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CBSE Political Science Sample Question Paper - Year 2000

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Political Science Class- XII ( CBSE)
(You are on answers 1 to 12 of Set I)

Q1. What do you understand by Fascism?
Answer :

Fascism is derived from the word ‘Fascio’ which means an organised political group or a club. Fascism was not a well-knit doctrine. It was more of an attitude. It openly opposes ideologies and maintains that it is an action oriented movement based on pragmatism. However, its ideology was described in the form formlated by leaders like Mussolini & Hitler.

Fascism supports the idea of a totalitarian state and believes in aggressive nationalism. It is opposed to internationalism.It is basically anti-revolutionary and anti-democratic.

Q.2. Explain a ‘Laissez - faire state’?
Answer :

The first phase of liberalism saw the rise of a laissez-faire state or a free market state. Here the stress lies on individualism. Laissez-faire state provides a breeding ground for a capitalist economy. Here the state is seen as a necessary evil which should perform minimum functions like maintenaneof law and order and should have no conrol on trade, capital investment and business growth . Individual rights are given supreme importance and the state is governed by the Darwainian theory of “Survival of the fittest".

However, such a kind of state increases the gap between the rich and the poor leading to cyclic booms and depressions in the economy. Hence some kind of regulation is needed. The main proponents of laissez - faire state were Adam Smith & Locke.

Q.3. Describe any two Directive Principles related to the welfare of women in India?
Answe :

The Directive principles lay down some 19 objectives enjoining the state to undertake within its means a number of welfare measures. Directives related to the welfare of women in India are:

(1) Article 39 [d] :- Directs the state policy towards securing equal pay for equal work for both men and women. It thus seeks to end the age-old discrimination between men & women and gives her an equal footing with men.

(2) Article 42 :- Lays down that the state shall make provisions for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief. Thus the maternity period will no longer be considered as an hinderance in a women’s career when she will get a relief benefit during that period.

Q. 4. “Rights imply duties.” Comment?
Answer :

Rights and duties are two faces of the same coin. The rights are considered to be essential for the expansion of human personality. They offer the individual sufficient scope for free action and thus prepare ground for self - development. However these rights become meaningless in the
absence of duties.

Prof. Laski lays down a four - fold connection between rights and duties.

1. My right implies your duty : e.g. my right to life implies that others should give protection and security to my life.

2. My right implies my duty to admit a similr right of others :- e.g. my right to speech implies that it is my duty to see that I may not be a hinderance in the free exercise of this right by others.

3. I Shoud exercise my right to promote social good :- A person should not abuse/misuse the rights given to him by the state or else the state will be justified in depriving the person of his right .

4.Since the state guarantees and maintains my rights, I have the duty to support the state.

Thus rights without duties have no meaning and duties without rights appear senseless.

Q 5 What do you understand by proportional representation?
Answer :

The main focus of this system is to ensure that the number of seats a political party gets in the legislature should be proportionate to the popular votes it obains from the electrorate in any given election. Thus, it seeks to remedy a prevalent imbalance in most of the election systems, in which there is no direct correlation between votes and seats. The two methods by which proportional representation can be achieve are: single transferable vote system or the Hare system and the list system.

Q.6 Describe any two tests of a good electoral system?
Answer :

The following conditions are necessary for the successful functioning of an electoral system:-
(i) The existence of an independent judiciary to interpret electoral laws.
(ii) The setting up of an autonomous , fair - minded and competent administrative machinery to conduct elections e.g. Election Commission in India.

Q.7 Mention any two advantages of the multi-party system?
Answer :

A multiparty system which necessarily is a system of coalitional government has the following advantages:-

(i) It is a more democratic and a more open system. It reflects more genuinely the range of opinion in a democracy. It is also more elastic and accomodative, and capable of allowing a freer interaction of varied interests, view-points and ideological nuances.

(ii) Under this system, a voter has a wider spectrum of choice and a greater chance of applying his discretion for electing representatives.

Q.8. Mention any two hindrances in the formulation of sound public opinion in India?
Answer :

The following are the hindrances in the formulation of sound public opinion:-

(i) Illiteracy: - A considerable portion of Indian population is illiterate. Illiteracy is a bane to sound puplic opinion. These people are ignorant of the hard facts and get easily swayed by political speeches and populist measures of the politicians. Poverty also limits their choices and they
tend to favour those who give them material benefits.

(ii) Lack of real liberty :- The high sounding rights that adorn our constitution are not enjoyed in reality by one and all. The lower strata of the society which can not even make their both ends meet can not comment on what’s going on around them. Their main aim is to earn a living for themselves. Moreover the presence of mafias & goonda elements in our society do not allow the people to formulate sound public opinion.

Q. 9. Describe any two tiers of Panchayati Raj in India?
Answer :

Panchayati Raj System is a three-tier structure, two of which are described below:-

(i) Gram Sabha: - The Gram Sabha is the general body of the local citizens comprising all the eligible voters in the village or group of villages over which the Gram Panchayat as an Executive Committee exercises is jurisdiction. It is expect to meet twice a year, and work as the watch - dog of the Gram Panchayat. The Gram Panchayat has its jurisdiction over a village or a group of villages. It consists of 5 - 31 members elected by the Gram Sabha, through secret ballot for a period of 3 - 5 yeas.
The members are called Panchas and the President as the Sarpanch.

(ii) Panchayat Samiti:- The intermediate tier of the Panchayati Raj system is located at the Block level. It is a vital link between the village and the district. The sarpanchs of all the Panchayats within the Block are the ex-officio members of the Panchayat Samiti. Other ex-officio members include the Chairman of Primary co-operative Agricultural Development Bank , Director of District Co- operaive Central bank,and the President of Primary Co-operative Marketing Society. All the MLA’s ,MLCs, & MPs of the area are included as associate members. The term of office for the members is 3 - 5 years. The general body meets once in 3 months.

Q.10.State any two functions of the National Development council.
Answer :

The functions of the National Development Council, as revised in 1967 , following the adoption of the recommendation of the Adminisrative Reforms Commission, are as follows:-

(i) It considers the national plan as formulated by the Planning Commission and also assesses the resources required for implementing the plan and to suggest ways and means for raising them.

(ii)It reviews the working of the plan from time to time and recommends such measures as are necessary for achieving the aims and targets articulated in the national plan.

Q. 11 What are the two main characteristics of a good law? Give two reasons why do we obey laws?
Answer :

A law is a set of generally accepted rules and regulations governing inter-relationships in human society seeking to create order and balanced development of all.

(i) Every law must have `validity’ as well as `value’, validity in the sense of a formal character of law and value in the sense that it should inhere in it the community’s sense of right and justice. Thus , whenever there is a conflict between law and the moral order, such enactment lacks legitimacy in the eyes of the people.

(ii)A law may be just or unjust, good or bad, but it has the authority of the state behind it. This is because a legal order is related to the protection of rights and securing of social justice to all. People obey laws not only because they are laid down by the state but also because laws promote the community welfare while giving enough space to the individual to develop, they also limit his sphere of activity to a point where it starts abridging on other’s equal rights.

People also obey laws because they have the sanctions of the state behind them. People who break the laws are punished by the state and it is this fear of punishment that makes the people law abiding.

Q. 12 How far is it correct to say that Liberty and equality are complementary to each other?
Answer :

Historically speaking the glorification of Liberty precedes that of equality. Be it the ancient Greek & Roman ideals of liberty of Locke’s Natural rights, the concept of equality was not to be found. It was during the American & the French revolutions in 1776 & 1789 respectively that the idea of equality got itself aligned to liberty. However, Scholars like Lord Acton and Tocqueville still insisted that equality destroyed the possibility of having liberty. According to them Liberty means absense of any restrain or coercion whereas equality needs some restrain or levelling which is against the principles of Liberty.

But such a concept of liberty is based on misunderstanding of the term. Liberty does not mean mere absense of restrain . It means to be autonomous and self - determining. It implies that whatever autonomy I have will not prevent others from equal autonomy. It implies that we are all equally entitled to realise our capacities. Equality is the condition in which this takes place to the maximum . For e.g.

(i) Political equality is best gauranteed in a democracy in which each citizen is to count for one.

(ii) Civil equality or equality before law is the precondition of freedom. Laws should equally guarantee security of person and property because it is only then that we can have conditions necessary for enjoyment of our autonomy.

(iii)As far as economic equality is concerned, it has been seen that all laws and taxes diminish one’s Liberty but sometimes they do so to increase the general Liberty.

Thus relating to development of human personality, it is required that the ideals of equality & Liberty should have a simultaneous flow.

Q.13 Mention any two obligatory and any two voluntary functions of the modern state ?
Answer :

The modern state can correctly be termed as a welfare state as it takes upon itself the Social responsibility of providing goods and services to the weaker sections in society. The obligatory functions of the state include the following:

(i) Maintenance of law and order in the society: This would include preventing internal disturbance as well as foreign aggression. The state seeks to provide communal harmony in the society. It also establishes a strong police force and an attenteive varmed forces at the borders for security purposes.

(ii) Provides justice to one and all :- This is the second most important function of the state. The state ensure its citizens equal rights and pays heed to their grievances. The offenders of law are punished and hence a just society comes to fore. Moreover special provisions are made for the minorities so that they do not feel alienated. Besides these obligatory functions which every state performs, there are certain other functions that the state may take up depending upon their economic resources. These are:-

(a) The state may provide certain Economic rights to te individuals including right to work, right to work, right to secure income, right to shelter. It may carry forward mass literacy programmes and provide unemployment benefits. It may also carry out programmes for health care and environment protection.

(b) The state may also bring about some land reforms. It may provide subsidies to agriculture and high price support to farmers. it may educate the farmers in latest farm technology and ensure supply of goods and fertilizers. furthermore , through programmes like food to the poor , it may
also distribute food to the needy.

Q14.How far is it correct to say that India is a welfare state?
Answer :

India accepted the idea of a welfare state from the very beginning. Under the Five year Plans.Comprehensive efforts have been made to reduce inequalities in society, create an atmosphere of security & service and provide a national minimum to all. `Garibi Hatao’ and `Employment to All’ are the basic catchwords which embody the concern of the state. Besides maintaining law and order, the state is employing its basic energies for economic , social & even moral welfare (i) It is trying to secure human equality and social justice (ii) Social rights are being secured to weaker sections including scheduled casts and scheduled tribes (iii) Major industries and banks are in the Public Sector (iv) Private Sector is subject to state planning & detailed regulation by government (v) The state is the largest employer in the country. Public & Private Sectors are, thus, combined in the mixed economy .

The impact of the welfare state is apparent. The standard of living of the working class and peasants has improved, at least in some areas. Today more children have access to schools. But despite all this There is much to be done. A large section of our population lives below the poverty line. There are substantial inequalities of income and opportunity. But the success of our welfare state will depend on the speed of our economic growth. Moreover, the state should rise above caste or class or community consideration in the overall interest of all is society.

Q.15.Elaborate the differences between territorial and functional representation?
Answer :

There are two well-known criteria of general representation, namely, territorial or geographical division of constituencies, and functional or occupational basis for composing a constituency.

Under the territorial representation system, the total electorate of the country is divided into territorial constituencies, which elect one representative or more. The entire population is divided into constituencies with more or less equal number of voters. Following a new census these constituencies are delimited a new to accommodate increase/decrease of voters as the case may be.

However under the functional representation system the citizens are divided into constituencies on the basis of their economic functions or occupational interests, which they represent in the society. For instance, there would be separate constituencies for farmers, industrial workers, traders, manufacturers, teachers, layers, etc.The advocates of functional representation argue that this is a better way of obtaining representation for a cross-section of interests, demands and concerns of the people in the legislature. They also maintain that while in a territorial constituency the elected representative will belong to just one or the other occupational group, and would, therefore, tend to incline towards the interests of its functional group to the neglect of others, in the functional representation pattern, all major functions would get adequate representation.However if the functional representation principle is accepted as the basis of election to the Parliament and the legislature then the existing party system will not work because today a party represents many interest groups, and includes persons belonging to several functions & vocations. Therefore the method of territorial representation is preferred in almost all democratic countries.

Q.16.Describe any four functions of the Election Commission of India ?
Answer :

The main functions of the Election Commission include:-

(i) To prepare, revise, update and maintain the list of voters for election to the Parliament, State Legislatures, Local bodies and to the office of the President and the Vice-president of India.

(ii)To conduct and supervise elections and by-election to the Parliament, state Legislatures, and to the Office of the President and the Vice-President of India.

(iii)To delimit constituencies for the election to the Parliament and to the State legislatures, and to allot a number of seats to each of them.

(iv) To fix the election proramme, including dates for nomination and scrunity of candidates, and date of elections; make arrangements for setting up necessary number of polling booths, lay down procedure for the exercise of secret ballot, appoint adequate number of returning officers, and declare results after the proper counting and scrutiny of votes.

Q.17 “Majorityis not enough, and unanimity is not required for the formation of Public Opinion? comment?
Answer :

The latin phrase Vox Populi which means the voice of the people correctly defines what public opinion means. It is just the opinion of the common people. It is the organised and considered opinion of a section or many sections of the people, on any issue or problem of public concern. It need not be an expert opinion, a majority opinion or even a unanimous opinion.

The expression of Public opinion ensures democratic communication. Public opinion actually refers to the voice of the interested spectators of action. Thus there is no single opinion but multiplicity of opinions held by different groups and there are as many opinions as there are politically articulate groups each commanding its own public support of that opinion.

Q.18.Describe the composition and functions of a Municipal Corporation in India?
Answer :

Municipal Corporation is the top most urban local Government . It has a statutory status and there is a separation of the legislative and the executive wing. The council of a corporation is headed by the Mayor and its standing committees constitute the deliberative wing which takes decisions . The Municipal Commissioner is the Executive Authority, responsible for enforcing these decisions. Collectively, the Council, headed by the Mayor, the standing Committees and the Municipal Commissioner make up the Corporation. The council consists of councillors who function for a period of five years. The seats are filled by direct elections. Some seats may be filled by nominations of persons having special knowledge or experience of Municipal Administration. There is also a provision for reservation of seats for SC/ST , women and backward classes.

The functions of Municipal Corporation are divided into 2 categories:-

(i) Obligatory functions - like supply of water, construction and maintenance of water works, supply of electricity, road transport services, construction, maintenance, naming and numbering of Public Streets, registration of birth and deaths etc.

(ii) Discretionary Functions - which the corporation may take up depending upon availability of financial resources. For e.g. construction of Public parks, gardens, Libraries, museums, theatres, stadiums, planting and care of trees on the roadside and elsewhere , relief of destitute and disabled persons, registration of marriages etc.

Q.19.Briefly explain with examples any two kinds of rights?
Answer :

Rights are those claims which are recognised by the society, enforced by the state and aim at general good. A few rights necessary for our own age are:-

(i) Right to personal liberty - as it is embodied in the notion of rule of law. Article 21 of our constitution lays down that no one should be deprived of his ” personal liberty except according to the procedure established by law” . The right to personal liberty does not mean absolute freedom to do anything . A criminal who is always obsessed by anti-social impulses cannot claim the right to personal liberty. The right to personal Liberty means that we should be punished only for a breach of a definite law and only in a definite manner after a free trial. The detention of persons without a fair trial, in civilized societies, as under the provision of preventive detention is the very negation of the rights of individuals. However, in times of national emergencies or wars, security at all cost becomes the watchword.

(ii) Right to equality - which means equality of opportunity and equality before law and equal protection of laws.Right to equality does not mean perfect equality. It is only a system of proportions. It means that
everyone in society would have at least the minimum necessities for an honourable existence before someone can have superfluous wealth.

Equality before law means the absence of special privileges, and equal subjugation of all classes according to the procedure established by law and administered by the ordinary courts of the land. The state, however, can make classification, for the equality before law only means equality of treatment in equal circumstances.

Q.20.Describe any four important functions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Commission in India?
Answer :

Under the constitution (Sixty-fifth Amendment) Act, 1990, the Commission for SCs & STs will be required to do the following duties:-

(i) to investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the SCs and STs under the constitution or under any other law;

(ii)to enquire into specific complaints with respect to the deprivation of rights and safeguards of the SCsand STs.

(iii)to participate and advise on the planning process of socio-economic development of the SCs and STs; and to evaluate the progress of their development under the union and any state;

(iv)to presesent to the President annually, and at such other times as the commission may deem fit, reports upon the working of these safeguards.

Q.21 Describe any four main tenets of Gandhism? What is the relevance of Gandhism today?
Answer :

Gandhi left no set of doctrines or dogmas stated in set formula. He never claimed any finality about his views. Paradoxically he denied that there was anything as “Gandhism” . But there are a set of ideas in him which are original and which have exercised enormous influence on diffeent people. Some of his important ideas can be summarized under four heads.

(i) CRITQUE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION:- According to him western civilization was based on calculated rational, self - interest which was totally disruptive of human relationships. He was convinced that the pursuit of self-interest in the form of material interest would increase conflict in society. Gandhi also did not like the political democracy as it prevailed in the west. He dismissed liberal democracy as ‘a fish market’ and paraliament as a prostitute, in which people compete for their self interest. In Britain, the majority ruled. However, he wanted that in a democracy the weakest should have the same opportunity as the strongest.

(ii) FREEDOM AND THE STATE :- Gandhi looked upon an increase in the power of the state with fear as it was , according to him, detrimental to individuality . He believed in Swaraj a condition in which the individual would be complete master of himself. He postulated a non-violent state based on the willing consent of the people and representing the near unanimity in society. He was a firm believer of decentralization of political and economic power which would make people responsible and non- violent and co-operative. To elaborate this he laid down the concept of Ramrajya as an ideal state which personified the idea of self-help, sacrifice and discipline.

(iii)FREEDOM AND ECONOMIC ORGANIZATION :- Gandhi upheld the idea of division of labour which, according to him, is the real wealth and which gives rise to money. He repudiated property which he thought was an obstacle in the realization of God. Thus he called upon capitalists and zamindars to become trustees who should regard tenants and workers as co-proprieters.

(iv) METHODS OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION:- Gandhi emphasised the need to harness the forces of love as against hatred. He insisted on non-violence and satyagraha over the concepts of boycott and passive resistence. He stressed on the need to follow right means to reach the right end.

Part of Gandhi’s Philosophy was utopian. For example, in advancing the idea of trusteeship, he did not realise the apalling selfishness of the capitalists. That is why people found it difficult to put it into practices. His philosophy of non-violence is an ideal to be followed by all the nations which is also coterminous with disarmament . Peace at the national and international level can be established only if violence is shunned and greater confidence is resumed in one another. However, this discipline is very difficult to follow in our daily life. Considering all life as sacred and allowing pests and insects to flourish would not be a sane thing to do.However, this does not mean that Gandhism has become redundant.

The system of Panchayati Raj and local self Government envisaged by Gandhi has become a reality in the present times. Moreover his theory of means and ends makes a lot of sense to the contemporary philosophers.

Q.21 Socialism emerged as a reaction to the rise and development of capitalism. Discuss ?
Answer :

By the middle of the nineteenth century, the Laissez faire doctrine had great following. Competition increased effeciency and wealth in society. But by the end of the nineteenth century, the fallacies of the doctrine became clear. The economic power passed into the hands of a few. The majority lived in conditions of dire poverty. They had no freedom of choice because they were completely dependent on their wages even for bare survival. The indusrialists were busy serving their own interest thus defeating the doctrine of Harmony of Interests. Prices were regulated by economic and not moral laws.

Competition defeated its own ends. Bigger organisations began to monopolise economic power, the smaller organizations were crushed out of existence. As competition increased, the system began to face crises. Cycles of boom and depression, known as tradecycles, became frequent. Unemployment was common phenomenon. Some of these reasons led Marx to make the prophesy that capitalism contained within itself seeds of its own destruction.

As a result of these miserable considitions the workers become hostile. Their intermingling with the others of their own type leads to the formation of class consciousness. This leads to the development of a militant trade union movement and leftist political parties which give a death blow to capitalism.

Q. 22.Explain the significance of the Right to Constitutional Remedies and Right Against Exploitation incorporated in the Indian Constitution ?
Answer :

RIGHT TO CONSTITUTIONAL REMEDIES:

Chapter - III of the Indian constitution pertaining to Fundamental rights has a measure of judicial protection and sanctity in the matter of enforcement of these rights. Under Article 32 every person has been given a right to move the Supreme Court by appropriate proceedings for the enforcement of the rights conferred by Part - III. Clause 2 of this article empowers the Superme Court to issue directions, or writs including writs in the nature of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition,quo warranto, and certiorari. This right can not be suspended except when a proclamation of emergency is in force.

Thus it is through the Right to constitutional Remedies that the fundamental rights under the constitution have been made effective. Dr. B.R. ambedkar described this Artile (Art. 32) as “the very Soul of the
Constitution".

RIGHT AGAINST EXPLOITATION:

Article - 23 of the Indian Constitution prohibits traffic in human beings and beggar and other forms of forced labour. However the state can impose compulsory service for Public purposes. Our Constitution, instead of using the word `slavery’ used a more comprehensive expression ” traffic in human beings” which includes a prohibition not only of slavery but also of traffic in women or children or the crippled, for immoral or other purposes. It also prohibits forced labour of any form which is similar to beggar.

Article 24 prohibits the employment of the children below 14 years of age in any factory or mine or in any other hazardous employment.
Thus forced labour is prohibited and children have been protected as a matter of fundamental rights.

What are the six freedoms guaranteed under Artile 19 of the Indian Constitution? Under what circumstances can these be suspended?
Answer :

Article 19 of the Constitution Guarantees six freedoms . These include the right:-

(a) to freedom of speech and expression
(b) to assemble peacefully and without arms
© to form associations or unions
(d) to move freely throughout the territory of India
(e) to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India
(g) to practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business:
[Article 19(1)(f) has been deleted]

No state can give or guarantee absolute or unlimited rights. Every right is subjected to reasonable limitations, the judge of reasonableness of restrictions is the Supreme Court of India.

With regard to limitations on freedom of speech and expression - the constitution imposes eight limitations. They relate to (i) defamation, (ii) Conempt of Court; (iii) decency or morality; (iv) Security of state; (v) friendly relations with foreign states; (vi) incitement to an offence; (vii) Public order; (viii) Maintenance of the sovereignty and integrity of India.

With regard to limitations freedom of assembly - It is stipulated that any assembly must be peaceful and without arms.

As far as limitations on the right to form , associations or unions go the state can impose reasonable restrctions in the interest of public order or morality or the sovereignty or integrity of India. No group of individuals can enter into a criminal conspiracy or form any association detrimental to the Public peace. With regard to limitations on freedom of movement - the state is empowered to impose restrictions in the interests of the general public or for the protection of any Scheduled Tribe.

FREEDOM OF THE PRESS: There is no specific provision conferring freedom of the press on the Indian citizen. This freedom is included in the wider freedom of “expression” which is guaranteed by Article 19(1) (a) .The state is empowered to impose reasonable restrictions on the freedom of the press in the interests of “security of the state, the sovereignty and integrity of India, friendly relations with foreign states, Public order decency or morality, or for the prevention of contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence".

Thus every major Fundamental Right is followed by certain limitations specified by the constitution itself.

Q. 23.Discuss the role of opposition parties in India?
Answer :

The presence of opposition is the most distinctive characteristic of Parliamentary Democracy. If the Government represents the legitimised consent, then the opposition represents the legitimised dissent.

A good opposition can and should expose the mistakes, the shortcomings, the failures, the deviations, the betrayals and the lack of honesty and integrity of the government. However in the current phase of party politics, the ultimate purpose of the opposition remains to dislodge the party in power.

Till four decades after independence, it was generally the Congress (I) party that held the strings of power while BJP, CPI/CPI(M), Janta Dal etc. acted as opposition parties. A great hue and cry was generated by these opposition parties when the Hawala Scam, Bofors case and urea scam came to fore. They potrayed the corrupt activities of the government and demanded the placement of accountability for the misuse of public funds. The people got to know about the misgivings of the government and voted it out of power. In the current scenario, when the National Democratic Alliance is ruling the Government, the Congress (I) and other leftist parties are playing the same role. Everyone is well aware of the BJP agenda and the RSS influence on it. When the BJP government in Gujarat sought to remove the ban on civil servants to join RSS, it was the successful compaign led by the opposition parties in the Parliament that forced the govt. to withdraw the order . Thus their Hindutva designs were curbed the opposition acted in a very responsible manner and upheld the idea of secularism by curbing the communal forces. Besides this it is due to the pressure of the opposition that the government was forced to make an enquiry into the killings of fathers and nuns and ransacking of various Christian institutions and churchs. If it wasn’t for the opposition, the government would have dismissed these incidents as general law and order problem. The responsible attitude of the opposition was also noted during the recent hijack of IC-814. The opposition stood by the government during its time of crises and decided to endorse whatever the government decides. However, it did criticize the fact that the aircraft was allowed to leave the Amritsar Airport.

Thus, the opposition parties have done a commendable role in showing the other side of the picture to the common man who lacks resources and intelligence to decide what’s right and what’s wrong. However, it has always not been so. These opposition parties have also tried to disloge the government from power as was seen in the case of Sitaram Kesri and J. Jayalalita. Thus the role of opposition parties in India since Independence has been mixed.

Write a brief note on the programmes and polices of the Congress Party of India?
Answer :

The Congress party since independence has been the most pervasive political force in the Country. It has been a macro political system, holding together micro sub-systems comprising factions, forums, groups, lobbies, coteries, etc., which constantly interact on the political processes of the Congress, providing it simultaneously a multi-caste, multicommunity and multi-class base.

As regards the political issues, the Congress (I) aims to give power to the people by bringing back to Parliament the Panchayati Raj and Nagarpalika bills. It also aims to preserve the Counry’s unity, integrity and to thwart efforts to undermine its secular heritage. It also pledges to bring sweeping reforms in judiciary to ensure quick and inexpensive justice. Congress wants to work to maintain communal peace and tranquility and to foster understanding and amity between different communities.

On the economic front, the Congress(I) aims to pursue an employment - oriented development strategy, to reorient public investment to promote the growth and expansion of employment - intensive economic acivities. Jawahar Yojna and Nehru Rozgar Yojna will be implemented more vigorously, and more funds will be implemened more viogrously, and more funds will be provided to facilitate this. It also seeks to consolidate Harijan and Adivasi Welfare Programme and rain SC and ST communities in modern skills and technology. Congress (I) also promises to introduce specific social security schemes in the unorganised sector to provide medical treatment, maternity benefit as well as old age pension. It gives top priority to developing export capability in a wide range of industries to ensure foreign exchange earning needed to finance industrial expansion and modernization.

With reference to social issues, it aims to work for the emancipation of women and their socio-economic advancement, especially of poor women in rural areas, by adopting a wholistic approach to all their problems. It also seeks to increase the access of low income groups to instituional financing and housing schemes.

As regards the foreign policy issues, Congress party adheres to the policy of non-alignment based on the principles of sovereign equality, mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs and also seeks to maintain friendly relations with all countries. Congress party wants to pursue an action plan for promoting the prospects of a nuclear weapon free and a non-violent world. It extends its support for the legitimate demand for a Palestinian homeland.

Q. 24. What is the difference between ‘Regionalism” and “Separatism"? What are the factors responsible for the growth of regionalism in India?
Answer :

The phenomenon of regionalism starts with the identification of parts of territory as separate regions.
In other words a region is a profound sociological fact reflected in its being treated as the nucleous of social aggregation for multiple purposes. S.R. Maheshwari points out that a particular territory is set apart as a region over a period of time, when different variables operate in different degrees. These variables may be geography, topography, religion, language, usages and customs, socio-economic and political stages of development , a common way of living and more than any thing else, a widely prevalent sentiment of togetherness. In general, regionalism is manifested through four different ways viz., demand of people of certain areas for secession rom the Indian Union, demand of people of certain areas for separate statehood, demand of people of certain union territories for full fledged statehood, and the demand of certain people for favourable settlement in inter-state disputes.

However separatism is the extreme form of regionalism. Sometimes people of a certain area may start believing that they do not belong to the integrated whole and have a separate identity. They thus start demanding sucession rights and when they are not provided, they take recource to violent and terrorist activities. The case of North - Eastern states and Jammu and Kashmir provides a vivid example of separatist movements in India.

Regionalism is a multi-dimensional phenomenon. The factors responsible for the growth and development of regionalism can be divided into three broad categories i.e. cultural, economic and political.

CULTURAL ASPECTS:

India is a multiethnic, multireligious and multi-lingual counry. Therefore the apprehension of cultural minorities of their being absorbed in majority culture and hence a need for the effective protection is a natural and universal phenomena. These minorities seek protection for their cultural values against deliberately hostile actions by the majority in the field of schools and languages so much as the desire for protection against the effects on their culture of natural, economic and social developments. Cultural minorities are only too aware that failure to maintain themselves politically, economically and socially leads to an erosion of cultural identity. Hence the demands for Jharkhand, Uttrakhand, Chattisgarh and Vidharba came up.

ECONOMIC ASPECTS:

In Indian situation there are three aspects of economic problem - slow development , regional imbalances and paradoxes of adopted path of development.

Scarce resources and disproportionately heavy demands create competition among individuals . The conditions of the masses have deteriorated and they have started feeling that perhaps, benefits of
development may be difficult to attain at natinal level and have started looking towards local and regional level leadership. Regional economic imbalances which the politcal elite ingeneral and the ruling elite in
particular have contributed is no small measures also breed regionalism.

POLITICAL ASPECTS :

The Indian nation-state at the time of independence was created without a prior confrontation between the modern leadership and the authoritative traditional groups helped to preserve the old leadership patterns. Inspite of the complete domination of the Congress party country-wide central power could not be consolidated at the expense of local authorities. Within the plural society the sudden arrival of the expanding activities of government, the dispersion of power, and the democratisation of power have resulted in the growth of popular participation in local, state and national politics.

What are the causes of the growth of communalism in India ? How can we curbit?
Answer :

Communalism in India was born, nurtured and promoted, by the British imperialism as a deliberate design to saw dissensions. It served the colonial administration to divide and rule and, therefore, the prevailing religious differences were first used to project the social and cultural variations, and then to promote political divisions by treating Indians basically not as Indians but as members of religious communities. The type of politics approved, tolerated and encouraged by the British imperialism was only “communal Politics". a voter was classified as a Hindu or a Muslim, etc. and so was a candidate and a representative.

This was provided for in Minto Morley reforms and Government of India Act. 1935 . It is in this historical context that communalism came to acquire the meaning of being opposed to national identity of being
against the secularisation process, of being too narrowly and negatively attached to one’s own religious community and that too essentially for political benefits. These communal groups started considering
themselves as separate nations. The partition of India followed:

The seeds which were sown by the British has not been uprooted in independent India. Communal organizations like Shiv Sena , RSS and its outgrowth BJP have come up. The minority community does not feel safe under these circumstances. Incidents like Babri Masjid demolition, Delhi Riots of 1984, and the recent attacks on the Christian Community are a deathblow to the secular character of India. There is a need for immediate action or else the crises will deepen further.

In our struggle against communalism we should mobilise a wide cross - section of our people including genuine religious persons, women, youth, professional roups, especially media persons, because communalism is both anti-national and anti-human.

First and foremost there is an urgent need to recognise at the individual, collecive and national levels that communalism is the biggest threat to the basic values of our life, to the working of our state, and to the new evolving civilization, because it is inmical to the vision of a secular and democratic India that we had promised to ourselves. This realisation should become an integral part of our consciousness.

Some of the possible steps to combat communalism are:-

(i) De-recognition of parties which by their policies and practices encourage or promote communalism;
(ii) Punishment to police personnel found guilty of neglecting their duty, or encouraging communal violence;
(iii)Punishment to concerned officers in a locality or district found guilty of dereliction of duty in controlling communal violence or threat of violence;
(iv) Removal of communal orientation in text books and reading material prepared for schools;
(v) Instructions to TV, radio and media to avoid coverage of news and views likely to promote communal prejudice and hatred.

Q. 25 Discuss India’s changing relations with the U.S.A.?
Answer :

The relations between India - the world’s largest democracy and US - world’s most powerful democracy were not as (strong) close as they should be expected to be fill a few years back.India’s non-aligned stand and later “special friendship” with the erstwhile USSR made Indo-US relations not-so-cordial. Though US continued to provide India with humanitarian and other developmental assistance, its main ally in the South Asian region was Pakistan. The impact of this on Indo-US relations was negative and there was a very visible tilt towards Pakistan during the cold war era.

The collapse of Soviet Union and the end of cold war kindled hopes of closer ties between US and India but these could not be realised to their maximum. The relations which kept on mproving through the 90s
took a sharp about turn with the Pokhran tests in 1998. Economic sanctions were slapped on India and assistance except humanitarian were ended. India was asked to sign the CTBT at the earliest. India
promised to be a responsible nuclear power but that was not enough .

The year 1999 saw the short scale limited Kargil Conflict between two new nuclear powers - India and Pakistan. India’s restraint was appreciated the world over while Pakistan’s claim of non-involvement was never believed. The US stand now was more of parity between the two rather than any tilt towards Pakistan.

The overthow of Nawaz Sharif and installation of a military government pushed US further away from Pakistan and also closer to India. US tried to pressurize Pakistan to go back on the road to democracy to which it did not comply. Meanwhile ministerial level talks continued between India and US to prepare for the crucial Clinton visit to the subcontinent.

The Clinton visit in March 2000 was highly successful as far as India was concerned. Economic sanctions are being slowly lifted. Though India did not agree to sign the CTBTsome understanding was reached . India was projected as a thriving democracy on the road of development with the potential of becoming an IT superpower. Now preparations are on for PM Vajpayee’s scheduled visit to the US in September 2000.

US is India’s largest trading partner but our trade relations have been marred by tough US Import laws e.g. Super 301 etc. Since liberalisation in early 1990s US investment in Indian economy has been substantial. Of late trade relations have been cordial with Indian Software Indusry becoming very important for US’s new knowledge based economy.

Discuss briefly India’s role in the non-aligned movement?
Answer :

India,under Nehru, was the first Country to have adopted the Policy of non-alignment . India’s policy is positive or dynamic neutralism in which a country acts independently and decides its policy on each issue on its merit. Nehru was committed to western concept of liberalism and democracy. But he did not approve of the Military alliances. He was impressed by socialism and strongly advocated the idea of democratic socialism. Nehru was a combination of a socialist and a liberal democrat. India was opposed to the very idea of power bloc and hence its policy of non-alignment was not to promote a third bloc, but to ensure freedom of decision - making of the decolonised states.

India’s policy of non-alignment was against the status quo situation in international politics. That meant opposition of colonialism, imperialism, racial discrimination and now of neo-colonialism. India wants a world free of these evils. Secondly , non-alignment rejects the concept of superiority of Super Powers. It advocates Sovereign equality of all states. Thirdly, non-alignment encourages friendly relations among countries. It is opposed to he alliances that divide the world into groups of states, or power blocs. Non-alignment advocates peaceful settlement of international disputes and rejects the use of force. It favours complete destruction of nuclear weapons and pleads for comprehensive disarmament. It supports all efforts to strengthen the United Nations.

India’s policy of non-alignment emphasises the Social and Economic problems of mankind. India has been fully supporting the demand for a new international economic order so that the unjust and unbalanced
existing economic order may be changed into a new and just economic order.

India’s campaign against the policy of aparthied followed in South Africa till a few years back is well known. The world-wide condemnation of such discrimination gave it a deathblow.

India’s efforts in calling for a nuclear weapon free world has made history by the way of blocking the NPT and the CTBT. All said and done, India’s role in non-aligned movement has been commendable.

CBSE Political Science Sample Question Paper - Year 1999

Filed under:

Political Science Class- XII ( CBSE)
You are on answers 1 to 15

Q 1. Mention any two sources of law. (2 marks)
Answer :

Sources of law may include:-

(a) CUSTOMS - In every community the earliest form of law is traceable in the well established practices of the people. These practices developed because of the utility inherent in them. In due course a practice becomes a uage which after sufficient standing hardens into a custom. e.g. the common law of England consists mainly of customs accepted by courts of law.

(b) LEGISLATION - It means placing of a specific rule on the statute book of the land. It reflects the will of the state as determined by the law making organs. Due to the codification of law, uncertainities and ambiguities have been sufficiently narrowed down.

Q 2. What do you understand by Constitutional Law? (2 marks)
Answer :

Constitutional Law includes all rules which directly or indirectly affect the distribution or the exercise of power in the state and which are enforced by the courts. Constitutional Law defines the organisation of the state, determines the functions exercised by different departments of government, and establishes the relationship between the rulers and the ruled. It may be either written or unwritten. It may be the result of the deliberate effort of a body - like the Constituent Assembly or it may be the product of history and may consist of customs, usages and judicial decisions, as in Britain.

Q 3. What is the meaning of a welfare state? (2 marks)
Answer :

The aim of the welfare state is preventive. It seeks to alter the very conditions which lead to unemployment, sickness or poverty. Thus a welfare state is expected to look after public health, provide education, ensure right to work, right to shelter and unemployment benefits to all its citizens.

Q 4. What is the anarchist view of state activitiy? (2 marks)
Answer :

Anarchism is the doctrine that political authority, in any of its forms, is unnecessary and undesirable. The state is regarded as the embodiment of force employed in the government of the community. Liberty is supreme in the Anarchist creed, but it is sought by abolishing the state and all its institutions exercising forcible control over the individuals. Proudhan was the author of the term anarchy. He was against the state, since it had evolved out of the system of private property & supported in equities in society.

Q 5. List any two political rights. (2 marks)
Answer :

Political rights are possessed by those persons whom the state permits to share in the legal expression and administration of its sovereign power. Political rights consist in:-

(i) Right to vote :- This means that every adult citizen has the right to express his opinion by casting a vote at the time of election what persons he desires should undertake the task of government. The right to vote is the product of democracy.

(ii) Right to public office:- The constitution of India provides equality of opportunity to all citizens in matters of employment under the state. No citizen shall on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex, descent, place of birth or any of them be ineligible for any office under the state.

Q 6. State any two qualifications of a voter. (1+1 marks)
Answer :

In India, a person is qualified to exercise his right to vote if:-

(i) He is a citizen of India;
(ii) He is above 18 years of age.

Q 7. What do you mean by counter manding of elections? (2 marks)
Answer :

When the election commission receives a report from the returning officer that the election procedure in a particular constituency has been violated due to violence or other unlawful means etc., it can order fresh polling to take place in that constituency and declare the previous election null & void. This is called countermanding of elections.

Q 8. How do you define a political party? (2 marks)
Answer :

By a political party we mean an organised group of citizens who hold common views on public questions and acting as a political unit seek to obtain control of the government with a view to further the programme and the policy which they progess. Thus political parties serve as the motive force in crystallizing public opinion and as the unifying agency which makes democracy workable. They are the vehicles through which individuals and groups work to secure political power and if successful to exercise that power.

Q 9. Write any two functions of a Panchayat Samiti. (1+1 marks)
Answer :

Panchayat Samiti is the intermediate tier of the Panchayati Raj system at the Block level.

Its functions include:-

(a) COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUNCTIONS - to plan and implement production & social welfare programmes, especially with regard to agriculture, irrigation, cottage and small industries, animal husbandry and fisheries, education, health, communications, emergency relief; and

(b) SUPERVISORY FUNCTIONS - to supervise the work of Gram Panchayats, examine and modify the budget of the Gram Panchayats; and make reappropriations and impose new taxes and supervise the work of the Block Development Officer and Vikas Adhikari, etc.

Q 10. Describe the composition of Planning Commission. (2 marks)
Answer :

By convention, the Prime Minister of India is the Chairman of the Planning Commission. However, since the Prime Minister is only a part-time Chairman and is unable to devote adequate time to its functioning and performance, the deputy chairman of the Commission is its defacto executive head. Amongst the other members, some are ministers in the central government and others are full time members. Since there are no well-defined regulations on the membership of the Planning Commission, its structural pattern has been changing from time to time.

Q 11. Describe the relationship between Law & Liberty. (4 marks)
Answer :

Liberty is the condition essential for the development of individual’s personality. Therefore, it implies free choice - choice to live the life according to one’s own free will. Laws on the other hand place a restrain upon man’s freedom. They flow from the state and are backed by force. Apparently, therefore, there seems to be a contradiction between law & liberty.

Individualists feel that laws of the state are always an infringement on the individuality of man. On the other hand collectivists believe that liberty lies in the obedience to the laws of the state. Both these views are historically and scientifically wrong. It is true that laws impose restrain and therefore infringe liberty but these are rules of convenience to promote right living eg. traffic laws. There are many laws that do not in any way infringe liberty of man eg. unemployment pensions, building dams etc. Further, liberty is not merely negative. It is also positive. It means that liberty must enable a person to develop his personality. Thus liberty implies rights like right to work, education, speech etc. Thus laws that maintain and create these rights do not infringe liberty but make it more effective and operative.

On the other hand, the idealist view, that liberty lies in obedience to law, is not without flaws. The laws of the state can not be considered final. The citizens must participate in the formulation of laws and should have the right to criticise them.

Thus, neither liberty nor law are antithetical nor synonomous, infact liberty is the end of law and law is the condition precedent of liberty.

Q 12. What is the collectivist view of the state activity? (4 marks)
Answer :

Collectivists regard the state as a positive good and holds that its mission is to promote the common economic, moral and intellectual interests of the people as a whole. The central idea underlying collectivism is that if the mass of the people are to rise above the level of wage slaves, they will have to be protected against the evils of free competition by a greater measure of interference with and regulation of industry by government as a representative of the community with a view that ultimately all means of production and distribution are collectively owned.

The collectivists demand that the power and authority of the state should be used to limit the free exercise of the sacred right of contract, the sacred right of property, and other hallowed concepts of the eighteenth century. For them the body politic is an organism and the state is best medium through which exploitation, degradation and starvation of the masses can be removed and equality of opportunity provided to all.

Q 13. Mention any four Gandhian Directive principles of State Policy. (4 marks)
Answer :

Gandhian Directive Principles of State Policy include:-

(a) Article 46 wants the state to promote the lot of SCs & STs. Their educational and economic interest are to be protected. Their exploitation should be stopped.

(b) Article 47 wants to secure the improvement of public health by prohibiting consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs.

(d) Article 39 observes that the state shall direct its policy towards securing equal pay for equal
work for both men & women.

Q 14. Define Rights. Mention any two economic rights. (2+2 marks)
Answer :

Rights are those claims which are recognised by the society, enforced by the state and aim at general good. They provide external conditions necessary for the development of individual personality.Thus as Hobhouse puts it, right are, “what we may expect from others and others from us, and all genuine rights are conditions of social welfare.” However, rights are not absolute in nature.Rights have to be limited by the social control in order to be effectively possessed.

Economic rights may include:-

1. Right to work and be paid adequate wages :- Citizens have a right to employment and it is the responsibility of the state to provide suitable work to them. The right to work does not mean the right to do a particular work. It only means some gainful work in society by which one can sustain and nurture ones own self and their dependants. The right to be paid adequate wages does not imply equality of income. It only means conformity to the general principles of equality.

2. Right to property :- For life to be worth living and an incentive for work, every man should be free to use and enjoy his possessions, both movable and immovable. The right to property involves the right to the exclusive use of one’s property, the right to alienate it by gift or exchange during life and the right to bequeath.

Q 15. Mention any four measures which ensure representation of minorities. (1+1+1+1 marks)
Answer :

There are four well-known systems which are adopted to provide adequate representation to the minorities - political and socio-cultural - in a democratic system.

1. PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION:- The main focus of this system is to ensure that the number of seats a political party gets in the legislature should be proportionate to the popular votes it obtains from the electorate in any given election. There are two methods by which proportional representation can be achieved.:
(a) The single transferable vote system (Hare system)
(b) The List system.

2. THE SINGLE NON-TRANSFERABLE VOTE:- In this system a voter can use his vote for only one candidate, out of the many in the field. For eg. in a constituency of 1000 voters, if 10 representatives are to be elected, and each voter gives his vote to only one candidate, then any candidate obtaining more than 100 votes is likely to be elected. This ensures wider representation, covering minority opinion as well.

3. THE CUMULATIVE VOTE:- In this system a voter has as many votes as the number of seats for which the election is held. He has the right and the option of either giving his votes for just one candidate. Through this method, a well-organised minority has an opportunity to get at least one of its representatives elected by comulating all its votes in favour of its own candidate.

4. THE LIMITED VOTE:- The voter in this system can vote for a limited number of candidates and not for all the seats for which the electoral contest is on. He is required to vote for different candidates of his choice. This system makes it difficult for a majority party to capture all the seats. On the contrary minority parties and groups can also win one or two seats.

Q 16. Suggest any four reforms which will ensure free & smooth elections. (1+1+1+1 marks)
Answer :

The reforms suggested for overcoming misuse of money power are:-

(1) The state should finance the election of candidates, by creating an election fund of about Rs. 100 crores for this purpose.

(2) As in the case of individual candidates, a ceiling on the election expenditure of political parties should also be fixed.

(3) Both individual candidates and parties should submit audited accounts of electoral expenses with a fixed period of time to the Election Commission.

(4) An all party national consensus should be built for finding ways and means of making elections less expensive for overcoming the corrupting influence of money in elections.

Q 17. What is public opinion? Mention any two hindrances in the formation of sound public opinion. (2+1+1 marks)
Answer :

Organised and considered opinion of a section or many sections of the people, on any issue or problem of public concern, is called public opinion.Public opinion is thus an organisation of separate individual judgements, a “co-operative product of communication and reciprocal influence". A public opinion must be public rather than individual or sectional. And it must really be an opinion firmly and convincingly held. It need not be the majority opinion, nor is unanimity required. The true worth of public opinion is that while the minority may not share the majority opinion, but they must feel by conviction not by fear or coercion,to accept it as it aims at the good of all and no sectional interests are involved.

Hindrances in the formation of a sound public opinion are:-

(1) ILLITERACY:- A considerable portion of Indian population is illiterate. Illiteracy is a bane to sound public opinion. These people are ignorant of hard facts and get easily swayed by political speeches and populist measures of the politicians.

(2) LACK OF REAL LIBERTY:-The high sounding rights that adorn our constitution are not enjoyed in reality by one and all. The lower strata of the society which can not even make their both ends meet can not comment on what’s going on around them. Moreover, the presence of mafias and goonda elements in our society do not allow the people to formulate sound public opinion.

Q 18. List two merits & two demerits of multi party system. (2+2 marks )
Answer :

MERITS OF MULTI-PARTY SYSTEM

(1) A multi-party system is a more democratic and a more open system.It reflects more genuinely the range of opinion in a democracy. It is also more elastic and accomodative and capable of allowing a freer interaction of varied interests, viewpoints and ideological nuances.

(2) A voter has a wider spectrum of choice and a greater chance of applying his discretion for selecting representatives.

DEMERITS OF MULTI-PARTY SYSTEM

(1) There is a lack of choesion in its coalitional form of govt. leading to precarious instability.It produces a patch-work government whose members, drawn from various parties, tend to pull in different directions. The electorate, witnessing the constant tussle and tension within a coalitional govt. gets disenchanted by it quite early.

(2) A coalitional govt. is also a weak government, as it is based on political compromises and tactical toleration among its members. It cannot take bold innitiatives of pursue a policy vigorously, for fear of division and dissent within the govt. and in the legislature.

Q 19. Suggest any four measures by which the working of rural local government will improve.(1+1+1+1 marks)
Answer :

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 has given a new impetus and direction to the Panchayati Raj System both in the states and in the Union Territories. The working of rural local government will improve by undertaking the following measures.

(1) Panchayati Raj system should be given a proper statutory base within the constitution and the constitution of the three-tier system should be made obligatory in every state.

(2) Direct elections should take place at periodic intervals for the constitution of members of the local govt. However, there should be a reservation of seats for the SCs & STs in every Panchayat, in proportion to their population in that area. Reservations should also be made for other backward castes and women.

(3) Adequate financial assistance should be provided for developmental activities. Moreover the state legislatures should make necessary laws to authorise a Panchayat to levy, collect and appropriate certain taxes, duties, tolls and fees for its activities.

(4) Bureaucratic interference should be avoided to make the working of rural govts. free and flowless. Its functioning should not be marred by red-tapism.

What is actually required is a national consensus of the political parties and social forces, to use the Panchayati Raj as an instrument of deepening democratic consciousness and for carrying forward at least a part of the unfinished task of social change and social justice.

Q 20. Describe the role of Planning Commission in bring out socio-economic development in India. (4 marks)
Answer :

In the new economic environment, economic planning continues to be an important factor determining the strategies for public investment, besides providing guidelines for channelising private sector investment in desired directions. They have to act as “mutually complementary forces” in ensuring rapid economic develoment of the nation. In certain key areas including energy, human resource development, backward areas development, management of balance of payments etc. a wholistic approach to policy formulation is needed.

Another important area of concern for the planning commission would be that of effecting maximum possible utilization of the plan allocation, rather than aiming at increase in the allocations. The key to efficient utilization of resources lies in the creation of “appropriate self-managed organizations” at all levels.

The Commission will have to play a more integrative role in the development of a wholitic approach to policy formulation in the crucial areas of human and economic development. Areas such as rural health, drinking water, rural energy, literacy and environmental protection will have to gain primacy in the priority outline of the Commission.

In the new milien of economic restructuring, the Planning Commission should concentrate on strategies of employment generation, anti-poverty programmes, social development and ensuring balance within the infrastructure.

Q 21. What do you mean by socialism? Explain its fundamental principles. (2+6 marks)
Answer :

The term socialism is derived from the word “socious” which means society. Socialism is concerned with society and it is the injustice of the capitalist system that has inspired it. The socialist challenge to the existing order is primarily moral, though its basis is economic. It is the assertion of the rights of the producing class which had never obtained a fair deal anywhere during all stages of social evolution. No reform or change can be of any use, they argue, as long as there is no change in the system by which the few owned and controlled the capital and the whole productive and distributive machine. The socialists, therefore, propose that land and capital, which are the requisites of labour and the sources of all wealth, should be placed under social ownership in order to secure a more equitable distribution of the means and appliances of happiness.

Socialism means the following inter-connected things:-

(a) an egalitarian society:- Socialism insists on human fellowship which denies or expels distinction of class, caste or colour. It aims at reasonable equality in society so that all are able to face each other on equal terms. It holds that there can be no genuine liberty without equality.

(b) satisfaction of basis needs:- Socialists argue that the motive of service. Value should be decided by use and not by terms of exchange. The wealth of the state ought to be so distributed that even the poorest can afford to satisfy his basic needs. We must ensure sufficiency to all before surplus is available to some.

© common ownership:- Socialism believes in common ownership and control of means of production eg. land, power etc. These should be administered in the interest of the whole rather than of the parts. Socialists believe that from economic point of view an industry which is collectively owned, will be more efficient and from the moral point of view more satisfying. Socialism believes that inequality of wealth creates inequality of opportunity.

The system of recruitment does not ensure the selection of the best. The children of the rich have opportunities which are often denied to those of the poor who thus start life with initial disadvantage. Such inequality destroys initiative and is therefore inhuman.

(d) ideal of service:- Socialism emphasises the responsibility of all citizens to the common good or general welfare. It protests against harsh materialism and individualism of classical liberals. A capitalist society produces ugly conditions. It insists too much on specialization. It deprives the artisan of his pride in his work. The man is thus reduced to the status of a cog in the machine. He is further condemned to live in slums or to be condemned to stand in the market for weeks or months because his labour is not needed. The worker thus ceases to be a human being.

The socialists do not believe that revolution is inevitable in bringing about change in the society. Gradualism is the watchword of democratic socialism. Therefore, necessary reforms can be made with in the existing democratic framework.

Q 21. Critically examine the concept of Fascism. (8 marks)
Answer :

Fascism has no specific theory because it emerged as a socio-economic and political programme.

Fascism opposes ideology and maintains that it is an action oriented movement and it is based on pragmatism.

For Fascism, society is the end, individuals the means and its whole life consists in using individuals as instruments for its ends. The ideology of Fascism is dominated by the dogmas of a state and an irresistible govt.,which has the right to interfere in all spheres of the individuals’ life,whether economic moral or religious. A citizen’s obligation to the state are more important than his rights. Fascism proclaims the rights of the state, pre-eminence of its authority, and the superiority of its end. It repudiates pacifism and glorifies war.They maintain that is essential exercise which keeps the states
healthy and fit.

Fascists recognised no individual liberties as sacred. They instead relied upon the methods of moral intimidation, physical compulsion and official propaganda. It was a punishable crime to criticise government and to conduct propaganda for the doctrines and parties dissolved by the government and
to spread “false” or “exaggerated” news abroad concerning internal conditions of the country.

Fascism had no political theory. The methods which it adopted in the pursuit of its ends were not fixed, as they were not based on any reasoning. They were highly flexible and could easily be adjusted and made workable in attaining its objects; so, naturally, they could not be consistent with
one another.

The state or nation, according to the Fascist assumption, is an independent entity with a real will of its own, which is quite distinct from the popular will which democracy owns. The Fascists deemed popular sovereignity a fictitious creation of democracy and democracy they denounced because it gave power to the masses. Political authority, it was advocated, must be aristocratic because “only a minority of the nation has the capacity to perceive and give effect to national interest.” Sovereignty was not vested in the individual, but in the nation state and only the few selected had the right to speak for the nation.

The Fascists had always been explicit in defence of violence as a means of achieving political aims. Fascism is totalitarian in its means and it uses any form of coercion, from verbal threats to mass murders, for obtaining its ends. Barring this Fascism was also opposed to internationalism and did not give proper regard to interanational law, treaties etc.

Fascism rejected both laisse-faire and state ownership of economy. Private ownership of property was allowed but self-interest must be held in constant subordination to the national interest.

In short, we can say that was a reactionary and counter-revolutionary theory for the defence of crises ridden capitalist order.

Q 22. How are the Fundamental Rights protected by the Right to Constitutional Remedies? (8 marks)
Answer :

Every citizen must possess the right to enforce his rights. In the absence of such a right, civil and political rights are meaningless. Article 32 of the Constitution of India guaratees to every citizen the right to move the Supreme Court for the Enforcement of Fundamental Rights which can issue directions or orders or writs, including writs in the nature of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto and certiorari. A brief explanation of the writs is as follows:-

Habeas Corpus -

When a person is imprisoned allegedly without procedure established by law, the court can command the authority detaining him to produce him in court and to submit the cause of imprisonment. In case the court finds that there are no significant grounds of detention, the court passes an order that the applicant be set free.

Mandamus -

A writ of mandamus is an order of the court directing a public authority to perform its duty, in its non-performance causes injury to the petitioner.

Certiorari

The writ of certiorari is issued for correcting the errors of jurisdiction or when any court has acted malafide. The writ is not used for declaring an Act or Ordinance as unconstitutional. The writ is issued against a subordinate court, tribunal or any administrative authority if it performs judicial or quasi-judicial functions.

Prohibition

The writ of prohibition is issued if a judicial authority or an administrative authority performing a quasi-judicial function exceeds its jurisdiction.

Quo warrants

This writ is issued to declare that the respondent does not legally hold an office or privilege to which he lays claim. In this writ the court tries the right of the respondent to hold a public office.

Dr. B.R.Ambedkar declared this right to be the soul of the constitution.

Q 22. Explain the Right to Freedom. How can it be suspended? (4+4 marks)
Answer :

Article 19 of the Constitution Guarantees six freedoms . These include the right:-

(g) to practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business:

[Article 19(f) has been deleted]

No state can give or guarantee absolute or unlimited rights. Every right is subjected to reasonable limitations, the judge of reasonableness of restrictions is the Supreme Court of India.

With regard to limitations on freedom of speech & expression - the constitution imposes eight limitations. They relate to (i) defamation, (ii) Conempt of Court; (iii) decency or morality; (iv) Security of state; (v) friendly relations with foreign states; (vi) incitement to an offence; (vii) Public order; (viii) Maintenance of the sovereignty and integrity of India.

With regard to limitations freedom of assembly - It is stipulated that any assembly must be peaceful and without arms.

As far as limitations on the right to form , associations or unions go the state can impose reasonable restrctions in the interest of public order or morality or the sovereignty or integrity of India. No group of individuals can enter into a criminal conspiracy or form any association detrimental to the Public peace.
With regard to limitations on freedom of movement - the state is empowered to impose restrictions in the interests of the general public or for the protection of any Scheduled Tribe.

FREEDOM OF THE PRESS: There is no specific provision conferring freedom of the press on the Indian Citizen. This freedom is included in the wider freedom of “expression” which is guaranteed by Article 19(a) .The state is empowered to impose reasonable restrictions on the freedom of the press in the interests of “security of the state, the sovereignty and integrity of India, friendly relations with foreign states, Public order decency or morality, or for the prevention of contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence".

Thus every major Fundamental Right is followed by certain limitations specified by the constitution itself.

Q 23. Evaluate the features of Indian Party System. (8 marks)
Answer :

In view of the fragmented nature of Indian Society and widespread ideological differences with regard to future of India, right after independence there were a number of political parties ranging from communists to communalists and from laisse-faire to socialist camps. However, for quite some years the Congress remained the Chief party representing a historical consensus and enjoying a continuing basis of support and thrust. This was the so called one-party dominance or the Congress System [in the words of Rajni Kothari]. 1967 elections marked the beginning of the decline of one - party dominance when Congress failed to secure majority in eight states.

Further in 1977 , as a result of victory of a non-congress party at the centre for the first time, many scholars and observers opined that Parliamentary democracy in India had matured and a two party system or close to it was in the process. The hope, however, was shortlived; for the Janta Party was primarily a coalition formed together, for the survival of non-congress parties. After attaining that goal the party’s leadership did not make serious efforts for a long term party building process. Result was that internal bickerings and factionalism in the party continued and tarnished its overall reputation.

In 1980 elections, the Indian Party system was again back to one-party dominant system. However, it was a dominance because of failure of national - level non-congress parties and united regional support bases of regional parties. However 1989 elections saw the upcoming of a multi-party
system at the centre. Thus a formal coalition government was formed at the centre. This system got further consolidated in the elections of 1996, 1998 and 1999. The current National Democratic Alliance which is the ruling government today constitutes of more that 15 parties which have come
together formally to form the government. Hence not only the All - India parties but also the regional parties orm the government at the centre.

Thus, the nature of the party system depicts a pattern of steady fragmentation and fragmentation of political forces reflecting social fragmentation and regional division of the country. Most parties have turned out to be coalitions of elites loosely tied together by personal interests and short-term
goals rather than by ideological or pragmatic commitment or long-range objectives. One consequence of this is that the basic principle of party organisation is either personality or region, not policies .

Another consequence of this is that nearly all parties have been beset with factionalism and internal dissensions leading many a times to splits.

Arising out of this is also the fact that there is hardly any party that is not under the control of an autocratic leader. The constitutions of most of the parties are Presidential and the committees are nominated by the President. Adhocism is the norm everywhere. No party has evolved reliable mechanism and workable procedures for managing internal conflicts.

It can thus be said that party system in India has not yet reached that stage of development where ideologies are strong, parties are able to structure meaningful electroal issues and parliamentary opposition successfully channelise popular opposition. The overwhelming importance of personal and ascriptive factors rather than secular and rational factors have contributed to the absence of ideological boundaries between most of the parties and a blurring of them.

Q 23. Examine the role of Telegu Desham & AIADMK as the regional parties in the Atal Behari Vajpayee Government. (8 marks)
Answer :

In the 12th Lok Sabha no party or pre-election alliance could win the number of seats needed to provide a clear majority. The B.J.P. emerged as the single largest party. But it failed to get the magic number i.e. clear majority. However, the B.J.P. led pre-election alliance of different political parties and individuals emerged as the single largest bloc in the 12th Lok Sabha.

AIADMK won 18 Lok Sabha seats in the 12th Lok Sabha. The leader of the AIADMK Ms. Jaya Lalitha offered the unconditional support of her party. Not only this, she also made it clear that her party would participate in the B.J.P. led government. In this way, the initial political hiccups were over. Now, the number of M.Ps supporting the B.J.P. combination swelled to 264 on March 15, 1998. This number was also short of the clear majority in the House of 539.

The master stroke was hit by the TDP leader and Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Mr.Chandrababu Naidu. The TDP won 12 seats in the 12th Lok Sabha and made it clear that it would remain neutral as between the B.J.P. and the Congress. However, it chose to support the confidence motion and thus, put all types of doubts under carpet. The TDP made it very clear that it would not join the B.J.P. led government. The B.J.P. also gave its total support to the election of Mr. G.M.C. Balayogi of TDP as the new speaker of the House. It was a tactical victory which was clinched by the B.J.P.over its rivals. The B.J.P. led government won the confidence motion by an impressive 274 to 261.

In this way, the TDP and the AIADMK played a crucial role in the stability of B.J.P. led government.

However, differences kept emerging in the coalition government. The peak was reached when Vajpayee government refused to pull down the DMK government in Tamil Nadu by applying Article 356 as a result of which Jayalalitha pulled her support out of the Vajpayee government which finally led to the downfall of the government.

Q 24. “Unemployment must be checked by providing more & more employment opportunities for the success of Indian Democracy.” Comment. (8 marks)
Answer :

Unemployment being a problem in itself is also a cause to another major problem i.e. poverty. Both these problems are considered to be fetal for the proper functioning of democracy.

Indian democracy has suffered from such like problems from the time of independence till date. The time when Indian democracy was formed, there were a few essential elements or features such as liberty, equality and fraternity, that were kept in mind. These features were secured in Indian democracy through the drafting of the constitution and in the articles of the constitution.

However, the implementation of these articles have not been done in the right way, which gave way to problems such as poverty and unemployment. These problems go against the very spirit of the constitution. They also reduce the possibility of people’s participation in the democratic process of Indian government.

As democracy develops with the increase in public participation through their opinion and their voting power. If the people or citizens of India won’t have enough to eat and wear i.e.if their basic needs are not fulfilled then how would they be encouraged to participate in the political process of the country. In this way, the real meaning of democracy would be lost.

Unemployment has also led the young generation, especially in strife torn areas like J&K and the North-east to cross the borders and join the terrorist camps. Lack of infrastructure and the hesitation on the part of the private investors in these areas has further accentuated the problem.

Unemployment has also led to brain drain from India when the people having the requisite education and talent leave our country for want of better opportunities.

Unemployment should thus be kept in check and more employment opportunities should be created specially in the public sector units. This is the need of the hour; even though it might not be economically viable but it sure is socially viable.

Q 24. “Linguism has played a destructive and not a constructive role in the Indian democratic set up.” Comment. (8 marks)
Answer :

India, as a country, is known for its unity in diversity. At the time of independence, instead of establishing a domination of any one religion, culture or even language, India, through the adoption of democracy and secularism gave every religon its own space and respect.

It was Jawaharlal Nehru who came up with the grand idea of formation of the states on the basis of Language. It was believed that this criteria of differentiation would keep the other kind of harmful ascriptive identities like caste and religion under check.

However, whether this hope has been fulfilled or not has to be examined within a few years after independence, the number of states increased as a result of further bifircation in the mainstream politics. New states on the bases of language were formed. The last state that was formed was Sikkim in 1985. However the matter did not came to rest even after that. People from other quarters of the country started demanding separate states eg. Jharkhand in Bihar, Uttrakhand in U.P., Chattisgarh in M.P. and Vidarbha in Maharashtra. Bills for the formation of Jharkhand, Uttrakhand and Chattisgarh have been passed by the Lok Sabha hence clearing the way for their formation. Thus the number of the states has been raised to 28. These internal bickerings followed by violent activities geared by populist measures of the politicians has led to disintegration of the national loyalty. The people identify themselves more with the state rather than the nation. This is not a very healthy trend in the functioning of democracy.

It is because of these very reasons that Linguism has played a harmful role in the Indian political set up.

Q 25. Analyse the areas of co-operation and conflict between India & Sri Lanka. (8 marks)
Answer :

India & Sri Lanka are separated by a narrow strip of water. The cultural ties between the two nations go back to antiquity . The relationship between the two remains close even though the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka puts it to test at times.

India & Indian culture has wielded considerable influence on Sri Lanka. King Asoka is known to have sent his son and daughter to spread Buddhism in the Island nation - Buddhism is now the predominant religion of Sri Lanka. Many South Indian kings fought with and conquered the Island. The British also conquered Sri Lanka, and so India and Sri Lanka share an almost similar colonial legacy. India and Sri Lanka had good neighbourly ties till the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka did not drag India to intervene . The issue mainly concerned the status of Tamil speaking population of Indian origin in Sri Lanka.

It was under the premiership of Mr. Rajiv Gandhi that the Indo-Sri Lankan accord was signed and Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was sent to keep peace in the island. But the move did not help and LTTE fought IPKF on its own turf inflicting many casualities. Later, on Sri Lankan request all military forces were withdrawn. Rajiv Gandhi was later assassinated by a LTTE sucide bomber.

Since then the Indian government stuck to non-intervention approach terming Tamil - Sinhalese conflict as an internal matter of Sri Lanka even though it renamed a factor in Tamil Nadu’s Politics. Recently when LTTE tried to recapture Jaffna , India was forced to reconsider is approach, especially the 50,000 Sri Lankan Soilders who would have been trapped in the city. India took the diplomatic approach trying to broker peace between the two sides.

Barring this issue, trade between India and Sri Lanka has been substantial. Both are members of SAARC and of the proposed SAPTA. Politically, Sri Lanka has been an important member of NAM and Colombo has even hosted NAM Summit.

Thus India has maintained good neighbourly relations with Sri Lanka.

Q 25. Evaluate the foreign policy of India as adopted in 1947.(8 marks)
Answer :

India’s foreign policy, acquired its specific orientation in the phase of global interdependence of states and system that emereged in the post-second world war period. India became free when world had become an organic, one world. The tremendous revolution brought about by new developments in nuclear technology, electronics, space research and communication, coincided with the decolonisation process set in motion in 1945. The main challenge for the newly liberated countries like India, was to bring about a massive, radical and an over-all socio-economic transformation, in the shortest period possible, in order to build their countries as modern nations, keeping in mind the national interests, regional compulsions and global concerns the basic feature of foreign policy adopted in 1947 were:-

(1) Non-Alignment - India decided against joining any of the power blocs and decided to follow an independent foreign policy dictated essentially by national interest. This would help in easing the global tension, oppose policy of confrontation and build a world free from fear, hate and inequality.

(2) Panchsheel and peaceful co-existence - The declaration of 1954 signed by India and China included five principles of mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in each others internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit and peaceful co-existence. These principles were adopted by India in its
relations with other nations as well.

(3) India extended support to liberation movements, democratic struggles for national independence and right of self-determinations.

(4) Opposition to imperialism, colonialism, racism and racial discrimination, and to authoritarianism and militarism.

(5) Opposition to arms race, especially nuclear arms race, and support to the process of comprehensive and complete disarmament.

(6) Serious engagement in North-South dialogue and in South-South cooperation, support to global development efforts and to ushering is of the New International Economic order, for a just, equal and humanitarian world system.

(7) Support to international peace and security and to peaceful settlement of disputes and the creation of a non-violent, nuclear weapon-free world.

(8) Prevention of big power intervention or interference in the internal affairs of South Asian region and in the neighbouring countries, promotion of the prospect of making Indian Ocean a Zone of Peace, to avoid big-power naval confrontation in waters close to India.

India’s foreign policy, though conceived with considerable foresight and indealism did suffer many set- backs, due to unforeseen developments and the emergence of new factors in the region and in the world. Yet, on the balance, India’s foreign policy, enjoying the national consensus of all major parties and groups, has helped India play a prominent and positive role in the region and on global scene in the defence of peace, disarmament and balanced world development.

CBSE Political Science Sample Question Paper - Year 1998

Filed under:

Political Science Class- XII ( CBSE)
You are on answers 1 to 10 of Set I

Q1. Mention any two points of criticism of Fascism. (2 marks)
Answer :

Fascism can be criticised on the following grounds:-

(a) Fascism supported the idea of a totalitarian state. It was anti-humanitarian and sought to destroy some of the most cherished human values - rights and interests, freedom and equality in the name of the supremacy of the nation state.

(b) Fascism encourages violence and terror and has a love for war. War is not regarded as inhuman by the fascists - they regard it as an essential exercise to keep the states healthy and fit. They, thus, disregarded the path of peace as well as international laws. This contributed to the origin of the second World War.

Q2. What is meant by coercive power of the state? Is it unlimited?(2 marks)
Answer :

Coercive power of the state means the power that the state possesses to punish those individuals who do not abide by its laws. However this power of the state is not unlimited. There are many groups and associations within the society which act as limitations on the exercise of the state’s powers. Moreover, the likelihood of a revolt in society is also to be kept in mind by those who are enthrusted with the task of ruling public opinion.

Q3. Mention any two Socialist Directive Principles of state policy. (1+1=2 marks)
Answer :

The Indian state is based on certain socialist principles which are evident in the Directive Principles of state policy. These are:-

(a) Article 39 - observes that the state shall direct its policy towards securing (a) adequate means of livelihood to all citizens (b) a proper distribution of material resources of the community for the common good © The prevention of concentration of wealth to the common detriment (d) Equal pay for equal work for both men and women.

(b) Article 41 - lays down that effective steps should be taken to make the right to work a reality. It also stresses that education should be provided to all concerned. Public assistance should be extended in case of unemployment, old age and sickness.

Q4. What do you mean by Natural rights? Mention any one such right. (1+1=2 marks)
Answer :

Liberals like Locke, have propounded the theory of Natural rights. Natural rights according to them are those rights which are inherent in man and cannot be taken away from him. These rights precede the state and are an obligation on the state. For eg., the right to life is a natural right of a human being.

Q5. Give any two arguments in favour of universal adult franchise. (1+1=2 marks)
Answer :

One of the major goals in the long-drawn struggle for democracy in the world, has been the acceptance of the principle of universal adult franchise as the basis of obtaining the consent of the governed. This has the following aspects:

(1) In the actual setting up of the representative institutions in a democracy, this principle is the assertion and affirmation of the principles of liberty and equality of all citizens, irrespective of their caste, creed, sex, domicile, educational level and property status.

(2) It ensures mass participation in the political decision-making process for electing representatives.
This ensures the constitution of a democratic government.

Q6. What is an election manifesto? Write its any one advantage. (1+1=2 marks)
Answer :

Election manifestos reveal the theoretical and ideological position of the parties. It places on record their major formulations. Through the election manifestos, the political parties give their national perspective, programme of action and solutions to outstanding problems. Thus it becomes easier for the voter to identify as to which party stands for which programme and hence cast his vote accordingly.

Q7. Mention any two civic functions of Gram Panchayat.(1+1=2 marks)
Answer :

Gram Panchayat is the first executive tier of the Panchayati Raj system having jurisdiction over a village or a group of villages. Its civic functions include:-

(a) upkeeping of roads and streets, culverts and bridges, maintenance of drainage and sanitation, wells and tanks.

(b) provision of water supply for domestic use and supervision of street lightening etc.

Q8.Mention any two factors that encourage communalism. (1+1=2 marks)
Answer :

Communalism is basically an ideology of political allegiance to a religious community as a primary and decisive group in the polity. It is a bane on Indian society and can be encouraged by the following means:-
(a) Punishing innocent members of a community today due to certain acts of other members of the same community in the past.

(b) Inciting communal animosity and hate by word of mouth or publication. This can be done by using one’s privileged position in the profession and society, especially as a journalist or politician.

Q9. What is meant by the poverty Line? (2 marks)
Answer :

By poverty-line we mean an income level below which human beings cannot provide for their basic necessities of food, clothing and shelter. In India, the level of poverty line has been determined on the basis of the daily intake of calories. According to the Planning Commission, the recommended nutritional requirements of 2400 calories per person per day for rural areas and 2100 for urban areas, is the minimum.

Q10. Mention any two functions of the Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes Commission. (1+1=2 marks)
Answer :

The National Commission for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is expected to:-

(a) to investigate and monitor all matters relating to the safeguards provided for the SCs & STs under the Constitution or under any other law;

(b) to participate and advise on the planning process of socio-economic development of the SCs & STs and to evaluate the progress of their development under the Union and any state.

Q11. Define law and give its any three important sources. (1+3=4)
Answer :

A law is a set of generally accepted rules and regulations governing inter-relationships in human society seeking to create order and balanced development of all. A few sources of law are listed below:-

(a) Customs - The well-established practices of the people in every community develop because of the utility inherent in them. In due course, a practice becomes a usage which after some time hardens into a custom.

(b) Adjudication - As the society developed and its organisations multiplied, new disputes arose.These were solved by the “wisest men of the community". The decisions of these men formed precedents for future guidance and they came to be known as case laws. The judges of the highest courts in all the countries are important law makers. They interpret and declare law and in that process make new laws.

© Legislation - It means placing of a specific rule on the statute book of the land. It reflects the will of the state as determined by the law making organs. The codification of law helps in narrowing down uncertainties.

Q12. What do you understand by ‘protective discrimination’? Give any two examples pertaining to it. (2+1+1=4)
Answer :

Protective discrimination is the principle of preferential treatment or positive discrimination in favour of those sections of society who otherwise face discrimination and oppression, to achieve genuine equality. The purpose here is not merely to do some good to the weaker sections but to bring them in the mainstream social order. Thus, in the context of the constitution’s commitment to the equality of all citizens, provision was made for protective discrimination in favour of certain classes or groups. Thus, the idea of reservations was accepted through provisions to fundamental rights for equality itself mainly in Article 15(4) on special provision for the advancement of “socially and educationally backward classes of citizens” and Article 16(4) on reservations of appointments or posts in favour of any backward class of citizens which in the opinion of the state is not adequately represented in its services.

Q13. Explain the changing concept of state activity. (4)
Answer :

The 19th century has seen major social changes brought about by science and technology. All these changes require new perspectives on national sovereignty, in the whole apparatus of the state and government in the control of economic activity. In the 19th century, the main function of state was understood to be to provide stability and security and also to provide support to private enterprises at home and abroad.

But today the state’s functions include law and order, making of foreign policy and management and administration of vast services and industries. This expansion in the role of the state has been a result of the industrial revolution, rise of the nation state and mass participation in policies.

When the state structure was not fully developed, people did not look to the state to create conditions necessary for development. But now people expect that the state would alter inequalities arising out of the distribution of land, wealth, income, race and colour. Thus the state should construct dams, conserve environment, create a net-work of canals, promote and establish industries, control monopoly, introduce a system of taxation and establish an education system to ensure development of human powers.

Q14. How do Directive Principles of State Policy help in establishing a welfare state in India? (4)
Answer :

The ideal of the welfare state is embodied in the Directive Principles given in the Indian constitution. These socialist dectrines are based on democracy and believe in gradualism. While believing in individual liberty, they wish to prevent the excesses of the individual’s role in society by restraining his activities from causing harm to others and the society as a whole. The Directive Principles envisaged banishment of poverty by the multiplication of the National wealth and resources and an equal distribution of it. They also require the state to provide work for all, improve the living conditions of the common man, provide sufficient food and clothing to all, provide relief for the ailing and pension for the old and educate all the children.

Q15. Distinguish between civil rights and political rights. Give one example of each. (2+1+1=4)
Answer :

In order to make the rights comprehensive, many countries offer guarantees against economic insecurity and exploitation, opportunities for free education and many other social facilities. It is through the rights recognised and maintained by each state that the states are recognised and differentiated. Thus right to life, liberty, work, education, property, speech and press, assembly, religion, family and equality etc. may be described as civil rights.

On the other hand, political rights are possessed by those persons whom the state permits to share in the legal expression and administration of its sovereign power. They give an equal opportunity to the individual, if he is worthy of it, to take part in the political affairs of his community and influence the policy of his government. An example of political right may be the right to vote - this right is the product of democracy. It means that every adult citizen has the right to express his opinion by casting a vote at the time of election in favour of the persons he desires to run the government. It is contended that the right to vote should be as wide as possible and based on one man, one vote.

An example of civil right may be the right to life - It is the most fundamental of all rights, as it is the very core of humanity. It also means the right to defend oneself against attack. The right to life is safeguarded by law. Punishment is seen as the logical consequence of the anti-social acts of those who violate laws.

Q16. Explain briefly simple majority system. Point out one of its major shortcomings. (3+1=4)
Answer:

A simple majority system basically means that who so ever gets more votes than the others, gets elected. The election results in India are declared on the basis of simple majority system.It is simple and avoids the hastles involved in the proportional representation system. Moreover, it shows what most of the people want. However, the minority opinion is pinned down, which is its major drawback. In a democracy the majority as well as the minority should feel secure and its rights and opinions should be respected which does not completely happen in a simple majority system.

Q17. List out any two recognised regional political parties along with their election symbols. (4)
Answer :

Two regional parties are:

(a) The DMK - Rising sun
(b) Rashtriya Janata Dal - Lamp

Q18. Describe the composition of a Municipal Corporation. Mention its any one obligatory function. (3+1=4)
Answer :

A Municipal Corporation has a statutory status as it is created by an Act of the state legislature or of the parliament in case of a union territory. The municipal corporation is a popular body that provides representation to local people. Most of its members are directly elected on the basis of adult franchise. The council of a corporation is headed by the Mayor and its standing committees constitute the deliberative wing which takes decisions. The Municipal Commissioner is the executive authority, responsible for enforcing these decisions. Collectively, the council, headed by the Mayor, the standing committees and the Municipal Commissioner make up the corporation. Some seats of the council may be filled by nominations of persons having special knowledge or experience of municipal administration. Some seats may also be reserved for SC/ST, women and backward castes.

The obligatory functions of the Municipal Corporation may include supply of water, construction & maintenance of water works, supply of electricity, road transport services, construction, maintenance, naming & numbering of public streets and registration of births & deaths.

Q19. What do you understand by regional imbalances? (4)
Answer :

Regional imbalances refer to the deep differences that exists between one state and the other and even between one region and the other within some states, by way of per capita income, rate of literacy, technology, industrialization, mode of communication and agrarian development etc.

Often, regional parties exploit the situation by informing the people that the union government is biased towards particular regions. This has given rise to regionalism and the resultant growth of regional parties. This also leads to the demand for creation of new states like Jharkhand, Uttrakhand, Chattisgarh and Vidarbha.

Apart from a sense of deprivation in the neglected states or regions, the development efforts and benefits concentrated in certain areas or states have also given birth to vested interests, particularly in the rural parts of the developed states. For instance, in areas where the Green Revolution was introduced and has been successful, the new rich farmers class has become economically and politically important. Not only are they trying to influence the policies at state level and through that at national level, but of late have started organising and directly participating in politics on a class basis.

Another aspect of unbalanced development is that because of development only in limited areas the work force from other states and areas keep on flocking to the developed areas in search of jobs and employment. This affects the cultural harmony of those areas by creating apprehensions among the linquistic and cultural groups about their position.

As a whole the existence and continuation of regional disparities do not allow either a national economy or a national politics. It creates different levels and patterns of politics. It also gives rise to inter-state, inter-region and centre-state disputes and conflicts. The need to adopt a developmental model for balanced development therefore is very important.

Q20. What is planning? Explain the composition of the Planning Commission of India. (1+3=4)
Answer :

Planning is creating a programme for action for a particular period for achieving certain specific progressive developmental goals. For developing countries, planning has been considered a prerequisite for balanced socio- economic development and a strategy for making the best possible use of available natural manpower and financial as well as infrastructural resources. At present, when the emphasis is on market forces and liberalization, the talk of economic planning might appear to be outdated, but, considering the state of economic development in most developing countries, the co-existence of liberalization and planning is most likely to continue for a long time.

The task of planning in India has been taken up by the Planning Commission. By convention, the Prime Minister of India is the chairman of the Planning Commission. However, since he is only a part-time Chairman and is unable to devote adequate time to its functioning and performance, the deputy chairman of the Commission is its de-facto executive head. The Minister of State for Planning & Programmes Implementation is also a member of the Planning Commission. A few Cabinet Ministers have also been its members for the past several years. Since there are no well-defined regulations on the membership of the Planning Commission, its structural pattern has changed from time to time. The number of ministers and the whole- time expert members has never been fixed. This flexibility has, perhaps, facilitated the functioning of the Commission, in tackling the emergent and the more urgent issues of economic change and social development.

Q21. ‘The Welfare state is the ideal of modern liberalism.’ Comment on this statement. (8)
Answer :

As the negative aspects of classical liberalism began to show face, this doctrine was modified by people like J.S. Mill & T.H. Green. They believed that the interests of the individual were tied to social interests. They advocated that each individual was entitled to equal opportunity. Thus the problem of distribution, according to them, demanded an active interference of the state in the economic life of the society.The state was expected to enforce standards of cleanliness & health. It was expected to ensure that large masses of humanity did not have to live in conditions of poverty and squalor. The State was expected to bring about conditions in which there were chances of equal development of all.

The Society must provide opportunity not merely for increase of wealth but also for the development of the total human personality. Thus the concept of welfare state emerged out of this thinking. In 1930s, Roosevelt initiated the New Deal Programmes on similar lines.

The welfare state thus tried to make education widely available. It regulated hours of work, wages and working conditions of labour, tried to curb employment of children in factories and monopolistic tendencies in economy. It was accepted that enlargement of economic liberty was necessary
for a proper enjoyment of political or civil liberty by all. There was a change in the liberal concept of justice.

It was at this time that John Keynes talked about social insurance which was a part of the policy of social progress. While the state should try to secure rational minimum for all, it should leave enough room for voluntary action. In India, the Mahanalobis report followed much the same policy. Tentative, piecemeal adhoc attempts to change the economy lost their appeal. People began to favour more comprehensive plans. They began to expect the state to work for full employment and planned economic growth, what Roosevelt described as “freedom from want” and Indira Gandhi as “Garibi Hatao". The state tried to correct social and cultural injustices. The ideal of the welfare state is thus the development of the ideals of human equality, liberty and justice.

Q22. Examine the place of fundamental duties in the constitution of India. Mention any four such duties. (4+4=8)
Answer :

The fundamental duties were incorporated by the 42nd amendment and added to chapter IV of the constitution. The proponents of the Amendments seem to have thought that the incorporation of these duties was necessary to emphasise the obligations of the citizens in the social contract. Basically the fundamental duties have been incorporated with the purpose of making the citizens patriotic, help them to follow a code of conduct that would strengthen the nation, protect its sovereigrity & integrity, help the state in performing its diverse duties and promote ideals of harmony, unity, common brotherhood and religious tolerance. These ideals are the cornerstone of the constitution.

However, like the Directive Principles of State sPolicy, these duties are also non-justiceable. Some critics, therefore, question the wisdom of incorporating them in the Constitution. However, they are a constant reminder to us of the national goals as well as basic norms of political order. They may inspire us to inculcate in ourselves a sense of social responsibility.

They may not have much legal significance but they do have a symbolic value is as much as they emphasise the popular aspirations of the time as expressed through the legislative will.

These duties require the citizens-

(i) to abide by and respect the constitution, the National Flag and the National Anthem;
(ii) to uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India;
(iii) to defend the country and render national service when required;
(iv) to promote the common brotherhood of all people in India and renounce any practice derogatory to the dignity of women.

Q23. What are interest groups? Distinguish between political parties and interest groups. Mention political parties and interest groups. Mention any two Indian interest groups relating to industry and commerce. (3+3+2=8)
Answer :

Modern pluralistic society consists of large numbers of economic, occupational, religious, possibly ethnic, and other groups in support of different educational and cultural activities. In an open society, interest groups are permitted freely to organise themselves. They will tend to bring their influence to bear on the machinery, the institutions and process of government. They formulate demands, press for concrete specific interests or material advantages demanded by their members, oppose intended action which they deem objectionable, express or articulate the views of some part of public opinion or public issues, or campaign for new policies or even a new society.

What differentiates political parties from interest groups is the breadth and variety of their followings and the orientation of their programmes. Political parties embrace the whole nation and subscribe to the programmes which target the interests of the nation. Interest groups, on the other hand, tend to emphasise special areas of interests, giving them sharper and more detailed expression than can be done by political parties. Interest groups have a sectional or localised focus, while the emphasis of political parties is upon achieving the organisation of opinion on all public issues, internal and external. An interest group performs the function of interest articulation while a party is an aggregation of interests. Political parties contest elections and campaign to win. Interest groups do not contest elections and have no programmes to offer.

They are oriented towards influencing policies, especially on the issues that touch them closely. They lend their support to the parties that espouse their cause, but they do not permanently associate with or support one party.

The two interest groups relating to industry and commerce are Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).

Q23. What do you understand by public opinion? Describe the main hinderances in the formation of sound public opinion. (8)
Answer :

Organised and considered opinion of a section or many sections of the people, on any issue or problem of public concern, is called public opinion. Public opinion is thus an organisation of separate individual judgments. A public opinion must be public rather than individual or sectional. And it must really be an opinion firmly and convincingly held. It need not be the majority opinion, nor is unanimity required. The true worth of public opinion is that while the minority may not share the majority opinion, but they must feel by conviction, not by fear or coercion, to accept it as it aims at the good of all and no sectional interests are involved.

Hindrances in the formation of a sound public opinion are:-

(1) ILLITERACY:- A considerable portion of Indian population is illiterate. Illiteracy is a bane to sound public opinion. Illiterate people are ignorant of hard facts and get easily swayed by political speeches and populist measures of the politicians.

(2) LACK OF REAL LIBERTY:- The high sounding rights that adorn our constitution are not enjoyed in reality by one and all. The lower strata of the society which cannot even make both ends meet cannot comment on what’s going on around them. Moreover, the presence of mafias and goonda elements in our society do not allow the people to formulate sound public opinion.

Q24. Explain the policies and programmes of the Bharatiya Janta Party. (8)
Answer :

To begin with, BJP tried to project itself different from the Bharatiya Jan Sangh (BJS). So, while permitting dual membership with RSS they proclaimed that their ideal was “Gandhian Socialism". However, the programme of the BJP was vague. For eg. it said that the directive principles calling for the amelioration of the economic conditions could be effected without touching the Fundamental Rights. However in 1985, the BJP National executive abandoned Gandhian socialism and returned to the old Sangh concept of “Integrated humanism". Since then, its main plank has been the criticism of minoritism allegedly followed by the Congress governments. In that it has also been attacking the prevailing concepts of secularism and composite culture. In the economic field the party is critical of socialistic rhetorics and controlled economy.

It is headstrong about the fact that the nation’s unity and progress can be best ensured if the Hindus assert themselves more vigorously. It demands to ban cow slaughter and above all building of “Ram Temple” after the demolition of “Babri Masjid". It also talks about the abolition of Article 370 of the Constitution which gives a special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Establishment of a uniform civil code is also on its agenda.

On the economic front, BJP lays emphasis on “Swadeshi” to encourage Indian industry and production as against multinational or foreign companies. It promises to lessen the burden of indirect taxation on the general mass of the people. At the same time, it resolves to raise the income tax exemption limit. Then the BJP commits itself to allocating 60% of annual planfunding to the rural and agricultural sector.

It social fields also the BJP promises justice to all sections. It has accepted the principle of reservation on caste basis. It promises 33% reservation of seats in the Parliament and State legislatures for women. The party continues with the ideal of nationalism based on “Hindutava". The BJP is committed to the concept of one nation, one people, one culture. It commits itself to the principle of “Sarva Dharam Sambhav” ensuring pride and security for all sections of society irrespective of their religious identity and no favour to any one religous or ethnic group.

In brief, the BJP claims that the party’s programme is based on five principles:

(a) Nationalism and national integration
(b) Commitment to democracy
© Positive Secularism
(d) Humansim, that is economy based on Bread, with freedom
(e) Value-based politics.

BJP did emerge as the single largest party in the 1999 elections however bowing to the pressures of coalition politics, it had to compromise on a few issues. Construction of Ram Temple, abolition of Article 370, and establishment of uniform civil code have been kept on the backburner.

Q24. Explain the factors which have played vital role in determining the pattern of Indian Party System. (8)
Answer :

In view of the fragmented nature of Indian Society and widespread ideological differences with regard to future of India, right after independence there were a number of political parties ranging from communists to communalists and from laisse-faire to socialist camps. However, for quite some years the Congress remained the Chief party representing a historical consensus & enjoying a continuing basis of support and thrust. This was the so called one-party dominance or the Congress System [in the words of Rajni Kothari]. 1967 elections marked the beginning of the decline of one - party dominance when Congress failed to secure majority in eight states.

Result was that internal bickerings and factionalism in the party continued & tarnished its overall reputation.

In 1980 elections, the Indian Party system was again back to one-party dominant system. However, it was a dominance because of failure of national - level non-congress parties & united regional support bases of regional parties. However 1989 elections saw the upcoming of a multi-party system at the centre. Thus a formal coalition government was formed at the centre. This system got further consolidated in the elections of 1996, 1998 and 1999. The current National Democratic Alliance which is the ruling government today constitutes of more that 15 parties which have come together formally to form the government. Hence not only the All - India parties but also the regional parties form the government at the centre.

Thus, the nature of the party system depicts a pattern of steady fragmentation of political forces reflecting social fragmentation and regional division of the country. Most parties have turned out to be coalitions of elites loosely tied together by personal interests and short-term goals rather than by ideological or pragmatic commitment or long-range objectives. One consequence of this is that the basic principle of party organisation is either personality or region, not policies .

Another consequence of this is that nearly all parties have been beset with factionalism & internal dissensions leading many a times to splits.

Arising out of this is also the fact that there is hardly any party that is not under the control of an autocratic leader. The constitutions of most of the parties are Presidential & the committees are nominated by the President. Adhocism is the norm everywhere. No party has evolved reliable mechanism & workable procedures for managing internal conflicts.

It can thus be said that party system in India has not yet reached that stage of development where ideologies are strong, parties are able to structure meaningful electoral issues & parliamentary opposition successfully channelise popular opposition. The overwhelming importance of personal & ascriptive factors rather than secular & rational factors have contributed to the absence of ideological boundaries between most of the parties and a blurring of them.

Q25. Critically examine India’s relations with the United states of America (U.S.A.) (8)
Answer :

The relations between India - the world’s largest democracy & US - world’s most powerful democracy were not as (strong) close as they should be expected to be fill a few years back.India’s non-aligned stand & later “special friendship” with the erstwhile USSR made Indo-US relations not-so-cordial. Though US continued to provide India with humanitarian and other developmental assistance, its main ally in the South Asian region was Pakistan. The impact of this on Indo-US relations was negative and there was a very visible tilt towards Pakistan during the cold war era.

The collapse of Soviet Union & the end of cold war kindled hopes of closer ties between US & India but these could not be realised to their maximum. The relations which kept on improving through the 90s took a sharp about turn with the Pokhran tests in 1998. Economic sanctions were slapped on India and assistance except humanitarian were ended. India was asked to sign the CTBT at the earliest. India promised to be a responsible nuclear power but that was not enough .

The overthow of Nawaz Sharif and installation of a military government pushed US further away from Pakistan & also closer to India. US tried to pressurize Pakistan to go back on the road to democracy to which it did not comply. Meanwhile ministerial level talks continued between India & US to prepare for the crucial Clinton visit to the subcontinent.

The Clinton visit in March 2000 was highly successful as far as India was concerned. Economic sanctions are being slowly lifted. Though India did no agree to sign the CTBT some understanding was reached. India was projected as a thriving democracy on the road of development with the potential of becoming an IT superpower. Now preparations are on for PM Vajpayee’s scheduled visit to the US in September 2000.

Q25. Evaluate India’s contribution to the United Nations in its efforts for maintaining world peace. (8)
Answer :

India, which is a primary members of the UN, even when it was not independent, had always taken keen interest in all the activities of the UN; hence its role in this unique activity is inevitable. At present when India is making tremendous efforts to play a more important role in the UN, through the acquisition of a permanent seat in the Security Council, it becomes pertinent to analyse its contribution towards all the UN activities in general and its role in peace-keeping in particular.

Significant role played by India in the UN peace-keeping operations is evident from its following activities. Firstly, India, despite its limitations in terms of military and financial fields, took part in maximum number of UN peace keeping operations. Its involvement and conviction towards these activities can be gauged from the fact that even while it was engaged in war with its neighbours [1962 & 1965], it supplied troops for such UN activities.

Secondly, it also provided leadership to some important missions, such as Sinai (1956-57), Yemen (1963), Cyprus (1964), Namibia (1989) etc. where it provided force commanders. Besides, its officers served as members of supervisory commissions, military adviser to Secretary General and observers in no. of UN activities.

Thirdly, India has also helped the global organization in developing and conceptualising the framework of UN peace-keeping. Through its active participation in the debates it tried its best to highlight the anomalies associated with this concept. Simultaneously, at present it is making all out efforts to finalise the norms of this framework in the changed context of global order.

Fourthly, despite its poor economic conditions India has cleared all its dues to the UN pool in contrast to the major powers who have yet to pay huge share of their contribution towards this end.

Finally, India is even concerned about the future responsibilities in this context. Visualising the growing number of peace-keeping operations there is always a great need of troops for that purpose. India, keeping its long tradition and commitment to global peace and tranquility, took an important decision in 1995 to commit a Brigade Group to the UN Stand by Force arrangement so that peace Operations are not delayed due to lack of forces at UN command.

India’s glorious contribution to UN peace-keeping operations in the 50 years since independence is a saga of dedication and commitment to the objectives of the UN Charter to which the nation is a signatory. This has been reflected not in terms of rhetoric and symbolism, but in physically demonstrated participation, even to the extent of sustaining casualities to personnel, and yet staying the course. This contribution has been acknowledged by the members of the international community, successive Secretary Generals, the UN Secretariat and by fellow peace keepers from other countries of the world.

CBSE Political Science Sample Question Paper - Year 1997

Filed under:

Political Science Class- XII CBSE)
You are on answers 1 to 10 of Set I

Q1. Define Law. (2 marks)
Answer :

The word Law comes from the old teutonic route ‘lag’ which means to lay, to place, to set. So it is something laid down or set. However, it would be more appropriate to define law as a set of generally accepted rules and regulations governing inter-relationships in human society seeking to create order and balanced development of all laws may be natural or positive, national or international, constitutional or ordinary, civil or criminal and public or private.

Q2. What do you understand by justice? (2 marks)
Answer :

The word ‘Justice’ comes from the Latin word ‘Jus’ which means ‘bondage’ or ‘to bind’. Justice lies in the satisfaction of basic needs of the people of society. It means to treat all citizens on an impartial ground. Legal justice deals with principles and procedures as laid down by the system of law prevailing in a state. Moral justice, on the other hand, deals with what is right and what is wrong. Though justice is for the general order of the society as a whole, it also protects the individual. Social justice seeks to reform society in accordance with current idea of what is right or fair eg. land reforms, prevention of discrimination and equitable distribution of national resources and wealth.

Q3. What do you mean by ‘dictatorship of the proletariat’? (2 marks)
Answer :

The transitional period after the occurance of the proletarian revolutional is called the Dictatorship of the Proletariat. The power will be captured by the workers. The proletarian dictatorship will monopolise state power and shall use it as an instrument for consolidating its political victory and for the establishment of social order by redistribution the assets of capitalist and landlords and placing the means of production into the hand of the community. The basis of economy would be from each according to his work. The next stage will be the establishment of a classless society called communism.

Q4. What is a Welfare State? (2 marks)
Answer :

Welfare state is that state which works for the happiness and prosperity of the people so that each individual can develop his personality. It means that the state must take upon itself the social responsibility of providing goods and services to weaker sections in society. The aim of the welfare state is preventive. It seeks to alter the very conditions which lead to unemployment, sickness or poverty. Thus a welfare state is expected to look after public health, provide education, ensure right to work, right to shelter and unemployment benefits to all its citizens.

Q5. Mention any two Gandhian Directive Principles. (2 marks)
Answer :

Gandhian Directive Principles of State Policy include:-

(a) Article 46 wants the state to promote the lot of SCs & STs. Their educational and economic interest are to be protected. Their exploitation should be stopped.

(b) Article 47 wants to secure the improvement of public health by prohibiting consumption of intoxicating drinks and drugs.

(d) Article 39 observes that the state shall direct its policy towards securing equal pay for equal work for both men & women.

Q6. State any two duties performed by a citizen. (2 marks)
Answer :

The fundamental duties were incorporated in the Indian constitution for the purpose of making the citizens patriotic and help them to follow a code of conduct that would strengthen the nation. A few of them may be mentioned here:-

1. To abide by and respect the Constitution, the National Flag, and the National Anthem.
2. Defend the country and render national service when required.

Q7. What do you mean by proportional representation. (2 marks)
Answer :

Proportional representation is a system of representation the main focus of which is to ensure that the number of seats a political party gets in the legislature should be proportionate to the popular votes it obtains from the electorate in any given election. There are two methods by which proportional representation can be achieved : the single transferable vote system, also called the Hare System and the list system.

Q8. Write any two functions of the Election Commission. (2 marks)
Answer :

The main functions of the Election Commission include:-

(i) To prepare, revise, update and maintain the list of voters for election to the Parliament, State Legislatures, Local bodies and to the office of the President and the Vice-president of India.

(ii)To conduct and supervise elections and bye-election to the Parliament, state Legislatures, and to the Office of the President and the Vice-President of India.

(iii)To delimit constituencies for the election to the Parliament and to the State legislatures, and to allot a number of seats to each of them.

Q9. Give any two sources of income of the Panchayat Samiti. (2 marks)
Answer :

There are two main sources of income of the Panchayat Samitis - grants in aid given by the state government for development activities, and taxation accruing from part of the land revenue.

Q10. What do you understand by ‘planning’? (2 marks)
Answer :

In the new economic environment, economic planning continues to be an important factor determining the strategies for public investment, besides providing guidelines for channelisiing private sector investment in desired directions. They have to act as “mutually complementary forces” in ensuring rapid economic develoment of the nation. In certain key areas including energy, human resource development, backward areas development, management of balance of payments etc. a holistic approach to policy formulation is needed.

In the new era of economic restructuring, the Planning Commission should concentrate on strategies of employment generation, anti-poverty programmes, social development and ensuring balance within the infrastructure.

Q11. Mention the relation between liberty and equality. (4 marks)
Answer :

Historically speaking the glorification of Liberty precedes that of equality. Be it the ancient Greek & Roman ideals of liberty of Locke’s Natural rights, the concept of equality was not to be found. It was during the American & the French revolutions in 1776 & 1789 respectively that the idea of equality got itself aligned to liberty. However, Scholars like Lord Acton and Tocqueville still insisted that equality destroyed the possibility of having liberty. According to them Liberty means absense of any restrain or coersion whereas equality
needs some restrain or levelling which is against the principles of Liberty.

(i) Political equality is best gauranteed in a democracy in which each citizen is to count for one.

(ii) Civil equality or equality before law is the precondition of freedom. Laws should equally guarantee security of person & property because it is only then that we can have conditions necessary for enjoyment of our autonomy.

(iii)As far as economic equality is concerned, it has been seen that all laws and taxes dimnish one’s Liberty but sometimes they do so to increase the general Liberty.

Thus relating to development of human personality, it is required that the ideals of Equality & Liberty should have a simultaneous flow.

Q12. State any four developmental activities of the state. (4 marks)
Answer :

In the twenty-first century, almost all the nations are engaged in developmental activities in order to make their countries prosper. Barring the aim of development of nation state, mass participation and need for equality have also led the governments to undertake regulation of economic activity and undertake welfare programmes. A few developmental activities of the state are mentioned below:-

(1) The states government have entered into areas earlier reserved for private enterprises eg. Post Office and the Railways, to make them more efficient and consumer friendly.

(2) The state is also engaged in harnessing river through such activities as construction of dams and power houses. It also seeks to manage atomic energy for peace as well as for war. Most of the atomic energy commissions are set up and controlled directly by the states.

(3) The state sets up enterprises in public sector or joint sector for providing support to other industries or curb the growth of monopoly.

(4) The state raises money through taxes to support and promote economic growth. By graduated income tax it levels income. By tariff it influences foreign trade. Whenever money is required for development, the state also receives financial assistance from countries.

Q13. Write any four Directive Principles of State Policy that have been implemented.
Answer :

The governments of the union and states have made impressive effects to translate many of the directives into practice.

(1) Article 40 - Introductin of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
The village Panchayats have become a reality and a further impetus in this field has been provided by the 73td Amendment Act, 1992, which has provided for a three- tier panchayati raj structure with all the posts to be filled by direct elections on the basis of adult franchise. Moreover, there is a provision of reservation for SC, ST and women.

(2) Article 47 - Prohibition of intoxicating Drinks and Drugs. In some states like Haryana, some effort has been there in this direction.

(3) Article 50 - Seperation of Executive from Judiciary. It is the most important requisite for the promotion of liberty in a democratic set up. The criminal procedure court has vested the function of judicial trial in the hands of judicial magistrate. The members of the judiciary are under the complete control of the high court, thus separation of Executive from Judiciary is implemented in our country in most of the states.

(4) Article 53(A), 51(B), 51© & 51(D) - Promotion of International Peace. These principles are embodied in the foreign policy of India based on Panchsheel and dynamic neutrality. Moreover, India supports the UN in its various peace keeping missins and other activities.

Q14. Define rights. Mention any two political rights. (4 marks)
Answer :

Rights are those claims which are recognised by the society, enforced by the state and aim at general good. They provide exernal conditions necessary for the development of individual personality. Thus as Hobhouse puts it, rights are, “what we may expect from others and others from us, and all genuine rights are conditions of social welfare.” However, rights are not absolute in nature. Rights have to be limited by the social control in order to be effectively possessed.

Political rights consists in:-
(1) Right to vote and get elected :- By right to vote we mean that every adult citizen has the right to express his opinion by casting a vote at the time of elections what persons he desires should undertake the task of government. The right to vote and the right to be elected as a representative are twin-born and essential for a democratic government.

(2) Right to public office :- The Constitution of India provides equality of opportunity to all citizens in matters of employment under the state. No citizen shall, on grounds of religion, race, caste or sex ineligible for any office under the state. This is the gift of democracy which gives equal right to all citizens.

Q15. What do you mean by adult franchise? Mention any two qualifications of a voter. (4 marks)
Answer :

Adult franchise means that all the adult members of the society above a specified age irrespective of caste, colour, creed are eligible to select their representatives to run the country. It is thus recognised as the basis of representative government which in turn is the main characteristic of democracy. The qualifications of a voter include:-

1. The voter should be a citizen of India.
2. He should be above the age of 18 years.

Q16. Which four electoral reforms, in your opinion, should be introduced in the Indian electoral system? (4 marks)
Answer :

The reforms suggested for overcoming misuse of money power are:-

(1) The state should finance the election of candidates, by creating an election fund of about Rs. 100 crores for this purpose.

(2) As in the case of individual candidates, a ceiling on the election expenditure of political parties should also be fixed.

(3) Both individual candidates and parties should submit audited accounts of electoral expenses within a fixed period of time to the Election Commission.

(4) An all party national consensus should be built for finding ways and means of making elections less expensive for overcoming the corrupting influence of money in elections.

Q17. State any four functions of Municipal Corporation. (4 marks)
Answer :

The 74th Constitutional amendment lays down that municipalities would go beyond the mere provisins of civil amenities. Now, they are expected to play a crucial role in the formulation of plans for local development and the implementation of development projects and programmes including those specially designed for urban poverty alleviation. The functions of Municipal Corporation include:-
(1) Supply of water, construction and maintenance of water works, supply of electricity, road transport services, construction, maintenance, naming and numbering of public streets.

(2) Establishment and maintenance of hospitals, maternity and child welfare centres, vaccination and inoculation, registration of births and deaths.

(3) Construction of public parks, gardens, libraries, museums, theatres, akharas and stadium, planting and care of trees on the roadside and elsewhere.

(4) Relief of destitute and disabled persons, registration of marriages, surveys of buildings and lands, organisation and management of fairs and exhibitions.

Q18. What do you understand by Communalism? How can it be curbed? (4 marks)
Answer :

Communalism can be defined as the political functioning of individuals or groups for the selfish interests of particular religious communities or sects. Prof. Rasheeduddin Khan suggests that communalism is basically an ideology of political allegience to a religious community as a primarily and decisive group in the polity and for political action. Hence, communalism is a modern phenomena and not a phenomenon of the medieval past. It is a sectarian, restrictive and negative response to the process of modernization and modern nation-building. In our struggle against communalism we should mobilise a wide cross-section of our people including genuine religious persons, women, youth, professional groups because communalism is both anti-national and anti-human. Communalism may be curbed by the following means:-

(1) De-recognition of parties which by their policies and practices encourage or promote communalism.
(2) Punishment to concerned officers in a locality or district found guilty of dereliction of duty in controlling communal violence or threat of violence.

(3) Removal of communal orientation in textbooks and reading material prepared in schools.

(4) Instructions to TV, radio and media to avoid coverage of news and views likely to promote communal prejudice and hatred.

Q19. ‘Ever growing population in India has got to be checked’. Make any four suggestions in this direction. (4 marks)
Answer :

Population is the source of the most important factor of production, labour. But if the population grows at an uncontrolled rate, it may not prove good for the country. It may curb economic growth and give rise to problems like poverty, unemployment undue pressure on land and social crimes. This is what is happening in India. The following measures may be taken to control the population growth:-

(1) Family Planning:- making available family planning methods through different outlets in urban, semiurban and rural areas, setting up of family planning centres to make available the various services related to family planning and financial assistance to acceptors and motivators of family planning methods like sterlization.

(2) Proper education:- promoting female education and employment; arrangement for education in health and biology of reproduction.

(3) Late marriage:- Promotion of delayed marriages will reduce the fertility period and therefore in some way will check the population growth.

(4) Making health services available to lower mortality among infants and provision of nutrition, immunisation and other protective and preventive measures against diseases.

Q20. What role is played by the National Development Council of India? (4 marks)
Answer :

The National Development Council is one of the key organizations of the planning system in India. It symbolizes the federal approach to planning and is the instrument for ensuring that the planning system adopts a truly national perspective. Its status has been determined by the prevailing political climate and the support provided to it by the government in power at the centre and the effectiveness of the pressures exerted by the state governments. Not with standing the vicissitudes that it has faced during the past four decades, its continuing presence in the apex-policy structure has always been felt. The functions of the NDC, as revised in 1967, following the adoption of the recommendations of the Administrative Reforms Commission, are as follows:-

(1) To prescribe guidelines for the formulation of the national plan;

(2) To consider the national plan as formulated by the Planning Commission.

(3) To assess resources required for implementing the plan and to suggest ways and means for raising them.

(4) To consider important questions of social and economic policy affecting development.

(5) To review the working of the plan from time to time and to recommend such measures as are necessary for achieving the aims and targets articulated in the national plan.

Q21. Critically exmaine ‘Liberalism’. (8 marks)
Answer :

Liberalism is a doctrine emerged out of the Enlightenment, the Glorious Revolution in England and the French revolution. From the enlightenment emerged the view that there are no moral goals which we know for certain to be absolutely right and therefore to impose any one way of life on the citizen of a state is wrong. From the Glorious Revolution emerged the view that the divine right of any kind of rule could not be justified and from the French Revolution the claim that the individual liberty is so sacred that no authority can violate it.

However, liberalism remained the philosophy of the capitalist classes and its objective is to provide a congenial atmosphere for the development of capitalism. It talks about minimial state interference in economy. Even if the state is assigned certain welfare functions, the objective is not to give justice to the workers but they are used for appeasing the revolutionary working class.

Though positive liberalism regards the state as a moral and welfare institution, if at certain stage, its welfare measures fail in satisfying the working class and the working class threatens the capitalist socio-economic system, then the state sheds off its democratic posture and emerges in its naked form. This increases the threat of totalitarianism.

Liberalism maintains that political power (state) can regulate economic power (capitalist class) in the overall interest and welfare of society. But this is practically untrue because it is the economic power which controls the political power.

Moreover, positive liberalism enthrusts the state with the responsibility of creating conditions necessary for the fulfilment of individuals liberty. It maintains that the state is the gaurdian of collective welfare. But this view is not correct as the question of liberty is closely associated with the socio-economic system and the conditions for the fulfilment of liberty cannot be established by any agency in a capitalist system.

Liberalism also maintains that through progressive taxation, income redistribution policies and economic measures of the state, economic equality can be achieved but the fact is that without abolishing private property in a class divided society equality will be unrealistic.

The marxist critique of liberalism is that social change in a class divided society can not be brought about by social reforms and incremental changes but by the intensification of class- struggle through a revolution. During the course of development of liberalism itself, the change from feudalism to capitalism was not brought about by incremental changes but through the English, French and other revolutions. Thus, liberalism rejects the scientific process of revolutionary change.

Q21. What do you know about Fascism? Describe its main features. (8 marks)
Answer :

Fascism has no specific theory because it emerged as a socio-economic and political programme. Fascism opposes ideology and maintains that it is an action oriented movement and it is based on pragmatism.

For Fascism, society is the end, individuals the means and its whole life consists in using individuals as instruments for its ends. The ideology of Fascism is dominated by the dogma of a state and an irresistible govt., which has the right to interfere in all spheres of the individuals’ life, whether economic moral or religious. A citizen’s obligation to the state are more important than his rights. Fascism proclaims the rights of the state, pre-eminence of its authority, and the superiority of its end. It repudiates pacifism and glorifies war. They maintain that is essential exercise which keeps the states healthy and fit.

Fascists recognised no individual liberties as sacred. They instead relied upon the methods of moral intimidation, physical compulsion and official propaganda. It was a punishable crime to criticise government and to conduct propaganda for the doctrines and parties dissolved by the government and to spread “false” or “exaggerated” news abroad concerning internal conditions of the country.

The state or nation, according to the Fascist assumption, is an independent entity with a real will of its own, which is quite distinct from the popular will which democracy owns. The Fascists deemed popular sovereignity as a fictitious creation of democracy and they denounced democracy because it gave power to the masses. Political authority, it was advocated, must be aristocratic because “only a minority of the nation has the capacity to perceive and give effect to national interest.” Sovereignty was not vested in the individual, but in the nation state and only the few selected had the right to speak for the nation.

The Fascists had always been explicit in defence of violence as a means of achieving political aims. Fascism is totalitarian in its means and it uses any form of coercion, from verbal threats to mass murders, for obtaining its ends. Barring this Fascism was also opposed to inter- nationalism and did not give proper regard to interanational law, treaties etc.

Fascism rejected both laisse-faire and state ownership of economy. Private ownership of property was allowed but self-interest must be held in constant subordination to the national interest.

In short, we can say that was a reactionary and counter-revolutionary theory for the defence of crises ridden capitalist order.

Q22. Explain the Right to Freedom, what restrictions have been imposed with this Right? (8 marks)
Answer :

Article 19 of the Constitution Guarantees six freedoms . These include right;-

(a) to freedom of speech and expression
(b) to assemble peacefully and without arms
© to form associations or unions
(d) to move freely throuhout the territory of India
(e) to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India
(g) to practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business: [Article 191(f) has been deleted]

No state can give or guarantee absolute or unlimited rights. Every right is subjected to reasonable limitations, the judge of reasonableness of restrictions is the Supreme Court of India.

With regard to limitations on freedom of speech & expression - the constitution imposes eight limitations.
They relate to (i) defamation, (ii) Conempt of Court; (iii) decency or morality; (iv) Security of state; (v) friendly
relations with foreign states; (vi) incitement to an offence; (vii) Public order; (viii) Maintenance of the sovereignty and integrity of India.

With regard to limitations freedom of assembly - It is stipulated that any assembly must be peaceful and without arms.

With regard to limitations on freedom of movement - the state is empowered to impose restrictions in the interests of the general public or for the protection of any Scheduled Tribe.

FREEDOM OF THE PRESS: There is no specific provision conferring freedom of the press on the Indian Citizen. This freedom is included in the wider freedom of “expression” which is guaranteed by Article 19(a) .The state is empowered to impose reasonable restrictions on the freedom of the press in the interests of “security of the state, the sovereignty and integrity of India, friendly relations with foreign states, Public order decency or morality, or for the prevention of contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence".

Thus every major Fundamental Right is followed by certain limitations specified by the constitution itself.

Q22. Describe the right to Constitutional Remedies. Examine its importance. (8 marks)
Answer :

Every citizen must possess the right to enforce his rights. In the absence of such a right, civil and political rights are meaningless. Article 32 of the Constitution of India guaratees to every citizen the right to move the Supreme Court for the Enforcement of Fundamental Rights as well as the power to issue directions or orders or writs, including writs in the nature of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto and certiorari. A brief explanation of the writs is as follows:-

Habeas Corpus -

When a person is imprisoned allegedly without the procedure established by law, the court can command the authority detaining him to produce him in court and to submit the cause of imprisonment. In case the court finds that there are no significant grounds of detention, the court passes an order that the applicant be set free.

Mandamus -

A writ of mandamus is an order of the court directing a public authority to perform its duty, in its non-performance causes injury to the petitioner.

Certiorari -

Prohibition -

The writ of prohibition is issued if a judicial authority or an administrative authority performing a quasi-judicial function exceeds its jurisdiction.

Quo warrants-

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar declared this right to be the soul of the constitution.

Q23. Examine the role of political parties in democratic system.(8 marks)
Answer :

Political parties are almost indispensable part of present day political systems. Modern form of representative democracy, in particular, laid down the rule that political party in one form, or another is omnipresent in the political process. The phenomena of party is linked with the growth of complexity of political systems in which the notion of political power has come to include the idea that the mass public must participate or be controlled.

In general the role of parties is not similar in all aspects and at all times in all the socieities. In developing societies, the political parties are expected to play an active entrepreneural role in the formation of new ideas, in the establishment of a network of communication for those ideas and in the linking of the public and the leadership in such a way that power is generated, mobilised and directed. It is the political parties that organize the vastly diversified people by nominating candidates for office and by popularizing the ideas around which governmental programmes are built. They are vehicles through which individuals and groups work to secure political power and if successful, to exercise that power.

The first role of the political parties is to sort out the issues for the electorate. They select candidates for election, plan and execute the election campaign and present them with alternatives to the people between which they may choose. The second role of the parties is to supply the majorities without which govt. cannot remain in power. The govt. would have no stability and no power to plan a coherent policy, national or international if it did not have a majority. Parties provide alternative teams to run the govt. They prevent the same people remaining in power too long and looking on an office as a matter of right. A party system always reminds the rulers that the ultimate appeal rests with the people, and they must remember those to whom they will have to account in the future as well as those who entrusted them with power.

An important function of the political parties is to unite the many segments of the society on common goals and attain political power on their behalf and form the govt. We can thus end here with Edmund Burke’s definition of party “as a body of men united for promoting by their joint endeavours the national interest, upon some particular principle in which they are all agreed.”

Q24. Describe the programmes and policies of the B.J.P. (8 marks)
Answer :

In brief, the BJP claims that the party’s programme is based on five principles:
(a) Nationalism and national integration
(b) Commitment to democracy
© Positive Secularism
(d) Humansim, that is economy based on Bread, with freedom
(e) Value-based politics.

Q25. Evaluate the role of India in the United Nations. (8 marks)
Answer :

India witnessed the birth of the UN as a meek participant at the San Fransisco conference and was honoured with the original membership of the organisation. Her contribution to the maintenance of international peace and security, her unique record of supporting UN activities, and measures against apartheid, and colonialism, her unwavering commitment to the UN & to the cause of multilateralism and rich contribution to the debates on disarmament and development and human rights stand out as outstanding successes of India’s foreign policy. India desired UN to become a broad-based organisation reflecting the realities of the world and advocated the principle of universality of membership. India fully supported the cause of admission of those sovereign states which were being denied admission including China and many socialist countries.

India had been in the forefront in extending support to the liberation movements, in all parts of the world and in persuading the UN to effectively intervene in defence of the right of the people for national independence. Hence, India actively supported for years at various times, and under different circumstances, the cause of freedom, for instance in Indonesia, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria, Ghana, Namibia, South Africa and Palestine.

India also took an active part in responding to the UN call for providing contingents for peace- keeping operations despite its limitations in terms of military and financial fields. It also provided leadership to some important missions, such as Sinai, Yemen, Cyprus, Namibia, where it provided force commanders. Keeping its long tradition and commitment to global peace and tranquility, India took an important decision in 1995 to commit a Brigade Group to the UN standby Force arrangement so that peace operations would not be delayed due to lack of forces at UN command.

India’s main concern is to work assiduously and constructively for disarmament, especially nuclear disarmament and for shift of focus on global economic development and social justice in all countries of an interdependent one world. India advocated a policy of elimination of nuclear weapons in a time-bound framework. India had called for a ban on testing of nuclear weapons, a freeze in production of materials that could be used for nuclear weapons, a convention stopping the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons and a global multilateral negotiation of the nuclear weapon states to first reduce and then eliminate nuclear weapons.

India has also taken a leading and active part in other UN activities concerning Development, Human Rights, Environment and Population Control. India has also been successful in focussing the attention of the international community on the phenomenon of terrorism as an important violation of human rights for which terrorist groups as also their sponsors should be held accountable.

After 50 years of independence, India should take time off to reasses its global role and hopes from the UN which should cut across boundaries and national interests and should be based on the 4 Rs and the equally 4Ds. The four Rs being Renewal, Reform, Restructuring and Restrenghtening. The four Ds could include Development, Demoratisation, Disarmament and Decolonisation.

CBSE Political Science Sample Question Paper - Year 1996

Filed under:

Political Science Class- XII CBSE)
You are on answers 1 to 10 of Set I

Q1. Define Law. (2 marks)
Answer :

The word Law comes from the old teutonic route ‘lag’ whihc means to lay, to place, to set So it is something laid down or set. However, it would be more appropriate to define law as a set of generally accepted rules and regulations governing inter-relationships in human society seeking to create order and balanced development of all laws may be natural or positive, national or international, constitutional or ordinary, civil or criminal and public or private.

Q2. What do you under stand by the theory of surplus value?(2 marks)
Answer :

The theory of surplus value is the corner stone of the Marxian economic theory. According to this theory, labour is the source of the value of a commodity. The value of a commodity is determined by the amount of necessary labour time spent on it. Marx defines a commodity as conceiled labour and value as crystalised labour. The capitalist produces a commodity by the application of his labour to machinery and raw material. The commodity then commands a certain market value. The wages which are paid to the worker bear no proportion to the price which the commodity fetches. The difference between the value of the commodity and the wages paid to the worker constitutes the profit or the surplus. The surplus value is appropriated by the capitalist which according to marx ought to have gone to labourers. This, says marx, is pure and simple exploitation.

Q3. What did Gandhiji mean by Ahimsa? (2 marks)
Answer :

Gandhiji’s greatest contribution to politics in particular and life in general was his teaching and practice of Ahimsa. Negatively, Ahimsa means refraining from causing pain. On the positive side, Ahimsa is co-terminous with the christian principle of love. However, it does not mean meek submission to the will of the evil doer. It is sould force or truth force. It means resistance to evil with all the moral and spiritual force that a person can command.

Q4. Give any two points of difference between the Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles. (2 marks)
Answer :

The directive principles differ from fundamental rights in these respects:-

(a) The Fundamental Rights are justiciable and the Supreme Court and the High Courts have powers to issue orders or writs for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights. Directive Principles, on the other hand, confer no legal rights and create no legal remedies.

(b) The Fundamental Rights are intended to foster the ideal of a political democracy. IN order that the democractic principle may work effectively, the citizens require protection of their life and full opportunity to assemble and express their opinion regarding matters of generla interest. Fundamental Rights are primarily aimed at securing these freedoms to the citizens. The Directive Principles indicate as to what our economic ideal or social order should be.

Q5. Mention any two economic Directive Principles. (2 marks)
Answer :

Directive Principles relating to economic justice are as follows:-

(a) Article 39 - observes that the state shall direct its policy towards securing (a) adequate means of livelihood to all citizens

(b) a proper distribution of material resources of the community for the common good.

(d) Protection of the strength and health of workers and avoiding circumstances which force citizens to enter advocations unsuited to their age or strength.

(e) Article 41 - lays down that effective steps should be taken to make right to work a reality.Public assistance should be extended in case of unemployment, old age and sickness.

Q6. What do you understand by the statement that Directive Principles are non-justiciable? (2 marks)
Answer :

Directive Prinicples are non-justiciable means that they are not backed by the force of law. A citizen can not move the court if these principles are not enforced by the court. Neither can the court issue writs to enforce them. However, the Directive Principles are fundamental in the governance of the country. They are the directives to which the govt. has to turn while making policies and programmes.

Q7. List any two Fundamental Duties of Indian Citizen. (2 marks)
Answer :

1. To abide by and respect the Constitution, the National Flag, and the National Anthem.
2. Defend the country and render national service when required.

Q8. What is meant by public opinion? (2 marks)
Answer :

Organised and considered opinion of a section or many sections of the people, on any issue or problem of public concern, is called public opinion. Public opinion is thus an organisation of separate individual judgements, a “co-operative product of communication and reciprocal influence. “A public
opinion must be public rather individual or sectional. And it must really be an opinion firmly and convincingly held. It need not be the majority opinion, nor is unanimity required. The true worth of public opinion is that while the minority may not share the majority opinion, but they must feel by conviction not by fear or coercion, to accept it as it aims at the good of all and no sectional interests are involved.

Hindrances in the formation of a sound public opinion are:-

(2) LACK OF REAL LIBERTY:- The high sounding rights that adorn our constitution are not enjoyed in reality by one and all. The lower strata of the society which can not even make their both ends meet can not comment on what’s going on around them. Moreover, the presence of majias and goonda elements in our society do not allow the people to formulate sound public opinion.

Q9. Are regional parties necessary? Give any two arguments in support of your anwer. (2 marks)
Answer :

Regional parties are those which generally and exclusively operate within a limited geographical area of a state, or which represent primodial loyalties.

(1) Considering the continental size of India and the wide range of socio-cultural and ethnic diversities, it is natural for these diversities to aspire for political autonomy. One way of expressing political autonomy is the formation of regional parties and groups, in order to bargain with the centre for a better
deal for regional development.

(2) Over the years, the national parties have neglected to give adequate importance to their regional and state units. Moreover the control of state affairs by the central leadership and their style of working and public behaviour towards state leaders, were often arbitrary and not quite democractic. Regional Parties, not only give adequate attention to local issues but also redeem the self-respect of state leadership.

Q10. What do you understand by three-tier system under Panchayati Raj? (2 marks)
Answer :

Three-tier system under Panchayati Raj has a three-tier structure of local self-govt. from the village to the district. The basic unit of the three-tier structure was the Gram Panchayat consisting of 5-30 members elected directly on the basis of adult franchise by the village people for a period of four years. The second tier was to be the Panchayat Samiti to function at the block level. The block can be described generally as the primary unit of community Development. The Zilla Parishad was to be the apex institution of the Panchayati Raj. Its members were to be directly elected ones as well as ex-officio like the chairman of the Panchayat Samities of the district concerned.

Q11. Mention any two functions of Panchayat Samiti. (2 marks)
Answer :

The Panchayat Samiti may be enthrusted with the following functions:-

(a) Delegated functions:- to implement and coordinate the policy directives of the state government with regard to development and extension programmes.

(b) Development functions:- to plan and implement production and social welfare programmes, especially with regard to agriculture, irrigation, cottage and small industries, animal husbandry and fisheries, cooperatives, education, health, communications etc.

Q12. State any two sources of income of the Municipal Corporation. (2 marks)
Answer :

TAX SOURCES: A corporation is generally empowered to levy the following taxes: Property tax, theatre tax, tax on vehicles and animals, tax on advertisement, Profession tax, education tax, entertainment tax, tax on consumption and sale of electricity.

NON-TAX SOURCES : Non-tax revenue includes fees relating to building, fees under communications and license fees for dangerous and offensive traders.

Q13. List any two methods by which illiteracy may be eradicated from India. (2 marks)
Answer :

One of the ways to eradicate illiteracy from India is to implement Article 45 of the constitution which aims at providing free and compulsory education for all children until they reach the age of 14 years.
Barring this, the control of population explosion can also be considered as a step in eradicating illiteracy in India. Mass propaganda, easy availability of contraceptives and women empowerment can be a step in this direction.

Q14. What do you understand by SAARC? (2 marks)
Answer :

South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation has marked the beginning of regional cooperation in South Asia. Its establishment is backed by the concept of regional integration. It links several nations of a region in collective decision- making system which also implies mutual obligations and common interests.
SAARC seeks to promote the welfare of peoples in South Asian countries and to improve their quality of life through economic growth and socio-cultural development.

Q15. Give any three features of the idealist state. (3 marks)
Answer :

The Idealist Theory of state, variously known as the philosophical, metaphysical or the absolutist theory, is the product of the teachings of Plato and Aristotle, but in its modern typical form it was expounded by the German Philosopher, Megal.

(1) They considered the state an organic unity and held it as the highest expression of social morality. Since the state is a moral organism, every individual is its inseparable part and he depends for his existence upon it.

(2) The individual apart from society has no meaning. He has no natural rights. Rights flow to him because he is a creature of society and the state is the creator and guarantor of those rights. It gurantees rights by creating conditions necessary for the full moral development of individuals personality.

(3) The state can do no wrong and its laws can never be unjust. Its authority must be obeyed without demur and resistnace to its commands or revolt against its authority, however oppressive, is wicked and iniquitous.

Q16. “State is the means and the individual is the end". What do you understand by this statement? (3 marks)
Answer :

It is the individualists who regard the state as the means and the individual as an end. Individualism recogniseds the individual as the centre of all social life and aims to establish that the state should leave him alone to determine his own destiny and the fullest and free development of his capacities and interests. The advocates of individualism maintain that it is for him and by him that the whole social structure exists and derives its being Individualism thus, exalts the individual to the position of reality in life.

As society itself is nothing but the totality of individuals themselves, the state exists to protect and restrain, not to foster and promote. The state is a necessary evil and it continues to exist so long as man does not attain perfection. Its functions are, accordingly, negatively regulative or protective, which include : protection from foreign aggression, protection of property from robbery and damage and protection of individuals against false contracts or breaches of contracts.

Q17. Mention any three political rights. (3 marks)
Answer :

Political rights are possessed by those persons whom the state permits to share in the legal expression and administration of its sovereign power. They give an equal opportunity to the individual to take part in the political affairs of his community and influence the policy of his government. Political rights consists in:-

(a) Right to vote:- This means that every adult citizen has the right to express his opinion by casting a vote at the time of election what persons he desires should undertake the task of government. The right to vote is the product of democracy. It is contended that the right to vote should be as wide as possible and one man, one vote, ought to be the maximum of a democratic government.

(b) Right to be elected :- Right to vote and the right to be elected as a representative are twinborn and essential for a democratic government. The responsibilities of representatives are enormous and difficult, because they make laws and control and determine the national expenditure and revenues. It is, accordingly, necessary that the representatives should be chosen with due regard to their experience of public affairs and renowned for their honesty, integrity and selfless patriotism.

© Right to hold public office:- The Constitution of India provides equality of opportunity to all citizens in matters of employment under the state, irrespective of religion, race, caste or sex. This is the gift of democracy which gives equal right to all citizens.

Q18. How would you say that rights and duties are the two sides of a coin? (3 marks)
Answer :

Prof. Laski lays down a four - fold connection between rights and duties.

1. My right implies your duty : e.g. my right to life implies that others should give protection and security to my life.

2. My right implies my duty to admit a similr right of others :- e.g. my right to speech implies that it is my duty to see that I may not be a hinderance in the free exercise of this right by others.

3. I Shoud exercise my right to promote social good :- A person should not abuse/misuse the rights given to him by the state or else the state will be justified in depriving the person of his right .

4.Since the state guarantees and maintains my rights, I have the duty to support the state :-

Thus rights without duties have no meaning and duties without rights appear senseless.

Q19. What do you mean by proportional representation? (3 marks)
Answer :

Q20. Distinguish between direct and indirect elections. (3 marks)
Answer :

Direct elections take place when the representatives are directly elected/chosen by the voters. The people at large cast their vote and choose the candidates of their choice to run the country. This takes place in the elections to the lower house at both the central and the state levels. Indirect elections, however, refers to the mode of election in which the people (at large) do not themselves participate in the election of the candidate but he is chosen by the elected representatives of the people. The people restore their faith in the elected representatives and it is the latter who chooses the candidate in a system of indirect elections. An intermediate body called electoral college is formed for the purpose. However, none exists in the scheme of direct elections. In India, the President is chosen by a system of indirect elections.

Q21. State any three functions of the Election Commission. (3 marks)
Answer :

The main functions of the Election Commission include:-

(i) To prepare, revise, update and maintain the list of voters for election to the Parliament, State Legislatures, Local bodies and to the office of the President and the Vice-president of India.

(ii)To conduct and supervise elections and bye-election to the Parliament, state Legislatures, and to the Office of the President and the Vice-President of India.

(iii)To delimit constituencies for the election to the Parliament and to the State legislatures, and to allot a number of seats to each of them

Q22. Suggest any three reform in the electoral process of India.
Answer :

The reforms suggested for overcoming misuse of money power are:-

(1) The state should finance the election of candidates, by creating an election fund of about Rs. 100 crores for this purpose.

(2) As in the case of individual candidates, a ceiling on the election expenditure of political parties should also be fixed.

(3) Both individual candidates and parties should submit audited accounts of electoral expenses with a fixed period of time to the Election Commission.

(4) An all party national consensus should be built for finding ways and means of making elections less expensive for overcoming the corrupting influence of money in elections.

Q.23. ‘India is a Secular State’. Give any three arguments in support of your answer. (3 marks)
Answer :

Secularism in India revolves around the idea of equal respect for all religions. It recognises that the state is tolerant of all religions. Articles 25-30 provide for freedom of religion and protection of cultural and educational rights of minorities.
(1) It guarantees freedom of religion to individuals as well as to religious groups.

(2) It guarantees equality of citizenship that is no discrimination on grounds of religion (Article 15.1), equality of opportunity in public employment (Article 16.12), no discrimination in educational institutions (Article 29.2) and no communal electorate (Article 325).

(3) It provides for separation of state and religion, i.e., no special taxes for promotion of religion, i.e., no special taxes for promotion of religion (Article 27) and no religious instructions in state educational institutions (Article 28)

The provisions in these articles make clear that the intention of the Constitution is neither to oppose religion nor to promote a rationalisation of culture but merely to maintain the neutrality and impartiality of the state in matters of religion.

Q24. How does inequality hinder the success of Indian democracy? (3 marks)
Answer :

Equality of all citizens is the base of democracy. It involves absence of legal discrimination against any one individual, group, class or race. It also involves equal claims to adequate opportunities for all, recognition of the fact that there can be no person or group may be sacrificed to another. Finally, claims to minimum of education, housing, food and guarantees against economic insecurity.

In the absence of the above conditions, man’s life would be miserable in society. Since democracy involves the participation of all, in the absence of political equality, the very essence would be betrayed. Even if political equality is provided, the economically weaker sections might get sidetracked or bullied down by the stronger sections of the society. Not only this social inequality in terms of sex, race, religion or caste may further create discontent amongst the masses thereby hindering the democratic processes. Hence, equality is the key to a democratic government.

Q25. Suggest any three measures necessary for the upliftment of the scheduled castes.(3 marks)
Answer :

One of the cherished goals of our nation, as articulated by the national movement and enshshrined in the constitution, is the establishment of an egalitarian society. Thus socially and economically backward castes have been given special privileges by the Indian Constituion.

(1) Untouchability is banned by the constitution. However, this provision should be enforced more vigorously and people should be enlightened in this regard.

(2) Scholarship schemes, Book bank schemes and Girls hostel schemes for scheduled castes should be further extended. It is very important to educate this strata of society, so that they can join the mainstream without any hindrance.

(3) Centrally sponsored scheme and research and training provided to scheduled castes can help them to find jobs and prepare for competitive examinations.

Q26. What do you know about National Development Council?(3 marks)
Answer :

(1) To prescribe guidelines for the formulation of the national plan;

(2) To consider the national plan as formulated by the Planning Commission.

(3) To assess resources required for implementing the plan and to suggest ways and means for raising them.

(4) To consider important questions of social and economic policy affecting development.

(5) To review the working of the plan from time to time and to recommend such measures as are necessary for achieving the aims and targets articulated in the national plan.

Q27. Explain the relationship between liberty and equality. (6 marks)
Answer :

Historically speaking the glorification of Liberty precedes that of equality. Be it the ancient Greek & Roman ideals of liberty of Locke’s Natural rights, the concept of equality was not to be found. It was during the American & the French revolutions in 1776 & 1789 respectively that the idea of equality got itself aligned to liberty. However, Schlars like lord acton and Tocqueville still insisted that equality destroyed the possibility of having liberty. According to them Liberty means absense of any restrain or coersion whereas equality
needs some restrain or levelling which is against the principles of Liberty.

(iii)As far as economic equality is concerned, it has been seen that all laws and taxes dimnish one’s Liberty but sometimes they do so to increase the general Liberty.

Thus relating to development of human personality, it is required that the ideals of equality & Liberty should have a simultaneous flow.

Q28. Write an essay on Fascism. (6 marks)
Answer :

For Fascism, society is the end, individuals the means and its whole life consists in using individuals as instruments for its ends. The ideology of Fascism is dominated by the dogmas of a state and an irresistible govt., which has the right to interfere in all spheres of the individuals’ life, whether economic moral or religious. A citizen’s obligation to the state are more important than his rights. Fascism proclaims the rights of the state, pre-eminence of its authority, and the superiority of its end. It repudiates pacifism and glorifies war. They maintain that is essential exercise which keeps the states healthy and fit.

Fascists recognised no individual liberties as sacred. They instead relied upon the methods of moral intimidation, physical compulsion and official propaganda. It was a punishable crime to criticise government and to conduct propaganda for the doctrines and parties dissolved by the government and to spread “false” or “exaggerated” news abroad concerning internal conditions of the country.

The Fascists had always been explicit in defence of violence as a means of achieving political aims. Fascism is totalitarian in its means and it uses any form of coercion, from verbal threats to mass murders, for obtaining its ends. Barring this Fascism was also opposed to inter- nationalism and did not give proper regard to interanational law, treaties etc.

Fascism rejected both laissez-faire and state ownership of economy. Private ownership of property was allowed but self-interest must be held in constant subordination to the national interest.

In short, we can say that was a reactionary and counter-revolutionary theory for the defence of crises ridden capitalist order.

Q29. Examine the Right to Freedom of the Indian citizens. (6 marks)
Answer :

Article 19 of the Constitution Guarantees six freedoms . These are right to ;

(a) freedom of speech and expression
(b) to assemble peacefully and without arms
© to form associations or unions
(d) to move freely throuhout the territory of India
(e) to reside and settle in any part of the territory of India
(g) to practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business:
[Article 191(f) has been deleted]

No state can give or guarantee absolute or unlimited rights. Every right is subjected to reasonable limitations, the judge of reasonableness of restrictions is the Supreme Court of India.

With regard to limitations on freedom of speech & expression - the constitution imposes eight limitations.
They relate to (i) defamation, (ii) Conempt of Court; (iii) decency or morality; (iv) Security of state; (v) friendly relations with foreign states; (vi) incitement to an offence; (vii) Public order; (viii) Maintenance of the sovereignty and integrity of India.

With regard to limitations freedom of assembly - It is stipulated that any assembly must be peaceful and without arms.

With regard to limitations on freedom of movement - the state is empowered to impose restrictions in the interests of the general public or for the protection of any Scheduled Tribe.

FREEDOM OF THE PRESS: There is no specific provision conferring freedom of the press on the Indian Citizen. This freedom is included in the wider freedom of “expression” which is guaranteed by Article 191 (a) .The state is empowered to impose reasonable restrictions on the freedom of the press in the interests of “security of the state, the sovereignty and integrity of India, friendly relations with foreign states, Public order decency or morality, or for the prevention of contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence".

Thus every major Fundamental Right is followed by certain limitations specified by the constitution itself.

Q30. Define political parties. Discuss their role in modern democracy. (6 marks)
Answer :

Political parties are almost indispensable part of present day political systems. Modern form of representative democracy, in particular, laid down the rule that political party in one form, or another is omnipresent in the political process. The phenoner of party is linked with the growth of complexity of political systems in which the notion of political power has come to include the idea that the mass public must participate or be controlled.

In general the role of parties is not similar in all aspects and at all times in all the socieities. In developing societies, the political parties are expected to lay an active entrepreneurial role in the formation of new ideas, in the establishment of a network of communication for those ideas and in the linking of the public and the leadership in such a way that power is generated, mobilised and directed. It is the political parties that organize the vastly
diversified people by nominating candidates for office and by popularizing the ideas around which governmental programmes are built. They are vehicles through which individuals and groups work to secure political power and if successful, to exercise that power.

Political parties, thus, bring order out of chaos by putting before a multitudeof people their programmes and securing their approval on vital issues of policy. They plan and contest elections and endeavour to win by taking up positins on policy matters and presenting them as choices between parties. By raising issues, selecting from them, taking sides and generating political heat they educate the public and clarify opinion. The first role of the political parties is to sort out the issues for the electorate. They select candidates for election, plan and execute the election campaign and present them with alternatives to the people between which they may choose. The second role of the parties is to supply the majorities without which govt. cannot remain in power. The govt. would have no stability and no power to plan a coherent policy, national or international if it did not have a majority. Parties provide alternative teams to run the govt. They prevent the same people remaining in power too long and lookin on an office as a matter of right. A party system always reminds the rulers that the ultimate appeal rests with the people, and they must remember those to whom they will have to account in the future as well as those who entrusted them with power.

Q31. Explain the policies and programmes of the Congress I.(6 marks)
Answer :

The Congress party since independence has been the most pervasive political force in the Country. It has been a macro political system, holding together micro sub-systems comprising fctions, forums, groups, lobbies, coteries, etc., which constantly interact on the political processes of the Congress, providing it simultaneously a multi-caste, multicommunity and multi-class base.

As regards the political issues, the Congress (I) aims to give power to the people by bringing back to Parliament the Panchayati Raj and Nagarpalika bills. It also aims to preserve the Counry’s unity, integrity and to thwart effortsto undermine its secular heritage. It also pledges to bring sweeping reforms in judiciary to ensure quick & inexpensive justice. Congress wants to work to maintain communal peace & ranquility and to foster understanding and amity between different communities.

On the economic front, the Congress(I) aims to pursue an employment - oriented development strategy, to reorient public investment to promote the rowth and expansion of employment - intensive economic acivities. Jawahar Yojna and Nehru RozgarYojna will be implemented more viorously, and more funds will be implemened more viorously, and more funds will be provided to facilitate this. It also seeks to consolidate Harijan and Adivasi Welfare Programme and rain SC & ST communities in modern skills and technology. Congress (I) also promises to introduce specific social security schemes in the unorganised sector to provide medical treatment, maternity benefit as well as old age pension. It gives top priority to developing export capability in a wide range of industries to ensure foreign exchange earning needed to finance industrial expansion and modernization.

With reference to social issues, it aims to wok for the emancipation of women and their socio-economic advancement, especially of poor women in rurual areas, by adopting a holistic approach to all their problems. It also seeks to increase theaccess of low income groups to instituional financing and housing
schemes.

As regards the foreign policy issues, Conress party adheres to the policy of non-alignment based on the principles of sovereign equality, mutual respect and non-interference in inernal affairs and also seeks to mainain friendly relations with all countries. Conress party wants to pursue an action plan for promoting the prospets of a nuclear weapon free & a non-violent word. It extends its support for the legitimate demand for a Palestinian homeland.

Q32. Examine India’s role in the Non-Aligned Movement. (6 marks)
Answer :

Nehru, was the first Counry to have adopted the Policy ofnon-alignment . India’s policy is positive or dynamic neutralism in which a counry acts independently and decides its policy on each issue on its merit. Nehru was committed to western concept ofliberalism and democracy. But he did not approve of the Military alliances. He was impressed by socialism & strongly advocated the idea of democratic socialism. Nehru was a combination of a socialist and a liberal democrat. India was opposed to the very idea of power bloc & hence its policy of non-alignment wasnot to promote a third bloc, but to ensure freedom of decision - making of the decolonised states.

India’s policy of non - alignment was against the status quo situation in international politics. That meant opposition of colonialism, imperialism, racial discrimination & now of neo-colonialism. India wants a world free of these evils. Secondly , non-alignment rejects the concept of superiority of Super Powers. It advocates Soveign equality of all states. Thirdly, non-alignment encourages friendly relations among countries. It is opposed to he alliances that divide the world into roups of states, or power blocs. Non-alignment advocates peaceful settlement of international disputes and rejects the use of force. It favours complete destruction of nuclear weapons & pleads for comprehensive disarmament. It supports all efforts to strengthen the United Nations.

India’s policy of non-alignment emphasises the Social & Economic problems of mankind. India has been fully supporting the demand for a new international economic order so that the unjust & unbalanced existing economic order may be changed into a new & just economic order.

India’s campaign against the policy of aparthied followed in South Africa till a few years back is well known. The world-wide condemnation of such discrimination gave it a deathblow.

India’s efforts in calling for a nuclear weapon free world has made history by the way of blocking the NPT & the CTBT. All said & done, India’s role in non-aligned movement has been commendable.

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