Look at the statements in the column on the left. Can you identify which level they belong to (Local/State/Central)?
- The decision of the Government of India to maintain peaceful relations with Russia.
- The decision of the Government of West Bengal whether to have a Board exam in Class 8 for all government schools.
- Introduction of two new trains between Dibrugarh and Kanyakumari.
- The decision to locate a common well in a particular area of the village.
- The decision to construct a big children’s park in Patna.
- The decision of the Government of Haryana to provide free electricity for all farmers.
- Introduction of new 1000 rupee note.
Solution:
- The decision of the Government of India to maintain peaceful relations with Russia – Central
- The decision of the Government of West Bengal in whether to have a Board exam in Class 8 for all government schools – State
- Introduction of two new trains between Dibrugarh and Kanyakumari – Central
- The decision to locate a common well in a particular area of the village – Local
- The decision to construct a big children’s park in Patna – Local
- The decision of the Government of Haryana to provide free electricity for all farmers – State
- Introduction of new 1000 rupee note – Central
Questions
1. What do you understand by the word ‘government’? List 5 ways in which you think Government affects your daily life.
Solution 1:
Government is the system of governing a state or community. The system of social control, the right to make laws under it, and the right to enforce them are given to a certain group of society.
- The decision on where to build roads and other infrastructure
- The decision on various social welfare programmes
- The decision on important goods and commodities like petrol and onion
- Protect the boundaries and maintain friendly relations with other countries
- Ensuring that there are good health facilities
2. Why do you think the Government needs to make rules for everyone in the form of laws?
Solution 2:
Some rules have to be made that apply to everyone. For example, there is a need to control resources and protect the territory of a country so that people can feel secure. Governments do this on behalf of their people by exercising leadership, making decisions and implementing these among all the people living in their territory.
3. Name two essential features of a democratic Government.
Solution 3:
- The Government is answerable to the people.
- People elect their leaders to govern the nation through the process of elections.
4. What was the suffrage movement? What did it accomplish?
Solution 4:
Suffrage means the right to vote. Earlier, women and the poor in the USA did not have the right to vote. They fought for their rights, and this movement gathered strength during the First World War. Finally, they succeeded in the USA in 1920 and in the UK in 1928.
“UNDERSTANDING POLLUTION: TYPES, IMPACTS, AND SOLUTIONS FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE”
5. Gandhiji strongly believed that every adult in India should be given the right to vote. However, a few people don’t share his views. They feel that illiterate people, who are mainly poor, should not be given the right to vote. What do you think? Do you think this would be a form of discrimination? Give five points to support your view and share these with the class.
Solution 5:
- In all democracies, the poor and the illiterate have the right to vote
- The Constitution of India says that all citizens are equal.
- Elected Government works for all citizens, not just for the literate and rich people
- The minority should not decide the fate of the majority
- It is not a crime to be poor. Hence they should be given the right to vote.
MCQ OF Chapter 3 What is Government?
Choose the correct option to complete the statements given below:
(i) The government also works at the local level. Here local level means
(a) Village
(b) Town
(c) Locality
(d) All the above.
(ii) The court can intervene if……………..
(a) Any law passed by the government is not followed.
(b) Anyone does not study well.
(c) A child tells a lie
(d) Both (a) and (b).
(iii) American women got the right to vote in the year…………………..
(a) 1928
(b) 1925
(c) 1920
(d) 1919
(iv) The term suffrage means ……………….
(a) Right to vote
(b) Right to go anywhere in the country
(c) Right to livelihood
(d) None of the above.
(v) The two types of government mentioned the chapter are:
(a) Democracy
(b) Monarchy
(c) Dictatorship
(d) (a) and (b).
Answer:
(i) – (d), (ii) – (a), (iii) – (c), (iv) – (a), (v) – (d).
FILL IN THE BLANKS
Fill in the blanks with appropriate words to complete each sentence.
- The government works at different levels at the local level, at the level of the state and at the ………… level.
- In a………. the government has to explain its actions and defend its decisions
to the people. - Women in the UK got the right to vote in the year…………………..
- In India, before Independence, only a small minority was allowed to ………………………
- …….. are also part of the government.
“The Evolving Landscape of Cybersecurity: Strategies for a Resilient Future”
Answer:
- National
- democracy
- 1928
- vote
- Courts.
TRUE/FALSE
State whether the following statements are true CD or false (F).
- Kings and queens get their power from the people they rule.
- There was a time when the government did not allow women and the poor to participate in elections.
- It was Gandhiji who demanded that all adults have the right to vote.
- Men without property have no right to vote in a country like the USA.
- In India, everyone who is eighteen or above eighteen enjoys the right to vote.
Answer:
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True