Class 10 Social Science - Democratic Politics Federalism: NCERT Solutions for Question 12

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.

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.

Examine the following pairs that give the level of government in India and the powers of the government at that level to make laws on the subjects mentioned against each. Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

Here are three reactions to the language policy followed in India. Give an argument and an example to support any of these positions.
Sangeeta: The policy of accommodation has strengthened national unity.
Arman: Language-based States have divided us by making everyone conscious of their language.
Harish: This policy has only helped to consolidate the dominance of English over all other languages.

Identify and shade three federal countries (other than India) on a blank outline political map of the world.

A few subjects in various Lists of the Indian Constitution are given here. Group them under the Union, State and Concurrent Lists as provided in the table below.
A. Defence; B. Police; C. Agriculture; D. Education; E. Banking; F. Forests; G. Communications; H. Trade; I. Marriages

Locate the following States on a blank outline political map of India:
Manipur, Sikkim, Chhattisgarh and Goa.

Fill in the blanks:
Since the United States is a ___________________ type of federation, all the constituent States have equal powers and States are ______________vis-à-vis the federal government. But India is a_____________________ type of federation and some States have more power than others. In India, the ____________ government has more powers.

What is the main difference between a federal form of government and a unitary one? Explain with an example.

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

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?

Writing your own definition of a good democracy.​

What are the different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.

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?

The Mayor of Merchtem, a town near Brussels in Belgium, has defended a ban on speaking French in the town’s schools. He said that the ban would help all non¬Dutch speakers integrate in this Flemish town. Do you think that this measure is in keeping with the spirit of Belgium’s power sharing arrangements ? Give your reasons in about 50 words.

After reading this chapter, three students drew different conclusions. Which of these do you agree with and why ? Give your reasons in about 50 words.

Thomman – Power sharing is necessary only in societies which have religious, linguistic or ethnic divisions.
Mattai – Power sharing is suited only for big countries that have regional divisions.
Ousep – Every society needs some form of power sharing even if they are small or do not have social divisions.

In India seats are reserved for women in
(a) Lok Sabha
(b) State legislative assemblies
(c) Cabinets
(d) Panchayati Raj bodies

State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power-sharing with an example from the Indian context. [CBSE Sept. 2010]

What are the different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.

Match List I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: 

 List I                                              List II

(i) Pressure group              A. Narmada Bachao Andolan

(ii) Long-term movement    B. Asom Gana Parishad

(iii) Single issue movement    C. Women’s movement

(iv) Political party               D. Fertiliser dealers, association

 (a) D C A B

(b) B A D C

(c) C D B A

(d) B D C A

Match List I (organisations and struggles) with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List I List II
1. Organisations that seek to promote   A. Movement the interests of a particular section or group
2. Organisations that seek to promote   B. Political parties common interest
3. Struggles launched for the resolution C. Sectional interest of a social problem with or without groups an organisational structure
4. Organisations that mobilise people    D. Public interest with a view to win political power groups

(a) C D B A

(b) C D A B

(c) D C B A

(d) B C D A

Which among the following is the special feature that distinguishes a pressure group from a political party?
(a) Parties take political stances, while pressure groups do not bother about political issues.
(b) Pressure groups are confined to a few people, while parties involve larger number of people.
(c) Pressure groups do not seek to get into power, while political parties do.
(d) Pressure groups do not seek to mobilise people, while parties do.

Organisations that undertake activities to promote the interests of specific social sections such as workers, employees, teachers, and lawyers are called _____________________ groups.

What is the difference between a pressure group and a political party?