Test: Concept of Political Theory - UGC NET MCQ

The correct answer is Procedural Democracy and Here's Why:

• Procedural Democracy:
  • It is a type of democracy where citizens have less power compared to classic liberal democracies.
  • Considered as a republic with only basic structures and institutions in place.
  • Focuses on the electoral process as the core of power vested in elected officials, with strict adherence to election protocols.
  • May lead to certain groups like the poor, less educated, and socially disadvantaged individuals facing challenges in fully exercising their democratic rights.
  • Does not acknowledge that despite formal political equality, some citizens may have a greater influence on decision-making.

Therefore, Procedural democracy mainly emphasizes the institutions of democracy.

Additional Information:

• Social Democracy:
  • It is a form of government that combines socialist values within a capitalist framework.
  • Government intervention is aimed at boosting local industries, creating job opportunities, and maintaining national wealth.
• Authoritarian Democracy:
  • In this type of democracy, the ruling class of an authoritarian state aims to represent various interests within society.

The Concept of Separation of Powers by Montesquieu

• The concept of separation of powers was introduced by Montesquieu.
• Montesquieu outlined the division of political authority among a legislature, an executive, and a judiciary.
• He emphasized that the government has a moral duty to serve the people by safeguarding their natural rights to life, liberty, and property.

Additional Information

• Montesquieu was a renowned French political philosopher whose major work, The Spirit of Laws, significantly impacted political theory.
• Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli was an Italian Renaissance figure known for The Prince, published in 1513, often regarded as a foundational text in modern political philosophy and science.
• Edmund Burke, a British statesman and political thinker, played a crucial role in the development of political theory, advocating for conservatism against Jacobinism in works like Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790).
• Samuel Phillips Huntington was an American political scientist, educator, and adviser.

The Significance of Universal Rights

• The significance of universal rights lies in the fact that they are applicable to all individuals, regardless of their social or cultural context.
• This means that every person, irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic, is entitled to the same basic rights and freedoms.
• Universal rights are based on the belief that every human being is inherently entitled to certain rights by the mere fact of being human.
• These rights are not granted by governments or institutions but are intrinsic to each individual. They are also inalienable, meaning they cannot be revoked.
• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the United Nations in 1948, is a crucial document embodying the concept of universal rights.
• The UDHR comprises 30 articles ensuring the fundamental rights and freedoms of all individuals.
• These rights include the right to life, liberty, security of person, freedom of thought, conscience, religion, work, education, and participation in government.
• Translated into over 500 languages, the UDHR is a cornerstone of international law.
• It has served as a source of inspiration for numerous human rights treaties and declarations, aiding in the protection of rights globally.
• Universal rights establish a standardized set of basic rights and freedoms that all individuals should have.
• They also offer a framework for ensuring governments are responsible for safeguarding human rights.
• Upholding universal rights contributes to promoting a fairer and more just world for everyone.

Therefore, the correct answer emphasizes that Universal rights are applicable to all individuals, regardless of their social or cultural context.

The Correct Answer is Option 2

Key Points

• Political Equality:
  • It signifies equal opportunities for participation of all individuals in the political process.
  • This concept involves granting equal political rights to all citizens, with uniform qualifications for everyone. Hence, Pair 1 is correct.
  • All citizens should have similar political rights, an equal voice in government operations, and equal opportunities for political participation.
  • Political equality ensures that all citizens enjoy similar political rights.
• Economic Equality:
  • Economic equality does not imply equal treatment, reward, or wages for all.
  • It refers to providing fair and adequate opportunities for work and livelihood to all individuals. Therefore, Pair 2 is correct.
  • It also involves meeting the primary needs of all before fulfilling the special needs of a few.
  • The goal is to minimize the wealth gap between the rich and the poor, ensuring equitable distribution of wealth and resources.
  • Economic equality is closely linked to political equality.
• Legal Equality:
  • Legal Equality is characterized by equality before the law, equal subjection of all to the same legal code, and equal opportunity for securing legal protection of rights and freedoms. Therefore, Pair 3 is incorrect.
  • There must be a rule of law, and laws should equally bind all individuals.
  • Ensuring equality in all forms is essential in every society.

Additional Information

• Civil Equality:
  • It involves granting equal rights and freedoms to all individuals and social groups.
  • All individuals should be treated equally before the law.
  • Civil liberty encompasses enjoying similar civil liberties and rights by all citizens.
  • There should be no discrimination based on superiority or inferiority, wealth, caste, creed, color, race, clan, tribe, group, or class.

Universal Adult Franchise:

• Article 326 defines a universal adult franchise as the basis for elections to all levels of the elected government.
• The concept of Universal Adult Franchise ensures that all citizens who are 18 years and above, regardless of factors such as caste, education, religion, color, race, and economic status, have the right to vote.
• In a democratic system, the Universal Adult Franchise is vital as it upholds the principle of equality by granting every eligible adult the right to vote.
• It is considered the cornerstone of political democracy, emphasizing the essence of electoral democracy.
• Under this system, every adult citizen in a country, irrespective of their wealth or social background, holds the power of one vote.
• In India, the Constitution has embraced Universal Adult Franchise for elections to the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies.
• Representation in the Lok Sabha is through direct elections from territorial constituencies in states.
• Any Indian citizen aged 18 or above is eligible to vote in elections.

Additional Information:

• Right To Education:
  • The Right to Education was initially a part of the Indian Constitution under Article 45 and Article 39(f) of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), advocating for state-funded and accessible education for all.
  • The Ramamurti Committee Report in 1990 marked the first official document on the Right to Education.
  • A significant judgment by the Supreme Court in the Unnikrishnan JP vs State of Andhra Pradesh & Others case in 1993 established education as a fundamental right under Article 21.
  • The Tapas Majumdar Committee in 1999 led to the insertion of Article 21A, emphasizing the Right to Education.
  • The 86th Constitutional Amendment in 2002 enshrined the Right to Education as a fundamental right in Part III of the Constitution through the insertion of Article 21A, focusing on children aged 6-14 years.
  • The Right to Education Act of 2009 was enacted as follow-up legislation.
• Freedom of Speech:
  • Article 19(1)(a) guarantees freedom of speech and expression to all citizens, allowing them to freely express their thoughts and opinions.
  • This right encompasses verbal expressions as well as communications through various mediums like writing, art, films, and banners.
• Right to Equality:
  • Articles 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 collectively ensure the Right to Equality, emphasizing equality before the law and equal protection of laws within India.

Significance of Universal Rights

• The significance of universal rights lies in the fact that they are applicable to all individuals, regardless of their social or cultural context.

• This means that every person, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, or any other personal trait, is entitled to the same fundamental rights and freedoms.

• Universal rights are grounded in the belief that every human being inherently possesses certain rights by virtue of being human itself.

• These rights are not bestowed by governments or organizations but are intrinsic to each individual.

• They are also inalienable, meaning they cannot be taken away.

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the United Nations in 1948, is a pivotal document embodying the concept of universal rights.

• The UDHR outlines 30 articles ensuring the basic rights and freedoms of all individuals.

• These rights encompass the right to life, liberty, and security of person; freedom of thought, conscience, and religion; right to work and education; and right to participate in governance.

• The UDHR has been translated into over 500 languages and is a cornerstone of international law.

• It has served as an inspiration for numerous human rights treaties and declarations, aiding in safeguarding the rights of individuals worldwide.

• The significance of universal rights lies in establishing a uniform standard of basic rights and freedoms for all individuals.

• They offer a framework for holding governments accountable for protecting human rights.

• Adhering to the principle of universal rights contributes to crafting a fairer and more just world for all.

Therefore, the correct answer is Universal rights are applicable to all individuals, regardless of their social or cultural context.

The Concept of Positive Liberty

• Positive Liberty: This concept, often attributed to political philosopher Isaiah Berlin, focuses on enabling individuals to develop and achieve their potential within society.
• Freedom to vs. Freedom from: Positive liberty emphasizes "freedom to" rather than just "freedom from," highlighting the importance of creating conducive conditions for individual growth.
• Key Points:
  • Positive liberty goes beyond mere non-interference and aims to provide the necessary resources and opportunities for individuals to lead meaningful lives.
  • It acknowledges that individuals require specific social conditions and access to resources like education, healthcare, and employment to exercise their freedom fully.
  • Advocacy for societal support in areas such as education, healthcare, and political participation is inherent in the concept of positive liberty.
  • By focusing on creating an environment conducive to individual development, positive liberty aims to empower individuals to pursue their goals and aspirations effectively.
  • It recognizes that true freedom is not just about removing constraints but also about enabling individuals to flourish and realize their full potential.

Plato's Concept of Justice

• Plato in his philosophy gives a very important place to the idea of justice.
• According to Plato, human life is not mere survival, but leading a good life.
• To lead a good life and fulfill all human needs, an essential requirement is to have justice.
• Codifying human ethics and morals provides a sense of Justice.

Therefore, Plato believed that justice is about doing what one is naturally best fitted to do.

• Thinkers and ideologies have identified three primary dimensions of equality: political, social, and economic equality.

• This aspect emphasizes equal political rights and opportunities for all members of a community.
• It encompasses the right to engage in decision-making processes like voting and ensuring that everyone has an equitable say in shaping policies and laws that impact them.

• Social equality focuses on equal treatment and opportunities in interactions and societal establishments.
• It involves eradicating discrimination, bias, and social obstacles based on factors such as race, gender, religion, caste, or disability.

• Economic equality concentrates on lessening inequalities in wealth, income, and economic prospects among individuals in a society.
• It strives to ensure a just distribution of resources, tackle poverty, and provide equal access to education, healthcare, employment, and other economic advantages.

• John Locke, known as the father of Classical Liberalism, is considered the pioneer of negative liberty. He emphasized the importance of freedom from absolute, arbitrary power.
• Locke's concept of negative liberty signifies freedom from something, such as freedom from the State's control.
• Locke believed that the State should not intervene in the matters of an individual's Life, Liberty, and Property, considering these as essential rights.
• Locke argued that the primary role of the government is to safeguard the rights and liberties of its citizens.
• Hayek and Bentham also align with the notion of Negative Liberty.

Additional Insights

• Isaiah Berlin introduced the term "Negative Liberty" in his work 'Two Concepts of Liberty' in 1958, categorizing liberty into Positive Liberty (freedom to do something) and Negative Liberty (freedom from something/someone).