NCERT Textbook: Organs of Government | NCERT Books & Solutions for Humanities - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

 Page 1


Chapter 2
Organs of Government
CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE ORGANS OF GOVERNMENT
II. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
A. Monarchy
B.  Aristocracy
C.  Dictatorship
D.  Democracy
III. ORGANISATION OF THE LEGISLATURE
A. General Functions of Legislature as Organ of Government
B. General Functions of Executive as Organ of Government
C. General Functions of Judiciary as an Organ of the Government
Comprehension Questions
Page 2


Chapter 2
Organs of Government
CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE ORGANS OF GOVERNMENT
II. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
A. Monarchy
B.  Aristocracy
C.  Dictatorship
D.  Democracy
III. ORGANISATION OF THE LEGISLATURE
A. General Functions of Legislature as Organ of Government
B. General Functions of Executive as Organ of Government
C. General Functions of Judiciary as an Organ of the Government
Comprehension Questions
24
UNIT 01: CHAPTER 2 
Organs of Government
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE ORGANS OF GOVERNMENT
II. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
In the preceding chapter, we discussed 'Government' as an essential element of the 'State'. 
Government can be said to be a set of institutions that exercises control through legal devices 
and imposes penalties on those who break the law. A government normally functions by 
distributing its functions between its organs with each organ performing some specific 
functions. It primarily performs three functions: making the laws, enforcing the laws and 
adjudicating disputes. These three essential functions are termed legislative, executive and 
judicial functions.
Let us Ponder:
1. Out of all three organs of the Government, which seems to be the most powerful organ?
2. What will happen if a government decides to make either of the organs defunct?
A government achieves purpose of a state through the performance of the above functions. 
These functions constitute the minimal requirements of any form of government.
The legislature makes laws, the executive implements them and the judiciary interprets laws 
and decides disputes. This system of distribution of powers among the three organs of a 
government is called 'separation of powers', which will be discussed in Chapter III.
In 4th century BC, the great Greek philosopher Aristotle 
made the first attempt to describe the political organizations 
of his time as Democracy, Tyranny and Oligarchy. In the 
absence of a clear-cut line of difference between state and 
government, Aristotle called it classification of states. His 
classification was based on two aspects: the number of 
persons in whose hands the authority of state vests and the 
purpose for which that authority is directed or used. These 
aspects determine the normal or true form and perverted 
form of the Government. The Normal form of government 
implies that the government exercises authority in the 
common interest and welfare of all. Perverted form implies 
that the ruling power is exercised for the self-interest of the 
rulers.
Page 3


Chapter 2
Organs of Government
CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE ORGANS OF GOVERNMENT
II. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
A. Monarchy
B.  Aristocracy
C.  Dictatorship
D.  Democracy
III. ORGANISATION OF THE LEGISLATURE
A. General Functions of Legislature as Organ of Government
B. General Functions of Executive as Organ of Government
C. General Functions of Judiciary as an Organ of the Government
Comprehension Questions
24
UNIT 01: CHAPTER 2 
Organs of Government
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE ORGANS OF GOVERNMENT
II. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
In the preceding chapter, we discussed 'Government' as an essential element of the 'State'. 
Government can be said to be a set of institutions that exercises control through legal devices 
and imposes penalties on those who break the law. A government normally functions by 
distributing its functions between its organs with each organ performing some specific 
functions. It primarily performs three functions: making the laws, enforcing the laws and 
adjudicating disputes. These three essential functions are termed legislative, executive and 
judicial functions.
Let us Ponder:
1. Out of all three organs of the Government, which seems to be the most powerful organ?
2. What will happen if a government decides to make either of the organs defunct?
A government achieves purpose of a state through the performance of the above functions. 
These functions constitute the minimal requirements of any form of government.
The legislature makes laws, the executive implements them and the judiciary interprets laws 
and decides disputes. This system of distribution of powers among the three organs of a 
government is called 'separation of powers', which will be discussed in Chapter III.
In 4th century BC, the great Greek philosopher Aristotle 
made the first attempt to describe the political organizations 
of his time as Democracy, Tyranny and Oligarchy. In the 
absence of a clear-cut line of difference between state and 
government, Aristotle called it classification of states. His 
classification was based on two aspects: the number of 
persons in whose hands the authority of state vests and the 
purpose for which that authority is directed or used. These 
aspects determine the normal or true form and perverted 
form of the Government. The Normal form of government 
implies that the government exercises authority in the 
common interest and welfare of all. Perverted form implies 
that the ruling power is exercised for the self-interest of the 
rulers.
25
Number of persons having ruling power Normal Perverted
One Monarchy Tyranny
Few Aristocracy Oligarchy
Many Polity Democracy
On the grounds of quality of rule and governance, Aristotle justifies Polity as the best form of 
Government. Aristotle's use of the term Polity is equivalent to constitutional democracy of the 
modern state.
Let us ponder:
Andrew Heywood an English political writer in his book Politics states that in Aristotle's democracy, 
the masses representing the numerous classes would resent wealth of the few, and too easily fall 
under the sway of a demagogue.
How is the democracy as defined by Aristotle different from the democracy followed in our country?
A prominent feature of Aristotle's classification and political analysis is that no form of state 
remains static forever. All states pass through cycles of evolutions. Every form of government 
degenerates over a period of time giving place to a new one. 
Aristotle's studied the conditions under which the states enjoyed stability. He held that the 
underlying cause of political strife and hence of revolution was inequality. Consequently, for 
him, the best state would have a form of constitutional government in which all citizens have 
access to power-- a constitution which in practice blends democratic and oligarchic features and 
in which the middle class is in control. 
Page 4


Chapter 2
Organs of Government
CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE ORGANS OF GOVERNMENT
II. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
A. Monarchy
B.  Aristocracy
C.  Dictatorship
D.  Democracy
III. ORGANISATION OF THE LEGISLATURE
A. General Functions of Legislature as Organ of Government
B. General Functions of Executive as Organ of Government
C. General Functions of Judiciary as an Organ of the Government
Comprehension Questions
24
UNIT 01: CHAPTER 2 
Organs of Government
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE ORGANS OF GOVERNMENT
II. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
In the preceding chapter, we discussed 'Government' as an essential element of the 'State'. 
Government can be said to be a set of institutions that exercises control through legal devices 
and imposes penalties on those who break the law. A government normally functions by 
distributing its functions between its organs with each organ performing some specific 
functions. It primarily performs three functions: making the laws, enforcing the laws and 
adjudicating disputes. These three essential functions are termed legislative, executive and 
judicial functions.
Let us Ponder:
1. Out of all three organs of the Government, which seems to be the most powerful organ?
2. What will happen if a government decides to make either of the organs defunct?
A government achieves purpose of a state through the performance of the above functions. 
These functions constitute the minimal requirements of any form of government.
The legislature makes laws, the executive implements them and the judiciary interprets laws 
and decides disputes. This system of distribution of powers among the three organs of a 
government is called 'separation of powers', which will be discussed in Chapter III.
In 4th century BC, the great Greek philosopher Aristotle 
made the first attempt to describe the political organizations 
of his time as Democracy, Tyranny and Oligarchy. In the 
absence of a clear-cut line of difference between state and 
government, Aristotle called it classification of states. His 
classification was based on two aspects: the number of 
persons in whose hands the authority of state vests and the 
purpose for which that authority is directed or used. These 
aspects determine the normal or true form and perverted 
form of the Government. The Normal form of government 
implies that the government exercises authority in the 
common interest and welfare of all. Perverted form implies 
that the ruling power is exercised for the self-interest of the 
rulers.
25
Number of persons having ruling power Normal Perverted
One Monarchy Tyranny
Few Aristocracy Oligarchy
Many Polity Democracy
On the grounds of quality of rule and governance, Aristotle justifies Polity as the best form of 
Government. Aristotle's use of the term Polity is equivalent to constitutional democracy of the 
modern state.
Let us ponder:
Andrew Heywood an English political writer in his book Politics states that in Aristotle's democracy, 
the masses representing the numerous classes would resent wealth of the few, and too easily fall 
under the sway of a demagogue.
How is the democracy as defined by Aristotle different from the democracy followed in our country?
A prominent feature of Aristotle's classification and political analysis is that no form of state 
remains static forever. All states pass through cycles of evolutions. Every form of government 
degenerates over a period of time giving place to a new one. 
Aristotle's studied the conditions under which the states enjoyed stability. He held that the 
underlying cause of political strife and hence of revolution was inequality. Consequently, for 
him, the best state would have a form of constitutional government in which all citizens have 
access to power-- a constitution which in practice blends democratic and oligarchic features and 
in which the middle class is in control. 
26
 
Figure: Aristotle's Government
In the modern times another writer Burgess suggested four principles of distinction on the forms 
of Government:
On the basis of identity or non-identity of State with its Government - Primary or 
Representative form of Government;
On the basis of tenure of executive- Hereditary or Elective form of Government;
On the basis of relationship between executive and the legislature- Parliamentary or 
Presidential form of Government; and 
On the basis of concentration and distribution of powers - Unitary or Federal Government.
Stephen Leacock (1869-1944) presented simplified version of classification of government as 
given below.
On the basis of the location of sovereign power, government is classified into two- 
Dictatorship and Democracy.
On the basis of the method of acquiring power by the head of the state, the democratic 
government is classified into two - Constitutional Monarchy and The Republic.
On the basis of the relation between the Executive and the Legislative, the democratic 
government is classified into two- Parliamentary form and Presidential form of 
Government.
On the basis of distribution of power between the centre and the province, the 
government is classified into two - the Unitary and Federal Government.
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
The true constitutions: aim for the common good
The perverted constitutions: aim for the well being of a part of 
the city (the tyrant, the wealthy or the indigent)
when
perverted
becomes a
Tyranny (A) Oligarchy (B) Democracy (C)
when
perverted
becomes a
when
perverted
becomes a
Royalty Aristocracy
Constitutional 
Government
Page 5


Chapter 2
Organs of Government
CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE ORGANS OF GOVERNMENT
II. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
A. Monarchy
B.  Aristocracy
C.  Dictatorship
D.  Democracy
III. ORGANISATION OF THE LEGISLATURE
A. General Functions of Legislature as Organ of Government
B. General Functions of Executive as Organ of Government
C. General Functions of Judiciary as an Organ of the Government
Comprehension Questions
24
UNIT 01: CHAPTER 2 
Organs of Government
I. INTRODUCTION TO THE ORGANS OF GOVERNMENT
II. FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
In the preceding chapter, we discussed 'Government' as an essential element of the 'State'. 
Government can be said to be a set of institutions that exercises control through legal devices 
and imposes penalties on those who break the law. A government normally functions by 
distributing its functions between its organs with each organ performing some specific 
functions. It primarily performs three functions: making the laws, enforcing the laws and 
adjudicating disputes. These three essential functions are termed legislative, executive and 
judicial functions.
Let us Ponder:
1. Out of all three organs of the Government, which seems to be the most powerful organ?
2. What will happen if a government decides to make either of the organs defunct?
A government achieves purpose of a state through the performance of the above functions. 
These functions constitute the minimal requirements of any form of government.
The legislature makes laws, the executive implements them and the judiciary interprets laws 
and decides disputes. This system of distribution of powers among the three organs of a 
government is called 'separation of powers', which will be discussed in Chapter III.
In 4th century BC, the great Greek philosopher Aristotle 
made the first attempt to describe the political organizations 
of his time as Democracy, Tyranny and Oligarchy. In the 
absence of a clear-cut line of difference between state and 
government, Aristotle called it classification of states. His 
classification was based on two aspects: the number of 
persons in whose hands the authority of state vests and the 
purpose for which that authority is directed or used. These 
aspects determine the normal or true form and perverted 
form of the Government. The Normal form of government 
implies that the government exercises authority in the 
common interest and welfare of all. Perverted form implies 
that the ruling power is exercised for the self-interest of the 
rulers.
25
Number of persons having ruling power Normal Perverted
One Monarchy Tyranny
Few Aristocracy Oligarchy
Many Polity Democracy
On the grounds of quality of rule and governance, Aristotle justifies Polity as the best form of 
Government. Aristotle's use of the term Polity is equivalent to constitutional democracy of the 
modern state.
Let us ponder:
Andrew Heywood an English political writer in his book Politics states that in Aristotle's democracy, 
the masses representing the numerous classes would resent wealth of the few, and too easily fall 
under the sway of a demagogue.
How is the democracy as defined by Aristotle different from the democracy followed in our country?
A prominent feature of Aristotle's classification and political analysis is that no form of state 
remains static forever. All states pass through cycles of evolutions. Every form of government 
degenerates over a period of time giving place to a new one. 
Aristotle's studied the conditions under which the states enjoyed stability. He held that the 
underlying cause of political strife and hence of revolution was inequality. Consequently, for 
him, the best state would have a form of constitutional government in which all citizens have 
access to power-- a constitution which in practice blends democratic and oligarchic features and 
in which the middle class is in control. 
26
 
Figure: Aristotle's Government
In the modern times another writer Burgess suggested four principles of distinction on the forms 
of Government:
On the basis of identity or non-identity of State with its Government - Primary or 
Representative form of Government;
On the basis of tenure of executive- Hereditary or Elective form of Government;
On the basis of relationship between executive and the legislature- Parliamentary or 
Presidential form of Government; and 
On the basis of concentration and distribution of powers - Unitary or Federal Government.
Stephen Leacock (1869-1944) presented simplified version of classification of government as 
given below.
On the basis of the location of sovereign power, government is classified into two- 
Dictatorship and Democracy.
On the basis of the method of acquiring power by the head of the state, the democratic 
government is classified into two - Constitutional Monarchy and The Republic.
On the basis of the relation between the Executive and the Legislative, the democratic 
government is classified into two- Parliamentary form and Presidential form of 
Government.
On the basis of distribution of power between the centre and the province, the 
government is classified into two - the Unitary and Federal Government.
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
The true constitutions: aim for the common good
The perverted constitutions: aim for the well being of a part of 
the city (the tyrant, the wealthy or the indigent)
when
perverted
becomes a
Tyranny (A) Oligarchy (B) Democracy (C)
when
perverted
becomes a
when
perverted
becomes a
Royalty Aristocracy
Constitutional 
Government
27
Monarchy is the oldest form of government. The state machinery worked according to the 
commands and rule of the monarch. Monarchy is thus a form of political regime in which 
the supreme and final authority is in the hands of a single person wearing a crown, 
irrespective of whether his office is hereditary or elective. It is the will of one person which 
ultimately prevails in all matters of governance.
J.W. Garner (1871-1938) stated: 'In its widest sense, any government in which the 
supreme and final authority is in the hands of a single person is a monarchy, without 
regard to the source of his election or the nature and duration of his tenure. In this sense, 
it is immaterial whether his office is conferred by election (by parliament or people) or is 
derived by hereditary succession, or whether he bears the title of emperor, king, czar, 
president or dictator. It is the fact that the will of one man ultimately prevails in all 
matters of government which gives it the character of monarchy'.
Let us Ponder:
One of our neighbouring countries had a 'parliamentary monarchy' from 1990-1996. How is it 
different from an 'absolute monarchy'? 
With the development of Republican and Democratic form of government, monarchial 
form of government declined. In some cases, as in the United Kingdom, monarchs are 
merely retained as the 'ceremonial' or 'nominal' heads of government, devoid of key 
political powers. As observed by C.C Rodee, 'Constitutional monarchs are loved and 
A. Monarchy
Governments
Despotic                          Democratic
Constitutional Monarchy                       Republic
Unitary                      Federal                 Unitary                             Federal
Parliamentary           Presidential        Parliamentary Presidential