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Chapter 4. Key Element of a Democratic Government

Exercise - Question:

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Que: How would Maya’s life be different in South Africa today?

Ans: Maya’s life would be different in South Africa today in terms of equal status in society. She would get a school where children from all classes, rich or poor, high or low, black or white study together. The same hospital would treat her which treats for all sorts of people. There would be no ambulance to be used separately for any white or ruling class. She would get the equal voting right. She would use language of her choice. She would lead a free life.

Que: What are the various ways in which people participate in the process of government?

Ans:

There are various ways in which people participate in the process of government:

(i) Through voting in elections people elect leaders of their choice to represent them. These representatives take decisions on behalf of the people.

(ii) People participate in the process of government by taking an interest in the working of the government and by criticising it when required.

(iii) People express their views through several ways and make governments understand what actions they should take. They stage dhamas, hold rallies, strikes, signature campaigns, etc.

(iv) Another ways for people to participate is by organising themselves into social movements that seek to challenge the government and its functioning. Members of the minority community can participate in this manner.

Q3.Why do you think we need the government to find solutions to many disputes or conflicts?

Answer:

Government is a constitutional body that maintains law and order. It consists of the representatives of all classes from all parts of the country. Problems or conflicts arise in states, between two or more states and sometimes between two nations. The government represents the country and also the head of the constitutional system. So, it can resolve conflicts in the interest of the people at large. A system without a government may face crisis and lawlessness. Hence, government is necessary.

Que: What actions does the government take to ensure that all people are treated equally?

Ans: The government ensures that the constitutional provisions are implied in the country. It makes laws and enforces them to abolish all sorts of discriminations. It makes provisions to provide equal facilities to all classes of people, promotion of education among girls and economically backwards. These are some of the actions that the government takes to ensure equality among people.

Que: Read through the chapter and discuss some of the key ideas of a democratic government. Make a list. For example, all people are equal

Ans:

(i) All people are equal.

(ii) Justice to all.

(iii) Opportunities for equal education to all.

(iv) Abolition of discriminations.

(v) Equal status to all religions.

(vi) Abolition of untouchability.

Chapter 4. Key Element of a Democratic Government

Additional - Question:

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Que: Name the various races that live in South Africa.

Ans: Various races that live in SouthAfrica life:

• Black people who belong to South Africa.
• White who came there to settle.
• Indian who came as labourers and traders.

Que: What do you mean by apartheid?

Ans: Apartheid means separation on people on the basis of race are known as apartheid laws.

Que: Name on black township.

Ans: South Western Township (Soweto).

Que: Name the party that fought against the system of apartheid?

Ans: the Africa National Congress.

Que: Who is responsible for helping to resolve conflicts or differences.

Ans: The government is responsible for helping to resolve conflicts or differences.

Que: What is th role of police when there is a chance of violence?

Ans: The police try their best to ensure that violence does not take place.

Que: How did Dr. Ambedkar and many other like his view equality and justice?

Ans: They thught that hustice can only be achieved when people are treated equally.

Que: how does our society view boys and girls?

Ans: In our society, there is a general tendency to value and care for the boy children more than the girl children, Thus, society does not keep boys and girls at the same level.

Que: What does the government do to promote justice among the girls?

Ans: The government provides special provisions to promote justice among girls. It may lower the school fees for girls.

Que: What are apartheid laws?

Ans: South Africa was earlier governed by apartheid laws. South Africa people were divided into white, black, Indian and coloured races. According to apartheid laws, these races were not allowed to mingle with each other, to live near each other or even to use common facilities.

Que: What happened to Hector and his classmates? Why did it happen?

Ans: Hector and his classmates, bacause they were non - whites luring in one black township named Soweto, were being forced to learn the language of whites i.e. Afrikaans. But they wanted to learn their own language, zulu and joined the protest learning the Afrikaans language in school. The South African police beat up the protestors ruthlessly and shot at the crowd. One of their bullets killed Hector.

Que: Write a short note on 'The African National Congress'?

Ans: The Arican National Congress, a group of people who led the struggle against the system of apartheid. Dr. Nelson Mandela was their leader. The struggle got instensified under has leadership. He fought the apartheid system for several years. Finally, the system for several years. Finally, the system was abolished in 1994 and South Africa became a democratic in which people od all races were considered equal.

Que: How does the power of the government got limited?

Ans: The power of the government gets limited by regular elections. Elections are usually held once in five years. Once elected, government can stay in power only  for that period. If theywant to continue to be in power then they have to re - elected by the people. This is a moment when people can sense their power in a democracy.

Que: When do conficts occur? what happens afterward?

Ans: Conflicts occur when people of different cultures, religions or economics background do not get along with each other, or when some among them feel they are being discriminated against. This leads to fear and teasion among others living in an area.

Que: One of the ways of participating is to take interest in the working of the government and to criticise it when required. Explain with an example.

Ans: It is one of the important ways of participation. We can prove it through an example. In Auguest 2005, when a particular government increased the money people had to pay for electricity, people expressed their disapproval very sharply. They took rallies and also organised a signature campaign. The government tried to explain had defend its decision but finally listened to the people's opinion and withdraw the increase. The government had to change its decision because it is responsible to the people.

Que: How do rivers become a source of conflict between states?

Ans: Rivers can also become a source of conflict between states. A river may begin in one state, Flow - through another, and end in a thrid. The sharing of river water between different sates that the river goes through is becoming an issue of conflict. We can cite an example of the Cauvery water dispute between karnataka and Tamil nadu. The water stored in the Krishnasagar dam in karnataka is used for irrigating a number of districts and for meeting the needs of the city of Bangalore. The water stored in methur dam in Tamil Nadu is used for grown in the delta region of that state.

A condlict arises because both dams Eire on the same river. The downstream dam in Tamil Nadu can only be filled up it water is released from the upstream one located in karnataka. Therefore, both states can't get as much water as they need for people in their states. This leads to conflict. Now, it is the job of the central government to step in and see that a fair distribution is worked out for both states.