Writing your own definition of a good democracy.
A country with a government which has been elected freely and equally by its all citizens is a good Democracy. It is a system of government which involves majority decision-making. In democracy an organization is controlled by its members, who freely and equally participate in the decision-making processes.
“Democracy is the experience of life itself – always changing, infinite variety, sometimes zig-zag and more valuable for having adversity.” – Jimmy Carter, American President, in his speech to the Indian Parliament.
In what ways do pressure groups and movements exert influence on politics?
State the various functions political parties perform in a democracy.
How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?
What are the different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.
Locate the following States on a blank outline political map of India:
Manipur, Sikkim, Chhattisgarh and Goa.
Discuss three factors that determine the outcomes of politics of social divisions.
Mention different aspects of life in which women are discriminated or disadvantaged in India.
Describe the forms of relationship between pressure groups and political parties?
What are the various challenges faced by political parties?
What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?
Consider the following three statements.
A. Social divisions take place when social differences overlap.
B. It is possible that a person can have multiple identities.
C. Social divisions exist in only big countries like India.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
(a) A, B and C (b) A and B (c) B and C (d) Only C
State how caste inequalities are still continuing in India.
How do social divisions affect politics? Give two examples.
What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?
The distinguishing feature of a federal government is:
(a) National government gives some powers to the provincial governments.
(b) Power is distributed among the legislature, executive and judiciary.
(c) Elected officials exercise supreme power in the government.
(d) Governmental power is divided between different levels of government.
When does a social difference become a social division?
In India seats are reserved for women in
(a) Lok Sabha
(b) State legislative assemblies
(c) Cabinets
(d) Panchayati Raj bodies
In the context of democracies, which of the following ideas is correct – democracies have successfully eliminated:
A. conflicts among people
B. economic inequalities among people
C. differences of opinion about how marginalised sections are to be treated
D. the idea of political inequality
Point out one feature in the practice of federalism in India that is similar to and one feature that is different from that of Belgium.
Match List I (forms of power- sharing) with List II (forms of government) and select the correct answer using codes given below the lists :
List I List II
(i) Power shared among different organs of government A. Community government
(ii) Power shared among governments at different levels B. Separation of Powers
(iii) Power shared by different social groups C. Coalition government
(iv) Power shared by two or more political parties D. Federal government
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
(a) | D | A | B | C |
(b) | B | C | D | A |
(c) | B | D | A | C |
(d) | C | D | A | B |