What is the main difference between a federal form of government and a unitary one? Explain with an example.
In the federal form of government, the power is divided between the state and the central governments, this is the main difference between unitary and federal form of government. For example, in India, national matters are looked after by the central government, while the state governments look after the state administration.
In the unitary form of government, all powers are vested in the central government. For example, in Sri Lanka and Britain, all the powers are vested in the hands of the central government only.
Two main differences between the local government before and after the constitutional amendment in 1992 are :
1. Before 1992, the local bodies did not hold elections regularly. Since 1992, it is constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies.
2. Before 1992, local bodies did not have their own powers or resources. After 1992, the state governments were made to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies.
Popular Questions of Class 10 Social Science - Democratic Politics
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State how caste inequalities are still continuing in India.
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Read the following passage, and pick out any one of the prudential reasons for power sharing offered in this.
“We need to give more power to the panchayats to realise the dream of Mahatma Gandhi, and the hopes of the makers of our Constitution. The Panchayati Raj establishes true democracy. It restores power to the only place where power belongs in a democracy – in the hands of the people. Giving power to Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption, and increase administrative efficiency. When people participate in the planning and implementation of developmental schemes, they would naturally exercise greater control over these schemes. This would eliminate the corrupt middlemen. Thus the Panchayati Raj will strengthen the foundations of our democracy."
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Give arguments to support or oppose the following assertions:
* Industrialised countries can afford democracy but the poor need dictatorship to become rich.
* Democracy can’t reduce inequality of incomes between different citizens.
* Government in poor countries should spend less on poverty reduction, health, education and spend more on industries and infrastructure.
* In democracy all citizens have one vote, which means that there is absence of any domination and conflict. - Q:-
Point out one feature in the practice of federalism in India that is similar to and one feature that is different from that of Belgium.
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When does a social difference become a social division?
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Identify the challenges to democracy in the following descriptions. Also suggest policy/institutional mechanism to deepen democracy in the given situations:
* Following a High Court directive a temple in Orissa that had separate entry doors for dalits and non-dalits allowed entry for all from the same door.
* A large number of farmers are committing suicide in different states of India.
* Following allegation of killing of three civilians in Gandwara in a fake encounter by Jammu and Kashmir police, an enquiry has been ordered. - Q:-
The distinguishing feature of a federal government is:
(a) National government gives some powers to the provincial governments.
(b) Power is distributed among the legislature, executive and judiciary.
(c) Elected officials exercise supreme power in the government.
(d) Governmental power is divided between different levels of government. - Q:-
How do social divisions affect politics? Give two examples.
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The Mayor of Merchtem, a town near Brussels in Belgium, has defended a ban on speaking French in the town’s schools. He said that the ban would help all non¬Dutch speakers integrate in this Flemish town. Do you think that this measure is in keeping with the spirit of Belgium’s power sharing arrangements ? Give your reasons in about 50 words.
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Different arguments are usually put forth in favour of and against power sharing. Identify those which are in favour of power sharing and select the answer using the codes given below? Power sharing:
A. reduces conflict among different communities
B. decreases the possibility of arbitrariness
C. delays decision making process
D. accommodates diversities
E. increases instability and divisiveness
F. promotes people’s participation in government
G. undermines the unity of a country(a) A B D F (b) A C E F (c) A B D G (d) B C D G
Recently Viewed Questions of Class 10 Social Science - Democratic Politics
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State the various functions political parties perform in a democracy.
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Identify the challenges to democracy in the following descriptions. Also suggest policy/institutional mechanism to deepen democracy in the given situations:
* Following a High Court directive a temple in Orissa that had separate entry doors for dalits and non-dalits allowed entry for all from the same door.
* A large number of farmers are committing suicide in different states of India.
* Following allegation of killing of three civilians in Gandwara in a fake encounter by Jammu and Kashmir police, an enquiry has been ordered. - Q:-
How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?
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What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?
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What are the characteristics of a political party?
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A few subjects in various Lists of the Indian Constitution are given here. Group them under the Union, State and Concurrent Lists as provided in the table below.
A. Defence; B. Police; C. Agriculture; D. Education; E. Banking; F. Forests; G. Communications; H. Trade; I. MarriagesUnion List State List Concurrent List - Q:-
What is the guiding philosophy of the Bharatiya Janata Party?
A. Bahujan Samaj
B. Revolutionary democracy
C. Integral humanism
D. Modernity - Q:-
Identify and shade three federal countries (other than India) on a blank outline political map of the world.
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State two reasons to say that caste alone cannot determine election results in India.
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Which among the following is the special feature that distinguishes a pressure group from a political party?
(a) Parties take political stances, while pressure groups do not bother about political issues.
(b) Pressure groups are confined to a few people, while parties involve larger number of people.
(c) Pressure groups do not seek to get into power, while political parties do.
(d) Pressure groups do not seek to mobilise people, while parties do.
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