What is Government?

Key Notes
Government: Government is “the organisation, that is the governing authority of a political unit”, “the
ruling power in political society” and the apparatus through which a governing body functions and
exercises authority”.
Levels of Government: India is a representative democracy where people are eligible ‘to vote, elect
representatives and participate in the decisions making the process. The government works at different
levels: national, state and local level.
National Level: It refers to the area of the government which is concerned with national issues
such as taxation, defence, international relations and trade.
State Level: Each of the State Governments has its own police force, education system and road
laws.
Local Level: The local governments are known as Panchayats in rural areas and Municipal
Corporations, Municipalities and Nagar Panchayats in urban areas.
Laws and the Government: A rule of conduct established and enforced by the authority, legislation or
custom of a given community, state or nation is called law. It is both the responsibility of the
government and citizens to uphold the integrity of laws.
Types of Government: Governments can be classified into several types. Some of the most common
types of governments are a democracy, monarchy, etc.
Democracy: It is a form of government run by elected representatives who hold the decision
making power. The word ‘democracy’ originates from the Greek words ‘demos’ and ‘krotos’,
meaning “rule of the people.” It can be classified into direct and indirect democracy.
Monarchy: A monarchy refers to the rule by a king or queen. Sometimes, a king is called an
“emperor”. It is a government with a hereditary head of the state. It can be classified into two
types, i.e., absolute and constitutional monarchy.
Representative Democracy: The type of democracy in which the citizens delegate authority to their
elected representatives.
Women’s Suffrage: A Movement started in the early 20th century vigorously for many years,
demanding equality with men and the right to vote.
Franchise: A privilege or right officially granted to a person or a group by a government, especially the
constitutional or statutory right to vote.
Each country needs a government to make important decisions and function well. The decisions may be
economic, educational or social.
The government also takes care of international boundaries and relations with other countries. It is
responsible for the transport facilities and health facilities for citizens.
The government works at different levels—like, local level, state level, national level.
The government makes laws and every citizen is supposed to follow them. Laws need to be enforced
for proper function of the government.
Citizens can also take the help of law if they are dissatisfied with something.
There are some types of government, like the democratic, monarch, etc. In a democracy (like India), the
people elect the government themselves by voting in the election. In a monarchy, the king/queen has
the power to make decisions and no one from the citizens can* object to them.
The basic idea of democracy is that people rule themselves by taking part in the law-making.
Nowadays, democratic governments are better known as ‘representative democracies’. People do not
participate directly. They choose their representatives during elections and these representatives come
together for the decision-making process. All adults in the country are eligible to vote according to the
universal adult franchise.
 There are instances in history when governments did not allow women, the poor people and the
uneducated to vote. But when India got independence, the universal adult franchise was enforced.
Government: The system or machinery present in each country in order to make decisions for the
proper running of the country is called government.
Laws: The rules laid down by the government for the proper functioning of the country are called laws.
Democracy: A system of government in which the people (citizens) of the country choose their leaders
to rule is called democracy. The elected government is answerable to its people for its decisions.
Monarchy: A system of government which is run by a king/queen on a hereditary basis and where
people do not get their say in decision-making is called a monarchy. The king/queen is said to be the
monarch.
Elections: The process in which citizens of a democratic country cast their votes for the leaders of their
choice is called the election. The elected leaders form a government later.
Representative Democracy: A form of democracy in which people do not elect the government directly
but only choose their representative, who collectively form a government is called representative
democracy. Most democracies are representative in nature.
Universal Adult Franchise: The rule that allows all adults in the country, irrespective of caste, creed,
gender, literacy, occupation, etc., to vote and take part in the elections, is the universal adult franchise.
Every country needs a government to run the country according to some laws.
The government plays an important role in our lives and does a number of things for the
people.
Need for a Government:
(i) The government is required to maintain law and order in a country.
(ii) Government makes provision for services like roads, electricity, waterways, railways,
health and sanitation, etc.
(iii) Government even protects against external aggression and is responsible for maintaining
unity and integrity of the country.
Level of Government:
(i) Government in any country functions at several levels-central, state and local.
(ii) Central government looks after nation, state after the provinces and local looks after
the villages and towns.
Laws and the Government:
(i) Laws are made by the government and as citizens of a country, people have to abide
by it.
(ii) Government even has the power to enforce these laws.
(iii) Courts have the power to give justice to the aggrieved party.
Types of Government:
(i) The laws are made by the government in a manner depending on the type of
government in the country.
(ii) There are two types of governments: Democratic and Authoritarian.
In a democratic government people have a right to choose their representatives. For
example, India, UK and USA.
(iii) Authoritarian governments are where there is absolute obedience to the authority.
Examples of such type of governments are Saudi Arabia and Myanmar.

Question and Answer

A. Objective Questions
Q1. Fill in the blanks.
 i. The government works at different levels: at the local level, at the level of the state and at
the national level.
ii. American women got the right to vote in 1920.
iii. In India, before Independence, only a small minority was allowed to vote.
iv. The suffragettes demanded the right to vote for all women.

Q2. True/False
i. In Monarchy, kings and queens do not have to explain their actions or defend the decisions
they take. True
ii. Women in the UK got to vote on the same terms as men some years later, in 1938. False
iii. Courts are also part of the government. True
iv. In their earliest forms governments allowed only women who owned property and were
educated, to vote. False

B. Very Short Answer Questions

1. In representative democracies, people do not participate directly but choose their representatives
through an election process. True/False
Ans. True

2. The elected representatives make decisions for the __________.

Ans. People

3. What are the subjects on which the state government makes laws?
Ans. Agriculture, irrigation, trade and commerce

4. What is the full form of MP?

Ans. Member of Parliament

5. Universal Adult Suffrage is an important device of __________.

Ans. Democracy

6. The two great mountain ranges that surround Ladakh.

Ans. Panchayati Raj

7. The members of the Gram Sabha elects a Sarpanch called the Panchayat President. True/False
Ans. True

8. Define democracy.
Ans. A government run by people

9. How many level of government exists in our country?

Ans. Three

10. Name the three levels at which government works.

Ans. Local, state and national

11. What is the lower voting age in India?

Ans. 18 years
12. The Parliamentary form of government exist in________.
Ans. England

13. In India when a citizen turns ___________ he/she can vote without any discrimination.
Ans. 18

14. Give examples of Semi Presidential form of Government.

Ans. Russia, France and Srilanka

15. What is a democratic government?

Ans. Government by the people, of the people, and for the people

16. A dispute regarding the election of the President is referred to the___________.

Ans. Supreme Court

17. What do you mean by monarchy?

Ans. Rule by King or Queen

18. The monarch (king or queen) has the power to make decisions and run the____________.
Ans. Government

19. For how many years the President of India is elected?

Ans. 5 years

20. According to Gandhiji’s Young India, who should be given the right to vote?
Ans. All adults of India have the right to vote

21. Name the organ of the government that protects and guards the laws of the country.
Ans. Judiciary

22. What do you mean by ‘Suffrage’?

Ans. Right to Vote

23. Which is the highest court of India?

Ans. Supreme Court of India

24. India is referred as the _________ Government.

Ans. Provincial

25. What do you mean by Republic of India?

Ans. It is the governing authority of 28 states and seven union territories. They are collectively
called as the Republic of India.

26. After Kolkata, the city in India that started a metro railway is _____________.
Ans. New Delhi

27. In a democratic country, who gives power to the government to take decisions?
 Ans. The people of the country give power to the government through election

28. A monarchy is a form of_____________.

Ans. Government

29. What is a ’ballot paper’?

Ans. Sheet of paper with candidates name to contest elections

30. What does the government at the local level means?

Ans. The government dealing with village, town or locality

31. The names of the contesting candidates along with the party name and symbols are listed in the
ballot paper. True/False
Ans. True

32. Why Health Wardens are appointed in every village?

Ans. Health Wardens are appointed in every village to provide health care facilities to the villagers.

33. Each and every law of the government must be followed by the ____________ living in the
country.
Ans. People

34. Women in Europe and U.S.A. struggled for__________ in election.

Ans. Right to vote

35. What is a Voters list?

Ans. Voters list is a list of those persons who are eligible to vote.

36. Who is the author of the journal “Young India”?

Ans. Mahatma Gandhi

37. To whom does a president submit his resignation?

Ans. Vice President

38. Who runs Public health care system?

Ans. Government

39. A situation where there is no government is called ________.

Ans. Anarchy

40. Give an example of a place having anarchy.

Ans. Afghanistan

41. In a democracy, the ultimate power is in the hands of the _________.

Ans. People

42. Monarchy prevails in ___________.

Ans. Britain
43. Which level of government takes the decision on introduction of a new 1000 rupee note?
Ans. The central government of India

44. What is the main function of a government?

Ans. The main function of the government is to maintain law and order

45. What is the total number of High Courts in India at present?

Ans. There are 21 High Courts in the country.

46. What are three branches of the Indian government?

Ans. The three branches of the Indian government are Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary

47. How many level of government are there in our country?

Ans. The government works at three different levels.

48. What was Gandhiji’s demand?

Ans. Gandhiji demanded that all adults should have the right to vote.

49. What happens if someone commits a crime?

Ans. If there is a dispute or if someone has committed a crime we find people in a court.

50. What is universal adult franchise?

Ans. Universal adult franchise means that all adults in the country are allowed to vote.

51. Write some examples of institutions that are part of the government.
Ans. Some examples of institutions that are part of the government: The Supreme Court, The Indian
Railways and Bharat Petroleum.

52. What are the different levels of government?

Ans. The government works at different levels: at the local level, at the level of the state and at the
national level.

53. What was the unfair practice according to Gandhiji?

Ans. In India, before Independence, only a small minority was allowed to vote. This was the unfair
practice according to Gandhiji.

54. According to Gandhiji’s Young India, who should be given the right to vote?
Ans. According to Gandhiji’s Young India, all adults should be given the right to vote.

55. Which type of government would you prefer to have in the place you live in? Why?
Ans. We would prefer to have a democratic government because it is a government by the people,
for the people and of the people.

56. Why government needs to control resources and protect the territory of a country?
Ans. Government needs to control resources and protect the territory of a country so that people can
feel secure.
C. Short Answer Type Questions
1. Why do you think elections are required after a fixed period?
Ans. All governments are elected for fixed periods. Election is a moment when people can sense their
power in a democracy. Regular elections keep check on the power of the government and leaders.
Elections make leaders and parties responsible to the public for their work and performance.

2. What are the prerequisites of democracy?

Ans. The prerequisites of democracy are as follows:
i. Regular and periodic elections.
ii. Elected representatives exercise their constitutional powers.
iii. Universal Adult Franchise.
iv. Right to contest elections.
v. Citizens are given the fundamental rights.
vi. Freedom of speech and expression.

3. Describe the different levels of government.

Ans. The government works at different levels-
1. Local level – At the local level it covers the village, town or locality. It is named as Gram
Panchayat or Municipality or Municipal Council.
2. State level – It covers an entire state like Haryana or Assam etc. A state government governs its
own state. It does not interfere with other one.
3. National level – Its decision making covers the entire country

Explain the role of government in our lives.

4. Ans. The way our country has to run is been determined by the government. At each and every level,
government makes laws that citizens have to comply. Government formulate and implement policies
and programmes for the socio-economic development of the nation and those directly or indirectly
affects our daily life.

5. Does government affects your daily life? How?

Ans. The government affects our daily life in the following ways: –
1. Build roads and school.
2. To reduce the price of things.
3. Supply of electricity.
4. Running of postal services.
5. Railways services

6. What are the essential factors for the success of democracy?

Ans. For a successful democracy, the citizen should be educated and vigilant enough to know about
their duties and rights. They should know how the Government policies affect them. In order to elect
the right representatives to the government, everybody should get chance to cast their vote
judiciously

7. What is women’s suffrage?

Ans. The term women suffrage refers to women’s right to vote by law in national and local elections

8. Define Government.
 Ans. Government is a set of institutions that have the power to make, implement and interpret laws so
as to ensure an orderly life. Government consists of group of people who are assigned the task of
administering and managing the affairs of the nation.

9. What is the meaning of the authoritarian government?

Ans. An authoritarian government is one in which political authority is concentrated in a small group
of political elite. Mostly those are unelected and possess exclusive, unaccountable and arbitrary
powers.

10. What is the meaning of the federal form of government?

Ans. In a federal form of government, the power is divided between the Central and the State
governments. Both the government enjoys their powers independently of one another.

11. How a democratic government get mandate to make decisions and enforce laws?
Ans. In a democratic country, the government get mandate to make decisions and enforce laws from
the people through process of election.

12. Why is it important for people to abide by laws?

Ans. Laws are meant for safety and welfare of people. It is important for people to follow laws to
avoid chaos and maintain order. In the absence of laws, there will be inequality in society as the rich,
influential and powerful would get their way out.

13. What was the purpose of introducing Panchayati Raj system in India?
Ans. The Panchayati Raj system was introduced in India in order to strengthen grassroots democracy
through democratic decentralization.

14. Give any one difference between federal form of government and unitary form of government.
Ans. In a unitary form of government, the central government gives power to states, provinces or
other lower level of governments. In a federal form of government, division of powers between the
national and the lower levels of government is laid down by the constitution.

15. Write a short note on Monarchy.

Ans. A monarchy has either a king or a queen. A monarch is not an elected person but get power
hereditarily. In some traditional monarchies, the monarch has supreme power. However, in a
constitutional monarchy, like the UK, the democratic government limits the monarch’s control.

16. What is a Parliament?

Ans. The Parliament of India is the supreme law making institution. The word Parliament is derived
from the French word ‘Parliament’ meaning to speak. Every Parliament consists of houses either one
or two. The Indian Parliament consists of two houses, namely, the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.

17. What do you mean by decentralization of power?

Ans. The division of power between the Central, State and the local government is called
decentralisation of power. The basic idea of decentralisation is that at the local level the people are
able to directly participate in the decision making process of the government.

18. What is the meaning of the federal form of government?

 Ans. In a federal form of government, the power is divided between the Central and the State
governments. Both the government enjoys their powers independently of one another.

19. Write a brief note on the Supreme Court of India.

Ans. The Supreme Court of India is highest court of India. The Court comprises of the Chief Justice
and not more than 30 other judges. The Supreme Court of independent India was established on 26
January 1950, the day India became Republic.

20. When a person can approach the court?

Ans. If a person feels that a particular law is not being followed, for example, that they were not
hired for a job because of their religion or caste, he or she may approach the court and claim that the
law is not being followed.

21. What do you mean by representative democracy?

Ans. In representative democracy people do not participate directly but, instead, choose their
representatives through an election process. These representatives meet and make decisions for the
entire population.

22. Why do you think the government needs to make rules for everyone in the form of laws?
Ans. The government needs to make rules for everyone in the form of laws to maintain peace and
order in the society. With help of laws government establishes equality and justice in the society.

23. Do you think it is important for people to be involved in decisions that affect them? Give two reasons
for your answer.
Ans. Yes, it is important for people to be involved in decisions that affect them because people
understand their issues in better way and can suggest better solutions to solve those issues.
“There was a time when governments did not allow women and the poor to participate in elections”.
Comment
Ans. In their earliest forms governments allowed only men who owned property and were educated,
to vote. This meant that women, the poor, the property-less and the uneducated were not allowed to
vote. The country was governed by the rules and regulations that these few men made.

24. Government is responsible for so many different things. How it manages to do all this?
Ans. The government works at different levels: at the local level, at the level of the state and at the
national level. The local level means in the village, town or locality, the state level would cover an
entire state like Haryana or Assam and the national level relates to the entire country.

25. Name two essential features of a democratic government.

Ans. Two essential features of a democratic government are:
i. In a democracy, it is the people who give the government power to make decisions and enforce
laws. They do this through elections in which they vote for particular persons and elect them.
ii. In a democracy the government has to explain its actions and defend its decisions to the people.

26. What is monarchy system of government?

Ans. Monarchy is a form of government in which the monarch (king or queen) has the power to make
decisions and run the government.
 The monarch may have a small group of people to discuss matters with, but the final decision-making
power remains with the monarch. Kings and queens do not have to explain their actions or defend the
decisions they take.

27. What was the suffrage movement? What did it accomplish?

Ans. All over Europe and USA, women and the poor have had to fight for participation in
government. Women's struggle to vote got strengthened during the First World War. This movement
is called the women's suffrage movement as the term suffrage usually means right to vote.
American women got the right to vote in 1920 while women in the UK got to vote on the same terms
as men some years later, in 1928.

D. Long Answer Type Questions

1. What are the main features of a democratic country?
Ans. The main features of a democratic country are:
 People have the power to elect their representative to form and run the government and also to take
decision on their behalf.
 The competitive elections are held at regular intervals.
 There is a separation of powers between the three organs of the state i.e. legislature, executive and
judiciary.
 Freedom of speech and expression.
 Fundamental rights are enjoyed by its citizens.
 Effective participation of the people in the decision making process

2. Democracy is a better form of government. Explain

Ans. The forms of government like monarchy and dictatorship (of a military or of a political party),
the ruler or group-wields supreme power and people have no remedy against its misuse. There is no
individual freedom, freedom of speech or expression to the people. On the other hand, in a
democratic system, the people have rights to participate in the working of the government and the
government is accountable to the people.

3. How electronic voting machines are used in elections?

Ans. The Election Commission has started using Electronic voting machines to ensure free and fair
elections. Each machine has the names and symbols of the candidates in a constituency. In EVM, the
voter has to press the button to vote for the candidate of his/her choice. The machine is very easy to
operate.

4. Define constitutional democracy with example.

Ans. Constitutional Democracy is based on a written constitution or a supreme law that serves to
guide legislators and the laws they create. Written constitutions provide as a guarantee to citizens that
the government is required to act in a certain way and uphold certain rights. The constitution clearly
demarcates the powers and functions of the three organs of the government. For example: – USA and
India.

5. Why people prefer to live in a democracy than any other form of government?
Ans. People prefer to live in democratic countries over non-democratic due to the following reasons:
1. Fundamental rights – Democracies guarantee freedom of speech and expression, right to
association, right to equality, etc.
 2. Sense of Participation- People gain a sense of participation in the process of choosing their own
government.
3. Right to criticize the Government- Freedom of speech and expression gives citizens the right to
criticize the government for wrong doings

6. Write short notes on features of a democratic country.

Ans. The main features of a democratic country are:
1. People have the power to elect their representative to form and run the government and also to
take decision on their behalf.
2. The competitive elections are held at regular intervals.
3. There is a separation of powers between the three organs of the state i.e., legislature, executive
and judiciary.
4. Freedom of speech and expression.
5. Fundamental rights are enjoyed by its citizens.
6. Effective participation of the people in the decision making process

7. Write a note on district administration.

Ans. States are divided into number of districts. Each district in India varies in size and population.
At present, there are more than 500 districts in India. Districts are further sub-divided into Tehsils or
Taluqs. Each district is looked after by a collector, the district collector is the important official who
is heads the district revenue department and coordinates with the other departments like agriculture,
irrigation, forestry, public world and public health.

8. Mention few demerits of a democratic government.

Ans. In a democratic government, leaders keep changing which leads to instability of the
government. The elected leaders do not know the best interest of the people. It leads to bad decision.
Democracy leads to corruption as it is based on electoral competition. In a democracy, people have to
be consulted that leads to delays in the decision making.
9. What was the voting system in India before Independence? What ideas did Gandhiji express in the
journal Young India about voting system?
Ans. In India, before Independence, only a small minority was allowed to vote
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…".

10. What are the functions of government?

Ans. Functions of government
i. It takes decisions about where to build roads and schools, or how to reduce the price of onions
when they get too expensive or ways to increase the supply of electricity.
ii. It also takes action on many social issues.
iii. It runs postal and railway services.
iv. It protects the boundaries of the country and maintains peaceful relations with other countries.
v. It ensures that all its citizens have enough to eat and have good health facilities.
vi. It provides aid and assistance for the affected people in case of natural disasters like the
tsunami or an earthquake.
11. What do you understand by the word 'government'? List five ways in which you think the
government affects your daily life.
Ans. The word government refers to a governing body that makes decisions and gets things done for
the welfare of its citizens.
Five ways in which the government affects our daily life
i. It takes decisions such as where to build roads and schools, how to reduce the price of
onions when they get too expensive etc.
ii. It takes action on many social issues.
iii. It runs postal and railway services.
iv. It is responsible for ensuring that all its citizens have enough to eat and have good health
facilities.
v. In case of are natural disasters like the tsunami or an earthquake, government organises aid
and assistance for the affected people.

12. Which of the statements below is correct? Correct those sentences that you think need correction.
a. In a monarchy the country's citizens are allowed to elect whomever they want.
b. In a democracy a king has absolute powers to rule the country.
c. In a monarchy people can raise questions about the decisions the monarch takes.
Ans.
d. Incorrect : Correct Statement - A monarchy is a kind of government where a monarch, a kind of
hereditary ruler (someone who inherits their office), is the head of state.
e. Incorrect: Correct Statement - In a democracy it is the people who give the government this
power. They do this through elections in which they vote for particular persons and elect them.
f. Incorrect: Correct Statement - In a monarchy kings and queens do not have to explain their
actions or defend the decisions they take.

13. 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.
Ans. Denying poor and illiterate people from voting do not sound good. Yes, this is a form of
discrimination.
All adult should have right to vote because:
a. People should not be discriminated on the basis of illiteracy and poverty.
b. Illiterate and poor people are also the citizens of the country and hence should not be debarred
from voting.
c. All citizens are equal in the eyes of constitution.

14. Differentiate between democracy and monarchy forms of government.

Ans. Difference between democracy and monarchy forms of government
Democracy Monarchy
1. In a democracy it is the people who give the 1. The monarch (king or queen) has the power
government this power. They do this through to make decisions and run the government.
elections in which they vote for particular The monarch may have a small group of
persons and elect them. people to discuss matters with, but the final
decision-making power remains with the
monarch.
2. In a democracy the government has to 2. In monarchy kings and queens do not have
explain its actions and defend its decisions to to explain their actions or defend the
the people. decisions they take.
3. It is elected by the people. 3. The crown is passed from one generation to
another.
4. People are considered equal. 4. People are not considered equal.