TS 6th Class Social 12th Lesson Questions and Answers Telangana – Democratic Government

Telangana SCERT TS 6th Class Social Guide Pdf 12th Lesson Democratic Government Textbook Questions and Answers.

Democratic Government – TS 6th Class Social 12th Lesson Questions and Answers Telangana

Question 1.
Discuss the similarities and differences between the government in a Gond tribe and a modern democracy.
Answer:
Similarities:

1) Gond Panch : In tribal societies there are no sharp differences like rich and poor as everyone has a share in the common reserves of the tribe. The village headmen derive their authority from the village ‘Panch’ or the council of adult male householders. This council has the last word in matters concerning the village as a whole and the headman is no more than its chairman. The village panch in a sense represents the Gond society as a whole.

2) Democracy : One of the ways to accommodate the views of all kinds of people living in the society and prevent oppressive and unjust forces from controlling the government is the democratic government.

It became possible because of the struggles of people all over the world against monarchies to develop a form of government which was more in accordance with people’s wishes. There are millions of people living in our country. The participation by all citizens in taking decisions may lead to countless number of opinions. In representative democracies people choose their representatives through an election process.

Differences:

a) In Tribal Gond Panch :

1. If the society had people of different cultures, it would not work properly.
2. They wouldn’t be able to arrive at a common solution to which all can agree.
3. Here the decisions are made quickly.

b) In Democratic Government:

1. In democratic countries these elected representatives meet and make decisions on behalf of the entire population.
2. The most decisions of the elected representatives are also formulated based on the same principle of majority. If a decision is supported by more than half the members it will be implemented.
3. Many people believe that by this system of ignoring the views of the minority our democratic system can still become oppressive for them.

Question 2.
Is it possible to include the opinions of the minority in taking decision ? Discuss with some examples.
Answer:
In a democracy, the authority of the people who get elected is also regulated by certain principles which are stated in the constitution of the country. If they go against these principles or procedures the court can disallow their decisions.

Those who agree with the elected representatives can freely express their views and criticise their actions. This can be done through meetings, TV, newspapers, etc. Eg: If the government ignores the hiking of prices by traders, the people will protest this my mass demonstration against price rice.

Question 3.
Imagine how your school would be if it was run by all the students and teachers together ? Would you want that everyone to participate in taking decisions or would you like to elect representatives ? Give reasons.
Answer:
If the school was run by all the students and teachers together, definitely it will be democratic government. In democratic government there are two principles (1) Representative Democracy and (2) Rule of the majority. I would like to elect representatives of each class (Teachers and Students).

These elected representatives meet and make decisions on behalf of entire population. These representatives are expected to adhere to the view points expressed by them and the promises made by them and also to consult the students and teachers from time to time to know about their views, points and problems.

Question 4.
Do you think the decision making in your house is democratic ? Does everyone have a say in it ?
Answer:
Yes. In our house the decision making is democratic. Yes everyone participates in making decisions. Finally we get solution which one or decision is correct and follow it. If there are different opinions, we shall postpone the decision. Later we meet again to get conclusion. We follow the democratic method, Rule of majority.

Question 5.
Gopal’s father consulted all the members of the family on setting up a shop but everyone had a different opinion. Finally, he decided to set up the shop. Do you think he was democratic ?
Answer:

1. I think he was democratic.
2. We can either set up a shop or not.
3. There were no more alternatives for that.
4. Father consulted all the family members with a hope of reaching to correct decision.
5. But unfortunately that could not happen so, as everyone i.s of different opinion.
6. Based on these situations what he did was democratic.

Question 6.
Mary’s mother asked her children where they wanted to go on Sunday. Two children wanted to watch a film and three wanted to go to the park. If you were in Mary’s mother’s place, what decision would you take ? Give reasons.
Answer:

1. If I were in Mary’s mother’s place, 1 would take children to the park.
2. As majority of the children are interested in going to the park, 1 would take them to there.
3. Majority play a key role in democratic decision making system.
4. Based on democratic principles I would have made the choice.
5. I would plan to take them to film the other time.

Question 7.
Classify the following as per the levels of government (Central, State, Local) : M.P, M.L.A, Sarpanch, Mayor, CM and PM.
Answer:
Levels of government – Central, State, Local.
MP – Central level
MLA – State level
Sarpanch – Local level
Mayor – Local level
Chief Minister – State level
Prime Minister – Central Level

Question 8.
Collect news regarding activities of your local M.P., M.L.Answer:, and ministers from newspapers.
Answer:
Student’s self exercise.

Question 9.
Draw the outline map of India, observing the map given in this chapter in page no. 34 (109).
Answer:

I. Conceptual Understanding

Question 1.
What does a government do ?
Answer:

1. The government takes action on many social issues.
2. It does other important things such as running postal and railway services.
3. The government also has the job of protecting the boundaries of the country and maintaining peaceful relations with other countries.
4. It is responsible for ensuring that all its citizens have enough to eat and have good facilities.
5. When there are natural disasters like the tsunami or an earthquake it is the government that mainly organises aid and assistance for the people.
6. Courts are also part of the government.
7. When human beings live and work together there needs to be some amount of organisation so that decisions can be made.
8. Governments do this on behalf of their people by exercising leadership, taking decisions and implementing these among all the people living in their territory.

Question 2.
What will happen if representatives are elected for ever ?
Answer:
The representatives are elected for a fixed period usually upto five years. After that there will be fresh elections and people will discuss and elect representatives once again. Otherwise if lhey are elected for ever the people can’t regulate them. So they ignore the interests of the people.

The people in a democracy give the powers to the government. They do this through elections, in which they vote for particular persons and elect them. Once they are elected they form government. If the representatives ignore the people’s interests, after five years they may be thrown out and new representatives could be elected.

Question 3.
Is it possible for the representatives to go against the wishes and interests of the people who elected them ?
Answer:
Most decisions of the elected representatives are formulated based on the principle of majority. If a decision is supported by more than half the members it will be implemented. Thus modern democracies do not try to get a complete agreement of everyone on any issue but go by the decision of the majority.
Many people believe that by this system of ignoring the views of the minority our democratic system can still become oppressive for them.

In a democracy, the authority of the people, who get elected is also regulated by certain principles which are stated in the constitution of the country. If they go against these principles or procedures the courts can disallow their decisions. Those who disagree with the elected representatives can freely express their views and criticise their actions. This can be done through meetings, TV, newspapers, etc.

Question 4.
What do you understand by “inequality”? Illustrate with examples.
Answer:

1. Democracy requires that all people – men and women, illiterate and educated, rich and poor, beggars and officers, everyone take time off to understand public matters and make up their own minds.
2. It also requires that they have access to all the required information so that they can take proper decisions.
3. It further requires that they can exercise their vote with freedom and without any interference.
4. Many people, especially women and the poor just don’t have the time to take part in these public matters.
5. They are too busy earning their livelihoods or working for their families.
6. Still in many cases powerful or rich people try to influence the voting by forcing the people or by giving them small benefits before the elections.
7. Sometimes people are persuaded not to decide for themselves but vote according to their caste or religion.

Question 5.
List out various levels of the government.
Answer:
Government works at various levels :

1. At Central level : Covers entire country.
2. At State level : Covers entire state.
3. At District level : Covers the entire district.
4. At Local level : Covers village, town or city.

Question 6.
What does Democratic Government mean to all of us ?
Answer:
Abraham Lincoln of America once defined ‘democracy’ as a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Question 7.
What are the various ways in which people participate in the process of government?
Answer:
There are different ways in which people participate in the process of government. They are :

1. By participating in voting once in every term.
2. By criticizing the government’s performance.
3. Expressing their views by conducting Dharnas, Rallies etc.
4. Organising social movements which challenge the government functioning.

II. Reading the Text (given), Understanding and Interpretation

Question 1.
Why do you think it is important for people to know the views of the different candidates in elections ?
Answer:

1. Democratic governments in our times are usually referred to as representative democracies.
2. In representative democracies people choose their representatives through an election process.
3. Different persons or parties advocating different points of view openly discuss their views.
4. This will enable the voters to decide which point of view they agree with and which candidate they would like to represent them in taking those decisions.
5. The representatives are expected to adhere to the view points expressed by them.
6. They are also expected to consult the people from time to time to know about their view points and problems.
   In this way the representatives take decisions and make laws, needs and aspirations of the people in mind and act accordingly.

Question 2.
How do rich and powerful people in the villages try to influence the voters ?
Answer:
Still in many cases powerful or rich people try to influence the voting by forcing the people or by giving them small benefits before the elections. Sometimes people are persuaded not to decide for themselves but vote according to their caste or religion. All these factors prevent people from using their democratic right of voting after giving due consideration to the issues and candidates.

Question 3.
What do you understand “representative democracy” and rules of majority ?
Answer:

1. Democratic governments in our times are usually referred to as representative democracies. In representative democracies people choose their representatives through an election process.
2. Most decisions of the elected representatives are also formulated based on the same principle of majority. If a decision is supported by more than half the members it will be implemented.

III. Information Skills

1. Read the passage and answer the following questions.

One of the ways to accommodate the views of all kinds of people living in the society and prevent oppressive arid unjust forces from controlling the government is the democratic government. It was made possible because of the struggles of people all over the world against monarchies and their firm reolve to develop a form of government which will be in harmony with people’s wishes.

Today, India is a democratic country. Should our government functions according to the wishes of the people have such divergent cultures and interests ?
There are millions of people living in our country. The participation by all citizens in taking decisions may lead to countless number of opinions. These processes may consume more time without arriving at any consensus. Moreover, not all citizens are in a position to spend time, money and energy for participating in public affairs. How can we solve this problem ? Abraham Lincoln of America once defined ‘democracy’ as‘a government of the people, by the people and for the people’.

1) How does our government function ?
Answer:
Our government functions according to the wishes of the people.

2) How could people prevent oppressive and unjust forces?
Answer:
It became possible because of the struggle of people all over the world against monarchies.

3) Is India a monarchy ?
Answer:
No, India is a democratic country.

4) Who was Abraham Lincoln?
Answer:
He was former President of AmericAnswer:

5) How did he define “Democracy”?
Answer:
He defined Democracy as “a government of the people, by the people and for the people”.

IV. Reflection on Contemporary Issues and Questioning

Question 1.
What do you think are the main hindrances faced by people in choosing the right candidate ?
Answer:

1. Democracy requires that all people – men and women, illiterate and educated, rich and poor, beggars and officers, everyone take time off to understand public matters and make up their own minds.
2. It also requires that they have access to all the required information so that they can take proper decisions.
3. It further requires that they can exercise their vote with freedom and without any interference.
4. Unfortunately, these are not always fully possible in most of the countries.
5. For example, many people do not have even the minimum education needed to read newspapers etc.
6. Most of the people are not effectively using the Right to Information Act to check the functioning of different systems.
7. Many people, especially women and poor just don’t have the time or facility to take part in these public matters.
8. They are too busy earning their livelihoods or working for their family.

So powerful or rich people try to influence the voting by forcing the people or by giving them small benefits before the elections.

V. Mapping Skills

Question 1.
Locate the following on the given map.
1) Punjab 2) New Delhi 3) Madhya Pradesh 4) Telangana 5) Goa 6) Assom 7) Sikkim 8) West Bengal 9) Kerala 10) Arunachal Pradesh

2) Map Reading:
Observe the following map and write down the names of the newly formed districts in TelanganAnswer:
Answer:
Newly formed districts in Telangana

V. Appreciation and Sensitivity

Question 1.
Explain the factors that prevent people from using their democractic right of voting.
Answer:
All the factors, mentioned below, prevent people from using their democratic right of voting.

1. Many people especially women and the poor just don’t have the time or facility to take part in the public matters.
2. They are too busy earning their livelihoods or working for their families.
3. Still in many cases powerful or rich people try to influence the vot ing by forcing the people.
4. By giving them small benefits before the elections.
5. Sometimes people are persuaded not to decide for themselves but vote according to their caste or religion.

Project:

Question 1.
Look at the newspapers of the last seven days and collect about the activities of the government. Stick them on a large sheet or notebook. .Make a list of activities of the government you find in these clippings. Discuss this list in the class to get an idea of all the things done by the government.
Answer:
Student’s self exercise.

Question 2.
Consult any 10 people of your village who have right to vote and collect the ir,jformation of the particulars they consider while electing a candidate in Elections. Write a report and discuss on it in the classroom.
Answer:
Student’s self exercise.

TS 6th Class Social 12th Lesson Notes – Democratic Government

• Democracy : Democracy is defined as the government of the people, for the people and by the people.
• Monarchy : Monarchy is the form of the government in which king or queen or the monarch takes decisions and implements.
• Constitution : A constitution is a document containing the fundamental principles according to which a state is governed.
• Elections : Public choice of a person for office by the votes of a constituent body.
• Decision Making : In democratic government the elected representatives meet and make decisions on behalf of the entire population.
• Representative : In representative democracies people choose their representatives through an election process. The person who gets the largest number of votes becomes the representative of the entire group. The representatives are elected for a fixed period, usually up to five years.

Mind Mapping: