The State,Local Government And Union Territories - Class 8 General Knowledge - Extra Questions

Is democracy accountable, responsive and legitimate government? Give reasons in favour of your view.

Yes, democracy accountable, responsive and legitimate government. Reasons are as follow:-
  • As the people has the right in choose their representatives through the electoral process. These elected representatives form the government and participate in the decision making process on behalf of the people. If these elected representatives are not work in a proper way, people have a chance to not elect them in next election. It defines that democracy  produces an accountable government.
  • Democratic governments are elected by the people and are responsible towards the people and Parliament. These governments promote the formation of public opinion and take care of the needs and expectations of the people.
  • After five years, elections are held for the legislature and people elect then government on the basis of their right to vote. The party which secures the majority forms the government. In the next election, if it loses the majority, it has to resign from office. Beside elections, the decisions in a democratic government are taken in a transparent manner.


With the help of an example, prove that a democratic government is a more accountable form of government.

We can take the example of India. In India, the government is accountable to the citizens.
(i) Government policies in India are based on the democratic values.
(ii) It is able to respond to the needs of the people.
(iii) It holds multi-party elections.
(iv) It has opposition parties to criticize the citizens.
(v) Democracy ensures that decision-making will be based on norms and procedures. So, a citizen who wants to know if a decision was taken through the correct procedures can find it out. This is known as transparency. So, this shows democracy produces a government which follows the procedures and is accountable to the government.
(vi) A democratic government rules within limits set by constitutional law and citizen's right.
(vii) Democracy provides a method to deal with difference and conflicts. It is suitable in countries like India. India has diversity of language, religion and culture.
(viii) It is better than other forms of government because it allows us to correct our own mistakes.
(ix) Democracy also increases the dignity of the citizens, because it is based on the principle of polticial equality. This means that the poorest and the least educated have the same status as the rich and educated.


Who has been shown in the given picture?
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The above picture is of Olympe de Gouges, one of the most important of the politically active women in revolutionary France.


In The Spirit of the Laws, Montesquieu proposed a division of power within the government between the legislative, the executive and the judiciary.
Give any three values which can be reflected from this proposal.

The three values which can be reflected from this proposal are:
(i) Power-sharing: This arrangement would refute the doctrine of the divine and absolute right of the monarch.
(ii) Equality: The enforcement of equality would bring all the people of France on the same platform. There would be no special privileges for the clergy or the nobility. Everyone would enjoy equal status.
(iii) Expansion of peace and prosperity: A good administration is always a harbinger of peace and prosperity. In France, if the government valued Montesquien's proposal, there would be peace everywhere. People would prosper day by day.


Mention any three differences between liberals and radicals.

(i) Liberals wanted a nation which tolerated all religions. In contrast, radicals wanted a nation in which government was based on the majority of a country's population.

(ii) Liberals did not believe in universal adult franchise. They felt men of property mainly should have the vote. But radicals opposed the privileges of great landowners and wealthy factory owners.

(iii) Liberals did not want the vote for women. On the other hand, many radicals supported women's suffragette movement.


Discuss three challenges faced by Panchayati Raj institutions in India.

Panchayati Raj system in India signifies the system of rural local self-government. It was constitutionalized through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992. 

Panchayati Raj institutions are simultaneously a remarkable success and s staggering failure. The three challenges faced by Panchayati Raj institutions in India are:-

1) The prime challenge that the institution faces is the problem of lack of finances. The lack of financial resources hinders their functions and growth. 
2) There is very little devolution of authority. Panchayati Raj institution cannot govern unless they are given the authority to actually perform functions related to governance.
3) Lack of awareness and non-fulfillment of promises made by these bodies make village people suspicious of the utility of Panchayati Raj bodies.


Class 8 General Knowledge Extra Questions