Government Chapter Notes | Footprints Class 6: Book Solutions, Notes & Worksheets PDF Download

Government is like the big team that helps people live and work together smoothly. The word 'government' comes from a Latin word that means 'to govern' or 'to guide'. It organizes things in a country and makes sure everything runs well. The main job of a government is to take care of the needs of the people and solve their problems.

Types of Government

There are three main types of governments in the world: democracy, monarchy, and dictatorship.

• Democracy: In a democracy, people give the power to the government through elections. Elections happen every few years, and every grown-up citizen can vote. They choose their representatives who will run the government. The good thing about democracy is that the government has to answer to the people for what it does. If people are not happy, they can choose new representatives in the next elections.
• Monarchy: In a monarchy, a king or queen has all the power. The position is passed down in the family, so when the king or queen passes away, the next family member takes over. In this type, people don't get to choose their ruler.
• Dictatorship: In a dictatorship, one person is in charge and makes all the decisions without asking the people. This type can be tough for the people because they have to follow what the leader says. For example, Germany was under a dictatorship led by Adolf Hitler.

Why Do We Need Government?

1. Maintenance of Law and Order: The government makes sure that there is peace and order in the country. They provide protection for the people.
2. Defence of the Country: The government keeps the country safe by having armed forces. They also make friends with other countries.
3. Resolving Socio-economic Problems: The government decides how to help with problems like poverty, unemployment, and discrimination. They take care of the poorer and needy parts of society.
4. Health Services and Infrastructure: The government sets up hospitals and clinics for healthcare. They also provide things like good roads, buses, mail service, electricity, and water.
5. Education Facilities: The government starts schools and colleges for education. They also have programs to teach adults. In our country, the government makes sure that all kids under 14 years get free and required education.

Organs of Government in India

India's government has three parts: the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. Each part does a different job.

Levels of Government in India

India's governance structure consists of multiple levels of government to efficiently manage the vast and diverse nation. Here's a breakdown:

• Central or Union Government: This is the highest level of government in India and is responsible for governing the entire country. It oversees matters of national importance, such as defense, foreign affairs, and finance. The central government is based in the capital city of New Delhi.
• State Governments: India is divided into 28 states, each with its own government. State governments have jurisdiction over matters that primarily affect their respective states, such as law and order, education, healthcare, and infrastructure development. Each state has its own capital city, where the state government is based.
• Local Self-Government: At the grassroots level, governance is carried out through local self-government bodies in cities, towns, and villages. These bodies are responsible for addressing local issues and providing essential services to residents. They operate under the supervision of the state government and are empowered to make decisions related to local development, sanitation, urban planning, and other community needs.

By functioning at various levels, the government in India ensures effective administration and representation across different geographical regions and communities. This multi-tiered governance structure allows for decentralized decision-making and promotes participatory democracy at the local level.

Decision Making and Participation in Democracy

Abraham Lincoln, a famous leader, said that democracy is a government of the people, for the people, and by the people. In a democracy, people choose their leaders through elections. In India, all adults who are 18 years old can vote. This right is called Universal Adult Franchise.

(i) Suffragette Movement

In the past, some people thought that women should not be allowed to vote. The Suffragette Movement was when women fought for their right to vote. They won this right in the United States in 1920 and in the United Kingdom in 1928.

(ii) Anti-apartheid Struggle

In South Africa, there was a time when white people treated black people unfairly. They had separate areas, schools, and even markets. Black people couldn't vote or be part of the government. Nelson Mandela fought against this and was even in prison for 27 years. In 1994, elections were held for everyone, and Nelson Mandela became the leader.

Importance of Democracy

Democracy is the best type of government because it is a government by the people. 

• People can choose their leaders, and their needs and wishes are taken care of. It also lets people grow and change their government peacefully.
• In summary, government is like a big team that helps us live together in a country. There are different types of governments like democracy, monarchy, and dictatorship. 
• We need a government to keep us safe, help us with problems, and provide things like healthcare and education. India has different levels of government, and we choose our leaders through elections. Democracy is important because it lets us have a say in how our country is run.