Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Social And Political Life Chapter 4

Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Social and Political Life Chapter 4 – Key Elements of a Democratic Government

Social and Political Life requires an understanding of the democratic government and extending the knowledge of how governments of nations all over the world manage their societies. Chapter 4 of Class 6 Social Science Social and Political Life introduces learners to the essential features of a democratic government.

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Important Questions Class 6 Social Science Social and Political Life Chapter 4 – With Solutions

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Question 1. What are the various ways in which people participate in the process of government?

Answer    1. People’s participation in the process of government is done in the following ways:-

• People participate in the government-making process through voting. People vote for their representatives during elections, and ultimately the elected officials form the government. The governments are elected for a term of five years and can only be re-elected if the people decide to vote for them again. Therefore, the government has a limited period to hold power.
• People also participate by criticising the government as and when required. People hold strikes, protests, dharnas, etc., against the schemes that do not benefit them. For example, if the electricity bill is too high, people can protest to lower the prices and make electricity free or at least affordable.
• The government must adhere to the people’s disapproval and work for a better societal change.  Such protest marches draw the attention of the government to making necessary laws and trying to resolve the conflict. The key feature of a democratic government is its commitment to equality and justice. That is why people must be aware of the happenings in their country.

Question 2. Why should people be treated equally?

Answer 2.   In a democratic country, the constitution guarantees equality irrespective of caste, religion, region or economic background. Every individual deserves equal dignity and respect, and any form of discrimination can destroy people’s livelihood. Everyone is entitled to equal rights and holds the power to stand against discriminatory practices. If the people are alert and are interested in how the country is run, the democratic character of that country will be stronger.

Question 3. Why do you think we need the government to find solutions to many disputes or conflicts?

Answer    3. There is a need for a stable system of governance to resolve disputes and conflicts to maintain a peaceful society free from chaos and violence.

Lawlessness and violence ruin the status quo of the country and be resolved if the government intervenes to solve the disputes in a just and non-discriminatory manner.

Question 4. Why are equality and justice inseparable?

Answer    4. The concept of equality and justice are inseparable, and a strong democratic government should always ensure equality and justice exist which is its key feature. 

Without equality, justice cannot exist. Discrimination occurs in an unequal society, and discriminatory practices are just. Dr B.R. Ambedkar also stated that individuals attain justice only when their society is equal.

Question 5. What actions does the government take to ensure everyone is treated equally?

Answer    5. The government ensures that all people are treated equally in the following ways:-

• The government has to check if the principles of the constitution are being followed. The constitution grants equal rights to all citizens, and the government must ensure that citizens enjoy these rights.
• The government is responsible for ensuring that equality and justice are present in society by ensuring equality in all its forms, such as race, religion, ethnicity, gender, etc.
• The government ensures that educational and employment opportunities are extended to people belonging to lower socioeconomic groups and people who suffer from caste discrimination.

Question 6. What do you understand about equality and justice?

Answer    6. Equality and justice are inseparable principles protected by a democratic government. The features of both equality and justice are given below:

Equality:-

• An equal society is just and fair. 
• An equal society fights against all sorts of discriminatory practices.
• An equal society follows the constitution and grants freedom and rights to its citizens.

Justice:-

• A just society is one where individuals are treated honestly.
• A just society fights against inequality and provides justice to people whose rights have been violated.

Question 7. Read through the chapter and discuss some of the key ideas of a democratic government. Make a list. For example, all people are equal.

Answer   7. A stable democratic government follows the principles of quality, justice, prevention of discrimination and people’s participation in the governance of a country.

• Equality:- an equal society exists when the people can fully enjoy the equal rights given to them by the constitution, and all citizens are considered equal before the law. No one is considered above or below the law.
• Justice:- a  just and fair society ensures justice is served to the people through lawful means. Without equality, justice cannot exist.
• Prevention of discrimination:-  a just and equal society is free from discrimination because the government ensures that people are free to practice their rights.
• Participation of people:- a healthy democratic society has people participating in protests when they disapprove of any governmental decision that is not in their favour. They hold the power to put up their demands and change the government’s decisions and may necessary laws if required.

Question 8. What were Dr Ambedkar’s views about equality and justice?

Answer    8. Dr Ambedkar was an Indian social reformist and a lawyer who suffered from caste discrimination as a child. He stood against prejudicial practices towards people from different castes and condemned untouchability.

Caste discrimination prevented some people from drinking water from the same place as others, visiting temples, etc., because they belonged to castes considered inferior. Observing this, B.R Ambedkar realised that justice and equality are inseparable. Justice can only be served if society is equal and free from discrimination.

Question 9. How are constitutional laws useful in preventing conflicts?

Answer    9. The constitution consists of laws everyone in the country must follow, including the government and the people. These laws ensure the government works fairly and prevents people from creating disputes and violence in the country.

All the conflicts are cleared up according to these laws only. A lawless country without a constitution is prone to frequent violence and discrimination.

Question 10. What do you understand by Apartheid laws? Explain with the help of an example.

Answer    10. Apartheid means a legal system that separates people based on race, and the laws supporting racial discrimination are known as apartheid laws.

South Africa was an apartheid state. Whites were considered superior to blacks, Indians and all coloured races. People from these groups could not communicate with each other or use the same facilities. Equality did not exist, and many non-whites did not have the right to vote.

Question 11. Why is there a need to resolve conflicts? How are these conflicts resolved?

Answer    11. There is a need to resolve conflicts to maintain a peaceful society.

• Conflicts happen when disputes occur among various groups of people who belong to different religions, regions, and economic groups. Etc. People also create conflicts and feel they are suffering from discrimination.
• Sometimes, conflicts, if unchecked, can lead to violence, creating a state of fear among the people.

The government resolves these conflicts according to the laws laid down by the constitution. The laws are followed by both the government and the people and ensure stability in the country.

Question 12. How would Maya’s life be different in South Africa today?

Answer    12. Maya would be living in a free country that is just and equal without any discrimination.

Question 13. Who was Nelson Mandela?

Answer    13. Nelson Mandela was the President of South Africa. He was also the leader of the African National Congress which fought against the apartheid system in South Africa.

Question 14. How many houses does the parliament have?

1)3

2)2

3)1

4)4

Answer 14. Option (2) 2.

Explanation:-

• The parliament has two houses: the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.
• The elected members in both houses of the parliament are responsible for passing laws in the respective houses and checking the government’s activities.

Question 15. What happened to Hector Pieterson?

Answer    15. Hector Pieterson lived in the Southwestern black township called Soweto. He was part of a protest against the Afrikaans languages being forcefully taught in schools. He and other students from his school and another school in the township wanted to learn the Zulu language. Hector died on June 16,1976 when the bullets shot him dead during the protest.

Question 16. One of how people can participate in the process of governance?

1)By organising strikes

2)By leaving their country

3)By being unaware of the situation in the country

4)By being a bystander 

Answer   16. Option (1) By organising strikes

Explanation:-

• Option (1)  is correct, as strikes are peaceful protests where people refuse to engage in economic activities unless their demands are met.
• Option (2) is incorrect as leaving the country would make it difficult for the people to participate in protests.
• Option (3) is incorrect because a person cannot question the government or participate in the protest when unaware of the issue.
• Option (4) is incorrect as a bystander can only observe the protest but does not participate.

Question 17. What could be the sources of conflicts?

Answer    17. Some sources of conflicts are described below:-

• Religious processions can cause disputes regarding the routes and disagreements among communities.
• Sharing of river water is another source of dispute among different states. 
• Discrimination can cause conflicts among people belonging to different communities, gender, etc.

Question 18. What do you know about the “African National Congress?”

Answer    18. The African National Congress consisted of a group of people who fought against the apartheid system in South Africa. Nelson Mandela was the leader of this group. Ultimately South Africa became free from the apartheid laws and became a democratic nation. Nelson Mandela was also the first President of a democratic South Africa.

Question 19. How are rivers the sources of conflicts?

Answer    19. Rivers pass through various territories, creating conflicts regarding the possession of river water.. All states want maximum benefits from the river passing through their territory, leading to river disputes. 

One of the examples of river disputes was about the Cauvery water.

• There are two dams on this river – the Krishna Raja Sagara dam in Karnataka and the Mettur dam in Tamil Nadu.
• The Krishna Raja Sagara dam in Karnataka is used to irrigate the districts of Karnataka and to meet the daily needs of the people of Bengaluru.
• The Mettur dam in Tamil Nadu irrigates the crops in the delta region or eastern part of the state.
• The conflict is that the only way to fill the dam in Tamil is to use water from the upstream dam in Karnataka.
• The states are unable to fetch the required capacity of water.

Question 20. In Dr Ambedkar’s story, did the practice of untouchability support the idea that people are equal?

Answer   20. Dr Ambedkar faced discrimination because he was considered untouchable. A society that perceives some people as inferior is not equal.

Question 21.  State whether the following statements are  True or False.

1) Non-whites were granted voting rights in Africa before 1994.

2)The efforts of Nelson Mandela made South Africa a democracy.

3)The laws made by the constitution are used to resolve conflicts.

4)The Apartheid system was discontinued in South Africa in 1990.

5)Girls and boys are given equal value in our society.

Answer  21. 

1)False. Non-whites were denied voting rights in Africa before 1994 due to apartheid.

2)True. Nelson Mandela was a leader from South Africa who fought to support the rights of black and other coloured races. He was also the leader of the African National Congress and the first President of a democratic South Africa.

3)True. The people and the government follow constitutional laws to maintain a healthy and peaceful society.

4)False. The apartheid system was discontinued in South Africa in 1991.

5)False. There is some form of gender discrimination that exists in our society. For instance, girls are not considered eligible for higher education, whereas boys can study as much as they want.

Question 22. Do you think the police shooting of Hector could have been avoided? How?

Answer    22. Yes, the police shooting of Hector could have been avoided if equality existed in South Africa during that time. Hector would not have to leave school to protest against the forceful learning of the language.

Question 23. Who was the leader of the African National Congress?

1)Nelson Mandela

2)Vinni Mandela

3)Kofi Annan

4)Yasar Arafat

Answer 23. Option (1) Nelson Mandela

Explanation:-

• Option (1) is correct as Nelson Mandela was the leader of the African National Congress and fought against the discrimination and apartheid laws in South Africa. He became the first president of a free South Africa.
• Option (2) is incorrect. Vinni Mandela was a South African anti-apartheid activist and a National Assembly of South Africa member. She was not the leader of the African National Congress.
• Option (3) is incorrect as he was the United Nations secretary general and not the leader of the African National Congress.
• Option (4) is incorrect as Yasar Arafat was the leader of the Palestine Liberation Organisation and President of  Palestine.

Question 24. What do you understand about the term government?

Answer    24. The government is composed of an elected group of representatives responsible for making laws for the welfare of the people.

Question 25. Why are elections required in a democratic country?

Answer    25. Elections are necessary because people elect their representatives who would be making laws for their welfare and will run the county. Elections are a way through which governments are made only with the people’s consent. Elections ensure people’s participation in governance, a key feature of a democratic state.

Question 26. A bill can become an act only when it passes through the:-

• The Rajya Sabha

• Lok Sabha

• After passing in both a and b and President’s acceptance.

• All of the above

Answer 26. Option (3) After passing in both a and b and President’s acceptance.

Explanation:-

Option (3) is correct as the bill is passed from the Lok Sabha to the Rajya Sabha. The Rajya Sabha makes the necessary recommendations and must return the bill within fourteen days. In case of delay, the bill is considered passed by both houses, and it becomes an act. 

Question 27. Why are regular elections necessary?

Answer    27. Elections are the pillars of a democratic nation. It is through elections that people can choose their representatives who would be running the government for the entire nation. Indian elections are held every five years. It means that the power of the government extends up to five years and is limited. It is up to the people to re-elect the government if they want to. Therefore, regular elections keep a check on the working of the government.

Question 28. How can religious processions cause conflicts?

Answer    28. Sometimes, religious processions can be a cause of dispute. The route could lead to conflicts between different communities. In such a situation, the police and government ensure that the processions are carried out peacefully. Lawlessness and violence are avoided at all costs.

Question 29. Which of these is not a key element of a democratic government?

1)People vote for representatives during elections.

2)Government resolving disputes among members of various communities.

3)People have equal rights.

4)Discrimination exists, and society is unjust.

Answer  29. Option (4) Discrimination exists, and society is unjust.

Explanation:-

• Option (4) is correct because society is truly democratic only when it preaches equality and justice. Justice and equality are inseparable entities of a democratic government.
• Option (1) is incorrect as people’s participation in the country’s governance is one the most important elements of a democratic government, and people participate in the government through voting.
• Option (2) is incorrect as resolving disputes enables a peaceful society, a feature of the democratic government.
• Option (3)The constitution grants equal rights to the citizens, and when people enjoy these rights, it can be said they live in a democratic nation.

Question 30. How does society discriminate between boys and girls? 

Answer    30. Society does not treat boys and girls equally. Unfortunately, society cares more about the boy child than the girl child. Girls are denied many opportunities for growth, such as higher education. This kind of discrimination prevents the nation from becoming truly democratic.

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