Short Questions: What is Government? | NCERT Summary: UPSC PDF Download

Q1: Why are some rules to be made?
Ans: Some rules are to be made that apply to all because of the following reasons:

• To control resources.
• To protect the boundaries of the country.
• To secure the life of the people.

Q2: How can a government function?
Ans: A government can function by doing the following things:

• The government makes laws.
• The citizens of the country have to follow these laws.
• It has also the power to make decisions.
• It also has the power to enforce these decisions.

Q3: What are the three main features of a democracy?
Ans: Main features of a Democracy:

• People elect their leaders.
• It is a rule by the people.
• People participate in decision-making through their representatives.

Q4: Before Independence what was the voting system in India?
Ans: Before independence the voting system in India was:

• A small minority had the right to vote.
• They came together to determine the fate of majority as the minority made rules and regulations for the majority.

Q5: What did Gandhiji write in the journal ‘Young India’ in 1931?
Ans: Writing in the journal Young India in 1931, Gandhiji said, “I cannot possibly bear the idea that a man who has got wealth should get the vote but a man who has got character but no wealth or literacy should have no vote, or that a man who honestly works by the sweat of his brow day in and day out should not have the vote for the crime of being a poor man”.

Q6: What are the two types of governments?
Ans: Two types of governments:
Democracy:

• People choose their government.
• They are the ones who take decisions and make laws through their elected representatives.

Monarchy:

• The government run by a king or queen or monarch is monarchy.
• The king or queen takes decisions and makes laws.

Q7: What are representative democracies?
Ans: Representative democracies are those democracies in which people participate in the government through their elected representatives (Through election process).

• The representatives meet and make decisions for the entire population.
• These democracies have universal adult franchise. All the adults of the country are allowed to vote.

Q8: Why were several people including Gandhiji shocked?
Ans:

• Several people including Gandhiji were shocked at the practice of minority voting right to make rules and regulations for the majority.
• They demanded that all adults should have the right to vote. This is called universal adult franchise.

Q9: How many levels of government does India have?
Ans: In India, there are three levels of government. There are three levels of government: local, state, and national.

Q10: What do you understand by “Laws of the government”?
Ans: Any laws enacted by a government are for the benefit of the citizens of that country. These laws are essentially guidelines enacted for the welfare and protection of its citizens.

Q11: What do you mean by Democracy?
Ans: Democratic governments are those that are formed by the people of their respective countries.

Q12: List down the perquisites of a democracy.
Ans: The advantages of democracy are enumerated below:-

• Citizens are granted fundamental rights.
• Citizens have the right to free speech and expression.
• Universal adult franchise.
• Elections are held on a regular basis.
• Elected officials constitute the government and carry out constitutional duties.

Q13: How do the policies of a government affect our daily life?
Ans: To better comprehend how government policies affect our daily lives, consider the following points:-

• The government constructs roads, schools, and other public facilities for the benefit of the general public.
• Electricity is provided by the government to all citizens.
• Postal services are administered by the government and assist us in sending and receiving letters and other items.
• The government contributes to the reduction of inflation, which creates high prices.

Q14: How do people choose a representative in a democratic government?
Ans: People elect their local representatives, and these representatives elect their leader in the parliament, which forms the government.

Q15: What is the full form of MP and MLA?
Ans: Member of Parliament is the full form of MP. MLA stands for Member of Legislative Assembly in its full form.

Q16: Why do elections take place in a fixed period?
Ans: To form a government, elections are held. In parliament, the victorious party establishes its government with the support of its representatives. In India, a government lasts only five years. Following this period, new elections are held so that the people of that country, if they are dissatisfied, can elect a new administration to govern them.

Q17: Explain different levels of government.
Ans: 

• Local government - Local governments look after their communities, such as their town, village, or city.
• State Government - The state government is responsible for the state's well-being and formulates policies for its citizens.
• Central government or national level government - The central government sets policies for the entire country, but state governments are not obligated to adopt all of them except those listed in a concurrent list.

Q18: What are the benefits of living in a democratic government?
Ans: A democratic government has numerous advantages. Reasons are outlined below:-

• Sense of participation - People are free to participate in the government of their choice. Because of the direct voting system, this is possible.
• Fundamental rights - Every citizen has certain rights that allow them to exercise their individualism. They can also use this privilege to criticise their government.