Class 10 Social Science - Democratic Politics - Chapter Power Sharing NCERT Solutions | The Mayor of Merchtem, a town near Bruss

Read the following passage, and pick out any one of the prudential reasons for power sharing offered in this.

“We need to give more power to the panchayats to realise the dream of Mahatma Gandhi, and the hopes of the makers of our Constitution. The Panchayati Raj establishes true democracy. It restores power to the only place where power belongs in a democracy – in the hands of the people. Giving power to Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption, and increase administrative efficiency. When people participate in the planning and implementation of developmental schemes, they would naturally exercise greater control over these schemes. This would eliminate the corrupt middlemen. Thus the Panchayati Raj will strengthen the foundations of our democracy."

Different arguments are usually put forth in favour of and against power sharing. Identify those which are in favour of power sharing and select the answer using the codes given below? Power sharing:

A. reduces conflict among different communities
B. decreases the possibility of arbitrariness
C. delays decision making process
D. accommodates diversities
E. increases instability and divisiveness
F. promotes people’s participation in government
G. undermines the unity of a country

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

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

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.

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

Consider the following statements about power sharing arrangements in Belgium and Sri Lanka :

A. In Belgium the Dutch-speaking majority people tried to impose their domination on the minority French speaking community.
B. In Sri Lanka the policies of the government ensured the dominance of the Sinhala speaking majority.
C. The Tamils in Sri Lanka demanded a federal arrangement of power sharingto protect their culture, language and equality of opportunity in education and jobs.
D. The transformation of Belgium from unitary government to a federal one prevented a possible division of the country on linguistic lines.

Which of the statements given are correct ?

(a) A, B, C and D
(b) A, B, and D
(c) C and D
(d) B, C and D

Consider the following two statements on power-sharing and select the answer using codes given below:

A. Power sharing is good for democracy.
B. It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.

Which of the statements are true and false?

(a) A is true but B is false
(b) Both A and B are true
(c) Both A and B are false
(d) A is false but B is true

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.​

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?

Which among the following statements about India’s Constitution is wrong? It
(a) prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion.
(b) gives official status to one religion.
(c) provides to all individuals freedom to profess any religion.
(d) ensures equality of citizens within religious communities.

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.

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

Explain how the activities of pressure groups are useful in the functioning of a democratic government.

State different forms of communal politics with one example each.

Mention any two constitutional provisions that make India a secular state.

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

State two reasons to say that caste alone cannot determine election results in India.

 Features of a democracy.​

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