NCERT Solutions for Class 8 Civics Chapter 3 - Why Do We Need a Parliament

NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS SOLVED

1. Observe the image of the Parliament given below.

What do you think the artist is trying to convey through this image?
 Ans. This image signifies that the Parliament is based on the people’s strength. These people come from various backgrounds.

2. Give one reason why you think there should be universal adult franchise.
 Ans. There should be universal adult frachise in order to establish equality in the society.

3. Do you think there would be any difference if the class monitor was selected by the teacher or elected by the students? Discuss.
 Ans. Selection of class monitor by the teacher is not a democractic process. Therefore, the monitor is not the representative of the students of the class. But if the monitor is elected by the students he will represent the entire class in the true sense, because this a democratic process.

4. Look at the table given below and answer the questions that follow:
 Results of 8th Lok Sabha Elections (1984)

Note: The Lok Sabha elections were not held in Assam and Punjab during 1984.
 

(i) Who will form the government? Why?
 (ii) Who will be present for discussions in the Lok Sabha?
 (iii) In this process similar to what you have read about class VII?
 Ans. (i) The Indian National Congress (INC) will form the government because it has secured clear majority in the Lok Sabha.
(ii) The MPs.
(iii) Yes.

5. Look at the photograph below . It shows results from the 3rd Lok Sabha elections held in 1962. Use the photograph to answer the following questions 

(i) Which state has the highest number of MPs in the Lok Sabha? Why do you think this is so? (ii) Which state has the least number of MPs in the Lok Sabha? (iii) Which political party has won the most seats in all states? (iv) Which party do you think will form the government? Give reasons why?

Ans. (i) Uttar Pradesh. This state has the largest population as compared to other states. That is why it has the highest number of MPs in the Lok Sabha.
(ii) Manipur.
(iii) The Congress Party
(iv) The Congress Party will form the government because it has got a clear majority in the Lok Sabha. 6. Look at the following and answer the questions that follow:

• In the above question, what infomation is being sought from the Minister of women and Child development?
• If you were a Member of Parliament (MP), list two questions that you would like to ask.

Ans. The information sought from the Minister of Women and Child Development: l Whether the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has asked all State Governments to ban junk foods in schools and also for setting up nutrition standards. If so, the details there of. l Whether the Union Government has ensured the compliance of the above standards by the States. If so, the details thereof.
(ii) If I were a Member of Parliament, I would like to ask the following two questions:   

• What is the government doing to ensure education to every child?   
• Women still lag behind men. What is the government doing to bring women at the label of men?

7. Looking at this table would you say that people’s participation during the past 50 years has: decreased/increased/been stable after initial increase?

 
 Ans. The people’s participation during the past 50 years has been fluctuating from one election to another.

8. Why do you think there are so few women in Parliament? Discuss?
 Ans. Our society is still a male-dominating society. People do not want to accept women as rulers. So, they avoid giving power to them.

Q.1. Why do you think nationalist movement supported the idea that all adults have a right to vote?
 Ans. The nationalist movement became successful because people from various beckgrounds joined it. With the coming of independence, it was felt that all persons in indepedent India should participate in making decisions. The government must be sensitive to people’s needs and demands. It is, therefore, the constitution of independent India laid down the principle of universal adult franchise i.e., that all adult citizens of the country have a right to vote. By exercising this right, people (adults) would participate in the functioning of the government through their representatives. This is the essence of a democractic government.