POLITICAL SCIENCE
Chapter 1: Power Sharing
Q1. Why is power sharing desirable in a democracy?
Answer:
Power sharing is desirable because:
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Reduces conflict: It prevents social conflicts by giving communities a fair share in power. Example – Belgium’s accommodation of Dutch, French and German-speaking communities.
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Strengthens unity: By respecting diversity, it maintains the unity and integrity of the country.
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Prevents dictatorship: Power sharing ensures that no single group or leader becomes too powerful.
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Promotes stability: Democratic participation makes policies more acceptable to people.
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Moral reason: In democracy, people are the source of power. Sharing power is the true spirit of democracy.
Q2. What was the power-sharing arrangement in Belgium?
Answer:
Belgium has a complex social structure – 59% Dutch-speaking, 40% French-speaking, 1% German-speaking. To avoid conflict, Belgium adopted unique power-sharing arrangements:
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Equal number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers in the central government.
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State governments were not subordinate to the central government.
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Brussels (capital) had a separate government with equal representation of both communities.
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A “community government” was formed which had powers over language, culture and education.
This system helped Belgium to avoid civil war and maintain harmony.
Q3. What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies?
Answer:
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Horizontal distribution: Power shared among different organs – Legislature, Executive, Judiciary. (Ensures checks and balances).
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Vertical distribution: Power shared among Union, State and Local governments (Federalism).
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Community government: Power shared among different social groups (as in Belgium).
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Political parties and coalitions: Power shared among different political parties, pressure groups, and movements.
Chapter 2: Federalism
Q1. What are the key features of federalism?
Answer:
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Two or more levels of government (Union and State).
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Division of powers between different levels (Union List, State List, Concurrent List).
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Supremacy of the Constitution.
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Independent judiciary to settle disputes.
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Financial autonomy – separate sources of revenue for each level.
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No level can reduce the powers of the other.
Q2. Explain the distribution of powers between Union and State governments in India.
Answer:
The Indian Constitution divides powers between Union and State through three lists:
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Union List (97 subjects): Defence, foreign affairs, currency, atomic energy – Union government makes laws.
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State List (66 subjects): Police, public health, trade, irrigation – State governments make laws.
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Concurrent List (47 subjects): Education, forests, marriage, adoption – both Union and State can make laws. In case of conflict, Union law prevails.
This ensures a balance of power between Centre and States.
Q3. What is decentralization? Explain its importance.
Answer:
Decentralization means transferring power from central and state governments to local levels (Panchayati Raj and municipalities).
Importance:
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Helps local people solve local problems.
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Reduces burden on state and central governments.
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Encourages participation of common people in democracy.
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Provides political training to citizens.
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Promotes development at the village and town level.
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments (1992) gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions and municipalities in India.
Q4. How did federalism develop in India after 1990?
Answer:
Before 1990, the central government was very powerful as one party (Congress) ruled both Centre and most states. After 1990, the rise of regional parties changed this situation. Coalition governments were formed at the Centre. This gave more importance to state governments. Centre–State relations became more balanced. Federalism in India thus became stronger and more democratic.
Chapter 3: Gender, Religion and Caste
Q1. How does gender division affect politics in India?
Answer:
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Traditionally, politics was male-dominated and women were not given equal opportunities.
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Women still have low participation in politics. In Lok Sabha, women members are less than 15%.
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Despite this, women’s movements have been demanding reservation of at least one-third seats in legislatures.
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Local government bodies (Panchayats and Municipalities) now have 33% reservation for women. This has increased women’s role in decision-making.
Thus, gender division is an important issue in Indian politics.
Q2. What is communalism? How does it threaten democracy?
Answer:
Communalism is a situation where one religion is shown as superior to others and political demands are made on the basis of religion.
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It leads to religious intolerance and hatred.
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It divides people and creates violence (riots, clashes).
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It destroys the secular character of democracy.
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Example – partition of India in 1947, riots in Gujarat and other places.
Therefore, communalism is dangerous and must be controlled to protect democracy.
Q3. What is secularism? How is India a secular country?
Answer:
Secularism means the state has no official religion and treats all religions equally.
In India:
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Citizens have the freedom to follow any religion.
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Government does not favour or discriminate against any religion.
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State can interfere in religion only to ensure equality (e.g., abolishing untouchability, banning Sati).
Thus, India is a secular country as guaranteed by the Constitution.
Q4. Explain the relationship between caste and politics in India.
Answer:
Caste plays both a positive and negative role in politics:
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Positive: Caste groups help people organize and demand their rights. Political parties select candidates based on caste composition of constituencies. This gives representation to different social groups.
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Negative: Sometimes politicians use caste to gain votes, leading to casteism and social division.
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