Test: State, Economy and Development - UGC NET MCQ

The correct answer is a and c only.

Key Points

• Rajni Kothari
  • Was born on 16^th August 1928.
  • He was a political scientist and academic activist.
  • He founded the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies.
  • A few of the books authored by him are:
    • Caste in Indian Politics
    • Footsteps into the Future: Diagnosis of the Present World and a Design for an Alternative
    • Politics in India
    • State against Democracy: In Search of Humane Governance
• Jai Prakash Narayan
  • Born in 11^th October 1902, Sitab Diyara.
  • Indian politician and a theorist.
  • He was popularly referred to as Lok Nayak.
  • He was awarded the prestigious Bharat Ratna in 1999 (posthumously).
  • A few of the books authored by him are:
    • Nation Building in India
    • India: Struggle for Freedom: Political, Social, and Economic
    • Towards Total Revolution: India and her problems
    • The Sky darkens over India: JP and the movement for social justice
• M. N. Shriniwas
  • Born in 16^th November 1916, Mysuru.
  • He was an Indian sociologist and a social anthropologist.
  • He was awarded the prestigious Padma Bhushan award in 1977.
  • A few of the books authored by him are:
    • Social Change in Modern India
    • Religion and Society among the Coorgs in South Asia
    • Village, Caste, Gender, and Method: Essays in Indian Social Anthropology
    • On Living in a Revolution and Other Essays
    • Caste in modern India and other Essays

Understanding the Significance of Coalition Governments in Indian Politics

• Formation of Coalition Governments:

  • A coalition government is a collaborative form of governance where political parties come together to form a ruling body.
  • Following the elections of 1989, a new era of coalition politics emerged in India.
  • Since then, there have been eleven central governments, all of which were either coalitions or minority governments backed by other parties.
  • These coalitions required the participation or support of various regional parties to establish a government.
  • Notable coalitions include the National Front in 1989, the United Front in 1996 and 1997, the NDA in 1997, the BJP-led coalition in 1998, the NDA in 1999, and the UPA in 2004 and 2009.
  • The emergence of powerful parties representing Dalit and OBC communities further shaped this coalition trend.
  • Overall, the era of coalition governments reflects a significant shift in Indian political dynamics.

Additional Insights:
In a democracy, power is distributed among various governmental branches, including the legislature, executive, and judiciary.

Understanding the Reference to Emergency Provisions in the Indian Constitution

• Definition of State of Emergency: A state of emergency in India allows the President to take control during specific crises.
• Presidential Powers: The President, with cabinet advice, can suspend certain Constitutional provisions, including Fundamental Rights.

Key Points:

1. Emergency Provisions: Found in Part XVIII of the Indian Constitution (Articles 352 to 360), these provisions empower the Central government to handle crises effectively.
2. Purpose: These provisions aim to protect the nation's sovereignty, unity, integrity, security, democratic system, and Constitution.
3. Impact: Declaring an emergency is a significant action that disrupts the constitutional order and impacts people's rights.
4. Analysis: This article examines the constitutional framework of Emergency provisions and their implications when an emergency is declared.

Hence, Rajni Kothari referred to the Emergency provisions in the Indian Constitution as the 'Union's long Arm.'

The Panchayati Raj System in India

• Significance: The Panchayati Raj system in India represents the system of rural local self-government.
• Establishment: It has been implemented in all states of India through state legislature acts to promote democracy at the grassroots level.
• Role: It is responsible for rural development initiatives.
• Constitutionalization: The system was constitutionally recognized through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992.

Evolution of Panchayati Raj

• Balwant Rai Mehta Committee, 1957:
  • The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was established in 1957 to address issues related to democratic decentralization in independent India.
  • It proposed the establishment of a scheme of 'Democratic decentralization,' later known as Panchayati Raj.
  • Its recommendations were accepted by the National Development Council in January 1958. Therefore, option 3 is correct.
• Ashok Mehta Committee, 1977:
  • In 1977, the Janata Government formed a committee on Panchayati Raj institutions chaired by Ashoka Mehta.
  • The committee submitted a report in 1978 with 132 recommendations to revitalize the declining Panchayati Raj system in the country.
  • Following this report, states like Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal passed new legislation. Hence, option 1 is correct.
• GVK Rao Committee, 1985:
  • Appointed by the Planning Commission, this committee focused on various aspects of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
  • It emphasized the role of Panchayati Raj in local planning and development.
• L. M. Singhvi Committee, 1986:
  • Formed for the revitalization of the Panchayati Raj institution for democracy and development.
  • Appointed by the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1986 with Indian jurist L. M. Singhvi as the chairman.
  • It recommended constitutional recognition for Panchayati Raj institutions.
• P.K. Thungon Committee, 1988:
  • This committee in 1989 proposed constitutional recognition for local government bodies.
  • It recommended a constitutional amendment for periodic elections, defining functions, and allocation of funds to these bodies.
• Gadgil Committee, 1988:
  • Constituted by the Congress Party in 1988 under V.N. Gadgil's chairmanship to enhance the effectiveness of Panchayati Raj institutions.
  • The recommendations of this committee formed the basis for drafting an amendment bill to confer constitutional status and protection to Panchayati Raj institutions. Hence, option 4 is correct.

Additional Information

• JVP Committee: The Congress established the "JVP committee" at its Jaipur session to review the recommendations of the Linguistic Provinces Commission (Dhar Commission). It included Jawaharlal Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel, and Pattabhi Sitaramayya. The committee's report in April 1949 stated that the time was not suitable for creating new provinces.

Understanding the Correct Match of Books and Authors

• The Child and the State in India - Myron Weiner
• The Hindu Nationalist Movement and Indian Politics - Christopher Jaferlot
• The Political Economy of Development in India - Pranab Bardhan
• Poverty Amid Plenty in the New India - Atul Kohli

Explanation

• Hence, I - iv, II - iii, III - ii, IV - i is the correct answer.

The correct answer is 1-C, 2-D, 3-B, 4-A.

Key Points

• India is a holding together type of Federation in which some States have more power than others.
• Indian federalism resembles the Canadian model.
• Article 1 describes India as a Union of states.
• It is not a result of an agreement between states and states have no right to secede from the federation.
• It’s an Indestructible union of destructible states.
• Different scholars have different opinions on the federal structure of India:
  • K.C. Wheare described it as “Quasi federalism”.
  • Granville Austin called it “Cooperative federalism” (need for national integrity and unity).
  • Morris Jones defined it as 'Bargaining Federalism’.
  • Ivor Jennings described it as "Federalism with Centralizing tendency".

Additional Information

• Federalism in India
  • India is a federal system but with more tilt towards a unitary system of government.
  • It is sometimes considered a quasi-federal system as it has features of both a federal and a unitary system.
  • Article 1 of the Indian Constitution states, ‘India, that is Bharat, shall be a union of states.
  • The word federation is not mentioned in the constitution.

A. Due to the decline in death rate, population growth gained momentum. 

This statement is correct. 

The death rate refers to the number of deaths per unit of the population. If the death rate declines, it means fewer people are dying per unit of the population. A decline in the death rate, especially when accompanied by a sustained birth rate, can contribute to population growth gaining momentum. When fewer people are dying, and birth rates remain relatively high, the population tends to increase.  

B. The process of industrialization and industrial production witnessed a sharp decline. 

This statement is incorrect.  

During India's planning period, there was a deliberate focus on industrialization as part of economic planning. The government implemented policies to promote industrial growth, establish public sector enterprises, and encourage private sector participation in industrial development. The goal was to reduce dependence on imports and build a self-reliant industrial base through initiatives such as the Five-Year Plans. 

C. The country succeeded in ensuring basic minimum living standard for every section of society. 

This statement is incorrect. 

While there were efforts made to improve living standards and reduce poverty through various welfare programs and policies during India's planning period, it will be correct to say that the goal of ensuring a basic minimum living standard for every section of society was not fully achieved. 

D. Due to import substitution-led growth, the country faced significant dependence on foreign imports. 

This statement is incorrect.  

Import substitution-led growth, a strategy followed during India's planning era, aimed to reduce dependence on foreign imports. The idea was to promote domestic industries by substituting imports with domestically produced goods. The goal was self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on external sources. 

Hence, the correct answer is 1. 

The Usage of 'Federal Market Economy' Terminology in Indian Democracy

• Lloyd Irving Rudolph was an influential American author, political thinker, and educator. He served as the Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Chicago, renowned for his scholarly work on the Indian social and political landscape.
• In recognition of their contributions to literature and education, the Government of India honored Lloyd Rudolph and his wife, Susanne Hoeber Rudolph in 2014, presenting them with the prestigious Padma Bhushan award, the nation's third-highest civilian honor.

Key Points

1. Lloyd and Susanne Rudolph's work, 'The Realm of Ideas Inquiry and Theory,' is the first volume in a series of three. This publication, titled 'Explaining Indian Democracy,' comprises numerous chapters and essays penned by the Rudolphs spanning over five decades, starting from the 1950s.
2. The book primarily focuses on elucidating transformations and political advancements within India.
3. It is structured into two parts, with the first segment exploring political essays on prevailing paradigms, while the second part delves into the crisis of inquiry and the ideas and concepts that elucidate India's evolving political economy.
4. Within their scholarly work, the authors utilize the term 'Federal Market Economy' in the context of the Indian Economy.

Hence, it is evident that Rudolph and Rudolph employ the terminology 'Federal Market Economy' in the Indian context.

The Author of Democracy and Development in India from Socialism to Pro-Business

• Atul Kohli is the author of the book Democracy and Development in India from Socialism to Pro-Business.
• It is published by Oxford University Press.
• The essays in the book are organized thematically in three sections - political change; political economy; and politics and development in select states.
• Atul Kohli is a professor of politics and international affairs at Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University.
• His principal research interests are in the areas of comparative political economy with a focus on developing countries.

• Godfather of Socialism: Ram Manohar Lohia is widely regarded as the pioneer of Socialism.
• Definition of Socialism: According to Lohia, if socialism is to be described in two words, they are equality and prosperity.
• Rejecting Russian and Western Models: Lohia did not accept the Russian and Western models as suitable for India.
• Sapt-Kranti Concept: He introduced the concept of 'Sapt-Kranti' or Seven Revolutions.
• Modern Equality Perspective: The modern desire for equality is seen as a yearning for similarity rather than true equality.
• Types of Inequality: Lohia emphasized combating various forms of inequality simultaneously, such as gender inequality, racial discrimination, caste-based disparities, colonial dominance, and economic inequality.

Additional Information

• Marx Gandhi Socialism
• Guilty Men of India’s Partition
• Fundamentals of Young Mind
• The Caste System
• Intervals During Politics

Therefore, the correct answer is C and D only.