Worksheet Solutions: Development | Political Science for Grade 11 PDF Download

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Q1: Development conveys the ideas of improvement, progress, well-being, and an aspiration for a better ____________.
Ans: life
Development is a concept that implies the desire for a better life and encompasses various aspects of improvement and well-being.

Q2: The term development, in a narrower sense, refers to limited goals such as increasing the rate of ____________.
Ans: economic growth
Development, when narrowly defined, focuses on specific objectives like economic growth and modernization, often related to a country's economic progress.

Q3: The concept of development gained importance after the second half of the twentieth century when many countries in Asia and Africa gained ____________.
Ans: political independence
The concept of development gained importance in Asia and Africa after the second half of the twentieth century, particularly as many countries gained political independence during this period.

Q4: In the initial years, the focus of development was on catching up with the west in terms of economic growth and ____________ of societies.
Ans: modernisation
The pressing problems included poverty, malnourishment, unemployment, illiteracy, and the lack of basic amenities that a majority of the population faced.

Q5: India's Five Year Plans for development included mega projects such as the Bhakra Nangal Dam, setting up ____________ in different parts of the country, and improving agricultural techniques.
Ans: steel plants
Development initially aimed at modernizing societies and achieving economic growth comparable to Western countries.

Q6: Critics of development have pointed out that the kind of development models adopted in many countries have proved very costly for the ____________ countries.
Ans: developing
An example of a mega project in India's Five Year Plans is the construction of the Bhakra Nangal Dam.

Q7: Displacement due to development projects results in the loss of livelihood and increases ____________.
Ans: impoverishment
Displacement leads to impoverishment as people lose their sources of income and face economic hardships.

Q8: The Human Development Index ranks countries based on their performance in social indicators like ____________.
Ans: literacy and education levels
The Human Development Index is based on social indicators such as literacy and education levels, life expectancy, and maternal mortality rates.

Q9: An alternative model of development should try to move away from the high-cost, ecologically wasteful, technology-driven notion of ____________.
Ans: development
Air pollution is a problem related to development because it affects both the rich and the poor and has adverse health and environmental consequences.

Q10: The choices we make in pursuing development have an impact on other ____________ and other species in the world.
Ans: human beings
Falling groundwater levels mean that women have to walk longer to procure water because their usual sources of water are further away, impacting their daily lives.

Assertion and Reason Based

Q1: Assertion: Development models adopted in many countries have proved very costly.
Reason: The social costs of development, such as displacement and loss of livelihood, have been high.
(a) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation for the assertion.
(b) Both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation for the assertion.
(c) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
Ans: (a)
The assertion is true because development models have indeed proven to be expensive for many countries. The reason is the correct explanation for the assertion because the high social costs, which include displacement and loss of livelihood, contribute significantly to the overall expense of these models.

Q2: Assertion: The Human Development Index measures development based on social indicators.
Reason: Economic growth alone is an adequate indicator of development.
(a) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation for the assertion.
(b) Both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation for the assertion.
(c) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
Ans: (b)
The assertion is true because the Human Development Index (HDI) does focus on social indicators to measure development. However, the reason is not the correct explanation for the assertion. It's widely recognized that economic growth alone is not an adequate indicator of development, as it overlooks key aspects of human well-being, such as education and health.

Q3: Assertion: Democracy allows conflicts over resources to be resolved through debate and respect for the rights of all.
Reason: Dictatorships impose decisions from above without any debate or consideration of rights.
(a) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation for the assertion.
(b) Both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation for the assertion.
(c) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
Ans: (a)
The assertion is true because democracy's core principle is resolving conflicts through debate and respecting the rights of all citizens. The reason is the correct explanation for the assertion because dictatorships typically do not allow open debate or respect for individual rights when making decisions.

Q4: Assertion: An alternative model of development should focus on conserving natural resources and using renewable sources of energy.
Reason: Non-renewable resources are abundant and sustainable in the long term.
(a) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation for the assertion.
(b) Both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation for the assertion.
(c) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
Ans: (c)
The assertion is true because an alternative model of development indeed emphasizes the conservation of natural resources and the use of renewable energy sources. However, the reason is false because non-renewable resources are not abundant or sustainable in the long term; in fact, they are finite and lead to environmental degradation.

Q5: Assertion: The choices made in the pursuit of development have no impact on others in the world.
Reason: Development is a self-contained process that does not affect other species.
(a) Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation for the assertion.
(b) Both the assertion and reason are true, but the reason is not the correct explanation for the assertion.
(c) The assertion is true, but the reason is false.
(d) The assertion is false, but the reason is true.
Ans: (d)
The assertion is false because the choices made in the pursuit of development have far-reaching impacts on both human beings and the environment. The reason is true in the sense that development does have an impact on other species, but it is overly simplistic to say that it's a self-contained process with no consequences for others.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: What does development convey the ideas of?
Ans: Improvement, progress, well-being, and an aspiration for a better life.

Q2: In a narrower sense, what does the term development refer to?
Ans: Limited goals such as increasing the rate of economic growth or modernizing society.

Q3: When did the concept of development gain importance in Asia and Africa?
Ans: After the second half of the twentieth century.

Q4: What were the pressing problems faced by many Asian and African countries after gaining independence?
Ans: Poverty, malnourishment, unemployment, illiteracy, and the lack of basic amenities.

Q5: What was the initial focus of development in the early years?
Ans: Catching up with the West in terms of economic growth and modernization.

Q6: Give an example of a mega project in India's Five Year Plans.
Ans: Bhakra Nangal Dam.

Q7: How has development affected displaced people?
Ans: Loss of livelihood and increased impoverishment.

Q8: What is the Human Development Index based on?
Ans: Social indicators like literacy, education levels, life expectancy, and maternal mortality rates.

Q9: Why is air pollution a problem related to development?
Ans: It affects both the rich and the poor.

Q10: Why do women have to walk longer due to the falling groundwater levels?
Ans: Falling groundwater levels result in women having to walk longer to procure water.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Explain the social costs of development and provide an example.
Ans: The social costs of development include displacement of people from their homes, leading to loss of livelihood and impoverishment. An example is the 'Narmada Bachao Andolan' protest against the Sardar Sarovar Dam.

Q2: How has development led to environmental degradation, and who is most affected in the short term?
Ans: Development has caused environmental degradation, affecting all populations. In the short term, it disproportionately affects the underprivileged, as loss of forests, drying up of water sources, and pollution impact their daily lives.

Q3: What is the Human Development Index (HDI), and why is it considered an alternative way to measure development?
Ans: The Human Development Index (HDI) ranks countries based on social indicators like literacy, education, life expectancy, and maternal mortality. It is considered an alternative to measuring development as it goes beyond economic growth alone.
 
Q4: Discuss the concept of democracy in relation to development and decision-making.
Ans: In a democracy, conflicts over resources and visions of the good life are resolved through debate and respect for the rights of all. In dictatorships, decisions are imposed from above without debate.

Q5: Why is it important to involve local decision-making bodies in development projects?
Ans: Involving local decision-making bodies is important because people should be consulted on issues that affect them the most, and they should have the power to reject projects that adversely affect their communities.

Q6: What are the two levels at which an alternative model of development should operate, and why are they important?
Ans: An alternative model of development should focus on conserving natural resources and using renewable energy sources. It should also reduce the need for non-renewable resources by changing lifestyles.

Q7: What are the issues raised regarding the benefits and costs of development, especially in terms of affected people's rights?
Ans: The powerful have benefited from development, while the costs have been borne by the poorest and vulnerable sections. Issues related to rights of affected people and their claim to natural resources have been raised.

Q8: Explain the need for a balance between the claims of the present and the future in the context of development.
Ans: A balance between the claims of the present and the future is essential to ensure sustainability in development. It involves addressing the immediate needs of the population while preserving resources for future generations.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1: Explain the criticisms of development models in terms of social and environmental costs. Provide examples to support your explanation.
Ans:

• Social Costs: Development models have led to significant social costs. For instance, large-scale infrastructure projects like dams, industrial activities, and mining have displaced countless people from their homes and communities. The Narmada Bachao Andolan is a prime example of such displacement, where nearly one million people lost their lands and livelihood due to the construction of the Sardar Sarovar Dam. This not only results in economic impoverishment but also causes a profound disruption to the affected people's way of life.
• Environmental Costs: Development has also caused extensive environmental degradation, affecting both the displaced and the wider population. The indiscriminate use of resources and deforestation disproportionately impacts the poor, who rely on forests for firewood, medicinal herbs, and food. Furthermore, pollution, including air pollution, resulting from industrialization and the heavy dependence on non-renewable energy sources like coal and petroleum, harms both the rich and poor. In the long term, ecological crises, such as the loss of forests and depletion of natural resources, will negatively affect everyone.

Q2: Discuss the importance of measuring development beyond economic growth. Explain the concept of the Human Development Index (HDI) and how it serves as an alternative indicator of development.
Ans: Measuring development beyond economic growth is crucial because focusing solely on economic indicators can be misleading and inadequate in assessing the overall well-being of a society. The Human Development Index (HDI) is an alternative measure that takes into account various social indicators, providing a more holistic understanding of development.
The HDI ranks countries based on three key dimensions:

• Health: This dimension considers life expectancy at birth, reflecting the overall health and well-being of a population.
• Education: It looks at indicators such as literacy rates and the average number of years of education, assessing a society's capacity to provide education to its citizens.
• Standard of living: The HDI includes per capita income as an economic indicator to represent a society's standard of living.

The HDI recognizes that development is not just about economic growth but also about improving the quality of life for individuals within a society. It provides a more comprehensive and equitable measurement, highlighting the importance of factors like education and health.

Q3: Explain the need for democratic participation in the development process. How can decentralization contribute to democratic decision-making in development projects?
Ans: Democratic participation is crucial in the development process because it ensures that decisions about resource allocation, project implementation, and policies are made collectively and with respect for the rights and interests of all citizens. In democracies, conflicts over resources and differing visions of the good life are resolved through debate, and decisions are not imposed from above. This participatory approach ensures that development aligns with the needs and aspirations of the people it affects.
Decentralization plays a pivotal role in democratic decision-making for development projects. It involves transferring decision-making power and responsibilities to local decision-making bodies, such as community councils or elected representatives at the local level.
Here's how decentralization contributes to democratic decision-making:

• Community Involvement: Decentralization allows people to have a say in issues that affect their local communities the most. Local populations are better positioned to understand the specific needs and challenges of their area, and they can actively participate in shaping development initiatives.
• Accountability: Local decision-making bodies are often more accountable to the communities they serve. This accountability fosters transparency and ensures that development projects align with the best interests of the local population.
• Project Rejection: Through decentralization, communities can reject projects that may adversely affect them, thus preventing environmentally damaging or socially disruptive endeavors.
• Incorporating Traditional Knowledge: Decentralization enables the incorporation of traditional and indigenous knowledge into development strategies, creating a more inclusive and sustainable approach.

Q4: Discuss the concept of an alternative model of development. Explain the key components and principles that an alternative model should encompass.
Ans: An alternative model of development seeks to depart from the high-cost, ecologically wasteful, and technology-driven notions of development that have prevailed in many societies. It should be designed to prioritize sustainability, equity, and the well-being of all citizens.
Here are the key components and principles that an alternative model of development should encompass:

• Resource Conservation: An alternative model should focus on conserving natural resources. It should emphasize the use of renewable energy sources and sustainable agricultural practices to reduce the depletion of finite resources.
• Lifestyle Changes: It should encourage a shift in lifestyles, promoting minimalism, reduced consumption, and eco-friendly practices. This can reduce the demand for non-renewable resources and lower the environmental footprint of individuals.
• Equity and Social Inclusion: An alternative model should prioritize equity and social inclusion, ensuring that the benefits of development are distributed more equitably. It should address the needs of marginalized communities and vulnerable populations.
• Community Participation: The model should emphasize the active participation of local communities in decision-making processes related to development projects. This approach ensures that development initiatives align with the unique needs of different regions.
• Sustainability: Sustainability should be a central principle, focusing on the long-term impact of development on the environment and future generations. It should aim to balance the present needs with those of the future.
• Incorporation of Traditional Knowledge: An alternative model should value and incorporate traditional and indigenous knowledge, recognizing their importance in achieving sustainable development.

By encompassing these components and principles, an alternative model of development aims to create a more sustainable, equitable, and environmentally responsible path to progress and well-being.