CBSE ANNUAL PAPER - 2000

POLIITICAL SCIENCE

(SET-I)

Time Allowed : 3 Hours

Maximum Marks : 100

General Instructions :

(i) All questions are compulsory.

(ii) Marks for each question are indicated against it.

(iii) Question numbers 1 to 10 are of two marks each. the answer to these questions should not exceed 50 words each.

(iv) Question numbers 11 to 20 are of four marks each. The answer to these questions should not exceed 100 words each.

(v) Question numbers 21 to 25 are of eight marks each. The answer to these questions should not exceed 200 words each.

Main Ideas of Fascism : Unlike Communism Fascism has no systematic well-knit philosophy. Its ancestory might be traced to ancient ideas, but largely speaking, it is an ad hoc doctrine formulated to serve the exigencies of circumstances. Hysterical utterances of demagogues, pamphlets of the propagandists have provided the scrap out of which a political philosophy, Fascism has been assembled.

The term 'Laissez Faire' is the basic feature of individualism. Individualists believe in the absolute freedom of individuals. Eminent thinker J.S. Mill wrote in his famous book 'Essay on liberty' that individual freedom is a must. He is of the opinion that over himself, over his own body and mind the individual is sovereign. Laissez Faire leads to total exploitation and gives shelter to capitalism. It is based on the concept of 'open to all without any restrain'.

Describe any two Directive Principles related to the welfare of women in India.

(1) The state should frame its policies in such a way as to ensure livelihood to all. It should ensure equal pay for equal work to every man and woman.

(2) The State should ensure that the women get full maternity facilities. They are also to be protected against hazardous work.

Relationship between Rights and Duties : It must be emphasised, however, that rights have corresponding duties as well as obligations. The two are correlated. Rights and duties of citizens are two sides of the same coin. The relationship between them is two-fold. First, society functions on the principles of reciprocity. My rights involve a duty on the part of others to respect my rights and also a duty on my part to respect the similar rights of others. Society works on the principle of, "he who takes gives and he who gives takes". Indeed, my right is a part and parcel of the good of other members of society and, therefore, the degree of my enjoyment of a particular right has to be conceived in terms of the similar claims of other citizens. My right is integrally released to the rights of my fellow human beings. The one cannot exist without the other. A society in which people care less for their own duties and more for their rights, sooner or later, disintegrates.

What do you understand by proportional representation ?

The world 'minority' may be used in more than one sense. It may stand for a political party like Swatantra Party in India which is a minority party as compared to the ruling Janta Dal Party. Besides such political minorities, there may be racial, linguistic and communal minorities. Thus, from the communal stand point in India, the Hindus are in majority and the Muslims or Anglo - Indians are in the minority. So far as political minorities are concerned. Logically they should be represented in the national legislature. Since democracy is based on the idea of popular sovereignty, the minorities must take part in the process of legislation as much as the majority.

Describe any two tests of good electoral system.

(1) There should be an independent judiciary to interpret electoral laws.

(2) There should be an autonomous impartial and competent administrative machinery to conduct fair elections.

Mention any two advantages of the multi - party system.

Following are the advantage of multi - party system :

(1) Autocracy of Cabinet avoided : Dictatorship of the Cabinet is not possible if the Cabinet is not supported by a single majority party. The Cabinet will have to act wisely and within means to avoid a vote of non-confidence. In a Bi-party system the Cabinet is confident of the support of the majority. Hence, it becomes dictatorial.

(2) Electors' choice widened : In a Bi-party system the electors have to make a choice out of two parties only. Hence their choice is limited. In case multiple-party system prevails, the electors have ample choice. They feel more satisfied.

Mention any two hindrances in the formulation of sound public opinion in India.

Public opinion may be defined as the views held by the people on general questions relating to common welfare. Following are the hindrances in forming the sound public opinion :

(i) Want of national love : - The feeling of selfishness among people is the main hindrance in forming the sound public opinion.

(ii) Lack of liberty : If the citizens do not have appropriate right to express themselves, the process of forming the sound public opinion is certainly hampered.

Describe any two tiers of Panchayati Raj in India.

(a) Panchayati Raj System : Panchayati Raj System in India works at three levels : -

(i) Gram Panchayats ( Village Panchayats).

(ii) Panchayat Samitis.

(iii) Zila Parishads.

Gram Panchayat : - In the Indian administration, Gram Panchyayats have a very important place. In every village, Gram Panchayats have been established. "Gram Sabha" is the essential part of Gram Panchayats. All the adults of the village are the members of village panchayats. Its meetings are generally held twice a year. The problems of general character are discussed in its meetings. 'Gram Panchayat' has its own executive. Its members are elected by the 'Gram Sabha'. The membership of it varies in the different states. It has its own 'Pradhan' to preside over its meetings. Its duration is 5 years.

Panchayat Samiti : Panchayat Samitis are established at block level. About 100 Gram Panchayats come under its jurisdiction. 'sarpanchas' of the Village Panchayats are also the members of Panchayat Samitis. Chairman of the Town Area Committee, elected members of Zila Parishad, members of Parliament from the relative area also constitute the Panchayat Samitis. Its duration is generally from 3 to 5 years.

State any two functions of the National Development Council.

The National Development Council came into being in August, 1952 for giving full representation to States in our federal system. Following are the functions of NDC :

(i) To 'review the working of the National Plan from time to time.

(ii) To ' consider important questions of social and economic policies affecting national development plan'.

What are the two main characteristics of a good law ? Give two reasons why do we obey laws ?

(2) It should have the authority of the state.

Reasons :

(a) Law is a universal human need and no civilized society can exist without an adequate legal order.

(b) Rule of law is the essence of a civilized society. Anarchy will prevail everywhere in the absence of laws.

How far is it correct to say that liberty and equality are complementary to each other ?

1. Political Equality : -Political equality is best guaranteed in a democracy in which, as Bentham has pointed out, each citizen is to count for one. There has been cases when democracies led to dictatorship. That is why Tocquivelle thought that combination of democracy and aristocracy was the best guarantee of freedom.

2. Civil Equality : - Civil equality or equality before law is the basic pre-condition of freedom. It means that law will not depend on whims or caprice or partiality of those who rule.

3. Economic Equality : - Economic equality is also necessary. All Laws and taxes diminish one's liberty. But sometimes they do so to increase the general liberty. A socialistic legislation which tries to check inequalities in society far from being a violation of liberty is its necessary condition.

Mention any two obligatory and any two voluntary functions of the modern State.

(i) Two obligatory functions of the state :

(a) Protection of the state from foreign aggression : It is necessary for the state to protect its boundaries from foreign aggression. In the absence of this protection, the state will not survive.

(b) To make state free from internal violence and anarchy. Internal violence and anarchy can cause a lot of disturbance. It is the prime duty of the state to make itself free from these two negative and harmful factors.

(ii) Two Voluntary functions of the state

(a) The state should ensure the well being of the individual.

(b) Regulation of trade and industry including coinage, standardization of weights and measures, licensing of trade, tariff and navigation law etc.

How far is it correct to say that India is a Welfare State ?

The Constitution of India aims at the establishment of a Welfare State. The Union and State governments are expected to direct their efforts to achieve this objective. The realisation of the welfare state as the goal of India has been specifically mentioned in the Directive Principles of state policy. "The state shall strive to promote the welfare of the people by security and protecting as effectively as it may a social, economic and political shall pervade all institution of the national life". The state should exert itself to bring about social, economic and political justice. It is also refreshing to note that the constitution speaks in terms of the abolition of forced labour, untouchability and communalism.

Elaborate the differences between territorial and functional representation.

(1) Territorial Representation : - The territorial representation is found in most of the democratic states. In this form of representation, the electors of the country are divided into territorial Constituencies, which elect one representative. This system is based on the principle of 'one person, one vote'. The main demerit of territorial representation is that it promotes localism and parochialism.

(2) Functional Representation : - In this system the citizens are divided into constituencies on the basis of their economic functions or occupational interests, which they represent in the society. For instance, there would be separate constituencies for farmers, industrial workers, traders, manufacturers, teachers, lawyers, journalists, government employees, housewives etc. The underlying assumption is that citizen's representation is more genuinely and directly assured if they are composed in specific functional units for elections rather than in occupationally varied and functionally heterogeneous territorial units. The legislature would then comprise representatives of organised distinct and important interests and not of any particular geographic territory comprising a wide variety of interests. The advocates of functional representation have been the Guild Socialists, the Syndicalists, and the Italian Fascists.

Describe any four functions of the Election Commission of India.

1. Delimitation of Constituencies : - The main and an important function of the Election Commission is to delimit different Constituencies. The whole country is divided in single member constituencies for the election to the State Legislative Assembly and the Parliament.

2. To Prepare Electoral Rolls : - This is an other important function of the Election Commission . IT prepares Electoral Rolls. It revises these Electoral Rolls before the election to the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies. The purpose is that every Adult should enjoy the right to franchise.

3. To conduct Elections : The election commission conducts elections to the office of the President of India and the Vice - President of India, as well as elections to the Parliament and the State Legislative Assemblies. These elections are held every five years. It not only conducts these elections but even supervises and issues directions in this regard. It also holds or conducts by-elections.

4. To Recognise Political Parties : An other very important function of the election commission is to recognise Political Parties. It decides whether a political party enjoys a national status or a regional one. In this regard the rule is, "A Political Party can be recognised as the national party only when it had received minimum of 4 % (four percent ) of the total valid votes in the last general election".

"Majority is not enough, and unanimity is not required for the formation of public opinion." Comment.

Public opinion plays a vital role in modern democracy; in fact democracy has been defined as government by public consent or government responsive to public opinion. There was a time when governments did not care for the opinion of the people; in fact there was no need to care, as the opinion of kings, nobles and priests, only counted. In democratic states today the old order has become history; the people and their opinion cannot only touch and can even do or undo governments. All this has changed with the growth of democracy. Owing to the sweeping changes that took place in Europe and the rise of democracy as an important form of government in the 19th century the term 'public opinion, became more and more weighty. The term is frequently used today and even those who do not know is full connotation are found of speaking of it.

Even in dictatorship government attaches much importance to public opinion. The very fact that public opinion is ruthlessly suppressed and people are forced to develop opinion as approved by government shows how in totalitarian and authoritarian states public opinion is dreaded by the rulers. For instance, Hitler's government spent massively on propaganda and on controlling public opinion.

Describe the composition and functions of a Municipal Corporation in India.

Functions of Municipal Committee : These functions may be divided in the following departments :

1. Public Health : There is a Health Officer to supervise Public Health. There are many Sanitary Inspectors besides. It is the duty of these officers to look after the health of the people and arrange for vaccination against small pox, inoculation against cholera and plague etc.

2. Prevention of Diseases - Checking the sale of rotten articles and implementing the scheme of throwing dirt and rubbish away from the city are the functions of this department. This department also supervises the dispensaries under the control of the Municipal Committee.

3. Education : The Municipal Committee is responsible for the primary education of children within its jurisdiction. Generally this education is free and compulsory.

4. Water and Electricity : The Municipal Committees arrange for water and electricity also.

5. Public Works : Its head is an Engineer, under whose supervision construction government buildings, roads, drains, markets, schools and other works of public welfare are executed.

6. Public Safety : There is arrangement of police for public safety. The police serves the people and sees that the people are not harassed by thieves, dacoits and goondas etc. so that they may carry on their daily activities fearlessly. The Municipal Committees arrange for fire brigades also for the security of life and property of the people against fire.

7. Public Welfare : - The Municipal Committees perform many functions of public welfare, as provision of parks in different parts of the city, financial help to poor students, widows and orphans; arrangement for museums, and rest bhouses etc. and also for markets etc.

Briefly explain with example any two different kinds of rights.

The rights of the citizens are necessary for the creation of a better life for them. These provide external conditions necessary for the development of individual personality. The state exists for the enrichment of human personality. It is not an all embracing Leviathan, but just a necessary contrivance for human development. All claims are not to be regarded as rights because rights are only those claims which are recognised as such by society and enforced by the state. Without such a recognition rights are empty claims. To be a right, it must aim at the good of society, and it must be recognised as such by the general opinion of the society. Therefore, in any state, the content of rights has to be determined according to the general opinion or consensus of the society. We might try to change them from time to time in order to make them more humane, but ultimately it is the society which determines the character and the content of our rights.

1. Right to Equality : Article 16 gives equality of opportunities in matters relating to employment or appointment to public services to all citizens irrespective of religion, race, sex, descent, place of birth or residence. Clause (a) of Article 16, makes an exception to this principle in relation to members of any backward class of citizens which, in the opinion of the state, is not adequately represented in the services under the state.

2. Right to Freedom : Articles 19 to 22 of the constitutional gives to the citizens the right of freedom.

Describe any four important functions of the Scheduled Castes and Schedules Tribes Commission of India.

Welfare Schemes : The welfare of schedules castes and scheduled tribes is given special attention by both the Commission and the Government.

(1) Girls Hostels Scheme for Schedules Castes : Under this scheme Central assistance is provided to the state governments / Union Territories on 50 : 50 basis for construction of hostel buildings, with a view to providing hostel facilities to scheduled caste girls studying in middle, high school, higher secondary schools, colleges and universities.

(2) Research and Training : The government provides cent per cent financial assistance to reputed social science research agencies / institutions which have a proven expertise in studies on the economic development, problems and requirements of the scheduled castes and also on the impact of the implementation of various economic programmes undertaken by the government bodies. Studies which come out with practical recommendations and which need immediate remedial action, are also considered for financial assistance under the scheme.

(3) Centrally Sponsored Scheme :The objective of this scheme is to improve the representation of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes candidates in various posts / services in Central / state /governments / public undertakings, banks, etc. by providing them with pre-examination training for various competitive examinations. This is a two-tier scheme. The pre-examination training centres, run through the state government/ Union Territories are financed by the Central and state governments on 50 : 50 basis. The centres run through the Universities / Institutions etc. are financed by the Central government on 100 per cent basis. At present about 80 pre-examination Training Centres have been set up in various parts of the country under this scheme.

Describe any four main tenets of Gandhism. What is the relevance of Gandhism today ?

Gandhi'ji was one of the greatest leaders of modern India. He was born on October 2, 1869 at Porbander in Kathiwar. He played a pivotal role in the freedom movement. He created political awareness among the masses. The Indian National Congress became a dynamic party under his incomparable leadership. He used non-violence as his main weapon against the British. This novel experiment made Gandhi ji popular the world over. He practised what he preached. He made immense contribution to the awakening of the feeling of nationalism. He may be called the apostle of communal harmony. He was a champion of international peace and brotherhood. He believed in the uplift of the depressed classes and did his best to ameliorate their lot. He was a great social reformer and raised his voice against untouchability. He felt the pulse of Indian psyche. His mass movements forced the British to leave India. The Indian freedom movement is incomplete without Gandhi'ji. His philosophy of Ahinsa got world wide recognition.

Gandhiji's political and social views are absolutely relevant at present. It has been accepted by the world lealders that the disputed international issues an be solved on the basis of co-existence and non-violence. The first and the second world wars have proved the futility, of bullet. Hence, we can say that Gandhiji's philosophy is quite relevant and practical.

Explain the significance of the Right to Constitutional Remedies and Right Against Exploitation incorporated in the Indian Constitution.

Right to Constitutional Remedies with reference to Article 32 : Rights are useless unless their infringement is prevented and enjoyment is secured. Article 32 confers on the Supreme Court the right to issue several writs which may be appropriate in a given case for the enforcement of the right.

(a) Habeas Corpus : It is regarded as the most valuable writ for protection of personal liberty. It provides a remedy for a person, who is wrongfully detained or restrained.

(b) Certiorari : This writ may be issued out of a superior court requiring that the record of the proceedings in some case or matter pending before an inferior court should be transmitted into the superior court to be there dealt with.

(c) Mandamus : This writ is issued when the court wants to compel a person or a body to perform his or her duty. In this way it is used to enforce the performance of public duties.

(d) Prohibition : This writ is issued by a superior court to an inferior court preventing the lower court from exercising jurisdiction which is not legally vested in it.

(e) Quo Waranto : When a person claims or usurps any office, franchise or liberty, the court may enquire the authority under which the claim is being made in order to decide whether the claim is rightfully made or not.

This right has been explained by Article 23,24 or the constitution. According to this right traffic in human beings is prohibited. It means no one can be forced for involuntary work without making any payment. Forced labour or beggar has been prohibited. Practicing of forced labour shall be an offence punishable in accordance with the law. To make this right effective the Bonded Labour Act was passed in 1975. By this act such type of labour has been declared an offence. but there is an exception to this right. The state can take compulsory service in the public interest. The state will not make any discrimination on the basis of caste, class, creed, race and religion. Article 24 prohibits employment of a child under 14 years of age in any risky and dangerous occupation. Violation of this provision will be an offence punishable according to law. To make this right more meaningful an act was passed in 1975 by which both the men and women will get equal wages for equal work.

The function of making democracy a success is fulfilled by political parties. There is no medium of expression of the people's feelings in their absence. The political parties draw the attention of the people to the various problems that present themselves before the country. Every political party wants to hold the same point of view among the people. The importance of political parties can be expressed in the following ways : -

1. Educate the people : - At the time of election every political party places its manifesto before the people in which it declares its point of view towards the solution of various problems of the country and presents before the country a definite programme of work and putting this programme before it, every political party tries to get the support of the people in the election of its representatives. If they secure majority in election and make a government, they try to achieve the various aspects of their manifesto put before the people. If the representatives of a party are in minority they form opposition party and make a creative criticism of government's activities in the Parliament or Legislative Assemblies and attract the attention of the people to the drawbacks of the government. Thus the government party as well as the opposition parties guide the people in respect of problems present before the country. This contributes to the education of people.

2. Need of opposition party : - Opposition party is indispensable for the success of democracy. We cannot admit the existence of democracy in countries where there is only one political party. Germany had one Nazi Party and Italy had also one Fascist Party. The world knows how dictatorship was set up there and it involved the whole world in the flames of war. Even today there is one Communist Party in a large and progressive country like Russia, hence in the absence of an opposition party we cannot admit the existence of democracy there. The main function of the opposition party is to make a healthy criticism of the government's policies and if need be, it can also form government.

3. Essential in Parliamentary form : - Political parties are most essential in countries having parliamentary forms of government. The Council of Ministers cannot execute its functions efficiently unless it has the support of the majority party in the Parliament because in the absence of it the policies of the Council of Ministers cannot find support. In fact the party that secures majority of representatives at elections, holds the reigns of government in its hands and it makes the Council of Ministers, which gets the support of its party responsible for its policies. The government cannot be run even for a day in the absence of the support of the policies of the Council of Ministers by the Parliament.

What are the causes of the growth of communalism in India ? How can we curb it ?

Indian democracy has been slowly but steadily marching forward despite some serious jolts. In fact Indian democracy is the cultural heritage of India. Even at present our democratic norms and institutions have been under stresses and strains of serious economic and social crisis. Even then our democracy has been forging ahead because of the fact that our democratic traditions are deep-rooted. In every field of Indian life we find tolerance and liberalism. But even then somevested interest have been trying to fan the fire of disunity and communalism.

From the study of democratic system it becomes clear that there are many social and economic factors which influence Indian democracy. Some of these factors are as follows :

1. Social and Economic Inequality

2. Poverty.

3. Illiteracy.

4. Unemployment

5. Casteism and Untouchability.

6. Communalism.

7. Regional Imbalances.

Discuss briefly India's role in the non-aligned movement.

India's role in the non-aligned movement - India is playing a crucial and pioneering role in the NAM. She is providing Continuity, stability and direction to NAM. Jawaharlal Nehru wrote...... 'nonalignment' has become a summary description of this policy of friendship towards all nations uncompromised by adherence to any military pacts ..... Essentially 'non-alignment; is freedom of action which is a part of independence.....'

NAM has become a concept of global politics. NAM is playing a new role in the post cold war period. India has always maintained that NAM cannot become irrelevant India is maintaining that the widening difference between the developed and the developing countries is causing problems. India is doing excellent work to materialise the aims of NAM. Through NAM, India is consistently facing the challenge posed by the decisive SD's - Decolonisation, Detente, Development, Disarmament and Democratisation of international institutions and agencies.

In brief, we can say that India is inessentialy trying to enhance the solidarity, credibility and effectiveness of NAM.