Democratic Politics - I

Question 1

1

Which one of the following reflects the most appropriate relationship between law and liberty?

The term liberty means absence of restraints on the activities of individuals, and at the same time, providing opportunities for the development of individuals. However, liberty does not mean license to do what one likes, and has to be enjoyed within the limitations mentioned in the Constitution and various laws.

The concept of liberty is not absolute. Absence of laws does not ensure liberty.

Source Attribution:

Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
NCERT: Indian Constitution at Work, Chapter 2

Answer

A. If there are more laws, there is less liberty.

B. If there are no laws, there is no liberty.(Correct Answer)

C. If there is liberty, laws have to be made by the people.

D. If laws are changed too often, liberty is in danger.

Question 2

2

Consider the following statements:
In the first Lok Sabha, the single largest party in the opposition was the Swatantra Party.
In the Lok Sabha, a Leader of the Opposition was recognised for the first time in 1969.
In the Lok Sabha, if a party does not have a minimum of 75 members, its leader cannot be recognised as the Leader of the Opposition.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Statement 1 is not correct: The Congress party won 364 of the 489 seats in the first Lok Sabha and finished way ahead of any other challenger. The Communist Party of India that came next in terms of seats won only 16 seats.

Statement 2 is correct: In 1969, an official leader of opposition was recognised for the first time. However, it was given statutory recognition in 1977.

Statement 3 is not correct: The leader of the largest Opposition party having not less than one-tenth seats of the total strength of the House is recognised as the leader of Opposition in that House.

Source Citation:

Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
NCERT: Politics in India Since Independence Chapter 2

Answer

A. 1 and 3 only

B. 2 only(Correct Answer)

C. 2 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Question 3

3

Consider the following statements:
In the first Lok Sabha, the single largest party in the opposition was the Swatantra Party.
In the Lok Sabha, a Leader of the Opposition was recognised for the first time in 1969.
In the Lok Sabha, if a party does not have a minimum of 75 members, its leader cannot be recognised as the Leader of the Opposition.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Statement 1 is not correct: The Congress party won 364 of the 489 seats in the first Lok Sabha and finished way ahead of any other challenger. The Communist Party of India that came next in terms of seats won only 16 seats.

Statement 2 is correct: In 1969, an official leader of opposition was recognised for the first time. However, it was given statutory recognition in 1977.

Statement 3 is not correct: The leader of the largest Opposition party having not less than one-tenth seats of the total strength of the House is recognised as the leader of Opposition in that House.

Source Citation:

Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth
NCERT: Politics in India Since Independence Chapter 2

Answer

A. 1 and 3 only

B. 2 only(Correct Answer)

C. 2 and 3 only

D. 1, 2 and 3

Question 4

4

Which one of the following best defines the term State?

State is a political organization of society. The state is a form of human association distinguished from other social groups based on its purpose of formation.

Following are the elements of a state:

People: i.e. the community of persons permanently living there.
Government
Territory: Demarcated boundary that separates one state from the other.
Sovereignty: It has independent say in all domestic and external decision making.

Thus, the 1st option is the correct answer.

Source: NCERT: The Indian Constitution

Answer

A. A community of persons permanently occupying a definite territory independent of external control and possessing an organized government(Correct Answer)

B. A politically organized people of a definite territory and possessing an authority to govern them, maintain law and order, protect their natural rights and safeguard their means of sustenance

C. A number of persons who have been living in a definite territory for a very long time with their own culture, tradition and government

D. A society permanently living in a definite territory with a central authority, an executive responsible to the central authority and an independent judiciary

Question 5

5

Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty in a liberal democracy?

Committed judiciary i.e. a judiciary committed to the policies of the government. Such judiciary will never go against the government's policies. Therefore, will not be able to protect the liberty. So, option (a) is not correct.

Centralization of power refers to a setup in which the decision-making powers are concentrated in a few leaders at the top of the organizational structure. Decisions are made at the top and communicated to lower-level for implementation. This leads to authoritarian tendencies, impacting the liberty. So, option (b) is also not correct.

Elected government is representative of the people. It is expected to ensure liberty. This is not the best safeguard to ensure liberty.

Separation of power (executive, legislature and judiciary) checks the abuse of power by other organs. So, this helps in checking the authoritarian tendencies. This is the best safeguard to safeguard liberty. So, option (d) is the correct answer.

Source: NCERT

Answer

A. A committed judiciary

B. Centralization of powers

C. Elected government

D. Separation of powers(Correct Answer)

Democratic Politics - I

Previous Year Questions

Which one of the following reflects the most appropriate relationship between law and liberty?

Which one of the following best defines the term State?

Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty in a liberal democracy?

Previous Year Questions

Which one of the following reflects the most appropriate relationship between law and liberty?

Don't stop here.