Government and Democracy

10 Questions

What is meant by 'universal adult franchise'?

Universal adult franchise means that all adults in the country are allowed to vote.

How were voting rights restricted in the earliest forms of government?

In the earliest forms of government, only men who owned property and were educated were allowed to vote.

Who was determined to change the unfair voting practices in India before independence?

Several people, including Gandhiji (Mahatma Gandhi), were determined to change the unfair voting practices.

What practice is exemplified by applying a mark on a voter's finger?

Applying a mark on a voter's finger ensures that a person casts only one vote.

What unfair practice did Gandhiji criticize in his journal 'Young India'?

Gandhiji criticized the practice that allowed only wealthy men to vote while excluding those who were poor or uneducated.

What was one of the criteria for voting eligibility in the earliest forms of government?

Owning property was one of the criteria for voting eligibility.

Why was the early voting system considered unfair?

The early voting system was considered unfair because it excluded women, the poor, the property-less, and the uneducated from voting.

What change did Gandhiji and others seek in the voting rights system in India?

Gandhiji and others sought the implementation of universal adult franchise.

What democratic principle ensures that all adults in a country can vote?

The principle of universal adult franchise ensures that all adults in a country can vote.

How did early voting restrictions impact the governance of a country?

Early voting restrictions meant that a small, elite group made decisions for the entire population.

Study Notes

What is Government?

The government is responsible for making decisions and taking actions on various aspects of life, such as building roads and schools, reducing prices of essential items, increasing electricity supply, and providing aid during natural disasters.
It also runs postal and railway services, ensures access to good health facilities, and maintains peaceful relations with other countries.

Roles of Government

Protects the country's boundaries
Ensures access to good health facilities
Provides aid during natural disasters
Manages social issues, such as poverty, through various programs
Runs postal and railway services

Institutions of Government

The Supreme Court
Indian Railways
Bharat Petroleum

Levels of Government

Local level: village, town, or locality
State level: covers an entire state
National level: the entire country

Laws and Governance

The government makes laws that everyone must follow
Laws are enforced through punishments, such as fines or imprisonment, for non-compliance
People can take action if they feel a law is not being followed, such as approaching the court

Types of Government

Democracy: people elect representatives to make decisions and enforce laws
Monarchy: a king or queen has absolute power to make decisions and run the government

Democratic Governments

India is a democracy, where people have the power to elect their leaders
The main feature of a democracy is that people have the power to participate in decision-making
In representative democracies, people choose their representatives through elections, who then make decisions on their behalf

Women's Suffrage

The women's suffrage movement fought for women's right to vote
During World War I, women took on men's work, challenging stereotypes and demanding equal rights
American women got the right to vote in 1920, while UK women got to vote on equal terms as men in 1928

Universal Adult Franchise

All adults in a country have the right to vote
In the past, only men who owned property and were educated were allowed to vote, excluding women, the poor, and the uneducated
Gandhiji demanded universal adult franchise, calling for all adults to have the right to vote