Notes Chapter 9 Class 7 Social Science

From the Rulers to the Ruled: Types of Governments

Introduction

• Kautilya’s Perspective: In Arthashastra, Kautilya outlines three primary duties of a ruler:
• Raksha: Protecting the state from external aggression.
• Palana: Maintaining law and order within the state.
• Yogakshema: Safeguarding the welfare of the people.

1. What is Government and Its Functions?

Definition: A government is an institution responsible for managing a country’s affairs, ensuring stability, and improving citizens’ lives.

Key Functions:

• Legislative Function: Creating rules and laws to govern the country.
• Executive Function: Implementing and administering laws.
• Judicial Function: Ensuring laws are followed and resolving disputes.

Roles of Government:

• Maintaining law and order.
• Ensuring peace, stability, and security.
• Managing international relations and national defense.
• Providing essential services (e.g., education, healthcare, infrastructure).
• Managing the economy and promoting citizens’ welfare.

Activity: Recall roles of government from Grade 6 and list additional responsibilities (e.g., disaster management, environmental protection).

2. What is Democracy?

Definition: Democracy is the “rule of the people,” where the people are the source of power and authority.

School Example:

• A school needs a student committee to manage tasks (e.g., timetables, sports, mid-day meals).
• Options for forming the committee:
• All students participate (impractical due to decision-making challenges).
• Head Teacher selects members (excludes student voices).
• Students elect representatives through voting (democratic approach).

Conclusion: The third method (electing representatives) is democratic, ensuring representation from each grade.

Key Insight: In a democracy, people elect representatives to govern, similar to the school committee model.

3. What Makes Governments Different?

Governments vary based on history, culture, and aspirations. Key differences include:

Source of Authority:

• Democracy: People (e.g., India).
• Theocracy: Religious beliefs/leaders.
• Monarchy: King/queen.

Formation of Government:

• Democracy: Through elections.
• Monarchy: Hereditary succession.

Structure and Functions:

• Separation of powers (legislative, executive, judiciary) varies.
• Rules may be codified in a constitution (democracies) or decided by a ruler (monarchies).

Goals and Values:

• Democracy: Equality, prosperity for all (e.g., India).
• Other forms: May prioritize specific groups or families.

4. Democratic Governments Around the World

Fundamental Principles of Democracy

• Equality: Equal treatment, access to facilities, and equality before the law.
• Freedom: Right to make choices and express opinions.
• Representative Participation: Citizens elect representatives through elections.
• Universal Adult Franchise: Every adult citizen has the right to vote.
• Fundamental Rights: Rights like equality, freedom of speech, and protection from exploitation.
• Independent Judiciary: Protects rights and ensures laws are followed.

Note: These principles are ideals, and their implementation varies. For example:

• India adopted universal adult franchise in 1950.
• Switzerland granted women voting rights in 1971.

Types of Democratic Governments

Direct Democracy:

• Citizens directly participate in decision-making.
• Example: Switzerland (limited use due to practicality in large populations).
• Limitation: Difficult to implement in large countries.

Representative Democracy:

• People elect representatives through universal adult franchise.
• Elections occur at regular intervals (e.g., every 5 years in India, 4 years in the USA).
• Types:

Parliamentary Democracy:

• Executive (e.g., Prime Minister) is part of the legislature.
• Example: India (Prime Minister and ministers are MPs; accountable to Lok Sabha).
• People elect the legislature, and selected legislators become ministers.

Presidential Democracy:

• Executive (President) is independent of the legislature.
• Example: USA (President elected directly; does not need legislature’s confidence).
• States may have their own governments, but they are under a national government (e.g., India’s Union Government).

Table 9.1: Forms of Democratic Government

Activity: Fill in Table 9.1 for two additional countries (e.g., Canada, Japan) and analyze similarities/differences.

Evolution of Democracy

Democracies evolved over time, and principles like universal suffrage were not always present.
Examples:

• USA: Established democracy in 1787; universal suffrage by 1965.
• UK: Effective universal suffrage in 1928.
• India: Democracy in 1947 with universal adult franchise from the start.
• Nepal: Democracy established in 2008.

5. Other Forms of Government

1. Monarchy

Definition: Government ruled by a monarch (king/queen), often hereditary.

Historical Context:

• In ancient India (e.g., mahajanapadas), kings were guided by sabha/samiti and dharma.
• Some kings claimed divine power, while others followed rajadharma (ruling for people’s welfare).

Types:

Absolute Monarchy:

• Monarch has complete control over laws, enforcement, and adjudication.
• Example: Saudi Arabia (King governs per Islamic law, advised by a council).

Constitutional Monarchy:

• Monarch has nominal power; real power lies with elected officials.
• Example: United Kingdom (King Charles III; parliament and Prime Minister hold power).

Example from Rajatarangini (12th century CE):

King Chandrapida respected a cobbler’s rights, demonstrating dharma-based governance.

2. Theocracy

• Definition: Government ruled by religious leaders based on religious principles.
• Example: Iran (Islamic Republic of Iran):
• Combines theocratic and democratic elements.
• Supreme Leader (selected by clerics) has ultimate authority; elected president and parliament manage daily governance.
• Other Examples: Afghanistan, Vatican City.

3. Dictatorship

Definition: One person or small group holds absolute power without constitutional limits.

Examples:

• Adolf Hitler (Germany, 1933–1945): Gained absolute power, caused the Holocaust, and initiated World War II.
• Idi Amin (Uganda): Military dictator responsible for mass killings and expelling Indian descendants.

Case Study: Shane in North Korea:

• Strict rules on appearance, mandatory military service, restricted internet access, and surveillance.
• Indicates a non-democratic, dictatorial system.

Activity: Discuss whether Shane’s country is democratic and describe his daily life.

4. Oligarchy

• Definition: Rule by a small, powerful group (e.g., wealthy families, influential people).
• Historical Example: Ancient Greece (aristocratic families).
• Modern Context: Some democracies show oligarchic tendencies when a few control governance.
• Activity: Analyze Fig. 9.13 (1889 cartoon) to identify oligarchic influence in an elected body.

6. Why Democracy Matters

Comparison of Government Types (Table 9.2):

Advantages of Democracy:

People choose their government through elections.
Government is accountable to citizens.
Protects rights (e.g., speech, belief, expression) unless they harm others.
Ensures basic needs and promotes wellbeing.
Allows citizens to change representatives if dissatisfied.

Challenges in Democracy:

Corruption, wealth disparity, control by a few, erosion of judicial independence, and misinformation.
Citizens must remain vigilant to address these issues.

Activity: Role-play democracy, monarchy, and dictatorship in class to compare their suitability.

7. Historical Context: Early Republics

Definition: A republic is a government with an elected head of state, not a hereditary monarch.
Examples in India:

• Vajji Mahajanapada: Lichchhavi clan practiced collective decision-making and elected leaders.
• Chola Period (10th century CE): Uttaramerur inscriptions detail village sabha elections, including qualifications, duties, and anti-corruption measures.

Global Examples:

Greece and Rome (5th–4th century BCE): Limited voting rights (e.g., excluded women, slaves).