Sastry CBSE

Social Science Class 10 Important Questions Political Science Chapter 7 Outcomes of Democracy

Very Short Answer Questions (VSA) 1 Mark

Outcomes Of Democracy Class 10 Questions And Answers Chapter 7 Question 1.
How can you say that democracies are based on political equality? (2015 OD)
Answer:
Democracies are based on political equality as individuals have equal weight in electing representatives.

Outcomes Of Democracy Question Answer Chapter 7 Class 10 Question 2.
What is ‘transparency’ in a democracy? (2014 OD, 2015 OD)
Answer:
Democracy ensures that decision making will be based on norms and procedure. Every citizen has the right and means to examine the process of decision making. This is known as transparency.

Short Answer Questions (SA) 3 Marks

Outcomes Of Democracy Class 10 Important Questions And Answers Pdf Question 3.
How do democratic governments ensure transparency? Explain any three points. (2011 D)
Answer:

1. 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 out as democracy guarantees to the citizens the right and the means to examine the process of decision-making.
2. In a democracy people have the right to choose their rulers and people will have control over them. Whenever possible and necessary, citizens should be able to participate in decision-making that affects them all. Thus it ensures transparency by producing a government that is accountable to the citizens and is responsive to their needs and expectations.
3. It is right to expect democracy to produce a government that follows procedures and is accountable to people. To do so, the democratic government develops mechanisms for citizens—regular, free and fair elections, open public debate on major policies and legislations and citizens’ right to information about the government and its functioning.

Outcomes Of Democracy Class 10 Notes Questions And Answers Question 4.
What are the differences between democracy and dictatorship in the decision making process? (2012 OD)
Answer:

 

Democracy	Dictatorship
(i) Based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation. Thus, the necessary delay in implementation.	(i) Do not have to bother about majorities and/or public opinion, thus can be quick and efficient in decision-making.
(ii) Decisions are acceptable to people and are more effective.	(ii) May take decisions not accepted by the people.
(iii) A citizen has the right and the means to examine the process of decision-making. There is transparency.	(iii) Transparency is missing from a non-democratic form of government. There is no acc­ountability of the government to the people.

Outcomes Of Democracy Important Questions Chapter 7 Question 5.
“An ideal government would not only keep itself away from corruption but also make fighting corruption and black money a top priority”. Justify the statement. (2013 D)
Answer:
The values attached to the above statement signify the following practices and institutions:

• Regular free and fair elections, open public debate on major policies and legislation and citizens’ right to information about the government and its functions.
• An ideal government in a democracy follows procedures and is accountable to the people.
• A citizen has the right and the means to examine the process of decision making. This is known as transparency.
• An ideal government is attentive and responsive to the needs and expectations of the people and is largely free of corruption as it is a legitimate government. It is peoples own government.

Outcomes Of Democracy Class 10 Important Questions Question 6.
Explain the role of democratic governments in reducing economic disparities. (2011 OD)
Or, “Democracies do not appear to be very successful in reducing economic inequalities”. Examine the statement with examples. (2013 OD)
Answer:
Over the years, careful evidence has been gathered to see what the relationship of democracy with economic growth and economic inequalities is.

• It is seen that on an average dictatorial regimes have had a slightly better record of economic growth, i. e., 4.34%. But when we compare their record only in poor countries (4.28%), there is no difference.
• There is enough evidence to show that within democracies there can be very high degree of inequalities. In countries like South Africa and Brazil, the top 20 per cent people take away more than 60 per cent of the national income, leaving less than 3 per cent for the bottom 20 per cent population.

Perhaps more than development, it is reasonable to expect democracies to reduce economic disparities. Democracies are based on political equality, but despite equality in the political arena there are growing economic inequalities. The poor constitute a large proportion of our voters and no party would like to lose its votes. Yet democratically elected governments do not appear to be keen to tackle the problem of poverty.

Democracies are expected to produce good government, but there is no guarantee that they would also produce development. As evidence shows, the economic development depends on several factors, such as country’s size, global situation, co-operation from other countries, economic priorities adopted by the country etc.

Class 10 Civics Chapter 7 Extra Questions Question 7.
‘Democracy is seen to be good in principle, but felt, to be not so good in practice.’ Justify the statement with suitable arguments. (2014 D)
Answer:
If we look at some of the democratic policies being implemented in more than one hundred countries of the world, democracy seems to be good. For example, having a formal Constitution, holding regular elections, guaranteeing the citizens certain rights, working for the welfare of the people, etc. make us advocate that democracy is good.

But if we look in terms of social situations, their economic achievements and varied cultures, we find a very big difference in most of the democracies. The vast economic disparities, social injustice based on discrimination, standard of life, sex discrimination, etc. create many doubts about the merits of democracy. Whenever some of our expectations are not met, we start blaming the idea of democracy. Since democracy is a form of government, it can only create conditions for achieving our goals if they are reasonable.

Class 10 Civics Chapter 7 Question Answer Question 8.
How is democracy accountable and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens? Analyse. (2015 OD)
Answer:
A democracy is concerned with ensuring that people have the right to choose their rulers and have control over the rulers:

• Whenever possible and necessary, citizens should be able to participate in decision-making in a democracy.
• Democracy ensures that decision-making is based on norms and procedures. A citizen has the right and the means to examine the process of decision-making. Thus democracy entails transparency.
• For a democracy to produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government, it must ensure the following:
  • Regular, free and fair elections.
  • Open public debate on major policies and legislations.
  • Citizens’ right to be informed about government policies.
  • A government free from corruption.

Class 10 Outcomes Of Democracy Question Answer Question 9.
“Democratic government is legitimate government?” Support the statement with arguments. (2016 D)
Answer:
Democratic government is a legitimate government. It may be slow, less efficient, not always very responsive or clean. But a democratic government is peoples’ own government. That is why there is an overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world. People’s wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them. As a democratic government is peoples’ own government, they believe that democracy is suitable for their country as it is a legitimate government. Democracy’s ability to generate its own support is itself an outcome that cannot be ignored.

Outcomes Of Democracy Class 10 Question Answers Question 10.
“Democracy accommodates social diversities.” Support the statement with examples. (2016 OD)
Answer:
“Democracy accommodates social diversities” in the following ways:

1. Democracies develop a procedure to conduct their competition. This reduces the possibility of these tensions becoming explosive or violent.
2. No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But we can certainly learn to respect these differences and can evolve mechanism to negotiate these differences.
   Example, Belgium has successfully negotiated differences among ethnic population. This reduces the possibility of tensions.
3. Ability to handle social differences, divisions and conflicts is thus a definite plus point of democratic regimes.

Class 10 Political Science Chapter 7 Questions And Answers Question 11.
Analyse any three values that make democracy better. (2017 D)
Answer:
We feel that democracy is a better form of government than any other form of government because:

1. Democracy promotes equality among citizens.
2. It enhances dignity of individual. It promotes dignity of women and strengthens the claims of the disadvantaged.
3. It improves the quality of decision making. There is transparency in a democracy.
4. It provides methods to resolve conflicts.
5. Democracy allows room to correct mistakes.

Outcomes Of Democracy Question Answers Question 12.
On the basis of which values will it be a fair expectation that democracy should produce a harmonious social life? Explain. (2017 OD)
Answer:
No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But we can certainly learn to respect these differences and evolve a mechanism to negotiate the differences. Belgium is an example of how successfully differences were negotiated among ethnic groups. Therefore, democracy is best suited to accommodate various social divisions as it usually develops a procedure to conduct their competition. But the example of Sri Lanka shows how distrust between two communities turned into widespread conflict. Thus, a democracy must fulfil the following conditions and be based on these values in order to achieve a harmonious social life—

1. Majority and minority opinions are not permanent. Democracy is not simply rule by majority opinion. The majority needs to work with minority so that government may function to represent the general view.
2. Rule by majority does not become rule by majority community in terms of religion or race or linguistic groups, etc.
3. Democracy remains democracy so long as every citizen has a chance of being in majority at some point of time. No individual should be debarred from participating in a democracy on the basis of religion, caste, community, creed and other such factors.

Class 10 Outcomes Of Democracy Important Questions Question 13.
Why do we feel that democracy is a better form of government than any other form? Explain. 2015OD Answer: Democracy is a better form of government than any other form because:

1. It is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation. Thus the necessary delay in implementation.
2. Decisions are acceptable to people and are more effective.
3. A citizen has the right and the means to examine the process of decision-making. There is transparency in a democracy.
4. Democratic government is a legitimate government, people’s own government.
5. Ability to handle differences, decisions and conflicts is a positive point of democratic regimes.
6. Democracy has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal status and equal opportunity.

Outcomes Of Democracy Class 10 Important Questions And Answers Question 14.
Why do we feel that democracy is a better form of government than any other form of government? Explain. (2012 OD)
Or
How do you feel that democracy is better than any other form of government? Explain. (2013 OD)
Or
“Democracy is more effective than its other alternatives.” Justify the statement. (2015 D)
Answer:
We feel that democracy is a better form of government than any other form of government because:

1. Democracy promotes equality among citizens.
2. It enhances dignity of individual. It promotes dignity of women and strengthens the claims of the disadvantaged.
3. It improves the quality of decision making. There is transparency in a democracy.
4. It provides methods to resolve conflicts.
5. Democracy allows room to correct mistakes.

Outcomes Of Democracy Class 10 Questions And Answers Pdf Question 15.
How do democracies accommodate social diversity? Explain with examples. (2011 OD, 2014 OD)
Or
Explain the conditions in which democracies are able to accommodate social diversities. (2012 D)
Or
“Democracies lead to peaceful and harmonious life among citizens”. Support the statement with suitable examples. (2013 OD)
Answer:
No society can fully and permanently resolve conflicts among different groups. But we can certainly learn to respect these differences and evolve a mechanism to negotiate the differences. Belgium is an example of how successfully differences were negotiated among ethnic groups. Therefore, democracy is best suited to accommodate various social divisions as it usually develops a procedure to conduct their competition. But the example of Sri Lanka shows how distrust between two communities turned into widespread conflict, and thus a democracy must fulfil the following two conditions in order to achieve a harmonious social life:

1. Majority and minority opinions are not permanent. Democracy is not simply rule by majority opinion. The majority needs to work with minority so that government may function to represent the general view.
2. Rule by majority does not become rule by majority community in terms of religion or race or linguistic groups, etc.
3. Democracy remains democracy so long as every citizen has a chance of being in majority at some point of time. No individual should be debarred from participating in a democracy on the basis of religion, caste, community, creed and other such factors.

Question 16.
Explain the ways in which democracy has succeeded in maintaining dignity and freedom of citizens. (2012 D)
Or, “Democracy stands much superior to any other form of government in promoting dignity and freedom of the individual.” Support the statement with suitable examples. 20130D
Answer:
The passion of respect and freedom are the basis of democracy:

1. Economic disparity in society has been minimized to a great extent.
2. In many democracies women were deprived of their right to vote for a long period of time. After long struggle they achieved their right, respect and equal treatment.
3. Democracy in India has strengthened the claims of the disadvantaged and discriminated castes for equal states and opportunities, for example, SCs and STs.
4. In democracy all adult citizens have the right to vote.
5. Democracy evolves a mechanism that takes into account the differences and intrinsic attributes of various ethnic groups. In a democracy majority always needs to work taking into account the interest of the minority so that the minority do not feel alienated.

Question 17.
How is democracy a better form of government in comparison with other forms of governments? Explain. (2016 D, 2014 D)
Or, “There is an overwhelming support for the idea of democracy all over the world.” Support the statement. (2015 OD)
Answer:
Over a hundred countries of the world today claim and practice some kind of democratic politics.

• They have formal constitutions, hold elections, have parties and they guarantee rights of citizens.
  Thus, in most countries, the democracy produces a government that is accountable to the citizens and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens.
• No society can fully and permanently resolve conflict among different groups. But we can learn to respect these differences and evolve mechanisms to negotiate them. Democracy is best suited as it develops a procedure to conduct competitions. Belgium is a successful example of negotiating difference among ethnic population.
• Passion for respect and freedom is the basis of democracy and has been achieved in various degrees in various democracies.
• The support for democracy is overwhelming all over the world and is evident from South Asia, where the support exists in countries with democratic as well as undemocratic regimes.
• People wish to be ruled by representatives elected by them as a democratic government is people’s own government and makes them believe that it is suitable for their country as it is a legitimate government.

Question 18.
“Most destructive feature of democracy is that its examination never gets over.” Support the statement with appropriate arguments. (2011 D)
Answer:
Suitable arguments:

1. As people get some benefits of democracy, they ask for more.
2. People always come up with more expectations from the democratic set up.
3. They also have complaints against democracy.
4. More and more suggestions and complaints by the people is also a testimony to the success of democracy.
5. A public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of the democratic project.

Question 19.
“Democracy is seen to be good in principle but felt to be not so good in practice.” Justify the statement. (2013 D)
Answer:
If we look at some of the democratic policies being implemented in more than one hundred countries of the world, democracy seems to be good. For example, having a formal Constitution, holding regular elections, guaranteeing the citizens certain rights, working for the welfare of the people etc. make us advocate that democracy is good.

But if we look in terms of social situations, their economic achievements and varied cultures, we find a very big difference in most of the democracies. The vast economic disparities, social injustice based on discrimination, standard of life, sex discrimination, etc. create many doubts about the merits of democracy. Whenever some of our expectations are not met, we start blaming the idea of democracy. Since democracy is a form of government, it can only create conditions for achieving our goals if they are reasonable.

Question 20.
“Democracy stands much superior in promoting dignity and freedom of the citizens”. Justify the statement. (2016 OD)
Answer:
Examples to illustrate that dignity and freedom of citizens are best guaranteed in a democracy:

(i) Dignity of women. Democracy recognizes dignity of women as a necessary ingredient of society. The one way to ensure that women related problems get adequate attention is to have more women as elected representatives. To achieve this, it is legally binding to have a fair proportion of women in the elected bodies. Panchayati Raj in India has reserved one-third seats in local government bodies for women. In March 2010, the Women’s Reservation Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha ensuring 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State legislative bodies.

(ii) Democracy has strengthened the claims of disadvantaged and discriminated castes. When governments are formed, political parties usually take care that representatives of different castes and tribes find a place in it. Some political parties are known to favour some castes. Democracy provides for equal status and opportunities for all castes.

(iii) Democracy transforms people from the status of a subject into that of a citizen. A democracy is concerned with ensuring that people will have the right to choose their rulers and people will have control over the rulers. Whenever possible and necessary, citizens should be able to participate in decision-making that affects them all.

(iv) A citizen has the right and the means to examine the process of decision-making. There is transparency in a democracy like India. In October 2005, the Right to Information (RTI) law was passed which ensures all its citizens the right to get all the information about the functions of the government departments. In a democracy, people also have the right to complain about its functioning.

Social Science Class 10 Important Questions

Social Science Class 10 Important Questions Economics Chapter 2 Sectors of the Indian Economy Class 10 Important Questions

Very Short Answer Questions (VSA) 1 Mark

Class 10 Economics Chapter 2 Extra Questions Question 1.
Classify the economy on the basis of ownership of enterprises. (2012)
Answer:
Public Sector and Private Sector.

Sectors Of Indian Economy Class 10 Sample Paper Question 2.
Classify the economy on the basis of the nature of the activity. (2015)
Answer:
The economy is classified on the basis of economic activities into three sectors namely Primary sector, Secondary sector and Tertiary sector.

Question 3.
What is disguised unemployment? (2012)
Answer:
Disguised unemployment is a situation in which more people are employed on a job than the required number.

Question 4.
Production of a commodity, mostly through the natural process is an activity of which sector? (2013)
Answer:
Primary Sector

Question 5.
Name the sector in which the government owns most of the assets and provides all the services. (2013)
Answer:
Pubic Sector

Question 6.
Name the sector which continued to be the largest employer even in the year 2000. (2014)
Answer:
The primary sector continued to be the largest employer even in the year 2000.

Question 7.
How many days of guaranteed employment are provided under National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005? (2014)
Answer:
100 days of employment are guaranteed under NREGA, 2005.

Question 8.
ATM is an example of which sector? (2014)
Answer:
Tertiary sector

Question 9.
Suggest any one way to create employment opportunity in the rural areas. (2015)
Answer:
Setting up a dal mill, opening a cold storage, starting or promoting honey collection are some of the ways of creating employment opportunities in rural areas.

Question 10.
Production of a commodity, mostly through the natural process is an activity of which sector? (2013)
Answer:
Primary Sector

Question 11.
Name the sector in which the government owns most of the assets and provides all the services. (2017 OD)
Answer:
Public Sector

Short Answer Questions (SA) 3 Marks

Question 12.
Explain how public sector contributes to the economic development of a nation. (2012)
Answer:
In the public sector, ownership of assets and delivery of services is under the government. The government spends huge amounts of money in providing various services to the public at reasonable costs.

The government thus contributes towards the economic development of the nation:
By development of infrastructure, i.e.,

1. Construction of roads, national highways, flyovers, metro-rails, railway lines, irrigation through dams, etc.
2. The government provides an impetus to industrial growth by supplying electricity at affordable rates.
3. By running schools and providing good quality of education, the government is trying to remove illiteracy and taking the nation forward.

Question 13.
Why is NREGA also called the Right to work? Explain the objectives of National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005. (2015, 2014, 2013)
Answer:
Every state or region in India has potential for increasing the income and employment in that area.
Recognising this, the Central Government in India has passed an act called the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005,
Main objectives of the NREGA 2005 are:

• to implement the Right to Work in 200 districts of India.
• to guarantee 100 days of employment in a year by the Government. In case the Government fails, it offers unemployment allowance.
• to give preference to the type of work that will help increase the production from land.

Question 14.
With the example of sugarcane, explain the interdependence of all the three sectors of the economy. (2012)
Answer:
The primary sector involves production at the most basic level, i.e., through exploitation of natural resources. Cultivation of sugarcane is an agricultural activity which comes under the primary sector. Raw materials from the primary sector are converted into processed goods through manufacturing in the secondary sector. Using sugarcane as raw material, jaggery and sugar is made in the factories. The tertiary or service sector provides support to the process of production. It includes transportation, storage, marketing and sale of products. For instance, transportation of sugarcane from the fields to the sugar mills. Further on, the transportation of jaggery and sugar from factories and sugar mills to the markets.

The farmer (Primary sector) also needs fertilisers and seeds which are processed in some factory (Secondary sector) and which will be delivered to his doorstep by some means of transportation (Tertiary sector). In this way, for every little process there is interdependence of the three sectors of the economy on each other.

Question 15.
“The problem of underemployment is not confined only to agriculture”. Support the statement with examples. (2013)
Answer:
The problem of underemployment is not confined only to agriculture. It can also happen in other sectors.

• For example, there are thousands of casual workers in the service sector in urban areas who search for daily employment. They are employed as painters, plumbers, repair persons and other odd jobs. Many of them don’t find work everyday.
• Similarly, we see other people of the service sector on the street pushing a cart or selling something where they may spend the whole day but earn very little. They are doing such work only due to the lack of better employment opportunities.
• The unorganised sector includes small and scattered units outside the government control. Employment is not secure. People can be asked to leave without any reason. When there is less work, such as during some seasons, some people may be asked to leave.

Question 16.
What are final goods and intermediate goods? How do they help in calculating (GDP) Gross Domestic Product? (2013)
Answer:
Final goods are goods that are ultimately consumed by the consumer rather than used in the production of another good.
Intermediate goods are goods used as inputs in the production of final goods and services. For example, a car sold to a consumer is a final good; components such as a tyre sold to the car manufacturer is an intermediate good. The value of final goods already includes the value of all intermediate goods that are used in making the final good.

The value of final goods and services produced in each sector during a particular year provides the total production of the sector for that year. And the sum of production in the three sectors gives the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of a country. It is the value of all final goods and services produced within a country during a particular year.

Question 17.
Explain any three ways to solve the problem of underemployment. (2013)
Answer:
There are people who are capable of better work and earning more than what they are getting. The reason for this is that better jobs for which they are qualified are not available. Such people are termed as underemployed, e.g., a graduate teacher driving a taxi. Underemployment is most prevalent in the primary or agricultural sector.

Three ways to solve the problem of underemployment:

1. Provision of loans may help in creating jobs for disguised unemployed and underemployed workers.
   The loan money can be used for the promotion of economic activity of the family adding to the family’s earning or for setting up a cottage industry.
2. Another way is to promote and locate industries and services in semi-rural areas where a large number of people may be employed.
   Example, Setting up a dal mill, opening a cold storage, starting or promoting honey collection.
3. If local banks give credit to farmers at a reasonable rate of interest, they will be able to buy agricultural inputs and increase productivity.
4. Centres for vegetables and fruit processing, health centres, educational institutions, tourism and IT centres will certainly help in creating jobs.

Question 18.
Why didn’t shift out of primary sector happen in case of employment although there has been a change in the share of the three sectors in GDP? (2013)
Answer:
A remarkable fact about India is that while there has been a change in the share of the three sectors in GDP, a similar shift has not taken place in employment.

1. A similar shift out of primary sector did not happen in case of employment because not enough jobs were created in the secondary and tertiary sectors.
2. Even though industrial output or the production of goods went up by eight times during the period, employment in the industry went up by only 2.5 times.
3. While production in the service sector rose by 11 times, employment in the service sector rose less than three times.
   As a result, more than half of the workers in the country are working in the primary sector, mainly in agriculture, producing only a quarter of the GDP.

Question 19.
Classify the economic sectors on the basis of nature of activities. Mention the main feature of each. (2014)
Answer:
On the basis of nature of activities, economic sectors are classified into:

1. Primary sector
2. Secondary sector
3. Tertiary sector

Primary sector forms the base for all other products that we subsequently make. Since most of the natural products we get, are from agriculture, dairy, fishing, forestry, this sector is also called sector for agriculture and related activities (stone quarrying, animal husbandry, etc.).

Secondary sector covers activities in which natural products are changed into other forms through ways of manufacturing. It can take place in a factory, workshop or at home.
Examples:
(a) Spinning yam from cotton fibre from plants.
(b) Making sugar from sugarcane.
It is also called the Industrial sector.

Tertiary sector. Activities in this sector do not produce any goods. This sector produces services that act as aid and support to the Primary and Secondary sectors. Services like administration, police, army, transport, hospitals, educational institutions, post and telegraph, courts, municipal corporation, insurance companies, storage, trade communication and banking are some of the examples of activities of the Tertiary sector. This sector is also known as Service sector.

Question 20.
What is meant by Gross Domestic Product (GDP)? How is GDP measured in India? (2015)
Answer:
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of a country is the value of all the final goods and services produced in each sector within a country during a particular year. This indicates how big the country’s economy is. GDP is measured by the Central Government Ministry. This Ministry, with the help of all the Indian States and Union Territories, collects information relating to total volume of goods and services and their prices and then makes an estimate of the GDP.

Long Answer Questions (LA)

Question 21.
Describe the importance of Primary sector in the Indian economy.
Answer:
Importance of Primary sector:

1. Primary Sector provides the basic needs of economy for food and mineral ores.
2. It produces some of the raw materials (like jute, cotton, coal extracted from mines) for the industrial sector.
3. The Primary sector continued to be the largest employer in the economy even in the year 2000, the reason being that Secondary and Tertiary sectors still do not create enough jobs.
4. The agricultural population in the Primary sector provides a very large market of consumers for the Secondary sector (for buying finished products like clothes, goods of daily need, fertilizers, etc.).

Question 22.
How can we create more employment in secondary and tertiary sectors in rural India? (2012)
Answer:

1. Investing in basic agricultural infrastructure like construction of dams and canals for irrigation can lead to a lot of employment generation within the agricultural sector itself reducing the problem of under employment.
2. If the government invests some money in the storage and transportation of crops, or makes better rural roads so that mini-trucks reach everywhere, several farmers can continue to grow and sell these crops throughout the year. This activity can provide productive employment to not just farmers but also others such as those in services like transport or trade.
3. Providing credit at a reasonable rate of interest to help farmers buy seeds, fertilisers, agricultural equipments, pumpsets etc. can generate employment in rural banking.
4. The government/banks can provide loans at cheap rates to the small farmers to improve their irrigational facilities like constructing a well so that they can irrigate their land well and get two to three crops a year instead of one. Thus more people can be employed in the same field.
5. Another way is to promote and locate industries and services in semi-rural areas where a large number of people may be employed. For example, setting up a dal mill, opening a cold storage, starting or promoting honey collection, etc.

Question 23.
Explain the importance of the service sector. (2013)
Or
Explain reasons for the rising importance of the tertiary sector in India. (2012)
Answer:
Tertiary sector or service sector plays a very significant role and its importance is rising day by day:

1. Greater the development of primary sector and secondary sector more would be the demand for Services.
2. Tertiary sector has become the largest producer in India because various kinds of Services such as hospitals, educational institutions, post and telegraph services, police stations, courts, village administrative offices, transport, banks, insurance companies, etc. are required.
3. Even development of agriculture and industry leads to the development of services such as transport, trade and storage, etc.
4. With the rise in income, demand for more services is rising.
   For example, eating out in restaurants, tourism, malls and shopping complexes, schools, professional training, etc.
5. New services like Information Technology and outsourcing have become very important for modem day trade and industry.
   Unfortunately, the rapid growth of the service sector in India has not yet shown the expected corresponding increase in employment.

Question 24.
How can employment be increased in both rural and urban areas? Explain. (2013)
Answer:
Ways to provide more employment opportunities in rural areas:

1. Promote and locate industries and services in semi-rural areas where a large number of people may be employed. Example, setting up a dal mill, opening a cold storage, starting or promoting honey collection.
2. Promoting small-scale industries, small-scale manufacturing units, agro-processing industries and providing loans for the same. The government/banks can provide loans at cheap rates to the small farmers to improve their irrigational facilities so that they can get two or three crops a year instead of one. Thus more people can be employed in the same field.
3. If more dams are built and canal water is provided to all the small farmers, then a lot of employment can be generated in the agricultural sector.
4. If more money is spent on transportation and storage, then not only small farmers will be benefitted but many more people can be employed in transport and storage sector.
5. Investing more in tourism and employing more youth in this sector.

Question 25.
“There are several things needed by the society as a whole”. In the light of this statement explain as to who can provide them at a reasonable cost, the private or the public sector and why? (2013)
Or
Explain any three demerits of private sector.
Answer:
Society as a whole needs several things which the private sector will not be able to provide at a reasonable cost.
Reasons for this are:

1. Activities in the private sector are guided by the motive to earn profits and not welfare of the people,
2. There are several services needed by the society which the private sector cannot provide at a reasonable price. Activities like construction of roads, bridges, railways, irrigation through dams etc., require huge amount of money which is beyond the capacity of the Private sector. Private sector charges high rates for the use of these services.
3. It is difficult for the Private sector to collect money from thousands of people who use these services.
4. The Private sector sometimes ignores regional balanced development, equality of income and development of basic industries.
5. Private sector charges include profit margins whereas the government will charge a reasonable price for services. It is the primary duty of the government to ensure the provision of public facilities with a service motto.

Question 26.
Describe any five conditions or aspects that you would consider before accepting a job? (2014)
Answer:
Before accepting a job many factors need to be considered apart from income—

1. These include factors such as facilities for families, working atmosphere, or opportunity to learn.
2. In another case, a job may give less pay but may offer regular employment that enhances sense of security. Another job however, may offer high pay but no job security and also leave no time for family.
3. The terms of employment are as per government rules and regulations.
4. The enterprise also gives several other benefits like paid leave, provident fund, gratuity, etc.
5. The employer also makes provisions for medical benefits and safe working environment. A safe and secure environment may allow more women to take up a variety of jobs.

Question 27.
‘There has been a big change in the three sectors of economic activities, but a similar shift has not taken place in the share of employment.’ Explain the above statement on the basis of facts. (2014)
Answer:
Though there has been a change in the share of the three sectors in GDP, similar shift has not taken place in the structure of employment. The Primary sector continues to be the largest employer even in the year 2000. The reason for this is that not enough jobs are created in the Secondary and Tertiary sectors. More than half of the workers in the country are working in the Primary sector, mainly in agriculture, producing only a quarter of GDP. In contrast to this, Secondary and Tertiary sectors produce three- fourths of the produce though they employ less than half of the people.

Reasons:

1. During the last thirty years in the Indian economy, not enough jobs have been created in the Secondary and Tertiary sectors, although their output has increased many folds. As a result more than half of the workers in the country are working in the primary sector, mainly agriculture, causing gross underemployment due to overcrowding in the sector.
2. There are more people engaged in agricultural activities than is necessary. The situation is such that even if we remove a lot of people from agriculture, the production of this sector will not be affected.

Question 28.
Define tertiary sector. Describe about the different kinds of people employed in this sector in India. (2014)
Answer:
Tertiary sector. Activities in this sector do not produce any goods. This sector produces services that act as aid and support to the primary and secondary sector. Services like administration, police, army, transport, hospitals, educational institutions, post & telegraph, courts, municipal corporation, banking & insurance, storage, trade and communications are examples of activities in the tertiary sector. This sector is also known as the Service Sector.

1. The first kind of people are the highly skilled and educated people providing specialised services. E.g., doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc. There are a limited number of services that employ highly skilled and educated workers and offer big salaries.
2. There are also a very large number of workers engaged in services, such as small shopkeepers, repair persons, transport persons. These people barely manage to earn a living and yet they perform these services because no alternative opportunities for work are available to them.
   Hence, only a part of this sector is growing in importance.

Question 29.
State any five features each of public sector and private sector. (2015)
Answer:
Public Sector:

1. The government owns most of the assets.
2. All the services are provided by the government.
3. The main motive of the public sector is the welfare of the people (masses). Activities are guided by the interest of the nation as a whole.
4. Employees feel secured and there is discipline and regular work.
5. Governments raise money through taxes and other meAnswer:
6. For example, railways, post offices, construction of roads, bridges, harbours, dams, etc.

Private Sector:

1. In the private sector, ownership of assets is in the hands of private individuals or companies.
2. Services are provided or are in the hands of individuals.
3. Activities in the private sector are guided by the motive to earn profits and not welfare of the people.
4. Jobs of the employees are less secured and the whims of the owners are above all.
5. Private sector charges high rates for the use of services provided by them.
6. For example, Companies like Tata Iron and Steel Co. (TISCO), Reliance Industries, etc.

Question 30.
Explain with suitable examples how public sector contributes to the economic development of the nation. (2015)
Answer:
Role of Public sector in economic development. The Public sector is that sector of the economy in which the government owns most of the assets and provides all the services, e.g., railways, post and telegraph.

1. It promotes rapid economic development through creation and expansion of infrastructure.
2. The public sector provides various services and facilities like construction of roads, bridges, railways, irrigation through dams, etc. where heavy spending is required.
3. A large number of activities are a primary responsibility of the government like schools, hospitals, housing, safe drinking water, etc.
4. Certain activities are meant to be supported by the government, like providing electricity to small scale industries at low prices, supply of food to the poor, etc. It encourages development of small, medium and cottage industries.
5. It ensures availability of goods and services at moderate rates and also contributes to community development through creation and expansion of infrastructure.

Question 31.
How can workers in the unorganised sector be protected? Explain giving examples of rural and urban areas.
Answer:
There is need for protection and support of the workers in the unorganised sector:

1. In the rural areas, this sector comprises of landless agricultural labourers, small and marginal farmers, share croppers and artisans (weaners, carpenters, goldsmiths).
   These farmers need to be supported through adequate facility for timely delivery of seeds, agricultural inputs, credit, storage facilities and marketing outlets.
2. In urban areas, workers in the small scale industry, casual workers in construction, trade and transport, street vendors, head load workers, garment makers, ragpickers etc. are all a part of the unorganised sector. Small scale workers need government aid for procuring raw materials and marketing of their goods.
3. The government must make concerted efforts to ensure that workers in this sector are not exploited and earn fair wages. They must also be provided with job security and other benefits.

Question 32.
Describe certain activities of public interest on which the government has to focus on priority basis. (Board Question)
Answer:
Activities of public interest on which the government needs to focus on a priority basis:

1. Education. The government must provide adequate education facilities in all rural and urban areas. The government must necessarily focus on education for girls so that all girls are able to acquire atleast secondary level schooling. Running proper schools and providing quality education, particularly elementary education, is the duty of the government.
2. Health and Nutrition,
   1. Basic health care facilities are a must for all. Establishment of government hospitals, clinics and dispensaries, especially in rural areas, to provide subsidized and unadulterated medicines to the poorer sections of society.
   2. An effective Public Distribution System—proper functioning of ration shops and equitable distribution of food grains is very essential.
3. Transportation. A well developed public transport system to make it easy for general public to commute.
4. Electricity. It is the duty of the government to provide electricity and water at reasonable rates to the common man and prevent him from exploitation by private companies.

Question 33.
Compare the employment conditions prevailing in the Organized and Unorganized sectors. (NCERT Question)
Answer:
Organized sector:

1. In this sector, terms of employment are regular and people have assured work.
2. They are registered by the government.
3. Workers enjoy security of employment, they have to work for fixed hours, they are paid overtime and enjoy several other benefits like paid leave, payment during holidays, Provident Fund, gratuity, pension, retirement benefits, medical benefits, etc.
4. Entities under Organized sector have to follow the rules and regulations which are given in various laws (Factories Act, Minimum Wages Act, Payment of Gratuity Act, Shops and Establishment Act).

Unorganized sector:

1. In this sector, employment is not secure and jobs are irregular.
2. Here government rules are not followed as they are outside the control of the government.
3. Usually, they offer low-paid jobs, no provision for overtime, paid leave, holiday leave or sick leave.
4. Employees can be asked to leave without any reason. One can also see a large number of under-employed workers in this sector.

Question 34.
Explain the importance of the service sector. (2017 D)
Answer:
Tertiary sector or service sector plays a very significant role and its importance is rising day by day:

1. Greater the development of primary sector and secondary sector more would be the demand for Services.
2. Tertiary sector has become the largest producer in India because various kinds of services such as hospitals, educational institutions, post and telegraph services, police stations, courts, village administrative offices, transport, banks, insurance companies etc. are required.
3. Even development of agriculture and industry leads to the development of services such as transport, trade and storage etc.
4. With the rise in income, demand for more services is rising.
   For example, eating out in restaurants, tourism, malls and shopping complexes, schools, professional training.
5. New services like Information Technology and outsourcing have become very important for modern day trade and industry.
   Unfortunately, the rapid growth of the service sector in India has not yet shown the expected
   corresponding increase in employment.

Question 35.
How can employment be increased in both rural and urban areas? Explain. (2017 OD)
Answer:
Ways to provide more employment opportunities in rural areas:

1. Promote and locate industries and services in semi-rural areas where a large number of people may be employed. For example, setting up a dal mill, opening a cold storage, starting or promoting honey collection.
2. Promoting small-scale industries, small-scale manufacturing units, agro-processing industries and providing loans for the same. The government/banks can provide loans at cheap rates to the small farmers to improve their irrotational facilities so that they can get two or three crops a year instead of one. Thus more people can be employed in the same field.
3. If more dams are built and canal water is provided to all the small farmers, then a lot of employment can be generated in the agricultural sector.
4. If more money is spent on transportation and storage, then not only small farmers will be benefitted but many more people can be employed in transport and storage sector.
5. Investing more in tourism and employing more youth in this sector.

Question 36.
“There are several things needed by the society as a whole”. In the light of this statement explain as to who can provide them at a reasonable cost, the private or the public sector and why? (2017 OD)
Answer:
Society as a whole needs several things which the private sector will not be able to provide at a reasonable cost.
Reasons for this are:

1. Activities in the private sector are guided by the motive to earn profits and not welfare of the people.
2. There are several services needed by the society which the private sector cannot provide at a reasonable price. Activities like construction of roads, bridges, railways, irrigation through dams, etc., require huge amount of money which is beyond the capacity of the Private sector. Private sector charges high rates for the use of these services.
3. It is difficult for the Private sector to collect money from thousands of people who use these services.
4. The Private sector sometimes ignores regional balanced development, equality of income and development of basic industries.
5. Private sector charges include profit margins whereas the government will charge a reasonable price for services. It is the primary duty of the government to ensure the provision of public facilities with a service motto.

Social Science Class 10 Important Questions

Social Science Class 10 Important Questions Economics Chapter 1 Development Class 10 Important Questions

Very Short Answer Questions (VSA) 1 Mark

Development Class 10 Questions And Answers Question 1.
Define the term National Income?
Answer:
National income is defined as the total value of all final goods and services produced with a country plus net income from transactions like (export and import) with other countries.

Class 10 Economics Chapter 1 Development 1 Mark Questions Question 2.
Define GDP. (2012)
Answer:
GDP or Gross Domestic Product is the total value of all final goods and services produced during a particular year in a country.

Development Class 10 Important Questions Question 3.
What is the main criterion used by the World Bank in classifying different countries? (2012)
Answer:
The World Bank uses average income or per capita income as a criterion for classifying different countries.

Important Questions Of Economics Class 10 Chapter 1 Question 4.
Why is the total income of countries not used to make comparisons between them? (2012)
Answer:
The total income of countries is not used to make comparisons between them, because the population of different countries is different and does not give a clear picture if comparisons are made on this basis.

Class 10 Economics Chapter 1 Development Questions And Answers Question 5.
Literacy rate measures the proportion of literate population in which age group? (2012)
Answer:
The age group of 7 years and above.

Development Class 10 Extra Questions Question 6.
Which state of India has the lowest infant mortality rate? (2013)
Answer:
Kerala

Development Sample Paper Class 10 Question 7.
What is Human Development Index? (2013)
Answer:
Human Development Index is a composite index of achievements of a nation in terms of three important variables, namely—longevity, knowledge and standard of living, that determine the quality of life.

Class 10 Economics Chapter 1 Development Important Questions And Answers Question 8.
Name the report published by UNDP which compares countries based on the educational levels of the people, their health status and per capita income. (2013)
Answer:
Human Development Report

Class 10 Economics Important Questions And Answers Question 9.
What term is used to describe the ‘average number of years a person is expected to live at birth’? (2013)
Answer:
Life Expectancy

Chapter 1 Development Class 10 Important Questions Question 10.
What is the advantage of per capita income? Mention any one. (2014)
Answer:
It helps to compare the development of countries as per capita income tells us whether people in one country are better off than others in a different country.

Question 11.
What do final goods and services mean? (2014)
Answer:
The various production activities in the primary, secondary and tertiary sector produce large number of goods and services for consumption and investment are final goods and services.

Question 12.
Why is sustainable development essential? Give one reason. (2015)
Answer:
Sustained development aims at economic development without damaging the environment and at the same time conserving for the future. Resources are to be used in such a way that they are not overexploited.

Question 13.
Why is per capita income of different countries calculated in dollars and not in their own currencies by the World Bank? (Board Question)
Answer:
Per capita income of different countries is calculated in dollars and not in their own currencies because the dollar has been the strongest and stablest currency since the end of the 2nd World War and it becomes easy to compare the per capita incomes of various countries when these are converted into a common currency, i.e., US dollar ($).

Question 14.
“What may be development for one may not be development for the other.” Explain with a suitable example. (Board Question)
Answer:
Different persons have different notions of development because life situations of persons are different. For example, Construction of dams leads to generation of hydroelectricity, thus development. However many people have to be displaced from their villages, hence it may not be development for them.

Question 15.
What is meant by sustainability of development? (Board Question)
Answer:
This signifies that the level of economic development of a country should be maintained or sustained in all the years. Development in the present should not compromise with the needs of the future generations.

Question 16.
Define:

1. Infant mortality rate
2. Literacy rate
3. Net attendance ratio
4. BMI

Answer:

1. Infant mortality rate. It indicates the number of children that die before the age of 1 year as a proportion of 1000 live children bom in that particular year.
2. Literacy rate. It measures the proportion of literate population in the 7 and above age group.
3. Net Attendance ratio. It is the total number of children of age group 6 to 10 attending school as a percentage of total number of children in the same age group.
4. BMI stands for Body Mass Index. It is calculated by dividing the weight of a person in kilograms (kgs) by the square of his/her height in metres. It is an indicator of the level of nourishment in adults.

Question 17.
Literacy rate measures the proportion of literate population in which age group? (2017 D)
Answer:
The age group of 7 years and above.

Short Answer Questions (SA) 3 Marks

Question 18.
Why do we use averages? Are there any limitations to their use? Illustrate with your own examples related to development. (NCERT Question)
Answer:

1. Total income is not a useful measure for comparison between countries. Since countries have different populations, comparing total income does not tell what an average person is likely to earn. Hence, we use average income which is total income of the country divided by total population.
2. The defect of average as a measure is that it does not show the distribution (dispersion) of income between the rich and the poor.
3. Two countries may have the same average income but in one country almost every family may enjoy more or less the same kind of income, whereas in the other, some may be very rich and others very poor. The disparity between rich and poor is an important feature that the average measure (per capita income) does not consider.
   Example: In terms of development, we can take the example of India, where the metro towns are full of high-rise buildings and shopping malls while some villages have not yet been provided with a basic necessity like electricity.

Question 19.
What is per capita income? Mention any two limitations of per capita income as an indicator of development. (2012)
Answer:
The total income of a country divided by its total population gives the Per Capita Income.
Money cannot buy all the goods and services that are needed to live well. So income by itself is not a completely adequate indicator of material goods and services that citizens are able to use. For example, money can not buy a pollution-free environment or ensure that one gets unadulterated medicines, unless one can afford to shift to a community that already has all these things.

Question 20.
Kerala, with lower per capita income, has a better human development ranking than Punjab. Hence, per capita income is not a useful criterion at all and should not be used to compare States. Do you agree? Discuss. NCERT Question
Answer:
Per capita income is not a useful criterion at all to measure the human development ranking of a state. High per capita income is not the only attribute to a good quality life. Money cannot buy all the essential things required for a good life. Pollution-free atmosphere to ensure good health, protection from infectious diseases, lowering of mortality rate, promotion of literacy, etc. are essential for a good standard of living. In order to achieve these, joint efforts have to be made by all members of a community, be it rich or poor.
Kerala ranks higher compared to Punjab even with a lower per capita income because—

1. mortality rate is lower
2. literacy rate is higher and
3. total number of children attending school (Classes I-V) is higher.

Question 21.
On the basis of which three indicators of HDI 2004 Sri Lanka has better rank than India? (2014)
Answer:
Three indicators of HDI 2004 in which Sri Lanka has better rank than India:

1. Per capita income—The per capita income of Sri Lanka in US dollars was 4,390 US dollars while that of India was 3,139 US dollars.
2. Life expectancy at birth—The life expectancy at birth for Sri Lanka was 74, higher than that of India at 64.
3. Gross enrolment ratio for three levels—Sri Lanka had Gross Enrolment ratio of 69 while that of India was 60.

Question 22.
‘Conflicting goals can also be developmental goals’. Elaborate with examples. (2014)
Answer:
All persons do not have the same notion of development or progress. Each one of them seeks different things. The seek things that are most important for them, i.e., that which can fulfil their aspirations or desires. In fact at times two persons or groups of persons may seek things which are conflicting.

A girl expects as much freedom and opportunity as her brother and that he also shares in the household work. Her brother may not like this.

To get more electricity, industrialists may want more dams. But this may submerge the land and disrupt the lives of people who are displaced, such as tribals. They might resent this and may prefer small check dams or tanks to irrigate their land.

Question 23.
What are common developmental goals? Give any two suitable examples of common developmental goals. (2015)
Answer:
There are certain goals which are the same or common for all. These are common developmental goals. The developmental goals that people have are not only about better income but also about other important things in life. More income or more material goods do not always give us a good quality life.

There are other aspects such as equal treatment, freedom, security, opportunity to learn, good working conditions, pollution-free atmosphere, job security and good social life which are very important for a good quality life. Money or material things that one can buy with it, is one factor on which our life depends. But quality of our life also depends on non-material things, for example, the role of our friends in our life which cannot be measured but mean a lot to us.

Question 24.
“Money cannot buy all the goods and services that one needs to live well” Do you agree with this statement? Justify your answer with any three suitable arguments. (2015)
Answer:
Yes, I agree with the statement because money income and material goods alone are not an adequate indicator of a good quality of life. Money cannot buy all the goods and services one needs to live well.

• Money cannot buy a pollution free and dean environment with fresh air.
• It cannot protect us from infectious diseases and guarantee good health for us.
• Money cannot assure that medicines available in the market are not adulterated.
  To live well one needs non-material factors such as equal treatment, freedom, security, equal opportunity to learn, a pollution free environment, good and safe working conditions etc.

Question 25.
Apart from income, which other six things people look for as important aspects of our lives? (2014, 2012)
Answer:
High per capita income is not the only attribute to a good quality life. Money cannot buy all the essential things required for a good life. Pollution-free atmosphere to ensure good health, protection from infectious diseases, lowering of mortality rate, promotion of literacy, job security, good working conditions, etc. are essential for a good standard of living.

Question 26.
One what basis the rich and low income countries have been categorized in the world? What are the limitations of this approach? According to the World Development Report, 2006, India comes in which category? Give reason for the same. (2015, 2014)
Answer:
The World Bank uses average income or per capita income as a criterion for classifying different countries. Countries with per capita income of ?4,53,000 per annum and above (in the year 2004) are called rich countries and those with per capita income of ?37,000 or less are called low income countries (India comes under low income countries; the per capita income in India is ?28,000 per annum). Those falling in between ₹37,000 – ₹4,53,000 are placed in the middle category.

Limitations of this criterion.

1. While averages are useful for comparison, they also hide disparities. Two countries may have identical average income, but one country may have equitable distribution where people are neither very rich nor very poor, while in the other country most citizens are very poor and very few are extremely rich,
2. Better income cannot ensure a good quality life. Criterion set by the World Bank has ignored certain attributes of a good life which do not depend on income or cannot be . bought with money.
   Example, freedom, equal treatment, equal opportunities, free atmosphere, provision of unadulterated medicines, etc.

Question 27.
Why do people look at a mix of goals for development? Explain.
Answer:
Though income is one of the most important components of development, but there are other important goals which people look at for development—

1. People also seek things like equal treatment, freedom, security and respect.
2. Women need a safe and secure environment to take up a variety of jobs or to run businesses as entrepreneurs.
3. People seek a pollution free environment.
4. Students seek better education and equal opportunities to learn.

Long Answer Questions (LA) 5 Marks

Question 28.
Why do different persons have different notions of development? Which of the following explanations is more important and why?
(a) Because people are different.
(b) Because life situations of persons are different.
Answer:
The correct explanation is ‘Because life situations of persons are different.’
Developmental goals are different for different categories of people because of their different aspirations. Aspirations are based on their needs. At times people may have conflicting developmental goals also. What may be development for one may not be development for another. It may even be destructive for the other.

Example, Industrialists may want construction of more dams for more electricity, but this may lead to displacement of tribals who live in those areas and thereby disrupt their lives.

Example, The inhabitants of Nandigram in West Bengal are mainly agriculturists and their aspirations are to see development in the field of agriculture, whereas to some it may appear that industrial advancement is more necessary for national development.

Question 29.
What does HDI stand for? Explain the main criteria of measuring HDI according to UNDP Report of 1990. (2015)
Answer:
HDI Stand for Human Development Index.
Main criteria of measuring HDI:

1. HDI published by UNDP compares countries based on the educational levels of the people, their health status and per capita income.
2. HDI determines the rank of a country by its overall achievement in three areas, i.e., life expectancy, educational level and per capita income.
3. Many improvements have been suggested in calculating HDI and many new components have been added to Human Development Report.
4. Pre-fixing Human to Development, it has made it clear that what is important in development is what is happening to citizens of a country, i.e., the health and well being of the people is most important.

Question 30.
Explain with examples that there are other important development goals also besides income. (2014)
Answer:
More income or more material goods do not always give us a good quality life. There are other aspects such as equal treatment, freedom, security, opportunity to learn, good working conditions, pollution-free atmosphere, job security and good social life which are very important for a good quality life.

Money or material things that one can buy with it, is one factor on which our life depends. But quality of our life also depends on non-material things, for example, the role of our friends in our life which cannot be measured but mean a lot to us. Another example, if we get a job in a far off place, before accepting it we would try consider many factors apart from income such as facilities for our family, working atmosphere, or opportunity to learn. Similarly, for development, people look at a mix of goals. It is true that if women are engaged in paid work, their dignity increases. However, it is also the case that if there is respect for women there would be more sharing of house work and greater acceptance of women.

The developmental goals that people have are not only about better income but also about other important things in life.

Question 31.
Explain any five fields other than income where development is needed. (2012)
Answer:
Fields other than income where development is needed:

1. Education. The government must provide adequate education facilities in all rural and urban areas. The government must necessarily focus on education for girls so that all girls are able to acquire atleast secondary level schooling. Running proper schools and providing quality education, particularly elementary education, is the duty of the Government.
2. Health. Basic health care facilities are a must for all. Establishment of government hospitals, clinics and dispensaries, especially in rural areas, to provide subsidized and unadulterated medicines to the poorer sections of society.
3. Nutrition. An effective Public Distribution System—proper functioning of ration shops and equitable distribution of foodgrains is very essential.
4. Transportation. A well developed public transport system to make it easy for general public to commute.
5. Electricity. It is the duty of the government to provide electricity and water at reasonable rates to the common man and prevent him from exploitation by private companies.

Question 32.
Explain with reasons why state of Punjab with a very high per capita income has a low literacy rate. (2016, 2017 D)
Answer:
Per capita income is not a useful criterion at all to measure the human development ranking of a state. High per capita income is not the only attribute to a good quality life. Money cannot buy all the essential things required for a good life.

This can be seen in the case of Punjab which has a very high per capita income but a low literacy rate. Having money in one’s pocket cannot buy all the goods and services that we need to live well. Money cannot ensure education and literacy. Another reason for low literacy rate in Punjab could be the lack of free and compulsory educational facilities. The government needs to open more schools and provide other facilities so that all children have a chance to study.

Pollution-free atmosphere to ensure good health, protection from infectious diseases, lowering of mortality rate, promotion of literacy, etc. are essential for a good standard of living. In order to achieve these, joint efforts have to be made by all members of a community, be it rich or poor.

Social Science Class 10 Important Questions

Social Science Class 10 Important Questions Political Science Chapter 5 Popular Struggles and Movements

Very Short Answer Questions (VSA)

Question 1.
Give an example of a Public Interest group. (2011)
Answer:
Backward and Minorities Community Employees Federation (BAMCEF).

Question 2.
What was the main aim of the movement in Nepal in 2006? (2011)
Answer:
The main aim of the movement in Nepal was to re-establish democracy in Nepal.

Question 3.
What are sectional interest groups? Give an example. (2011)
Answer:
Organizations that undertake activities to promote the interests of specific social sections such as lawyers, teachers, workers, employees are called sectional interest groups.

Question 4.
Name the ‘Third World’ country that has won democracy in 1990. (2012)
Answer:
Nepal

Question 5.
Give a special feature that distinguishes a pressure group from a political party? (2012)
Answer:
Pressure groups do not seek to get into power whereas political parties do.

Question 6.
Which special feature distinguishes a movement from an interest group? (2012)
Answer:
Movements are usually issue specific to achieve a single objective within a limited time frame.

Question 7.
What gave rise to the struggle in Bolivia in 2000? (2012)
Answer:
In the year 2000, there was a popular struggle in Bolivia against privatization and subsequent increase in the price of water.

Question 8.
What is a pressure group? Give an example.
Answer:
Pressure groups are organizations that attempt to influence government policies. They could do so by forming an organization and undertaking activities to promote their interest or their viewpoint. These organizations are formed when people with common occupation, interest, aspirations or opinions come together in order to achieve a common objective.

A few examples are: BAMCEF (Backward and Minorities Community Employees’ Federation), FEDECOR—a Bolivian organization, RWAs, AITUC.

Question 9.
Give two dissimilarities of popular struggles in Nepal and Bolivia? (2013)
Answer:

1. The movement in Nepal was to establish democracy. The struggle in Bolivia involved claims on an elected, democratic government.
2. The struggle in Nepal was about the foundation of the country’s politics. The struggle in Bolivia was about one specific policy.

Question 10.
Which financial agency pressurized the government of Bolivia to give an MNC, control over the water supply arrangements in the city of Cochabamba? (2013)
Answer:
Bank of Cochabamba.

Question 11.
Give one characteristic feature of a sectional interest group. (2014)
Answer:
Sectional interest groups are organisational that undertake activities to promote the interests of specific social sections such as workers, employees, teachers and lawyers change, etc.

Question 12.
With the help of an example each compare a single issue movement and a long-term movement? (2014)
Answer:

• Single issue movements are those which seek to achieve a single objective within a limited time period. Example, Narmada Bachao Andolan.
• Long term movements are those which seek to achieve a long goal in a very long term, e.g., environmental movements, etc.

Question 13.
With the help of an example each, compare sectional interest groups and public interest groups. (2014)
Answer:
Sectional interest group. They seek to promote the interest of a particular section or group of society. They promote selective good and are concerned only about the interest of their section of the society, their own members and not the society in general. For example, FEDECOR.

Public interest group. They seek to promote collective interests rather than selective good. They promote collective good and are concerned with welfare of the society and not just their own members. For example, BAMCEF.

Question 14.
Who dissolved the popularly elected parliament in February 2005 in Nepal? (2015)
Answer:
King Gyanendra, the new king dismissed the Prime Minister and dissolved the popularly elected Parliament.

Question 15.
What was the main role of ‘FEDECOR’ organisation in Bolivia? (2015)
Answer:
The main role of FEDECOR involved claims over an elected government to protest against its policy of water privatization.

Question 16.
What was the main aim of the popular movement of April 2006, in Nepal? (2015)
Answer:
Aim of popular movement of April 2006 in Nepal:

1. Restoring democracy.
2. Regaining popular control over the government from the King.

Question 17.
How are issue specific movements different from generic movements? (2016)
Answer:
Issue specific movements seek to achieve a single objective within limited time frame.
General generic movements seek to achieve a broad goal in the very long term.

Question 18.
Which organisation led the protest against water privatisation in Bolivia? (2016)
Answer:
The protest against water privatisation in Bolivia was led by FEDECOR.

Question 19.
Name any two sectional interest groups. (2016)
Answer:
Trade Unions and Professional bodies like lawyers, teachers, etc.

Question 20.
Distinguish between pressure groups and political parties by stating any one point of distinction. (2016)
Answer:
Pressure groups do not aim to directly control or share political power but political parties directly control and share political power.

Short Answer Questions (SA)

Question 21.
Explain with examples the two types of political movements. (2011)
Answer:
The movement in Nepal and movement in Bolivia are examples of two types of political movements for democracy.
The movement in Nepal was to regain popular control over the government from the King. This was a struggle to restore democracy. The movement in Bolivia was against a specific policy of the elected democratic government. The people of Bolivia agitated and protested against the government’s decision of privatization of water.

Both these movements are instances of political conflicts that led to popular struggles. Even though in both cases public demonstration of mass support clinched the dispute, their level of impact was different.

Question 22.
What inspiration do we get from Bolivia’s popular struggle? Explain any three values that we can learn from it. (2014)
Answer:
We can identify the following values in Bolivia’s struggle:

1. It was a conflict between the people and the government to fight for justice and fairness and to fight against the greed of the government.
2. The Bolivian organization FEDECOR represented the common or general interest. The members of the organization did not necessarily benefit from the cause that the organization represented. They were fighting for collective social good.
3. The political conflict that led to popular struggle in Bolivia involved mass mobilization. It showed the power of the common people.

Question 23.
Mention any three similarities between struggles of Nepal and Bolivia. (2012)
Answer:
The struggle in both these countries relates to establishing and restoring democracy. The success of peoples’ struggle is a reminder that popular struggles are integral to the working of democracy. The democratic struggle in Nepal and Bolivia share some elements:

• The popular struggle in the form of protest turned into indefinite strike.
• Struggle involved mass mobilization.
• Political conflict led to popular struggle.
• Political organization played a critical role.

Question 24.
Explain with examples, how movements are different from interest groups. (2013)
Answer:
Movements:

1. Movements have a loose organization.
2. Movements are issue specific and long-term involving more than one issue.
3. Their decision-making is more informal and flexible.
4. They depend much on spontaneous mass participation.
   Example: Narmada Bachao Andolan under Medha Patkar.

Interest groups:

1. Interest groups form organizations and undertake activities to promote their interests.
2. Interests groups are both sectional and public. Sectional interest groups promote interest of particular section of society and promotional or public interest groups aim to help groups other than their own members.
3. They promote collective good and are concerned with welfare of the society and not just their own members.
   Example: BAMCEF (Backward and Minorities Community Employee Federation).

Question 25.
Describe the movement for democracy in Nepal. (2011)
Answer:
The Nepalese for democracy arose with the specific objective of reversing the king’s order that led to suspension of democracy. The popular struggle in Nepal involved many organizations other than political parties like the SPA or the Nepalese Communist Party. All the major labour unions and their federations joined the movement. Many other organizations of the indigenous people, teachers, lawyers and human rights groups extended support to the movement.

Question 26.
Differentiate between sectional interest groups and public interest groups with examples.
Answer:

Sectional interest groups	Public interest groups
(i) They seek to promote the interest of a particular section or group of society.	(i) They seek to promote collective interest rather than selective good.
(ii) They are sectional groups because they represent a section of society.	(ii) They are public groups because they represent the general people of the society.
(iii) They promote selective good and are concerned only about the interest of their section of the society, their own members and not the society in general.	(iii) They promote collective good and are concerned with welfare of the society and not just their own members.
(iv) For example, FEDECOR (Bolivian organization).	(iv) E.g., BAMCEF (Backward and Minorities Community Employee Federation).

Question 27.
Explain how the relationship between political parties and pressure groups can take different forms? (2011)
Answer:
The relationship between political parties and pressure groups can take different forms, some direct and others very indirect.
In some instances the pressure groups are either formed or led by the leaders of political parties or act as extended arms of political parties. For example, most trade unions and students’ organizations in India are either established by or affiliated to one or the other major political party.

Sometimes political parties grow out of movements. For example, the Assam Movement led by students against the ‘foreigners’ led to the formation of the Asom Gana Parishad. The roots of parties like the DMK and the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu can be traced to social reform movement during the 1930s and 1940s. When the relationship between parties and interest groups is not so direct they often take positions opposed to each other. Yet they are in dialogue and negotiation. New issues raised by movements have been taken up by political parties.

Question 28.
“The struggle of the Nepali people is a source of inspiration to democrats all over the world.” Support the statement. (2015)
Answer:

1. The Nepalese movement for democracy arose with the specific objective of reversing the king’s order that led to suspension of democracy.
2. The movement of 2006 was aimed at regaining popular control over the government from the king.
3. The popular struggle in Nepal involved many organisations other than political parties like the SPA or the Nepalese Communist Party.
4. All major political parties in the Parliament formed a Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and called a four day strike in Kathmandu. This strike turned into an indefinite strike in which the Maoists and other insurgent groups joined hands.
5. All the major labour unions and their federations joined the movement. Many other organisations of the indigenous people, teachers, lawyers and human rights groups extended support to the movement.
6. The movement put forward three demands:
   • Restoration of Parliament
   • Power to an all-party government
   • A new Constituent Assembly.
7. The number of protesters reached between three to five lakhs. They stuck to their demands and the king was forced to concede to all three demands. On 24th April, the SPA chose Girija Prasad Koirala as the new Prime Minister of the interim government.

Question 29.
What are sectional interest groups? Describe their functioning. (2016)
Answer:
Sectional interest groups are the groups that seek to promote the interests of a particular section or a group of society. For example, FEDECOR (Bolivian organisation).
Functioning:

• They perform a meaningful role in countering the undue influence of other groups.
• They create awareness about the needs and concerns of their own society.

Question 30.
What is the difference between pressure group and a political party ?
Answer:

Pressure groups	Political parties
(i) Pressure groups are organisations that attempt to influence government policies.	(i) A political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold powers in the government.
(ii) Unlike political parties, pressure groups do not aim to directly control or share political powers. The groups wield power without responsibility.	(ii) Political parties form and run governments. They play a decisive role in making laws, shaping public opinion.
(iii) Pressure groups are not accountable to the people.	(iii) Political parties have to face the people in elections. Parties have to be responsive to peoples’ need and demands. Otherwise people can reject them in next elections.

Question 31.
What are public interest pressure groups? Describe their functioning. (2016)
Answer:
Public Interest Groups are those that promote collective rather than selective interests. Their functioning is as follows:

1. It aims to help groups other than their own members.
2. They represent some common interest that needs to be defended.
3. The members of the organization may not benefit from the cause that the organization represents. For example, a group fighting against bonded labour fights not for itself but for those who are suffering under such bondage. E.g., BAMCEF.

Question 32.
What was common to the democratic struggles in Poland, Nepal and Bolivia?
Answer:
The struggles in all the three countries relate to establishing and restoring democracy. The success of peoples’ struggle is a reminder that popular struggles are integral to the working of democracy.
The democratic struggle in Poland, Nepal and Bolivia share some elements:

• The popular struggle in the form of protest turned into indefinite strike.
• Struggle involved mass mobilisation.
• Political conflict led to popular struggle.
• Political organisations played a critical role.

Long Answer Questions (LA)

Question 33.
Explain how the activities of pressure groups are useful in the functioning of a democratic government.
Answer:
Pressure groups and movements have deepened democracy. A democracy must look after the interest of all, not just one section. Putting pressure on the government is a healthy activity in a democracy so long as everyone gets this opportunity. Public interest groups or pressure groups perform a useful role of countering the undue influence of the rich and powerful people on the government and reminding the government of the needs and concerns of ordinary citizens.

Where different groups function actively, no single group can achieve dominance over society. The government listens to what different sections of the population want. These activities of pressure groups lead to a rough balance of power and accommodation of conflicting interests in a democracy. In a democracy, conflict is resolved through mass mobilisation and it is these pressure groups who make spontaneous public participation effective.

Question 34.
The movement in Nepal and the struggle in Bolivia have some elements relevant to the study of democracy. Explain these elements. (2011)
Answer:
The movement in Nepal was to establish democracy, while the struggle in Bolivia involved claims on an elected democratic government. Despite the differences, both these struggles share some elements relevant to study of democracies.
(i) Both these are instances of political conflict that led to popular struggles. The Nepalese movement arose with the specific objective of reversing the King’s order that led to the dismissal of the Prime Minister and the dissolution of the popularly elected Parliament.
In Bolivia, the struggle was against the privatization and increase in prices of water after the government sold these rights to an MNC.

(ii) In both cases, the struggle involved mass mobilization. The popular struggle in the form of a protest turned into an indefinite strike. In Nepal, all major political parties in Parliament formed a Seven Party Alliance and called a four-day strike which turned into an indefinite strike in which the Maoists and insurgent groups joined hands.

In the Bolivian struggle against privatization of water, an alliance of labour human rights and community leaders organized a successful four-day general strike.

Question 35.
How do pressure groups and movements exert influence on politics? Explain with examples. (2012; 2013; 2015)
Or
“Pressure groups and movements exert influence on politics in different ways.” Support the statement with suitable examples. (2016)
Answer:
Interest groups and movements do not directly engage in party politics but they seek to exert influence on political parties. They have a political position on major issues and take political stance without being a party.
Pressure groups and movements exert influence on politics in the following ways:

1. They try to gain public support and sympathy for their goals through campaigns, organising meetings, filing petitions and influencing the media for attention.
2. They organise protest activities like strikes, in order to force the government to take note of their demand.
3. Business groups employ professionals/lobbyists or sponsor expensive advertisements. Some members from pressure groups participate in official bodies that offer advice to the government.
4. In some cases the pressure groups are either formed or led by the leaders of political parties or act as extended arms of political parties.
   For example, most trade unions and students’ organisations such as NSUI, ABVP in India are either established or affiliated to one or the other major political party.
5. Sometimes political parties grow out of movements.
   For example, the roots of parties like the DMK and the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu can be traced to a long drawn social reform movement during the 1930s and 1940s.

Question 36.
“The democracy has been evolved through struggles and movements all over the world.” Support the statement with examples. (2015)
Answer:

1. Democracy has evolved through struggles and movements all over the world. The struggles in Poland, Nepal and Bolivia all relate to establishing and restoring democracy. The struggled in these countries is a reminder that popular struggles are integral to the working of democracy.
2. The role of popular struggle does not come to an end with the establishment of democracy. Democracy involves conflict of interests and viewpoints. These views are expressed in organised ways through which ordinary citizens can play a role in democracy.
3. In a democracy, several different kinds of organisations work behind any big struggle. These organisations influence the decisions in a democracy either by creating parties, contesting elections and forming government. They promote the interest and viewpoints of citizens in a democracy through interest groups or pressure groups.
4. Democracy evolves through popular struggle. Some major decisions may take place through consensus. But some decisions involve conflict between the groups who have exercised power and those who aspire to share power. Here the popular struggle helps in the expansion of democracy.

Question 37.
What is the difference between movements and interest groups?
Answer:
Difference between Movements and Interest groups

Movements	Interest groups
(i) Movements have a loose organisation.	(i) Interest groups form organisations and under-take activities to promote their interests.
(ii) Movements are: issue specific long-term involving more than one issue.	(ii) Interest groups are: Sectional-promote interest of parti-cular section of society. Promotional or public interest groups which aim to help groups other than their own members.
(iii) Their decision-making is more informal and flexible.	(iii) Since they represent some common or general interest that needs to be defended, they influence the decisions of the government to get their demands.
(iv) They depend much on spontaneous mass participation. For example, Narmada Bachao Andolan, under Medha Patkar.	(iv) Since they promote both selective and collective goods, their principal concern is the betterment of their members and the society. Thus they represent an organised section of groups.

Question 38.
Describe the popular struggle ‘against privatization of water’ in Bolivia. (2012)
Or
Describe the popular struggle of Bolivia. (2016)
Answer:
Bolivia, a poor country in Latin America, witnessed popular struggle against privatization of water:

1. The World Bank had pressurised the elected democratic government to give up its control of
   municipal water supply. The government sold these rights for the city of Cochambamba to a multinational company (MNC).
2. The MNC immediately increased the price of water by four times. This led to a spontaneous popular protest. The mass struggle was not led by any political party.
3. A new alliance of labour human rights and community leaders organized a successful four-day general strike in the city in January 2000.
4. Ultimately the government agreed to negotiate and the strike was called off. But yet nothing happened.
5. Later on, an organization comprising local professionals, engineers, environmentalists, farmers, confederation of factory workers union, middle class students and street children formed the FEDECOR. They called another strike in April and the government imposed martial law.
6. But the power of the people forced the officials of the MNC to free the city and made the government concede to the demands of the protesters.
7. Lastly, the contract with the MNC was cancelled and water supply was restored to the municipality at old rates. This came to be known as ‘Bolivia’s Water War’.

Social Science Class 10 Important Questions

Social Science Class 10 Important Questions Political Science Chapter 4 Gender, Religion and Caste

Important Questions Of Chapter Gender, Religion And Caste Class 10 Question 1.
What is the percentage of seats reserved for women in local bodies? (2012)
Answer:
33%

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Extra Questions And Answers Question 2.
What is the ‘term’ used for a person who believes in equal rights and opportunities for women and men? (2012)
Answer:
Feminist

Question 3.
What proportion of the country’s population do the SC, ST and OBC together account for? (2013)
Answer:
The SC, ST and OBC together account for about two-thirds of the country’s population.

Question 4.
Define the term ‘feminist’.
Answer:
A woman or a man, who believes in equal rights and opportunities for women and men, is called a feminist.

Question 5.
Explain the term ‘feminist movements’.
Answer:
Feminist Movements are radical women’s movements aiming at attaining equality for women in personal and family life and public affairs. These movements have organized and agitated to raise channels for enhancing the political and legal status of women and improving their educational and career opportunities.

Question 6.
What is a patriarchal society?
Answer:
A patriarchal society is essentially male dominated. The line of descent is traced through the father. Men are valued more in terms of work they do and the place they hold in society. This gives them more power than women.

Question 7.
Why do Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have the prefix ‘Scheduled’ in their names?
Answer:
Both these broad groups include hundreds of castes or tribes whose names are listed in an official Schedule. Hence, the prefix ‘scheduled’ in their name.

Question 8.
What is communal politics?
Answer:
When the demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another and when State power is used to establish domination of one religious group over the rest, this manner of using religion in politics is called communal politics.

Short Answer Questions (SA) 3 Marks

Question 9.
Mention any two constitutional provisions that make India a Secular State.
Answer:
Two constitutional provisions that make India a Secular State are:

1. There is no official religion for the Indian State. Unlike the status of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Islam in Pakistan and Christianity in England, our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion.
2. At the same time, the Constitution allows the State to intervene in the matters of religion in order to ensure equality within religious communities; for example, it bans untouchability.

Question 10.
Suppose a politician seeks your vote on the religious ground. Why is his act considered against the norms of democracy? Explain. (2015)
Answer:
If a politician seeks votes on religious grounds, he is acting against the norms of democracy because—

1. This act of his is against the Constitution. He is exploiting social differences which may create social discard and lead to social division.
2. Religion becomes a problem when it is expressed in politics and when one religion and its followers are pitted against another.
3. When beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other religions and the demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another and the state power is used to establish the domination of one religious group over the rest, it leads to communal politics.

Question 11.
Explain the status of women’s representation in India’s legislative bodies. (2014)
Answer:
The one way to ensure that women related problems get adequate attention is to have more women as elected representatives. To achieve this, it is legally binding to have a fair proportion of women in the elected bodies.

• Panchayati Raj in India has reserved one-third seats in Local Government bodies for women.
• In India, the proportion of women in legislature has been very low. The percentage of elected women members in Lok Sabha is not even 10 per cent and in State Assemblies less than 5 per cent. India is behind several developing countries of Africa and Latin America. Women organisations have been demanding reservations of at least one-third seats in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women.
• And only recently, in March 2010, the women’s reservation bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha ensuring 33% reservation to women in Parliament and State Legislative bodies.

Question 12.
How does religion influence the political set up in our country? Explain. (2015)
Answer:
Gandhiji said, “Religion can never be separated from politics”. By religion he did not mean any particular religion like Hinduism or Islam, but moral values and ethics drawn from religion to guide politics. Religion in politics is not as dangerous as it may seem to us. Ethical values of each religion can play a major role in politics. According to human rights groups, most of the victims of communal riots in our country are from religious minorities.

Government can take special steps to protect them. Family laws of all religions discriminate against women. The government can change laws to make them more equitable. These instances show a relationship between religion and politics. People should be able to express in politics their needs, interests and demands as members of a religious community. Thus, it is the responsibility of those whose political power is able to regulate the practice of religion, to prevent discrimination and oppression. These political acts are not wrong as long as they treat every religion equally.

Long Answer Questions (LA)

Question 13.
“Gender division is not based on Biology but on social expectations and stereotypes’. Support the statement. (2012)
Or
Mention different aspects of life in which women are discriminated against or disadvantaged in India.
Answer:
‘Gender division is not based on Biology but on social expectations and stereotypes’:

1. Boys and girls are brought up to believe that the main responsibility of women is house work and bringing up children. There is sexual division of labour in most families where women stay at home and men work outside to play the role of breadwinners.
2. Literacy rate among women is only 54% in comparison to 76% among men. In studies, girls mostly perform better than boys, but they drop out simply because parents prefer to spend their resources on their sons’ education. A smaller proportion of girls go for higher studies.
3. On an average, a woman works more than an average man everyday. Since much of her work is not paid for, therefore often not valued. The Equal Wages Act provides for equal wages for equal work, but in almost all areas of work from sports to cinema, from factories to fields, women are comparatively paid less because of the male chauvinistic bent of mind of society.
4. Child sex-ratio (number of girl children per thousand boys) is very low. In India, the national average is 927. In some places it is even lower because parents prefer to have sons so they get girl child aborted.
5. In urban areas too, women are not respected and are unsafe even in their homes being subjected to beating, harassment and other forms of domestic violence.
6.  The role of women in politics in most societies is minimal.

Question 14.
State how caste inequalities are still continuing in India.
Answer:
Caste has not disappeared from contemporary India and caste division is special to India. Some of the older aspects of caste persist even today.

1. Even now most people marry within their own caste.
2. Untouchability has not ended completely despite constitutional prohibition.
3. Effects of centuries of advantages and disadvantages can be felt today. The caste groups that had access to education under old system have done well, whereas those groups that did not have access to education have lagged behind.
4. There is a large presence of ‘upper caste’ among the urban middle classes in our country.
5. Caste continues to be linked to economic status as is evident from National Sample Survey:
   • The average economic status of caste groups still follows the old hierarchy
   • the ‘upper’ castes are best off, the Dalits and Adivasis are worst off and the backward classes are in between.
   • Although every caste has some poor members, the proportion of those living in extreme poverty is higher for lowest castes and much lower for the upper castes.
   • Similarly, every caste has some members who are rich. The upper castes are heavily over-represented among the rich while the lower castes are under-represented.
   • The SC, ST and OBC together account for about two-thirds of India’s population.

Question 15.
What factors have brought about a change in the Indian Caste system in modern times? Explain. (2012)
Answer:
The castes and caste system in modern India have undergone great changes due to the efforts of social reformers and the socio-economic changes in India. With economic development, large scale urbanisation, growth of literacy and education, occupational mobility and weakening of the position of landlords in the villages, the old notions of caste hierarchy are breaking down. Politics too influences the caste system and caste identities by bringing them into the political arena. The Constitution of India prohibits any caste-based discrimination and has laid foundations of policies to reverse injustices of the caste system.

Question 16.
Explain the various forms that caste can take in politics.
Answer:
Various forms of caste in politics:

1. When governments are formed, political parties usually take care that representatives of different castes and tribes find a place in it.
2. When parties choose candidates, they keep in mind the composition of the electorate and accordingly choose candidates from different castes so as to muster necessary support to win elections.
3. Political parties make appeals to caste sentiments to gain support. Some political parties are known to favour some castes.
4. Universal adult franchise and the principle of one-person-one-vote compelled political leaders to mobilise political support. It also brought new consciousness among people belonging to those castes which were treated as inferiors.

Question 17.
What was the Feminist Movement? Explain the political demands of the Feminist Movement in India. (2013)
Answer:
Feminist Movements are radical women’s movements aiming at attaining equality for women in personal and family life and public affairs. These movements have organised and agitated to raise channels for enhancing the political and legal status of women and improving their educational and career opportunities.

Political demands of the feminist movement in India:
The one way to ensure that women related problems get adequate attention in India is to have more women as elected representatives. To achieve this, it is legally binding to have a fair proportion of women in the elected bodies. Panchayati Raj in India has reserved one-third seats in Local Government bodies for women.

In India, the proportion of women in legislature has been very low. The percentage of elected women members in Lok Sabha is not even 10 per cent and in State Assemblies less than 5 per cent. India in behind several developing countries of Africa and Latin America. Women organizations have been demanding reservations of at least one-third seats in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women.

And only recently, in March 2010, the women’s reservation bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha ensuring 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and State Legislative bodies.

Question 18.
What have been the consequences of the political expression of gender division in free India? (2013)
Answer:
Political expression of gender division and political mobilisation has helped improve women’s role in public life all over the world including India. However, despite some improvements since Independence, ours is still a male-dominated society and women lag behind in all fields.

• Literacy rate among women is only 54 per cent as compared with 76 per cent among men.
• Proportion of women among highly paid and valuable jobs in still very small.
• Equal Wages Act provides that equal wages should be paid for equal work. However, in all areas from sports and cinema, factories to fields, women are paid less than men for the same amount of work.
• In many parts of India, parents prefer to have sons and find ways to abort the girl child before she is born.

Question 19.
Explain the factors that have led to the weakening of the caste system in India. (2014)
Answer:
Reasons which have contributed to changes in caste system:

1. Efforts of political leaders and social reformers like Gandhiji, B.R. Ambedkar who advocated and worked to establish a society in which caste inequalities are absent.
2. Socio-economic changes such as:
   • urbanisation
   • growth of literacy and education
   • occupational mobility
   • weakening of landlord’s position in the village
   • breaking down of caste hierarchy have greatly contributed.
3. The Constitution of India prohibited any caste-based discrimination and laid the foundations of policies to reverse the injustices of the caste system.
4. Provision of fundamental rights has played a major role because these rights are provided to all citizens without any discrimination.

Question 20.
How far is it correct to say that it is not politics that gets caste ridden but it is the caste that gets politicised? Explain. (2015)
Answer:
Politics too influences the caste system and caste identities by bringing them into the political arena. This takes several forms:

1. Each caste group tries to become bigger by incorporating within itself neighbouring castes or sub¬castes.
2. Various caste groups enter into a coalition with other castes for negotiations.
3. New caste groups like ‘backward’ and ‘forward’ have come up in the political arena.
4. Expressions of caste differences in politics give many disadvantaged communities the chance to demand their share of power and thus gain access to decision-making.
5. Many political and non-political organisations have been demanding and agitating for an end to discrimination against particular castes for more dignity and more access to land, resources and opportunities.

Question 21.
What was the Feminist Movement? Explain the political demands of the Feminist Movement in India. (2017 D)
Answer:
Feminist Movements are radical women’s movements aiming at attaining equality for women in personal and family life and public affairs. These movements have organised and agitated to raise channels for enhancing the political and legal status of women and improving their educational and career opportunities.
Political demands of the feminist movement in India:

The one way to ensure that women related problems get adequate attention in India is to have more women as elected representatives. To achieve this, it is legally binding to have a fair proportion of women in the elected bodies. Panchayati Raj in India has reserved one-third seats in Local Government bodies for women.

In India the proportion of women in legislature has been very low. The percentage of elected women members in Lok Sabha is not even 10 per cent and in State Assemblies less than 5 per cent. India is behind several developing countries of Africa and Latin America. Women organizations had been demanding reservations of at least one-third seats in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women.

And only recently, in March 2010, the women’s reservation bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha ensuring 33 per cent reservation to women in Parliament and State Legislative bodies.

Question 22.
“The Government of India gives holidays for the festivals of most of the religions.” Why is it so? Give your viewpoint. (2015)
Answer:
The Government of India gives all religious holidays because India is a secular state.
Certain provisions were adopted in the Constitution to make India a secular state:

1. There is no official religion for the Indian State. Unlike the status of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and Islam in Pakistan, our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion.
2. The Constitution provides to all individuals and communities freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion or not to follow any.
3. The Constitution prohibits discrimination on the grounds of religion.
4. Constitution allows the State to intervene in the matters of religion in order to ensure equality within religious communities, for example, it bans untouchability.

Social Science Class 10 Important Questions