powerful group, often wealthy families or influential people, makes decisions. In a democracy, it might appear when a few politicians or businesspeople hold too much influence over governance.
17. What are some fundamental principles of democracy mentioned in the document?
Answer: Fundamental principles of democracy include equality, freedom, representative participation, universal adult franchise, fundamental rights, and an independent judiciary.
18. How did the ancient Lichchhavi clan in the Vajji mahājanapada practice governance?
Answer: The Lichchhavi clan practiced collective decision-making, choosing leaders based on merit rather than birth, with representatives from various clans meeting regularly to address issues and ensure people’s welfare, making it an early republic.
19. What do the Uttaramerur inscriptions from the Chola period tell us about elections?
Answer: The Uttaramerur inscriptions describe the election process for the village sabhā, including the use of sealed ballot boxes, qualifications for members, their duties, and conditions for dismissal, such as corruption.
20. What are some challenges to democracy mentioned in the document, and how can citizens address them?
Answer: Challenges include corruption, wealth disparity, excessive control by a few, erosion of judicial independence, and manipulation of information. Citizens can address them by staying vigilant, participating in elections, holding leaders accountable, and promoting transparency.
Leave a Reply