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

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

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

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

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

After reading this chapter, three students drew different conclusions. Which of these do you agree with and why ? Give your reasons in about 50 words.

Thomman – Power sharing is necessary only in societies which have religious, linguistic or ethnic divisions.
Mattai – Power sharing is suited only for big countries that have regional divisions.
Ousep – Every society needs some form of power sharing even if they are small or do not have social divisions.

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

Match List I (forms of power- sharing) with List II (forms of government) and select the correct answer using codes given below the lists :

                       List I                                                                                                      List II

(i) Power shared among different organs of government                                  A. Community government
(ii) Power shared among governments at different levels                                 B. Separation of Powers
(iii) Power shared by different social groups                                                     C. Coalition government
(iv) Power shared by two or more political parties                                            D. Federal government

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

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

Which of the statements given are correct ?

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

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

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

Which of the statements are true and false?

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

In what ways do pressure groups and movements exert influence on politics?

State the various functions political parties perform in a democracy.

How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?

Writing your own definition of a good democracy.​

Locate the following States on a blank outline political map of India:
Manipur, Sikkim, Chhattisgarh and Goa.

Discuss three factors that determine the outcomes of politics of social divisions.

Mention different aspects of life in which women are discriminated or disadvantaged in India.

Describe the forms of relationship between pressure groups and political parties?

What are the various challenges faced by political parties?

What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?

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.

State different forms of communal politics with one example each.

Suggest some reforms to strengthen parties so that they perform their functions well?

How do social divisions affect politics? Give two examples.

Describe the forms of relationship between pressure groups and political parties?

What are the various challenges faced by political parties?

What is the difference between a pressure group and a political party?

Here are three reactions to the language policy followed in India. Give an argument and an example to support any of these positions.
Sangeeta: The policy of accommodation has strengthened national unity.
Arman: Language-based States have divided us by making everyone conscious of their language.
Harish: This policy has only helped to consolidate the dominance of English over all other languages.

What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: