1 . Look at the statements in the column on the left. Can you identify which level they belong to (Local/State/Central)?

  1. The decision of the Government of India to maintain peaceful relations with Russia.

  2. The decision of the Government of West Bengal whether to have a Board exam in Class 8 for all government schools.

  3. Introduction of two new trains between Dibrugarh and KKanyakumari.

  4. The decision to locate a common well in a particular area of the vvillage. 

  5. The decision to construct a big children’s park in Patna.

  6. The decision of the Government of Haryana to provide free electricity for all farmers.

  7. Introduction of new 1000 rupee note.

Explanation:

1.Central - The decision of the Government of India to maintain peaceful relations with Russia is a decision that affects the foreign policy of the entire country and is made by the Central Government.

2.State - The decision of the Government of West Bengal whether to have a Board exam in Class 8 for all government schools is a decision related to the education policy of the state and is made by the State Government.

3.Central - The introduction of two new trains between Dibrugarh and Kanyakumari is a decision related to the transportation policy of the country and is made by the Central Government.

4.Local - The decision to locate a common well in a particular area of the village is a decision related to the development of a specific locality and is made by the local government.

5.Local - The decision to construct a big children’s park in Patna is a decision related to the development of a specific locality and is made by the local government.

6.State - The decision of the Government of Haryana to provide free electricity for all farmers is a decision related to the agriculture policy of the state and is made by the State Government.

7.Central - The introduction of a new 1000 rupee note is a decision related to the monetary policy of the country and is made by the Central Government.

2. What do you understand by the word ‘government’? List 5 ways in which you think Government affects your daily life.

Explanation:

The word "government" refers to the group of people or institutions responsible for making and enforcing policies and laws in a particular country or region. Governments are responsible for providing essential services, maintaining law and order, and protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens.

Here are five ways in which the government affects our daily lives:

1.Education: The government plays a crucial role in providing access to education for all citizens. This includes funding public schools, regulating curriculum and standards, and providing financial aid for higher education.

2.Health care: The government is responsible for funding and regulating health care systems, ensuring that citizens have access to affordable and quality health care services.

3.Transportation: The government plays a major role in developing and maintaining transportation infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and public transportation systems, which are essential for daily travel.

4.Law and order: The government is responsible for maintaining law and order, protecting citizens from crime, and providing a system of justice through the courts.

5.Economic policies: The government is responsible for developing and implementing economic policies that can impact the availability of jobs, the cost of living, and the overall state of the economy, which can have significant effects on our daily lives.

3. Why do you think the Government needs to make rules for everyone in the form of laws?

Explanation:

The government needs to make rules for everyone in the form of laws for several reasons:

1.Protection of citizens: Laws help to protect the rights and interests of citizens. They establish standards of behavior that individuals and organizations are expected to follow, and provide consequences for those who violate them.

2.Promoting social order: Laws help to maintain social order by ensuring that individuals and organizations act in accordance with the established norms and values of society.

3.Ensuring fairness and justice: Laws help to ensure that individuals are treated fairly and justly by setting standards for how disputes are resolved and how people are held accountable for their actions.

4.Providing a framework for governance: Laws provide a framework for governance by setting out the roles and responsibilities of government officials and institutions, as well as the rights and obligations of citizens.

4. Name two essential features of a democratic Government.

Explanation:

Two essential features of a democratic government are:

1.Free and fair elections: In a democratic government, citizens have the right to vote in free and fair elections to choose their leaders. This means that all citizens, regardless of their background or beliefs, have an equal opportunity to participate in the democratic process and have their voices heard.

2.Protection of individual rights and freedoms: A democratic government is committed to protecting the individual rights and freedoms of its citizens. This includes guarantees of freedom of speech, press, assembly, religion, and other civil liberties. In a democratic government, citizens have the right to express their opinions, practice their religion, and associate with others without fear of government repression or persecution.

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

Explanation:

The suffrage movement was a social and political movement in the 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily in the United States and Great Britain, aimed at securing the right to vote for women. The movement was driven by a belief in women's equality and a desire to expand the democratic process to include women's voices.

The suffrage movement accomplished several important achievements, including:

1.Women's right to vote: The suffrage movement played a crucial role in securing women's right to vote. In 1920, the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, granting women the right to vote in federal and state elections.

2.Increased women's political participation: The suffrage movement also helped to increase women's political participation and representation. Women began running for and winning political offices at all levels of government, which helped to advance policies and laws that reflected women's needs and interests.

6. 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.

Explanation:

I believe that denying the right to vote to illiterate people, who are mainly poor, would indeed be a form of discrimination. Here are five points to support this view:

1.Voting is a fundamental right: The right to vote is a fundamental right of all citizens in a democracy, regardless of their literacy or socioeconomic status. Denying this right to any group of people is a violation of their basic human rights.

2.Literacy does not determine intelligence or political awareness: Being literate does not necessarily mean that a person is politically aware or intelligent enough to make informed decisions when casting their vote. Many illiterate people may have a deep understanding of the issues that affect their lives and communities, and may have valuable insights that could inform their vote.

3.Education and poverty are interlinked: Poverty is a significant barrier to education, and denying the right to vote to illiterate people would disproportionately impact those who are already marginalized and excluded from many opportunities. Rather than punishing those who are illiterate, efforts should be made to address the root causes of illiteracy and poverty.