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Chapter 1: Introduction to Political Science
One-Mark Questions (Objective/Very Short Answer Type)
1. Who is known as the father of Political Science?
Ans: Aristotle
2. What does 'Politics' literally mean in Greek?
Ans: Affairs of the city-state
3. Define state in one word.
Ans: Organization
4. Which is the main subject of study in Political Science?
Ans: State and government
5. Name one essential element of the state.
Ans: Sovereignty
6. What is the population requirement for a state?
Ans: No fixed requirement
7. What is the meaning of sovereignty?
Ans: Supreme power
8. What is government?
Ans: An agency to run the state
9. Is government a permanent institution?
Ans: No
10. Is state a permanent institution?
Ans: Yes
11. What are the two types of sovereignty?
Ans: Internal and external
12. What is the territory of a state?
Ans: A fixed geographical area
13. What is internal sovereignty?
Ans: Authority over people within the state
14. What is external sovereignty?
Ans: Freedom from foreign control
15. What distinguishes a state from a nation?
Ans: Sovereignty
16. Name one political thinker who contributed to the origin of state.
Ans: Thomas Hobbes
17. What is the main difference between a state and a government?
Ans: State is permanent, government is temporary
18. Give an example of a state.
Ans: India
19. What is the chief function of government?
Ans: Administration
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20. Which organ of government makes laws?
Ans: Legislature
21. Which organ of government enforces laws?
Ans: Executive
22. Which organ of government interprets laws?
Ans: Judiciary
23. Who defined man as a political animal?
Ans: Aristotle
24. What is the Greek word for city-state?
Ans: Polis
25. What is the modern scope of Political Science?
Ans: Study of power and authority
26. What is the meaning of 'Monarchy'?
Ans: Rule by one (king or queen)
27. What is the meaning of 'Democracy'?
Ans: Rule by the people
28. What does 'Oligarchy' mean?
Ans: Rule by a few
29. Who said “State is a necessary evil”?
Ans: Thomas Paine
30. Which form of government is considered best in Political Science?
Ans: Democracy
31. What is a constitution?
Ans: Fundamental law of the land
32. What does Political Science study in international relations?
Ans: Relations among states
33. Which branch of Political Science deals with rights and duties?
Ans: Political theory
34. What is the purpose of a political party?
Ans: To contest elections
35. What is public opinion?
Ans: Views of the people
36. What is meant by political equality?
Ans: Equal political rights
37. Who coined the term “Sovereignty”?
Ans: Jean Bodin
38. What is the role of judiciary in a democracy?
Ans: Protects law and constitution
39. What is the full form of UNO?
Ans: United Nations Organization
40. What is liberty?
Ans: Freedom to act within laws
41. What does the term ‘franchise’ mean?
Ans: Right to vote
42. What is the supreme law-making body in India?
Ans: Parliament
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43. Which organ of government is responsible for foreign policy?
Ans: Executive
44. What is meant by 'authority'?
Ans: Legal right to command
45. What is a nation?
Ans: A group of people with shared identity
46. Is Political Science a social science?
Ans: Yes
47. Who said “Man is born free but everywhere he is in chains”?
Ans: Rousseau
48. Which right is the backbone of democracy?
Ans: Right to vote
49. Which form of government is based on the will of the people?
Ans: Democracy
50. What is political ideology?
Ans: A set of political beliefs or ideas
Short Answer Type
1. Define Political Science.
→ Political Science is the study of the state, government, political institutions, political
processes, and political behavior.
2. What is the literal meaning of the term ‘Politics’?
→ The word 'Politics' is derived from the Greek word Polis, meaning city-state.
3. What are the main components of a state?
→ Population, Territory, Government, and Sovereignty.
4. What is the difference between a state and a nation?
→ A state has political sovereignty; a nation refers to a group of people with a shared
culture, language, or history.
5. Define sovereignty.
→ Sovereignty is the supreme authority of the state to govern itself internally and
externally without any interference.
6. Distinguish between internal and external sovereignty.
→ Internal sovereignty is authority over people within the territory; external sovereignty
is independence from foreign control.
7. What is the government?
→ Government is the agency or organization through which the will of the state is
formulated, expressed, and executed.
8. Is government a permanent institution? Why or why not?
→ No, governments change through elections or other political processes, but the state
remains permanent.
9. Mention two functions of the legislature.
→ Making laws and approving budgets.
10. Mention two functions of the executive.
→ Implementing laws and managing day-to-day administration.
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11. Mention two functions of the judiciary.
→ Interpreting laws and protecting the rights of citizens.
12. Why is sovereignty considered essential to the state?
→ Without sovereignty, the state cannot exercise control or enforce laws independently.
13. Who is regarded as the father of Political Science and why?
→ Aristotle, because he gave a systematic classification of governments and studied
politics scientifically.
14. What is the importance of territory for a state?
→ A defined territory provides a geographical area over which the state exercises
authority.
15. What is the difference between Political Science and Politics?
→ Political Science is the academic study of politics; Politics refers to the practice of
political activities and power play.
16. What is the significance of the study of Political Science?
→ It helps understand governance, promotes civic awareness, and encourages responsible
citizenship.
17. What is the role of Political Science in democracy?
→ It educates citizens about their rights and responsibilities and promotes political
participation.
18. Why is population essential for a state?
→ A state needs people to form the basis of society and governance.
19. What is political power?
→ The ability or authority to influence or control the behavior of others, usually through
law or force.
20. What is political ideology?
→ A set of beliefs or ideas about how a country should be governed.
21. Name two modern branches of Political Science.
→ Comparative Politics and International Relations.
22. What is public administration?
→ The branch of Political Science that studies the functioning and organization of
government machinery.
23. What is the aim of comparative politics?
→ To compare different political systems and understand their structures and
functioning.
24. What is international relations?
→ A field that studies interactions among states and international organizations.
25. What is liberty in Political Science?
→ Freedom of individuals to act according to their will, within the limits of law.
26. What is political equality?
→ The principle that all citizens have equal rights in political participation and decision-
making.
27. What is the relevance of Political Science in daily life?
→ It helps individuals understand laws, policies, and political events affecting their lives.
28. What is the importance of the judiciary in a democracy?
→ It ensures justice, protects the constitution, and upholds citizens' rights.
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29. Define the concept of ‘state’ in Political Science.
→ A politically organized body of people occupying a definite territory and having a
government with sovereignty.
30. What is a constitution?
→ A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to
which a state is governed.
2-Mark Questions
1)What is the scope of Political Science?
Ans:-The scope of Political Science includes the study of political theory, political institutions
(legislature, executive, judiciary), political behavior, public administration, international
relations, and comparative politics. It also includes the study of ideologies, constitutions,
governance, and the role of citizens. Political Science helps us understand how power functions
in a society and the mechanisms that maintain order and justice.
2)How is state different from government?
Ans:-The state is a permanent political entity with sovereignty, population, territory, and
government. It represents the whole community. The government is a temporary body that
changes through elections or political shifts. It is the agency through which the state functions.
While the state is abstract and permanent, the government is concrete and subject to change.
3)Explain the meaning of sovereignty.
Ans:-Sovereignty refers to the supreme power of the state to make laws and enforce them within
its territory without any external interference. It has two aspects: internal (control over people
and institutions within the state) and external (freedom from outside domination). Sovereignty
makes the state independent and self-governing.
4)Why is sovereignty essential for a state?
Ans:-Sovereignty is essential because it gives the state complete authority over its affairs.
Without sovereignty, a state cannot make independent decisions, enforce laws, or protect its
territory. It is the core feature that distinguishes a state from other organizations. Sovereignty
ensures the state’s control, stability, and legitimacy in both national and international matters.
5)Mention three essential elements of the state.
Ans:-The three essential elements of a state are:
• Population: The people who live within the state.
• Territory: A fixed geographical area controlled by the state.
• Sovereignty: The supreme authority of the state.
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These elements are necessary for a political community to be recognized as a state.
6)Distinguish between internal and external sovereignty.
Ans:-Internal sovereignty is the state’s power to make and enforce laws within its territory. It
ensures law and order. External sovereignty means the state’s independence from foreign
control, allowing it to manage international affairs. Both are essential for a state’s full autonomy.
7)Explain Aristotle’s contribution to Political Science.
Ans:-Aristotle is known as the father of Political Science. He was the first to systematically
study political institutions and classified governments as monarchy, aristocracy, and polity. He
emphasized empirical observation and believed politics should aim at the good life. His work
Politics remains a foundational text in the field.
8)How is Political Science related to History?
Ans:-Political Science and History are closely linked. History provides a record of past political
events, institutions, and leaders, helping Political Science understand the development of
political ideas. Political Science, in turn, gives meaning and analysis to historical events.
Studying both subjects provides a complete understanding of political evolution.
9)Define nation and how it differs from a state.
Ans:-A nation is a group of people with shared culture, language, religion, or ethnicity. It may or
may not have sovereignty. A state, however, must have sovereignty, population, territory, and a
government. A nation is based on emotional unity, while a state is a legal-political entity.
10)Explain the role of the government.
Ans:-The government performs functions like maintaining law and order, making laws,
collecting taxes, defending the country, and providing public services. It ensures the welfare of
the people and represents the state both nationally and internationally. It also safeguards citizens’
rights and enforces justice through legal mechanisms.
11)What are the main functions of the legislature?
Ans:-The legislature makes laws, approves budgets, represents the people, and checks the power
of the executive. It debates important national issues and ensures the accountability of the
government. In democracies, it plays a crucial role in upholding the will of the people through
elected representatives.
12)What are the three organs of government and their roles?
Ans:- The three organs of government are as follows:-
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• Makes laws.
• Executive: Implements laws and manages administration.
• Judiciary: Interprets laws and ensures justice.
These organs work together, maintaining checks and balances to ensure democratic governance
and protect citizens’ rights.
13)What is the difference between Political Science and Politics?
Ans:-Political Science is an academic discipline that studies political systems, institutions, and
theories. Politics refers to the practice of power, decision-making, and activities related to
governance. While Political Science is theoretical and analytical, politics is practical and action-
oriented.
14)Why is Political Science considered a social science?
Ans:-Political Science studies human behavior in the context of governance and power. It
examines how individuals and groups interact within political systems. Like other social
sciences, it uses observation, analysis, and comparison to understand society, making it a part of
the social science family.
15)Explain the importance of population in a state.
Ans:-Population is crucial as it forms the base of a state. People are the subjects and citizens of
the state, and governance exists for their welfare. A state cannot function without a population to
govern, protect, and serve.
16)What is the importance of Political Science for students?
Ans:-Political Science educates students about their rights and responsibilities. It helps them
understand governance, law, and policies. It develops critical thinking and prepares them to be
responsible, active citizens in a democracy.
17)Why is territory essential for a state?
Ans:-Territory gives the state a defined geographical area to exercise control and enforce laws. It
includes land, water, and airspace. Without territory, the state cannot establish governance or
protect its sovereignty.
18)Describe the importance of law in a state.
Ans:-Law maintains order, ensures justice, and protects rights. It defines the duties of citizens
and limits the power of rulers. Law provides the structure within which the government functions
and guarantees fairness in society.
19)What is the importance of government in a state?
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Ans:-The government implements the will of the state. It administers laws, manages resources,
maintains peace, and defends the state from external threats. It is necessary for ensuring justice,
development, and stability.
20)Differentiate between a monarch and a president.
Ans:-A monarch is a hereditary ruler, often symbolic in constitutional monarchies. A president is
usually elected and serves as head of state or government. The president’s role may be
ceremonial or executive, depending on the system.
21)Why is Political Science called a normative and empirical science?
Ans:-It is normative because it deals with values, justice, and ideals. It is empirical because it
studies real-world political behavior, systems, and institutions through observation and data.
22)What do you mean by constitutional government?
Ans:-A constitutional government operates according to a written or unwritten constitution. It
limits the powers of the rulers, guarantees fundamental rights, and provides a legal framework
for governance.
23)What is public opinion and why is it important?
Ans:-Public opinion is the collective view of citizens on political issues. It influences
policymaking, election outcomes, and governance. It acts as a check on government power in
democracies.
24)Explain the significance of law-making in a democracy.
Ans:-Law-making reflects the will of the people in a democracy. Through their representatives,
citizens participate in shaping the laws that govern them. It ensures accountability and legitimacy
of the government.
25)What is political liberty?
Ans:-Political liberty means the right of individuals to participate in political life—such as
voting, contesting elections, forming parties, and expressing opinions freely.
26)What is the role of the judiciary in a democratic state?
Ans:-The judiciary ensures justice, protects citizens’ rights, interprets laws, and checks the
misuse of power. It acts as the guardian of the constitution.
27)What are the sources of Political Science?
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Ans:-Sources include historical documents, legal texts, constitutions, political writings, case
studies, and empirical data. These help understand political theories, institutions, and practices.
28)What is the role of ideology in politics?
Ans:-Ideologies provide a vision and guiding principles for political action. They shape party
policies, influence voters, and define governance models.
29)What is comparative politics?
Ans:-Comparative politics studies different political systems to understand similarities and
differences. It helps in analyzing government structures, elections, and policies across countries.
30)What is the relevance of Political Science in modern times?
Ans:-Political Science helps citizens understand complex political systems, participate in
democratic processes, and respond to global challenges like war, climate change, and inequality.
Notes prepared by Bishal Acharjee; ph-8132960807
