Democratic Politics II ,Chapter 2: Federalism
Q-1 Locate the following States on a blank outline political map of India: Manipur ,Sikkim, Chhattisgarh and Goa
Answer
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Q-2 Identify and shade three federal countries (other than India) on a blank outline political map of the world.
Answer
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Answer-3
In India, just like in Belgium, the central government has to share its powers with the regional governments. However, unlike India, Belgium has a community government in addition to the central and the state government.
Q-4 What is the main difference between a federal form of government and a unitary one? Explain with an example.
Answer
In a federal form of government, the central government shares its powers with the various constituent units of the country. For example, in India, power is divided between the government at the Centre and the various State governments.
In a unitary form of government, all the power is exercised by only one government. For example, in Sri Lanka, the national government has all the powers.
Q-5 State any two differences between the local government before and after the constitutional amendment in 1992.
| Local governments BEFORE the Constitutional amendment in 1992 | Local governments AFTER the Constitutional amendment in 1992 |
| Elections were not held regularly. | It is mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies. |
| Local governments did not have any powers or resources of their own. | The State governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies. |
Q-6 Fill in the blanks:
Since the United States is a type of federation, all the constituent States have equal power sand States are vis-à-vis the federal government. But India is a type of federation and some States have more power than others. In India, the government has more powers.
Answer
Since the United States is a coming together type of federation, all the constituent States have equal powers and States are strong vis-à-vis the federal government. But India is a holding together type of federation and some States have more power than others. In India, the Central government has more powers.
Q-7 Here are three reactions to the language policy followed in India. Give an argument and an example to support any of these positions.
Sangeeta: The policy of accommodation has strengthened national unity.
Arman: Language-based States have divided us by making everyone conscious of their language.
Harish: This policy has only helped to consolidate the dominance of English over all otherlanguages.
Answer-7
I agree with Sangeeta’s reaction. If the policy of accommodation was not followed, and states were not created on linguistic basis, there would have been further partition of India. For example, imposition of Hindi as the national language would have led the South to breakaway from the North and Tamil Nadu would have become an independent nation.
Q-8 The distinguishing feature of a federal government is:
- a)National government gives some powers to the provincial governments.
- b)Power is distributed among the legislature, executive and judiciary.
- c)Elected officials exercise supreme power in the government.
- d)Governmental power is divided between different levels of government.
Answer
(d) Governmental power is divided between different levels of government
Q-9 A few subjects in various Lists of the Indian Constitution are given here. Group them under the Union, State and Concurrent Lists as providedin the table below.
- Defence
- Police
- Agriculture
- Education
- Banking
- Forests
- Communications
- Trade
- Marriages
| Union List | – | |
| StateList | – | |
| Concurrent List | – | |
Answer | ||
| Union List | Defence, Banking, Communications | |
| StateList | Police, Agriculture, Trade | |
| Concurrent List | Education, Forests, Marriages |
Q-10 Examine the following pairs that give the level of government in India and the powers of the government at that level to make laws on the subjects mentioned against each. Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
| State government | State List |
| Central government | Union List |
| Central and State government | Concurrent List |
| Local governments | Residuary powers |
Answer
| Local governments | Residuary powers |
Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
| List I | List II |
|---|---|
| 1. Union of India | A. Prime Minister |
| 2. State | B. Sarpanch |
| 3. Municipal Corporation | C. Governor |
| 4. Gram Panchayat | D. Mayor |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| a | D | A | B | C |
| b | B | C | D | A |
| c | A | C | D | B |
| d | C | D | A | B |
Answer
(c) A, C, D, B
Q -12 Consider the following statements.
- In a federation the powers of the federal and provincial governments are clearly demarcated.
- India is a federation because the powers of the Union and State Governments are specified in the Constitution and they have exclusive jurisdiction on their respective subjects.
- Sri Lanka is a federation because the country is divided into provinces.
- India is no longer a federation because some powers of the states have been devolved to
the local government bodies.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- a)A, B and C
- b)A, C and D
- c)A and B only
- d)B and C only
Answer
(c) A and B only