S4 POLITICAL SCIENCE WORKSHEET

1. What was the ‘Legal Framework Order’ passed by Pervez Musharraf in

August 2002?
Ans: In August 2002, Musharraf issued a ‘Legal Framework Order’ that
amended the Constitution of Pakistan. According to this Order, the
President can dismiss the national and provincial assemblies.
2. Media is not independent in Zimbabwe. How?
Ans:Television and radio are controlled by the government and give only
the ruling party’s version. There are independent newspapers, but the
government harasses those journalists who went against it.
3. What are the features of democracy?
Ans: Features of democracy are :

• Rulers elected by the people take all the major decisions;

• Elections offer a choice and fair opportunity to the people to change
the current rulers;
• This choice and opportunity is available to all the people on an
equal basis;
• The exercise of this choice leads to a government limited by basic
rules of the constitution and citizens’ rights
4. How does democracy improve the quality of decision making?
Ans: Democracy is based on consultation and discussion. A democratic
decision always involves many persons, discussions and meetings. When
a number of people put their heads together, they are able to point out
possible mistakes in any decision. This takes time. But there is a big
advantage in taking time over important decisions. This reduces the
chances of rash or irresponsible decisions. Thus, democracy improves the
quality of decision-making.
5. How does democracy enhances the dignity of citizens?
Ans:Even if democracy does not bring about better decisions and
accountable government, it is still better than other forms of government.
Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens. Democracy is based on the
principle of political equality, on recognising that the poorest and the least
educated has the same status as the rich and the educated. People are not
subjects of a ruler, they are the rulers themselves. Even when they make
mistakes, they are responsible for their conduct.
6. Till 2000, Mexico was not a democratic country. Explain.
Ans:In Maxico, people seemed to really have a choice but in practice they
 had no choice. There was no way the ruling party could be defeated, even
if people were against it. These are not fair elections. But until 2000
every election was won by a party called PRI (Institutional Revolutionary
Party). ‘Opposition parties did contest elections, but never managed to
win. The PRI was known to use many dirty tricks to win elections.
7. What is the significance of the rule of law and respect for rights in
democratic country?
Ans:A democratic government cannot do whatever it likes, simply
because it has won an election. It must respect some basic rules. It must
respect some guarantees to the minorities. Every major decision has to go
through a series of consultations.Every office bearer has certain rights
and responsibilities assigned by the constitution and the law. Each of
these is accountable not only to the people but also to other independent
officials.
8. Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and conflicts”.
Discuss.
Ans: Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and
conflicts. In any society, people are bound to have differences of opinions
and interests. These differences are particularly sharp in a country like
ours which has an amazing social diversity. People belong to different
regions, and have different languages, practise different religions and
have different castes. They look at the world very differently and have
different preferences. The preferences of one group can clash with those
of other groups. Democracy provides the only peaceful solution to this
problem. In democracy, no one is a permanent winner. No one is a
permanent loser. Different groups can live with one another peacefully. In
a diverse country like India, democracy keeps our country together
9. What are the merits of a democratic government?
Ans:The merits of a democratic government are :

• A democratic government is a better government because it is a

more accountable form of government.
• Democracy improves the quality of decision-making.
• Democracy provides a method to deal with differences and
conflicts.
• Democracy enhances the dignity of citizens.
• It is better than other forms of government because it allows us to
correct its own mistakes.
10. Why has India not experiences a famine as severe as that of China in
1958-61?
Ans:China’s famine of 1958-1961 was the worst recorded famine in the
world history.
Nearly three crore people died in this famine. During those days, India’s
economic condition was not much better than China. Yet India did not
have a famine of the kind China had. Economists think that this was a
result of different government policies in the two countries.The existence
of democracy in India made the Indian government respond to food
scarcity in a way that the Chinese government did not. They point out that
no large-scale famine has ever taken place in an independent and
democratic country. If China too had multiparty elections, an opposition
party and a press free to criticise the government, then so many people
may not have died in the famine.

11. What are the drawbacks of a democracy.

Ans:The following are the draw backs of a democracy :

• Leaders keep changing in a democracy. This leads to instability.

• Democracy is all about political competition and power play. There
is no scope for morality.
• So many people have to be consulted in a democracy that it leads to
delays.
• Elected leaders do not know the best interest of the people. It leads
to bad decisions.
• Democracy leads to corruption for it is based on electoral
competition.
• Ordinary people don’t know what is good for them; they should not
decide anything.
12. What were the steps involved in the framing of the Indian Constitution?
Ans:The drafting of the document called the constitution was done by an
assembly of elected representatives called the Constituent Assembly.
Elections to the Constituent Assembly were held in July 1946. Its first
meeting was held in December 1946. Soon after, the country was divided
into India and Pakistan. The Constituent Assembly was also divided into
the Constituent Assembly of India and that of Pakistan. The Constituent
Assembly that wrote the Indian Constitution had 299 members. The
Assembly adopted the Constitution on 26 November, 1949 and it came
into force on 26 January, 1950.
13.What are the four main ideals enshrined in the Preamble of the Indian
Constitution?
Ans:The ideals written in the Preamble of the Constitution are as under :

• Justice: Every citizen of India will have social, economic and

political justice.
• Liberty: Every citizen will have the liberty of thought, expression,
belief, faith and worship.
• Equality: Every citizen will be provided with the equality of status
and opportunity.
• fraternity: All the citizens of India have been assured about the
dignity of individual and the unity and integrity of the nation.

13. On what terms did the blacks agreed upon while making a Constitution
for South Africa?
Ans: After two years of discussion and debate, they came out with one of
the finest constitutions the world has ever had. This constitution gave to
its citizens the most extensive rights available in any country. Together,
they decided that in the search for a solution to the problems, nobody
should be excluded, no one should be treated as a demon. They agreed
that everybody should become part of the solution, whatever they might
have done or represented in the past.
14. What was the philosophy behind the Constitution?
Ans: The values that inspired and guided the freedom struggle and were,
in turn, nurtured by it, formed the foundation for India’s democracy.
These values are embedded in the Preamble of the Indian
Constitution.They guide all the articles of the Indian Constitution. The
Constitution begins with a short statement of its basic values. This is
called the Preamble to the constitution.Taking inspiration from American
model, most countries in the contemporary world have chosen to begin
their constitutions with a preamble.

15. Why was the making of the Indian Constitution not an easy affair?
Ans: Like South Africa, India’s Constitution was also drawn up under
very difficult circumstances.

• The making of the constitution for a huge and diverse country like
India was not an easy affair. At that time the people of India were
emerging from the status of subjects to that of citizens. The country
was born through a partition on the basis of religious differences.
• This was a traumatic experience for the people of India and
Pakistan. Atleast ten lakh people were killed on both sides of the
border in partition related violence.
 • The British had left it to the rulers of the princely states to decide
whether they wanted to merge with India or with Pakistan or remain
independent.
• The merger of these princely states was a difficult and uncertain
task. When the Constitution was being written, the future of the
country did not look as secure as it does today.
• The makers of the Constitution had anxieties about the present and
the future of the country.

16. What is general election?

Ans: The elections of the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha take place after
five years. Elections are held in all constituencies at the same time, either
on the same day or within a few days. This is called a general election.
17. What details are required from the candidates who wish to contest
elections?
Ans:The candidates who wish to contest elections have to make a legal
declaration, giving full details of:

• Serious criminal cases pending against the candidate.

• Details of the assets and liabilities of the candidate and his or her
family.
• Education qualifications of the candidate.
18.”Election campaigns are needed to regulate”. Why?
Ans:It is sometimes necessary to regulate campaigns to ensure that every
political party and candidate gets a fair and equal chance to compete.
According to our election law, no party or candidate can:

• Bribe or threaten voters.

• Appeal to them in the name of caste or religion.
• Use government resources for election campaign.
• Spend more than? 25 lakh in a constituency for a Lok Sabha
election or? 10 lakh in a constituency in an assembly election.
19. What is the ‘Model code of Conduct’ for election campaign?
Ans: According to the medal code of conduct, no party or candidate can:

• Use any place of worship for election propaganda. ‘

• Use government vehicles, aircrafts and officials for election.
• Once elections are announced, the Ministers shall not lay foundation
stones of any projects, take any big policy decisions or make any
promises of providing public facilities.
20. Why should elections be held regularly?
Ans: Elections should be held regularly because:
 • Elections should be held regularly because it provides incentives to
the political parties and leaders.
• They know that if they raise-issues that people want to raised, it
would make them popular and increase their chances of victory in
the next elections.
• But, if they fail to satisfy the voters with their work, they will not be
able to win again.

21. Why is there a provision of reservation of seats in the legislatures?

Ans: The constitution makers were worried that in an open electoral
competition, certain weaker sections may not stand a good chance to get elected
to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. They may not have the
required resources, education and contacts to contest and win elections against
the more influential and resourceful contestants. Hence, the seats are reserved
for them in the legislatures.
22. Write a short note on election campaigns.
Ans: In our country, election campaigns take place for a two-week period
between the announcement of the final list of candidates and the date of polling.
During this period, the candidates contact their voters, political leaders address
election meetings and political parties mobilise their supporters.
This is also the period when newspapers and television news are full of election
related stories and debates. But, election campaign is not limited to these two
weeks only. Political parties start preparing for elections months before they
actually take place.
23. In which way does the Election Commission enjoy the same kind of
independence as the judiciary?
Ans:The Election Commission enjoys the same kind of independence that the
judiciary enjoys.

• The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is appointed by the

President of India.
• But, once appointed, he is not answerable to the President or the
government.
• Even if the ruling party or the government does not like what the
Commission does, it is virtually impossible for it to remove the
Chief Election Commissioner.
24. What are the challenges to free and fair elections in India?
Ans:Candidates and parties with a lot of money may not be sure of their victory
but they do enjoy a big and unfair advantage over smaller parties and
independents.
 • In some parts of the country, candidates with criminal connection
have been able to push others out of the electoral race and to secure
a ‘ticket’ from major parties.
• Some families tend to dominate political parties; tickets are
distributed to relatives from these families.
• Very often elections offer little choice to ordinary citizens, for both
the major parties are quite similar to each other both in policies and
practice.
• Smaller parties and independent candidates suffer a huge
disadvantage compared to bigger parties.
25. What do you mean by Voter’s List? What is its significance?
Ans:
(i) In a democratic election, the list of those who are eligible to vote is prepared
much before the election and given to everyone. This list is officially called the
Electoral Roll and is commonly known as the Voters’ List.
(ii) The significance of Voter’s List is as follows:

• This is an important step for it is linked to the first condition of a

democratic election. Everyone should get an equal opportunity to
choose representatives.
• In our country, all the citizens aged 18 years and above can vote in
an election. Every citizen has the right to vote, regardless of his or
her caste, religion or gender.
• It is the responsibility of the government to get the names of all the
eligible voters put on the Voter’s List. As new persons attain voting
age, names are added to the voters’ list. Names of those who move
out of a place or those who are dead are deleted.
• A complete revision of the list takes place every five years. This is
done to ensure that it remains up to date. In the last few years a new
system of Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) has been introduced.
The government has tried to give this card to every person on the
voters’ list. But the card is not yet compulsory for voting. For
voting, the voters can show many other proofs of identity like the
ration card or the driving licence.
26. What are the changing trends of people’s participation in elections in India?
Ans:The changing trends of people’s participation in elections in India are as
follows:

• People’s participation in election is usually measured by voter

turnout figures. Turnout indicates the per cent of eligible voters who
cast their vote. In India, the turnout figures over last few decades
have either remained stable or gone up.
 • In India, the poor, illiterate and underprivileged people vote in
larger proportion as compared to the rich and privileged sections.
This is in contrast to western democracies.
• Common people in India attach a lot of importance to elections.
They feel that through elections, they can bring pressure on political
parties to adopt policies and programmes favourable to them.
• The interest of voters in election-related activities has been
increasing over the years. During the 2004 elections, more than one-
third voters took part in a campaign-related activity.
• More than half of the people identified themselves as being close to
one or the other political party. One out of every seven voters is a
member of a political party.

27. How many constituencies do we have in India?

Ans:India is divided into 543 constituencies for Lok Sabha elections. The
representative elected from each constituency is called a Member of
Parliament.Similarly, each state is divided into a number of Assembly
constituencies, depending on its population and it size.The elected
representative of the Assembly constituencies are called the Member of
Legislative Assembly or an MLA.
Each Parliamentary constituency has several Assembly constituencies .