Class 8 Exam  >  Class 8 Notes  >  Social Studies (SST) Class 8  >  Importance of Parliament

Importance of Parliament | Social Studies (SST) Class 8 PDF Download

Importance of Parliament

Parliament of IndiaParliament of India

  • We in India pride ourselves on being a democracy. There is a relation between the ideas of participation in decision-making and the need for all democratic governments to have the consent of their citizens. It is these elements that together make us democracy and this is best expressed in the institution of the Parliament. 
  • Parliament enables citizens of India to participate in decision making and control the government, thus making it the most important symbol of Indian democracy and a key feature of the Constitution.

People Power 

Importance of Parliament | Social Studies (SST) Class 8

  • India became independent on 15 August 1947. Many sections of society participated in the struggle. People from various backgrounds joined the struggle and they were inspired by the ideas of freedom, equality, and participation in decision making.
  • Under colonial rule, the people had lived in fear of the British government and did not agree with many of the decisions that they took. But they faced grave danger if they tried to criticize these decisions. The freedom movement changed this situation. 
  • The nationalists began to openly criticize the British government and make demands. As far back as 1885, the Indian National Congress demanded that there be elected members in the legislature with a right to discuss the budget and ask questions. 
  • The Government of India Act 1909, allowed for some elected representation. The dreams and aspirations of the freedom struggle were made concrete in the Constitution of independent India that laid down the principle of universal adult franchise, i.e. that all adult citizens of the country have the right to vote.

People and their Representatives

Elected Members at the First Constituent AssemblyElected Members at the First Constituent Assembly

  • The take-off point for democracy is the idea of consent, i.e. the desire, approval, and participation of people. It is the decision of people that create a democratic government and decides about its functioning. 
  • The basic idea in this kind of democracy is that the individual or the citizen is the most important person and that in the principle, as well as other public institutions, needs to have the trust of these citizens.
  • People elect their representatives to the Parliament, one group from among these elected representatives forms the government. The Parliament, which is made up of all representatives together, controls and guides the government. In this sense, people, through their chosen representatives, form the government and also control it.
The document Importance of Parliament | Social Studies (SST) Class 8 is a part of the Class 8 Course Social Studies (SST) Class 8.
All you need of Class 8 at this link: Class 8
63 videos|424 docs|46 tests

Top Courses for Class 8

FAQs on Importance of Parliament - Social Studies (SST) Class 8

1. What is the role of Parliament?
Ans. Parliament plays a crucial role in the functioning of a democratic country. It is the highest legislative body that represents the people and makes laws. Parliament also ensures accountability of the government and acts as a platform for discussing and debating important national issues.
2. How does Parliament represent the people?
Ans. Parliament represents the people through elected representatives. Members of Parliament (MPs) are elected by the people through voting in general elections. These MPs represent the interests and concerns of their constituents and raise their voice on their behalf in the Parliament.
3. Why is Parliament important for democracy?
Ans. Parliament is important for democracy as it ensures the participation of citizens in decision-making processes. It provides a platform for debates, discussions, and the passage of laws. Parliament also acts as a check on the government and ensures accountability. It allows citizens to voice their concerns and holds the government accountable for its actions.
4. How does Parliament ensure accountability of the government?
Ans. Parliament ensures accountability of the government through various mechanisms. MPs have the power to question the government on its policies and actions. They can hold debates and discussions to scrutinize the government's decisions. Additionally, Parliament has the power to pass or reject bills proposed by the government, ensuring that it is accountable to the people.
5. What are the functions of Parliament other than law-making?
Ans. Apart from law-making, Parliament performs several other important functions. It approves the government's budget, ensuring proper allocation of resources. Parliament also debates and discusses national issues, helping in the formulation of policies. It plays a crucial role in the appointment of key officials, such as judges and the Prime Minister. Additionally, Parliament acts as a platform for expressing public opinion and grievances.
63 videos|424 docs|46 tests
Download as PDF
Explore Courses for Class 8 exam

Top Courses for Class 8

Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev
Related Searches

mock tests for examination

,

Importance of Parliament | Social Studies (SST) Class 8

,

pdf

,

Extra Questions

,

practice quizzes

,

MCQs

,

Exam

,

Previous Year Questions with Solutions

,

Important questions

,

Objective type Questions

,

Summary

,

shortcuts and tricks

,

Importance of Parliament | Social Studies (SST) Class 8

,

Free

,

study material

,

Sample Paper

,

Importance of Parliament | Social Studies (SST) Class 8

,

ppt

,

Viva Questions

,

past year papers

,

video lectures

,

Semester Notes

;