1) What is Government & What Does it Do?
The government is the system that runs a country. It makes rules (laws), carries them out, and ensures they are followed. Key roles:
- Maintain law & order and internal peace
- Protect the nation & manage external relations
- Provide public goods & services (education, health, roads)
- Manage the economy & plan development
- Work for welfare and improved quality of life
2) Understanding Democracy
Democracy = “rule of the people.” Power ultimately rests with citizens who choose representatives to govern on their behalf.
— Abraham Lincoln
School Committee Analogy
When a school must manage many tasks, the most fair and effective way is to elect representatives from each grade. This mirrors democratic representation in a country.
3) Three Functions of Government
Makes laws — the framework for running the country.
Implements laws, runs day-to-day administration.
Ensures laws are followed; protects rights; resolves disputes.
4) What Makes Governments Different?
- Source of authority: People (democracy), monarch, religious law (theocracy), or a small elite (oligarchy).
- How formed: Elections, hereditary succession, religious appointment, or military/party control.
- Institutional design: Who makes/implements/judges laws? Is there a written constitution?
- Goals & values: Welfare for all, or benefits for a few? Equality, freedom, rights, accountability?
5) Democracies Around the World — Core Principles
- Equality: equal treatment & access; equality before law.
- Freedom: speech, expression, belief, association.
- Representation: universal adult franchise — all adults can vote.
- Fundamental Rights: protected by law.
- Independent Judiciary: checks power, safeguards rights.
Note: Democracies evolved over time. India adopted universal adult franchise in 1950; Switzerland granted women the vote in 1971.
Forms of Democracy
Direct Democracy: Citizens decide policies directly (workable only in small contexts; e.g., Swiss referendums).
Representative Democracy: People elect representatives who form government; elections at regular intervals ensure accountability.
6) Representative Democracies: Parliamentary vs Presidential
| Feature | Parliamentary (e.g., India, UK) | Presidential (e.g., USA, South Korea) |
|---|---|---|
| Executive selection | Prime Minister & Ministers drawn from legislature | President elected separately from legislature |
| Executive–Legislature link | Executive is part of legislature; needs confidence of Lower House | Clear separation; president does not need legislative confidence |
| Judiciary | Independent in both models; upholds constitution and rights | |
| Legislature structure | India: Lok Sabha (stronger) & Rajya Sabha | USA: House of Representatives & Senate (co-equal) |
Lower House is usually directly elected and more powerful; Upper House may be elected or nominated, with review roles.
Examples (Snapshot)
- India: Parliamentary democracy; PM & Council of Ministers; independent judiciary.
- USA: Presidential democracy; president separate from Congress; strong separation of powers.
- South Korea: Presidential system; unicameral National Assembly.
- Australia: Parliamentary (federal); PM & Cabinet; bicameral Parliament.
Key Terms
Universal Adult Franchise Separation of Powers Bicameral Unicameral Accountability
7) A Peek into History — Early Republics & Local Democracy
- Vajji (Lichchhavis) & other mahājanapadas: Early republican features—collective decision-making, merit-based leadership, assemblies.
- Uttaramerur (Chola) inscriptions: Detailed village sabhā elections (sealed ballots, qualifications, duties, removal for corruption).
- Rome & Greece: Early republics with limited franchise (excluded women, slaves, workers in many cases).
8) Other Forms of Government
Monarchy
Ancient India: Kings ideally bound by rājadharma—justice, welfare, restraint (e.g., ethical guidance in Mahābhārata; stories in Rājataraṅgiṇī).
- Absolute Monarchy: Monarch holds total power; laws & enforcement under the king (e.g., Saudi Arabia).
- Constitutional Monarchy: Monarch is ceremonial; elected parliament & PM wield real power (e.g., UK).
Theocracy
Religious law and leadership guide governance.
- Iran: Mix of elected bodies with a Supreme Leader chosen by clerics; constitution based on Islamic principles.
- Other examples include Afghanistan and Vatican City.
Dictatorship
Power centralized in one person/small group; opposition suppressed; rights curtailed.
- Adolf Hitler (Germany): Total power; persecution and genocide; World War II catastrophe.
- Idi Amin (Uganda): Brutal repression; targeted killings; mass expulsions.
Life under such regimes: surveillance, censorship, forced conformity, fear.
Oligarchy
Rule by a few powerful families/elite groups; decisions favor the few.
Warning sign in democracies: when moneyed interests capture institutions.
9) Why Democracy Matters
| Characteristic | Democracy | Dictatorship | Absolute Monarchy | Oligarchy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Universal Adult Franchise | Yes | No | No | No |
| Equality before Law | Yes | No | No/Partial | No/Partial |
| Freedom of Speech | Yes | No | No/Partial | Often limited |
| Separation of Powers | Yes (by design) | No | No | Weak |
| Welfare of All | Aim | Low priority | Ruler-centric | Elite-centric |
Bottom line: Democracies empower citizens, protect rights, allow peaceful change, and aim for inclusive prosperity.
But Democracies Also Face Challenges
Corruption, inequality, capture of institutions, erosion of judicial independence, and misinformation can weaken democracy.
Citizen Toolkit: vote thoughtfully • verify information • respect diversity • follow the law • volunteer • demand transparency • support independent institutions
10) Quick Recap
- Governments differ by source of power, formation, institutions, and goals.
- Democracy (direct/representative) is most common; India follows a parliamentary model.
- Representative democracies may be parliamentary or presidential; both need an independent judiciary.
- Other forms: monarchy (absolute/constitutional), theocracy, dictatorship, oligarchy.
- Democracy matters for rights, equality, freedom, and accountability — but citizens must stay vigilant.
11) Key Terms (Glossary)
Representative chosen person acting for others • Legislature law-making body • Executive law-implementing arm • Judiciary law-interpreting protector of rights • Constitution supreme rules of the state • Universal Adult Franchise voting rights for all adults • Separation of Powers independent Legislature–Executive–Judiciary • Accountability answerability of government to citizens • Rājadharma duties of the ruler toward justice & welfare.
A) Textbook “Questions and activities” — Answers
1) Write names of the various types of government that you have learnt in the chapter.
Answer: Democracy (Direct; Representative — Parliamentary & Presidential), Monarchy (Absolute; Constitutional), Theocracy, Dictatorship, Oligarchy, and the idea of a Republic (elected head of state).
2) Which type of Government does India have? And why is that called that type?
Answer: India is a Parliamentary Democracy and a Republic. The executive (Prime Minister & Council of Ministers) is drawn from and accountable to the Lok Sabha; the head of state (President) is elected (hence “republic”). Universal adult franchise and an independent judiciary are key features.
3) You read that an independent judiciary is present in all types of democracies. State any three reasons why it is important.
Answer: (i) Protects Fundamental Rights of citizens; (ii) Provides checks and balances against abuse of power by the executive/legislature; (iii) Ensures rule of law through impartial dispute resolution and constitutional review.
4) Do you think democratic government is better than other forms of government? Why?
Answer: Yes. Democracy is accountable to people, protects rights and freedoms, permits peaceful change through elections, and aims at inclusive welfare. Non-democratic forms often centralise power and limit participation.
5) Match the practice with the type of government.
| Practice | Correct Match |
|---|---|
| I. All citizens are treated equally before law | Democracy |
| II. Government refers to a religious leader for decisions | Theocracy |
| III. After the queen’s death, her son became king | Monarchy |
| IV. Ruler not bound by any Constitution; makes all decisions | Dictatorship |
6) Find the types of government of these countries: Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, South Africa, Brazil.
- Bhutan: Constitutional Monarchy (democratic constitutional monarchy)
- Nepal: Federal Democratic Republic (parliamentary features)
- Bangladesh: Parliamentary Democracy (unitary parliamentary republic)
- South Africa: Parliamentary Republic (President elected by Parliament)
- Brazil: Federal Presidential Democracy (Presidential Republic)
7) What are possible hurdles in a democracy in achieving its values and ideals? How can they be overcome?
Answer: Hurdles: corruption, money power, misinformation, institutional capture, inequality, erosion of judicial independence.
Remedies: stronger transparency & audit laws, free media, civic education, fair election finance, independent institutions, RTI-style oversight, and active citizen participation.
8) Democracy is different from monarchy and dictatorship. Explain.
Answer: In a democracy, people are the source of authority; leaders are elected, power is limited by law, and rights are protected. A monarchy is hereditary (absolute or constitutional). A dictatorship concentrates power in one person/group, often suppressing rights and dissent.
B) One-Word Answer Questions (10)
- Government ruled by religious law and leaders: Theocracy
- Right of all adults to vote: Universal Adult Franchise
- India’s lower house of Parliament: Lok Sabha
- Law-making body of a state: Legislature
- Rule by a few powerful people: Oligarchy
- Document containing a nation’s supreme rules: Constitution
- Branch that implements laws: Executive
- Branch that interprets laws: Judiciary
- Head of Government in India: Prime Minister
- System where President is elected separately from legislature: Presidential
C) Fill in the Blanks (10)
- In a ______ democracy, citizens themselves decide policies. Direct
- In India, the executive is headed by the ______. Prime Minister
- The Upper House of India’s Parliament is the ______. Rajya Sabha
- A monarchy limited by a Constitution is a ______ monarchy. Constitutional
- Regular elections ensure the ______ of the government. Accountability
- The principle that the three organs work independently is called ______. Separation of powers
- Iran mixes elements of democracy with a ______. Theocracy
- Rule by a small elite is known as ______. Oligarchy
- India follows a ______ model of representative democracy. Parliamentary
- A state with an elected head of state is called a ______. Republic
D) True / False (Explain Each)
- The President in a presidential system must have the confidence of the legislature. — False. Explanation: The executive is separate and does not need legislative confidence.
- Dictatorship protects fundamental rights best. — False. Explanation: Power is concentrated; rights are often curtailed.
- In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch makes all laws. — False. Explanation: Elected parliament makes laws; monarch is largely ceremonial.
- Universal adult franchise means all adults can vote regardless of gender, caste, or wealth. — True. Explanation: Voting rights are equal to all adults.
- An independent judiciary is essential to democracy. — True. Explanation: It safeguards rights and checks abuse of power.
- Oligarchy distributes power widely among citizens. — False. Explanation: Power rests with a few.
- India has a unicameral national legislature. — False. Explanation: It is bicameral: Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha.
- Direct democracy is easiest to operate in very large countries. — False. Explanation: It’s practical only in small contexts.
- Democracy allows peaceful change of government. — True. Explanation: Elections enable orderly transitions.
- A republic necessarily has a hereditary monarch. — False. Explanation: A republic has an elected head of state.
E) Very Short Answer Questions (2–3 lines each)
- What is democracy?
Rule by the people where authority flows from citizens. They elect representatives, enjoy rights, and can change governments peacefully.
- Differentiate parliamentary and presidential systems.
Parliamentary: executive drawn from legislature, accountable to it (e.g., India). Presidential: executive elected separately, clear separation (e.g., USA).
- Define ‘republic’.
A system where the head of state is elected (not hereditary). India is a democratic republic.
- What is theocracy?
Government guided by religious law and leaders; religious authority shapes state decisions.
- Why are regular elections important?
They ensure accountability, reflect changing public will, and allow peaceful transfer of power.
- Name the three organs of government.
Legislature (makes laws), Executive (implements), Judiciary (interprets and protects rights).
- What is oligarchy?
Rule by a small elite—often wealthy or influential families—rather than by the people.
- Give one reason an independent judiciary is vital.
It protects fundamental rights by checking arbitrary actions of other branches.
- What is universal adult franchise?
The right of all adult citizens to vote irrespective of gender, caste, income, or literacy.
- Example of constitutional monarchy today?
United Kingdom—monarch is ceremonial; elected parliament and PM exercise real power.
F) Short Answer Questions (3–4 lines each)
- Explain the three core ideals of democracy discussed in the chapter.
Equality (equal rights & before law), Freedom (speech, belief, association), Representation (universal vote to elect leaders). Together they create accountable, rights-respecting government.
- How does separation of powers work in a democracy?
Legislature makes laws, executive enforces them, judiciary interprets them. Independence prevents concentration of power and protects citizens.
- List two features of absolute vs constitutional monarchy.
Absolute: monarch wields unchecked power; laws/enforcement under the king. Constitutional: monarch is ceremonial; elected bodies govern under a constitution.
- Why is misinformation a threat to democracy?
It distorts voter choices, polarises society, and weakens accountability. Solutions include media literacy, fact-checking, and transparent platforms.
- Give two reasons democracies tend to protect minority rights better than dictatorships.
Constitutions & courts enforce rights; public scrutiny and elections discourage repression. Dictatorships often suppress dissent.
- What do the Uttaramerur inscriptions reveal?
Detailed village self-government under the Cholas—elections, qualifications, duties, and removal for corruption—showing strong local democratic practices.
- How are presidents chosen in presidential vs parliamentary systems?
Presidential: directly (or via electoral college) by people; separate from legislature. Parliamentary republics: head of state may be elected indirectly; PM leads government.
- Mention two democratic safeguards in India.
Independent judiciary with judicial review; universal adult franchise and periodic free elections overseen by the Election Commission.
- What is accountability and how is it ensured?
Answerability of government to citizens—through elections, legislative oversight, courts, audits, RTI, and free media.
- Contrast dictatorship and democracy in one key outcome.
Dictatorships may act swiftly but often violate rights; democracies deliberate and protect freedoms, producing legitimacy and stable development.