PSEB 11th Class Political Science Solutions Chapter 4 Rights and Duties of a Citizen

Punjab State Board PSEB 11th Class Political Science Book Solutions Chapter 4 Rights and Duties of a Citizen Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.

PSEB Solutions for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 4 Rights and Duties of a Citizen

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Define Rights. Discuss the characteristics of Rights.
Or
What are rights? How are rights different from claims?
Answer:
The citizen has to seek ‘the good life’ not only for his own sake but also for the community. If he has to live upto his ideals, he needs certain conditions. He can justly claim them, he has right to them for the fulfilment of the common good. Rights are those conditions and guarantees which the State should provide to every citizen in order that he may attain his best self in society.

Man can develop all his mental; physical and spiritual qualities only if he is given certain rights and privileges by the State. Each State gives certain rights to the citizens which are essential for the development of the personality of the individuals. Laski has pointed out that every State is known by the rights, that it maintains.

What is a Right? Different scholars have defined Rights in different ways. Some important definitions of Rights are given below:

According to Wilde, “A Right is a reasonable claim to freedom in the exercise of certain activities.”
According to T.H. Green, “Rights are those powers which are necessary to the fulfilment of man’s vocation as moral being.”
According to Holland, “Right is one man’s capacity of influencing the acts of another by means not of his own strength but of the opinion or the force of society.”
According to Bosanquet, “A Right is a claim recognised by society and enforced by the State.”
According to John Austin, “Rights mean one man’s capacity of exacting from another of others acts of forbearances.”
According to H. J. Laski, ‘Rights are those conditions of social life without which no man can seek to be himself at his best.”
According to Dr. Beni Prasad, ‘Rights are the right conditions of life which are essential for the development of the individual. Rights are the essential aspects of social life.”

On the basis of the definitions given before we can say that Rights are those conditions of social life without which human personality cannot develop. Rights are useful both for the individual as well as for the State. The rights are recognized by the State.

Difference between Rights And Claims:
Right is a claim of the individual for doing things independently. The individual claims his rights from the society. But all claims are not to be regarded as rights because rights are only those claims which are recognised as such by society and enforced by the State. The claim of the individual takes the form of a right only when it is recognised by the society. Without such a recognition rights are empty claims. An individual is a part of the society, an individual cannot have any right apart from what the society concedes.

Characteristics of Rights:
On the basis of the definitions of rights given previous we can say that the following are the essential features of rights.
1. Rights are available only in the Society:
Rights can be possible only in the society. The rights cannot be possible outside the society. Whenever, an individual lives in society he is to seek the help of others for various purposes. Outside the society every individual is absolutely free and he makes use of force for achieving his end.

2. Right is a claim of the individual:
Right is a claim of the individual for doing things independently. The individual claims his rights from the society. In other words, right means demand for certain facilities.

3. Right is recognized by Society:
Rights are those claims of the individual which are recognized by the society. The claims of the individual takes the form of a right only when it is recognized by society.

4. Right is reasonable and moral:
The society recognizes only that claim of the individual which is reasonable and moral. The society recognizes only that claim which concerns the welfare of the individual. A claim which is harmful to society cannot be accepted.

5. Right can be used for public good:
A right can be used only for social good and not against the interest of the society. Rights can be had in society and are recognized by the society. Therefore, it is but natural that they should be exercised in the best interest of society.

6. Rights are universal:
Rights are given equally to all the people in society. Right is a claim of the individual and is not the claim of a particular individual but it is a claim of all the individuals. A right which is enjoyed by one individual is also enjoyed by other individuals.

7. Rights and duties go together:
Right is always accompanied by duties. Rights and duties go side by side. A’s right is B’s duty and B’s right is A’s duty. Rights cannot be granted without the performance of certain duties.

Another important feature of right is that it is enforced by the State. The rights are also protected by the State. The State grants rights through laws and those who violate the law are punished by the State. The State is the guardian of the rights of the individuals. Rights change with the changed social, economic and political conditions. For example, in the early phase of industrial expansion, the right to unfettered use of one’s property was recognised. But in the mid-twentieth century the right to property has been considerably curtailed in almost every country. Hence no permanent and unchanging catalogue of rights can be compiled.

Question 2.
Discuss the various rights enjoyed by a citizen in modern State.
Or
Describe any three rights of the individual.
Answer:
Modern age is an age of democracy and each State grants its citizens various types of rights so that they may be able to develop their personality. The rights granted by the State are called legal rights and they are of three types:

(a) Civil Rights:
In the modern democratic states the citizens are granted the following civil rights:
1. Right to Life:
Each State grants its citizens the right to life. Aristotle is of the opinion that the State came into existence for the sake of life and continues to exist for the sake of good life. This right is important both for the State and the individual. The individual personality can develop to the fullest degree only if he is granted the right to life. The State protects the life of the individual. The individual is given the right to self-defence. An individual cannot be allowed to commit suicide.

The State can award death sentence to an individual. If the existence of an individual is dangerous to the lives of others or if an individual works against the interests of the State he can be awarded death punishment. The modem view is against awarding death punishment. Most of the people have started thinking on the line that State should not award death punishment upon anyone. Efforts should be made to reform the criminals.

2. Right to Personal liberty:
The citizens are also given the right to personal liberty. The individual is given complete liberty for the development of his personality. The Government cannot arrest anybody arbitrarily. Nobody can be deprived of his life, liberty and property without a breach of law established in an ordinary court of law.

An individual enjoys complete freedom so far as he obeys the laws of the State. A person can be arrested only when he violates the laws of the State and he can be punished only when the charge against him is established in a court of law. The police cannot keep anybody in its custody more than 24 horn’s without the permission of the judge. Beside this the accused is given complete liberty to defend himself of the charge.

3. Right to Family Life:
Every citizen has the right to maintain a privacy of life in the family without any outside interference. The children possess the right of inheritance in their family property and also have got the right to get full support from their parents upto the age of maturity. Parents have the full rights over their children so long as they remain minors. Every person possesses the full right to marriage in any way he likes but the sanctity of marriage must be maintained in the society.

4. Right to Freedom of Religion:
Right to freedom of religion is most essential for the development of the personality of the individual. Every citizen should be free to profess and practise any religious faith he likes. In ancient times the right was not recognized by the State but modern States generally recognise this right. The recognition of this right by the State presupposes complete religious toleration.

5. Right to Education:
Citizenship has been defined as the contribution of one’s instructed judgement to the public good. The citizen has the right to such education as well fit him for the task of citizenship. Every citizen should have that education which would enable him to weigh, judge, choose and decide for himself.

The State grants the right to education to all its citizens. The individuals should have the right of receiving education according to their sweet will. The State should provide all facilities regarding education to its citizens. Now-a-days the State opens schools and colleges for the spread of education. The State now-a-days opens adult education centres, reading rooms, libraries and research centres. It opens colleges and universities. The spread of education is considered an important function of the State now-a-days.

6. Right to Equality:
In the modern civilized State the citizens are also given the right to equality. Equality is the basis of democracy. All the citizens are considered equal in all aspects of life. Equality does not mean that the income of all the individuals should be equal or all of them should have the same status in life. Equality means that all the individuals should enjoy equal opportunities and nobody should be discriminated against on the basis of sex, caste, creed, colour, blood and religion. Everybody should be equal in the eyes of law. Nobody should enjoy special privileges.

7. Right to Freedom of Movement:
A citizen has the right to freedom of movement and settlement in any part of the country. He cannot be restricted by any exercise of power. This way every citizen can settle at a place which he likes and where he can have his business. Nobody can be compelled to leave a certain place.

8. Right to Contract:
The right to contract enables the citizen to enter into contracts freely with others. Though every State gives the individual this, important civil right, it makes the necessary laws to regulate contracts and to prevent the making of contracts which are injurious to the interests of society.

9. Right to Freedom of Thought and Expression:
Freedom of speech is a valuable right. In all free countries citizens have the right to speak out honestly what view they may hold. Freedom of press is included in this right of free expression of opinion and is merely the right to publish in print what a man can lawfully speak.

Citizens can criticise government measures even severely. Hus freedom is no doubt subject to the law of libel and sedition. Men who are prevented from thinking freely will soon cease to think at all. Freedom of speech and of expression helps to create an enlightened public opinion. It is a powerful weapon against official tyranny as it is one of the most powerful means for the redressal of public grievances. A government which strifles criticism prepares for its own destruction.

10. Right to Freedom of Press:
In the modern age the freedom of press is given great importance. People enjoy the right to speech and at the same time they are given the right to expression. They can get their views published. The newspapers are given freedom and they publish news of their own sweet accord. Articles are published in the newspapers. The newspapers provide every sort of knowledge to the people. The newspapers organize and express public opinion.

They appreciate good actions and condemn bad actions of the government. They protect the rights and liberties of the people. The newspapers are now-a-days called the watch dog of the rights and liberties of the people. If the government imposes restrictions on the newspapers and journals, then it results in the death of democracy. If the freedom of press is denied, the country cannot progress and public welfare cannot be promoted.

11. Right to form Associations:
The individuals are given the right to assemble and form associations in order to promote their interests. Man is a social animal and he performs all his functions in co-operation with others. He forms so many associations in society in order to achieve certain ends. The citizens are given the freedom to form social, political, economic and cultural associations.

The State should not interfere in the functioning of these associations. The citizens from various types of professional associations, for example, trade unions and commercial associations. The people should be given the right to assemble peacefully and to discuss their problems. The government should not impose restrictions on public meetings and associations.

12. Right to Freedom in Domestic Affairs:
The citizens should be given freedom in their domestic affairs. The State should not interfere in the personal life of the individuals. The citizens should be free to use dress and food of their own choice. The State cannot prescribe a particular dress for the people. The State cannot lay down the rules for fashion. The individuals should be left free in their domestic affairs.

(b) Economic Rights:
Some people include economic rights in civil rights, beside the citizens of the State, are also given to the aliens. Economic rights are also given equally to all the people of the State. At so many occasions all the economic rights are not extended to the aliens. In many States the foreigners are not allowed to purchase property. The right to economic security is extended to the citizens and not to the foreigners. The citizens of a State get the following economic rights:

1. Right to Work:
In the modem world, no person can live without doing some work by which he earns his livelihood. Therefore, it is the duty of every State to provide work to all citizens. Since every responsible State shoulders the responsibility of making its citizens morally and materially fit for the struggle of life, it has to see that they have work enough to give them a decent living. Those who are out of employment have a right to demand work from their State.

The right to work does not mean the right to any particular work. It means that there should be no unemployment in the country. In communist countries like China, it is the duty of the State to provide work to its citizens. If the State fails to provide work to its citizens, it then gives them unemployment allowance.

2. Right to Adequate Wages:
The citizens must be given such wages as will enable them to maintain, at least, the minimum standard of living. If the workers do not get adequate wages for their work, they cannot improve their standard of living. According to Laski, “A man has not only the right to work, he has also the right to be paid an adequate wage for his labour.” Now-a-days the State fixes minimum wages for minimum hours so that every individual gets all the facilities of life.

3. Right to Property:
The right to property is most essential for the development of individual personality. Locke has called this right as the natural right. According to him the individual enjoyed this right even in the State of Nature. Therefore, it is the most important duty of the State to protect the right to property.

The individual can purchase, manage and sell property. The property is of two types— movable and immovable. The individuals should have the right to possess property of both the types. The property of a citizen cannot be snatched away by force. The State can acquire the property of a person by paying due compensation. Property inspires a man to make progress.

In most of the States the individuals have been given the right to private property. Property helps in making a man sympathetic, kind and generous. Property is quite essential for the development of individual personality.

4. Right to Economic Security:
In the modem States the citizens are granted the right to economic security. The State should hold responsibility for the satisfaction of the economic needs of the citizen. State should help the needy, the disabled and the old persons. Old age pension should be given. The State should take all possible measures for the economic security of its citizens. According to Laski, ‘To be at his best self, a man must work and the absence of work means provision, until employment again offers the opportunity to work.” The individual should be given old age pension. During illness he should be given free medical aid.

5. Right to Leisure:
Everyone should have leisure after doing work. The individual can race up his energy only by getting leisure. It is only during leisure hours that an individual can think about State and society. It is again during leisure hours that an individual can think about his own betterment.

(c) Political Rights:
Political rights are of great importance. It is with the help of these rights that an individual gets the right to participate in the affairs of the State. In the absence of these rights democracy cannot be real. Political rights are given only to the citizens and not to the foreigners. Generally the political rights mentioned below are given to the citizens:

1. Right to Vote:
Right to vote is the most important political right. It is through the exercise of this right that citizens in a democracy take part in the government of the country. Criminals, bankrupts, lunatics and aliens are not given the right to vote. In most of the modern States every adult person, man or woman is given the right to vote.

The State does not take into consideration the caste, creed, colour and religion while extending the right to vote to its citizens. In India, U.S.A. and in Russia every citizen of the age of 18 years is given the right to vote. By getting the right to vote the people govern over themselves.

2. Right to Contest Elections:
Every voter is normally given the right to be elected to the local boards and State or Central legislatures. Certain States sometimes impose certain restrictions regarding age, education, etc., for being elected to the legislative bodies. The poorest citizen is as eligible, for contesting an election as the richest.

This right is given equally to all the citizens of the State. Nobody is deprived of this right on the basis of caste, religion, creed and colour. Some qualifications for contesting the election can, of course, be laid down. In India no citizen who is below 25 years of age cannot contest election to Lok Sabha. The elected representatives of the people enjoy the right to frame laws and to run the administration.

3. Right to hold Public Offices:
All the citizens are eligible to hold public offices. It does not mean that anybody may assume any office. It simply implies that all citizens in the State should be equally eligible for appointment to offices for which they are qualified by virtue of education, judgement, training and experience.

Merit should be the main rather the sole criterion for all public appointments. Every public office executive, legislative and judicial is equally open to all citizens if they are otherwise duly qualified to hold that office. There is no bar on the ground of social status, wealth, colour, caste or any other such cause. This right means equal fitness of capability of being chosen for public office, political position or government service if otherwise qualified.

4. Right to Criticise the Government:
Every citizen has the right to criticise the government and express his views about any action or policy of the government if it goes against the welfare of the people. In democracy, the administration is run by the representatives of the people. If these elected representatives do not work in accordance with the wishes of the people, the people have every right to criticise them. If the right to criticise the government is denied to the people, then the government will behave arbitrarily. Every citizen can express his opinion on the policy of the government. Let this criticism be constructive and with the best of motives.

5. Right to Petition:
Every citizen is given the right to address petitions or complaints to the competent authorities. This right may be exercised by individuals or by several persons together. This right is important in the sense the people can get their grievances redressed by the government by addressing their petitions.

6. Right to form Political Parties:
In democratic countries citizens enjoy the right to form political parties. Political parties are inevitable in a democratic state. For example, in India citizens enjoy the right to form political parties.

Question 3.
What do you mean by duties? Explain the various kinds of duties.
Or
What is ‘Duty’? Explain.
Answer:
Rights in the absence of duties are meaningless:
A citizen enjoys a number of rights and facilities. He must, therefore, perform a number of corresponding duties and obligations. In return for the protection an other blessings and benefits he receives from the State he must feel grateful and perform a number of duties. It is upon the faithful performance of those duties that success and happiness in life depends.

What is Duty? A duty means an obligation. A man is said to have duty in any matter if he under an obligation to do or not to do something. It is such an obligation by virtue of which we are bound to do something or refrain from doing so because another person has a right to expect some action or mission from us.

In fact “Rights” and “Duties” go side by side and are the two facets of the same coin. If we wish to enjoy the civil and political rights, we must perform certain duties towards the State because it is the duties which create the essential qualities of sacrifice, courage and discipline among the citizens. Therefore, the emphasis today is to be laid as much on the duties of a citizen as on his rights.

Kinds of Duties:
Duties are of two types- Moral and Legal.
When a duty is enjoined merely by our moral sense, the duty is moral. But when a duty is prescribed by the laws of the State, it is a legal duty.
The moral opinion of the community demands of us the performance of certain duties i. e. to help the poor, to the sick and to the suffering. To induce us to perform these duties, there is no pressure other them that of the good opinion of the community. These are moral duties. But legal duties are of an entirely different kind. They have to be performed under the compulsion of law. They are enforced by. the State.

Question 4.
Describe the various duties of a citizen in a modern state.
Answer:
The citizens are concerned both with the State and the society. They cannot do anything in the absence of the State and society. Therefore, the individuals are to perform both the legal and moral duties in life. Following are given both the moral as well as legal duties of the citizens.

(A) Moral Duties Of The Citizens:
1. Duties towards One’s Self:
First of all an individual has so many duties towards his own self. Man as a social being is a member of society and in order that a society be strong, it is necessary that individuals who constitute society should be energetic and strong in mind and body. A citizen should develop to the full of his physical, intellectual, moral and spiritual faculties in order to be able to serve the society. His aim should be to achieve all round fitness. A citizen can serve the society well if he enjoys quite a good health.

2. Duties towards Family:
A citizen has duties towards himself as well as towards his family. In case all the members of a family do not honestly perform their duties, the family is bound to suffer. It is the duty of the parents to bring up, educate and support their children and if they fail in their duties, the children will never be able to develop their personality and hence they will never become good citizens.

The children are the citizens of tomorrow. A country’s future depends upon enlightened citizens. The father should be very particular about the needs of the family. The family should live in perfect peace and harmony. All the members should possess a spirit of sacrifice and selfless love and affection for one another.

3. Duties towards Neighbours:
A citizen should extend fullest degree of co¬operation to his neighbours in all walks of life. He should be sympathetic, kind and useful to his neighbours. If you do something for your neighbours during an hour of trial, they will also do a good turn when you are admist difficulties. Love begets love. Love your neighbours and they will love you in turn. If your neighbour is weak, sick, poor and needy, you cannot feel safe. The undesirable character of a neighbour may spoil your children, a poor neighbour may become a thief. It is the first and foremost duty of a citizen to see to the all round progress of his neighbour.

4. Duties towards Society:
Man is a social animal. Nobody can lead an isolated life. Man is a man among men only. The individual gets all the facilities of life in society. Therefore, he must perform all the duties which are essential for the progress of the society. Every individual should have social spirit and he should do nothing which is harmful to society.

5. Duties towards Humanity:
Every individual has certain duties towards the humanity. The modern age is an age of internationalism. Every citizen should live in co-operation and harmony with the people of other countries. Every citizen should help in the establishment of world peace. The citizens should not develop hatred and distrust for the people of other countries. The citizens should strongly oppose imperialism. The citizens should contribute to the maximum towards the welfare of humanity.

(B) Legal Duties Of The Citizens:
The citizens are to perform so many duties towards the State. The duties which are prescribed by law are called legal duties. The citizens are to perform the following legal duties:
1. Allegiance:
Every citizen has allegiance to the State to which he belongs. He must defend the State against all enemies and dangers and he has a duty to assist the State in the suppression of crimes and revolution. The State can call upon him or even require him to take up arms in its defence. It can prescribe a period of compulsory military training for the citizen. The citizen should be prepared, if necessary, even to lay down his life in defending the State and to discharge the duties involved in his allegiance to the State.

2. Obedience:
Every citizen has the supreme duty of obeying the law. Good citizenship consists more in this obedience to law than in any other thing. Laws are enacted for the welfare of the community, so the man who has a regard for law, has the good of the community, at heart. Respect for the laws and the institutions of the State makes one a good citizen.

There may be occasions when public opinion has to be organised to repeal laws which are anti-social in character.
Disobedience of law may, in exceptional circumstances, be morally justified but even in such cases it ought to be carefully considered whether the object underlying such disobedience could not be better attained by other means.
Respect of law, once undermined may shake the very foundations of our social order.

3. Payment of Taxes:
It is the duty of the citizen to pay taxes which are legally imposed on him. The administration of the government cannot be run without public funds. There is no other source for the government except to collect money from the citizens in the form of taxes. All these taxes are utilized for the payment of salaries to the public servants and other State officials who exist for the welfare of the people. Therefore, the State has the right to tax its citizens who should pay all these taxes without any hesitation because the money thus collected will be spent for their welfare.

4. Protection of Public Property: It is the duty of the citizens to protect public property.

5. Co-operation with Government:
Every citizen should extend fullest degree of co-operation to the government. It is his duty to help the government officials in the proper discharge of their duties. He should help the police, the army and other officials in maintaining law and order in the country. The citizen should not give shelter to or defend criminals. He should rather help the government in getting the law-breakers punished.

Question 5.
What is the relationship between rights and duties?
Or
How are Rights and Duties interrelated? Explain fully.
Or
“Rights imply Duties.” Explain with examples.
Answer:
Just as a citizen enjoys certain rights, he also has to discharge certain duties towards society. Very often the words ‘Right’ and ‘Duty’ are used as if they are opposed to each other and would exclude each other. This impression is quite wrong, because rights and duties are closely connected with each other and they always go together.

There are two ways of proving this, whenever a right is given to one citizen, say ‘A’, then it becomes the duty of all other citizens ‘B’, ‘C’ and so on to respect that right to allow citizen ‘A’ to enjoy that right and not to do anything to destroy it. When I am given the right to property, it is the duty of all other citizens not to take away my property, and to allow me to use my property, in any way I would like to use it. But it should be remembered that the same rights are given to all citizens and can be enjoyed only if each allows all others to enjoy the same.

The right to property is given not only to me but to all other citizens and just as it is their duty to allow me the right of enjoying my property, it is my duty to allow others to enjoy the same right to property. This would mean that I can enjoy my right to property only if I accept at the same time my duty to respect it for others. Thus rights and duties are so closely related with each other that one cannot exist without the other and we can say that rights and duties are only different angles from which we look at things.

Rights are the claim or privileges enjoyed by a citizen recognized by the State. It is the duty of the State to protect your rights otherwise rights are meaningless. Your right imposes a twofold duty on you. You have a duty to see that you do not interfere in any way with the enjoyment of similar rights of others. As you have a right so have others.

It is your duty not to take any action likely to interfere with their rights. Secondly, rights cannot be enjoyed for nothing. You are given certain rights so that you can perform certain duties as citizen. These rights are necessary to enable you to exercise your civic duties. The State by guaranteeing these rights, imposes on you the duty to act as a responsible citizen of the community. It will be your duty to develop your abilities and to try your utmost to further the common good of the country.

Rights and duties are related in the following way:
1. One’s right is another’s duty:
A right belonging to one person imposes a corresponding duty on the others to respect his right. His right is therefore, their duty. For instance, an individual’s right to property implies that it is the duty of others not to take away or steal his property without his consent or to interfere with his enjoyment of it. In this sense, rights and duties are the two sides of the same coin. From the standpoint of man who enjoys, it is a right and from the point of view of others who must allow him to enjoy it is a duty.

But it is necessary that every right should carry a corresponding duty with it. For instance, a landlord has only rights over his tenants and no duties towards them and thjt the tenants have only duties and no rights. In fact, in such a case, no right or duty is involved and it is a case of exploitation, not a right or duty. The landlord really has no rights over the tenants but only a power backed by the wealth and influence. A right can truly be called a right only if it does not hinder the general welfare of other people.

2. One’s right is one’s duty also:
A right is at the same time a duty. If an individual enjoys a right, it must be remembered that the same right belongs to all other individuals. Therefore, it is his duty not to interfere in the enjoyment of other’s rights. For instance, if ‘A’ has the right to express his opinions freely it is also his duty not to deny the same right to ‘B’. Further my right to use public road also implies the duty to admit the fact that others too possess the same right. This right implies one more duty also. If I enjoy liberty to speech, it is my duty not to misuse this right by preaching anything that is against law or that disturbs peace or spreads hatred among different communities.

3. One’s right is one’s duty to use it in a right way:
It is the duty of an individual to make proper use of his rights. The improper use of rights proves harmful for others and society can never tolerate it. If an individual is given the freedom of speech and expression, he should not misuse this right by spreading hatred among different communities. He should not instigate the people against the government.

He should not spread rumours. Misuse of rights by the citizens of a State leads to disorder and anarchy. It leads to setting up wrong precedents. Public welfare is ignored if people do things of their own accord. Every citizen should use his rights in such a way that the interests of the community are promoted to the full.

4. One’s right is one’s duty to use it for social good:
A right is not only the means for furthering self interest but it is also a means for promoting the general interests of society. An individual enjoys right only so long as he contributes his best instructed judgement to the common good of the people. In case an individual misuses his rights, and his activities prove harmful to the welfare of the community, his rights are forfeited and he becomes liable to punishment. For example, if an individual enjoys his right to freedom of speech to spread bitterness between different sections of the community or to preach violence or anarchy, he becomes a hindrance in the way of social development. He should use right to freedom of speech for constructive purposes only.

5. Duties towards the States:
Rights of an individual imply certain duties towards the State. The State gives us rights and they are also safeguarded by the State. State creates such an atmosphere as is necessary for making full use of rights. Rights have no meaning without the State and hence it is the duty of every individual to respect the laws of the State.

He should be ready to sacrifice his all for the State during an hour of crisis. He should pay the State taxes honestly. He should be loyal to the State. State protects the life and property of an individual and it is the duty of the individual to protect the State.
In the end we can say that Rights and Duties go side by side. They are two facets of a coin.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Explain the meaning of rights.
Answer:
Rights are those conditions of social life without which human personality can’t develop. The rights are recognised by the state. In general speaking rights are those claims which are recognised by society and enforced by the state.

Different scholars have defined Rights in different ways. Some important definitions of Right are given below:

According to Wilde, “A Right is a reasonable claim to freedom in the excercise of certain activities.”
Accroding to T.H. Green, “Rights are those powers which are necessary to the fulfilment of man’s vocation as moral being.”
According to Bosanquet, “A Right is a claim recognised by society and enforced by State.”
According to H. J. Laski, “Rights are those conditions of social life without which no man can seek to be himself at his best.”

Question 2.
Explain the characteristics of rights.
Answer:
1. Rights are available only in the Society: Rights can be possible only in the society. The rights cannot be possible outside the society.

2. Right is a claim of the Individual: Right is a claim of the individual for doing things independently. The individual claims his rights from the society.

3. Right is recognized by society:
Rights are those claims of the individual which are recognized by the society. The claim of the individual takes the form of a right only when it is recognized by society.

4. Right is reasonable and moral;
The society recognizes only that claim of the individual which is reasonable and moral. The society recognizes only that claim which concerns the welfare of the individual. A claim which is harmful to society cannot be accepted.

Question 3.
Explain how rights are different from claims?
Answer:
Rights are those conditions and guarantees which the state should provide to every citizen in order that he may attain his best self in society. Right is a claim of the individual for doing things independently. The individual claims his rights from the society. But each and every claim of the individual cannot be termed and accepted as a rights. In order to become right individual’s claims must fulfil certain condition.

A right is a claim recognised by the society and enforced by the state. The claim of the individual takes the form of a right only when it is recognized by the society. Any claim which is neither acceptable to society nor enforceable by the state cannot be called a right in a true sense. Without recognition rights are empty claims. An individual is a part of the society. An individual cannot have any rights apart from what the society concede. Every right has a corresponding duty. But a claim may or may not have a corresponding duty. Thus in order to become rights, claims of the individual must be recognized by the society and enforced by the State. .

Question 4.
Describe various types of rights.
Answer:

Natural Rights: Natural Rights are those rights which have been given to man by nature.
Moral Rights: Moral Rights are those which are based on the ethical rules prevailing among the people.
Legal Rights: A legal Right is recognised and enforced by the power of the state.
Fundamental Rights: Legal Rights mentioned in the constitution are called fundamental Rights.
Civil Rights: Civil Rights are those, which enable an individual to lead a decent civic life.
Political Rights: Political Rights are those privileges recognised and guaranteed by the law of the State, which enable the citizen to participate in political affairs and governance of the country.
Economic Rights: Economic Rights are those, which are essential for the economic development of an individual.

Question 5.
What do you understand by Natural Rights?
Answer:
Natural rights are those rights which have been given to man by Nature. Some people are of the view that nature conferred certain rights on man even before the birth of society. Locke also championed the cause of these rights. Right to life, liberty and property cannothe ended by anyone. Some people interpret the meaning of natural rights in a different way. They say that there are certain things to which man has an inherent right. They are natural because they are essential and inherent in the eminent worth of human personality. .

Question 6.
What do you understand by civil rights? Mention any two such rights.
Answer:
Civil Rights. Those rights which relate to the protection and enjoyment of life and property by the individual are known as civil rights. Civil rights are regarded as essential to civilised existence. These rights relate to the achievement of man’s highest self-development. They are granted, protected and enforced by the state. The two important civil rights are:

Right to Life:
It means that the state must afford protection to the individual against all innimical forces.

Right to Personal Liberty:
It means that an individual must be given the freedom to enjoy his personal life. He must not be interfered with by the laws of the state till he remains within the bounds of law.

Question 7.
Mention any four political rights of a citizen.
Answer:
1. Right to vote:
Right to vote is the most important political right. It is through the exercise of this right that citizens in a democracy take part in the government of the country.

2. Right to Contest Elections:
Every citizen is given the right to be elected to the local bodies, state or central legislatures. State sometimes imposes certain restrictions regarding age, education, etc. for being elected to the legislative bodies.

3. Right to hold Public Offices:
Every citizen is given the right to hold public offices. Every public office executive, legislative and judicial is equally open to all citizens if they are otherwise duly qualified to hold that office.

4. Right to form Political Parties. In democratic countries citizens enjoy the right to form Political Parties.

Question 8.
Name any four economic rights of a citizen.
Answer:
The citizens in a Modem State enjoy economic rights for their economic well being. The most important economic rights of citizen are as ahead:
1. Right to Work:
Every citizen enjoys the right to get a job or to take up a profession according to his ability and capacity. It is the duty of the State to provide job to every individual. If the state is unable to provide work to every citizen, it should give monthly allowance.

2. Right to get Proper Wages:
It is not enough to provide work to each individual, rather they should be given proper wages to make both ends meet.

3. Right to Property:
The liberal democratic state recognize the right to property, subject to the limitation that the property may be acquired for public purposes.

4. Right to Economic Security. In the modern welfare state citizens are granted the right to economic security.,

Question 9.
Describe any four safeguards of Rights.
Answer:

Independent Judiciary: Independent, impartial and honest judiciary is the first and important safeguard of rights.
Rule of Law: Rights can be enjoyed fully under the shadow of rule of law.
Eternal vigilance: Prof. Laski has rightly remarked that, “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”
Democracy: Only the Democratic form of government can provide all types of rights to the citizens.

Question 10.
State the term Duty.
Answer:
The word Duty has been derived from the word ‘Debt’ which means loan. Literally Duty means a person’s obligation towards the society. A man is said to have duty in matter if he is under an obligation to do or not to do something. It is such an obligation by virtue of which we are bound to do something or refrain from doing so because another person has a right to expect some action or mission from us. Infact, Rights and Duties go side by side and are the two facts of the same coin. Therefore, the emphasis today is to be laid as much on duties of a citizens as on his rights.

Question 11.
Write any four legal duties.
Answer:

Allegiance. Every citizen has allegiance to the state to which he belongs. He must defend the state against all enemies and dangers. .
Obedience. Every citizen has the supreme duty of obeying the law.
Payment of Taxes. It is the duty of the citizen to pay taxes which are legally imposed on him. The state has the right to tax its citizens who should pay all these taxes without any hesitation.
Protection of Public Property. It is the duty of the citizens to protect public property.

Question 12.
Write any four moral duties of a citizen.
Answer:

Good Moral character: A citizen must have good moral character.
Good Health: A citizen can serve the society well if he enjoys quite a good health. A citizen should be energetic and strong in mind and body.
Obedience towards his Parents: A citizen must obey his parents.
Duties towards Society: Every individual should have social spirit and he should do nothing which is harmful to society.

Question 13.
Name four duties of a citizen towards his country.
Answer:
A citizen has some duties towards his country

First duty of a citizen is to be loyal to his country.
The citizen should obey law of the land.
The citizen should pay taxes honestly.
He should protect public property.

Question 14.
What is the relationship between rights and duties?
Or
How are Rights and Duties inter-related? Give two examples.
Answer:
Rights and Duties are two sides of the same coin. Rights and Duties go side by side. They are two aspects of the same thing. Rights and Duties are so closely related with each other that one cannot exist without the other.
1. One’s right is another’s duty:
A right belonging to one person imposes a corresponding duty to the others to respect his right. For instance, an individual’s rights to property implies that it is the duty of others not to take away or steal his property without his consent. A right can truly be called a right only if it does not hinder the general welfare of other people.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 2.
Write any two definitions of rights.
Answer:
Different scholars have defined Rights in different ways. Some important definitions of Right are given below:

According to Wilde, “A Right is a reasonable claim to freedom in the excercise of certain activities.”
Accroding to T.H. Green, “Rights are those powers which are necessary to the fulfilment of man’s vocation as moral being.”

Question 3.
Discuss any two characteristics of rights.
Answer:

Rights are available only in the Society. Rights can be possible only in the society. The rights cannot be possible outside the society.
Right is a claim of the Individual. Right is a claim of the individual for doing things independently. The individual claims his rights from the society.

Question 4.
Explain any two types of rights.
Answer:

Natural Rights: Natural Rights are those rights which have been given to man by nature.
Moral Rights: Moral Rights are those which are based on the ethical rules prevailing among the people.

Question 5.
Define Legal Rights.
Answer:
A legal right is recognized and enforced by the powers of the State. If any individual interferes with such a right of another person, he will be punished by the state.
Legal Rights can further be classified into Fundamental Rights, Civil Rights, Political Rights and Economic Rights.

Question 6.
What do you understand by civil rights?
Answer:
Civil Rights:
Those rights which relate to the protection and enjoyment of life and property by the individual are known as civil rights. Civil rights are regarded as essential to civilised existence. These rights relate to the achievement of man’s highest self-development. They are granted, protected and enforced by the state.

Question 7.
Discuss any two political rights of a citizen.
Answer:
1. Right to Vote:
Right to vote is the most important political right. It is through the exercise of this right that citizens in a democracy take part in the government of the country.

Question 8.
Name any two economic rights of a citizen.
Answer:
1. Right to Work:
Every citizen enjoys the right to get a job or to take up a profession according to his ability and capacity. It is the duty of the State to provide job to every individual. If the state is unable to provide work to every citizen, it should give monthly allowance.

2. Right to get Proper Wages:
It is not enough to provide work to each individual, rather they should be given proper wages to make both ends meet.

Question 9.
Describe any two safeguards of Rights.
Answer:

Independent Judiciary. Independent, impartial and honest judiciary is the first and important safeguard of rights.
Rule of Law. Rights can be enjoyed fully under the shadow of rule of law.

Question 10.
Discuss the term Duty.
Answer:
The word Duty has been derived from the word ‘Debt’ which means loan. Literally Duty means a person’s obligation towards the society. A man is said to have duty in matter if he is under an obligation to do or not to do something.

Question 11.
Write any two legal duties.
Answer:

Allegiance. Every citizen has allegiance to the state to which he belongs. He must defend the state against all enemies and dangers.
Obedience. Every citizen has the supreme duty of obeying the law.

Question 12.
Write any two moral duties of a citizen.
Answer:
1. Good Moral Character. A citizen must have good moral character.
2. Good Health. A citizen can serve the society well if he enjoys quite a good health. A citizen should be energetic and strong in mind and body.

Question 13.
Name two duties of a citizen towards his country.
Answer:
A citizen has some duties towards his country-

First duty of a citizen is to be loyal to his country.
The citizen should obey law of the land.

Question 14.
Explain the relationship between rights and duties?
Answer:
1. One’s right is another’s duty:
A right belonging to one person imposes a corresponding duty to the others to respect his right. For instance, an individual’s rights to property implies that it is the duty of others not to take away or steal his property without his consent.

One word to One sentence Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What do you mean by the Rights?
Answer:
A man needs some facilities for his development. These facilities are called the rights.

Question 2.
Write down a definition of rights.
Answer:
According to Bosanquet, “A right is a claim recognised by society and enforced by state.”

Question 3.
Describe an important element of the right.
Answer:
Rights are recognised by society and enforced by state.

Question 4.
Mention any one feature of the rights.
Answer:
A right is a claim of independence of a person to do any work. He gets it in society. The demand for facilities is called a right.

Question 5.
How many kinds are of rights?
Answer:

Natural Rights
Moral Rights
Legal Rights.

Question 6.
What are Natural Rights?
Answer:
Natural Rights are those rights which a man gets from nature and which cannot be abolished by the state.

Question 7.
Enumerate kinds of natural rights.
Answer:

Right to Life
Right to Property
Right to Freedom. .

Question 8.
What is the main feature of moral rights?
Answer:
Moral rights are not legally recognised. These rights cannot be enforced by the state.

Question 9.
What are Legal Rights?
Answer:
Legal Rights are those rights which have the recognition of state. If anyone violates these rights, he is sentenced in accordance with the law.

Question 10.
In how many parts can legal rights be divided? Write their names.
Answer:

Fundamental Rights
Social Rights
Political Rights
Economic Rights.

Question 11.
Mention any two important social rights.
Answer:

Right to Life
Right to Family.

Question 12.
Name any two economic rights of a citizen.
Answer:

Right to Work
Right to Property.

Question 13.
Write down any two important political rights of a citizen.
Answer:

Right to vote
Right to contest an election.

Question 14.
What is the meaning of Fundamental Right?
Answer:
Any legal right which is mentioned in the constitution is named as Fundamental Right.

Question 15.
From which language has the word ‘Duty’ been derived?
Answer:
The word ‘Duty’ has been derived from the English word ‘Debt’.

Question 16.
Write down the meaning of Duty.
Answer:
Etymologically, duty is a kind of our debt towards society. In lieu of the rights that we get in society, duties are performed to pay back our debt to society.

Question 17.
In how many parts can duties be divided?
Answer:

Moral Duties
Legal Duties.

Question 18.
What is the meaning of Moral Duties?
Answer:
Moral Duties are based oh good conduct. They are performed on ethical grounds.

Fill in the Blanks

1. Right to vote is a …………………….. right.
Answer:
Political

2. Indian Constitution has now …………………….. Fundamental Right.
Answer:
Six

3. Rights and …………………….. are the two sides of the same coin.
Answer:
Duties

4. Right to life is a …………………….. right.
Answer:
Civil

5. Right implies …………………….. .
Answer:
Duty.

True or False statement

1. Rights are possible only in society.
Answer:
True

2. Duties are claim of a person.
Answer:
False

3. Rights are limited.
Answer:
True

4. People enjoy those rights which are sanctioned by the society and enforced by the state.
Answer:
True

5. In communist countries, economic rights are the part of legal rights.
Answer:
True

Choose the Correct Answers

Question 1.
Natural Rights are those which are given to us by:
(A) Constitution
(B) Parliament
(C) God or Nature
(D) King.
Answer:
(C) God or Nature

Question 2.
Civil Rights are given to the individual by:
(A) Nature
(B) God
(C) The state
(D) The people.
Answer:
(C) The state

Question 3.
What is the Force behind legal Rights?
(A) Force of Public opinion
(B) Force of Morality
(C) Force of Law
(D) Force of Nature.
Answer:
(C) Force of Law

Question 4.
Which of the following is a moral duty?
(A) Payment of Taxes
(B) obedience of Law
(C) Allegiance to the state
(D) Development of Personality.
Answer:
(D) Development of Personality.

Question 5.
The right to hold public office is a/an:
(A) Economic Right
(B) Civil Right
(C) Political Right
(D) Moral Right.
Answer:
(C) Political Right

PSEB Solutions for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 4 Rights and Duties of a Citizen

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