Class 12

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Sociology Important Questions Chapter 3 Urban Society Important Questions and Answers.

PSEB 12th Class Sociology Important Questions Chapter 3 Urban Society

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Which of these is the base of urban areas?
(a) Large in size
(b) More population density
(c) Individualism
(d) All of these
Answer:
(d) All of these

2. Which of these features does not match with urban society?
(a) Less population density
(b) Open organisation
(c) Comlex life
(d) Secondary relations.
Answer:
(a) Less population density

3. How much of Indian population lives in cities?
(a) 68% (b) 32%
(c) 70%
(d) 30%
Answer:
(b) 32%

4. Indian population is:
(a) 102 crore
(b) 112 crore
(c) 121 crore
(d) 131 crore
Answer:
(c) 121 crore

5. The density of urban population should be minimum of ………………. persons per square km.
(a) 200
(b) 300
(c) 100
(d) 400
Answer:
(d) 400

6. ……………… expresses the urban ways of living.
(a) Urbanism
(b) Urbanisation
(c) Sanskritisation
(d) Modernisation
Answer:
(a) Urbanism

Fill in the Blanks:

1. In 2011, around ……………………. people lived in cities.
Answer:
37.7 crore

2. In …………………. societies, all the modern facilities of social hfe are easily available.
Answer:
urban

3. There is ………………. mobility available in urban society.
Answer:
more

4. There is more ……………….. in urban society.
Answer:
individualism

5. …………….. means of social control are available in urban areas.
Answer:
Formal

6. ………………. families are there in cities.
Answer:
Nuclear

True/False:

1. Around 30% of urban population is engaged in non-agricultural occupations.
Answer:
False

2. There is lack of specialisation and division of labour in cities.
Answer:
False

3. Urban societies have heterogeneity of population.
Answer:
True

4. Urban society is large in size.
Answer:
True

5. In place of joint family, nuclear families are coming forward in urban areas.
Answer:
False

6. One of the major problems of cities is the existence of slums.
Answer:
True

One Word/One Line Questions Answers:

Question 1.
What is meant by Urbanisation?
Answer:
When rural people migrate to urban areas and adopt their ways of living, it is known as urbanisation.

Question 2. What is Urbanism?
Answer:
Urbanism is the urban way of living adopted by the people who come over there. ^

Question 3.
What is a City?
Answer:
That geographical area where more than 75% of population is engaged in non-agricultural occupations is known as a city.

Question 4.
Give one feature of the urban society.
Answer:
Specialization and division of labour exist in- urban society.

Question 5.
What is a town?
Answer:
That area which is larger than a village but smaller, than a city is known as a town.

Question 6.
How much of the Indian population lives in urban areas?
Answer:
32% or 37.7 crore people.

Question 7.
What should be the minimum population in a city?
Answer:
It should be minimum 5000 persons.

Question 8.
What should be the minimum density of population in urban areas?
Answer:
Minimum of 400 persons per square km.

Question 9.
Who is known as the Father of urban sociology?
Answer:
George Simmel is known as the Father of urban sociology.

Question 10.
What is the size of urban society?
Answer:
Urban society is large in size because of its more population.

Question 11.
Which means of social control are there in urban, society?
Answer:
Formal or secondary means of social Control are there in urban society such as police, courts, laws etc.

Question 12.
Which type of family is available in urban society?
Answer:
Urban societies have nuclear families which are small in size.

Question 13.
On which occupations, urban economy is based?
Answer:
Urban economy is based on non-agricultural occupations.

Question 14.
Name the major issues faced by the urban societies.
Answer:
The problem of housing and slums.

Question 15.
Give one reason of the problem of housing.
Answer:
Too much of population is one of the reasons of housing problem.

Question 16.
What are the different names of slums?
Answer:
Jhugi Jhopadi, Chaal, Dhata, Jhoparpatti etc.

Question 17.
Give one major feature of slums.
Answer:
Poverty and unemployment.

Question 18.
According to Census Survey 2011, What is a City?
Answer:
All the areas which have features of Municipal Committee, Corporation, Military Cantonment Board, Town etc. come under Notified Area.

Question 19.
On what the Urban economy is based?
Answer:
Urban economy is mainly based on non-agricultural occupations.

Question 20.
How many people in 1991, lived in slums in India?
Answer:
Around 46.78 million Indian people lived in slums in 1991.

Question 21.
Give one feature of urban society.
Answer:
People don’t have direct relations with each other. Instead, they have formal.

Very Short Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
Which area is known as an urban area?
Answer:
That area where

• minimum population is 5000 persons.
• 75% of the total population is engaged in non-agricultural occupations.
• Density of population should be minimum of 400 persons per sQuestion km.

Question 2.
Who is known as the Father of urban sociology and why’?
Answer:
George Simmel is known as the father of urban sociology. It is so because he gave great contribution in the field of urban sociology. Especially for his book ‘The Metropolis and Mental Life’ printed in 1903 A.D.

Question 3.
What is urbanisation?
Answer:
When rural people start to migrate to urban areas, it is known as urbanisation. It is a two way process. In this, not only rural people migrate to urban area but change also comes in their occupation, habits, behaviour, values etc.

Question 4.
What is urbanism?
Answer:
Urbanism is one of the important elements of urban society which differentiates urban identity and personality from rural and urban societies. It expresses an urban way of living. It also tells us about the expansion of urban culture and evolution of urban society.

Question 5.
Social heterogeneity in urban society.
Answer:
In urban society people of different religions, castes, groups, cultures, live with each other. Due to their interaction, a new culture develops among them. They come from different places to live there and to earn their livelihood. This is known as social heterogeneity of urban society.

Question 6.
Division of labour.
Answer:
Division of labour is one of the key features of urban society. Every one cannot do all of his functions and that’s way the work is divided among many. One who can do any work in the best possible way, is given to do work. This is known as division of labour. Specialisation is one of its important aspects.

Question 7.
Urban family.
Answer:
Urban family is not joint but is nuclear in nature in which parents and their unmarried children live. Such families have less cooperation and control over its members. Parents have very less time to spend with their children.

Question 8.
Slums.
Answer:
Slums are the colonies established by those migrated labourers who are so poor that they cannot afford to purchase a house. People living in slums live in poor conditions because they lack better means of livelihood. Slums are one of the important aspects of urban life.

Short Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
Literal Meaning of City.
Answer:
In simple words city is a living in any specific area and on the basis of urban characteristics. Word ‘CITY is an English word. Word CITY has come out of the word of Latin language.‘Cr^TTAS’ whose meaning is citizenship. In the same way the English word ‘URBAN’ has come out of Latin word TJRBS’ whose meaning is also city.

Question 2.
Two definitions of CITY.
Answer:
1. According to Willcox, “The cities included all districts in which the density of population per square mile is more than 1,000 and where there is practically no agriculture.
2. According to Bergal, “City is an institution whose most of the citizens are engaged in other industries except agriculture.”
3. According to Anand Kumar, “Urban community is a complex community of secondary relation with more population, based primarily on occupational and environment differences.”

Question 3.
Urbanization.
Answer:
Urbanization is a process in which people are leaving their rural areas and moving towards urban areas. Population of cities is increasing due to this process of urbanization. City cannot develop at once and very quickly but rural communities are changing into urban areas slowly and slowly. In this way the first stage of city is the village. In this way when the features of cities develop in rural communities due to slow changes then these canges are known as urbanization. According to Bergal, “ We shall call urbanization, the process of transforming rural areas into urban areas.”

Question 4.
Urban Society—Large Population.
Answer:
The most important feature of urban society is the large number of people living over there are more density of population. Meaning of density of population is that how many people are lving in per square kilometre. Cities can be divided in different classes on the basis of more or less population like small cities, medium cities and metropolitan cities. Population of the metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata etc. is more than one crore but the population of 13 states of India is less than one crore. Industrial houses, educational institutions, business centres are commerce centres are more in cities because of which the density of population is more in cities. Because of more population, many problems arise in cities like poverty, unemployment, crime, starvation, slums etc.

Question 5.
Urban Society—Secondary and Formal Relations.
Answer:
The most important feature of urban society is the large number of population. People don’t have direct or face to face relations due to this large number of population. People in cities have formal relations with each other. These relations are temporary. Person establishes relations with other persons whenever any need arises and these relations come to an end when person’s need also comes to an end or fulfilled. In this way secondary and formal relations are the basis of urban society.

Question 6.
Urban Society—A number of Occupations.
Answer:
Cities are developed on the basis of different occupations. Many industries, occupations and institutions exist in cities because of which different people are used to engage in different types of occupations. Doctors, Managers, Engineers, Specialised labourers, non-specialised labourers etc. type thousands occupations exist in urban areas. More population is necessary for the needs of these different occupations.

Question 7.
Urban Society—Division in Classes.
Answer:
Not much importance is given to the caste, religion and occupation of the person in urban areas. But population in cities is divided in economic classes on economic basis. Population, in cities, is not divided only in two classes of capitalists and labourers but many other small classes and sub-classes exist in cities on the basis of their economic status. The difference ofJiigher and lower classes also exists in cities. –

Question 8.
Urban Society—More Social Mobility.
Answer:
More social mobility exists in urban areas as compared to rural areas. People in cities are always ready to leave one place and to go to another place for more profit or in search of good job. We can see local mobility as well as social mobility among the urban people. It means that person’s social status in society changes to higher or lower according to his ability.

Question 9.
Difference in Rural and Urban Societies.
Answer:

• Joint families exist in rural societies in which all the members of family living with each other but nuclear families exist in urban society in which husband, wife and their unmarried children are living.
• Neighbourhood is of very less importance in cities and people hardly know about their neighbours but neighbourhood is of great importance in rural areas and even children are living there all the times.
• Marriage is considered as a contract in urban areas which could be broken at any time but marriage is a religious sacrament which cannot be broken at any time.
• A number of occupations are there in urban areas but very less number of occupations are there in villages.

Question 10.
Urbanism.
Answer: Urbanism is one of the forms of urbanisation. Urbanisation is a process which actually expresses the change from rural economy towards urban economy. But in the process of urbanism, interest of people starts to incline toward cities from rural areas. They want to leave village and want to migrate towards urban areas and this interest of theirs gives strength to the process of urbanism.

Question 11.
Urban Family.
Answer:
Urban family is exactly opposite to rural family. Urban family is not joint family but is nuclear family in which husband, wife and their unmarried children are living. Relations between the members of urban family are not full of love and sympathy. Most of the functions of urban family are taken away by other institutions. Urban family is unable to fullfill all the needs of its members. Urban family can be broken at any time with divorce.

Question 12.
Urban family—Limited size.
Answer:
Size of the urban family is very small because they are nuclear families. Husband, wife and their unmarried children are living in nuclear family. Children make their new house after the marriage. We cannot see big families in cities. Any rare family can be seen as joint family. In this way due to nuclear family, Urban family is small in size.

Question 13.
Changes coming in Urban Family.
Answer:

• Urban families are changing to nuclear families from Joint families.
• Educational functions of the family remain no more and this function has been taken away by schools, colleges etc.
• Effect of religious functions on family has been .reduced and now people don’t have enough time for religious activities.
• Individualism is spreading in urban family. Now every one thinks about himself in the family.
• Status of female in urban family is also changed. Now she enjoys higher status in the family.

Question 14.
Reasons of breaking up of Urban Family.
Answer:

• Families started to disintegrate due to increasing importance of money.
• Mentality of the people is changing under the effect of western education and that’s why families are breaking.
• Ideals of freedom and equality are coming forward because of which conflicts are increasing and families are disintegrating.
• Social mobility in the cities has been increasing. People are leaving even their families for jobs and that’s why families are disintegrating.

Question 15.
Marriage now is no longer a religious sacrament.
Answer:
In ancient times marriage was considered as a religious sacrament because it was believed that person is doing marriage for the sake of religion. Getting a son, to perform yagyas and to pay the debts are necessary for person according to religion. So person was doing marriage because of these reasons. It was not possible for the person to break relationship with that female with which he has done marriage according to religious rituals. But these days people are used to do love marriage, doing marriage in the courts. Now marriage is not considered as a religious sacrament but is considered as a contract which can be broken at any time. Now the importance of religion and religious sacrament like feeling remains no more in the marriage. Now marriage is considered as a mean to live a good life.

Question 16.
Urban Economy.
Or
Write a short note on economic system of Urban Society.
Answer:
First of all Europe was affected by the industrial revolution and then it had affected the Asian countries. With this people started to move towards cities by leaving their villages and the mutual relations of the people completely changed. Society started to develop very quickly. Industries started to establish. Markets developed very quickly. That’s why urban economy was developed. In this way urban economy is that economy in which production is being done on large scale, big industries ard there, money is of great importance, division of labour and specialization are there, people have individual point of view and occupational diversity is there.

Question 17.
Industrial Economy.
Answer:
Urban economy can also be called as industrial economy because urban economy depends upon industries. Very big-big industries are there in cities where thousands of people are working with each other. Production is also on large scale due to large scale industries. Owners of these larger industries are different individuals. Production is being done for market. These markets are not only internal markets of the country but are foreign markets as well. Even in some cases, production is being done only for foreign markets. Owners of these big industries produce things only for their profit > and they exploit the labourers as well.

Question 18.
Division of labour and specialization.
Answer:
We can find a number of occupations and occupational diversity in urban societies. Family, in earlier times, was the unit of productions. All the functions were being done only in the family. But due to advent of urban areas, thousands of occupations and industries were developed. For exanjple we confined many types of functions in a factory and we need specialised person to do any specific type of work. Only the skilled person can do that specific work. In this way functions in cities are divided among different people because of which division of labour prevails in urban society. People are specialised in their work and that’s why specialisation is of great importance. In this way division of labour and specialisation are two important aspects of urban economy.

Question 19.
Occupational Diversity.
Answer:
The main feature of any urban society or industrial society is the availability of a number of occupations. Thousands of occupations are available in cities. Any one is officer, any one is peon, teacher, carpenter, blacksmith, labourer, rickshaw puller, shopkeepers, fruit sellers, vegetable sellers etc. like thousands of occupations are available in cities. We can find hundreds of occupations in one industry. In this way directly we can see that a number of occupations are there in cities.

Question 20.
Classes exist in urban society on the basis of occupational diversity.
Answer:
Three types of classes exist in urban society on the basis of occupational diversity and these are:

• Lower class
• Middle class
• Higher class

Question 21.
Lower class.
Answer:
The people working in industrial sector, labourers, labourers working in the rural sectors, Rickshaw and rehri pullers in cities etc. are the part of this class. Their living standard is low because they are working with their own hands and they have nothing except selling their labour. Their income is also low because of which these people are unable to educate their children and they hardly know about the legal security. They are related with the different castes and religions and even are working differently. They are living in slums. This class is also known as unorganized class.

Question 22.
Middle class.
Answer:
There is one class between lower and higher class and this class is known as middle class.. The members of this class belongs generally to job oriented people, petty shopkeepers and small businessmen. This class works either for people of higher class or are doing government jobs. Small big businessmen, big small shopkeepers, peons, clerks, big small officers, small big farmers, contractors, property dealers, artists etc. come in this category. Higher class dominates the lower class with the help of this class.

Question 23. Higher class.
Answer:
Very rich people are coming in this class. Big industrialists, leaders come in this category. Industrialists have the money. They invest their money and establish their industries and they give jobs to middle and lower class people. The main aim of industrialist is to invest the money to earn money. Power of the country is in the hands of leaders because of which they come in higher class. Their living standard is very high and way of living is also very high. They are the part of higher class because they have lot of money and power of country in their hands.

Question 24.
Slums.
Answer:
Slums can be defined as the group of buildings or bad houses where more than required people are living in non living conditions, where people have to live in unhygienic environment due to non-arrangement of sanitation or due to lack of facilities and with which a wrong effect is there on the health and morality of the people living in those groups.

Question 25.
Characteristics of Slums.
Answer:

• There is a problem of living in slums because a number of people are living over here.
• Slums are full of crimes because the behaviour of the people living over here is generally disintegrative.
• People lack facilities living over here because these are made illegally.
• Population of these slums is too much because people of lower class are coming to cities in search of work and they have to live over here in the absence of money.

Long Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
What is urbanization? What are its determinants?
Answer:
Urbanization. Urbanization is the process in which people leave their rural areas and move towards urban areas. Population of cities is increasing due to this process of urbanization. City cannot develop at once and very quickly but rural communities are changing into urban areas. In this way the first stage of city is the village. In this way when the features of cities develop in rural communities due to slow changes then the process of these changes is known as urbanization. According to Bergal, “We shall call urbanization, the process of transforming rural areas into urban areas.”

According to Anderson, “Urbanization is not a one way process but is a two way process. It not only includes moving towards cities from villages and changes in occupation, business, services from agriculture but it also includes change in nature, beliefs, values and behavioural patterns.”

Generally urbanization is a process which actually shows change from rural economy to urban economy. When industrial occupations, educational institutions and trade centres develops slowly and slowly in rural areas then people of different castes, classes, religions etc. start to live there, population increases and different means of employment develop over there. Production starts on a large scale, means of communication and transport develop to a great extent. Structure of relations also changes with this and secondary relations develop over there. Then this process can be called as the process of urbanization. This process has not been developed in a , great deal in India as compared to western countries because here rural communities are more in number and their main occupation in agriculture.

Determinants Of Urbanization:

There are many elements which determine the urbanization and their description | is given below:

1. Favourable Geographical Environment. Favourable geographical environment is necessary for the development of any city. Cities develop at those places whereever geographical conditions are good enough. If the geographical condition is good then person can fulfill all of his daily needs. Many ancient cities, in our country India, were developed along the banks of many rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Sindhu etc. More than 100 cities or towns were developed along the banks of river Ganga.

2. Invention of the means of Transport, During ancient times, wheels, animals, boats etc. were used to send surplus food from rural areas to urban areas. Slowly and slowly with passage of time, other means of transport were developed and cities also started to develop. In this way means of transport and communications played an important role in the development of cities.

3. Surplus Food Products. The main occupation of people of villages is agriculture. When people started to produce food more than their needs then people started to live over there. Slowly and slowly population was increased at those places and new industries and markets started to develop. That’s why villages started to develop into cities.

4. Attraction of Cities. People are attracted by many facilities which prevail in urban areas like educational institutions, more means of employment, higher standard of living etc. That’s why cities started to develop. Patliputra city in ancient India was established due to Nalanda University.

5. Religious Importance* Many places in India are there which are considered as sacred from religious point of view. So due to religious importance, many cities were developed. Haridwar, Mathura, Kashi, Prayag, Anandpur Sahib etc. and many other cities are there which were developed due to their religious importance.

6. Cultural and Economic Importance. Cultural and economic facilities of any area play an important role in the development of any city. Many cities in our country are there which were developed due to their cultural and economic importance. For example, Patliputra or today’s Patna was developed due to Nalanda University and Dhaka was developed due to trade or economic reasons. In the same way Muradabad, Bareily etc. were developed due to these reasons. Many cities in ancient India were developed because those places were famous for any specific type of art or any industry.

7. Establishment of Army Camps. During ancient times, generally the winner kings were used to establish army camps around villages to control them. Slowly and slowly these camps around villages took the form of cities. Cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Agra etc. were developed due to this reason.

Question 2.
Explain the different factors which promote the process of urbanization.
Answer:
Development of cities in ancient times is generally considered in between the middle of 5000-4000 B.C. These cities were small in size because of which they were not more than the’towns. There was no development in cities from 3000 B.C. upto 2000 B.C. After this cities started to develop in Greek-Roman age. Ancient cities came to an end and new cities in different states started to develop. After this the cities in the countries like Mesopotamia, Rome, India, Greece started to be destroyed. On contrary to this cities were continuously increasing in western Europe. Cities started to develop very quickly around 1800 A.D. The process of urbanization has taken a great speed in 19th and 20th century. The elements which have „ encouraged the process of urbanization are given below:

1. Industrialization and Commercialization. Cities started to develop very quickly after Industrial revolution. Large industries were established due to new machines in industries, invention of machines and too much investment of money in industries. Rural people started to move towards industrial areas to earn more money by leaving their traditional occupations. In this way industrial centres like Jamshedpur, Liverpool, Chicago were developed as industrial cities. In earlier times, people used to make their house in good atmosphere but now they started to live in cities due to their occupations.

Commercialization, with industrialization, also has played an important role in the development of urban areas. Cities in ancient times were developed at those places where things can be easily distributed. Later on cities were developed due to development of trade. In this way industrialization and commercialization has given a great contribution in the development of this process.

2. Development of means of Transport and Communication. Development of means of transport and communication has also encouraged the process of urbanization. Industries depend upon means of transport for raw material and to distribute final product in the market. Means of transport and communication are very much necessary in industrial cities. When industries started to develop in the country then means of transport were not fully developed. That’s why labourers, working in industries, had to live near the factories. In this way large slums came into being around these factories. So the development of means of transport has encouraged the urbanization.

3. More or Surplus Resources. When any society starts to produce more resources then its needs in cities also start to develop very quickly. Humans, in ancient times, were used to fulfill their needs but man’s production power has been increased in modern age due to his win over nature. Now less number of persons can produce much more than their ability due to the development of technology, science and knowledge. Man’s control over nature is also one of the reasons of development of cities.

4. Educational Facilities. Educational facilities have also given a great contribution in the development of cities. Main educational institutions, in ancient times, were only in cities. Main training centres, university, technical educational centre, agricultural university etc. were all existing in cities. Library, art centres etc. were also in cities. Rural people are moving towards cities to achieve these facilities with which the process of urbanization is increasing.

5. Recreational Facilities. There are a number of recreational facilities in urban areas. Many types of recreational clubs, cinema, theatres etc. have developed in cities. These institutions attract people living in other areas towards them. In this way these also play an important role in the development of cities.

6. Economic Attraction of Urban Areas. Individual progress can happen only in cities. People get good pay in cities and get help in increasing business. Humans get good occupation and good pay for their needs while living in cities and that’s why they like to live in cities. People get good, better and more facilities in cities. Businessmen get more profits in cities. Standard of living of people becomes higher in cities and that’s why people are moving towards cities.

In this way after looking at these elements, we can say that these elements plays an important role in the development of cities or in the process of urbanization.

Question 3.
What are the features of urban family?
Answer:
1. Nuclear Family. Joint families exist in rural society in which grand father-grand mother, father-mother, married and unmarried children, uncle-aunt and their children are living. This type of family can also be called as extended family. But urban families are not this much big. They are very much small in size and are nuclear families in which husband wife and their unmarried children live. Children make their new house after marriage. In this way family remains nuclear. This type of family is very common in metropolitan and big cities.

2. Less Number of Children. Less number of children are there in urban family. Urban parents are generally literate persons and they are aware about their duties and responsibilities urban families are conscious about their functions. With this urban families have to bear a number of expenses and parents are conscious about the fact they cannot give good education to more children. That’s why they restrict themselves to less number of children (one or two) so that they could be given a better future and they can become the good citizens of the country.

3. Small in Size. Size of the urban family is very small because they are nuclear families. Husband, wife and their unmarried children live in nuclear family. Children make their new house after the marriage. We cannot see large families in cities. Any rare family can be seen as joint family. In this way due to nuclear family, Urban family is small in size.

4. Individualism. The point of view of members of urban family is quite individualistic. They only think about themselves. Every member of a family, in ancient times, was thinking about the welfare of family. Even they were suppressing their wish in front of the wish of family. In other words collectivity was important than the individualism. But in today’s urban families, person never likes to leave his wish in front of wish of the family. Infact he does everything what he can do to fulfill his wish. Today individualism is important than the collectivity. Even sometimes family has to surrender in front of wish of any member. Point of view of person, in today’s practical society, is individualistic.

5. Less Control. Urban families have very less control over its members. In rural societies collectivity is heavier then the wish of an individual and family has enough control on its members. Every one has to obey the orders given by elders of the family. But urban families are exactly opposite to it. Every one works in his own way and is free from any burden. He just takes the advice of the members of the family but does what he wants. No one can suppress his wish. In this way urban family has very less control omits members.

6. Equal Status of Women. Status of male and female is equal in urban society but the status of female is very low in rural family. Urban female is well educated and is aware about her rights. With this most of the urban women are working somewhere else except their home. They are working in the offices, factories, schools, colleges etc. and are earning equal money with that of “males. Even in some cases she earns more than the males. She helps the family from economic point of view and that’s why she wants that she should be given equal rights with males. If male tries to oppose this then she can take divorce from him. In this way urban female has got equal status with that of males due to her education and economic status.

7. Formal Relations. Relations between members of urban families are formal and impersonal. Very less control is there of one member over the other because they don’t have close relations. Point of view of the people is individualistic and that’s why they just talk with each other when any need arises. Even they hardly take care about each other’s problems. Just husband and wife take care of each other. Relations between them are formal and impersonal.

8. Decreasing Impact of Religion. Effect of religion in urban family has been reduced to a great extent. Religion has a great impact in rural family and the impact of the religion can be seen in every activity of the family. Religious rituals are being performed with proper care at the time of birth, marriage and death. But the impact of religions has been reduced to a great extent in urban family. Urban people are generally literate and want to do every activity on the basis of reason. They want to know everything about what they have to do but we cannot tell anything about religion. Religious activities have been reduced in urban families. Very less religious rituals are being performed at the time of birth, marriage and death. Priest takes only 1-1- hours to perform marriage or he needs very less time to perform rituals at the time of death.

Question 4.
Why are urban families breaking down? Explain.
Answer:
The urban family is disintegrating. This disintegration has not come in last one or two years but is the result of many changes which came in many years. All these changes came because of many reasons and these reasons became the causes of disintegration of urban family. Most of these reasons are given below:

1. Importance of Money. In modern society, man has changed his life style by getting education because of which he needed a lot of money. So he started to earn a lot of money by using his capabilities so that he was able to take his status and living standard high. His this thinking has encouraged him to separate from urban family.

2. Impact of Westernization. The British empire brought many changes in India. They promoted the western culture. Western education helped the people to form independent views. That’s why people started to live separately. Individualistic interests also started to’ develop. When females started to get education then the values of joint family started to change. She moved out of her house for job and urban family started to disintegrate.

3. Industrialization. Modern society is also known as industrial society. Industries came into being. Production of things was gone to industries. Machines can do a lot of work with less expenditure. Artisans started to move towards industries. In this way they started to separate from the family. Now there was no need to adopt their traditional occupation. That’s why people started to move towards cities for jobs and urban families started to disintegrate. –

4. Social Mobility. In modern societies, man can achieve status according to his capabilities. That’s why he has to do a lot of hard work. Every, person wants to move upwards in the society. In joint family, status of the person is ascribed and that’s why there is no need to work hard. There is lot of socal mobility in the society and that’s why joint family started to disintegrate. Now everyone thinks about his own family. The sense of individualism has been developed. He wants to make his personality himself. In this way social mobility has encouraged the disintegration of urban family.

5. Development in the means of Transportation. Means of transport have been developed. In earlier times man was unable to move from one place to another due to lack of means of communication. That’s why they have to live in the joint family. But with the development of means of transport this problem was solved. Now they can live at different places and even then they can contact each other very easily. That’s why urban family started disintegrating.

6. Increase in Population. Population in India is increasing with great pace. With this a situation comes in family, within a short span of time, when land and property of the family become insufficient for the needs of all the members. In this condition any one member of the family has to leave his house in search of job or an occupation. Urban family is also disintegrating because of this.

7. Problem of Urbanization and Immigration. One of the important reasons of disintegration of joint family is the rapidly increasing urbanization because of which people of village are moving towards cities for jobs or for better living. On the other side, houses in urban areas are very less in number. Houses in cities are not only less in numbers but are small as well. That’s why the urban families are disintegrating even because of problem of houses in cities.

8. Ideals of Independence and Equality. Joint family is just like a dictator’s monarchy in which the head of the family is just like a dictator. Every one has to obey his orders and no one is allowed to speak in front of him. This is totally against the modern ideology. Under the influence of modern education in young generation and under the influence of ideology of independence and equality, urban families are disintegrating.

9. Legislative Reasons. In the British rule, many legislations were passed with which joint families started to disintegrate. Under the influence of The Hindu Law of Inheritance Amendment Act 1929 and Hindu Women’s Right of Property Act of 1937, the disintegration of joint family was encouraged because it helped in the division of family property. So, the property of the joint family started to divide which resulted in the disintegration of urban family.

Question 5.
Explain different characteristics of Economy of urban society.
Answer:
If we compare economy of rural society with economy of urban society then we will come to know that the urban economy has come out of the rural economy. Before its advent, cities were in the form of villages. But gradually the population of villages was increased. Size of village became larger with the increase in population. Due of larger size, many new occupations came into being. Firstly small scale industries were established and then later on large industries also come into being. Production, in these industries, started on larger scale instead of small scale. Villages then changed into towns and later on these towns became cities. When population increased then these cities changed into metropolitan cities. People in earlier times, were producing things only to fulfill their needs. But later on, with the increase in population and demand, they started to produce things for market. Cities became the larger markets. Modern cities are of same type where thousands of occupations are available. People today are producing things not for themselves but for market.

If production, in cities, was started on a larger scale then Industrial revolution also played an important role in it. Industrial revolution was started in 2nd half of 18th century in Europe. First of all Europe was influenced by it and then later on due to imperialism, it spread in the countries of Asia in 19th century. Mutual relations of the people were changed due to industrial revolution. Society started to develop very quickly. New industries, on a larger scale, came into being. Markets started to develop. That’s why urban economy was also developed. In this way very quick changes came in urban economy after 19th century. Present urban economy also depends upon this where production is on large scale, lage industries are there, enough importance of money is there, division of labour and specialization are there, individualistic point of view of people is there and occupational diversity is there. After looking at that we can say that there are certain characteristics of urban economy which are given ahead:

1. Industrial Economy. Urban economy can also be called as industrial economy because urban economy depends upon industries. Very large industries are there in cities where thousands of people work with each other. Production is also on large scale due to large scale industries. Owners of these larger industries are different individuals. Production is being done for market. They produce not only for internal markets of the country but for foreign markets as well. Even in some cases, production is being done only for foreign markets. Owners of these big industries produce things only for their profit and they exploit the labourers as well.

2. Division of Labour and Specialization. We can find a number of occupations and occupational diversity in urban societies. Family, in earlier times, was the unit of productions. All the functions were done only in the family. But due to advent of urban areas, thousands of occupations arid industries were developed. For example we confine many types of functions in a factory and we need specialised person to do any specific type of work. Only a skilled person can do that specific work. In this way functions in cities are divided among different people because division of labour prevails in urban society. People are specialised in their work and that’s why specialisation is of great importance. In this way division of labour and specialisation are two important aspects of urban economy.

3. Production on a Large Scale. Production, in urban economy is being done on a larger scale. Very large industries are there in cities where thousands of labourers, clerks, officers work. Large amount of money is also, invested in these industries. Owner can earn profit only if the production will be done on a large scale. This production is not only for internal market but is for foreign market as well. Some industrial units produce only for foreign markets. Produced thing is being sold in the market with full profit so that every one could be able to get some profit out of it. These industrial units are working day and night to produce on a large scale.

4. Occupational Diversity. The main feature of any urban society or industrial society is the availability of a number of occupations. Thousands of occupations are available in cities. Any one is officer, any one is peon, teacher, carpenter, black smith, labourer, rickshaw puller, shopkeepers, fruit sellers, vegetable sellers etc. like thousands of occupations are available in cities. We can find hundreds of occupations in one industry. In this way directly we can see that a number of occupations are there in cities.

5. Nature of Getting more Profit. One of the another important feature of urban economy is that the people have the tendency to earn more and more profit. Industrialists want to produce things by spending less amount of money and want to sell their produced things with more and more profit. Shopkeeper wants to sell things to customer with big margin of profit. Even in many occupations, profit goes upto the range of 100% to 200%. Every one wants to earn more and more money because of which they try to earn in any right or wrong way. Labourer wants to earn more and more money. In this way every one wants to become rich because of which they have the tendency to earn more and more profit.

6. Social Mobility. The meaning of social mobility is by leaving the present social status and moving towards other social status. Too much social mobility is there in cities. A number of people are doing job in cities. If any one gets better pay and better position in any other job then he leaves first job very quickly. Small shopkeepers are doing progress and making big shops. People leave their house to live in another house. This is mobility. With this too much specialization and division of labour is there in cities. Specialised persons are in great demand in cities. Some specialised persons are changing their jobs even after one or two years. That’s why their area of social contracts also increases because of which person raises his standard of living and this is also mobility. In this way mobility is also an essential part of urban economy. .

7. Competition. We can see lot of competition in urban economy. Urban people are getting education, doing different types of courses and are getting training in many fields. 15-20 people are there to take only one job. With this, competition is also there in big industries to sell more and more of their things. Even they try to sell their product by reducing rates with which consumer gets profit. In the same way big and small shopkeepers are also competing with each other to sell their things more of than their competitors. Even they reduce the rates of things. Sometimes this reduction of things goes upto the range of 50%, 60% or even upto 70% of actual cost so that more and more things could be sold. Other companies also reduce their rates by looking at the rates of its competitors. Actual beneficiary from this price war is actually the consumer. In this way we can see too much competition in urban economy.

8. More Population. One of another important feature of urban economy is the availability of more population in urban society. Wherever industries were established, cities were also established around those industries. People are moving towards cities by leaving their rural households^ work in these industries. If they will be able to get any work in these industries then it’s fine unless they adopt any one of other occupations in cities. Slowly and slowly the population of the city increases. Needs of the people also increase, with the increase in population. So to fulfill their needs shops and markets develop, government and private offices come into being, schools, colleges etc. come forward for the education of children. Police system also comes forward to control the increased population. In this way slowly and slowly small city changes into big city. Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi etc. are this type of cities.

9. Crimes. If city spreads then crimes also increases with this. Some people, out of the whole population, are there who love to snatch things from others instead of earning by hardwork. Thiefs, dacoits, burglars etc. come under this category. People are unable to get good place to live because of which slums come into being. These slums are the centres of most of the crimes. Theft, decoity, rape, beating up, snatching etc. are very common in cities.

10. More Capital Investment. More investment of capital is very much necessary for urban economy. Large industries are there in cities and hundreds of crores are required to establish such industries. That person invests the whole money who runs the whole industry. A very big network is required to bring raw material, for production, to sell produced things, to collect money etc. Lot of money is required to make this type of big network. That’s why more investment of capital is there. That person earns more profit who invests this much amount of money.

11. Importance of Money. Money is of great importance in an urban economy because every type of function is being done with money in today’s age. Even person gets social status with the help of money. Rich persons, who have more money, have higher social status and the poor people, who don’t have money, have lower social status. Status of rich people and politicians is very much higher because they have a lot of money but one hardly bothers about poor people.

Question 6.
What are the reasons behind coming up of slums? How can their condition be improved?
Or
What are the causes for the growth of slums?
Answer:
If we look carefully then we will come to know that slums came up due to modern societies. Many processesjike modernization, industrialization, westernization came forward to make societies modern. New industries were established due to industrialization and many cities came into being around industries. People came to these areas from their village in search of work and started to live over here. They had to live in slums due Jto very low income. There were no facilities in these slums with which their atmosphere started to deteriorate and they became the slums. In this way slums came into being. Not only one or two factors were responsible for the existence of these slums but many factors were responsible which are given below:

1. Economic Reasons. If we look at slums carefully then we will come to know that the main reason for the existence of slums is economic. People are moving towards cities due to poverty and in search of good income and start to live over here. It becomes necessary for them to save money for their needs as well as to send money to their families in the villages. Income is less but expenditure is more. That’s why they can’t afford to live in expensive houses and have to live in slums. They have to accept the unhygienic atmosphere of slums. Atmosphere deteriorates with the increase in population. Thus, they are forced to live in slums due to less expenses.

2. Industrialization. Industrialization has played a very important role in the establishment of slums. Generally it has been seen that people start to live around that area where any industry has been established. People are coming to cities to find any job in these industries by leaving their villages. They get job but income is very low because of which they cannot afford to live in expensive houses. That’s why they have to live in slums where 8-10 persons are living in one room. Atmosphere and place of living in these slums is very unhygienic because of which they have to face many problems and diseases. That’s why due to industrialization slums came into being.

3. Political Reasons. Our country is democratic and political parties are the main reasons in our country for the existence of slums. These political parties are fighting with each other to get power. They have their own programmes and ideology to uplift the poor people. But there is no place of poverty in their own lives and they are very much away from the problem of poverty. Yet these parties are making many programmes to uplift the poor people but actually they hardly do any thing for them. They make these programmes only to get their votes. Very less steps they take to improve their condition. Political parties want to keep them at their own place to save their vote bank. In this way our political system is responsible for these slums.

4. Social System. The present social system of our society is also responsible for the establishment of slums. There is no place of poor and weak people in our social system. Poor people live at those places in cities where even animals don’t want to live. They have to live in unhygienic environment without any option except to live over here. They are considered as unnecessary by society, government and industrialists. Government and industrialists take work from them but never let them to come up in social strata. If they are uplifted then they will become a danger for higher class. In this way our social system is also responsible for this.

5. Administrative Causes. Local administration is also responsible for the existence of slums. Local administration is always considered as corrupt and inefficient because they are unable to make good economic, social and administrative policies for the people. They make one master plan for the development of the city. But due ,to any reason they hardly care about the development of slums and upliftment of poor people. Less economic sources are also responsible for this. But even if less economic resources are utilized in a proper way then the condition of even slums can also be improved. But it never happens because of which slums increase and remain unhygienic to live over here.

Ways of Improvement:

No problem in ’this world is there which cannot be solved. In this way if our government, leaders and officers work in a proper way then the problem of slums can also be solved. There are certain ways to improve slums which are given below:

1. The biggest problem of these slums is of drinking water. People hardly get clean water to drink because of which they have to drink unhygienic water. Government should arrange for clean drinking water for them for 24 hours.

2. In this way there is another big problem of sanitation or polluted water. If proper facilities of sanitation will be there then the diseases of these slums can also be removed. Government should arrange for proper facilities of sanitation, sewerage, bathrooms etc. so that the diseases can be kept away from these slums.

3. They have another problem of non-electricity. Government should also arrange electricity for slums.

4. Industrialists should also come forward to improve the condition of these places. Industrialists should also arrange for good houses for their workers so that the population of slums should not be increased.

5. Our leaders, officers and government should leave the politics and try to do some welfare works for them and should leave their political interests for their betterment. They should work honestly for the upliftment of these people so that they can live a better life in society.

6. The government should arrange for concrete and better houses for them so that they should come out of these slums to live a better life. In this way if government, leaders and officers work in a proper way then most of the problems of these slums can be solved and these people can live a better life.

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Sociology Book Solutions Chapter 3 Urban Society Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Sociology Chapter 3 Urban Society

Sociology Guide for Class 12 PSEB Urban Society Textbook Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Which are the causes of homelessness in urban society?
(a) Shortage of housing
(b) Entitlement of housing
(c) Entitlement of Land
(d) All of these
Answer:
(d) All of these

2. The movement of the people from rural areas to urban areas is called:
(a) Urban society
(b) Rural society
(c) Urbanism
(d) Urbanisation
Answer:
(d) Urbanisation

3. Which are the causes for the growth of slums?
(a) Poverty
(b) Poor housing planning
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of the above
Answer:
(c) Both (a) and (b)

4. Which is not the feature of slum area:
(a) Acute overcrowding
(b) Inadequate lighting
(c) Urbanism
(d) No sanitation system
Answer:
(c) Urbanism

5. Which is the cause of homelessness?
(a) Shortage of housing
(b) Self-sufficiency
(c) Development
(d) Market-oriented
Answer:
(a) Shortage of housing

Fill in the Blanks:

1. Urban society is ………………. in size and …………….. in nature.
Answer:
small, complex

2. …………….. means of social control found in urban society.
Answer:
Formal

3. An urban community is known for its ……………. division of labour.
Answer:
specialised

4. Housing problem is also known as ……………
Answer:
Homelessness

5. ………………. represents an urban way of living.
Answer:
Urbanism

6. …………… and …………….. are the issues of urban society.
Answer:
Housing, slums

True/False:

1. Urban society is small in size.
Answer:
False

2. Trade, industry and commerce are the chief marks of the urban economy.
Answer:
True

3. The chances for social mobility are less in urban society.
Answer:
False

4. Megacities are suffering from acute housing problems.
Answer:
True

5. Slums are part of rural life.
Answer:
False

Match the Columns:

Column A	Column B
Formal relation	Homelessness
Shortage of housing	Slum
The urban way of living	Urban society
Informal housing structure	Heterogeneity
Inter mixture of people from different backgrounds	Urbanism

Answer:

Column A	Column B
Formal relation	Urban society
Shortage of housing	Homelessness
The urban way of living	Urbanism
Informal housing structure	Slum
Inter mixture of people from different backgrounds	Heterogeneity

Very Short Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
What is a district of a city marked by poverty and inferior living conditions called?
Answer:
Slums.

Question 2.
Poor ventilation, acute overcrowding, faulty alignment of streets and inadequate lighting are the features of which type of society?
Answer:
Urban society.

Question 3.
Large-scale division of labour and specialisation are found in which society-urban or rural?
Answer:
Urban society.

Question 4.
An attitude in which the interests of the individual take precedence over the interests of the group is called?
Answer:
Individualism.

Question 5.
The state of being unknown to most people is called:
Answer:
Anonymity.

Question 6.
Urban society is dominated by which relations?
Answer:
Secondary and formal relations.

Question 7.
Which type of economy is found in a tribal society?
Answer:
Subsistence economy.

Question 8.
What is the size of the urban population?
Answer:
The urban population constitutes 37.7 crores or 32% of the total Indian population.

Question 9.
As per the census of India, what is urban society?
Answer:
The areas which have municipality, corporation, cantonment board or notified town area committee.

Question 10.
The housing problem is also known as:
Answer:
Homelessness.

Question 11.
Slums are known in India by which different names?
Answer:
Katras, Gallis, Jhuggi-Jhopadpatti, Chawls, Bustees, Jhopadpatti etc.

Question 12.
Name two types of deviant behaviours existing in slum areas.
Answer:
Crime, Juvenile delinquency, prostitution, drug addiction etc.

Short Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
What do you mean by Urban Society?
Or
Write a short note on urban society.
Answer:
Urban society is the society in which people have formal relations, where people of different religions and cultures live with each other, which is large in size and where 75% or more population is engaged in non-agricultural occupations.

Question 2.
What is a non-agricultural occupation?
Answer:
Those occupations which are not directly attached to agriculture are known as non-agricultural occupations. Such occupations are available in urban areas where 75% population is engaged in non-agricultural occupations such as jobs, industries etc.

Question 3.
What is Individualism?
Or
Individualism.
Answer:
When an individual only thinks about himself and his own facilities then this process is known as individualism. In this, one never cares about society or someone else. He only thinks about himself and works for his own profit.

Question 4.
What do you mean by Housing?
Answer:
Housing is a building in which people live. It is the physical structure that gives us protection from sunlight, rain etc. The level of housing depends upon a few things such as the size of family, income, level of living life etc.

Question 5. What is Congestion?
Answer:
The meaning of congestion is over-crowding of urban areas. Many households in urban areas are unable to cope up with the increasing population. That’s why many individuals are forced to live in a tiny room and this is congestion.

Question 6.
What is a Slum?
Answer:
The slum is a colony in which labourers, poor people live in unhygienic conditions and without any facilities. Due to lack of means of living, people are forced to live in slums which adversely affects their health.

Question 7.
What do you mean by urbanisation?
Answer:
Urbanisation is a process in which rural people migrate to urban areas, settle there and develop the areas. People not only leave their areas but they even change their views, ideals, habits etc.

Long Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
Explain two characteristics of urban society.
Or
Briefly discuss two characteristics of urban society.
Answer:

• Size of population: Urban society is large in size as it has a lot of population. Availability of more employment, education, health and entertainment facilities attract rural people to urban areas.
• Non-Agricultural Occupations: One of the major features of urban society is that 75% or more of its population is engaged in non-agricultural occupations. There is the existence of specialisation and division of labour. Many opportunities to earn money are available in urban areas.

Question 2.
Write down the three causes of housing.
Answer:

• Lack of Houses: There is a lack of houses in urban areas and that’s why there is always a problem of housing in urban areas.
• Poverty: There is too much of the urban population out of which many are poor who cannot afford to buy a house. That’s why there is a problem with housing in cities.
• More Population: The way in which urban population is increasing, housing is not increasing with that pace. That’s why people face the problem of housing.

Question 3.
Write the three causes responsible for slum areas in urban society.
Or
Slums are the social problem of urban society. Discuss.
Answer:

• Rural-Urban Migration: Rural people migrate to urban areas in search of employment but they do not find any place of living. That’s why they have to live in slums.
• Urbanisation: Many facilities are available in cities and rural people get attracted to them. They do not have any place of living and they are forced to live in slums.
• Poverty: Urban poverty is quite helpful in increasing slums in cities. People don’t have money to buy a house. So they have to live in slums.

Question 4.
Write any two social changes in urban society.
Answer:

• Occupations in urban areas are increasing. During earlier times, there were very few occupations available but occupations are increasing due to industrialisation and education. People are adopting them and are removing unemployment.
• Individualism is increasing in urban areas. Now people don’t know about their neighbours. They only know about their own interests and they are ready to do anything for their interests.

Question 5.
Write a short note on urban society.
Answer:
See Question 1. of very long answer type questions (V).

Question 6.
What do you mean by urban society? Discuss its characteristics in detail.
Answer:
See Question 1. of very long answer type questions (V).

Very Long Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
Write a detailed note on urban society.
Or
Define urban society. Discuss the major characteristics of urban society in detail.
Answer:
Urban areas and people living in urban areas are rapidly increasing. More .than 5,000 cities and towns are there in our country. Life of the urban people has been greatly affected due to increase in population. People of the middle class and higher class are able to fulfill their needs but it becomes very difficult for people of lower classes to fulfill their needs.

In simple words city is a formally spread community that is determined on the basis of living standard of the people living in any specific area and on the basis of urban characteristics. Word ‘CITY’ is an English word. Word CITY has come out of the word of Latin language ‘CIVITAS’ whose meaning is citizenship. In the same way the English word ‘URBAN’ has come out of Lastin word ‘URBS’ whose meaning is also city.

Definition on the basis of population. According to the Census Bureau of America, a city is that place whose population is 25,000 or more than it. In the same way Egypt has the limit of 11,000 and France has the limit of 2,000 for any place to be called as a city. In our country India, community of population more than 5,000 is known as Urban area where the density of population is 400 or more than 400 and where 75% or more than 75% of people are engaged in non-agricultural occupations. Definitions on the basis of occupations. That area is considered as Urban area where the main occupation of the people is not the agriculture but is any one else.

1. According to Willcox, “The cities include all districts in which the density of population per square mile is more than 1,000 and where there is practically no agriculture.”
2. According to Bergal, “City is an institution whose most of the citizens are engaged in other industries except agriculture.”
3. According to Anand Kumar, “Urban community is a complex community of secondary relation with more population, based primarily on occupational and environmental differences.”
4. According to Lewis Mumford, “City is that centre where more and more power of community and concentration of culture is there.”
5. According to Louis Wirth, “In city, people with many social differences are living in an area with more concentration of population.”

So on the basis of these definitions, we can say that the urban communities are large in size, where secondary relations are of great importance, where a number of occupations are there and where the features like division of labour, specialization and social mobility are there.

Characteristics: 1. Large Population. Most important feature of urban society is the large number of people living over there and more density of pupulation. Meaning of density of population is that how many people live in one square kilometre. Cities can be divided in different classes on the basis of more or less population like small cities, medium cities and metropolitan cities. Population of the metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata etc., is more than one crore but the population of 13 states of India is less than one crore. Industrial houses, educational institutions, trade centres and commerce centres are more in cities because of which the density of population is more in cities. Because of more population, many problems arise in cities like poverty, unemployment, crime, starvation, slums etc.

2. Less Places of Living. Another important feature of cities is the lack of place of living. It is so because of the more population of cities. It is a very serious problem in big cities. Many poor people live on roadsides or under the trees or in slums. Middle class families live in small houses in cities where there is no place to play for children and where ,there is no separate room for children to sleep and to study. That’s why many times children are able to see those things which should not be seen by them. In this way very less place of living is there in cities.

3. Secondary and Formal Relations. The most important feature of urban society is the large number of population. Peoplg don’t have direct or face to face relations due to this large number of population. People in cities have formal relations with each other. These relations are temporary. Person makes relation with other persons whenever any need arises and these relations come to an end when person’s need is fulfilled. In this way secondary and formal relations are the base of urban society.

4. Different Occupations. Cities are developed on the basis of different occupations. Many industries, occupations and institutions exist in cities because of which different people are engaged in different types of occupations. Doctors, Managers, Engineers, Specialised labourers, non-specialised labourers etc. Thousands of occupations exist in urban areas. More population is necessary for the needs of these different occupations.

5. Division in Economic Classes. Not much importance is given to caste, religion and occupation of the person in urban areas. But population in cities is divided in economic classes on economic basis. Population, in cities, is not divided only in two classes of capitalists and labourers but many other small classes and sub-classes exist in cities on the basis of their economic status. The difference of higher and lower classes also exists in cities.

6. Competition. Every person, in cities, gets enough chances to progress in every sector. We can find literate and able persons, in cities, in large number. That’s why too much competition is there in cities to get admission in educational institutions, to get job and to get promotion in job. Competition has been increased to a great extent due to the development of industrialization.

7. Individualism. The equality of individualism can be seen among the people of urban areas. We can see the sense of individualism instead of community feeling among the urban people. People in cities just consider about their interests. Person has just one aim of his life and that is to collect more and more money with the help of which he can buy all the things of leisure. This feature of individualism is not limited among persons only in economic and political sector but it has reached the familial and cultural sector as well.

8. Social Mobility. More social mobility exists in urban areas as compared to rural areas. People in cities are always ready to leave one place and to go to another place for more profit or in search of good job. We can see local mobility as well as social mobility among the urban people. It means that person’s social status in society changes to higher or lower according to his ability.

9. Higher Status of Women. Status of woman is higher in urban society as compared to rural society. We can see urban women working in any sector without any restriction and she works like males. Many social evils like purdah system, child marriage, no education to females, restrictions on female are either very less in number or are negligible. That’s why the urban woman gets more chances to develop her prsonality. We can see urban females working like males in every field and in every sector.

10. Less Family Control. Very less primary relations are there in urban societies and it also lacks community feelings. Person in cities gets the facilities like making food, washing cloths, creches for taking care of children etc. That’s why there is no need for the person to depend upon other members of the family to fulfill his needs. That’s why females are going out of their houses to do job in any office. It is so because the responsibilities of females for family and children have been taken away by many other institutions. In this way the place of family relations is taken away by money. That’s why the control of the family over its members has been reduced to a great extent.

11. Centre of Social Problems. Urban society has played an important role in increasing many social problems. Many types of social problems, which exists in present societies, are because of urban areas. City is the main centre of many problems like crime, corruption, alcoholism, poverty, unemployment, family disorganization, conflict in different classes, lack of moral values etc. Population and size of cities are increasing day by day and that’s why all the problems are also increasing.

12. Technology and Invention. Many types of developed techniques, education and different types of training exist in urban societies. Urban people have to face new problem daily and that’s why many new inventions daily take place in their areas. We can see many forms of science, better technology, higher education etc. in urban areas.

13. Decreasing Effect of Religion. Number of literate persons are too much in cities. That’s why they never spend their life based on superstitions, mores, beliefs etc. Person understands everything on the basis of reason and science. That’s why they want to understand religious functions on the basis of reason. But no one can prove these religious functions on the basis of reason and that’s why the faith and effect of religion on person is decreasing day by day.

14. Changing Social Classes. Different classes play an important role in maintaining any society. These classes have fulfilled many needs of the society right from the ancient times till today. But in today’s modern times, social classes are very much changeable and flexible. Old classes of cities are coming to an end and they are being replaced by new classes. There is too much difference in working culture of ancient classes and modern classes and that’s why they seem like new classes.

Question 2.
What is housing? What are the causes responsible for housing problems?
Answer:
The meaning of housing is that building in which people live. It means that physical structure which protects us from sun, cold, rain etc. If there is no housing, people will have to live under open sky and they will not be able to protect them in any way. The level of housing of any one depends upon many factors such as family income is less or more, family is of small size (nuclear family) or of large size (joint family) what is their life style and what is the level of education in the family.

Our country India still is not in a position to provide the basic facility of having a home to millions of its citizens. Having a home is a basic need of an individual. Even after 69 years of independence, our country is having a severe shortage of housing, especially for the poor. This problem is further increased by the increasing population of urban India. The rural migration to urban areas in search of employment has exerted a great pressure on urban housing and basic facilities. That’s why the gap between demand and supply increases in urban areas and that’s why there is a great lack of housing over there.

During last few decades, the urban population is increasing quite rapidly and it’s almost impossible to provide a house to every individual. That’s why the problem of housing, which is also known as homelessness, is becoming a major problem in urban areas. The places of living in urban areas are under such pressure that many persons are forced to live on roads, bus stand, railway station and slums. It has been said that around half of the urban population fives in slums or they pay 20% of their total income as rent of their house. Major cities such as Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai are facing this problem.

There are many reasons of the problem of housing such as:

• Lack of houses
• Entitlement of land
• Individual status of homeless persons
• Entitlement of houses.

Question 3.
What do you mean by slums? Write a detailed note on it.
Or
Define Slum.
Answer:
Population of our country is increasing very quickly. Due to this increasing population of the country, many problems are also increasing in the cities Out of these problems, one problem which is creating lot of trouble to us is the p’-obkin of living in the cities. People hardly get houses to five in cities and if they are available then their rent and rates are very high that one common person or poor people cannot afford it, but they have to live in cities because of their occupations. That’s why they have to live in slums. In this way slums have come forward in cities as a very important and serious problem. Tliey are also known as Jhugis, Chawls, Jhopar patti, ‘Bastis’ etc.

In this way we can define slums in this way that, “group of buildings or bad houses where more than required people are living in non-living conditions, where people have to live in unhygienic environment due to non-arrangement of sanitation or due to lack of facilities and with Which a wrong effect is there on the health and morality of the people living in those groups.”

In this way slum is that area in a city where place of living is not good for a better life. Slums can be seen as a social fact. In this way the following things can be seen very early in slums:

• More density of population
• Crowd of people
• Lack of sanitation facility
• Sub-standard houses
• Crimes
• Poverty

In this way, people in slums, live with each other in the non-living and hell-like atmosphere, where too much poverty, temporary houses are there and where is no facility of sanitation: These are those areas where a person cannot live and the atmosphere is not conducive for the people to live a good life. According to census of 2001, Slum is that

• Which is declared as slum by State Government, Local Government and Union Centered Administration.
• That narrow place where minimum of 300 people are living or where 60-70 houses are made in a bad way, where atmosphere is not healthy, whose infrastructure is very bad and where there is a problem of drinking water and sanitation.

Characteristics of Slums:

On the basis of given description we can give certain characteristics of slums which are given below:

1. Problem of place of living. First and the most important feature of slums is that they have the problem of place of living. People are coming to cities, by leaving their villages, in search of any work. They get job in cities but are unable to get house to live. If they find any house then that house is in slums. In these slums, 8¬10 people are living only in one room in non-hygienic conditions and even make their food over there. In this way there is a problem of place of living in slums.

2. Full of crimes. Slums are always full of crimes. The behaviour of most of the people living here is disintegrative. We can include crimes, prostitution, child deliquency, suicide, family disorganization, Alcoholism, drug abuse etc. in disintegrative behaviour. There is no place of thing called morality in these slums. Most the people living here are illiterate and are open to criminal behaviour. In other words persons are very much open to move towards crimes living in slums.

3. Lack of facilities. There is very much lack of facilities in slums. These slums are generally illegal and are made on the illegal occupation on any one else’s land. Because they are illegal that’s why they never get the facilities provided by government like electricity, water, sanitation, roads etc. So due to unavailability of facilities people lack facilities over here and that’s why they have to live life like hell. Atmosphere over here is not conducive for any one to live here. Lack of water and electricity are the main features of these slums. Children are used to die due to many diseases. Even children are open to be suffered by diseases. No facilities of sanitation and no health facilities are there in slums.

4. Over populated. Most of the slums are there in metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata etc. People move towards urban areas, by leaving villages, in search of good occupations. They get any work in cities but hardly get any good place to live. Good places of living like flats are very expensive to live and a common person cannot give this much of rent. That’s why he has to find any cheap place of living and cheap place to live is always available in slums. People, in large number, start to live over here and in this way the population of slums increases. Even 8-10 persons are living and cooking in one room.

5. Away from civilized society. People living in slums live in very bad atmosphere and very much away from civilized society. There is no means of contact in slums with civilized society. People living over here know that this place of living is not good for their health and its atmosphere is very bad to live but they don’t have any other option except to live over here. For the whole life they fight with the poverty, unemployment, crimes and feel themselves as helpless. Good facilities are very much away from them.

6. Full of problems. We can find every type ef social problem in these slums. Problems like poverty, Unemployment, prostitution, crimes, child deliquency, violence, drug abuse, bad habits, disintegrative behaviour etc. exist in every slum. Daily workers, rickshaw pullers, thiefs, criminals etc. live over here. Parents and children are living in one room. They observe every thing which should not be seen by them. They feeT attracted towards these things and move towards crimes even in younger age.

In this way we can say that slums are those places, which exist in metropolitan cities, where thousands of people are living in small area and worse environment. These slums are full of crimes and problems and its environment is not conducive and good to live life.

Question 4.
Write down about social changes which occur in urban society.
Answer:
Many changes are coming in the urban society’s every aspect in modern times because the way in which changes are coming in our social structure, in that same way our urban society system is also changing. New circumstances have exerted a lot of effect on the structure and functions of the urban family. Now we will see that how changes have come in the functions and structure of the cities and other urban institutions.

1. Change in Familial Structure: In earlier societies joint family was of great importance and in those societies joint families exist everywhere. But in modern times a very big change has come in the structure of the family and that change is this that now joint family system is coming to an end. Instead of joint family, nuclear families came into being. With the advent of Nuclear family some changes have also come in the family like:

• Individualistic point of view and outlook
• Change in the relations of male and female
• Limited Size
• Breaking of families
• Higher standard of living
• Instability in the family
• Equal division of property
• Good upbringing of children.

Because of these reasons stability of family has decreased. We can break family at any time with divorce.

2. Breaking up of Families: In ancient times birth of girl baby was known as curse updn the family. She was deprived of education. Slowly and slowly with the change in society, female started to get education. In earlier times female was dependent upon husband after marriage but today she is independent economically and she is very less dependent upon husband. Even in same cases wife earns more than husband. In these conditions family can disintegrate at any time. Except this the position of husband and wife is equal these days. They are proud of themselves because of which fights, conflicts, quarrels start in the family and even children are affected by this. In this way many other reasons are there because of which existence of families is in danger and the future of children and family is not safe.

3. Change in Educational-Functions: With the change in society, changes are also coming in the functions of all urban institutions. Functions of the family, which family was doing for its members, have been changed’completely. In ancient times, child was getting education in the family and the education was generally related with the traditional occupation of the family. It was so because joint family’system was there and whatever function father was doing, child had to adopt same occupation.

Under the guidance of the father-child was getting training. But slowly and slowly with modernization child started to go to educational institutions to get education and because of this he started to go away from the traditional occupation of the family. He started to adopt any other occupation. In this way the traditional function of the family has been changed and goes in the hands of educational institutions.

4. Change in the Economic Functions: In earlier times the family was the centre of economic activities. Every work related to earning was being done by family. In this way all the means of living were available in the family. But with the advent of industrialization all those functions of production were taken away by the big industries like now cloth is made in any textile mill. In this way economic functions of the family have been taken by industries. So the responsibility of family of economic production has been taken away by other institutions.

5. Change in Religious Functions: In earlier times one of the main functions of family was to give religious education to its members. Family was telling its members about religion and morality. But with the advent of new scientific inventions and discoveries outlook of people has been changed from religious to scientific. In earlier societies religion was of utmost importance but today religion has very less importance as compared to earlier time. In earlier times people were used to spend a lot of time for religious functions and religious rituals were performed for a number of days.

But these days people don’t have spare time for religious functions and rituals. Instead of religious functions people are celebrating festivals. Everyone tries to spend more and more money on these festivals. Because of the importance of money, importance of religious actions has been decreased. In this way the religious functions of the family have been reduced.

6. Change is Social Functions: Social function of the family has been reduced. In earlier times husband was just like a God for wife. It was the duty of the husband to keep his wife happy. Except this family was doing an important function of controlling the behaviour of its members but now this function of social control has been taken away by many agencies like police, court, military etc. With this another function of the family was upbringing of children. Child was developing in the family and all the members of the family love the child. But slowly and slowly with modernization, females started to go out of the house and started to go out for job. So for the upbringing of children creches came into being where children are taken care by other females. In this way this function of the family has been reduced.

Except this in earlier times elders of the family were protected by the family and were fully respected by the members of the family. But today husband and wife both are working and they are so busy that they don’t have the time to take care of their elders. Today old age homes have come into being where they are taken care of. In this way social function of the family has been reduced.

7. Decreasing Family Unity: In earlier times joint .families were there but today the unity and system of joint family has come to an end. Every one has its own ideals. No one tolerates any one’s interference. They are living with each other, eating, drinking with each other but hardly bother about them. Clearly they lack unity.

8. Individualistic Approach: Approaches of members of modern societies have been changed to individualistic. Every member-only thinks about his own interests. In ancient time and in rural societies, person has to suppress his wish if it clashes with the interest of the family. Collectivity was heavier then the individualism. There was no value of person’s personal wish. But these things have been changed completely in modern urban societies. Person never likes to leave his wish for the interests of the society. There is no value for a person of society’s wish. He just knows about his own wish.

9. Change in the Status of Women: The status of males and female is equal in urban society but the status of female is very low in rural family. The urban female is well educated and is aware about her rights. With this most of the urban women are working somewhere else except their home. They are working in offices, factories, schools, colleges etc. and are earning equal money with that of males. Even in some cases she earns more then the males.

She helps the family from economic point of view and that’s why she wants that she should be given equal rights with males. If male tries to oppose this then she can take divorce from him. In this way urban female has got equal status with that of males due to her education and economic status. If her in-laws try to exploit the girl or try to commit atrocities on girl then girl can seek justice by going to police or court and can send her husband and in-laws to jail. That’s why the numbers of divorce are increasing and families are breaking.

10. Higher Standard of Living: The standard of living of urban people have become higher. Urban family is small in size in which husband, wife and their unmarried children are living. That’s why it is known as Nuclear family. Income of person in rural society is generally spent on the family. Even unemployed people are also eating by sitting only at home because of which the standard of living of rural people is very low. But urban families are small in size because of which they save some money from their total income. With this wife also works anywhere because of which economic status of the family becomes higher. They buy all the things of leisure with that saved money because of which standard of living of people becomes higher.

Question 5.
Differentiate between tribal, rural, and urban societies.
Answer:

Urban Society	Rural Society	Tribal Society
1. Urban society is large in size.	1. Rural society is small in size.	1. Tribal Society is small in size.
2. Urban society is full of diversities.	2. There is homogeneity in 2. People have similarities rural society and people and unity with each are quite similar to each other.	2. People have similarities and unity with each other.
3. Urban societies are full of seconaary relations.	3. Rural societies have primary relations.	3. Blood relations are quite important in tribal societies.
4. There are formal means of social control in urban society.	4. Informal means of social control are there in rural society.	4. Informal means of social control are there in tribal society.
5. Urban society 18 full of non-agricultural occupations.	5. Major occupation of the rural people is agriculture.	5. Hunting, collecting and rearing animal8 is the major occupation of tribal people.
6. Urban society is very much away from nature.	6. Rural society is  quite close to nature.	6. They have direct and close relation with nature.
7. Urban people are very well educated.	7. Rural people do not lay much stress on education.	7. Most of the tribal people are uneducated
8. Urban people are progressive in nature and that’s why they are ready to take risk.	8. Rural people are traditional in nature. So, they don’t like change.	8. Tribal people are traditional and full of superstitions.
9. Specialisatîon and division of labour on a large scale is available in urban areas.	9. Simple division of labour is available in rural society.	9. Division of labour is based on sex.

 

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Sociology Book Solutions Chapter 2 Rural Society Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Sociology Chapter 2 Rural Society

Sociology Guide for Class 12 PSEB Rural Society Textbook Questions and Answers

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Rural society can be divided into two classes :
(а) Master and slaves
(b) The exploiting class and the exploited class
(c) Upper class and lower class
(d) Capitalists and workers.
Answer:
(b) The exploiting class and the exploited class.

2. The introduction of new techniques leading to greater crop yields is called :
(a) White Revolution
(b) Blue Revolution
(c) Yellow Revolution
(d) Green Revolution
Answer:
(d) Green Revolution

3. The mate selection within the group is called :
(a) Exogamy
(b) Endogamy
(c) Group Marriage
(d) Monogamy
Answer:
(b) Endogamy

4. Jajmani system is based upon the relationship of:
(a) Jajmanis
(b) Kammens
(c) Jajman and Kammen
(d) None of the above
Answer:
(c) Jajman and Kammen

5. The reason for indebtedness in rural society is:
(a) Development
(b) Poverty and deficit economy
(c) Self-sufficiency
(d) Subsistence economy
Answer:
(b) Poverty and deficit economy

6. The new agricultural technology has made the farmers :
(a) Market-oriented
(b) Labour class
(c) Self-sufficient
(d) None of the above
Answer:
(a) Market-oriented

Fill in the Blanks:

1. The head of the village was known as ……………….
Answer:
Gramini

2. Rural society is …………….. in size.
Answer:
small

3. ……………… system was based on the exploitation of the Kammen.
Answer:
Jajmani

4. Social control in rural communities is …………….. in nature.
Answer:
informal

5. ……………….. and …………………. are used to look into the instances of social disobedience in rural society.
Answer:
Caste panchayat, village panchayat

True/False:

1. The village is the unit of social and political organization of India.
Answer:
True

2. Rural indebtedness is an indicator of the weak financial infrastructure.
Answer:
True

3. In agriculture, resources like fertilisers, pesticides, agricultural machinery etc. are used.
Answer:
True

4. With the establishment of panchayats in the villages, political consciousness has increased.
Answer:
True

5. The adoption of new technology has also given a boost to agricultural employment.
Answer:
False

Match the Columns:

Column A	Column B
Face to face relations	Indebtedness
Head of the household	High yielding variety of seeds
Marriage without group numbers	Intimate relations
Litigation	Karta
Wheat, rice and crops	Endogamqus

Answer:

Column A	Column B
Face to face relations	Intimate relations
Head of the household	Karta
Marriage without group numbers	Endogamqus
Litigation	Indebtedness
Wheat, rice and crops	High yielding variety of seeds

Very Short Answer Type Questions:

Question 1. Who quoted, “Real India lives in its villages.”?
Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi.

Question 2.
Which revolution helped the growth of capitalistic farming in India?
Answer:
Green Revolution.

Question 3.
The HYVPS revolutionised the agricultural production is called:
Answer:
Green Revolution.

Question 4.
Marriage outside one’s own group is called :
Answer:
Exogamy.

Question 5.
During ancient times the head of the village was known as?
Answer:
Gramini.

Question 6.
Which kind of family system exists in rural society – Joint or Nuclear family?
Answer:
Joint family.

Question 7.
Jajmani system is based on the relationship between whom?
Answer:
Jajman and Kammen.

Question 8.
What is the full form of HYVS?
Answer:
High Yielding Variety Seeds.

Question 9.
Is poverty one of the major reasons for indebtedness?
Answer:
Yes, poverty is one of the major reasons for indebtedness.

Short Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
What is joint family?
Or
Joint Family.
Answer:
Joint family is a type of family in which a minimum of three generations live together under a sihgle roof. They eat in a common kitchen and do the same occupation i.e. agriculture. They use common property and obey the orders given by the head of family.

Question 2.
What is indebtedness?
Answer:
When an individual takes some money as a loan from others on interest to do some work, it is known as debt. When he is unable to pay back his debt and the loan increases by adding the interest, it is called indebtedness.

Question 3.
Write down two causes of rural indebtedness.
Answer:

• Indebtedness increases with poverty. Due to less rain, the crop gets damaged and farmer needs to take loan to get the new crop ready.
• Farmers are always engaged in litigation with their relatives for land and that’s why they have to take loan from the moneylenders.

Question 4.
What do you mean by Litigation?
Answer:
Rural people are always engaged in any issue such as a family dispute, theft of crops, division of land etc. and that’s why, they have to fight cases in the legal court. It is known as litigation. This leads to the increase in the problem of indebtedness.

Question 5.
What is Green Revolution?
Answer:
During the decade of 1960’s, a program was started to increase agricultural production which is known as green revolution. This programme included the use of HYV seeds, use of pesticides and new fertilizers, use of modern machines and modern means of irrigation etc.

Question 6.
Write down two changes in rural society.
Answer:

• Now there are no more joint families in rural societies which are replaced by nuclear families.
• Now rural children are getting the education and are migrating towards urban areas.

Long Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
Discuss rural society.
Or
Rural society.
Answer:
Rural society is that area where there is less use of technology, the importance of primary relations, small in size and most of the population is engaged in agriculture. In this way rural community is the community that lives at a particular place, small in size and has primary and close relations. People know each other very well and their occupation is either agriculture or agriculture-related occupation.

Question 2.
Write three features of rural society.
Answer:

• The main occupation of rural society is agriculture or other related occupation because rural society is closely related to nature. Most of the population is engaged in agriculture or other related work.
• The life of the rural people is quite simple because their life is deeply attached to nature.
• There is the very little population in the rural areas as compared to urban areas. People live in groups and these groups are called villages.

Question 3.
Write the three causes responsible for the indebtedness.
Answer:

• Poverty: Rural people are poor and they will have to take loans to purchase seeds, machines, cattle, etc. That’s why they come into debt.
• Parental debt: Many people are forced to pay back the loan taken by their parents or grandparents. That’s why they remain in debt.
• The backwardness of agriculture: Indian .agr culture is based on monsoon and still, old methods of agriculture are used in many areas. That’s why agricultural production is quite low and farmers are unable to earn more.

Question 4.
Write a short note on Green Revolution in Punjab.
Or
What is Green Revolution?
Or
Write a short note on Green Revolution.
Answer:
In the field of agricultural development in India, Punjab made huge progress. The development of agriculture in Punjab is mainly related to Green Revolution. In this, high yielding variety seeds were used to increase the production of wheat, rice and other crops. This is the reason that the production of rice and wheat was increased in Punjab after 1966. This unbelievable progress in Punjab was made possible due to many factors such as the use of HYV seeds, chemical fertilizers, pesticides, tube-wells, diesel pumps, tractors, combines, threshers, etc.

Question 5.
Write two positive as well as negative impacts of the Green Revolution.
Or
Write any two impacts of the Green Revolution.
Answer:
Positive impact.

• The major impact of the green revolution was that there was great progress in the production of rice and wheat,
• The green revolution led to an increase in the demand for laborers and that’s why many persons got employment in the agricultural field.

Negative impact.

• Only rich farmers took advantage of the green revolution who used their money to purchase modern technology. Poor farmers were unable to take advantage.
• The green revolution increased the gap between the income of people. Rich people earned more money and the poor remained poor.

Very Long Answer Type Questions:

Question 1.
What do you mean by rutal society? Discuss its characteristics in detail.
Or
Define rural society. Describe features of rural society.
Or
Define Rural Society.
Answer:
India is a rural country in which most of the people live in villages. Rural area is that area where technique is scarcely used, importance is given to primary relations, which is small in size and where most of the people depend upon agriculture. Rural culture is very much different from urban culture. Yet the rural and urban cultures are not the same but they both are very much interrelated. It is very much different from urban society due to many factors yet it is a part of the whole society. Many of its factors like economic, geographical, social etc. differentiate it from urban society.

Definitions:

1. According to A.R. Desai, “The village is the unit of rural society. It is the theatre in the quantum of rural life where the ruraf society unfolds itself and functions.

2. According to R.N. Mukherji, “A village is that community which is characterized by relative homogenity, informality, prominence of primary groups, lesser density of population and agriculture as the main occupation.”

3. According to Peake, “The village community consists of a group of the related or unrealted persons larger than a single family occupying a large house or a number of dwellings placed closed together, sometimes irregularly, sometimes in a street and cultivating originally in common a number of fields, dividing the available meadow land between them and pasturing their cattle upon surrounding waste land over which the community claims rights as far as the boundaries of adjacent community.”

In this way after looking at these definitions, we can say that the rural community is that community which lives at a definite place, is small in size, which has very close relations and in which primary relations exist. People know each other with great proximity and their main occupation is either agriculture or agriculture related work.

Characteristics of Rural Society:

1. Agriculture main Occupation. The main occupation of the tribal society is either agriculture or any of the related work because they are very much closely related with nature. Because they are closely related with nature, that’s why their views towards life are very much different. Yet many other occupations, like carpenter, blacksmith etc. are there in villages but they also make tools related to agriculture. Land is considered as a very important thing in tribal society and people like to live here because their life depends upon the land. Even the economic system and development of people and villages depend upon agriculture.

2. Simple Life. Life of the rural people is very simple. People in ancient rural societies used to do a lot of hard work to fulfil their needs and they were very much away from leisures of life due to this hard work. People also like to engage their children in agricultural works because they don’t like to get education. They don’t have any mental conflicts and problems. They are always ready to help each other in each other’s problems. Any one’s daughter is considered as the daughter of the village. Needs of the people are very much limited because their income is very limited. People like to live a simple life.

3. Scarcity of Population and Homogenity. Population of villages is very less as compared to urban areas. People live in small groups and very much away from each other and these groups are known as villages. There are very less occupations in rural areas except agriculture because of which people like to go to cities to earn money and that’s why populatation in villages is very less. People have close relations with each other and their views are also same due to same occupation of agriculture. Customs, rituals, traditions etc. of rural people are common and there is hardly any difference in their economic, moral and religious life. People in village come to live in cities from far off places but they are the original inhabitants of villages or are living in the nearby areas. That’s why people have homogeneity among themselves.

4. Importance of Neighbourhood. Neighbourhood has great importance in rural society. Main occupation of the people is agriculture’in which they get enough pleasure time. This occupation of agriculture hardly needs much time. That’s why people meet each other, talk with each other and co-operate with each other. People have very close relations with their neighbours. Neighbours generally are of same caste because of which their status is also same. People generally like to give respect to their neighbour. They come very quickly in each other’s problems. That’s why neighbourhood is of great importance in rural society.

5. Control of Family. One person is in complete control of the family in rural societies. Generally patriarchal families are there in villages and every type of decision of family is being taken by the head of the family. Division of labour in villages is being done on the basis of sex. Males are either doing agricutlture or are going out of the house to earn some money and females are taking care of the house by living in the house. Joint family system is there in villages and person adopts the traditional occupation of the family. Every member of the family works with each other and that’s why they have community feeling among them. Family is known as primary group. Younger ones like to give respect to elders.They have a great sense of co¬operation due to same occupation. All the members of the family take part in all the festivals and religious activities. Person always takes advice of family before doing anything. In this way family has complete control on its members.

6. Common Culture. People of a village are not the outsiders who come toTive in the village but are the original inhabitants of the village and that’s why their culture is common. Their culture, rituals, traditions, customs etc. are also common. That’s why they live with each other in a peaceful atmosphere. They have unity among themselves.

7. Community Feeling. Mutual relations of the people in rural societies are based upon co-operation because of which they have community feeling among them. All the members of the village like to help each other at the time of any problem. People have unity among themselves because they have direct and close relations with each other. If any problem comes on any person or the village then the whole village jointly face that problem. All the members of the village respect the customs, rituals etc. of the village and take part in each other’s sorrows and happiness.

8. Stability. Rural society is a stable society because mobility in rural society is very less. Rural society has many geographical or other reasons because of which it is very much different from other societies. These are stable societies because they are self dependent among themselves.

9. Speed of Social Change. Very less mobility is there in rural society because of which speed of social change is very less. Rural people never like to leave their houses to achieve higher status and like to adopt their traditional occupations. That’s why the main occupation of rural people is agriculture from ancient times. Because of the occupation of agriculture they don’t like to move from one place to another and that’s why speed of social change is very less in rural society as compared to urban societies.

10. Isolation. There was a lot of difference between villages and cities during ancient times because of which rural societies had their own world. Means of transport were not developed at that time and it was not possible for the people to move towards cities on bullock carts. Roads were also <«ot good enough and that’s why it was not possible for them to move toward cities. Even today, thousands of villages are there in our country which are very much far off from cities- and are very much backward. Education and means of transport have not yet reached these village. That’s why these people consider themselves different from urban areas. People of backward villages hardly know that what is going on in cities.

Question 2.
What is Indebtedness? What are the causes responsible for Indebtedness?
Or
What is Rural Indebtedness? What are the causes responsible for rural indebtedness?
Answer:
A money lender has a very important place in rural economy. In most of the areas the word ‘SHAHUKAR’ is used for that person who gives money as loan on interest. He is known by different names at different places. The system of giving and taking loans, in ancient Indian society, was not based upon laws. This system was based upon the traditional and personal relations of both the parties. In this way the relations of both the parties generally were very good. When new laws of agreements were made with the advent of Britishers then the money lenders got a great chance to become rich very quickly. Now the relations between both the parties were not personal and started to be based upon money.

Yet the condition of farmers, in ancient Indian society was very good but their economic condition in British empire became very weak. Generally Indian farmers are poor people. But with this they also want to maintain status and respect in the society and that’s why they hardly care to do more expenditure at the time of many functions like marriage. In this way indebtedness remains in Indian society necessarily. Lakhs of farmers in Indian society are there who are suppressed under the pressure of indebtedness right from the ages. Their expenditure is also increasing day by day. Every increase of population increases pressure on land. Generally people take loan for the marriage of their daughter and most of them are unable to repay their loans; Agriculture in India depends upon rain. If rain is less then their situation also worsens because less rain will result in less production. That’s why farmer has to take loan and he comes under the cycle of indebtedness.

Problem of Indebtedness. Generally loans are given on the basis of individual relations. But now loan is given on the basis of land of the farmer. Indian Agreement Act and Civil Procedure Act has strengthened the hands of money lenders. With this the money lender not only got the right of taking possession of lands of indebted farmer and he also got the right to take possession of the things of the farmer. Money lender can send farmer to jail in case of non payment of loan. In this way the Registration of Document Act of 1864 and the Transfer of Property Act of 1882 has greatly helped the money lenders. With these laws money lenders became richer and richer and the land of farmers started to go in the hands of money lenders.

The number of money lenders and the amount of total loan to farmers was also increased due to this. In 1911 the rural indebtedness was around 300 crore rupees. According to Sir M.L. Darling, this was around 600 crores in 1924 and was around 900 crores in 1930. According to Dr. Radha Kamal Mukherjee, this was around 1200 crore in 1955. So from these statistics it is clear that this was increased rapidly during British rule and even it was increased very quickly after this.

Causes of Indebtedness:

There are many reasons of this indebtedness and these reasons are given below :

1. Absence of Necessary Laws:
The biggest reason of indebtedness is the absence of necessary laws for the security of debted person. Moneylenders never let the indebted person to go out of their clutches due to their higher status. If a person takes loan once from money lenders in the village then he is unable to repay that loan even during whole of his life.

2. Neglect by Government:
The British government had hardly done any effort to save farmers from the hands of money lenders, yet many social reformers had tried to bring the attention of the British Government toward this thing. After independence, Indian government had made many laws to save farmers from the clutches of money lenders. But money lenders have adopted new ways of exploitation of farmers due to loopholes of these laws. Even today lakhs of farmers are under the clutches of money lenders.

3. Economic Disturbances:
In 1929 economic disturbances came because of which condition of farmers became more worse and they remained under the indebtedness of money lenders. After that they never came out of this indebtedness. After independence, many other factors had increased indebtedness like increased expenditure on agriculture, inflation, dependency on diesel in the absence of electricity and that’s why they remain under the indebtedness of money lenders.

4. More Expenditure:
Most of the farmers are poor and they are not in a position to buy things of leisure but they still try to buy things of leisure. Except this rural people have the tendency to spend more than their pocket. They spend more especially at the time of the marriage of their daughter and even try to give more dowry. That’s why they have to take loan. In this way their loan also increases with this.

5. Facility in taking loans:
Rural people are motivated to take more and more loan due to the easy availability of loans to them. If we want to take loan from the bank then we have to complete a number of formalities for the bank. But there is no problem of completing formality with a money lender. Farmer can get a loan from money lender just with personal know-how. In this way easiness of taking loan also encourages them to take loan from the money lender.

6. Tricks of money lenders:
Tricks of money lenders of our country have also increased the process of indebtedness. Generally, money lenders charge too much interest on loan because of which a person is unable to pay even interest of that loan. Sometimes money lenders give money by cutting interest before giving an amount to the person because of which farmer gets very less amount. In this way loan becomes double, triple even within a short span of time. With this there is another tendency in rural society that people are used to pay the loan which was taken by their parents.

In this way, this loan moves on from one generation to another. The illiteracy of rural people is also another reason of indebtedness. Moneylenders are giving less amount to the related person but are writing more amount in their books and taking advantage of their illiteracy. They even give their signatures a blank paper with which money lenders take possession of everything of the related person. Generally, money lenders in villages belong to a higher caste, and lower caste people don’t have enough power to oppose them. In this way due to these causes problem of indebtedness increases.

Question 3.
Define Green Revolution. Write down its components in detail.
Answer:
The green revolution is the planned and scientific method to increase agricultural production. After the analysis of Five Year Plans, it became clear that if we want to become self-dependent in the field of crop production, we will have to use modern means of production. While keeping in mind this objective, in 1966-67, technical changes started coming in agriculture. In this, high yielding variety seeds, modern means of irrigation, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides were used. The use of developed means in agriculture is given the name of the green revolution. Here the word ‘Green’ was used for green fields of rural areas and the word ‘Revolution’ was used to show allround change. During the first phase of the green revolution “Intensive Agriculture District Programme” was launched in which initially three districts and later on 16 districts were included. In the selected districts, modern methods of agriculture, urea, seeds, means of irrigation were used.

In 1967-68, this program was launched in the other parts of the country. In this program, farmers were informed about the modern methods of agriculture, skill, and new methods of production. The government gave complete help to this program and it became successful. The country became self-dependent in the field of wheat and rice.
Major elements of the Green Revolution. Major elements of the green revolution are given below :

• With the use of high-yielding variety seeds, agricultural production increased.
• Chemical fertilizers, urea also played an important role in increasing production.
• Modern machines of agriculture such as tractor, thresher, combine, pump set, sprayer etc. also contributed in increasing production.
• Modern methods of agriculture, including the Japanese method, helped to increase production.
• Farmers were made aware of modern means of irrigation which helped in increasing production.
• The process of taking two or more crops in one year also contributes to the cause.
• Many institutions were established to provide loans to farmers at low-rate of interest which includes cooperative society, Grameen bank, etc. They gave farmers easy loans to purchase modern machines.
• The government assured the farmers to give ‘Minimum Support Price’ (MSP) for their crops which encouraged the farmers to increase production.
• Programs such as ‘Soil conservation’ also helped the farmers to increase productivity from their land.
• To sell the crops, market committees, cooperative marketing societies were established.
• The government also implemented land reforms such as the end of intermediaries,
  protection of labor, consolidation of land, the legal right to the farmer over land, etc. It also helped in increasing production.
• The government also started many programs to increase agricultural production.

Question 4.
What is Green Revolution? Discuss in detail its impact.
Answer:
Green Revolution. Refer to Question 3.
Impact of Green Revolution. We can divide the impact of the green revolution into two parts—positive and negative. Their description is given below :

Positive Impact. 1. Increase in cereals production. A major achievement of the green revolution was that it increased cereal production in the country especially wheat and rice. The production of rice was quite good but wheat’s production was increased to a great extent. Maize, Jwar, Bazar, Rabi, and other crops were not included in it.

2. Increase in the production of the commercial crop. The major objective of the green revolution was to increase crop production. Initially, there was no increase in the production of commercial crops such as sugarcane, cotton, jute, oilseeds, and potato. But after 1973, there was a great increase in the production of sugarcane. In the same way, later on, the production of oil seeds and potatoes was also increased.

3. Changes in crop pattern. Due to green revolution, there was a great change in the pattern of sowing of crops. First of all, the cereal production started increasing with the rate of 3% – 4% per annum. But there was no change in the production of pulses. Secondly the share of rice in cereals decreased and the share of wheat was increased.

4. Encouragement to Employment. With the use of new technology, agriculture-related employment increased to a great extent. When farmers started producing many crops in one year, it led to increase in employment in an agricultural area. Negative

Impact. 1. Advent of capitalist farming in India. In the program of new agriculture, there was a great need of capital investment such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, means of irrigation etc. Such investment was beyond the reach of small and marginal farmers. It led to the advent of capital farming in India and money started accumulating in the hands of 6% rural population. Poor and marginal farmers were unable to take advantage of green revolution.

2. Side tracking the need for institutional reforms in Indian agriculture. In the program of new agriculture, no stress was given on the institutional reforms of agriculture. Large number of farmers had no landholding. Land was evacuated on large scale. That’s why farmers had to accept the situation of share croper.

3. Widening disparities in income. The advent of technological changes in agriculture increased the income disparity among the rural people. Rich farmers used new technology and increased their income but poor farmers were unable to do so. The condition of labourers further deteriorated.

4. Problem of Labour displacement. Along with green revolution, stress was also given on establishing industries in the country; Industries were established on agricultural land and agricultural labourers became unemployed. This unemployment further gave birth to many other problems. Naxalite movement in the different parts of country was a result of this system.

Question 5.
Define rural society. Discuss various changes taking place in rural society.
Or
Describe the changes taking place in rural society.
Or
Discuss various changes taking place in rural society.
Answer:
Definition of rural society. See question no. 1.
Changes in rural society. Change is law of nature. No one can change it. Change always comes in every thing of the world. In this way rural society is also going through the process of change. Modern society and technique have brought change in every aspect of the rural society. These changes are given below :

1. Decreasing rural-urban differences. There were a number of differences in rural and urban societies during earlier times. But these differences between both the societies are decreasing day by day. It is not so because rural people imitate the styles of urban people but it is so because the relations of rural and urban people are increasing due to open market economy. They sell their produce in the city and adopt new occupations. That’s why their relations with outsiders are increasing and their ways of living, eating, wearing, thinking etc. are changing according to the urban people. Rural people are getting every type of urban facility due to developed means of transport. Atmosphere like urban areas is increasing due to mobility of occupation and rural-urban differences are decreasing.

2. Decreasing difference of area. The most important change which came in the rural society is that the difference between village and the city is decreasing. Cities are moving towards villages and villages are coming closer to cities. Means of transport, good roads, spread of education and means of communication have brought villages closer to the urban areas. Now rural people are also moving very quickly towards cities. Just within one day they are doing their work and coming back to their villages.

3. Changes in the structure of agriculture and marketization of agriculture. If we look at the ancient times then we will observe that the agricultural production in our country was being done to fulfil the needs. Means of production were very simple and were close to the nature. Agricultural work was being done with oxen and with hands. Even digging of rivers and wells was being done with forced labour. Poeple used to fulfil their needs at local level and exchange of things and services was there.

But with the advent of technology and science and with the opening up of agricultural instituions, structure of agriculture has been completely changed. With the advent of new machines like tractors, threshers etc., increased facilities of irrigation, development of irrigation through rivers and drips, advent of new seeds and with the development of markets, agriculture has reached the market level from subsistence level. Now agriculture is not being done to fulfill the needs but is being done to earn profit. Now exchange of things with money has taken place of exchange of things.

Now people produce crop four times in a year. Production has been increased to a great extent. Now India exports food grains instead of importing food grains. Agricultural work has become easy with the help of science. Now agricultural work is being done with machines not with physical force. The institutional structures of agriculture like Zamindari, Rayotwari, Mahalwari etc. came to an end. Many other occupations related to agriculture have been opened up like dairy, piggery, poultry, fishing etc.

4. Decreasing effect of religion. Religion had great influence on rural people in ancient times. Every acitivity of agriculture was according to the religion which cannot be seen in present age. In earlier times, many trees, animals etc. were considered as sacred but now this influence has been reduced. Religious beliefs, customs of rural people have been completely changed. Rural society, in present mechanical age, is going away from temples, gurudwaras.

5. Change in rural social structure. Karl Marx was of the view that social change comes with the change in economic structure. With the commercialization and mechanization of agriculture not only people become economically better but changes are also coming in old relations. Joint families are disintegrating, respect of parents is decreasing, changes are coming in divison of labour, social values are deteriorating, mental tension is increasing, changes are coming in the status of women etc. There are many aspects in which we can see many changes.

Time of rituals at the time of birth, marriage, death etc. is decreasing, Jajmani system no more prevails, effect of social kinship is decreasing, importance of primary group is also decreasing. People are running towards materialistic happiness instead of relations. Caste relations also have been changed. The supremacy of Brahmins is no more. People are leaving their occupations and are adopting new occupations. Untouchability no more prevails in society. Mobility of occupations is increasing due to reducing effect of caste. Now a person can adopt any occupation of his wish.

6. Increasing effect of science. Atmosphere, beliefs related to atmosphere were dependent upon nature in ancient times and these were the basis of rural life. Land was considered as sacred. Agriculture was being done while keeping in mind the time of sowing. But now old beliefs are no more. Farmer is not a scientist but is using the new scientific methods and leaving the ancient beliefs. Earlier people were afraid of using chemical manures to their land but now they are using more and more fertilizers and machines so that the production could be increased.

7. Decreasing dependency on nature. Farmer, during ancient times, was dependent upon nature for agricultural works. For example in the absence of rain it was impossible for any one to produce anything on the land. Except this it was impossible for a person to do struggle with natural forces. But today it’s not so. Today people are using rivers, tubewells etc. for irrigation instead of rain. Cultivation is being done with new techniques. Now people are capable of securing themselves from hot, cold, flood etc. Now metereological department predicts in advance about rain, hail storms, less rain etc. with which farmer prepares himself in advance to face any such problem.

8. Change in the level of rural life. One of the most important changes which can be seen in rural society is the improvement in the level of rural life. Statistics show that, except some classes, generally whole of the rural life has been improved. Spread of education, advent of education, medical facilities etc. has increased the life expectancy of the person. Severe diseases no more prevail. Place of living has been improved. Good houses, proper sanitation, roads, street lights, schools, dispensaries etc. can be seen in all the villages. Means of recreation are increasing and facilities of games are also increasing. Illiteracy is decreasing day by day. All these positive changes have come in rural life.

9. Change in feeding and wearing. During ancient times, some cases were not used to use many things under the effect of the caste system. They used to wear many simple dresses and of a specific type. But the feeding and wearing habits of the people are changing today due to the decreasing effect of the caste system. Today upper casts are also using meat and alcohol. People are using artificial food in place of simple food like burgers, Pizza, Noodles, Hot dogs etc. Now people are wearing pants, jeans, shirts etc. in place of Dhoti and Kurta. Now females are wearing modern ornaments. Parda Pratha no more prevails in society.

10. Change in the rural political and educational structure. In ancient times, panchayats at the local level were elected which were generally based on the hierarchy of castes. Different castes were sending their representatives to panchayats. But now rural political structure is running according to the national political process. Now members of panchayats are not nominated but are elected by-elections. The judicial system has taken the form of courts. Education in ancient times was generally given in temples, gurudwaras, and madrasas, and education was also based on caste and religion. People of lower castes were not allowed to get an education. But now this structure has been completely changed. Now education is not based on religion but is based on science. Now everyone can get an education. Now education is not in the clutches of caste.

11. Increasing population, planning, and change in occupations. Now the population of villages has been increased to a great extent. The occupational structure has also been changed due to the increasing population, decreasing means of employment in agriculture, and the spread of education. Now agriculture is not considered a profitable occupation. The government is making new plans daily for the upliftment of rural people so that the poor people could get employment. That’s why new occupations, like small industries, dairy, piggery, poultry, electrician, automobile, etc. are increasing in the rural sector. In this way, after looking at the given description we can say that many changes have taken place in the rural sector and many other changes are coming in rural society.

Question 6.
Write an essay on rural society.
Answer:
India is a rural country in which most of the people live in villages. The rural area is that area where technique is scarcely used, importance is given to primary relations, which are small in size and where most of the people depend upon agriculture. Rural culture is very much different from urban culture. Yet the rural and urban cultures are not the same but they both are very much interrelated. It is very much different from urban society due to many factors yet it is a part of the whole society. Many of its factors like economic, geographical, social, etc. differentiate it from urban society.

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 3 Marxism Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 3 Marxism

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is Marxism? Discuss four important principles of Karl Marx.
Or
Discuss any six principles of Marxian Socialism.
Or
Critically evaluate the main principles of Marxism.
Answer:
Karl Marx has been acknowledged as an originator of communism. He tried to give socialism a scientific and practical form for the first time. Marxist society is called Proletariat Socialism and Scientific Socialism. Marx regards his socialism scientific as it is based on History. Simon and Oven presented their views on socialism even before Marx, but their socialism is not considered to be scientific since it is purely based on assumption and not on History.

In the words of Wayper, these writers merely depicted beautiful sight of the roses, but never prepared a ground to plant the rose plants. Prof. Joad is of the view that Marx was the first writer on Socialism as his writings can be called scientific. He not only prepared a background for the society of his objectives, but also dealt with it in detail as to how it (society) passes through different situations and is ultimately established.

Washerman has written about Marx that “he found socialism a conspiracy and left it a movement.” Marx studies the development of society in a scientific manner. Marx’s materialistic and economic interpretation of society is called Marxism. Generally speaking, some people think that Marxism is nothing but the voice of working class and a revolutionary, violent political conception. But Marxism, as Wayper opines, is not only the raised voice of labour class rather it is a system to understand the definite form of the effect and complications of present society. Its object is to study the revolutionary circumstances and different forms of society.

Marx has not only propounded his views in a systematic way but has also suggested the ways to apply them. In the words of Catlin, “Marxist philosophy is vast and well- connected. It is influential as revolutionary system is based on the principle of class- struggle; the principle of class struggle is based on the theory of surplus value; the theory of surplus value is based on economic principle,”. Thus
Marxist conception is an inseparable unit which has six main propositions:
1. Dialectical Materialism.
2. Materialistic Interpretation of History.
3. Theory of Class-struggle.
4. Theory of Surplus Value.
5. Views about Religion.
6. Self-destruction of Capitalism.

1. Dialectical Materialism:
Marx believed that contrary forces are present in every stage of history and this is the moving force of history. The internal contradictions are inherent in things because all things have something which is dying away and something which is still developing. This process of development is a process of thesis, anti-thesis leading to synthesis. It means that two different forces act and react and give rise to a third new force.

Applying the above principle of dialectical materialism to the various stages of evolution of society, Marx declared that contradictions have existed at each stage of its evolution. The present society in which the few capitalists control the economic forces is also not free from it. The present capitalist is also faced with its anti-thesis-the proletariat. The capitalists and the workers are in conflict with each other. Marx was of the opinion that the result of this class-struggle will be the coming into existence of a classless society.

2. Materialistic interpretation of History:
Historical materialism or the materialist conception of history is the direct application of the principles of dialectical materialism to the development of society. Karl Marx made it the corner-stone of his political philosophy. Although Marx does not very much explain as to what he means by his theory of historical materialism ; it is, in fact, an economic interpretation of history.

To quote Marx, “The materialistic conception of history starts from the principle that production, and with production the exchange of its products, is the basis of every social order, that in every society which has appeared in history the distribution of the products, and with it the division of society into classes or estates is determined by what is produced and how it is produced, and how the product is exchanged.

According to this conception, the ultimate causes of all social changes and political revolutions are to be sought, not in the minds of men, in their increasing insight into eternal truth and justice, but in changes in the mode of production and exchange; they are to be sought not in the philosophy but in the economics of the period concerned.”

3. Theory of Class-struggle:
According to Marx, the history of humanity is the history of class-struggle. It is the story of the struggles of the underdog against the master. Whatever may be the form of the struggle, the basic factor is the class war. Marx holds that in every society the forces of economic production divide the society into two hostile classes-the capitalists and the workers. The capitalists have control over the means of production-the land, the workshop, raw material and the working capital.

They earn their living by ‘owning these material means of production.’ On the other hand, the workers do not possess these economic forces of production; they have labour and earn their living by the sale thereof. The workers either plough the field owned by the landlord or work in the workshop or the factory on the material supplied by the capitalist. These two classes are interdependent and greatly require each other. In the absence of the worker the factory would stop turning out production and fields would remain unploughed. The worker in the absence of the capitalist would starve as he would have no work. However, each class wants to derive the maximum advantage from the other.

The capitalists want to extract more and to pay less wages, while the workers desire to get the highest possible wages for their labour. But in this struggle the workers stand at a great disadvantage because their labour is a perishable commodity, it cannot be stored. They must find work to avoid starvation. The capitalists do not suffer from such disability. The result is that the wage-earners have to accept the wages, whatever is offered to them by the capitalists.

Thus the capitalists in their hands possess a weapon of oppression and suppression, which the wage-earners never like. Whenever the workers become conscious of their exploitation, they organise themselves, rise and revolt. In this way there comes into existence a permanent and irreconcilable hostility between the capitalists and the workers. This hostility has reached its climax in modern age. It is both oppressive and unjust. Its oppresssive character lies in the fact that it compels the wage-earners to accept the wage, whatever is offered to them by the capitalists ; it is unjust in the sense that it deprives the workers of the wealth which is the product of their own labour.

4. Theory of Surplus Value:
Marx describes surplus value as ‘concealed labour’ or ‘unpaid labour’. Surplus value is the difference between the value of a commodity and the wages received by the labourer. Marx holds that since labour is the primary source of value, the whole price of the value should be paid to the labourer. But, this is not done in practice. The labourer is paid only a small fraction of it and the rest goes to the pocket of the capitalist.

To this amount of wealth ‘concealed labour’ not paid to the labourer and pocketed by the capitalist, Marx gives the name of surplus value. The theory of surplus value supplies a linchpin to his economic interpretation of Russian history. It points out how the social structure largely depends oil the distribution of wealth in the society. By this theory of surplus value, Marx tries to show the injustice that prevails in the capitalist society.

5. Views about Religion:
Marx held that religion was used to convince the proletariat that if they obeyed the state and their bosses, they would be rewarded in another life. The proletarian was lulled into accepting his way of life by the vision of heaven. This life might be harsh, but if he just stood in taking it as God’s gift, he would be rewarded in the next life. Marx felt that this kept the workers from actively seeking to change the system.

He saw what he believed to be the superstition and ‘hocus and pocus’ of religion used by the dominant class—the bourgeoisie, to hold the proletariat in its downtrodden position. This is what Marx meant by his famous statement that religion is the opium of the people. Thus, Marx made scathing attack against the religious system of his day and argued that the future proletarian society would have no need for religion.

6. Self-destruction of Capitalism:
Marx was of the opinion that capitalism carries with itself the seeds of its destruction, therefore, its destruction is inevitable. He says that in capitalist production there is tendency towards the concentration of wealth into fewer and fewer hands. The small businessmen are eliminated in the open and cut-throat competition, become propertyless and ultimately join the class of workers. Thus on the one hand, the number of the capitalists decreases, on the other hand, the number of labourers increases. What is important is that the labourers become class conscious owing to the similarity in the conditions.

As industrialisation progresses, workers and labourers begin to live at one place. This gives birth to class consciousness and the spirit of co-operation in them. They form unions and associations against the bourgeoisie. Capitalism increases the miseries of the workers day-by-day. Marx opined that when wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few individuals, it would become easy for the proletariat to dispose of the few individuals and thereby establish their supremacy.

Establishment of Classless and Stateless Socialist Society:
The aim of communists is to establish a Stateless and Classless society evolving out of class-struggle, the control would be exercised by society as a whole. All the class distinctions would disappear and with the disappearance of class distinctions the class-struggle would naturally come to an end. The State would also wither away. Thus the new communist society would be Classless and Stateless where the freedom of each is the condition of the free development of all. The wage system will also wither away giving place to the principle, from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs. Marx is of the opinion that a Stateless and Classless society will come into existence after the stages mentioned below:

1. Revolution:
Karl Marx says that a communist society will be established through a social revolution. No doubt capitalism has the germs of its own destruction but still the workers will have to take certain steps in order to improve their lot. The workers should organize themselves and should try to create class-consciousness among themselves. They should resort to violent method in order to destroy capitalism. The workers should make use of all the possible methods for capturing governmental authority.

2. Dictatorship of the Proletariat:
According to Karl Marx, capitalism is inevitably doomed to destruction and communism is bound to blossom. But after capitalism is destroyed communism will not spring up all at once. Its march will be preceded by what Marx calls “Proletarian Dictatorship.” The dictatorship of all Proletariat is an essential stage in the course of transition from the capitalistic society to the socialistic society. Before communism can be established the bureaucratic and military machine erected by the bourgeoisie must be completely smashed and a new order must be set up in its place.

Marx thus contemplated a transitional stage between the conquest of power by the proletariat and the establishment of a new social order. Engels says, “As the State is only a temporary institution which is to be made use of in the revolution in order to forcibly suppress the opponents, it is perfectly absurd to talk about a free popular State, so long as the proletariat need the State, it needs it not in the interests of freedom but in order to suppress its opponents and when it becomes possible to speak of freedom the State as such ceases to exist.”

Classless and Stateless Society. After the destruction of capitalism the class-struggle in society will come to an end. This way the society will become a classless society. Economic equality will come to stay in society. Under such circumstances the State will be rendered useless and hence it will be abolished. Voluntary associations formed by the people will take the place of the State. To establish such a society is the ultimate aim of communism.

Effects:
The ideas of Karl Marx have greatly influenced the people. Marx was considered as the father of labour movement in Europe. Many countries of the world have adopted communism today. After second World War a communist bloc emerged in the world.

Question 2.
On what grounds has Marxism been criticised?
Answer:
Marxism has been criticised on the following grounds:
1. It is based on wrong conceptions:
Economic factor plays an important role in shaping and moulding the historical changes and movements but it cannot be asserted that all the historical movements are exclusively determined and shaded by the modes of production and exchange. Non¬economic factors also play a role in the development of history. Human passions, sentiments, religion and emotions have also vitally determined and shaped the human history.

2. History is not the story of class war:
The law that sustains the universe and makes for progress is not the law of struggle and competition but the law of love, co-operation and sacrifice. Plato’s analysis of society, as based on the need of mutual co-operation for the satisfaction of common needs is more true than that of Marx. History is not at all the story of class-war.

3. State is not an evil:
The Communists consider the State as an evil because it helps the capitalists in exploiting the poor. The State also helps in increasing the class-struggle. But all this is wrong. The State is not an evil but it is something good. The state is based not on force but on the will of the people. The State power can be used rightly as well as wrongly. When the State authority passes on into the hands of selfish people only then it is used for exploiting the poor and the workers. History bears testimony to the fact that many a time the power of the State is exercised for the public welfare. The aim of the State is to help in the development of individual’s life.

4. Abolition of the State is not possible:
The Communists favour the idea of abolishing the State but this thing is not possible. The State instead of withering away is getting more and more powers. The individual today is very much dependent on the State for the satisfaction of his needs. In so many communist countries capitalism has been abolished but there seems to be a little possibility of the abolition of the state.

5. Nobody wants to lose power easily:
Power is such a thing that nobody wants to lose easily. If a person gets power just once, he tries to keep a hold on it for ever. The working class also wants to capture power but there is no guarantee that they will ever quit it. In China there is communism and the rulers of that country have not abolished the State so far. There is no guarantee that the working class will never misuse authority.

6. Labour alone is not responsible for production:
The Communists attach importance only to the labour in production but it is not correct. Capital also plays an important role in case of production. The capitalist is to take many pains for selling the manufactured commodities. Sometimes it so happens that the capitalist is to sell the material below the cost price. Under such circumstances the worker has no right even to accept wages. The worker is concerned only with the wages and about nothing else.

7. Prediction of Marx proved wrong:
Marx’s prediction about the increasing misery and degradation of the working class has not proved true. The worker of at least the affluent societies in the West has shared in the growing prosperity of the bourgeoisie and now enjoys more amenities than his predecessors a hundred years back. The society does not show any sign of proletarianism. In between the working class and the capitalist class there has arisen a fairly large middle class.

Thus, instead of becoming sharply divided into two classes the society has come to be divided into three or more sections. Most of the people belonging to the middle class reflect the ideas of the bourgeoisie and do not feel very enthusiastic about the proletarian cause. Capitalism has also hitherto been showing signs of growth and expansion. It has adjusted itself to the changing circumstances.

8. No importance to good means:
Karl Marx has emphasized the need of achieving the object and for this purpose, he says, all the means can be used. He favoured the idea of establishing a communist society by making use of violent means. But peace and order is disturbed by the use of violent activities. Moreover, the critics doubt if a violent revolution can provide a secure foundation of the socialist order of society.

9. Workers can be happy even in a capitalistic society:
It is wrong to assume that the condition of the workers in a capitalist society will be quite deplorable. There are many countries today where there is capitalism but at the same time every possible effort is being made to improve the lot of the workers. The defects of capitalism can be removed if the State takes certain steps to this effect.

10. Attack on religion is unjustified:
The communist attack on religion is unjustified. Religion exercises a greater degree of influence on the life of the individual. Hallowell is of the opinion that, in theory Marxism rejects religion, but in practice the passion which informs it is religious in character. For God, Marx substitutes Historical necessity, for the chosen people the proletariat and for the Messianic kingdom the realm of freedom.”

11. It ends individuality of the individual:
Communism has been criticised on the ground that it ends the individuality of the individual. In a communist society the individual can do nothing of his own sweet accord. He cannot get the incentive to hard work. The abolition of property will also prove a hindrance in the way of the individual.

12. Democracy is not a mere myth:
Marx has called the modem democracy as a mere myth. He is of the opinion that liberty in the absence of economic equality is meaningless. Real liberty lies in getting rid of hunger and unemployment. But the fact is that man does not live by bread alone. At certain occasions the individual would like to remain hungry for the sake of his freedom. Today it is an age of democracy and it cannot be called meaningless and useless.

13. It gives no importance to moral character:
Laski says, “Communism is a creed in which there is intellectual error, moral blindness and social perversity.” Communism gives no importance to moral character. Economic needs pale into insignificance before moral principles.

Estimate of Marxism:
Nevertheless, the ideas of Marx have gained a powerful hold over the intellectuals as well as the masses. He uncovered vital truths and foresaw important developments that were hidden from his contemporaries. He unravelled the relation between economic factors and social change and made a powerful attack on the squalor and complacency. He gave a philosophy which has changed the face of the world. In the words of ‘Wayper, “For the power of his message, for the inspiration of his teaching, and for his effect upon further development, Marx can be sure of his place in any collection of the world’s great masters of political thought.”

Russell says, “Marxist doctrines like those of other men, are partly true and partly false. There is much that can be controverted but there are some points in his theory that are of such importance as to prove him a man of supreme intelligence. ” Hallowell says, “We may reject the programme of Marxism, but we cannot ignore the indictment which it makes of capitalism.”

Short Answer type Questions

Question 1.
Who was Karl Marx?
Answer:
Karl Marx has been acknowledged as an originator of communism. He tried to give socialism a scientific and practical form for the first time. Karl Marx was born on May 5, 1818 (New Style) in the city of Trier (Rhenish Prussia). His father was a lawyer, a jew, who in 1824 adopted Protestantism. The family was well to do, cultured but not revolutionary. After graduating from a Gymnasium in Trier, Marx entered the university, first at Bonn and later in Berlin, where he read law, majoring in history and philosophy.

Question 2.
What is Marxism?
Answer:
Marxism is the doctrine and programme of revolutionary or scientific socialism. Its basis is Marx’s analysis of history which traces the origin of social institutions to economic forces. As a political theory it deals with the class structure of society in which the state is the executive committee of the economically dominant class. As an economic theory it is a critique of the capitalism mode of production, explanation of how labour is exploited by the owners of the capital and how the process leads to the decay of capitalism. As a revolutionary programme it is an analysis of tactics of the proletarian dictatorship and the final establishment of classless and stateless social

Question 3.
Explain briefly Karl Marx’s Materialistic Interpretation of history.
Or
What, according to Marx, is the economic interpretation of history?
Answer:
Historical materialism or the materialistic conception of history is the direct application of the principles of dialectical materialism to the development of society. Karl Marx made it the cornerstone of his political philosophy. Although Marx does not very much explain as to what he means by his theory of historical materialism, it is in fact an economic interpretation of history. To quote Marx, “The materialistic conception of history starts from the principle that production, and with production the exchange of its products, is the basis of every social order in every society which has appeared in history.

The distribution of the products, and with it the division of society into classes or estates is determined by what is produced and how it is produced, and how the product is exchanged. According to this conception, the ultimate causes of all social changes and political revolutions are to be sought, not in the minds of men, in their increasing insight into eternal truth and justice, but in changes in the mode of production and exchange. They are to be sought not in the philosophy but in the economics of the period concerned.”

Question 4.
Explain four basic principles of Marxism.
Answer:
Following are the four main principles of Marxism:
1. Dialectical Materialism:
Dialectical materialism is the basic principle of Marxism and the whole political philosophy of Marx rests on it. Marx believed that contrary forces are present in every stage of history and this is the moving force of history. The process of development is the process of thesis, anti-thesis leading to synthesis.

2. Materialistic Interpretation of History:
According to Karl Marx, economic system of the society determines the general character of social, political and spiritual process of life. Whenever changes occur in the mode or relation of production, the whole social and cultural pattern undergoes a rapid change.

3. Theory of Class-Struggle:
According to Marx, the history of humanity is the history of class-struggle. It is the story of the struggle of the underdog against the master. According to Karl Marx, hitherto, society has been divided into two classes — the capitalists and the workers, exploiters and the exploited, rulers and the ruled. The interests of the two classes are opposed to each other and hence a continuous struggle between the two classes.

4. Another Principle of Marxism is theory of Surplus Value.

Question 5.
Write down Karl Marx’s theory of class-struggle.
Or
Write down Karl Marx’s theory of class-struggle.
Or
What is Karl Mark’s theory of class-war?
Answer:
According to Marx, the history of humanity is the history of class-struggle. It is the story of the struggles of the underdog against the master. Whatever may be the form of the struggle, the basic factor is the class war. Marx holds that in every society the forces of economic production divide the society into two hostile classes the capitalists and the workers. These two classes are interdependent and greatly require each other. However, each class wants to derive the maximum advantage from the other. The capitalists want to extract more and to pay less wages, while the workers desire to get the highest possible wages for their labour.

Thus, the capitalists in their hands possess a weapon of oppression and suppression, which the wage-earners never like. Whenever the workers become conscious of their exploitation, they organise themselves, rise and revolt. In this way there comes into existence a permanent and irreconciliable hostility between the capitalists and the workers. This hostility has reached its climax in modem age.

Question 6.
To what extent do you agree with Marx’s theory of class-struggle.?
Answer:
According to Marx, the history of humanity is the history of class-struggle but this view of Marx is not acceptable. The law of love, co-operation and sacrifice Plato’s analysis of society as based on the need of mutual co-operation for the satisfaction of common needs is more true than that of Marx. History is not at all the history of class-war.

Question 7.
What is Karl Marx’s theory of Surplus Value?
Or
What is Marx’s Principle of Surplus Value?
Answer:
Marx describes surplus value as ‘concealed labour’ or ‘unpaid labour’. Surplus value is the difference between the value of a commodity and the wages received by the labourer. Marx holds that since labour is the primary source of value, the whole price of the value should be paid to the labourer. But, this is not done in practice. The labourer is paid only a small fraction of it and the rest goes to the pocket of the capitalist. To this amount of wealth ‘concealed labour’ not paid to the labourer and pocketed by the capitalist, Marx gives the name of surplus value. The theory of surplus value supplies a linchpin to his economic interpretation of Russian history. It points out how the social structure largely depends on the distribution of wealth in the society. By this theory of surplus value, Marx tries to show the injustice that prevails in the capitalist society.

Question 8.
Write down Marx’s view about state.
Answer:
Marx has expressed his views about state in the ‘Communist Manifesto’:
According to Marx, State is neither a divine institution nor a result of social contract. State is a result of social evolution and it is a product of class-struggle. According to Marx, state could not represent all the classes. It has always favoured that class which controls resources of production. State is based on force. The state is against public welfare. State protects the capitalists in the name of public welfare. According to Marx, State has always caused misery.

Marx has observed that the state is a mill that crushes the working class. Marx believes that a day will come when workers | will organise themselves to snatch power from the capitalists and the dictatorship of the proletariat will be established. Dictatorship of the Proletariat will be a transitional state before the establishment of a classless society.

Question 9.
Explain any four bases of the criticism of Marxism.
Answer:
Marxism has been criticised on the following grounds:
1. It is based on wrong conceptions:
Economic factor plays an important role in shaping and moulding the historical changes and movements but it cannot be concluded that all the historical movements are exclusively determined and shaded by the modes of production and exchange.

2. History is not the story of class war:
The law that sustains the universe and makes for progress is not the law of struggle and competition but the law of love, co-operation and sacrifice. Plato’s analysis of society, as based on the need of mutual co-operation for the satisfaction of common needs, is more true than that of Marx. History is not at all the story of class-war.

3. State is not an evil:
The Communists consider the State as an evil because it helps the capitalists in exploiting the poor. The State also helps in increasing the class-struggle. But all this is wrong. The State is not an evil but it is something good.

4. Marxism gives no importance to moral character.

Question 10.
What is Karl Marx’s principle of Dialectical Materialism?
Answer:
Marx believed that contrary forces are present in every stage of history and this is the moving force of history. The internal contradictions are inherent in things because all things have something which is dying away and something which is still developing. This process of development is a process of thesis, anti-thesis leading to synthesis. It means that two different forces act and react and give rise to a third new force.

Applying the above principle of dialectical materialism to the various stages of evolution of society, Marx declared that contradictions have existed at each stage of its evolution. The present society in which the few capitalists control the economic forces is also not free from it. The present capitalist is also faced with its anti thesis the proletariat. The capitalists and the workers are in conflict with each i other. Marx was of the opinion that the result of this class-struggle will be the coming into existence of a classless society.

Question 11.
Write down the names of three important works of Karl Marx.
Answer:
The main works of Karl Marx are:

1. Communist Manifesto
2. Critique of Political Economy
3. A Critical Analysis of Capital Production
4. Das Kapital.

Question 12.
What do you understand by the Marxian concept of classless society?
Or
What do you understand by classless and stateless concept of Marxism?
Answer:
The aim of communists is to establish a Stateless and Classless society, evolving out of class-struggle. Marx is of the opinion that after the destruction of capitalism, the class-struggle in society will come to an end. This way the society will become a classless society. Economic equality will come to stay in society. Thus the new communist society would be classless and stateless where freedom of each is the condition for free development of all. The wage system will also wither away giving place to the principle, from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs. Under such circumstances the state will be rendered useless and hence it will be abolished.

Question 13.
What do you understand by Marx’s dictatorship of Proletariat?
Or
According to Marxists what is meant by ‘Dictatorship of Proletariat’?
Answer:
The dictatorship of the proletariat is an essential stage in the course of transition from the capitalistic society to the socialistic society. Before communism can be established the bureaucracy and military erected by the bourgeoisie must be completely smashed and a new order must be set up at its place. During the transitional period the proletariat shall gradually socialise the natural resources and destroy the last remnants of capitalism. The dictatorship of the proletariat shall aim at the abolition of all the classes and thus prepare the way for its own extinction. During the period of dictatorship of the proletariat, the state becomes a representative of the whole society and not of one class.

Question 14.
Why, according to Marx, will state wither away?
Answer:
Karl Marx regards state as a class institution. According to him, State is nothing more than a machine for the exploitation of one class by the other. But once Capitalism is crushed, the state becomes superfluous and it must wither away. Since the state is a class institution, it will continue only till the remnants of the Capitalist class. Since it is the result of class-struggle, with the end of class-struggle and establishment of classless society it shall wither away of its own.

Question 15.
Write Marx’s view on Religion.
Or
What was Karl Mark’s opinion about religion?
Answer:
Marx held that religion was used to convince the proletariat that if they obeyed the state and their bosses, they would be rewarded in another life. The proletarian was lulled into accepting his way of life by the vision of heaven. This life might be harsh, but if he just stood in taking it as God’s gift, he would be rewarded in the next life. Marx felt that this kept the workers from actively seeking to change the system.

He saw what he believed to be the superstition and ‘hocus and pocus’ of religion used by the dominant class the bourgeoisie, to hold the proletariat in its downtrodden position. This is what Marx meant by his famous statement that religion is the opium of the people. Thus, Marx made scathing attack against the religious system of his day and argued that the future proletarian society would have no need for religion.

Very Short Answer type Questions

Question 1.
Who was Karl Marx?
Answer:
Karl Marx has been acknowledged as an originator of communism. He tried to give socialism a scientific and practical form for the first time. Karl Marx was born on May 5, 1818 in the city of Trier (Rhenish Prussia).

Question 2.
What do you mean by Marxism?
Answer:
Marxism is the doctrine and programme of revolutionary or scientific socialism. Its basis is Marx’s analysis of history which traces the origin of social institutions to economic forces. As a political theory it deals with the class structure of society in which the state is the executive committee of the economically dominant class.

Question 3.
Explain any two basic principles of Marxism.
Answer:
Following are the two main principles of Marxism:
1. Dialectical Materialism:
Dialectical materialism is the basic principle of Marxism and the whole political philosophy of Marx rests on it. Marx believed that contrary forces are present in every stage of history and this is the moving force of history. The process of development is the process of thesis, anti-thesis leading to synthesis.

2. Materialistic Interpretation of History:
According to Karl Marx, economic system of the society determines the general character of social, political and spiritual process of life.

Question 4.
Write down Karl Marx’s theory of class-struggle.
Answer:
According to Marx, the history of humanity is the history of class-struggle. It is the story of the struggles of the underdog against the master. Whatever may be the form of the struggle, the basic factor is the class war. Marx holds that in every society the forces of economic production divide the society into two hostile classesthe capitalists and the workers. The capitalists want to extract more and to pay less wages, while the workers desire to get the highest possible wages for their labour.

Question 5.
What is Karl Marx’s theory of Surplus Value?
Answer:
Surplus value is the difference between the value of a commodity and the wages received by the labourer. The labourer is paid only a small fraction of it and the rest goes to the pocket of the capitalist. To this amount of wealth ‘concealed labour’ not paid to the labourer and pocketed by the capitalist, Marx gives the name of surplus value.

Question 6.
Write down Marx’s view about state.
Answer:
Marx has expressed his views about state in the ‘Communist Manifesto’. According to Marx, State is neither a divine institution nor a result of social contract. State is a result of social evolution and it is a product of class-struggle. According to Marx, state could not represent all the classes. It has always favoured that class which controls resources of production.

Question 7.
Discuss any two bases of the criticism of Marxism.
Answer:
1. It is based on wrong conceptions. Economic factor plays an important role in shaping and moulding the historical changes and movements but it cannot be concluded that all the historical movements are exclusively determined and shaded by the modes of production and exchange.

2. History is not the story of class war. The law that sustains the universe and makes for progress is not the law of struggle and competition but the law of love, co-operation and sacrifice.

Question 8.
Write down the names of two important works of Karl Marx.
Answer:
The main works of Karl Marx are:

1. Communist Manifesto
2. Das Kapital.

Question 9.
Why, according to Marx, will state wither away?
Answer:
Karl Marx regards state as a class institution. According to him, State is nothing more than a machine for the exploitation of one class by the other. But once Capitalism is crushed, the state becomes superfluous and it must wither away. Since the state is a class institution, it will continue only till the remnants of the Capitalist class. Since it is the result of class-struggle, with the end of class-struggle and establishment of classless society it shall wither away of its own.

Question 10.
Explain Karl Marx’s idea towards religion.
Answer:
Marx meant by his famous statement that religion is the opium of the people. Thus, Marx made scathing attack against the religious system of his day and argued that the future proletarian society would have no need for religion.

One Line Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Write down names of two famous works of Karl Marx.
Answer:

1. Communist Manifesto
2. Das Kapital.

Question 2.
Write two main theories of Karl Marx.
Answer:

• Dialectical Materialism
• Economic Interpretation of History.

Question 3.
Write down Marx’s view on state.
Answer:
Karl Marx called state as the Executive committee of the bourgeois class. According to Karl Marx, state is a political means of the
capitalist class by which it exploits the workers.

Question 4.
Describe any one important characteristic of Marxian view of the nature of state.
Answer:
State is neither a natural institution nor a moral institution.

Question 5.
Mention Marxian view about the welfare state.
Answer:
Marxist ideology considers the welfare state a means of capitalistic system. It considers such a state an evil as it is exploitative in nature.

Question 6.
Write the names of two works (books) of Karl Marx.
Answer:
1. Communist Manifesto
2. Das Kapital.

Question 7.
Write one criticism of Marxism.
Answer:
Individual liberty has not been given any importance in Marxism.

Fill In The Blanks

1. Marxism is based on the ideas of ……………. .
Answer:
Karl Marx

2. Marx is acknowledged as the father of ……………. .
Answer:
Scientific Socialism

3. According to Marx, the history of humanity is the history of ……………. .
Answer:
class struggle

4. Dialectical Materialism is not an original contribution of ……………. .
Answer:
Karl Marx

5. The ideas of Karl Marx have greatly influenced the ……………. .
Answer:
people.

True or False Statement

1. Marx interprets history from materialistic point of view.
Answer:
True

2. Marx describes surplus value as concealed labour.
Answer:
True

3. Karl Marx was in favour of Capitalism and labour exploitation.
Answer:
False

4. Stalin was the writer of Das Kapital.
Answer:
False

5. Karl Marx’s works include Communist Manifesto and Das Kapital.
Answer:
True

Choose The Correct Answer

Question 1.
Who is acknowledged as the father of scientific socialism?
(a) Plato ,
(b) Karl Marx
(c) T.H. Green
(d) Lenin.
Answer:
(b) Karl Marx

Question 2.
Which of the following is not a basic principle of Marxism?
(a) Dialectical Materialism
(b) Class Struggle
(c) Theory of Surplus Value
(d) Laissez-faire.
Answer:
(d) Laissez-faire.

Question 3.
Who said, “Religion is the opium of the people.”?
(a) Lenin
(b) Karl Marx
(c) Benthan
(d) J.S. Mill.
Answer:
(b) Karl Marx

Question 4.
Who said, “Historical Materialism is the heart of Marxism.”?
(a) Plamentaz
(b) Stalin
(c) G.D.H. Cole
(d) Hegel.
Answer:
(a) Plamentaz

Question 5.
Which of the following is a basic principle of Marxism?
(a) Dialectical Materialism
(b) Class Struggle
(c) Theory of Surplus Value
(d) All of the above.
Answer:
(d) All of the above.

Question 6.
Who applied Historical Materialism to explain both the past history and the future possible evolution?
(a) Kant
(b) Karl Marx
(c) Hegel
(d) G.D.H. Cole.
Answer:
(b) Karl Marx

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 7 Party System Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 7 Party System

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Define Political Party and discuss its characteristics.
Or
Explain the main characteristics of Political Parties.
Answer:
It is an age of political parties. It is not possible to run the administration of any country without the existence of political parties. Elections are held on party basis and the legislative work is also done by the parties. The administration is also run according to the programme of the political party which has a majority in the legislature. Lord Bryce is of the opinion that the existence of political parties is most essential and no great country can do without them.

Definitions of Political Parties:
Different writers have defined political parties differently. We hold out here some of the traditional as well, as modern definitions of a political party.
Traditional Definitions:
1. According to Burke, “A political party is a body of men united for the purpose of promoting, by their joint endeavours, the public interest upon some principles on which they are all agreed.”

2. According to Dr. Leacock, “By a political party we mean, a more or less organized group of citizens who act together as a political unit. They share or profess to share the same opinions on public questions and by exercising their voting power towards a common end, seek to obtain control of the government.”

3. According to Maclver, “A political party is an association organised in support of some principle or policy which by constitutional means endeavours to make the determinant of the government.”

4. According to R. G. Gettell, “A political party consists of a group of citizens more or less organised, who act as a political unit and who, by the use of their voting power, aim to control the government and carry out their general policies.”

5. According to Gilchrist, “A political party may be defined as an organised group of citizens who profess to share the same political views and who by acting as a political unit, try to control the government.” From the above given definitions we can conclude that a political party is a group of citizens who held identical views on national problems and in an organized way try to capture the government machinery through constitutional means in order to promote national interest.

Modern Definitions:
The modern writers have defined political party is an organised group of individuals seeking to seize power in order to enjoy the benefits to be derived from such control. According to Schumpeter, “A party as a group whose members propose to act in concert in the competitive struggle for political power.” The French scholar Maurice Duverger believes that a party consists of a few ‘notables’ and a large body of dues paying members who are interested mainly in ‘electoral activity’.

Essentials of a Political Party. A political party should possess the following essentials:

1. Same Views on Public Matters:
The first essential of a political party is that all its members should hold same view point on public matters. Common political views act as a cement for their common views and keep them united.

2. Fixed Programme:
Every political party has its own policies and programmes which it wants to implement after winning the election. Every political party prepares a comprehensive programme for the economic, social, political and cultural development of the country.

3. Organization:
It is necessary that the political party should be well- organized. Every political party has its own constitution according to which the organisation of a political party is determined.

4. Control of Gqvernment for Common Good. The aim of political party is to capture the government machinery.

5. Faith in Peaceful and Constitutional MeAns. The political parties keep faith in peaceful and constitutional meAns.

6. True and Proper Basis. Political parties should be organised on economic and political basis.

7. To promote National Interests. Political party is a group of people who by their joint efforts seek to promote national interest.

Question 2.
Define Political Parties. Describe any four functions of Political Parties in democracy.
Or
Discuss the role of Political Parties in Democratic State.
Answer:
Meaning and Definition of Political Party.
It is an age of political parties. It is not possible to run the administration of any country without the existence of political parties. Elections are held on party basis and the legislative work is also done by the parties. The administration is also run according to the programme of the political party which has a majority in the legislature. Lord Bryce is of the opinion that the existence of political parties is most essential and no great country can do without them.

Definitions of Political Parties. Different writers have defined political parties differently. We hold out here some of the traditional as well, as modern definitions of a political party.
Traditional Definitions:
1. According to Burke, “A political party is a body of men united for the purpose of promoting, by their joint endeavours, the public interest upon some principles on which they are all agreed.”

2. According to Dr. Leacock, “By a political party we mean, a more or less organized group of citizens who act together as a political unit. They share or profess to share the same opinions on public questions and by exercising their voting power towards a common end, seek to obtain control of the government.”

3. According to Maclver, “A political party is an association organised in support of some principle or policy which by constitutional means endeavours to make the determinant of the government.”

4. According to R. G. Gettell, “A political party consists of a group of citizens more or less organised, who act as a political unit and who, by the use of their voting power, aim to control the government and carry out their general policies.”

5. According to Gilchrist, “A political party may be defined as an organised group of citizens who profess to share the same political views and who by acting as a political unit, try to control the government.” From the above given definitions we can conclude that a political party is a group of citizens who held identical views on national problems and in an organized way try to capture the government machinery through constitutional means in order to promote national interest.

Modern Definitions:
The modern writers have defined political party is an organised group of individuals seeking to seize power in order to enjoy the benefits to be derived from such control. According to Schumpeter, “A party as a group whose members propose to act in concert in the competitive struggle for political power.” The French scholar Maurice Duverger believes that a party consists of a few ‘notables’ and a large body of dues paying members who are interested mainly in ‘electoral activity’.

Essentials of a Political Party. A political party should possess the following essentials:

1. Same Views on Public Matters:
The first essential of a political party is that all its members should hold same view point on public matters. Common political views act as a cement for their common views and keep them united.

2. Fixed Programme:
Every political party has its own policies and programmes which it wants to implement after winning the election. Every political party prepares a comprehensive programme for the economic, social, political and cultural development of the country.

3. Organization:
It is necessary that the political party should be well- organized. Every political party has its own constitution according to which the organisation of a political party is determined.

4. Control of Gqvernment for Common Good. The aim of political party is to capture the government machinery.

5. Faith in Peaceful and Constitutional MeAns. The political parties keep faith in peaceful and constitutional meAns.

6. True and Proper Basis. Political parties should be organised on economic and political basis.

7. To promote National Interests. Political party is a group of people who by their joint efforts seek to promote national interest.

Functions of Political Parties in a Modern Democracy:
In a democratic state political parties are of great importance. They perform the following functions :
1. Formation of Public Policies:
The main function of the political parties is to frame public policies. The parties are to frame the best political programme for the general welfare of the society. They form a policy to deal with national and international problems. In order to get full support of the people upon this programme, they arrange public meetings, distribute pamphlets and start newspapers to propagate their policy. In this way the people can judge the merits and demerits of all programmes put before them. They can decide to support one or the other party.

2. Formulation of Public Opinion in its Favour:
The political party aims at capturing the government so that it can put its programme into practice. Each political party tries to win the support of the maximum number of the people, and this is why the political parties frame their policies and put them before the general public. They explain the national and other problems to the people and impress upon them that it is by following the policy of their party that these problems can be solved. If they succeed in winning the majority of the voters to their side, they can capture the government.

3. Political Education:
The political parties explain to the people their programmes and policies through press, through speeches and the publication of literature. It is through such propaganda that parties create and influence public opinion. Education of the public is very important in a democracy and parties undertake this task of education not only before elections, but even afterwards. The majority party in power explains government’s programmes and actions and the parties in opposition criticise government’s inaction and its bad policies. All such education of public helps to determine the general will, which is very important in a democracy.

4. To Contest Election:
The political parties select candidates for contesting election. If the candidates are not men of ability and reputation, the voters will not send them into power and the party is condemned for future. Election campaigns are conducted for the purpose of securing office and power for the party. In these elections every effort is made to persuade voters that they are to vote for the party because its policy and candidates are better than its rivals. Nowadays, the independent candidates contest election in a small number because the people have little faith in an independent candidate. His policy is quite independent and hence it may not be in public interest. The voter of today generally votes for a party and not for an individual.

5. To Run the Government:
The main function of the political party is to run the administration. If a party gets the majority of seats in the legislature, it forms its government and runs the administration of the State. It puts its policies and programmes into pr. ’tice. The political parties which cannot run the administration efficiently cannot become popular with the people. The party in power must try to fulfil the promises to the voters. Often however, once the party gets a majority it conveniently forgets its promises.

6. Criticism of Government:
The parties try to find out the defects of the government in power by a sound criticism for the welfare of the people. By such criticism the party in power remains efficient and is always kept on its right path because the government can learn more from the criticism of its opposite parties than the praises of its own members who wish to seek some promotion in their States by unnecessary praise.

7. Link between the Government and the People:
The political parties serve as good links between the government and the voters. The important members of the party remain in touch with their supporters, explain the policy of the government to them and carry grievances to the government for removal. In this way the contact between government and voter is properly maintained.

8. To Keep Control on its Members:
The political parties are to keep control on their members. The parties keep the members in discipline. The members who are elected on the party ticket to the legislature are very much under the rigid control of the party. The members are to express their opinion in the House in the light of the policy framed by the party. The members of the legislature cannot function properly without some leadership and this leadership is provided by different parties in the legislature. The members who hold the same views organize themselves under different enlightened leaders who maintain the whole discipline in the legislature. Without this discipline the legislature becomes an arena of conflict between the different members.

Conclusion:
In the modem age the political parties play an important role in the administration of the country. Man has come out victorious in political life only with the help of political parties. Some writers think that the political parties are the fourth organ of the State. To exercise the right to vote, to contest election, to create public opinion, to give political education to the people, to run the government and to criticise the working of the government we feel the need of political parties. According to Lord Bryce, ‘Parties are inevitable. No free large country has been without them. No one has shown how representative government could be worked without them.”

Question 3.
Examine the basis of formation of political parties in modern times. In your view, which basis is the best for the formation of a political party?
Or
What are the different bases on which political parties are organised?
Answer:
At any moment certain issues-social, economic and political continuously press for solution. A political party may be organized on the basis of any one of them. Moreover, all the individuals do not hold the same opinion on all the issues. People see all things from different angles. All the people can’t be unanimous on all issues. All people have different solutions to different problems.

But it does not mean that two persons can never reach an agreement. If it had been so then social life could not have been possible. People do possess different opinions on different issues but still there are people who hold identical views on certain issues. The people who hold same view point come closer to one another, organize themselves politically and try to achieve the required end. The group of people who hold identical views on public matters or political matter is called a political party. The political parties are based on various grounds and they are given below:

1. Political Basis:
A political party may be formed on the basis of certain political issues. There may be differences in the community about the form of government, the rights of the people and utility of any particular institution. In India the Indian National Congress was organized for the achievement of independence. In England Whigs and Torries came into being on the question of what should be the position of monarchy in the State.

2. Economic Basis:
The political parties are formed on economic basis. Such parties stand for or against a particular system in vogue. The Communist Party of India wants to do away with the system of private property. To counter this the Indian National Congress has also framed an economic programme for itself which is more or less a compromise between Socialism and Capitalism. In fact no political party can exist in modern times unless it has an economic programme to offer to the community.

3. Religious Basis:
Sometimes political parties are formed on religious basis. The people belonging to one religious community do not like to come closer to the people having faith in another religion. These parties want to solve the political problems in their own way and to attain their purpose they form a separate party. In India there are quite a number of such parties. But such parties are not a healthy type since they introduce a narrow outlook in the political life of the country.

4. Social Basis:
A political party may be formed to remove certain social ills in the society. The social ills are of the nature of disabilities relating to certain sections of community, or certain anti-social customs resulting in certain social injustices. An example of such a party in India is the All India Depressed Classes League or Scheduled Caste Federation. These parties have a programme for the uplift of the Scheduled Castes in India.

5. Racial Basis:
Some political parties are formed on the basis of caste or race. The people of a particular race consider themselves as superior to others and they always try to promote their own interests. Hitler formed the Nazi party on the racial basis.

6. Psychological or Natural Basis:
There is always a large number of such people in society who consider the past culture as the best as compared to the present one. They always aim at reviving the past customs, traditions and modes of life. They are called Reactionaries. Some people are of the opinion that the present system is the best and they do not favour any change in it. They are called Conservatives. Persons who want a total change in society are called Radicals. The parties which are in favour of reforms and progress are called parties of the Left and the parties which are in favour of old way of living are called parties of the Right.

Question 4.
Discus the merits and demerits of Political Parties.
Or
Define the term ‘Political Party’ and mention three advantages and two disadvantages of the multi-party system.
Answer:
The present age is an age of democracy. All the citizens have the right to express their views and to criticise the functioning of the government. People have got the right to run the administration. The individual cannot himself make the proper use of these rights and this is why the political parties came into existence. In the absence of political parties our political life will be incomplete today.

Meaning and Definition of Political Party.
It is an age of political parties. It is not possible to run the administration of any country without the existence of political parties. Elections are held on party basis and the legislative work is also done by the parties. The administration is also run according to the programme of the political party which has a majority in the legislature. Lord Bryce is of the opinion that the existence of political parties is most essential and no great country can do without them.

Definitions of Political Parties. Different writers have defined political parties differently. We hold out here some of the traditional as well, as modern definitions of a political party.
Traditional Definitions:
1. According to Burke, “A political party is a body of men united for the purpose of promoting, by their joint endeavours, the public interest upon some principles on which they are all agreed.”

2. According to Dr. Leacock, “By a political party we mean, a more or less organized group of citizens who act together as a political unit. They share or profess to share the same opinions on public questions and by exercising their voting power towards a common end, seek to obtain control of the government.”

3. According to Maclver, “A political party is an association organised in support of some principle or policy which by constitutional means endeavours to make the determinant of the government.”

4. According to R. G. Gettell, “A political party consists of a group of citizens more or less organised, who act as a political unit and who, by the use of their voting power, aim to control the government and carry out their general policies.”

5. According to Gilchrist, “A political party may be defined as an organised group of citizens who profess to share the same political views and who by acting as a political unit, try to control the government.” From the above given definitions we can conclude that a political party is a group of citizens who held identical views on national problems and in an organized way try to capture the government machinery through constitutional means in order to promote national interest.

Modern Definitions:
The modern writers have defined political party is an organised group of individuals seeking to seize power in order to enjoy the benefits to be derived from such control. According to Schumpeter, “A party as a group whose members propose to act in concert in the competitive struggle for political power.” The French scholar Maurice Duverger believes that a party consists of a few ‘notables’ and a large body of dues paying members who are interested mainly in ‘electoral activity’.

Essentials of a Political Party. A political party should possess the following essentials :

1. Same Views on Public Matters:
The first essential of a political party is that all its members should hold same view point on public matters. Common political views act as a cement for their common views and keep them united.

2. Fixed Programme:
Every political party has its own policies and programmes which it wants to implement after winning the election. Every political party prepares a comprehensive programme for the economic, social, political and cultural development of the country.

3. Organization:
It is necessary that the political party should be well- organized. Every political party has its own constitution according to which the organisation of a political party is determined.

4. Control of Government for Common Good. The aim of political party is to capture the government machinery.

5. Faith in Peaceful and Constitutional Means. The political parties keep faith in peaceful and constitutional means.

6. True and Proper Basis. Political parties should be organised on economic and political basis.

7. To promote National Interests. Political party is a group of people who by their joint efforts seek to promote national interest.

Merits of Party System:
1. It helps democracy:
Parties are essential for the successful working of a democratic government, since democracy is based on the will of the people and parties create this will. Stable Government is only possible in a country where the parties are fully organized. No government can be stable unless it is sure of general support of a majority in the legislature. If there is no organized party to back it in the legislature, a government will be weak since it will always be in doubt about the attitude of the legislature which ultimately controls the government in most countries. A democratic government ultimately is possible only when people organize themselves politically and act on set lines.

2. Political Education:
If parties did not exist most of the citizens would remain ignorant of current political questions. It is mainly through an organization like that of a party that the average citizen can get himself acquainted with the various aspects of a political problem and its solution. Particularly, the election campaign becomes primarily an educative campaign.

3. Government becomes stable:
The administration can be sound and stable only if the political parties exist in the country. The ruling party runs the administration quite strongly because it is certain about the support of majority of the members in the legislature. Moreover the members of a well- organized political party very rarely defect from the party. It is a system that ensures stability in administration and, orderly change for democratic parties in discussion and exchange of ideas rather than violent demonstrations and exchange of blows.

4. Essential for Parliamentary form of Government:
The Parliamentary system of government is based on political parties. It is an important feature of parliamentary form of government that the Prime Minister would be the person who is the leader of the majority party in the legislature. All other members of the Council of Ministers are also to be taken from the majority party. The members of the legislature cannot organise themselves in the absence of political parties and it cannot be ascertained who is the leader of the majority of the members in the House if there are no political parties.

5. They put a check on the autocratic activities of the government:
The political parties are a great check on the absolutist and autocractic activities of the government. The opposition parties criticise the wrong actions and policies of the government and they keep the government on the right path. The opposition parties bring to light the drawbacks of the administration and in this way the public opinion goes against the government party. No party can afford to lose public support. The ministers never do any such thing which goes against the party. The opposition parties always exploit the weakness of the ruling party. The government always does everything keeping in view the opinion of the public.

6. Formulation of public opinion:
Public opinion cannot be created in the absence of political parties, because in the society everyone has his individual opinion and unanimity of opinions can only be had with the help of political parties. The political parties are the brokers of ideas. The political parties select the more important, urgent problems and offer solutions to these problems. This thing helps in the formation of public opinion.

7. Political Parties establish relation between the Executive and the Legislature in Presidential government:
In a presidential form of government there is no relationship between the legislature and the executive and it leads to deadlocks in administration. This defect is removed by the political parties. The party to which the President belongs has its members in the Congress also. The political parties coordinate the working of the executive and the legislature and it brings efficiency in the administration of the State. The executive can succeed in getting the laws framed according to its needs.

8. Poor people can also contest elections:
The rich people can afford to contest election but the poor cannot afford to spend a huge sum on the elections. But this hindrance in the way of the poor people is removed by the political parties. Each political party possesses an election fund and the candidates are given financial help from this fund. If a member of a political party is capable and popular among the people but he is financially unsound, he is given financial aid by the party. Political parties help the poor to contest election. A poor person having rich ideas can help the legislature in many ways.

9. Discipline among the representatives:
The political parties impose strict discipline upon their members. The members who win the election on party ticket are kept in discipline. The members are not permitted to do anything of their own accord. The main advantage of imposing strict discipline is that the members do not forget the promises which the party made with the people during elections. The members are to act according to the election manifesto.

10. Reforms:
Political parties introduce various reforms in the society. Each party performs such functions in order to win public opinion. Each party expresses its opinions on the social evils prevailing in society. The parties try to remove these evils.

11. National unity:
The political parties help a lot in the maintenance of national unity. In each political party there are members from different castes, religions and communities. All these people have the same view¬points and it leads to the abolition of religious and caste differences. All members of the party work for the promotion of national interests. This leads to the development of the spirit of national unity among them.

Demerits of Party System:
The political parties suffer from various defects-
1. Dictatorship of the Majority Party:
The main effect of political parties is that the majority party establishes its dictatorship for a definite period in the State. The elections are held after four or five years and a party which gains majority in the legislature, forms its own government. The government is certain about its absolute majority in the legislature so it can afford to be dictatorial. The members of the party cannot go against the directives of the party and hence they do what is desired by the party. The governing party does not care about the criticism of the opposition parties.

2. No Importance of the Individual Opinion and Liberty with the Representatives:
The party system destroys individuality. It tends to make men put reliance more and more on party labels. Measures are judged not on their merits but according to the quarter they proceed from. A man who is a member of a party is not allowed, under the rules of party discipline, to hold and express an opinion in opposition to the principles and commitments of the party. All members must accept the policy of the party. All of them are expected to support the party policy in public. There is no room in the party for a member with independent views. The best men are more likely to possess some independent views of their own which may not suit the party.

3. Obstacle in National Unity:
Some people are of the opinion that the political parties are a big obstacle in national unity. The political parties divide the people and go on fighting among themselves. There are as many divisions of the country as there are political parties. Each party tries to promote its personal ends. The parties sacrifice the national interests at the altar of their personal interests. The party expects that all the members should remain loyal to it and they should always act according to the directives of the party. Loyalty to the country is replaced by loyalty to the party. Where there are political parties based on caste and religion, there is always a danger to national unity.

4. Standard of Public Morality is Degraded:
The political parties are responsible for degrading the moral standard of the people. Under the party system the people are unduly flattered for the purpose of capturing votes. This results sometimes in what is known as catching legislation. Proper legislation of this type is usually unscientific, bad legislation. The party organisation passes into the hands of unscrupulous people to private cliques which arrange matters to suit themselves. The leaders of these private cliques utilize the forces of the State to promote the selfish interests. The party system is responsible for the introduction of spoiled system in the matter of distribution of governmental jobs.

5. Encouragement to Communalism:
The party system encourages communalism. There is no scarcity of the tactful, wicked and shrewd persons. Such persons are always after achieving their ends. They form a political party by organising the people on the basis of caste and religion and exploit the people in the name of religion. In India there are a number of communal parties. They are always a danger to national unity.

6. Government becomes Unstable:
Multiplicity of parties within the legislature results in the formation of an unstable government. In France the governments used to change very frequently due to this reason. The opposition parties unnecessarily criticise the government and never co-operate with the government in the execution of its policies. The people’s progress is hampered when the governments change too frequently.

7. Laws are made to attract Public Opinion:
The political parties tap all the possible measures to win public opinion in their favour. The ruling party frames such laws as can attract public opinion to its side. These laws may not be in the best interests of the nation but they must stand the party in good stead. Sometimes laws are framed which seem to be good at the value, but in fact they do not serve the purpose of the people. Moreover the opposition parties consider it as their primary duty that they must criticise the government, whether the government is right or wrong.

8. Clique of Selfish Leaders in the Party:
Another serious objection against the party system is that the parties are run by small cliques of leaders commanding their followers. The leaders deceive their unintelligent followers, the average masses and frustrate the will of the people for better government.

9. Embitter the Local Atmosphere:
Political parties necessarily extend national political issues to local election. In election to local bodies like municipalities or corporations, votes should be cast on the personal merits of candidates or on local issues of policy. But political parties spoil the local atmosphere and decisions in local bodies are not taken impartially.

Conclusion:
The party system has been regarded by many as more of a curse than a blessing yet nobody denies that it is essential for the working of a representative government. It is true that parties are liable to serious abuses but the remedy lies in the creation of a sound, just and vigilant public opinion. The party system is essential for the creation of public opinion. Parties should be organised on right fines and controlled by the honest citizens of the State.

Question 5.
Discuss the different party systems. Also describe their respective merits and demerits.
Or
Describe the types of Party System. Which party system do you like and why?
Answer:
Party system is essential for a democratic system of government. Party system is of various types Two party system, Multiple-party system and Single party system. In each country there exists some party system. In Britain and America there exists a two party system, in France Multiple-party system and in China Single party system.

Where there are two main political parties we call that a Dual Party or Double Party or Bi-party system. The essence of such a party system is that there are only two well organized parties which may enjoy public confidence. After the elections, one party forms the government and the other party sits in the opposition. The system, however, is elastic enough to provide for the existence of certain minor political parties.

But they are of no major consequence because the people habitually are not prepared to put their confidence in one of them. The real contest is usually confined to the two major political parties. In England there exists a two-party system, as the labour party and conservative party are the two major parties in the country. All other minor parties have no importance in the country.

Merits of Two-Party System:
Following are the merits of two-party system-
1. Formation of Government is easy:
The main advantage of the two-party system is that in it the formation of ministry is very easy. The council of ministers is chosen from the members of majority party in the legislature. In a two party system, one party gets a clear majority and the leader of that party is appointed the Prime Minister and all other ministers are appointed on his recommendations. In case of a failure on the part of the party in power the electorate can easily express their dissatisfaction by voting the other party to power at the new elections.

2. People directly choose the Government:
In a two-party system the government is chosen according to the wishes of the people. The leaders of both the parties are already known to the people. It is the will of the people to elect either of the two to head the government. Moreover, it is quite easy for the voters to cast their votes. The people can cast their votes for the party which they want to come to power. The party which gets the majority of the seats controls the government. In a two-party system the government is stable and strong.

3. Government remains responsible:
In a two-party system the responsibility for a good or bad government can be easily fixed. The administration is more responsible because administrative responsibility falls on a particular political party. If the ruling party does not run the administration smoothly the people will vote it down and they vote to power the other party. The government cannot be dictatorial because the opposition party criticises its wrong actions and policies. The opposition keeps the government always alert.

4. Government becomes stable:
In a two-party system the government generally remains stable. The government is formed by the majority party. All the ministers are taken from a single party. As a matter, of course, they work as a team and they remain in office as long as they continue to enjoy the confidence of that party.

5. Strong Government:
In a two-party system the government is strong. The ministry is always sure of the support of majority party and therefore whatever decisions it takes it can pursue it strongly. The ministry is certain about the fact that the measures introduced by it in the legislature will be carried out because they will be backed by the majority party. The opposition party may criticise the government to any possible extent but the measures initiated by the ruling party are always carried out.

6. Strong Opposition:
In a two-party system the opposition party also plays a very important role. One party forms the government and the other party is called the opposition party. The opposition party always makes a constructive criticism of the government. It brings to light the defects of the ruling party and tries to create public opinion in support of its policies.

Demerits of Two-Party System:
No doubt in most of the countries two-party system is considered the best but still it suffers from various defects. Following are the defects in a two-party system:
1. Limited choice before the voters:
The main defect of the Bi-party system is that the voter enjoys no more independence except the right to vote. The voter is to cast his vote in favour of either of the two parties, he has no other choice. He should either cast his vote in favour of these two parties or he should not exercise his right to vote at all. The choice in this system is very limited.

2. Nation is divided into two halves:
In a two-party system the nation is divided into two groups. These two groups never come closer to each other. Both the parties always try to defeat each other at the elections. Each party criticises the other on unhealthy grounds. The system promotes an intolerant party spirit.

3. Dictatorship of the Cabinet:
Under two-party system one of the parties is sure to be in the majority. Having gained the majority the party can exercise governmental powers in utter disregard of public good. Having an absolute majority in the legislature the government may even indulge in corrupt practices with impunity. This despotism of majority has further led to the establishment of Cabinet dictatorship in England. The members of the Council of Ministers are to work under the directives of the party. The Cabinet being sure of its majority in the legislature can act according to its sweet will. It can afford to ignore public welfare.

4. Prestige of the legislature is lowered:
The importance of the legislature is affected under a two-party system. The legislature becomes a plaything in the hands of the Council of Ministers. The legislature can do nothing which is contrary to the wishes of the ministry. It is said that in England the legislature does not exercise any control over the Cabinet, rather it is the Cabinet which controls the legislature. These are the ministers who prepare the bill, pilot them and see that they are passed. The legislature is only a forum for discussion and these are the ministers who do all the important jobs.

5. Legislature does not represent all shades of opinion:
In a two-party system small communities do not get due representation in the legislature. In no country live the people who have only two types of opinions. People have various types of opinions over public matters and political matters and only two political parties cannot safeguard and promote their interests. Therefore such a legislature cannot satisfy the needs of all communities.

6. Tyranny of the majority party:
In a two-party system the majority party controls the government. It has every temptation to misuse authority. The party members are bound by party discipline to follow the decisions of the party. No member can afford to violate party discipline. The majority party always aims at furthering its own interests and it ignores the interests of the minority parties. It tries to get such laws framed which help it in gaining control of the administration. It tries to remain in power through fair or foul means.

If there are more than two well organized parties that share almost an equal degree the confidence of the people, we may say that there is a multiple-party system. Let us suppose that there are five political parties namely A, B, C, D, E and A got 30%, B got 20%, C got 15%, D got 25% and E got 10% seats in the legislature and this system is called multiple-party system. The multiple-party system prevails in France, Japan, Switzerland, Italy and in India.

The merits and demerits of the multiple-party system are given below:
Merits of Multiple-Party System:
Following are the merits of multiple-party system:

1. Representation of all shades of opinion:
An important merit of multiple- party system is that in the legislature all shades of opinion get representation. There exist various political parties that represent different shades of opinion and each party gets somewhat representation in the legislature. The members of each political party support their view-point in the legislature. This way the legislature becomes such an institution which represents every type of view-point.

2. More choice to the voters:
In multiple-party system the voter enjoys a greater degree of independence and choice because so many
parties contest the elections. The voter can vote for a candidate of his own choice.

3. Position of the legislature becomes significant:
In a multiple-party system the legislature does not become a tool in the hands of the cabinet, rather it keeps the cabinet under its control. No party gets absolute majority in the legislature and therefore no party can establish its dictatorship. A measure can be passed in the legislature if two or more than two parties support the measure. In fact the ministry functions in accordance with the wishes of the legislature. It gives importance to legislature.

4. Government changes according to times easily:
In multiple-party system the government can be changed easily even before the next election. In this system no single party can have its own way. Therefore if the ministry does not change its policy according to the time then one or other party quits the ministry and thus the government falls. This way the ministry can be changed when the time so demands.

5. Nation is not divided into two halves:
In a multiple-party system the political parties do not bitterly criticise one another because after the resignation of the cabinet no single party is confident of forming the government.

Demerits of Multiple-Party System
Following are the demerits of multiple-party system:
1. Formation of Government is not easy:
The main defect of the Multiple- Party System is that great difficulty is experienced in the formation of government. No party gets majority of the seats in the legislature and it is not easy for two or three parties to join hands in order to form the government. The parties differ in ideologies and hence they cannot come closer.

2. Government is Unstable:
In a multiple-party system the government is unstable. The governments are usually coalitions composed of diverse elements. There goes on a war of privileges between these elements. Compromise is reached and broken frequently, consequently the governments are formed and broken also too frequently. In France governments are notoriously unstable.

3. Weak position of the Prime Minister:
The position of the Prime Minister is very weak in a multiple-party system. The party of the Prime Minister is not the majority party in the legislature, so he is to depend upon other parties for support. He can do nothing of his own accord. He is to please his ministers and normally he acts on the dictates of the ministers.

4. Government is not the direct choice of the people:
The government in the multiple- party system is not formed according to the wishes of the people. As no party attains majority in the legislature so it is always uncertain that who will become the Prime Minister of the State. It is also always uncertain which parties will participate in the coalition government.

5. Responsibility of the Government cannot be determined:
In a multiple- party system many parties join hands and form a coalition government. This way the responsibility of administration is divided and rather the government becomes irresponsible. Each party shifts the responsibility to the other party. No party can be held responsible for the weaknesses in the administration. No party takes responsibility and hence the public welfare is completely ignored.

6. Continuity of policy is not possible:
The ministry is never certain about the tenure of office. The ministry little knows when it will have to tender its resignation. Therefore the ministry cannot execute any policy forcefully and strongly. The ministry never makes long term plans.

7. Lack of well organised and strong opposition party:
In a multiple- party system there is always lack of well organized and strong opposition party. Normally many parties join hands and form a strong opposition. But in a multiple party system most of the parties are partners in a coalition government and there are no effective opposition parties. Therefore government’s wrong actions and policies do not come under criticism. The opposition is never sure whether after the fall of the government it will be able to form the new government and this is why the opposition party is never particular about criticising the wrongs committed by the government.

8. Lack of party discipline among the Legislators:
In a multiple-party system there is lack of party discipline among the legislators. The governments are the outcome of manipulation and manoeuvring. Self-seeking parties come together not because they have common interest but because through such combination they can acquire power.

A single party system is that system where only one political party functions in the whole of the State. The same party runs the administration of the State and no other party can come into existence. In fact the single party system cannot exist in a democracy. It is but natural that the party will establish its dictatorship in the State. There is a single party system in Cuba, China and some other communist countries. In these countries nobody can criticise the communist party and people have no right to form a second party.

Merits of Single Party System:
A single party system is in accordance with the democratic principles but still it has some merits:
1. National Unity:
A single party system helps in building up national unity. The nation is not divided into various hostile groups. The entire country becomes one political unit and functions quite successfully.

2. Strong Government:
In a single party system the government is always strong and it can carry out its policies more efficiently. Once a policy is framed, all the members of the party must follow that policy. No member of the party is allowed to criticise the policy of the party.

3. Continuity of Policy:
In a single party system there is always continuity of policy. The party can make long-term plans, because the party knows that it will remain in power for all times to come. This way the country can follow the same policy for a long time.

4. National Progress:
In a single party-system the nation progresses very speedily. The political parties have no clash and struggle for power. There is no unhealthy criticism of the government. The entire country functions as one political unit and the nation progresses by leaps and bounds.

5. Party Discipline:
There always prevails rigid and iron discipline in a single party system. No member of the party can afford to violate party discipline. If any member dares to violate party discipline it results in his political death. If a member is expelled from the party, he cannot participate in the political functions.

Demerits of Single Party System:
A single party system suffers from various defects and that is why this system has not been adopted in any democratic country. Its defects are given below:
1. It is against democratic principles:
This system is against democratic principles because in this system the people do not enjoy the right to freedom of speech and expression. The people cannot express their viewpoints on matters of public concern. All shades of opinion do not get representation in the legislature.

2. Election is a mere show:
In a single party system election is a mere show. All the candidates belong to the same political party. They do not hold different views on the problems of the State. The election or defeat of any candidate does not result in the change of policy of the government.

3. Government does not feel responsible:
The government is not responsible for all its actions and policies to the people. There is no other party to oppose and criticise the government.

4. Dictatorship of one party:
In a single party system the party establishes its dictatorship and it runs the government according to its will. All the benefits are taken by the members of the party and the general public suffers a lot.

5. No rights and liberties to the people:
In a single party system people do not enjoy rights and civil liberties and hence their personality does not develop. The individual functions like a part of the machine.

6. No political education:
In a single party system the people do not get any political education. Press and platform are used only by the ruling party. People do not come to know about different shades of opinions.
Which is the best Party System?

In all the forms of governments all party systems cannot be considered as the best. In dictatorship one party system is the best while in a democratic government a single party system finds no place. In a parliamentary form of government the two-party system is considered the best system. Multiparty system suits a country where there are many minority communities. But under such circumstances it will be better if instead of Parliamentary form of government Presidential system of government is adopted.

Question 6.
Discuss the merits and demerits of Bi-party System.
Answer:
Where there are two main political parties we call that a Dual Party or Double Party or Bi-party system. The essence of such a party system is that there are only two well organized parties which may enjoy public confidence. After the elections, one party forms the government and the other party sits in the opposition. The system, however, is elastic enough to provide for the existence of certain minor political parties.

But they are of no major consequence because the people habitually are not prepared to put their confidence in one of them. The real contest is usually confined to the two major political parties. In England there exists a two-party system, as the labour party and conservative party are the two major parties in the country. All other minor parties have no importance in the country.

Merits of Two-Party System:
Following are the merits of two-party system-
1. Formation of Government is easy:
The main advantage of the two-party system is that in it the formation of ministry is very easy. The council of ministers is chosen from the members of majority party in the legislature. In a two party system, one party gets a clear majority and the leader of that party is appointed the Prime Minister and all other ministers are appointed on his recommendations. In case of a failure on the part of the party in power the electorate can easily express their dissatisfaction by voting the other party to power at the new elections.

2. People directly choose the Government:
In a two-party system the government is chosen according to the wishes of the people. The leaders of both the parties are already known to the people. It is the will of the people to elect either of the two to head the government. Moreover, it is quite easy for the voters to cast their votes. The people can cast their votes for the party which they want to come to power. The party which gets the majority of the seats controls the government. In a two-party system the government is stable and strong.

3. Government remains responsible:
In a two-party system the responsibility for a good or bad government can be easily fixed. The administration is more responsible because administrative responsibility falls on a particular political party. If the ruling party does not run the administration smoothly the people will vote it down and they vote to power the other party. The government cannot be dictatorial because the opposition party criticises its wrong actions and policies. The opposition keeps the government always alert.

4. Government becomes stable:
In a two-party system the government generally remains stable. The government is formed by the majority party. All the ministers are taken from a single party. As a matter, of course, they work as a team and they remain in office as long as they continue to enjoy the confidence of that party.

5. Strong Government:
In a two-party system the government is strong. The ministry is always sure of the support of majority party and therefore whatever decisions it takes it can pursue it strongly. The ministry is certain about the fact that the measures introduced by it in the legislature will be carried out because they will be backed by the majority party. The opposition party may criticise the government to any possible extent but the measures initiated by the ruling party are always carried out.

6. Strong Opposition:
In a two-party system the opposition party also plays a very important role. One party forms the government and the other party is called the opposition party. The opposition party always makes a constructive criticism of the government. It brings to light the defects of the ruling party and tries to create public opinion in support of its policies.

Demerits of Two-Party System:
No doubt in most of the countries two-party system is considered the best but still it suffers from various defects. Following are the defects in a two-party system:
1. Limited choice before the voters:
The main defect of the Bi-party system is that the voter enjoys no more independence except the right to vote. The voter is to cast his vote in favour of either of the two parties, he has no other choice. He should either cast his vote in favour of these two parties or he should not exercise his right to vote at all. The choice in this system is very limited.

2. Nation is divided into two halves:
In a two-party system the nation is divided into two groups. These two groups never come closer to each other. Both the parties always try to defeat each other at the elections. Each party criticises the other on unhealthy grounds. The system promotes an intolerant party spirit.

3. Dictatorship of the Cabinet:
Under two-party system one of the parties is sure to be in the majority. Having gained the majority the party can exercise governmental powers in utter disregard of public good. Having an absolute majority in the legislature the government may even indulge in corrupt practices with impunity. This despotism of majority has further led to the establishment of Cabinet dictatorship in England. The members of the Council of Ministers are to work under the directives of the party. The Cabinet being sure of its majority in the legislature can act according to its sweet will. It can afford to ignore public welfare.

4. Prestige of the legislature is lowered:
The importance of the legislature is affected under a two-party system. The legislature becomes a plaything in the hands of the Council of Ministers. The legislature can do nothing which is contrary to the wishes of the ministry. It is said that in England the legislature does not exercise any control over the Cabinet, rather it is the Cabinet which controls the legislature. These are the ministers who prepare the bill, pilot them and see that they are passed. The legislature is only a forum for discussion and these are the ministers who do all the important jobs.

5. Legislature does not represent all shades of opinion:
In a two-party system small communities do not get due representation in the legislature. In no country live the people who have only two types of opinions. People have various types of opinions over public matters and political matters and only two political parties cannot safeguard and promote their interests. Therefore such a legislature cannot satisfy the needs of all communities.

6. Tyranny of the majority party:
In a two-party system the majority party controls the government. It has every temptation to misuse authority. The party members are bound by party discipline to follow the decisions of the party. No member can afford to violate party discipline. The majority party always aims at furthering its own interests and it ignores the interests of the minority parties. It tries to get such laws framed which help it in gaining control of the administration. It tries to remain in power through fair or foul means.

Question 7.
Discuss the merits and demerits of multi-party system.
Ans.
If there are more than two well organized parties that share almost an equal degree the confidence of the people, we may say that there is a multiple-party system. Let us suppose that there are five political parties namely A, B, C, D, E and A got 30%, B got 20%, C got 15%, D got 25% and E got 10% seats in the legislature and this system is called multiple-party system. The multiple-party system prevails in France, Japan, Switzerland, Italy and in India.

The merits and demerits of the multiple-party system are given below:
Merits of Multiple-Party System:
Following are the merits of multiple-party system:

1. Representation of all shades of opinion:
An important merit of multiple- party system is that in the legislature all shades of opinion get representation. There exist various political parties that represent different shades of opinion and each party gets somewhat representation in the legislature. The members of each political party support their view-point in the legislature. This way the legislature becomes such an institution which represents every type of view-point.

2. More choice to the voters:
In multiple-party system the voter enjoys a greater degree of independence and choice because so many
parties contest the elections. The voter can vote for a candidate of his own choice.

3. Position of the legislature becomes significant:
In a multiple-party system the legislature does not become a tool in the hands of the cabinet, rather it keeps the cabinet under its control. No party gets absolute majority in the legislature and therefore no party can establish its dictatorship. A measure can be passed in the legislature if two or more than two parties support the measure. In fact the ministry functions in accordance with the wishes of the legislature. It gives importance to legislature.

4. Government changes according to times easily:
In multiple-party system the government can be changed easily even before the next election. In this system no single party can have its own way. Therefore if the ministry does not change its policy according to the time then one or other party quits the ministry and thus the government falls. This way the ministry can be changed when the time so demands.

5. Nation is not divided into two halves:
In a multiple-party system the political parties do not bitterly criticise one another because after the resignation of the cabinet no single party is confident of forming the government.

Demerits of Multiple-Party System
Following are the demerits of multiple-party system :
1. Formation of Government is not easy:
The main defect of the Multiple- Party System is that great difficulty is experienced in the formation of government. No party gets majority of the seats in the legislature and it is not easy for two or three parties to join hands in order to form the government. The parties differ in ideologies and hence they cannot come closer.

2. Government is Unstable:
In a multiple-party system the government is unstable. The governments are usually coalitions composed of diverse elements. There goes on a war of privileges between these elements. Compromise is reached and broken frequently, consequently the governments are formed and broken also too frequently. In France governments are notoriously unstable.

3. Weak position of the Prime Minister:
The position of the Prime Minister is very weak in a multiple-party system. The party of the Prime Minister is not the majority party in the legislature, so he is to depend upon other parties for support. He can do nothing of his own accord. He is to please his ministers and normally he acts on the dictates of the ministers.

4. Government is not the direct choice of the people:
The government in the multiple- party system is not formed according to the wishes of the people. As no party attains majority in the legislature so it is always uncertain that who will become the Prime Minister of the State. It is also always uncertain which parties will participate in the coalition government.

5. Responsibility of the Government cannot be determined:
In a multiple- party system many parties join hands and form a coalition government. This way the responsibility of administration is divided and rather the government becomes irresponsible. Each party shifts the responsibility to the other party. No party can be held responsible for the weaknesses in the administration. No party takes responsibility and hence the public welfare is completely ignored.

6. Continuity of policy is not possible:
The ministry is never certain about the tenure of office. The ministry little knows when it will have to tender its resignation. Therefore the ministry cannot execute any policy forcefully and strongly. The ministry never makes long term plans.

7. Lack of well organised and strong opposition party:
In a multiple- party system there is always lack of well organized and strong opposition party. Normally many parties join hands and form a strong opposition. But in a multiple party system most of the parties are partners in a coalition government and there are no effective opposition parties. Therefore government’s wrong actions and policies do not come under criticism. The opposition is never sure whether after the fall of the government it will be able to form the new government and this is why the opposition party is never particular about criticising the wrongs committed by the government.

8. Lack of party discipline among the Legislators:
In a multiple-party system there is lack of party discipline among the legislators. The governments are the outcome of manipulation and manoeuvring. Self-seeking parties come together not because they have common interest but because through such combination they can acquire power.

Question 8.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the Single Party System.
Answer:
A single party system is that system where only one political party functions in the whole of the State. The same party runs the administration of the State and no other party can come into existence. In fact the single party system cannot exist in a democracy. It is but natural that the party will establish its dictatorship in the State. There is a single party system in Cuba, China and some other communist countries. In these countries nobody can criticise the communist party and people have no right to form a second party.

Merits of Single Party System:
A single party system is in accordance with the democratic principles but still it has some merits :
1. National Unity:
A single party system helps in building up national unity. The nation is not divided into various hostile groups. The entire country becomes one political unit and functions quite successfully.

2. Strong Government:
In a single party system the government is always strong and it can carry out its policies more efficiently. Once a policy is framed, all the members of the party must follow that policy. No member of the party is allowed to criticise the policy of the party.

3. Continuity of Policy:
In a single party system there is always continuity of policy. The party can make long-term plans, because the party knows that it will remain in power for all times to come. This way the country can follow the same policy for a long time.

4. National Progress:
In a single party-system the nation progresses very speedily. The political parties have no clash and struggle for power. There is no unhealthy criticism of the government. The entire country functions as one political unit and the nation progresses by leaps and bounds.

5. Party Discipline:
There always prevails rigid and iron discipline in a single party system. No member of the party can afford to violate party discipline. If any member dares to violate party discipline it results in his political death. If a member is expelled from the party, he cannot participate in the political functions.

Demerits of Single Party System:
A single party system suffers from various defects and that is why this system has not been adopted in any democratic country. Its defects are given below:
1. It is against democratic principles:
This system is against democratic principles because in this system the people do not enjoy the right to freedom of speech and expression. The people cannot express their viewpoints on matters of public concern. All shades of opinion do not get representation in the legislature.

2. Election is a mere show:
In a single party system election is a mere show. All the candidates belong to the same political party. They do not hold different views on the problems of the State. The election or defeat of any candidate does not result in the change of policy of the government.

3. Government does not feel responsible:
The government is not responsible for all its actions and policies to the people. There is no other party to oppose and criticise the government.

4. Dictatorship of one party:
In a single party system the party establishes its dictatorship and it runs the government according to its will. All the benefits are taken by the members of the party and the general public suffers a lot.

5. No rights and liberties to the people:
In a single party system people do not enjoy rights and civil liberties and hence their personality does not develop. The individual functions like a part of the machine.

6. No political education:
In a single party system the people do not get any political education. Press and platform are used only by the ruling party. People do not come to know about different shades of opinions.
Which is the best Party System ?

In all the forms of governments all party systems cannot be considered as the best. In dictatorship one party system is the best while in a democratic government a single party system finds no place. In a parliamentary form of government the two-party system is considered the best system. Multiparty system suits a country where there are many minority communities. But under such circumstances it will be better if instead of Parliamentary form of government Presidential system of government is adopted.

Question 9.
Discuss the role of opposition in the Democratic State.
Or
Define the role of opposition in Democracy.
Answer:
Opposition Party is Essential for the Success of Democracy. Democracy is a Government by criticism. Government is run by the representatives of the people according to their wishes. Every individual has a right to criticise and oppose the policies and actions of the Government. In a Parliamentary system one party that has gained majority at the polls, forms the Government and runs the administration and other party or parties go into opposition. Because of the existence of opposition parties, the party in power or Cabinet remains alert about its duties and functions and cannot act arbitrarily. In England there are two political parties one forms the Government and the other forms the opposition.

In a democratic system opposition performs many functions and the most important are as follows:
1. Criticism:
One of the most important functions of the opposition is to criticise the government. The opposition exposes the anti-people activities of the government. This is exposed outside the Parliament through demonstrations and inside the Parliament through various questions and motions. Opposition asks questions concerning the working of various departments, misuse of powers by the civil servants and lapses on the part of government.

2. Co-operation with the Government:
The opposition does not hinder the working of the Government. As a matter of fact both the majority and the opposition work in co-operation with one another. On important matters there are always consultations between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. The Government gives full opportunity to the opposition to place its point of view before the House and the opposition accommodates the Government on many matters.

3. Political Education to the People:
The opposition keeps supervision over the work of the Government. The opposition knows that by criticism it cannot change the government and its policies. But it criticises to educate the people.

4. Appeal to the Electors:
The opposition criticises the Government in the House just to unmask the Government before the nation and tries to win the public opinion for next election by exposing the lapses and lacuna in the Government policies. If the Government cannot defend itself on the floor of the House, it may continue in office, but it is bound to find itself in a deplorable position in the next elections. According to Prof. Laski, “Responsible Government lives in England under the shadow of the coming defeat.”

5. Ventilation of Public Grievances:
Opposition is also an effective safeguard of the liberties of the people. If a person is wronged he can approach any member of the opposition who by putting questions can ask for the explanation of the wrong done. Thus the grievances of the people reach the Government mainly through the opposition and are got redressed.

6. It makes Democracy Real and Effective:
Thus opposition plays an important role in the working of democratic set-up. It makes democracy real and effective. Where there is no opposition, Jennings has rightly pointed out, there is no democracy. Opposition may delay legislation but does not let it be hustled through. In times of national emergencies, in England national governments have been working and the opposition has been giving full co-operation to such Governments. Thus instead of putting obstructions it has been giving a helping hand to the Government in giving the nation good, efficient and clean administration.

Conclusion:
We can conclude by saying that the opposition occupies an important place in a democracy. It criticises the Government and does not let it become arbitrary. It safeguards the interests and liberties of the people; it exposes the lapses of the Government before the people. It provides a ready alternate Government and in times of emergency fully co-operates with the Government to face any crisis. Hogy Quintin has rightly observed, “It is not a long step from the sense of an organised opposition to a complete dictatorship.”

Short Answer type Questions

Question 1.
What do you understand by Political Parties?
Answer:
A political party is a group of citizens who hold identical views on national problems and in an organised way try to capture the government machinery through constitutional means in order to promote national interest.

1. According to Burke, “A political party is a body of men united for the purpose of promoting, by their joint endeavours the public interest upon some principles on which they are all agreed.”

2. According to Dr. Leacock, “By a political party we mean, more or less organised group of citizens who act together as a political unit. They share or profess to share the same opinions on public Question’s and by exercising their voting power towards a common end, seek to obtain control of the government.”

3. According to Maclver, “A political party is an association organised in support of some principle or policy which by constitutional means it endeavours to make the determinant of the government.”

Question 2.
Write four essentials of a Political Party.
Or
Write down three characteristics of Political Parties.
Answer:

• Same Views on Political Matters: The first essential of a political party is that all its members should hold same viewpoint on public matters.
• Organisation: It is necessary that the political party should be well- organized.
• Control of Government for Common Good: The aim of political party is to capture the governmental machinery.
• The political parties keep faith in peaceful and constitutional means.

Question 3.
On what basis the political parties are formed?
Answer:
There are many bases of the formation of Political Parties. Following are some important bases of parties:
1. Social Basis:
In those states where discriminations are made on the bases of caste, colour, creed, race, religion etc. people belonging to a particular caste, religion or social class form a particular party. In India many parties are formed on social grounds. For example B.S.P. is based on social ground.

2. Political Basis:
On various political issues, political parties hold different stand, and people holding different views form different political parties. In India Leftist Parties, Congress and B.J.P. have their particular bases.

3. Economic Basis:
Different people hold different views on economic matters and they form political parties according to their views. For example, Congress, B.J.P. and Leftist Parties are of different economic views.

4. Religious Basis: Sometimes political parties are formed on religious basis.

Question 4.
Describe the different types of political parties prevalent in the world.
Or
Mention the different types of Party System.
Answer:
Following three types of political parties are prevalent in the world:
1. Two-Party System:
In two-party system there are only two major and well organised political parties. Besides the two main parties, there can be some more political parties but having no importance in the political system. Two-Party System exists in England and America.

2. Multiple-Party System:
If there are more than two well organised parties who share in almost an equal degree the confidence of the people, we may say that there is multiple-party system. The Multiple-Party System prevails in India, France, Italy etc.

3. Single-Party System:
A Single Party System is that system where only one party functions in the whole state. The same party runs the government and the administration of the country and no other party can come into existence. These days Single Party System exists in China, Cuba etc.

Question 5.
Describe any four functions of Political Parties.
Or
Discuss in brief any four functions of Political Parties.
Answer:

• Formation of Public Policies: The main function of the political parties is to frame public policies.
• Formation of Public Opinion:Political parties explain the national and other problems to the people and also give suggestions to solve the problems. In this way political parties help in the formulation of public opinion.
• To Contest Election: Main function of political parties is to contest election. For this candidates are selected and election campaigns are conducted.
• To Run the Government: The main function of the Political Party is to run the administration.

Question 6.
Write down any four advantages of Political Parties.
Answer:

• It helps democracy. Political parties help in making democracy successful. Political parties organise the people politically.
• Political education. Political parties give political education to the people. They explain their policies to the people. The election campaign becomes primarily an educative campaign.
• Political parties are a great check on the absolutist and autocratic activities of the government.
• Government becomes stable. The administration can be sound and stable only if the political parties exist in the country.

Question 7.
Mention three main demerits of Political Parties.
Or
Write down any four demerits of Political Parties.
Answer:

• An important merit of Multi-party system is that in the legislature all shades of opinion get representation.
• In a Multiple-party system the legislature does not become a tool in the hands of the cabinet; rather it keeps the cabinet under its control.
• In a Multiple-party system the voter enjoys a greater degree of independence and choice because so many parties contest the elections. The voter can vote for a candidate of his own choice.
• In a Multiple-party system the government can be changed easily even before next election.

Question 9.
Define Multi-party system and give the example of two countries where this system is in existence.
Or
Explain Multi-party system with an example of a country where it prevails.
Answer:
If there are more than two well-organised parties who share in almost an equal degree the confidence of the people, we may say that there is Multiple-Party System. The Multiple-Party System prevails in India, France, Japan, Switzerland etc.

Question 10.
What do you understand by One-party System?
Answer:
A single-party system is that system where only one political party functions in the whole of the State. The same party runs the administration of the State and no other party can come into existence. In fact, the single-party system cannot exist in a democracy. It is but natural that the party will establish its dictatorship in the State. There is a single-party system in China, Cuba, North Korea etc. In these countries nobody can criticise the communist party and people have no right to form a second party.

Question 11.
What do you understand by Two-party System?
Answer:
Where there are two political parties, we call that a Two-Party or Double Party or Bi-Party System. The essence of such a party system is that there are only two well-organised parties which may enjoy public confidence. After the elections, one party forms the government and the other party sits in the opposition. The system, however, is elastic enough to provide for the existence of certain minor political parties. Two-party system exists in England and U.S.A.

Question 12.
Write any four merits of Two-party System.
Or
Give three arguments in favour of Bi-party System.
Answer:
1. Formation of Govt, is easy:
In a two-party system it is easy to form government. One party gets a clear majority and the leader of that party is appointed the Prime Minister and all other ministers are appointed on his recommendations.

2. Easy to fix Responsibility: In a two-party system the responsibility for a good or bad government can be easily fixed.

3. Strong Government:
In a two-party system the government is strong. The ministry is always sure of the support of majority party and therefore whatever decisions it takes it can pursue them strongly.

4. Stable Government. In a two-party system the government generally remains stable.

Question 13.
Write any four demerits of Multi-party System.
Answer:
1. Not easy to form government:
In a multi-party system it is very difficult to form government because no party gets majority in the legislature.

2. Unstable government: In a multi-party system generally coalition governments are formed and the result is unstable government.

3. Weak position of the Prime Minister:
The position of the Prime Minister is very weak in a multiple-party system. The party of the Prime Minister is not the majority party in the legislature. So he is to depend upon other parties for support. He can do nothing of his own.

4. Lack of Strong Opposition Party: In a multiple-party system there is always lack of well organised and strong opposition party.

Question 14.
Write any four demerits of Single-Party System.
Answer:
1. Against Democracy:
Single-party system is against democratic principles because in this system the people do not enjoy the right to form associations.

2. Election a Mere Show: In a single-party system an election is a mere show. All the candidates belong to the same political party.

3. Dictatorship:
In a single party system the party establishes its dictatorship and it runs the government according to its will. The people do not enjoy rights and civil liberties.

4. In a single party system the people do not get any political education.

Question 15.
Write four merits of Single-Party System.
Answer:

• National Unity: A single party System helps in building up national unity.
• Strong Govt: In a single party system the government is always strong and it can carry out its policies more efficiently.
• Continuity of Policy: In a single-party system there is always continuity of policy. Political party can make long-term plans, because the party knows that it will remain in power for all times to come. This way the country can follow the same for a long time.
• In a single party-system the nation progresses very speedily.

Question 16.
Mention four demerits of Two-Party System.
Answer:
1. Limited Choice:
In a two-party system the voter’s choice is limited. The voter is to cast his vote in favour of either of the two parties; he has no other choice.

2. Nation is divided into two Halves:
In a two-party system the nation is divided into two groups. These two groups never come closer to each other.

3. Dictatorship of the Cabinet:
Under two-party system one of the parties is sure to be in the majority. Having gained the majority, the party can exercise government powers in utter disregard of public good. Having an absolute majority in the legislature, the government may even indulge in corrupt practices with impunity. In a two party system, the legislature becomes a plaything in the hands of the council of ministers.

Question 17.
What is Opposition Party?
Answer:
Opposition Party is very essential for the successful working of democracy. In a parliamentary democracy one party, that has gained majority at the polls, forms the government and other party or parties go into opposition. Opposition party criticises to policies of the government and checks the despotism of the government. It makes democracy real and effective. Opposition party opposes, criticises and removes the government.

Question 18.
Explain the role of opposition party in democracy.
Or
Write any three functions of opposition in democracy.
Answer:

• The opposition criticises the wrong policies of the government. The opposition checks the anti-people policies of the government.
• The opposition gives political education to the people. The opposition parties create political consciousness among the people and make them aware of the day-to-day happenings.
• The opposition makes democracy real and effective. The opposition safeguards the rights and liberties of the people.
• The opposition makes democracy real and effective.

Question 19.
Explain the role of the political parties in democracy.
Or
Mention the importance of political parties in democracy.
Answer:

• The political party forms the government. The party which gets majority in the legislature forms its government and runs the administration of the state.
• The political parties point out the defects of the government by a sound criticism for the welfare of the people.
• The political parties mobilise public opinion. They explain the national and other problems to the people.
• The political parties serve as good links between the government and the voters.

Question 20.
What do you mean by Leftist Parties?
Answer:
Left political parties are effected by communist ideology. They are in favour of revolutionary changes in social and economic pattern and also support socialist set up. The Communist Party or Marxian Party is known as Left Political Party in India.

Very Short Answer type Questions

Question 1.
What is a Political Party?
Answer:
A political party is a group of citizens who hold identical views on national problems and in an organised way try to capture the government machinery through constitutional means in order to promote national interest.

Question 2.
Define Political Party.
Answer:

1. According to Burke, “A political party is a body of men united for the purpose of promoting, by their joint endeavours the public interest upon some principles on which they are all agreed.”
2. According to Maclver, “A political party is an association organised in support of some principle or policy which by constitutional means it endeavours to make the determinant of the government.”

Question 3.
Write two essentials of a Political Party.
Answer:

• Same Views on Political Matters: The first essential of a political party is that all its members should hold same viewpoint on public matters.
• Organisation: It is necessary that the political party should be well- organized.

Question 4.
Describe the different types of political parties prevalent in the world.
Answer:
Following three types of political parties are prevalent in the world:

• Two-Party System: In two-party system there are only two major and well organised political parties.
• Multiple-Party System: If there are more than two well organised parties who share in almost an equal degree the confidence of the people, we may say that there is multiple-party system.
• Single-Party System: A Single Party System is that system where only one party functions in the whole state.

Question 5.
Write down any two functions of Political Parties.
Answer:

• Formation of Public Policies: The main function of the political parties is to frame public policies.
• Formation of Public Opinion: Political parties explain’the national and other problems to the people and also give suggestions to solve the problems. In this way political parties help in the formulation of public opinion.

Question 6.
Write any two advantages of Political Parties.
Answer:

• It helps democracy: Political parties help in making democracy successful. Political parties organise the people politically.
• Political education: Political parties give political education to the people. They explain their policies to the people. The election campaign becomes primarily an educative campaign.

Question 7.
Write down any two demerits of Political Parties.
Answer:

• The party system destroys individuality. It tends to make men put reliance more and more on party labels.
• The majority party establishes its dictatorship for a definite period in the state.

Question 8.
Mention any two merits of the Multi-party System.
Answer:

• An important merit of Multi-party system is that in the legislature all shades of opinion get representation.
• In a Multiple-party System the legislature does not become a tool in the hands of the cabinet; rather it keeps the cabinet under its control.

Question 9.
What do you understand by One-party System?
Answer:
A single-party system is that system where only one political party functions in the whole of the State. The same party runs the administration of the State and no other party can come into existence. There is a single-party system in China, Cuba, North Korea etc. In these countries nobody can criticise the communist party and people have no right to form a second party.

Question 10.
What do you understand by Two-Party System?
Answer:
Where there are two political parties, we call that a Two-Party or Double Party or Bi-Party System. The essence of such a party system is that there are only two well-organised parties which may enjoy public confidence. Two-party system exists in England and U.S.A.

Question 11.
Write any two merits of Two-party System.
Answer:

• Formation of Govt, is easy: In a two-party system it is easy to form government. One party gets a clear majority and the leader of that party is appointed the Prime Minister and all other ministers are appointed on his recommendations.
• Easy to fix Responsibility: In a two-party system the responsibility for a good or bad government can be easily fixed.

Question 12.
Name any two countries with Bi-party system.
Answer:

• England
• U.S.A.

Question 13.
Write the names of two main countries with One Party System.
Answer:

• China
• Cuba.

Question 14.
Mention any two demerits of Multi-party System.
Answer:

• Not easy to form government. In a multi-party system it is very difficult to form government because no party gets majority in the legislature.
• Unstable government. In a multi-party system generally coalition governments are formed and the result is unstable government.

Question 15.
Write any two demerits of Single-Party System.
Answer:

• Against Democracy: Single-party system is against democratic principles because in this system the people do not enjoy the right to form associations.
• Election a Mere Show: In a single-party system an election is a mere show. All the candidates belong to the same political party.

Question 16.
Write two merits of Single-Party System.
Answer:

• National Unity. A single party system helps in building up national unity.
• Strong Govt. In a single party system the government is always strong and it can carry out its policies more efficiently.

Question 17.
Write down any two demerits of Two-Party System.
Answer:

• Limited Choice. In a two-party system the voter’s choice is limited. The voter is to cast his vote in favour of either of the two parties; he has no other choice.
• Nation is divided into two Halves: In a two-party system the nation is divided into two groups. These two groups never come closer to each other.

Question 18.
Write any three functions of opposition in Democracy.
Answer:

• The opposition criticises the wrong policies of the government. The opposition checks the anti-people policies of the government.
• The opposition gives political education to the people. The opposition parties create political consciousness among the people and make them aware of the day-to-day happenings.

Question 19.
Explain the role of the Political Party in a democracy.
Answer:

• The political party forms the government. The party which gets majority in the legislature forms its government and runs the administration of the state.
• The political parties point out the defects of the government by a sound criticism for the welfare of the people.

One Line Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What do you mean by Political Party?
Answer:
A political party is a group of such citizens who have similar views on public matters.

Question 2.
Write down any one function of a Political Party.
Answer:
An important function of a political party is to provide political education to the people.

Question 3.
What kind of party system is found in China?
Or
Write down the name of any one country having Single Party System.
Answer:
In China, there is a one-party system.

Question 4.
Mention any one definition of a political party.
Answer:
According to Maclver, “A political party is an association organised in support of some principles or policies which by constitutional means endeavours to make it the determinant of Government.”

Question 5.
What do you mean by one-party system?
Answer:
If in a state, only one party participates in politics and other political parties do not have any freedom or right to organise themselves, such a party system is called as one-party system.

Question 6.
Mention any one merit of bi-party system.
Answer:
The greatest merit of bi-party system is that in it the government can be made very easily.

Question 7.
Mention any two countries which have adopted Bi-party system.
Or
Write down name of one country having Bi-party system.
Answer:
Bi-party system has been adopted in England and America.

Question 8.
Name any two countries which have adopted multi-party system.
Answer:
India, Russia and Switzerland have adopted the multi-party system.

Question 9.
Mention any one merit of single-party system.
Answer:
It maintains national unity.

Question 10.
Mention one demerit of one-party system.
Answer:
It is against democracy.

Question 11.
Write names of two countries of single- party system.
Answer:

• China.
• North Korea.

Question 12.
Write down the name of any one country having hi-party system.
Or
Write names of two countries of bi-party system.
Answer:

• England.
• America.

Question 13.
What is meant by Multi-party system?
Answer:
Where three or more than three political parties exist, that system is named as multi-party system.

Question 14.
Write one merit of political parties.
Answer:
They make the representative democracy creditable.

Question 15.
Write one demerit of political parties.
Answer:
They are harmful for national unity and national interests.

Question 16.
Write one basis of the formation of political parties.
Answer:
Political Basis.

Fill in The Blanks

1. In China there is ………………….. party system.
Answer:
one

2. Multi-party system exists in …………………..  .
Answer:
India

3. Government is stable in ………………….. party system.
Answer:
Bi-

4. Political parties are essential for the successful working of ………………….. government.
Answer:
Democratic

5. One party system is against …………………..  .
Answer:
Democracy

6. Political Party is the key element (compulsory) for …………………..  .
Answer:
Democracy.

True Or False Statement

1. A political party is a group of such citizens who have similar views on public matters.
Answer:
True.

2. In U.S.A. there is a multi-party system.
Answer:
False

3. In England there is a bi-party system.
Answer:
True.

4. The greatest merit of bi-party system is that in it the government can be made easily.
Answer:
True.

5. Multi-party system exists in India.
Answer:
True.

Choose The Correct Answer

Question 1.
In which country multi-party system exists?
(a) U.S.A.
(b) China
(c) U.K.
(d) Switzerland.
Answer:
(d) Switzerland.

Question 2.
Which of the following country is having one-party system?
(a) India
(b) China
(c) France
(d) Russia.
Answer:
(b) China

Question 3.
Two party system exists in:
(a) U.S.A.
(b) France
(c) India
(d) China.
Answer:
(a) U.S.A.

Question 4.
Who said, “Parties are inevitable, no free country has been without them.”?
(a) Bryce
(b) Laski
(c) Gettell
(d) Garner.
Answer:
(a) Bryce

Question 5.
Which one of the following is not a merit of single party system?
(a) National Unity
(b) Weak government
(c) Strong administration
(d) None of the above.
Answer:
(b) Weak government

Question 6.
Which among the following countries has a disciplined opposition?
(a) Switzerland
(b) 18th Century
(c) England
(d) 20th Century.
Answer:
(c) England

Question 7.
The main goal of political parties is to:
(a) Capture political power
(b) Educate people
(c) Contest Election
(d) Form opposition.
Answer:
(a) Capture political power

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 2 Liberalism Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 2 Liberalism

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Discuss the main principles of Liberalism.
Or
Define Liberalism and explain its basic principles.
Answer:
Liberalism is an outstanding ideology of the modern world. The European countries have been greatly affected by this ideology. But it is extremely difficult to define Liberalism excactly, as it is not a certain and systematic concept. The ideals and thoughts of several thinkers are included in it and they have changed with the passage of time.

Max Lerner has called it, “Perhaps the most disputed term of our generation.”
Sartori has gone to the extent of saying that Liberalism is so prone to change that it should be left with the self-styled restrictions. Wrong conceptions of Liberalism must be ended to understand the meaning of liberalism.

1. Liberalism is not an antonym of Conservatism:
Some people consider Liberalism to be an antonym of conservatism. Conservatism is a concept opposed to all changes and reformations. But Liberalism has always supported revolutionary changes.

2. Liberalism is not Individualism:
Some critics regard liberalism a synonym of individualism, but it is not completely true. Individualism, undoubtedly is a foundation, of Liberalism, but both aren’t the same. Sabine has differentiated these concepts by saying that there was no particular difference between these ideologies by the end of the third phase of 19th century as both of them opposed State’s interference in an individual’s life. But later on the situation changed and Liberalism assumed positive form by favouring social interest in place of individual interest.

3. Liberalism and Democracy are not one:
Liberalism and Democracy are closely related to each other, but they aren’t one. Liberalism emphasises freedom of an individual whereas Democracy stresses equality.

True Meaning of Liberalism:
The word ‘Liberalism’ originated from Latin word ‘Liberalis’ which means Free Man. This principle basically believes in the freedom of an individual. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, “freedom is the very basis of Liberalism.” In the words of Mac-Govern, “Liberalism as a political creed is a compound of two separate elements. One of these is democracy, the other is individualism.” Liberalism is deadly opposed to all the forms of Dictatorship. Sartori has defined Liberalism in simple words-“Very simple, Liberalism is the theory and practice of an individual liberty, judicial, defence and the constitutional State.”

Hallowell has summed up the meaning of Liberalism in the beliefs given below:

• Supremacy of individual’s personality and spiritual equality of all individuals.
• Freedom of individual’s will.
• Welfare of an individual.
• Existence of rights connected with life, freedom and property.
• Creation of State to safeguard natural rights.
• An individual can revolt against State in case of violation of conditions stated in the agreement.
• Law should be above the administrative order.
• An individual should be independent in political, social, economic and religious spheres.
• Existence of supreme reality based on reason and when an individual can possess it through contemplation.

Main Principles of Liberalism
Liberalism is an amalgam of several ideologies, yet it has a few fundamental principles mentioned below :

1. Faith in Human Reason:
The basic principle of Liberalism is a faith in human reason. The Liberals; like John Locke and Thomas Paine, in seventeenth and eighteenth centuries emphasised the fact that man shouldn’t accept any tradition which is useless if tested by reason. Liberalism attaches more importance to reason than feelings.

2. Opposition of History and Tradition:
Superstitions, traditions and blind faith were prevalent in middle ages and Liberals opposed it. Liberalism led to the revolutions in England, America and France.

3. Supporter of Human Freedom:
Liberalism supports man’s freedom and believes that freedom is his birth-right. According to Laski, “Liberalism is directly related to freedom for it came as a foe of privileges by virtue of birth or creed.”

4. The Purpose of State is to develop the personality of the Individual:
According to Liberals, development of individual’s personality embodies the development of State.

5. Man is the End, State is the Means:
The liberals consider man to be the end and State as a means. The object of State is to fulfil man’s aims.

6. State is Artificial: The liberals believe that State is an artificial institution and not a divine and natural one.

7. Belief in the Concept of Natural Rights of Man:
Liberalism believes in the concept of natural rights of man which he possesses since birth. According to Locke, the main natural rights are right to life, liberty and property.

8. Faith in Secularism:
The Liberals stressed man’s religious freedom and suggested that religious institutions should be kept apart from State. Thus the liberals have faith in secularism.

9. Support of Democracy:
Liberalism is an inseparable part of Democracy and Democracy is the very basis of Liberalism. Liberalism believes in people’s sovereignty.

10. Constitutional Government: Liberalism originated as a reaction of absolute rule and it supports Constitutional Government.

11. Belief in Pluralistic Society:
According to Liberals, man forms several associations to satisfy his needs and State establishes a co-relation among different associations. Laski and Maclver affirmed their faith in Pluralistic society.

12. Faith in Internationalism and World Peace:
Liberalism believes in the principle of Live and Let Live. It has faith in the ideals of world peace and brotherhood of man.

Question 2.
Give the verbal meaning of the word Liberalism and explain four features of contemporary Liberalism.
Answer:
Liberalism is an outstanding ideology of the modern world. The European countries have been greatly affected by this ideology. But it is extremely difficult to define Liberalism excactly, as it is not a certain and systematic concept. The ideals and thoughts of several thinkers are included in it and they have changed with the passage of time.

Max Lerner has called it, “Perhaps the most disputed term of our generation.”
Sartori has gone to the extent of saying that Liberalism is so prone to change that it should be left with the self-styled restrictions. Wrong conceptions of Liberalism must be ended to understand the meaning of liberalism.

1. Liberalism is not an antonym of Conservatism:
Some people consider Liberalism to be an antonym of conservatism. Conservatism is a concept opposed to all changes and reformations. But Liberalism has always supported revolutionary changes.

2. Liberalism is not Individualism:
Some critics regard liberalism a synonym of individualism, but it is not completely true. Individualism, undoubtedly is a foundation, of Liberalism, but both aren’t the same. Sabine has differentiated these concepts by saying that there was no particular difference between these ideologies by the end of the third phase of 19th century as both of them opposed State’s interference in an individual’s life. But later on the situation changed and Liberalism assumed positive form by favouring social interest in place of individual interest.

3. Liberalism and Democracy are not one:
Liberalism and Democracy are closely related to each other, but they aren’t one. Liberalism emphasises freedom of an individual whereas Democracy stresses equality.

True Meaning of Liberalism:
The word ‘Liberalism’ originated from Latin word ‘Liberalis’ which means Free Man. This principle basically believes in the freedom of an individual. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, “freedom is the very basis of Liberalism.” In the words of Mac-Govern, “Liberalism as a political creed is a compound of two separate elements. One of these is democracy, the other is individualism.” Liberalism is deadly opposed to all the forms of Dictatorship. Sartori has defined Liberalism in simple words-“Very simple, Liberalism is the theory and practice of an individual liberty, judicial, defence and the constitutional State.”

Hallowell has summed up the meaning of Liberalism in the beliefs given below:

• Supremacy of individual’s personality and spiritual equality of all individuals.
• Freedom of individual’s will.
• Welfare of an individual.
• Existence of rights connected with life, freedom and property.
• Creation of State to safeguard natural rights.
• An individual can revolt against State in case of violation of conditions stated in the agreement.
• Law should be above the administrative order.
• An individual should be independent in political, social, economic and religious spheres.
• Existence of supreme reality based on reason and when an individual can possess it through contemplation.

Main Principles of Liberalism:
Liberalism is an amalgam of several ideologies, yet it has a few fundamental principles mentioned below :

1. Faith in Human Reason:
The basic principle of Liberalism is a faith in human reason. The Liberals; like John Locke and Thomas Paine, in seventeenth and eighteenth centuries emphasised the fact that man shouldn’t accept any tradition which is useless if tested by reason. Liberalism attaches more importance to reason than feelings.

2. Opposition of History and Tradition:
Superstitions, traditions and blind faith were prevalent in middle ages and Liberals opposed it. Liberalism led to the revolutions in England, America and France.

3. Supporter of Human Freedom:
Liberalism supports man’s freedom and believes that freedom is his birth-right. According to Laski, “Liberalism is directly related to freedom for it came as a foe of privileges by virtue of birth or creed.”

4. The Purpose of State is to develop the personality of the Individual:
According to Liberals, development of individual’s personality embodies the development of State.

5. Man is the End, State is the Means:
The liberals consider man to be the end and State as a means. The object of State is to fulfil man’s aims.

6. State is Artificial: The liberals believe that State is an artificial institution and not a divine and natural one.

7. Belief in the Concept of Natural Rights of Man:
Liberalism believes in the concept of natural rights of man which he possesses since birth. According to Locke, the main natural rights are right to life, liberty and property.

8. Faith in Secularism:
The Liberals stressed man’s religious freedom and suggested that religious institutions should be kept apart from State. Thus the liberals have faith in secularism.

9. Support of Democracy:
Liberalism is an inseparable part of Democracy and Democracy is the very basis of Liberalism. Liberalism believes in people’s sovereignty.

10. Constitutional Government: Liberalism originated as a reaction of absolute rule and it supports Constitutional Government.

11. Belief in Pluralistic Society:
According to Liberals, man forms several associations to satisfy his needs and State establishes a co-relation among different associations. Laski and Maclver affirmed their faith in Pluralistic society.

12. Faith in Internationalism and World Peace:
Liberalism believes in the principle of Live and Let Live. It has faith in the ideals of world peace and brotherhood of man.

Features of Contemporary Liberalism:
Classical liberalism was modified in the end of the 19th century. Following are the main principles of the contemporary hberalism:
1. Opposition to open competition:
The contemporary liberalism is opposed to open competition and free trade as it results in making the rich more rich and the poor more poor.

2. Opposed to the theory of natural rights:
The contemporary liberalism is opposed to the theory of natural rights and it believes that the rights are given and protected by the state.

3. Regulated Economy:
According to contemporary liberalism, state has a right to interfere in the economic activities for the welfare of the people. The economic system should be regulated by the state for the general welfare of the masses.

4. State is a welfare state: The contemporary liberalism considers that state is a welfare state.

Short Answer type Questions

Question 1.
What is Classical Liberalism?
Answer:
Classical Liberalism is the original form of Liberalism:
Classical liberalism is another name of individualism. Locke has been rightly described as the father of classical liberalism. The political doctrine of classical liberalism was developed by Bentham, James Mill, Rousseau, Herbert Spencer etc. The classical liberals accept the individuals as central to the entire political system and they believe in rationality of the individual. Classical liberalism viewed freedom as absence of restraints. It treated the state as an artificial institution which came into existence with the consent of the individual. To the liberal thinkers the state was a necessary evil and the state which performed the minimum functions was the best.

Question 2.
Explain the meaning of Contemporary Liberalism.
Or
What is Contemporary Liberalism?
Answer:
Classical Liberalism was modified in the later half of the 19th century by J.S. Mill and T. H. Green. During 20th century, scholars like
Prof. Laski, Barker, Cole and Maclver tried further to bring about a few more changes. Contemporary Liberalism believes in humanism and has faith in the values like justice, liberty, equality etc. Contemporary Liberalism opposed the policy of open competition and free trade. Contemporary Liberalism opposes the theory of natural rights and it believes that the rights can be enjoyed only within the state. Modern Liberalism supports positive liberty and it favours that the economy should be regulated by the state. Contemporary Liberalism favours state interference where it is desirable for the common benefit of the society.

Question 3.
Write four principles of Liberalism.
Answer:
Following are the main features of liberalism:
1. Faith in Human Reason:
The basic principle of Liberalism is a faith in human reason. The liberals like John Locke and Thomas Paine, in 17th and 18th centuries emphasised the fact that man should not accept any tradition which is useless if tested by reason. Liberalism attaches more importance to reason than feelings.

2. Supporter of Human Freedom:
Liberalism supports man’s freedom and believes that freedom is his birth right. According to Laski, “Liberalism is directly related to freedom for it came as a foe of privilege by virtue of birth or creed.”

3. The Purpose of State is to develop the personality of the individual. According to Liberals, development of individual’s personality embodies the development of State.

4. Faith in Internationalism and World Peace. Liberalism believes in the principle of Live and Let Live. It has faith in the ideals of world peace and brotherhood of man.

Question 4.
What do you understand by Liberalism?
Or
What do you understand by Liberalism?
Answer:
Liberalism is an outstanding conception of modem age. It is neither an antonym of conservatism, nor is individualism. Liberalism aims at individual freedom and development of individual personality. Liberalism believes in the warmth of individual and security ; upholds freedom of association, toleration, separatism of religion and politics and secular attitude. Besides, it affirms its faith in man’s ability to progress.

Liberalism stands for the theory and practice of individual liberty, constitutionalism and reforms for human uplift. Sartori says, “Very simple, Liberalism is the theory and practice of individual liberty, Judicial defence and constitutional state.”
According to Hallowell, “Liberalism is the embodiment of the demand for freedom in every sphere of life i.e. intellectual, social, religious, political and economic.”

Question 5.
Write four arguments against Liberalism.
Answer:

1. Liberals like Bentham regard man to be selfish, but this conception is wrong. No individual can be wholly selfish or wholly selfless.

2. Many liberals consider state to be a necessary evil, but this is incorrect. State is a natural expression of man’s social consciousness. Modern state is a welfare state.

3. The concept of Liberalism is vague.

4. Not a Clear Concept. The concept of liberalism is vague. It can’t be defined in certain terms and all the Liberals don’t support all the principles. It is a concept of contradictions as it supports progressive view at one time and condemns the same at another time.

Question 6.
Write four differences between Classical Liberalism and Contemporary Liberalism.
Answer:
1. Classical liberalism begins with the individual, whereas modem liberalism begins with group and association. Modern individualism regards the group and not the individual as its unit for political purposes.

2. Classical liberalism asserts that the government can and often does constitute a threat to the freedom of individual. But according to new Liberalism, government interference does not present a threat to the freedom of the individual.

3. Classical liberalism minimises the functions of the state and it favours the non-interference of the state in individual matters. But the modern liberalism does not accept non-interference by the state as the sole objective. Rather it favours state interference where it is desirable for the common benefit of the society.

4. Classical liberalism was philosophy of middle class, while new liberalism is an ideology of Capitalist class.

Question 7.
Explain the etymological meaning of Liberalism.
Or
Explain the literal meaning of Liberalism.
Answer:
Liberalism is an outstanding ideology of the modern world. The word ‘Liberalism’ originated from Latin word ‘Liberalis’ which means free man. The principle of Liberalism basically believes in the freedom of an individual. Liberalism wants to establish such a system where man is free and he can develop his personality without any external hindrance. According to Hallowell, “Liberalism is the embodiment of the demands for freedom in religious, political and economic sphere.”

Question 8.
Write a short note on Empirical Liberalism.
Answer:
Mill and Green emphasised the moral dimension of democracy. But the empirical liberals like Schumpeter and Dahl treat democracy as a mechanism to bring about equilibrium in society. They are not concerned with moral issues. For them democracy is essentially a competition between two or more elite groups for power to govern society. Some American political scientists even regard a low level of citizens’ participation as essential for the maintenance of equilibrium.

Very Short Answer type Questions

Question 1.
Discuss the meaning of Classical Liberalism.
Answer:
Classical Liberalism is the original form of Liberalism. The classical liberals accept the individuals as central to the entire political system and they believe in rationality of the individual. Classical liberalism viewed freedom as absence of restraints. It treated the state as an artificial institution which came into existence with the consent of the individual. To the liberal thinkers the state was a necessary evil and the state which performed the minimum functions was the best.

Question 2.
Discuss the meaning of Contemporary Liberalism.
Answer:
Contemporary Liberalism opposed the policy of open competition and free trade. Contemporary Liberalism opposes the theory of natural rights and it believes that the rights can be enjoyed only within the state. Modern Liberalism supports positive liberty and it favours that the economy should be regulated by the state. Contemporary Liberalism favours state interference where it is desirable for the common benefit of the society.

Question 3.
What are two forms of Liberalism?
Answer:
Two forms of Liberalism are-Classical liberalism or Negative liberalism and Positive or Contemporary liberalism.

Question 4.
Write down any two definitions of Liberalism.
Answer:

• According to Encyclopaedia Britanica, Liberalism is the sum and substance of freedom. It regards it as the theory of freedom.
• According to MacGovern, “Liberalism as a political creed is compound of two separate elements. One of these is democracy, the other is individualism.”

Question 5.
Write any two principles of Liberalism.
Answer:
Following are the main features of liberalism:
1. Faith in Human Reason:
The basic principle of Liberalism is a faith in human reason. The liberals like John Locke and Thomas Paine, in 17th and 18th centuries emphasised the fact that man should not accept any tradition
which is useless if tested by reason. Liberalism attaches more importance to reason than feelings.

2. Supporter of Human Freedom:
Liberalism supports man’s freedom and believes that freedom is his birth right. According to Laski, “Liberalism is directly related to freedom for it came as a foe of privilege by virtue of birth or creed.”

Question 6.
Write two basic features of Classical Liberalism.
Answer:
1. Supreme Value of the Individual:
The first basic principle of classical liberalism is that it believes in the inherent and supreme value of the individual. It places the individual in the centre of politics and takes an atomistic view of society. It regards society merely as an aggregate of its individual members.

2. Supporter of Freedom:
The classical liberalists regard freedom to life as supreme, because in its absence all other freedoms will become meaningless.

Question 7.
Write down any two basic principles of Contemporary Liberalism.
Answer:
Classical liberalism was modified in the end of the 19th century. Following are the main principles of the contemporary liberalism:
1. Opposition to open competition:
The contemporary liberalism is opposed to open competition and free trade as it results in making the rich more rich and the poor more poor.

2. Opposed to the theory of natural rights:
The contemporary liberalism is opposed to the theory of natural rights and it believes that the rights are given and protected by the state.

Question 8.
Explain the verbal meaning of Liberalism.
Answer:
Liberalism stands for the theory and practice of individual liberty, constitutionalism and reforms for human uplift. Sartori says, “Very simple, Liberalism is the theory and practice of individual liberty, Judicial defence and constitutional state.”
According to Hallowell, “Liberalism is the embodiment of the demand for freedom in every sphere of life i.e. intellectual, social, religious, political and economic.”

Question 9.
Mention any two arguments against Liberalism.
Answer:

• Liberals like Bentham regard man to be selfish, but this conception is wrong. No individual can be wholly selfish or wholly selfless.
• Many liberals consider state to be a necessary evil, but this is incorrect.
• State is a natural expression of man’s social consciousness. Modern state is a welfare state.

Question 10.
Mention three differences between Liberalism and Contemporary Liberalism.
Answer:
1. Classical liberalism begins with the individual, whereas modern liberalism begins with group and association. Modern individualism regards the group and not the individual as its unit for political purposes.

2. Classical liberalism asserts that the government can and often does constitute a threat to the freedom of individual. But according to new Liberalism, government interference does not present a threat to the freedom of the individual.

One Line Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What do you understand by Liberalism?
Answer:
The origin of the English word ‘Liberalism’ can be traced to ‘Liberalis’ which is a Latin word. Etymologically it means the Free man. It means that an individual should get freedom so that he may develop his personality.

Question 2.
Write down one definition of Liberalism.
Answer:
According to William Mac Govern, “Liberalism is a political creed, is a compound of two separate elements. One of these is democracy, the other is individual.”

Question 3.
Write down any one feature of Liberalism.
Answer:
Liberalism considers an individual as the central-point of social, economic and political system.

Question 4.
Write down any one exponent of Liberalism.
Answer:
T.H. Green

Question 5.
Write two main forms of Liberalism.
Or
Write down two forms of Liberalism.
Answer:

• Classical Liberalism
• Modern Liberalism.

Question 6.
What do you mean by Classical Liberalism?
Answer:
Classical Liberalism wants the least control of state on the individual. It wants that a state should not interfere in the economic sphere.

Question 7.
Write down one characteristic of Classical Liberalism.
Answer:
Supreme importance of the individual.

Question 8.
What do you mean by Contemporary or Modern Liberalism?
Or
What is meant by Contemporary Liberalism?
Answer:
Modern Liberalism accepts state as a moral and social institution. According to Modern Liberalism, the laws of the state are essential to regulate the freedom of the individual.

Question 9.
Write down any two characteristics of Contemporary Liberalism.
Answer:

• Belief in Humanism
• Belief in the dignity and freedom of the individual.

Fill in the Blanks

1. The word ‘Liberalism’ originated from ……………. Word.
Answer:
Latin

2. The basic principle of Liberalism is faith in human ……………. .
Answer:
Reason

3. Liberalism believes in the principle of Live and ……………. .
Answer:
let live

4. According to Classical liberalists, sovereignty rests with the ……………. .
Answer:
people

5. Classical liberalism stands for ……………. rights.
Answer:
natural

6. Liberalism is an inseparable part of ……………. .
Answer:
Democracy.

True or False Statement

1. Individulism is another form of Liberalism.
Answer:
False

2. The liberals consider man to be end and State the means.
Answer:
True.

3. Liberalism supports man’s freedom and believes that freedom is his birth right.
Answer:
True.

4. Locke has been rightly described as the father of Contemporary Liberalism.
Answer:
False

5. The chief advocates of positive or Contemporary liberalism were T.H. Green, Laski etc.
Answer:
True.

Choose The Correct Answer

Question 1.
The origin of the English word ‘Liberalism’ can be traced to:
(a) Liberalis
(b) Labour
(c) Liber
(d) Liberal.
Answer:
(a) Liberalis

Question 2.
Who said, “Liberalism as a political creed is a compound of two separate elements. One of these is democracy, the other is individualism.”?
(a) Laski
(b) Sartori
(c) T.H. Green
(d) Mac Govern.
Answer:
(d) Mac Govern.

Question 3.
Who is the supporter of Liberalism?
(a) Cicero
(b) Locke
(c) Stalin
(d) Lenin.
Answer:
(b) Locke

Question 4.
Who is the supporter of Contemporary Liberalism?
(a) T.H. Green
(b) Adam Smith
(c) Spencer
(d) Bentham.
Answer:
(a) T.H. Green

Question 5.
Which one of the following is the basic principle of Classical Liberalism?
(a) Faith in Natural Rights
(b) Faith in Human Reason
(c) Faith in Human Liberty
(d) All of the above.
Answer:
(d) All of the above.

Question 6.
Which of the following is not a feature of Contemporary Liberalism?
(a) Faith in Humanism
(b) Belief in human freedom
(c) Police State
(d) Secularism.
Answer:
(c) Police State

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 6 Public Opinion Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 6 Public Opinion

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is meant by Public Opinion? Discuss its main characteristics.
Or
Explain the meaning of Public Opinion. Examine its importance and role in a democracy.
Answer:
Public opinion is of utmost importance in a democracy. The administration is run in accordance with the public opinion. A government which does not function according to public opinion, cannot stay in office for long. In democracy authority rests with public and the public exercises this authority through its representatives. Normally the representatives perform their duties in accordance with the wishes of the people. The will of the people is generally called the public opinion.

Definition of Public Opinion:
The simple meaning of ‘Public opinion’ is the opinion of the public. Different scholars have defined ‘public opinion’ differently. Public opinion means the opinion of the public over public issues, but what is meant by the opinion of the public ? All the people cannot have a unanimous opinion over an issue. There may be any problem in society, different people will offer different solutions to solve it.

During such a situation should the government act according to the opinion of the majority ? But the opinion of majority is only majority opinion and not the opinion of whole body of the people. The opinion of the majority cannot be called the true public opinion because the majority may have its own view-point and it may not be the view-point of all the people. According to Bryce, “Public opinion is commonly used to be aggregate of views which men hold regarding matters that affect the community.”

According to Loswell, “In order that opinion may be public, a majority is not enough and unanimity is not required but the opinion must be such that while the minority may not share it, they feel bound by conviction, not by fear to accept it and if democracy is complete the submission of the minority must be given ungrudgingly.”

Dr. Beni Prasad says that only that opinion can be called public opinion which aims at the welfare of the people. According to William Albig, “Public opinion is the expression of all those members of a group who are giving attention in any way to a given issue.” We can say that the opinion of the majority to which the minority is not opposed to, or the majority has taken the minority into confidence can be called public opinion.

Main Features of Public Opinion:
1. General Agreement:
Most important feature of public opinion is that there should be general agreement. If all the people don’t agree on a particular issue, the opinion of the majority must be favourable.

2. People’s Interest in Problems: People must have at least some interest in studying the problems of government.

3. Public Welfare: Public opinion aims at common good and not at the welfare of the individual.

4. Public Opinion is Permanent:
A momentous and sentimental opinion reflected by the masses can’t be called public opinion. It is rather a permanent view of the people as it is based on reason and logic.

5. Public opinion is based on sound principles of reason and is not prejudiced opinion.

6. Presence of a leader or leaders of the group, who take upon themselves the task of formulating public opinion.

7. Public opinion is not always related with the activities of the state. Sometimes public opinion is formulated to remove social evils.

8. Democracy promotes public opinion.

9. Morality is always an important factor behind public opinion.

Importance of Public Opinion in a Democratic State:
Democracy is a synonym of popular government or people’s rule. The people through their right to vote can control and influence the government of their country. The people rule through their elected representatives who are subjected to the continuous control and influence of the people through pressure of public opinion. Abraham Lincoln has defined democracy as, “Government of the people, by the people and for the people.”

The justification of government by public opinion lies not in any assumption that the people would always be in the right but in the belief that on the whole it is more likely to be right than the opinion of an individual or a mere group. The government in democracy draws its authority from the public. No government can rule the country if public opinion is against it. In case the public opinion goes against the government, the government is to resign.

Public opinion is a great check on the representatives. No minister or representative of the people can afford to be dictatorial because by doing so the public opinion will go against him. If the public opinion goes against a representative he cannot continue in his office for long. Public opinion does not give the ministers an opportunity to feel intoxicated with the wine of authority. Public opinion makes the ministers realize that they are the servants of the people and not their masters and they should work for public welfare.

Public opinion serves as a lighthouse for the government. All the laws of the State emanate from the popular will. It is the popular view which is finally crystallized into law by the State. Only those laws which are based on public opinion can command willing obedience of citizens. ‘Voice of the people is the voice of God’. A State in which government is responsible and responsive to public opinion will enjoy greater peace and security and will have less chances of revolutions.

Question 2.
Discuss the role of various agencies in formulation and expression of Public Opinion.
Or
What do you understand by the words ‘Public Opinion’? What is the role performed by political parties, educational institutions and Modern Audiovisual (Electrical) media in forming of Public Opinion?
Answer:
Meaning of Public Opinion:
Public opinion is of utmost importance in a democracy. The administration is run in accordance with the public opinion. A government which does not function according to public opinion, cannot stay in office for long. In democracy authority rests with public and the public exercises this authority through its representatives. Normally the representatives perform their duties in accordance with the wishes of the people. The will of the people is generally called the public opinion.

Definition of Public Opinion:
The simple meaning of ‘Public opinion’ is the opinion of the public. Different scholars have defined ‘public opinion’ differently. Public opinion means the opinion of the public over public issues, but what is meant by the opinion of the public ? All the people cannot have a unanimous opinion over an issue. There may be any problem in society, different people will offer different solutions to solve it.

During such a situation should the government act according to the opinion of the majority ? But the opinion of majority is only majority opinion and not the opinion of whole body of the people. The opinion of the majority cannot be called the true public opinion because the majority may have its own view-point and it may not be the view-point of all the people. According to Bryce, “Public opinion is commonly used to be aggregate of views which men hold regarding matters that affect the community.”

According to Loswell, “In order that opinion may be public, a majority is not enough and unanimity is not required but the opinion must be such that while the minority may not share it, they feel bound by conviction, not by fear to accept it and if democracy is complete the submission of the minority must be given ungrudgingly.” Dr. Beni Prasad says that only that opinion can be called public opinion which aims at the welfare of the people.

According to William Albig, “Public opinion is the expression of all those members of a group who are giving attention in any way to a given issue.” We can say that the opinion of the majority to which the minority is not opposed to, or the majority has taken the minority into confidence can be called public opinion.

Main Features of Public Opinion:
1. General Agreement:
Most important feature of public opinion is that there should be general agreement. If all the people don’t agree on a particular issue, the opinion of the majority must be favorable.

2. People’s Interest in Problems: People must have at least some interest in studying the problems of government.

3. Public Welfare: Public opinion aims at common good and not at the welfare of the individual.

4. Public Opinion is Permanent:
A momentous and sentimental opinion reflected by the masses can’t be called public opinion. It is rather a permanent view of the people as it is based on reason and logic.

5. Public opinion is based on sound principles of reason and is not prejudiced opinion.

6. Presence of a leader or leaders of the group, who take upon themselves the task of formulating public opinion.

7. Public opinion is not always related with the activities of the state. Sometimes public opinion is formulated to remove social evils.

8. Democracy promotes public opinion.

9. Morality is always an important factor behind public opinion.

Importance of Public Opinion in a Democratic State:
Democracy is a synonym of popular government or people’s rule. The people through their right to vote can control and influence the government of their country. The people rule through their elected representatives who are subjected to the continuous control and influence of the people through pressure of public opinion. Abraham Lincoln has defined democracy as, “Government of the people, by the people and for the people.”

The justification of government by public opinion lies not in any assumption that the people would always be in the right but in the belief that on the whole it is more likely to be right than the opinion of an individual or a mere group. The government in democracy draws its authority from the public. No government can rule the country if public opinion is against it. In case the public opinion goes against the government, the government is to resign.

Public opinion is a great check on the representatives. No minister or representative of the people can afford to be dictatorial because by doing so the public opinion will go against him. If the public opinion goes against a representative he cannot continue in his office for long. Public opinion does not give the ministers an opportunity to feel intoxicated with the wine of authority. Public opinion makes the ministers realize that they are the servants of the people and not their masters and they should work for public welfare.

Public opinion serves as a lighthouse for the government. All the laws of the State emanate from the popular will. It is the popular view which is finally crystallized into law by the State. Only those laws which are based on public opinion can command willing obedience of citizens. ‘Voice of the people is the voice of God’. A State in which government is responsible and responsive to public opinion will enjoy greater peace and security and will have less chances of revolutions.

The simple meaning of ‘Public Opinion’ is the opinion of the people on public matters. But for public neither majority nor unanimity is essential. The public opinion is the opinion of the majority, accepted by the minority and it is for the good of the whole society. The success of democracy depends on the formation of healthy public opinion. Generally the following agencies contribute to the formulation of enlightened public opinion.

1. Public Meetings and Resolutions:
Public meetings stimulate and create public interest in great political, social and economic questions through speeches delivered by men in the fore-front of public life. These speakers educate the public about important matters at home and abroad and help the growth of public opinion with regard to them. For the purpose of discussing all issues concerning the country, public meetings are becoming more and more common and popular.

Through public meetings direct appeal can be made to the public. The written word cannot achieve what the spoken can because the appeal of the latter goes direct to the heart. The common people come to know both the sides of the picture as presented by the supporters and the opponents of a public matter and form their opinions. Resolutions are passed in the meetings and they are the expressions of public opinion. They can serve a very useful purpose for the expression of public opinion if their criticism is honest and constructive.

2. Press/Media:
The press/media is a very important source of formulating public opinion. It consists of magazines, journals, books and newspapers etc. Public opinion is formed by newspapers by presenting news and views on matters of public importance of national, international character; publishing statements of the representatives of the people and the ministers, reporting the proceedings of legislature, public meetings and conferences. It makes its own comments on important events and brings it to the notice of the public. It criticises the government if its policies and actions are not in the best interests of the people. It offers constructive suggestions to the government on public matters.

With the spread of education, the importance of press is increasing. Vital and valuable improvement and changes in the life of the society and the structure of the government can be affected if the press works on the right and constructive lines. The great influence which the press yields is liable to be misused when it is exercised in advancing the interest of a group of selfish men. It is essential that the press should be free to discuss what is true and fair in the public interest.

3. Political Parties:
To a very great extent the growth of public opinion is helped by political parties. It is party propaganda more or less which brings important public questions within the knowledge of average citizen. Parties help to create public interest without which there can be no public opinion. The political parties aim at capturing the governmental authority through constitutional means. They try to build up as large a following as possible. They carry on their propaganda in order to convey their point of view to the public. They educate the public by issuing election manifestoes, publishing pamphlets and books, making use of the platform. In all democratic countries there exist well organised political parties.

4. Political Literature:
Political parties distribute their literature to the public. The parties explain their view-point regarding current political, social and economic problems in it. They criticise the stand of the government and offer other programmes to the public. Parties start their newspapers and they become the vehicle of their viewpoint. Literature also serves as an important instrument for spreading knowledge and expression of opinion. The views expressed by great writers are read with enthusiasm and they influence public opinion.

5. Educational Institutions:
It is in the schools, colleges and universities that the life of the would-be citizen is moulded. It is here that his mind is trained and he begins to form opinions. The age of the students is quite impressionable and therefore the political education starts at this age. The children of today are the administrators and ministers of tomorrow. Through education, they get knowledge of their country and the world at large. They grow up into enlightened citizens and take active part in public affairs. They start thinking independently and refuse to borrow readymade opinions.

6. Broadcasting:
The Television and radio occupy very important position in modern life. These are important agencies of forming public opinion. They brings news and views to the public. They mould public opinion by broadcasting news and comments. Talks on current problems are arranged. These are powerful agencies of public opinion because they combine entertainment with education. They establish a living contact between the government and the people.

7. Cinema:
The cinema like the radio & T.V. plays an important role in forming public opinion. People can be made to know about the political, economic and social condition of the country through cinema. People can be told about social evils through social pictures. Cinema is a powerful agency for the education of the people. The knowledge which it imparts is more direct and more effective because it is given through amusement. The use of news-reels and documentary films is becoming very popular. They can arouse the interest of the common people in urgent social, economic and political problems.

8. Legislature:
Modern legislatures consist of representatives of the people. These representatives are elected from all parts of the country. They represent different political parties of the country. The main function of the legislature is to make laws and while doing so, they provide several chances for discussion of public problems. The public takes a living interest in the parliamentary debates and speeches. The government supports its measures

whereas the opposition criticises them and suggests desireable remedies. Whenever the government does anything wrong, it comes under severe criticism from the opposition benches. When the budget is discussed, the working of each department of the government is discussed thoroughly. Legislatures can be rightly called the moulders of public opinion.

9. Elections:
General election is an important opportunity for the political parties to win the support of the public. During this period the political parties and other independent candidates start their propaganda with full force. They express their view-point over all the problems of the country. Their main aim is to capture the votes of the people. The elections are contested on definite programmes and as such, they are an important method for the expression of public opinion. They enable the people to express their approval or disapproval of certain programmes or policies preached by the various political parties in the country. They are a very great source of the expression of public opinion in the country.

10. Religious Association:
Social and religious associations are closely connected with each other. Social and religious customs and traditions have also a close association with each other. Religious leaders raise their voice against social evils. Many political parties in India are based on religion. Religious associations express their view-point on social and political problems. These associations very much mould the public opinion.

Question 3.
What are the hindrances in the way of the formulation of a sound Public Opinion? What are the necessary conditions for formulating sound Public Opinion?
Or
Explain the hindrances in the way of the formulation of a sound public opinion.
Answer:
Democratic system is based on public opinion. But the public opinion should be fair, honest and just.
Following are the obstacles in the way of sound public opinion:
1. Illiterate People:
Illiteracy is a big hurdle in the way of the creation of sound and honest public opinion. The uneducated people cannot understand the problems of the country properly and thoroughly. They cannot distinguish between good and bad or right and wrong. Tactful politicians get the votes of uneducated people by making false promises with them. Moreover, the uneducated people are more conservative than the educated people and they do not take much interest in progressive measures and it is harmful to national interests.

2. Indifference of People towards Political Activities:
The Uneducated people do not take interest in political activities and public affairs and hence it becomes difficult to create a sound public opinion. If the people of a country do not take interest in the problems of the State and are indifferent to the solutions of the problems, they cannot help in the creation of sound public opinion. If the people are not politically awakened they cannot become
good citizens. The uneducated people do not have their own opinion and they follow others in all matters.

3. Poverty:
Poverty is a big obstacle in the creation of sound public opinion. Where there is no equal distribution of wealth and some are rich and the others are poor, sound public opinion cannot be created. The rich purchase the votes of the poor and the hence the poor cannot exercise their right to vote according to their will. The poor also do not get enough time to think over the problems of the State. A hungry man is always worried about making his both ends meet and he can spare no time for thinking about national or international problems. A poor man cannot express his opinion independently. Moreover due to lack of education the poor people cannot understand public matters well.

4. Absence of Rights and Liberty:
If the people do not enjoy rights and civil liberties they cannot create a sound public opinion. If the people do not enjoy the right to freedom of speech and expression and the right to criticise the government they cannot create sound public opinion. They can know about the activities of the government only through newspapers. But if the newspapers do not enjoy complete freedom then the people are always misled and sound public opinion cannot be created.

5. Political Parties based on Wrong Principles:
The political parties which are based on religion, caste and language etc., are a big hindrance in the creation of true public opinion. The parties , should be based on political or economic principles and the parties which are based on communal principles, do not help in the creation of sound public opinion. These parties do not keep the national interest in view but have always their own axe to grind.

Short Answer type Questions

Question 1.
What is meant by Public Opinion?
Answer:
Public Opinion means the opinion of the public over public issues. But what is meant by the opinion of the public? All the people cannot have a unanimous opinion over an issue. The opinion of a majority cannot be called true public opinion because the majority may have its own view-point. We can say that the opinion of the majority to which the minority is not opposed to, or the majority has taken the minority into confidence can be called public opinion. Only that opinion can be called public opinion which is held by the people generally and which aims at the good of all.

Question 2.
Write any four characteristics of public opinion.
Or
Write down any four characteristics of Public Opinion.
Answer:

1. General Agreement: Most important feature of public opinion is that there should be general agreement. If all the people don’t agree on a particular issue, the opinion of the majority must be favourable.
2. Public Welfare: Public opinion aims at common good and not at the welfare of the individual.
3. Public Opinion is Permanent: A momentary and sentimental opinion reflected by the masses can’t be called public opinion. It is rather a permanent view of the people as it is based on reason and logic.
4. Public opinion is not always related with the activities of the state. Sometimes public opinion is formulated to remove social evils.

Question 3.
Mention four important ways in which the Newspapers mobilize public opinion on issues of public importance.
Or
Explain the role of press in the formation of public opinion.
Answer:
The press is a very important source of formulating public opinion. It consists of magazines, journals, books, newspapers etc. With the spread of education the importance of press is increasing.

1. The newspapers keep people informed about day-to-day events. All the national and international news figure in newspapers.
2. The newspapers give critical appraisal of the functions of government. The educated masses form their opinion by reading their editorials.
3. The newspapers criticise the wrong policies of the government so that the public can force the government to change them.
4. It offers constructive suggestions to the government on public matters.

Question 4.
What is the importance of Political Parties to formulate the Public Opinion?
Answer:

• The political parties express their views about different problems facing the country before the people. They present the programmes to solve these problems as well.
• The political parties try to influence public opinion by presenting attractive and constructive programmes.
• The political parties hold public meetings to keep public opinion in their favour.
• The political parties provide political education to the people.

Question 5.
Write any three Agencies for the formulation of Public Opinion.
Or
Write any four means of the formation and expression of Public Opinion.
Answer:
1. Public Meetings:
Public meetings stimulate and create public interest in great political, social and economic questions through speeches delivered by men in the fore-front of public life. These speakers educate the public about important matters at home and abroad and help the growth of public opinion with regard to them.

2. Educational Institutions: It is in the schools, colleges and universities that the life of the would-be citizen is moulded.

3. Role of Newspapers: Newspaper is a very important source of formulating public opinion.

4. Television: Television moulds public opinion by broadcasting news and comments.

Question 6.
Write down four hindrances which come in the way of Healthy Public Opinion.
Or
Explain any three hindrances in the formation of Sound Public Opinion.
Answer:

• Illiteracy is a big hurdle in the way of creation of sound public opinion.
• Poverty is a big obstacle in the creation of sound public opinion. Where there is no equal distribution of wealth and some are rich and the others are poor, sound public opinion cannot be created.
• Indifference of people towards political activities is a big hindrance in the formation of a sound public opinion.
• Political Parties which are based on religion, caste and language etc. are big hindrances in the creation of the true public opinion.

Question 7.
Write four conditions essential for formation of sound Public Opinion.
Or
Write down four conditions essential in the formation of Public Opinion.
Answer:

• The first condition for having an honest and just public opinion is that the people should be educated.
• The individuals should have the freedom to express the opinion in public. True public opinion cannot be good if people are afraid of expressing their views publicly.
• Free and impartial press is essential for the formation of sound public opinion.
• Moral character of the people is also very helpful in the creation of sound public opinion.

Question 8.
What role is played by ‘Educational Institutions’ in the formulation of Public Opinion?
Or
What is the role of Educational Institutions in making Public Opinion?
Answer:
It is in the schools, colleges and universities that the life of the would-be citizens is moulded. It is here that his mind is trained and he begins to form opinions. The age of the students is quite impressionable and therefore the political education starts at this age. The children of today are the administrators and ministers of tomorrow. Through education, they get knowledge of their country and the world at large. They grow up into enlightened citizens and take active part in public affairs. They start thinking independently and refuse to borrow ready-made opinions.

Question 9.
What is the importance of Public Opinion in Democracy?
Or
What is the role of Public Opinion in Democracy?
Answer:

• The government in democracy draws its authority from the public. No government can rule the country if public opinion is against it.
• Public opinion is a great check on the representatives. Public opinion makes the ministers realize that they are the servants of the people and not their masters and they should work for public welfare.
• Legislative debates have given expression to public opinion and acted as deterrent to Government’s unilateral moves.
• Public opinion serves as the lighthouse for the government. All the laws of the State emanate from the popular will.

Question 10.
Discuss the importance of T.V. as an agent for formulation of Public Opinion.
Answer:

• Television is the most effective audio-visual instrument for entertainment as well as education to the people.
• Television has a vast coverage and is easily accessible to the people even in remote areas.
• Television moulds public opinion by broadcasting news and comments. Its mode of communication is very quick and simple.
• Television can arouse the interest of the common people in urgent social, economic and political problems.

Very Short Answer type Questions

Question 1.
What is the meaning of Public Opinion?
Answer:
We can say that the opinion of the majority to which the minority is not opposed to, or the majority has taken the minority into confidence can be called public opinion. Only that opinion can be called public opinion which is held by the people generally and which aims at the good of all.

Question 2.
Mention any two definitions of Public Opinion.
Answer:

• According to Bryce, “Public opinion is commonly used to the aggregate of views which men hold regarding matters that effect the community.”
• According to Dr. Beni Prasad, “Only that opinion can be called public opinion which aims at the welfare of the people.”

Question 3.
Explain any two characteristics of public opinion.
Answer:

• General Agreement. Most important feature of public opinion is that there should be general agreement. If all the people don’t agree on a particular issue, the opinion of the majority must be favourable.
• Public Welfare. Public opinion aims at common good and not at the welfare of the individual.

Question 4.
Write any two means of the formation and expression of public opinion.
Answer:
1. Public Meetings:
Public meetings stimulate and create public interest in great political, social and economic questions through speeches delivered by men in the fore-front of public life. These speakers educate the public about important matters at home and abroad and help the growth of public opinion with regard to them.

2. Educational Institutions: It is in the schools, colleges and universities that the life of the would-be citizen is moulded.

Question 5.
Explain any two hindrances in the formation of Sound Public Opinion.
Answer:

• Illiteracy is a big hurdle in the way of creation of sound public opinion.
• Poverty is a big obstacle in the creation of sound public opinion. Where there is no equal distribution of wealth and some are rich and the others are poor, sound public opinion cannot be created.

Question 6.
Which are the two essential conditions for healthy public opinion?
Answer:

• The first condition for having an honest and just public opinion is that the people should be educated.
• The individuals should have the freedom to express the opinion in public. True public opinion cannot be good if people are afraid of expressing their views publicly.

Question 7.
What is the importance of Public Opinion in Democracy?
Answer:

• The government in democracy draws its authority from the public. No government can rule the country if public opinion is against it.
• Public opinion is a great check on the representatives. Public opinion makes the ministers realize that they are the servants of the people and not their masters and they should work for public welfare.

Question 8.
Discuss the importance of T.V. as an agent for formulation of Public Opinion.
Answer:

• Television is the most effective audio-visual instrument for entertainment as well as education to the people.
• Television has a vast coverage and is easily accessible to the people even in remote areas.

Question 9.
Describe in brief the role of educational institutions in the formulations of Public Opinion. (P.B. 2018)
Answer:
“The educational system has an important effect on the process of socialization. The values imparted by schools and universities may not be the result of direct political indoctrination, but are nonetheless important.” According to Almond and Verba, the five nation study found without exception that “the educated persons were more aware of the impact of government on their lives, paid more attention to politics, had more information about political processes, and manifested a higher degree of political competence

One Line Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Write down the meaning of Public Opinion.
Answer:
By Public Opinion, we mean opinion of the people on public affairs.

Question 2.
Write a one definition of Public Opinion.
Answer:
According to Prof. Bryce, “The term public opinion is commonly used to denote the aggregate of the views men hold regarding matters that affect or interest the community.”

Question 3.
Describe any one essential condition of Public Opinion.
Answer:
There must be talk of public welfare in general public opinion.

Question 4.
Mention importance, of public opinion in democracy.
Answer:
In a democratic system, the government is based on public opinion.

Question 5.
Write two main agencies for formulation and expression of Public Opinion.
Or
Write down any two agencies of the formulation of Public Opinion.
Answer:

• Press,
• Political Parties.

Question 6.
Discuss the role of newspapers in the formulation of Public Opinion.
Answer:
The newspapers acquaint the people with daily news and events. They comment upon the functioning-of the government. They both praise and criticise the work done by the government.

Fill in The Blanks

1. The opinion which is not in the interest of all the people that opinion cannot be accepted as ………………….  .
Answer:
public opinion

2. There is …………………. unanimity among the scholars on the meaning of public opinion.
Answer:
no

3. Public opinion is always in the interest of public ………………….  .
Answer:
welfare

4. Public opinion always conforms to …………………. values prevalent in the society.
Answer:
moral

5. In a democratic system, the government is based on ………………….  .
Answer:
public opinion

6. …………………. is the main hindrance in the formulation of healthy public opinion.
Answer:
Illiteracy

7. The voice of the people is in fact the voice of ………………….  .
Answer:
God

8. Spread of …………………. is the main remedy to remove hindrance in the way of healthy public opinion.
Answer:
education

9. The voice of …………………. is the …………………. of God.
Answer:
people, voice.

True Or False Statement

1. Illiteracy is very helpful in the formulation of healthy public opinion.
Answer:
False

2. Educated people and impartial press are essential conditions for the formulation of public opinion,
Answer:
True.

3. In a democratic system, the government is based on force.
Answer:
False

4. During elections, the political parties propagate their programmes and policies among the people.
Answer:
True.

5. Partisan press is a big hindrance in the formulation of healthy public opinion.
Answer:
True.

Choose The Correct Answer

Question 1.
Who said, “The voice of the people is in fact the voice of God.”?
(a) Aristotle
(b) J.S. Mill
(c) Rousseau
(d) M.N. Roy.
Answer:
(c) Rousseau

Question 2.
In which system public opinion is most effective?
(a) Democratic
(b) Dictatorship
(c) Monarchy
(d) Oligarchy.
Answer:
(a) Democratic

Question 3.
Which of the following government is based on public opinion?
(a) Monarchy
(b) Democratic
(c) Tyranny
(d) Aristocratic.
Answer:
(b) Democratic

Question 4.
Which of the following is a main hindrance in the formulation of healthy pubic opinion?
(a) Illiteracy
(b) Freedom of Press
(c) Modernization
(d) Education.
Answer:
(a) Illiteracy

Question 5.
Which of the following is an essential condition for the formulation of healthy public opinion?
(a) Educated people
(b) Abolition of poverty
(c) Impartial press
(d) All of the above.
Answer:
(d) All of the above.

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 5 Bureaucracy (Civil Services) Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 5 Bureaucracy (Civil Services)

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Define Bureaucracy. Write main characteristics of Bureaucracy.
Or
Define Bureaucracy. Describe main characteristics of Bureaucracy.
Or
Explain the main characteristics of Bureaucracy.
Or
Explain any six characteristics of Bureaucracy.
Answer:
Bureaucracy has been derived from French word ‘Bureau’ which means desk or writing table. Hence bureaucracy means ‘Desk Government.’ The meaning of this word has been changing with the passage of time. This word is widely misinterpreted and it is used to mean arbitrariness, wastefulness, officiousness and regimentation. In the words of John A. Weig, “Through distortion and caricature, the term bureaucracy has come to imply bungling, arbitrariness, wastefulness, officiousness and regimentation.”

In spite of the distorted meaning of bureaucracy, it has assumed importance in democracy and in a welfare state. This word is used to the maximum to prove the effect of public services. Generally in all the modern states the functions of the government are carried out by those officials who possess administrative ability and understanding of administrative problems. This body of officials is called bureaucracy. Different definitions of bureaucracy are as follows:

1. According to Willoughby, “It is to describe any personnel system of administration composed of a hierarchy of sections, divisions, bureaus and departments.” In a narrow meaning “A body of public servants organised in a hierarchical system which stands outside the sphere of effective public control.”

2. According to Marshall E. Dimock, “Bureaucracy means specialisation of hierarchies and long lines of communication.”

3. According to Max Weber, “A system of administration characterized by expertness, impartiality and the absence of humanity.”

4. According to Joshi, “Bureaucracy is a system of government where power is concentrated into the hands of civil servants.”

5. According to Gladden, “The term Bureaucracy means a regulated administrative system organised as a series of interrelated offices.”

6. According to Paul Appleby, “It is a professional class of technically skilled persons who are organised in an hierarchical way and serve the state in an impartial manner.”

Characteristics of Bureaucracy:
Important characteristics of bureaucracy are as follows:
1. Logical division of functions:
The whole administration is divided on the basis of its duties. The administration is logically divided in hierarchies and system is established.

2. Technical Specialisation:
Technical specialisation is an important feature of bureaucracy. Bureaucracy originated only because of technical specialization. An employee is trained in a particular art and gains proficiency by doing the same work repeatedly and so he becomes a specialist in his field.

3. Hierarchical Principle: All the employees are bound by ‘unity of command’ and bureaucracy is divided in hierarchies.

4. The Legal Framework:
The employees in bureaucracy work in a legal framework and so they become strict and harsh. The administrative laws, rules and decisions are in written form.

5. Political Neutrality:
In bureaucracy, an employee’s personal and political views hold no value. A bureaucrat has to remain neutral from political view point. They are neither the members of any political party nor they are connected with any of them. The Government may be of any political party, but the bureaucrats have to serve the administration according to their ability.

6. Merit System: Bureaucracy is based on merit system. The employees are selected on the basis of their ability.

7. Permanent Post: The posts of Civil Services are permanent. The employees remain in service till the age of retirement.

Question 2.
Write an essay on the recruitment of Civil Servants.
Answer:
The success and efficiency of administration depends on Civil Servants. An able administration can’t be imagined without proficient employees. But it is very difficult to have honest, capable and hardworking employees. That is why proper recruitment has become a problem in almost all the countries. Recruitment doesn’t merely mean the filling up of vacant posts, but it is a process through which able individuals are attracted towards the vacant posts. Broadly speaking, the recruitment of Civil Servants can be divided into two parts Negative and Positive.

The aim of negative recruitment is to keep clever and incapable persons away from government posts. The recruiting authority formulates such laws that only able individuals get the chance to become its candidates. The aim of positive recruitment is to attract suitable and capable persons for various Government posts.

Every Government tries its best to appoint proficient persons against administrative posts. But several questions regarding recruitment arise such as who should be authorised for recruitment ? Whether the employees should be recruited from outside or inside the office ? What should be the qualifications to fill different posts ? How should the ability of the candidates be determined ?

The administrative officials are selected on merit basis in most of the countries and their selection is completed through four methods mentioned below:
1. Individual decision of the appointing official:
This process leaves the responsibility to determine the ability of candidates on appointing authority. The candidate appears before the appointing official who gathers every information about the candidate through questions and mutual conversation. Thus a suitable candidate is recruited.

2. Testimonials of ability and character:
The ability of the candidates is sufficiently judged from their testimonials. These testimonials are related to Lheir education, character, sports, cultural activities etc.

3. Record of previous experience:
The candidates’ records of previous experience reflect their ability for the appointment against administrative posts.

4. Examinations:
The most popular method to judge the ability of candidates is examination system. There are two types of Examinations to select candidates Competitive Examination and Examination without competition. Competitive Examination has double purpose firstly, it finds out a candidate with minimum required qualification for the post and secondly to ascertain his mental condition from the angle of ability. Non-competitive examination ascertains candidate’s minimum qualification fixed for the post. It is quite obvious that competitive examination should be adopted to select best candidates.

The administrative officials in England are appointed through competitive examination. Interview is essential after the written test. Union Public Service Commission and State Service Commissions have been set up in India to recruit government officials.

Question 3.
Describe main differences between Political Executive and Permanent Executive.
Or
Write down the meaning of Political Executive and Permanent Executive and explain in detail the differences between the two.
Answer:
Executive has two parts-Political Executive and Permanent Executive. Political Executive includes President, Ministers, Parliamentary Secretary and they are elected through a definite process and for a definite period. Permanent Executive consists of civil servants, administrative officials and employees and they are retired at a fixed age. Following are the differences between Political Executive and Permanent Executive:

1. Difference between the appointments of the two:
The appointment or selection of Political Executive is in the hands of electorates. In Parliamentary form of government, the party with majority votes in the lower house of Parliament is called upon to elect its leader. The leader of the party is installed as a Prime Minister who forms his Cabinet. England and India have this system.

Permanent Executive is called Administrative Service or Civil Service. Competitive Examinations are held to test the ability of candidates. They have to get through written tests and interview. Thereafter a list of successful candidates is prepared to impart training.
Distinction between the two on Political Basis. Political Executive is completely mixed with political parties as it is elected on political basis. Political executive views all the problems from political angle.

On the contrary, civil servant doesn’t take part in politics. Government officials remain indifferent to party politics. They can neither become the members of political parties nor can they contest Parliamentary and Assembly elections.

Question 4.
Explain the verbal meaning of word ‘Bureaucracy’. Explain its role/functions from four aspects in democracy.
Or
What is the role of bureaucracy in Modern Welfare State?
Answer:
Bureaucracy has been derived from French word ‘Bureau’ which means desk or writing table. Hence bureaucracy means ‘Desk Government.’ The meaning of this word has been changing with the passage of time. This word is widely misinterpreted and it is used to mean arbitrariness, wastefulness, officiousness and regimentation. In the words of John A. Weig, “Through distortion and caricature, the term bureaucracy has come to imply bungling, arbitrariness, wastefulness, officiousness and regimentation.”

In spite of the distorted meaning of bureaucracy, it has assumed importance in democracy and in a welfare state. This word is used to the maximum to prove the effect of public services. Generally in all the modern states the functions of the government are carried out by those officials who possess administrative ability and understanding of administrative problems. This body of officials is called bureaucracy. Different definitions of bureaucracy are as follows:

1. According to Willoughby, “It is to describe any personnel system of administration composed of a hierarchy of sections, divisions, bureaus and departments.” In a narrow meaning “A body of public servants organised in a hierarchical system which stands outside the sphere of effective public control.”

2. According to Marshall E. Dimock, “Bureaucracy means specialisation of hierarchies and long lines of communication.”

3. According to Max Weber, “A system of administration characterized by expertness, impartiality and the absence of humanity.”

4. According to Joshi, “Bureaucracy is a system of government where power is concentrated into the hands of civil servants.”

5. According to Gladden, “The term Bureaucracy means a regulated administrative system organised as a series of interrelated offices.”

6. According to Paul Appleby, “It is a professional class of technically skilled persons who are organised in an hierarchical way and serve the state in an impartial manner.”

Characteristics of Bureaucracy:
Important characteristics of bureaucracy are as follows:
1. Logical division of functions:
The whole administration is divided on the basis of its duties. The administration is logically divided in hierarchies and system is established.

2. Technical Specialisation:
Technical specialisation is an important feature of bureaucracy. Bureaucracy originated only because of technical specialization. An employee is trained in a particular art and gains proficiency by doing the same work repeatedly and so he becomes a specialist in his field.

3. Hierarchical Principle: All the employees are bound by ‘unity of command’ and bureaucracy is divided in hierarchies.

4. The Legal Framework:
The employees in bureaucracy work in a legal framework and so they become strict and harsh. The administrative laws, rules and decisions are in written form.

5. Political Neutrality:
In bureaucracy, an employee’s personal and political views hold no value. A bureaucrat has to remain neutral from political view point. They are neither the members of any political party nor they are connected with any of them. The Government may be of any political party, but the bureaucrats have to serve the administration according to their ability.

6. Merit System: Bureaucracy is based on merit system. The employees are selected on the basis of their ability.

7. Permanent Post: The posts of Civil Services are permanent. The employees remain in service till the age of retirement.

Role/Functions of Bureaucracy:
The influence of bureaucracy on administration has increased a lot. It is difficult to run administration without bureaucracy. Bureaucracy has become vital because modern State is a welfare state and its functions are so vast that they can’t be handled by Ministers alone. The Ministers need civil servants to perform these functions. The role of Bureaucracy can be studied under following heads:

1. Administrative Functions or Role:
Administrative function is the key function of bureaucracy. A minister formulates a policy but the responsibility of implementing the same falls on bureaucracy. Even a good policy can prove worthless in case it is not implemented effectively.

2. To Influence the Policy:
Though policies are framed by political executive, yet bureaucracy contributes a lot to policy-formation on the basis of their ability. The Civil Servants provide statistics to Ministers at the time of framing a policy.

3. Advisory Functions or Role:
Bureaucracy plays a vital role in advising Political Executive. Since the Ministers possess no technical knowledge of their departments, they depend on the Civil Servants to run administration.

4. Legislative Functions or Role:
Bureaucracy plays an important role in making legislation. In countries like India and England having Parliamentary form of Governments, most of the bills are presented by Ministers in Parliament. The outlines of these bills are prepared by Permanent employees. The Civil Servants propose various laws to solve social, economic and political problems.

5. Financial Functions or Role:
Bureaucracy plays a significant role even in financial sphere. Parliament passes a budget every year and the budget is presented by Finance Minister in a Parliamentary system. Though Cabinet forms a policy related to budget, yet its outlines are prepared by bureaucracy. The collection of taxes, expenditure according to budget and other functions related to it are performed by bureaucracy.

6. Co-ordination:
Efficiency of an administration depends upon co-ordination among different departments. This desired co-ordination is established by Civil Servants.

7. Judicial Functions or Role:
Some important judicial functions are performed by Administrative Tribunals. It is so because of the increased number of Administrative Laws and Administrative Adjudication. Thus an administrator not only runs administration, but performs judicial functions also.

8. Public Relation Functions:
Bureaucracy establishes relations with public in various ways to make their policies successful with their co-operation.

9. Stability in Foreign Relations:
The role of bureaucracy in foreign relations is of great importance as it brings stability in foreign relations and policies. Thus bureaucracy has become all the more influential in modern Welfare State. A state has to perform many functions for Public Welfare and the success of these depends upon the efficiency of bureaucracy.

Short Answer type Questions

Question 1.
Explain the meaning of word Bureaucracy.
Or
Explain the etymological meaning of Bureaucracy.
Answer:
Bureaucracy has been derived from the French word ‘Bureau’ which means desk or writing table. Hence bureaucracy means ‘Desk Government’. This word is used in these days to prove the effect of public services. The functions of the government are carried out by those officials who possess administrative ability and understanding of administrative problems. This body of officials is called bureaucracy.

• According to Marshall E. Dimock, “Bureaucracy means specialisation of hierarchies and long lines of communication.”
• According to Max Weber, “A system of administration characterized by expertness, impartiality and the absence of inhumanity.”
• According to Joshi, “Bureaucracy is a system of government where power is concentrated into the hands of civil servants.”

Question 2.
Write four major characteristics of Bureaucracy.
Answer:
Bureaucracy has the following characteristics:

• Fixed tenure: The posts of civil servants are permanent. The employees remain in office till the age of retirement. The change in government does not affect the tenure of civil servants.
• Political Neutrality: In bureaucracy, an employee’s personal and political view holds no value. The bureaucrats have to remain neutral from political viewpoint.
• Merit System: Bureaucracy is based on merit system. The employees are selected on the basis of their ability.
• Permanent Posts: The posts of civil services are permanent.

Question 3.
Mention four defects of Bureaucracy.
Answer:
The three main defects of bureaucracy are:

1. Red Tapism:
Bureaucracy indulges in red tapism. It causes delay in decision making by adopting a rigid attitude toward the application of all rules and regulations according to which the decisions have to be taken.

2. Unresponsive to People’s Demands: Bureaucracy ignores the needs and demands of the people.

3. Conservatism:
Bureaucracy has been a source of conservatism. Bureaucracy believes in traditional ways of administration and it mostly favours status quo in administration. Bureaucracy opposes progressive policies.

4. Bureaucracy is considered as an elite class in the society.

Question 4.
What do you understand by Recruitment?
Answer:
For a layman recruitment is something like picking up persons for filling up jobs lying vacant in some office. Technically speaking, recruitment is not only making appointments but selecting proper and suitable candidates for particular jobs. According to L.D. White, “Recruitment means specific steps taken to attract suitable candidates to apply for examination.”

Question 5.
Write down the three methods of Recruitment.
Answer:
There are two methods of recruitment:
1. Recruitment from within:
Recruitment from within means that recruitment to high post should be made from within the department or from those employees who are already in service. In this method employees get higher post by promotion.

2. Recruitment from without:
Recruitment from without means that recruitment should be made openly. In this method recruitment is done on the basis of merit and any person who is eligible for the post can apply for recruitment. This method is also known as direct method of recruitment.

3. Mixed Method:
These two methods are not mutually exclusive and all governments use both these methods. However, direct recruitment should be the rule at lower level and recruitment to class 1 should be made through competitive examination.

Question 6.
Write four differences between Political Executive and Permanent Executive.
Or
Distinguish between Political and Permanent Executive.
Answer:
Following are the main differences between Political Executive and Permanent Executive:
1. Difference between the appointments of the two:
In the democratic countries the political executive is elected directly or indirectly on the basis of adult franchise. On the other hand, permanent executive or civil servants are appointed on the basis of merit. Competitive examinations are held to test the ability of candidates.

2. Distinction between the two on Political Basis:
Political Executive is completely mixed with political parties as it is elected on political basis. Political executive views all the problems from political angle.
On the contrary, civil servants don’t take part in politics. Government officials remain indifferent to party politics. They can neither become the members of political parties nor can they contest Parliamentary and Assembly elections.

3. Difference on the basis of Term:
Political executive undergoes a change according to the change in politics. On the other hand, civil servants remain in office till a definite age. Administrative services are not affected by change in political executive. Civil servants retire at a fixed age.

4. Political executive owes responsibility to parliament and people for all its actions whereas it is not so in the case of permanent executive.

Question 7.
Write down four merits of good Bureaucracy.
Answer:
A good bureaucracy has the following qualities:
1. Ability: The civil servants should be able and experienced.

2. Public Interest:
The civil servants should take care of public interest. They should always attach more importance to national interest than personal interest.

3. Impartial:
The most important trait of a good civil service is that it should be impartial. It should not be connected with a particular party. It should remain aloof from all political activities.

4. Bureaucrats should be honest and selfless.

Question 8.
Bureaucracy is known as ‘the backbone of Administration’. Why?
Or
What is the importance of Bureaucracy in Democracy?
Answer:
The importance of civil services is increasing day by day in modern democratic states. Bureaucracy or civil servants are the eyes, ears, hands and brains of public administration. It has rightly been remarked as the backbone of the administration. We can prove this with the help of following logics:

• The civil servants provide continuity to public administration.
• The role of civil servants in foreign relations is of great importance as it brings stability in foreign relations and policies.
• The civil servants act as a link between the government and the people.
• The civil servants provide expert knowledge to ministers.

Question 9.
What is the meaning of permanent executive?
Answer:
Executive has two parts political executive and permanent executive. The part of the executive which holds office on the basis of its education or qualifications is called the permanent executive. Permanent executive consists of civil servants, administrative officials and employees and they are selected on the basis of merit system. The civil servants retire at a fixed age and they work under the supervision and direction of political executive.

Question 10.
Mention any four functions of Political Executive.
Or
Explain the role of Political Executive in a democratic state.
Answer:
Following are the main functions of political executive in a democratic state:
1. Administrative Function:
The main function of the political executive is , maintenance of law and order. The political executive enforces the laws enacted by the legislature and maintains peace in the state. The executive is to see that all the laws are properly obeyed and respected and those who break the laws are punished.

2. Formulation of Policies:
Formulation of policies is an important function of the political executive. Executive decides the internal and external policies of the nation and runs the administration on the basis of that policy.

3. Powers of Appointment and Removal:
Political executive makes many appointments. In India, Judges of the Supreme Court, High Courts, Ambassadors, Advocate General, Members of the Union Public Service Commission, Members of the Finance Commission etc. are appointed by the President. Political executive also enjoys the power to remove top officials of the administration.

4. Functions Regarding Foreign Relations:
Political executive determines the foreign policy of the country. Political executive also decides the relations with other countries. For this purpose political executive makes various international agreements and treaties.

Question 11.
Write four functions of good Bureaucracy.
Or
Write any four functions of Bureaucracy.
Answer:
Without bureaucracy it is not possible to run the administration. The main functions of bureaucracy are as given below:
1. Administrative Function or Role:
Administrative function is the key function of bureaucracy. A minister formulates a policy but the responsibility of implementing the same falls on bureaucracy. Even a good policy can prove worthless in case it is not implemented effectively.

2. To Influence the Policy:
Though policies are framed by political executive, yet bureaucracy contributes a lot to policy formation on the basis of their ability. The civil servants provide statistics to Ministers at the time of framing policy.

3. Advisory Functions or Role:
Bureaucracy plays a vital role in advising political executive. Since the Ministers possess no technical knowledge of their departments, they depend upon the civil servants to run the administration.

4. The civil servents propose various laws to solve social, economic and political problems.

Question 12.
Explain the spoil system as a method of recruitment of Bureaucracy.
Answer:
The spoil system as a method of recruitment has been in practice for a long time in U.S.A. and some other countries some time ago. By this system recruitment of civil servants goes on political basis. After general elections, the government which comes into existence starts recruiting those persons who helped at the time of elections. The supporters of defeated party immediately resign from their posts. The newly formed government appoints her supporters on those posts. In this method the tenure of the civil servants goes with the term of the government. This method of recruitment is very defective because the base of recruitment is political and not the ability.

Question 13.
What do you mean by Political Executive? Enumerate its four functions.
Or
What do you mean by Political Executive?
Answer:
Political executive includes President, Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries. They are elected through a definite process and for a definite period. Political executive is elected purely on political basis. Political executive is responsible for all its actions to the Parliament and the people.

Functions of Political Executive.
Following are the main functions of political executive in a democratic state:
1. Administrative Function:
The main function of the political executive is , maintenance of law and order. The political executive enforces the laws enacted by the legislature and maintains peace in the state. The executive is to see that all the laws are properly obeyed and respected and those who break the laws are punished.

2. Formulation of Policies:
Formulation of policies is an important function of the political executive. Executive decides the internal and external policies of the nation and runs the administration on the basis of that policy.

3. Powers of Appointment and Removal:
Political executive makes many appointments. In India, Judges of the Supreme Court, High Courts, Ambassadors, Advocate General, Members of the Union Public Service Commission, Members of the Finance Commission etc. are appointed by the President. Political executive also enjoys the power to remove top officials of the administration.

4. Functions Regarding Foreign Relations:
Political executive determines the foreign policy of the country. Political executive also decides the relations with other countries. For this purpose political executive makes various international agreements and treaties.

Question 14.
What is the meaning of Hierarchical organisation of Bureaucracy?
Answer:
Hierarchy means the control of higher authority over his subordinates. When many people work in an organisation it is necessary it stipulates who will issue instructions and to whom. As a result of this process, the organisation is divided into many levels. Every level is responsible to its higher level and acts upon the instruction of its higher level. According to White, “To fix the relation between the highest to lowest employee; is essential in an organisation. According to Pfiffner, “By Hierarchy principle we mean the connection of Authority and Power with their immediate superiors and juniors in such a way that the Head is small and base is expanded.”

Question 15.
Write down four characteristics of Political Executive.
Answer:
Following are the main characteristics of Political Executive:

1. Appointment by the Electorate:
The appointment or selection of political executive is in the hands of electorate. In parliamentary form of government, the party with majority votes in the lower house of Parliament is called upon to elect its leader. The leader of the party is installed as the Prime Minister who forms his Cabinet.

2. Appointment on Political Basis:
Political executive is completely mixed with political parties as it is elected on political basis. Political executive views all the problems from political angle.

Very Short Answer type Questions

Question 1.
Discuss the meaning of word Bureaucracy.
Answer:
Bureaucracy has been derived from the French word ‘Bureau’ which means desk or writing table. Hence bureaucracy means ‘Desk Government’. The functions of the government are carried out by those officials who possess administrative ability and understanding of administrative problems. This body of officials is called bureaucracy.

Question 2.
Mention any two definitions of Bureaucracy.
Answer:
1. According to Marshall E. Dimock, “Bureaucracy means specialisation of hierarchies and long lines of communication.”
2. According to Max Weber, “A system of administration characterized by expertness, impartiality and the absence of inhumanity.”

Question 3.
Mention any two major characteristics of Bureaucracy.
Answer:
Bureaucracy has the following characteristics:
1. Fixed tenure:
The posts of civil servants are permanent. The employees remain in office till the age of retirement. The change in government does not affect the tenure of civil servants.

2. Political Neutrality:
In bureaucracy, an employee’s personal and political view holds no value. The bureaucrats have to remain neutral from political viewpoint.

Question 4.
Mention two defects of Bureaucracy.
Answer:
Following are the three main defects of bureaucracy:
1. Red Tapism. Bureaucracy indulges in red tapism:
It causes delay in decision making by adopting a rigid attitude toward the application of all rules and regulations according to which the decisions have to be taken.

2. Unresponsive to People’s Demands: Bureaucracy ignores the needs and demands of the people.

Question 5.
What do you understand by Recruitment?
Answer:
For a layman recruitment is something like picking up persons for filling up jobs lying vacant in some office. Technically speaking, recruitment is not only making appointments but selecting proper and suitable candidates for particular jobs.

Question 6.
Distinguish between Political and Permanent Executive.
Answer:
1. Difference between the appointments of the two. In the democratic countries the political executive is elected directly or indirectly on the basis of adult franchise. On the other hand, permanent executive or civil servants are appointed on the basis of merit.

2. Distinction between the two on Political Basis. Political Executive is completely mixed with political parties as it is elected on political basis.On the contrary, civil servants don’t take part in politics.

Question 7.
Mention any two merits of good Bureaucracy.
Answer:
A good bureaucracy has the following qualities:

• Ability: The civil servants should be able and experienced.
• Public Interest: The civil servants should take care of public interest. They should always attach more importance to national interest than personal interest.

Question 8.
What is the importance of Bureaucracy in Democracy?
Answer:

• The civil servants provide continuity to public administration.
• The role of civil servants in foreign relations is of great importance as it brings stability in foreign relations and policies.

Question 9.
What is the meaning of permanent executive?
Answer:
Executive has two parts-political executive and permanent executive. The part of the executive which holds office on the basis of its education or qualifications is called the permanent executive. Permanent executive consists of civil servants, administrative officials and employees and they are selected on the basis of merit system.

Question 10.
Write down any two functions of Political Executive.
Answer:
1. Administrative Function:
The main function of the political executive is maintenance of law and order. The political executive enforces the laws enacted by the legislature and maintains peace in the state. The executive is to see that all the laws are properly obeyed and respected and those who break the laws are punished.

2. Formulation of Policies:
Formulation of policies is an important function of the political executive. Executive decides the internal and external policies of the nation and runs the administration on the basis of that policy.

Question 11.
Write any two functions of Bureaucracy.
Answer:
1. Administrative Function or Role:
Administrative function is the key function of bureaucracy. A minister formulates a policy but the responsibility of implementing the same falls on bureaucracy. Even a good policy can prove worthless in case it is not implemented effectively.

2. To Influence the Policy:
Though policies are framed by political executive, yet bureaucracy contributes a lot to policy formation on the basis of their ability.

Question 12.
What do you mean by Political Executive?
Answer:
Political executive includes President, Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries. They are elected through a definite process and for a definite period. Political executive is elected purely on political basis. Political executive is responsible for all its actions to the Parliament and the people.

Question 13.
Write down two merits of Direct recruitment of Bureaucracy.
Answer:

• Democratic: It upholds the democratic principle.
• Wider field: It provides wider field of recruitment.

One Line Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
From which language the word “Bureaucracy” has been derived?
Answer:
Latin Language.

Question 2.
Explain the meaning of Bureaucracy.
Answer:
Bureaucracy is that form of administration wherein the tasks of administration are performed by those civil and administrative officials who sit in chair and work on the table.

Question 3.
Who developed the Concept of Bureaucracy?
Answer:
Max Weber developed the concept of bureaucracy.

Question 4.
Write any one definition of bureaucracy.
Answer:
According to Paul H. Appleby, “Bureaucracy is a professional class of technically skilled persons who are organised in an hierarchical way and serve the state in an impartial manner.”

Question 5.
Mention any one characteristic of bureaucracy.
Answer:
Bureaucracy is organised on hierarchical basis.

Question 6.
Mention any one function of bureaucracy.
Answer:
To cooperate with the ministers.

Question 7.
Explain the meaning of Political Executive.
Answer:
Political Executive is directly or indirectly elected by the people. No specific educational or technical qualification is fixed for the Political Executive.

Question 8.
“Civil Service is a professional body of officials permanent, hard and skilled.” Who said it?
Answer:
Finer.

Question 9.
Which mode of recruitment is regarded as ‘Spoil System’ for Bureaucracy?
Answer:
Recruitment based on Politics is regarded as ‘Spoil System’ for Bureaucracy.

Question 10.
Write the meaning of Permanent Executive.
Answer:
Permanent Executive is another name for administrative services or administrative officials.

Question 11.
Mention any one difference between Political Executive and Permanent Executive.
Answer:
The base of Political Executive is political whereas political impartiality is the main characteristic of Permanent Executive.

Question 12.
Write any one attribute of good bureaucracy.
Answer:
It should be appointed on the basis of merit.

Question 13.
Write any one merit of direct recruitment of Bureaucracy.
Answer:
It is based on Democratic method.

Fill in The Blanks

1. The word ‘Bureaucracy’ has been derived from ………………………. language.
Answer:
Latin

2. ………………………. developed the concept of bureaucracy.
Answer:
Max Weber

3. In ………………………. the principle of merit was adopted in England.
Answer:
1857

4. In India in ………………………. merit was made the basis of recruitment.
Answer:
1853

5. Bureaucracy is organised on ………………………. basis.
Answer:
hierarchical.

True Or False Statement

1. Bureaucracy has been derived from Greek language.
Answer:
False

2. David Easton developed the concept of bureaucracy.
Answer:
False

3. Bureaucracy is organised on hierachical basis.
Answer:
True.

4. Permanent executive is another name for administrative services.
Answer:
True.

5. In India in 1909 merit was made the basis of recruitment.
Answer:
False

6. Political executive is directly or indirectly elected by the people.
Answer:
True.

Choose The Correct Answer

Question 1.
The word ‘Bureaucracy’ is derived from which language?
(a) English
(b) Latin
(c) French
(d) Greek.
Answer:
(c) French

Question 2.
In French language, what is the meaning of word ‘Bureau’?
(a) Government
(b) Political Parties
(c) State
(d) Desk.
Answer:
(d) Desk.

Question 3.
To whom Bureaucracy gives advice?
(a) Parliament
(b) Political Parties
(c) Ministers
(d) Judiciary.
Answer:
(c) Ministers

Question 4.
Who acts as a link between Public and Government?
(a) Parliament
(5) Religious leaders
(c) Judiciary
(d) Government Officials.
Answer:
(d) Government Officials.

Question 5.
In which of the following countries is committed Bureaucracy?
(a) England
(b) Switzerland
(c) China
(d) U.S.A.
Answer:
(c) China

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 4 Political Ideas of Mahatma Gandhi Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 4 Political Ideas of Mahatma Gandhi

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Describe Political Ideas of Gandhiji in detail.
Or
Explain briefly the Political Ideology of Mahatma Gandhi.
Answer:
Gandhiji’s great contribution lies in the fact that he enunciated his whole political philosophy in the religious background. His philosophy has a sound religious background. Roman Rolland writes, “To understand Gandhiji’s activities it should be realised that his doctrine is like a huge edifice composed of two different floors. Below is the solid ground work of the basic foundation of religion. On this vast and unshakable foundation is based his political and social campaign.”

Gandhism is not a set of doctrine or dogma rules or regulations, injunctions or inhibitions, but it is a way of life. It indicates a new attitude or restates an old one towards life’s issues and offers ancient solution for modern problems. There is no ism in Gandhi. Ism means a distinctive doctrine. Gandhiji never claimed finality for his opinions. He was always experimenting with truth. In 1936 Gandhiji observed.

“There is no such thing as Gandhism and I do not want to leave any sect after me. I do not claim to have originated any new principle or doctrine. I have simply tried in my own way to apply the central truth to our daily life and problems. The opinions I have found and conclusions I have arrived at are not final. I may change them tomorrow I have nothing to teach the world. Truth and non-violence are as old as the hills. All I have done is to try experiments in both on as vast a scale as I could do. In doing so I have sometimes erred and learnt by my error well all my philosophy, if it may be called by that pretentious name, is contained in what I have said. You will not call it Gandhism, there is no, ‘ism’ about it.”

Following are the main political ideas of Gandhiji:
1. Spiritualisation of Politics:
Gandhiji’s political ideas were influenced by religion. Gandhiji had full faith in religion. He was of the opinion that there is no politics devoid of religion. Gandhiji was fully convinced that no civilization can endure for a long time unless it has adopted the higher values of life which are essentially spiritual in character. Gandhiji was a devotee of God. He said that all the religions are equal. The religion of each nation is as good as the religion of any other nation. He used to say, ‘God is Truth and Truth is God.’ Therefore to realize God we must realize truth and stick to truth under all circumstances.

The search of truth is the search of God. Regarding religion Gandhiji said, “It is permanent element in human nature which counts no cost too great in order to find full expression and which leaves the soul restless until it has found itself, knows its Maker, and appreciates the true correspondence between maker and itself.”

2. Faith in Truth:
Gandhiji was a great devotee of truth. He used to say, “God is Truth and Truth is God.” Therefore, to realize God we must realize truth and stick to truth under all circumstances. The search of truth is the search of God. The search of truth is a part of the very nature of man.

3. Faith in Ahimsa or Non-violence:
Gandhiji was a great worshipper of non-violence. Gandhiji defines non-violence as avoiding injury to anything on earth in thought, word or deed. To him Ahimsa was the highest religion. Gandhiji called Ahimsa as a spiritual or divine power. “Cowardice and Ahimsa do not go together any more than water and fire. Cowardice is worse than violence A coward is less than man. He does not deserve to be a member of society of men and women. Non-violence is no negative force. It is a force which is more positive than electricity and more powerful than ether The highest violence can be met by the highest non-violence.”

However, Gandhiji recognised that absolute Ahimsa being a perfect stage is the attribute of God alone. Non-violence is an effort to abandon the violence that is inevitable in life. The religion of Ahimsa consists in allowing others the maximum of inconvenience to us, even at the risk of life.

4. Gandhian Technique:
Gandhiji favoured the use of non-violent methods for changing the present social structure. He was of the opinion that noble aims can be attained by noble meAnswer: He said that first of all the individual should try to discover truth and he should discover it by making use of non¬violent meAnswer: It is not enough that the ends we follow should be moral and good, it is equally important that the means we use for their achievement should also be good and moral.

According to Gandhiji, there is no wall of separation between means and ends. Good means are indispensable for the realization of a noble end. To quote Gandhiji “As the means so the end.” So Gandhiji believed that “If one takes care of the means the end will take care of itself.” Hence his repeated insistence that our means must be as pure as our end. Mahatma Gandhi attached great importance to the purity of meAnswer: He said that good means must be adopted for good ends because in the long run even the means will have their effect on the end. Bad means will poison the good end. He advocated the method of Satyagraha for facing all the evils.

5. Satyagraha:
The idea and practice of Satyagraha constitutes the heart and the soul of Gandhism and is Gandhiji’s unique and distinctive contribution. According to him even a mighty empire could be shaken through Satyagraha and non-violence. Gandhiji defines Satyagraha as the soul force. Literally Satyagraha means holding on to truth or insistence on truth. It is the vindication of truth, not by the infliction of suffering on the opponent but by self-suffering.

Satyagraha is not passive resistance but it is a moral weapon based on superiority of our soul-force over physical force. Satyagraha can be defined as action based on truth, love and non-violence. It completely eschews untruth and violence in every form. It means the exercise of the purest soul force against all injustice, oppression and exploitation. Suffering and truth are attributes of soul-force. In wider sense Satyagraha includes all constructive, reforming activities and all acts of service. It is a weapon of the strongest and the bravest. Non-co-operation, Hartals and strikes, Picketing, Social boycott, Hunger strike, Civil disobedience, Hijrat etc. are forms of Satyagraha.

6. State is Means and Individual is an End:
Gandhism regards state as a means and individual as an end. State originated for the sake of man and state is an instrument for the welfare of individual. Gandhiji wanted the state to be a ‘Service State’. Whenever the state abuses its authority the people should non-violently resist its authority.

7. Stateless Society:
Gandhiji said that his main aim was to establish an ideal society or Ram Rajya. Gandhiji said that the state represents force and violence and therefore, he wanted to establish such a society where the need of the state is not felt. In an ideal society the people would not require large armies and police forces to keep law and order but the people of their own accord would respect the laws of the society and work for the general welfare.

8. Panchayati Raj:
Gandhiji believed in the decentralization of authority and he advocated the establishment of Panchayati Raj. He held that the village Panchayats should be powerful and an effective unit of democracy. Village Panchayat should have an adequate power to control and serve the villages. He wanted the village Panchayats to be free from official interference and control. The Panchayats should also be free from the influence of the party system.

9. Democratic System:
Gandhism supported the democratic system of government and called it an ideal type of government. He had a deep faith in democracy. He wanted to establish social and economic equality in society. Gandhiji wanted the government to be elected by the people but at the same time he wanted that only those persons should have the right to vote who earn their bread by their own labour. He was of the opinion that fundamental rights should be granted to all.

10. Sphere of State activity:
Gandhiji considered the State as a necessary immoral institution. He said that the State should perform minimum functions. The state should enjoy only limited power. A powerful state is a horrible state. He regarded self-government as maximum vote freedom from government control. Like Thoreau, Gandhiji too held that, “that government is best which governs the least.’ The State should not interfere in the activities of the individual. He said that the existing system of law and justice is defective. Justice should be administered through the Panchayat.

In an ideal society there is no need of police, military and judiciary. Gandhiji said, “I look upon an increase in the power of the State with the greatest fear, because although while apparently doing good by minimising exploitation it does the greatest harm to mankind by destroying individual liberty which lies at the root of all progress.”

11. Secular State:
In the ideal society nobody will be discriminated against on the basis of caste, creed, colour, religion and blood. He favoured the idea of a Secular State. He was of the opinion that even if all the people in the State have the same religion the State should not interfere in the religion of the people. He was of the opinion that religion is a personal affair of the individual and the State should practise neutrality in this respect. No religion should be given special privileges by the State.

12. Economic Views:
Gandhiji preached that the rich should only use so much of their riches as is necessary for carrying on their day-to-day life and treat the rest of their wealth as a trust of the people held by them and use the same for general welfare. He was of the opinion that the employer and the employee were the partners in an enterprise for the common good. He was against hostile attitude on the part of either. Gandhiji said that Trusteeship is a non-violent method of solving the problems of richness in society. According to this principle the rich should not consider themselves the owners of wealth but as the trustees of society. For the wealth in their hands, they should justify the ‘trust’ given to them by the society. They should spend it in the way in which the interests of the society are best promoted.

13. More importance to duties:
Gandhism attached more importance to duties than to rights. According to Gandhiji the right to perform one’s duties was the only right that was worth living for and dying for. To quote Gandhiji, ‘The true source of right is duty.”

14. Gandhism opposed the principle of majority:
Gandhiji believed in democracy but he opposed the principle of majority. According to Gandhiji majority should run the government with the cooperation of the minorities. Majority should respect the views of minorities.

15. No Conflict between Nationalism and Internationalism:
In Gandhism there is no conflict between nationalism and internationalism. According to Gandhiji, “It is impossible for one to be an internationalist without being a nationalist.” Gandhiji did not believe in the isolation of one country from the rest of the world. He never ignored the higher interests of humanity but at the same time he felt that his first duty was to serve the people of India. If there is any conflict between nationalism and internationalism it is because of the fact that we are selfish and regard the interest of our own nation as supreme. Nationalism in Gandhian concept does not mean just a sentiment of hatred for others. It means love for the people of one’s own country and love for the people of other countries also.

16. Rights and Duties:
Gandhiji wholly agrees with the significance of rights both in the life of a man and in the life of a nation but he believes that the rights and duties are inseparable and must go hand in hand. But Gandhism attached more importance to duties than to rights. Gandhiji held that the right to perform one’s duty was the only right that was worth living for and dying for. Rights accrue only to those persons who were willing to serve the state to which they belong. In Gandhiji’s own words, “The true source of right is duty. If we discharge our duties, rights will not be far to seek.

If leaving duties unperformed, we run after rights, they will escape us like a will-o-the wisp. The more we pursue them, farther they will fly.” Conclusion. The ideas of Gandhiji exercised great influence not only in India but in other countries also, but his ideas also came under criticism. Many of his ideas are not practical. His ideal state is indeed pleasant and attractive but it is not possible to put it into practice.

Question 2.
Describe the methods of Satyagraha of Mahatma Gandhi Ji.
Or
Write down Gandhiji’s views about Satyagraha.
Answer:
The concept of Satyagraha is heart and soul of Gandhism. For Gandhiji Satyagraha is an attempt to introduce religion into politics. Truth for Gandhi is God. Thus, a satyagrahi is a man of God. To put it more correctly, Satyagraha is bringing “God into Politics.”

Meaning Of Satyagraha:
Literally ‘Satyagraha’ means ‘holding on to truth’ or ‘insistence on truth’ or ‘firmness on truth’. It is ‘agraha’ or moral presssure for the sake of truth. It is a technique of resisting all that is evil, unjust, impure or untrue by love, self-suffering, self-purification and appealing to the divine spirit in the soul of the oppponent. Gandhi calls it as a love force’ or soul force.’

Satyagraha is a way of life and a satyagrahi is to live a life of truth. Truth and Ahimsa are the two guiding-principles of a Satyagrahi. In this sense Jesus Christ, Satyawadi Harish Chandra, Prahlada and Socrates can be called true satyagrahis.

1. Satyagraha as a Political Method:
Gandhi used Satyagraha as a political method to fight against British imperialism. It is a method of resisting evil through soul-force or non-violence. It is a way of fighting by the means of non-violence. Gandhi calls satyagraha as an all-sided sword; for “it can be used anyhow, it blesses him who uses it and him against whom it is used.”

2. Satyagraha means an appeal to morality and reason:
Primarily, Satyagraha is a case of appealing to the reason and conscience of the opponent by inviting suffering on oneself. The objective is to change the heart of the opponent and make him one’s willing friend. It is based on the idea that moral appeal to the heart and conscience is more effective than an appeal based on the threat of bodily pain or violence.

3. Satyagraha is different from Passive Resistance:
According to Gandhi, Satyagraha is different from Passive Resistance as a positive and negative thing. Passive Resistance is a negative thing, it is a weapon of the weak and does not exclude the use of force or violence, whereas Satyagraha is a positive thing, it is a weapon of the strong and excludes the use of violence in any shape of form. Satyagraha emphasises inner purity and it can be practised at all levels domestic, social and political, while passive resistance is mainly applied at the political level.

4. Satyagraha is different from strike:
Sometimes Satyagraha is explained in terms of strike. But the reality is that Gandhi was never in favour of strikes. Strike and Satyagraha are not identical.
Strike is narrow in its objective and based on the selfish motives of an individual or a group of persons. But Satyagraha is a moral weapon, it aims at changing the heart of the opponent. Besides, strike consists of coercion, force, sabotage and stresses. But satyagraha on the other hand has it two assumptions truth and non-violence. Strike is based on opportunism and it has material gains in view but Satyagraha expels both.

Some Essential Conditions of Satyagraha
Gandhiji laid the following conditions for Satyagraha :
1. There can be no satyagraha for an ‘unjust cause’. By its defintion satyagraha is a commitment to ‘upholding of truth’.
2. Satyagraha excludes the use of violence in any shape or form, whether in thought, speech or deed. A satyagrahi must be non-violent in relation to others.
3. A satyagrahi must have the capacity or willingness to suffer. One who does not have the capacity of suffering, should not attempt satyagraha.
4. No satyagraha should be launched without disciplined satyagrahis.
5. A satyagrahi must have courage and patience, initiative and resourcefulness, a spirit of research and readiness to take risks.
6. Satyagraha cannot be launched for personal gains but for social good. The aim of a satyagrahi should be the service of mankind.
7. A satyagrahi must have an unshakable faith in God.
8. A satyagrahi should treat his opponent as a member of his family.
9. A satyagrahi should be ready to make honourable agreement or compromise with the opponent.

Different Forms or Methods of Satyagraha:
According to Gandhiji, satyagraha can take different forms like non-co-operation, fasting, civil disobedience, hijrat, picketing strike etc. They may also be called as various techniques or methods of satyagraha.

1. Non-Co-operation:
Non-co-operation means withdrawing co-operation to the government. When the government becomes corrupt and it fails to perform its duties towards the people, then, according to Gandhi, people should withdraw their support from the government. The students should boycott the schools and colleges ; lawyers should boycott the courts, people should refuse to accept titles, to serve army and the police and to pay taxes. But, non-co-operation must exclude the use of violence of any type. It must be based on love and not on hatred. It should not lead to anarchy, disorder, violence and ill-will.

2. Civil Disobedience:
Civil Disobedience is an extreme type of non-cooperation. It means mass resistance on non-violent basis when all negotiations and constitutional methods have failed. It is called civil disobedience because it is non-violent resistance by the people who are ordinarily law-abiding citizens of the state. On the part of the people, civil- disobedience demands—a disciplined group action, unlimited capacity for suffering and strict obedience to leaders.

3. Fasting:
Fasting is the last weapon for a satyagrahi. It should be undertaken as the last resort. It should be in the nature of prayer for purity and strength and power from God. It is a method to be used to awaken the sleeping conscience of the wrong doer.

4. Strike:
Strike or hartal is another method of Satyagraha. The workers should organise themselves in every industry to fight against injustice of any type. But according to Gandhi there are three essentials of strike. Firstly, strike should not be frequent, otherwise it would cease to be effective. Secondly, strike should be voluntry. Workers should not be forced to participate in it. Thirdly, it should be peaceful and non-violent.

5. Hijrat:
Hijrat implies voluntary exile from the permanent place of residence. It means that a person who does not have power to become a Satyagrahi, should leave the place.

6. Picketing:
It is a method of moral persuasion. By way of picketing in front of the house or shops, the owners can be persuaded to change their views.

Conclusion:
By developing the concept of satyagraha in various forms, Gandhi has shown the ways to overcome violence by non-violence. It is a substitute for brute force with moral force. Here, Gandhian approach is mainly psychological. According to him, the most effective way of winning an enemy is to allow the opponent’s anger spend itself, bum itself out. By resisting him one only feeds his anger, whereas by suffering silently we compel him to review his actions.

Question 3.
Explain the main features of Gandhiji’s Ideal State.
Or
Write down the features of Mahatma Gandhiji’s Ideal State.
Or
Write down the characteristics of the Ideal State of GandhiJi.
Ans:
As a philosophical anarchist Gandhi rejects the state as such. He regards the existing state as an evil on ethical, moral and economic grounds. In his words, “State represents violence in a concentrated and organised form. The individual has a soul but the state is a soul-less machine….”
Like Marx, Gandhi imagines an Ideal Society without state and class struggle. He imagines a society in which there is no place for state, police, army, machines, violence and power. According to Gandhi, “the existing State damages the moral
values of individual action It uses force, works for the rich and influential only.” So, for Gandhi’s modern state is an evil. He wants to replace it with an ideal state or Ram Rajya.

Ideal State:
The ‘Ideal State’ of Gandhi is the state of ‘enlightened anarchy’ where social life becomes so perfect as to be self-regulated. In such a state everyone is his own ruler. He rules himself in such a manner that he is never a hindrance to his neighbour.” In Gandhian ideal state, therefore, “there is no political power, there is no state”. It is a “state of statelessness.”

In short, Gandhian Ideal State or Ideal Society will have the following features.
1. Village as a Unit of Ideal State:
The ideal state will, according to Gandhi, be a federation of more or less self-sufficing and self-governing village communities. It will be an ideal society based on the principles of non-violence and peaceful co-existence. The individuals, continuously aware of Spiritual Eeality will live a life of simplicity and renunciation. In this ideal society there will be no need for police or military force. Every village will be governed by Panchayat having full powers.

2. Organisation on the Principle of Decentralisation:
Instead of centralisation there will be decentralisation. This decentralisation will be of two types, (i) Economic and (ii) Political. From political decentralisation, Gandhi means that the state authority shall be reduced to the minimum, and maximum authority shall be given to the village communities. In the economic sphere, the decentralisation would imply the abolition of large scale industry and establishment of cottage and small scale industry.

3. Minimum Functions of the Government:
Gandhi does not favour more functions of the government. According to him, that government is best which governs the least. Individual should look after his own welfare. Speaking of his ideal society, he said in 1931: “Ideal Society is the state of enlightened anarchy. In such a state everyone is his own ruler ” There is no political power because there is no state. But the ideal is never fully realised in life. Hence, the classical statement of Thoreaun that “that Government is best which governs the least,” is correct regarding functions of government.

4. A Non-violent State:
Gandhian ideal state will be a non-violent state. The word non-violent state was used by Gandhi himself in ‘Harijan’ where he wrote in 1940, ‘The ideal non-violent state will be an ordered anarchy.” It will be a purest form of democracy based on non-violence. It will be a federation of satyagrahi village communities.

5. Role of Non-possession, Bread-labour and Swadeshi:
Gandhi lays stress on non-possession, bread-labour and swadeshi. The first two imply voluntary poverty, village industries and common people owning the means of production and having the capacity to resist injustice. Swadeshi means self-dependency and the use of local-made goods.

6. Role of Machines, Doctors, Courts etc:
Gandhi is not against machinery as such but he is against centralised mass production and profit motive. Centralised production leads to concentration of power and exploitation. Hence, according to Gandhi, in ideal state there will be no place for heavy transport, courts, lawyers, the modern system of medicines and big cities. Village Panchayats will administer justice. There will be no mass production of drugs. Gandhi advocated Indian yogic exercises for mental, moral and physical health.

7. Relations between Individual and Society:
To Gandhi society is just like a family and the relations between individual and society is one of close interdependence. Hence, in Gandhian ideal state there will be total harmony between individual and the state. Both will work for each other. However, Gandhi gives more importance to individual. In his philosophy individual comes first.

8. Role of Dharma:
In Gandhian ideal state ‘Dharma’ will play a very important role. But, ‘Dharma’ according to Gandhi, is identified with ‘righteousness’ or justice. The function of Dharma will be to hold together harmoniously the social order and to act as a guide to individual conscience.

9. Spiritualised Democracy:
Gandhian ideal state will be a spiritualised democratic state. The principle of equality will be applied in every sphere of society. The law of‘Varna’ and the ideals of bread-labour and non-possession will bring about complete social and economic equality. There will be no exploitation of one class by the other. Everybody will be his own master. Corruption and hypocricy will be minimised. The qualification for voters would be neither property nor position but manual work.

10. Role of Secularism:
Gandhian ideal state will be a secular state. There will be no religion known to be a ‘state-religion’. Everyone living in the state shall be allowed to adopt, practise and propagate religion of his / her choice.

11. Sticking to the ancestral profession:
In ideal state each one shall stick to the profession of his ancestors unless there were very strong reasons for a change. In this way the experience and knowledge shall pass from one generation to the other.

12. Unnecessary wealth not allowed:
In his ideal state, Gandhi felt that everyone will keep only what was required by him for his day to day life. No one would be allowed to keep unnecessary wealth or surplus goods. The rich would be persuaded to have only what was their minimum basic necessity and distribute rest of the wealth among the poor and the needy.

13. Emphasis on Duties:
In ideal state greater importance will be given to the duties. Everybody will do his ‘Karma’ or duty sincerely. The spirit of social service will govern people’s actions. The performance of duties will lead to automatic availability of rights for all.

Conclusion:
Thus we find that Gandhian non-violent ideal state would rest on principle of decentralisation, socialism, trusteeship, varna-system, bread labour and individual freedom with social restraints. It will be an ideal state where police will consist of non-violent soldiers and where prisons will be centres of reformation. It will be a federation of self-governing satyagrahi village communities.

No doubt, Gandhi himself knew that this ‘ideal state’ will always remain an ideal unrealised and unrealisable. He said, ‘But the ideal is never fully realised in life.” The ideal of‘Ram Rajya’ or non-violent state is unrealisable because of human imperfection. But it still shows the direction of our destination and the efforts to this direction must not cease.
Dr. Majumdar writes, “The supreme achievement of Mahatma Gandhi in the field of political thought has been the substitution of the ideal of legal state by that of moral state. He has placed before the world the idea of replacing force and violence by the technique of persuasion through truth and non-violence.”

Question 4.
Write a note on Gandhiji’s views about Ahimsa.
Or
Write down Gandhiji’s views about Non-Violence.
Answer:
Gandhiji was a great worshipper of non-violence. Gandhiji defines non-violence as avoiding injury to anything on earth in thought, word or deed. To him Ahimsa was the highest religion. Gandhiji called Ahimsa as a spiritual or divine power. “Cowardice and Ahimsa do not go together any more than water and fire.

Cowardice is worse than violence A coward is less than man. He does not deserve to be a member of society of men and women. Non-violence is no negative force. It is a force which is more positive than electricity and more powerful than ether The highest violence can be met by the highest non-violence.” However, Gandhiji recognised that absolute Ahimsa being a perfect stage is the attribute of God alone. Non-violence is an effort to abandon the violence that is inevitable in life. The religion of Ahimsa consists in allowing others the maximum of inconvenience to us, even at the risk of life.

Requisites for Ahimsa. According to Gandhiji following are the main requisites of Ahimsa :
1. Truth:
Truth is the fundamental basis of Non-violence. According to Gandhiji not only God is truth but truth is also God. Non-violence is the natural consequence of truth. Gandhiji says that he had a great regard for truth from his childhood. He thinks that wherever there is violence, untruth will creep in. Gandhiji says that truth and Non-violence are like the two sides of an unstamped coin.

2. Love:
Love is the basic requisite for Ahimsa Gandhiji says , “It is no Non-violence if we merely love those that love us. It is Non-violence only when we love those that hate us.”

3. Inner Purity: Inner purity is very essential for a true Satyagrahi. A Satyagrahi must have self-discipline, selfless civility etc.

4. Fearlessness:
Fearlessness is equally important as inner-purity, love and truth. The Satyagrahi must, therefore, be open and fearless, prepared cheerfully to suffer the consequences of his resistance and disobedience to what he considers as unjust and unlawful authority.

5. Fast:
Fast is an internal part of Non-violence. According to Gandhiji, fast should be in the nature of prayer or purity and strength and power from God.

6. Non-Possession: Gandhiji lays stress on non-possession.

7. Perseverance: Perseverance is another essential requisite of Ahimsa.

Relevance of Non-violence:
It is said that Gandhiji’s idea that injustice can be removed through truth, Non-violence and purity of means is too idealistic to be put into practice. But those who make this criticism forget that by these means Gandhiji achieved a great measure of success in the movements he led in South Africa and in India. Gandhiji did not believe that the practice of Non-violence in the political field was beyond the capacity of man. He says.

“The first condition of Non-violence is justice all round in every department of life. Perhaps, it is too much to expect of human nature Non-violence has no cause for fear. The votary of Ahimsa has only one fear, that is of God.” If violence, war and crooked diplomacy are to be avoided, Gandhiji’s way seems to be the only way. If nations do not adopt Gandhiji’s method of Non-violence to remove injustice or resolve international disputes, there is no escape from hate, violence and war.

Short Answer type Questions

Question 1.
Who was Mahatma Gandhi?
Answer:
Mohandas Karam Chand Gandhi was born at Porbandar (Gujarat) on October 2, 1869. He went to England for higher studies in his 18th year. In 1891 Gandhiji returned to India as a full-fledged barrister. He entered politics just by chance and continued to dominate India National Movement from 1919 to 1947 and this period is called ‘Gandhi Era. He was a philosopher, a reformer and a great teacher. He is remembered as the Father of the Nation.

Question 2.
Explain in detail about Mahatma Gandhi’s views on Non-violence.
Or
Write down Gandhi’s views on Non-violence.
Answer:
Gandhiji was a great worshipper of non-violence. Gandhiji defines non-violence as avoiding injury to anything on earth in thought, word or deed. To him, Ahimsa was the highest religion. Gandhiji called Ahimsa a spiritual or divine power. “Cowardice and Ahimsa do not go together any more than water and fire.” However, Gandhiji recognised that absolute Ahimsa being a perfect stage is the attribute of God alone. Non-violence is an’effort to abandon the violence that is inevitable in life. The religion of Ahimsa consists in allowing others the maximum of inconvenience to us, even at the risk of life.

According to Gandhiji, “Truth, love, fasting, inner purity, true devotion, selflessness etc. are the bases of non-violence. Gandhiji regards non-violence as an instrument or means to discover the truth.” In the words of Gandhiji, “Truth is my religion, and non-violence is its instrument.”

Question 3.
By which of the great persons Gandhiji was influenced?
Answer:
Gandhiji was influenced by the following great persons :

• John Ruskin: John Ruskin’s ‘Unto the Last’ had a great influence on Gandhiji. Gandhiji learnt three lessons from this book.
• Tolstoy: Tolstoy’s famous book ‘Kingdom of God is Within you’ left an enormous influence on Gandhiji. This book made him believer of Ahimsa.
• Gopal Krishan Gokhale: Mahatma Gandhi considered Gopal Krishan Gokhale as his ‘political guru’ and his liberal views had considerable influence on him.
• Henry David Thoreau also influenced Gandhiji.

Question 4.
Write down the names of Religious books which influenced Gandhiji’s life.
Answer:
Gandhiji was influenced by the following religious books :
1. Bhagwad Gita:
Gandhiji was greatly influenced by Bhagwad Gita. He learnt from the Gita that a man should do his duty regardless of the results or rewards.

2. Bible:
Gandhiji was greatly influenced by the Bible. The whole life he remembered these statements-‘Overcome evil by good’, ‘Love your enemy’, etc.

3. Influence of Koran: Gandhiji was also influenced by The Koran.

Question 5.
Express your views about Gandhiji’s outlook on religion and politics.
Or
Describe the basic views of Gandhiji on the relationship of politics and religion.
Answer:
Gandhiji’s political ideas were greatly influenced by religion. He was of the opinion that there is no politics devoid of religion. They subserve religion. Politics bereft of religion is a death trap because it kills the soul. Gandhiji was fully convinced that no civilization can endure for a long time unless it has adopted the higher values of life which are essentially spiritual in character. Gandhiji was a devotee of God. He had an unswerving and undying faith in God. Gandhiji said that all the religions are equal.

Question 6.
Mention four principles of Gandhism.
Answer:
1. Gandhism is based on Religion:
Gandhiji was of the opinion that there is no politics devoid of religion. Religion teaches a lesson of truth, non-violence and love.

2. Faith in Truth: Gandhiji used to say, ‘God is Truth and Truth is God.’ The search of truth is the search of God.

3. State is means and individual is an end.

4. Non-violence and Satyagraha:
Non-violence and satyagraha are the main principles of Gandhiji. Gandhiji called Ahimsa a spiritual or divine power. Satyagraha is the heart and soul of Gandhism. Satyagraha means holding on to truth or insistence on truth.

Question 7.
What does Gandhiji mean by ‘Satyagraha’? Write the names of methods for Satyagraha.
Answer:
Satyagraha:
The idea and practice of Satyagraha constitutes the heart and the soul of Gandhism and is Gandhiji’s unique and distinctive contribution. Gandhiji defines Satyagraha as the soul force. Literally Satyagraha means holding on to truth or insistence on truth. It is the vindication of truth, not by the infliction of suffering on the opponent but by self-suffering. Satyagraha is not passive resistance but it is a moral weapon based on superiority of our soul force over physical force. It is a weapon of the strongest and the bravest. Non-cooperation, hartals and strikes, picketing, social boycott, hunger strike, civil disobedience, hijrat etc. are forms of Satyagraha.

Methods for Satyagraha:
According to Gandhiji, the different forms of Satyagraha are non-co-operation, strike, boycott, picketing, civil disobedience, hijrat or migration and fasting.
1. Non-co-operation:
Gandhiji pointed out that oppression and exploitation become feasible only by the co-operation of the oppressed or the people. If the people refuse to co-operate with the government or unjust system, the latter could not function and was bound to come to an end. With complete and non-violent non-co-operation every power could be bent. Non-co-operation takes three different forms, namely, stoppage of work, boycott and picketing.

2. Strike:
This is another form of Satyagraha. To Gandhiji, strike was voluntary, purificatory suffering undertaken to convert the erring opponent. He did not believe in the theory of class-war.

3. Civil Disobedience:
This was to be resorted to when agreements, negotiations, petitions and even non-co-operation prove ineffective. Civil disobedience is thus the logical conclusion, the last stage, the most drastic form of non-co-operation.

4. Fasting: Fasting is also an important method of Satyagraha.

Question 8.
Write down the methods of Satyagraha given by Gandhiji.
Answer:
According to Gandhiji, the different forms of Satyagraha are non-co-operation, strike, boycott, picketing, civil disobedience, hijrat or migration and fasting.
1. Non-co-operation:
Gandhiji pointed out that oppression and exploitation become feasible only by the co-operation of the oppressed or the people. If the people refuse to co-operate with the government or unjust system, the latter could not function and was bound to come to an end. With complete and non-violent non-co-operation every power could be bent. Non-co-operation takes three different forms, namely, stoppage of work, boycott and picketing.

2. Strike:
This is another form of Satyagraha. To Gandhiji, strike was voluntary, purificatory suffering undertaken to convert the erring opponent. He did not believe in the theory of class-war.

3. Civil Disobedience:
This was to be resorted to when agreements, negotiations, petitions and even non-co-operation prove ineffective. Civil disobedience is thus the logical conclusion, the last stage, the most drastic form of non-co-operation.

4. Fasting: Fasting is also an important method of Satyagraha.

Question 9.
Explain Gandhiji’s views about state.
Answer:
Gandhiji was opposed to the state on ethical, historical and economic grounds. The compulsive nature of the state authority takes away the moral value of the individual. He said that the state commands and whatever is commanded can have no moral value. Individual action can be moral only if it is voluntary. According to Gandhiji,

“The state represents violence in concentrated and organised form. The individual has a soul but the state is a soulless machine. It can never be weaned from violence to which it owes its very existence.” Gandhiji was thus opposed to the activities of the state. He wanted a stateless democratic state where social life was self-regulated.

Question 10.
Describe Gandhiji’s Trusteeship System. (P.B. Sample Paper. 2019)
Answer:
Gandhiji advocates a new principle which is technically known as his concept of trusteeship. It means that he wants that the moneyed people should regard their properties, may be land or industry, as a trust to be used for the welfare of the people. He wanted that the propertied men should regard themselves as trustees of the people. He wanted to introduce this principle of trusteeship on the basis of persuasion of the party concerned and not through coercion. He once said, “I would not dispose moneyed people by force but would invite their co-operation in the process of conversion to state ownership.”

Question 11.
What does ‘Hizrat’ mean according to Gandhiji?
Or
According to Gandhiji, what does ‘Hijrat’ mean?
Answer:
Hijrat is one form of Satyagraha. The word ‘Hijrat’ was first used when Prophet Mohammad, the founder of Islam, migrated from Mecca to Medina. Hijrat means voluntary exile from the permanent place of residence. Gandhiji favoured Hijrat when people can’t live in their homes or homelands without loss of self¬respect and when they can’t resist oppression non-violently. He recommended this method to the peasants of Bardoli in 1928 and in 1939, to the people of Junagarh, Vithalgarh and Limbidi.

Question 12.
Describe the concept of ‘Ideal State’ of Mahatma Gandhi.
Answer:
Gandhiji considered the present state as a necessary immoral institution. Gandhiji was not in favour of present state and in place of it he wanted to establish an ideal state. Following are the main characteristics of the Ideal State of Gandhiji:
1. Democratic System:
Gandhiji supported democratic form of government and called it an ideal type of government for his ideal state.

2. Secular State:
In ideal state nobody will be discriminated against on the bases of caste, colour, creed, religion and blood. He favoured the idea of secular state.

3. Panchayati Raj:
Gandhiji believed in decentralization of authority and he advocated the establishment of Panchayati Raj. Gandhiji was in favour of giving maximum powers to the Panchayats.

4. Gandhian ideal state will be a spiritualised democratic state.

Question 13.
Why is Gandhiji called the Father of the Nation?
Answer:
Gandhiji was a man of high spirits. He was famous not only in India but also all over the world. He played a very important role in National Movement. He uprooted the British rule from India without any bloodshed. India got freedom under his leadership. Gandhiji dedicated his life for Indian people. Even after the independence of India he accepted no post. Gandhiji presented the example of sacrifice and dedication never seen in the history of the world. He has rightly been called the Father of the Nation.

Question 14.
Write Gandhiji’s view about Democracy.
Answer:
Gandhism supported the democratic system of government and called it an ideal type of government. He had a deep faith in democracy. He wanted to establish social and economic equality in society. Gandhiji wanted the government to be elected by the people but at the same time he wanted that only those persons should have the right to vote who earn their bread by their own labour. He was of the opinion that fundamental rights should be granted to all.

Very Short Answer type Questions

Question 1.
What do you know about Mahatma Gandhi?
Answer:
Mohandas Karam Chand Gandhi was born at Porbandar (Gujarat) on October 2,1869. He entered politics just by chance and continued to dominate Indian National Movement from 1919 to 1947 and this period is called ‘Gandhi Era.

Question 2.
Write down Gandhiji’s view about non-violence.
Answer:
Gandhiji was a great worshipper of non-violence. Gandhiji defines non-violence as avoiding injury to anything on earth in thought, word or deed. To him, Ahimsa was the highest religion. Gandhiji called Ahimsa a spiritual or divine power. “Cowardice and Ahimsa do not go together any more than water and fire.”

Question 3.
By which of the great persons Gandhiji was influenced?
Answer:
Gandhiji was influenced by following great persons:
1. John Ruskin:
John Ruskin’s ‘Unto the Last’ had a great influence on Gandhiji. Gandhiji learnt three lessons from this book.

2. Gopal Krishan Gokhale:
Mahatma Gandhi considered Gopal Krishan Gokhale as his ‘political guru’ and his liberal views had considerable influence on him.

Question 4.
Write down the names of any two religious books which influenced Gandhiji’s life.
Answer:
Gandhiji was influenced by following religious books:
1. Bhagwad Gita:
Gandhiji was greatly influenced by Bhagwad Gita. He learnt from the Gita that a man should do his duty regardless of the results or rewards.

2. Bible:
Gandhiji was greatly influenced by the Bible. The whole life he remembered these statements-‘Overcome evil by good’, ‘Love your enemy’, etc.

Question 5.
Write about factors that influenced the life of Gandhiji.
Answer:
1. The Gita had a great influence on the life of Gandhiji. Gandhi was predominantly a man of action. The Gita made him one. He was a Karma Yogi.

2. Jainism had perceptibly coloured Gandhiji’s thoughts and shaped his actions.

3. Buddhist influence was also great.

Question 6.
Describe the basic views of Gandhiji on the relationship of politics and religion.
Answer:
Gandhiji’s political ideas were greatly influenced by religion. He was of the opinion that there is no politics devoid of religion. They subserve religion. Politics bereft of religion is a death trap because it kills the soul. Gandhiji was fully convinced that no civilization can endure for a long time unless it has adopted the higher values of life which are essentially spiritual in character.

Question 7.
Write down any two principles of Gandhism.
Answer:

• Gandhism is based on Religion: Gandhiji was of the opinion that there is no politics devoid of religion. Religion teaches a lesson of truth, non-violence and love.
• Faith in Truth: Gandhiji used to say, ‘God is truth and truth is God.’ The search of truth is the search of God.

Question 8.
Describe Gandhiji’s concepts of Satyagraha.
Answer:
Gandhiji defines Satyagraha as the soul force. Literally Satyagraha means holding on to truth or insistence on truth. It is the vindication of truth, not by the infliction of suffering on the opponent but by self-suffering. Satyagraha is not passive resistance but it is a moral weapon based on superiority of our soul force over physical force. It is a weapon of the strongest and the bravest.

Question 9.
Explain briefly any two techniques of Satyagraha enunciated by Gandhi.
Answer:
1. Non-co-operation:
Gandhiji pointed out that oppression and exploitation become non-feasible only by the non-co-operation of the oppressed people.

2. Strike:
This is another form of Satyagraha. To Gandhiji, strike was voluntary, purificatory suffering undertaken to convert the erring opponent. He did not believe in the theory of class-war.

Question 10.
Write Gandhiji’s views about ends and meAnswer:
Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi believed and advocated that our means must be consistent with our ends. It is not enough that the ends we follow should be moral and good. It is equally important that the means we use for their achievement should also be good and moral. According to Gandhiji, there is no wall of separation between means and ends. We should not only take care of ends but also take care of the meAnswer:

Question 11.
Discuss Gandhiji’s views about state.
Answer:
Gandhiji was opposed to the state on ethical, historical and economic grounds. The compulsive nature of the state authority takes away the moral value of the individual. He said that the state commands and whatever is commanded can have no moral value. Individual action can be moral only if it is voluntary. Gandhiji was thus opposed to the activities of the state. He wanted a stateless democratic state where social life was self-regulated.

Question 12.
What is Trusteeship system?
Answer:
Gandhiji advocates a new principle which is technically known as his concept of trusteeship. It means that he wants that the moneyed people should regard their properties, may be land or industry, as a trust to be used for the welfare of the people.

Question 13.
What do you mean by Hijrat?
Answer:
Hijrat means voluntary exile from the permanent place of residence. Gandhiji favoured Hijrat when people can’t live in their homes or homelands without loss of self-respect and when they can’t resist oppression non-violently.

Question 14.
Mention the two features of Gandhiji’s Ideal State.
Answer:

• Democratic System: Gandhiji supported democratic form of government and called it an ideal type of government for his ideal state.
• Secular State: In ideal state nobody will be discriminated against on the basis of caste, colour, creed, religion and blood. He favoured the idea of secular state.

Question 15.
Why is Gandhiji called the Father of the Nation?
Answer:
Gandhiji played a very important role in National Movement. He uprooted the British rule from India without any bloodshed. India got freedom under his leadership. Gandhiji dedicated his life for Indian people. Even after the independence of India he accepted no post. He has rightly been called the Father of the Nation.

One Line Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Mention full name of Gandhiji.
Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi’s full name is Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi.

Question 2.
When was Mahatma Gandhi born?
Answer:
Mahatma Gandhi was born on 2nd October 1869.

Question 3.
Where was Gandhiji born?
Answer:
Gandhiji was bom at Porbunder in Kathiawar.

Question 4.
By whom was Gandhiji influenced?
Answer:
Gandhiji was deeply influenced by the Gita, Buddhism, Jainism and the Bible. Among the scholars, he was influenced by John Ruskin,
Henry David Thoreau and Tolstoy.

Question 5.
Write down the nature of present state according to Gandhiji.
Answer:
Gandhiji considered the present state to be based on force and violence. He supported that it should be ended.

Question 6.
Write down one feature of Gandhiji’s ideal state.
Answer:
The ideal society or the stateless democracy will be a federation of self- governed and satyagrahi villages.

Question 7.
Who gave the title ‘Mahatma’ to Gandhiji?
Answer:
Rabindranath Tagore had first of all called Gandhiji as Mahatma. After this, Gandhiji was called as Mahatma Gandhi.

Question 8.
What did Gandhiji mean by Civil Disobedience?
Answer:
Civil disobedience means the breach of immoral statutory enactment. It included even non-payment of taxes.

Question 9.
What did Gandhiji mean by Hijrat?
Answer:
Hijrat implies voluntary exile from the permanent place of residence. It means that a person who does not have power to become a Satyagrahi, should leave the place.

Question 10.
Write two Religious Books which influenced the life of Mahatma Gandhiji.
Answer:
1. Bhagwad Gita
2. Bible

Question 11.
Who called Mahatma Gandhiji as ‘Father of Nation’?
Answer:
Subhash Chander Bose.

Question 12.
Write two methods of Satyagraha of Mahatma Gandhiji.
Answer:
1. Non-Cooperation
2. Civil Disobedience.

Fill in The Blanks

1. …………… was Gandhi’s political teacher.
Answer:
Sh. Gopal Krishan Gokhle

2. Gandhiji regards state as a means and individual as an …………… .
Answer:
end

3. Gandhiji believed in the decentralization of …………… .
Answer:
authority

4. Gandhiji considered the state as an organisation of …………… and …………… .
Answer:
violence, force

5. According to Gandhiji, “It is impossible for one to be internationalist without being a …………… .
Answer:
nationalist.

True Or False Statement

1. Gandhism is based on religion.
Answer:
True

2. Gandhiji was a great worshipper of non-violence.
Answer:
True

3. Gandhiji gives no importance to duties.
Answer:
False.

4. Gandhiji defined Satyagraha as the soul force.
Answer:
True

5. Gandhiji said the state should perform maximum function.
Answer:
False.

Choose The Correct Answer

Question 1.
Which of the following influenced the life of Gandhiji?
(a) Bhagwad Gita
(b) John Ruskin
(c) Jainism
(d) All of the above.
Answer:
(d) All of the above.

Question 2.
Which of the following is basic principle of Gandhism?
(a) Faith in Non-violence
(b) Satyagraha
(c) Faith in Truth
(d) All of the above.
Answer:
(d) All of the above.

Question 3.
Which of the following is not a technique of Satyagraha?
(a) Strike
(b) Non-Cooperation
(c) Violence and War
(d) Civil disobedience.
Answer:
(c) Violence and War

Question 4.
Who said, “We should not only take care of ends but also take care of the means.”?
(a) Gandhiji
(b) Machiavelli
(c) Hobbes
(d) Karl Marx.
Answer:
(a) Gandhiji

Question 5.
Which of the following was a great worshipper of non-violence?
(a) Machiavelli
(b) Karl Marx
(c) Gandhiji
(d) Lenin.
Answer:
(c) Gandhiji

Question 6.
‘My Experiments with Truth’ is written by:
(a) Aristotle
(b) Gandhiji
(c) J.S. Mill
(d) Lenin.
Answer:
(b) Gandhiji

Question 7.
Who said, “God is Truth and Truth is God.”?
(a) Karl Marx
(b) Gandhiji
(c) Machiavelli
(d) Dr. Ambedkar.
Answer:
(b) Gandhiji

Question 8.
According to whom means and ends are inseparable and should be equally true?
(a) Machiavelli
(b) Karl Marx
(c) Gandhiji
(d) Lenin.
Answer:
(c) Gandhiji

Punjab State Board PSEB 12th Class Hindi Book Solutions Chapter 17 अगर ये बोल पाते : जलियाँवाला बाग़ Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 12 Hindi Chapter 17 अगर ये बोल पाते : जलियाँवाला बाग़

Hindi Guide for Class 12 PSEB अगर ये बोल पाते : जलियाँवाला बाग़ Textbook Questions and Answers

(क) लगभग 60 शब्दों में उत्तर दें:

प्रश्न 1.
जलियांवाले बाग में सभा का आयोजन किस उद्देश्य से किया गया ?
उत्तर:
रविवार का दिन था, वैशाखी का त्योहार था। 13 अप्रैल, सन् 1919 की संध्या के साढ़े चार बजे जलियांवाले बाग में एक विशाल जनसभा का आयोजन हुआ था। उस समय शहर की जो बुरी स्थिति थी उस पर विचार करने के उद्देश्य से सभा का आयोजन हुआ था। लोग चाहते थे कि शांति स्थापना के साधनों की खोज की जाए। सब लोग बहुत गम्भीर थे। वे किसी प्रकार की शरारत करना नहीं चाहते थे।

प्रश्न 2.
ब्रिटिश फौज के बाग में प्रवेश का चित्रात्मक वर्णन करो।
उत्तर:
जलियांवाले बाग की विशाल जनसभा अभी शुरू भी नहीं होने पाई थी कि कुछ दूरी पर घुड़सवार पुलिस, उसके पीछे फौजी गाड़ी में बैठा जनरल डायर, उसके पीछे मशीनगनें, तोप ले जाने वाली गाड़ियाँ और फिर मार्च करती हुई फौजें-सब चले जा रहे थे। सैनिकों के बूटों की आवाज़ गूंज रही थी। हाल्ट’ का आदेश मिलने पर कानों को फाड़ने वाला शब्द हुआ। सैनिकों ने मोर्चा सम्भाला और घुटने झुकाकर बन्दूकों में कारतूस भरने लगे।

प्रश्न 3.
जलियांवाले बाग में गोलियों की बौछार से बचने के लिए लोगों ने क्या किया ?
उत्तर:
जलियांवाले बाग के भीषण नरसंहार में सैनिकों की गोलियों से बचने के लिए लगभग बारह व्यक्ति एक वृक्ष के पीछे जा छिपे थे। सैनिकों ने उन्हें मार गिराया। कुछ लोग बाग़ की दीवारों पर चढ़ने की कोशिश कर रहे थे। लोग लाशों पर पैर रखकर दीवार को फाँद रहे थे। बाग में एक कुआँ था। घबरा कर लोग उसमें कूद पड़े। लोग कूदते गए, उसमें गिरते, कुचले जाते और मर जाते।

(ख) लगभग 150 शब्दों में उत्तर दें:

प्रश्न 4.
जलियांवाला बाग में हुआ नरसंहार एक अमानवीय घटना थी। स्पष्ट करें।
उत्तर:
रविवार का दिन, वैशाखी का त्योहार, 13 अप्रैल, सन् 1919 समय संध्या के साढ़े चार बजे जलियांवाला बाग में एक विशाल जनसभा का आयोजन किया गया था। यह जनसभा ब्रिटिश सरकार द्वारा भारत की जनता पर किये जा रहे अत्याचारों के विरोध करने के लिए बुलाई गई थी। जनसभा अभी शुरू भी नहीं हुई थी कि जनरल डायर मशीनगनों और तोपों से लैस फौज को लेकर वहाँ पहुँच गया और अचानक निहत्थे और शान्त लोगों पर गोलियाँ बरसाने लगा। क्षण भर में वहाँ लाशों के ढेर लग गए। प्राण रक्षा के लिए लोग इधर-उधर भागने लगे।

कोई वृक्ष की आड़ में छिप गए, कुछ दीवारें फाँदने का प्रयास करने लगे। बहुत-से लोग जलियांवाला बाग में स्थित एक कुएँ में घबरा कर छलाँगें मारने लगे। सारा सभास्थल घायलों की चीखों पुकार से भर उठा था। गोलियाँ चलनी बन्द होते ही और अन्धेरा उतरते ही लोग बाग के आँगन में आकर अपने रिश्तेदारों और मित्रों की तलाश करने लगे। ऐसा दृश्य पहले कभी न देखा गया था। इस नरसंहार की अमानवीय घटना ने आजादी की लड़ाई को और भी तेज़ कर दिया और आखिरकार अंग्रेज़ों को भारत छोड़कर जाना ही पड़ा।

प्रश्न 5.
लेखक ने जलियांवाले बाग में घायल हुए लोगों की तथा मृत लोगों के परिजनों की मनोदशा का मार्मिक चित्रण किया है। स्पष्ट करें।
उत्तर:
जलियांवाले बाग में जब जनरल डायर के आदेश से सैनिकों ने अन्धाधुंध गोलियां बरसानी शुरू कर दी तो क्षण भर में हताहतों की चीख-पुकार, लहूलुहान कपड़े, लाशों से पटती धरती, प्राण रक्षा के लिए भागते भयाक्रांत नागरिक। तभी बारह वर्ष का एक छोटा-सा बालक गोली लगने पर नीचे आ गिरा। फिर दूसरे छज्जे पर बैठा एक बालक और गिरा। एक वृक्ष के पीछे लगभग 12 व्यक्ति जा छिपे थे। सैनिकों ने एक-एक करके उन सबको मार डाला। घायलों की चीख पुकार से कान फट रहे थे। लोग प्राण बचाने के लिए दीवारों पर चढ़ने की कोशिश कर रहे थे।

दोनों ओर लाशों के ढेर थे। बहुत-से लोग भीड़ में कुचले गए थे। जलियांवाले बाग में एक कुआँ था। घबरा कर लोग उसमें कूद पड़े। कूदने वालों का तांता लग गया। अन्धेरा उतरते ही लोग डरते-काँपते घटनास्थल पर अपने रिश्तेदारों और मित्रों की तलाश में आने लगे। एक सिक्ख युवक, जिसकी आंतें बाहर बिखरी थीं। वह चिल्ला-चिल्ला कर कह रहा था ‘गुरु के नाम पर मुझे मार डालो।’ एक हिन्दू युवक रोता हुआ अपने भाई की लाश पीठ पर लादे जा रहा था। एक औरत अपने पति की लाश को सारी रात अपनी गोद में लेकर पत्थर की मूर्ति बनी वहाँ बैठी रही।

(ग) सप्रसंग व्याख्या करें:

1. ऊपर उड़ता हुआ एक हवाई जहाज़….. पाश्व सत्ता का प्रतीक, नीचे मैं-चारों ओर से मंज़िलों, इमारतों से घिरा हुआ। बाहर निकलने के एकमात्र मार्ग पर फौजी पहरा और ऊपर चबूतरे से गोली बरसाती फौज। काश, मैं गोलियों और जनता के बीच अड़ जाता। पर मैं तो जड़ बन कर रह गया था।
उत्तर:
प्रसंग:
प्रस्तुत गद्यांश श्री विष्णु प्रभाकर द्वारा आत्मकथा शैली में लिखे गए निबन्ध ‘अगर ये बोल पाते : जलियांवाला बाग’ में से लिया गया है। प्रस्तुत पंक्तियों में जलियांवाला बाग़ सन् 1919 में हुए नरसंहार की घटना का वर्णन कर रहा है।

व्याख्या:
जलियांवाला बाग़ अपने आँगन में हुए नरसंहार की घटना का उल्लेख करते हुए कहता है कि जब जनरल डायर के आदेश पर सैनिक निहत्थे व शान्त लोगों पर गोलियाँ बरसा रहे थे उस समय अंग्रेज़ी हकूमत की पाशविकता का प्रतीक हवाई जहाज़ ऊपर आसमान में उड़ रहा था और नीचे मैं बहुमंजिली इमारतों से घिरा हुआ। मेरे आँगन से बाहर निकलने का एकमात्र मार्ग था उस पर भी फौजी पहरा लगा हुआ था अर्थात् कोई भी व्यक्ति उस रास्ते से गोलीबारी से बचने के लिए बाहर नहीं निकल सकता था और मेरे ऊपर जो चबूतरे थे वहाँ से फौजी लोग गोलियाँ बरसा रहे थे। जलियांवाला बाग सोचता है कि काश, उस समय वह गोलियों और जनता के बीच आकर जनता को बचा पाते किन्तु मैं तो उस भयानक दृश्य को देखकर पहले ही जड़ हो चुका था।

विशेष:

1. जलियाँवाला बाग में हुए नरसंहार का यथार्थ चित्रण किया गया है।
2. भाषा सहज, भावपूर्ण और शैली आत्मकथात्मक है।

2. मरते हुए व्यक्तियों की सिसकियाँ और आहें बता रही थीं किं जैसे चारों ओर मौत का साम्राज्य है। मेरा सारा शरीर गोलियों से छलनी हो चुका था, लेकिन मैं आसानी से मरने वाला नहीं था। काश, यदि मर जाता तो वह दृश्य तो नहीं देख पाता।
उत्तर:
प्रसंग-प्रस्तुत गद्यांश श्री विष्णु प्रभाकर द्वारा आत्मकथा शैली में लिखे गए निबन्ध ‘अगर ये बोल पाते : जलियांवाला बाग’ में से लिया गया है। प्रस्तुत पंक्तियों में जलियांवाला बाग सन् 1919 में हुई नरसंहार की घटना का वर्णन करते हुए अपने ऊपर होने वाले प्रभाव का वर्णन कर रहा है।

व्याख्या:
जलियांवाला बाग नरसंहार की घटना के बाद की स्थिति का वर्णन करते हुए कहता है कि इस भीषण नरसंहार में मारे जाने वाले व्यक्तियों की सिसकियाँ और आहों से यह पता चल रहा था कि यहाँ मौत का चारों ओर साम्राज्य रहा है। उस समय मेरे सारे शरीर को गोलियों से छलनी कर दिया गया। किन्तु मैं आसानी से मरने वाला नहीं था। काश, यदि मर जाता तो यह भयावह दृश्य तो न देखता।

विशेष:

1. लेखक की मानसिक पीड़ा और हताशा शब्दों के माध्यम से स्पष्ट दिखाई देती है।
2. भावात्मक शैली, तत्सम तद्भव शब्दावली और स्वाभाविकता व्यक्त हुई है।

PSEB 12th Class Hindi Guide अगर ये बोल पाते : जलियाँवाला बाग़ Additional Questions and Answers

अति लघूत्तरात्मक प्रश्न

प्रश्न 1.
‘अगर ये बोल पाते : जलियाँवाला बाग’ पाठ के रचयिता का नाम लिखिए।
उत्तर:
विष्णु प्रभाकर।

प्रश्न 2.
श्री विष्णु प्रभाकर का जन्म कब और कहाँ हुआ था?
उत्तर:
उनका जन्म सन् 1912 ई० में मुजफ्फर नगर के एक गाँव में हुआ था।

प्रश्न 3.
श्री विष्णु प्रभाकर ने स्नातक स्तर की शिक्षा किस विश्वविद्यालय से प्राप्त की थी?
उत्तर:
पंजाब विश्वविद्यालय से।

प्रश्न 4.
श्री विष्णु प्रभाकर ने किसका संपादन कार्य किया था ?
उत्तर:
पत्र-पत्रिकाओं का।

प्रश्न 5.
श्री प्रभाकर पर किस व्यक्ति का सबसे अधिक प्रभाव पड़ा था?
उत्तर:
महात्मा गांधी का।

प्रश्न 6.
किस धार्मिक संस्था से विष्णु प्रभाकर बहुत प्रभावित हुए थे?
उत्तर:
आर्य समाज से।

प्रश्न 7.
विष्णु प्रभाकर की किन्हीं दो रचनाओं के नाम लिखिए।
उत्तर:
अवारा मसीहा, जाने-अनजाने।

प्रश्न 8.
आप के पाठ्यक्रम में श्री विष्णु प्रभाकर की कौन-सी रचना संकलित है?
उत्तर:
अगर ये बोल पाते : जलियाँवाला बाग’।

प्रश्न 9.
‘अगर ये बोल पाते : जलियाँवाला बाग’ किस साहित्यिक विधा से संबंधित रचना है?
उत्तर:
निबंध विधा।

प्रश्न 10.
‘अगर ये बोल पाते : जलियाँवाला बाग’ किस शैली में रचित है?
उत्तर:
आत्म कथात्मक।

प्रश्न 11.
जलियाँवाला बाग की घटना किस त्योहार के दिन घटित हुई थी?
उत्तर:
वैशाखी के दिन (13 अप्रैल, सन् 1919)।

प्रश्न 12.
निबंध के अनुसार किसका चित्र कुर्सी पर रखा हुआ था?
उत्तर:
डॉ० किचलू का।

प्रश्न 13.
देशव्यापी हड़ताल किसके आह्वान पर और क्यों की गई थी?
उत्तर:
महात्मा गांधी के आह्वान पर रोल्ट एक्ट के विरोध में।

प्रश्न 14.
जलियाँवाला बाग में कौन-सा जनरल फौज़ लेकर आया था?
उत्तर:
जनरल डायर।

प्रश्न 15.
लोग गोलियों से बचने के लिए कहाँ कूद गए थे?
उत्तर:
कुएं में।

प्रश्न 16.
जलियाँवाला बाग में से बाहर निकलने के कितने रास्ते थे ?
उत्तर:
केवल एक।

वाक्य पूरे कीजिए

प्रश्न 17.
ऊपर उड़ता हुआ एक हवाई जहाज……….
उत्तर:
पाश्व सत्ता का प्रतीक।

प्रश्न 18.
मेरा सारा शरीर गोलियों से………………..
उत्तर:
छलनी हो चुका था।

प्रश्न 19.
………………………..तो वह दृश्य तो नहीं देख पाता।
उत्तर:
काश, यदि मर जाता तो वह दृश्य तो नहीं देख पाता।

प्रश्न 20.
“गुरु के नाम पर…………………।”
उत्तर:
गुरु के नाम पर मुझे मार डालो।

हाँ-नहीं में उत्तर दीजिए

प्रश्न 21.
जनरल डायर के आदेश से सैनिकों ने अंधाधुध गोलियाँ बरसानी शुरू कर दी।
उत्तर:
हाँ।

प्रश्न 22.
चारों ओर मौत का साम्राज्य नहीं था।
उत्तर:
नहीं।

प्रश्न 23.
दूसरे छज्जे पर बैठा एक बालक और गिरा।
उत्तर:
हाँ।

प्रश्न 24.
वृक्ष के पीछे लगभग 12 व्यक्ति जा छिपे थे।
उत्तर:
हाँ।

बहुविकल्पीय प्रश्नोत्तर

1. विष्णु प्रभाकर पर किसके जीवन दर्शन का प्रभाव पड़ा ?
(क) आर्य समाज का
(ख) महात्मा गांधी का
(ग) आर्य समाज एवं महात्मा गांधी का
(घ) देव का।
उत्तर:
(ग) आर्य समाज एवं महात्मा गांधी का

2. ‘अगर ये बोल पाते’ किस विधा की रचना है ?
(क) आत्मकथात्मक
(ख) विचारात्मक
(ग) व्यंग्यात्मक
(घ) हास्यात्मक।
उत्तर:
(क) आत्मकथात्मक

3. जलियांवाला बाग की घटना कब घटित हुई ?
(क) 13 अप्रैल 1918
(ख) 13 अप्रैल 1919
(ग) 13 अप्रैल 1920
(घ) 13 अप्रैल 19211
उत्तर:
(ख) 13 अप्रैल 1919

4. जलियांवाला बाग के हत्याकांड को करने के लिए किसने गोलियां चलाने का आदेश दिया था ?
(क) जनरल डायर ने
(ख) अंग्रेज़ ने
(ग) डगलस ने
(घ) डबलस ने
उत्तर:
(क) जनरल डायर ने

कठिन शब्दों के अर्थ

स्तब्ध = हैरान। मिसाल = उदाहरण। ऐलान = घोषणा। परिपाटी = सिलसिला, प्रथा, रीति। न भूतो न भविष्यति = जो कभी पहले हुआ न आगे होगा। जुल्म = अत्याचार। हाल्ट = रुको। कर्ण भेदी = कानों को फाड़ने वाले। निनाद = शब्द, ध्वनि। हतप्रभ = जिसकी कांति क्षीण हो गई हो। अप्रत्याशित = अचानक, जिसकी आशा न रही हो। हता हतो = मरने वालों और घायलों। पाशव सत्ता = पशुओं जैसी सत्ता। प्रतीक = चिह्न, नमूना। धराशायी = धरती पर गिरना। छेदना = बींधना। बेतहाशा = बिना सोचे विचारे, बदहवास होकर। क्रंदन = चीख पुकार। मादरे वतन = मातृ भूमि। सरजमी = धरती। वीरांगना = बहादुर स्त्री। लोमहर्षक = रौंगटे खड़े करने वाला, रोमांचकारी। बर्बर = असभ्य। आकांक्षा = इच्छा, कामना।

अगर ये बोल पाते : जलियाँवाला बाग़ Summary

अगर ये बोल पाते : जलियाँवाला बाग़ जीवन परिचय

विष्णु प्रभाकर जी का जीवन परिचय लिखिए।

विष्णु प्रभाकर का जन्म जून, सन् 1912 में मुजफ्फर नगर के एक गाँव में हुआ। पंजाब विश्वविद्यालय से बी०ए० करने के बाद आप हरियाणा में सरकारी सेवा में आ गए। नौकरी के साथ-साथ आप साहित्य सृजन में भी संलग्न रहे। आप कई वर्षों तक आकाशवाणी के नाटक विभाग से भी जुड़े रहे। कुछ पत्र-पत्रिकाओं का सम्पादन भी किया। आपके जीवन पर आर्य समाज तथा महात्मा गाँधी के जीवन दर्शन का गहरा प्रभाव है।

रचनाएँ:
प्रभाकर जी ने हिन्दी साहित्य को कहानियाँ, उपन्यास, निबन्ध, नाटक और एकांकी दिये। जाने-अनजाने और आवारा मसीहा इनकी गद्य रचनाएँ हैं।

अगर ये बोल पाते : जलियाँवाला बाग़ निबन्ध का सार

‘अगर ये बोल पाते : जलियांवाला बाग़’ निबन्ध का सार लगभग 150 शब्दों में लिखें।

प्रस्तुत निबन्ध आत्मकथा शैली में लिखा गया है। जलियांवाले बाग अपनी कहानी अपनी जुबानी सुना रहा है।
जलियांवाला बाग कहता है कि रविवार का दिन, वैशाखी का त्योहार 13 अप्रैल, सन् 1919 संध्या के साढ़े चार बजे थे। मेरे आँगन में एक विशाल जनसभा का आयोजन हुआ था। डॉ०, किचलू का चित्र कुर्सी पर रखा था। गाँधी जी ने रोल्ट एक्ट के विरोध में देशव्यापी हड़ताल का आह्वान किया था। अंग्रेजी सरकार ने सभा से एक दिन पहले मार्शल लॉ लागू कर दिया था। सारे नेताओं को गिरफ्तार कर लिया गया था। इस पर भी सभा हुई। सभा अभी शुरू भी नहीं हुई थी कि जनरल डायर फौज को लेकर वहाँ आया और बिना चेतावनी दिये अन्धाधुंध गोलियाँ चला दीं। लोगों ने गोलियों की बौछार से बचने के लिए वृक्षों की आड़ ली। दीवारों पर चढ़ने की कोशिश की।

मेरे आँगन में एक कुआँ था लोग घबरा कर उसी में कूदने लगे। इस नरसंहार में हज़ारों लोग हताहत हुए। इनमें हिन्दू, मुसलमान, सिक्ख सभी थे। गोलियाँ बरसनी थमते ही लोगों ने अपने-अपने परिजनों को तलाशने की कोशिश की। यह भयानक दृश्य देखकर मेरा पत्थर दिल भी चीत्कार कर उठा। इस बर्बर हत्याकांड के कारण ही आज़ादी की लड़ाई तेज़ हुई। मेरे आँगन में होने वाले उस महान् बलिदान की नींव . पर ही स्वाधीनता का महल खड़ा हुआ। मुझे गर्व है कि मेरा देश आज़ाद हुआ। आओ, हम उस बलिदान को याद करते हुए देश की स्वाधीनता की रक्षा करें।