Short Answer Type Questions:
Hey there, students! Check out our collection of short-answer questions from various topics. We’ve designed these to cover all the potential questions of ‘Citizenship’ from the NCERT Political Science book. Each answer is crafted with 30-40 words (i.e. for 2 Marks answers) to help you prepare effectively and boost your confidence for the exams. Let’s ace those tests together!
Q.1 What is citizenship?
Answer: Citizenship is full and equal membership of a political community that grants individuals certain rights and a collective identity.
For example, in India, citizenship gives people the identity of being “Indian,” along with rights like voting and freedom of speech.
Q.2 How does citizenship provide identity?
Answer: Citizenship provides identity by connecting individuals to a particular nation, defining their legal and cultural membership.
For example, Japanese citizens identify as Japanese, with rights and responsibilities tied to Japan, just as German citizenship connects individuals to Germany’s identity, culture, and legal framework.
Q.3 Why is full membership in a state important?
Answer: Full membership ensures rights and protection for individuals, unlike refugees or illegal migrants who live without guaranteed rights.
For example, only citizens with full membership receive legal rights like voting, healthcare, education, and protection under the law.
Q.4 What are the basic types of rights provided to citizens in democratic countries?
Answer: Citizens in democratic states enjoy political rights like voting, civil rights like freedom of speech, and socio-economic rights like minimum wage and education.
Q.5 How did struggles for citizenship rights begin historically?
Answer: Early citizenship struggles arose against monarchies, with events like the French Revolution, where people fought for independence and rights.
Q.6 What is the purpose of movements like the women’s and Dalit movements in India?
Answer: These movements aim to gain equal rights and opportunities by changing public opinion and influencing government policy.
Q.7 What obligations do citizens have toward each other and society?
Answer: Citizens have moral obligations to participate in community life and legal duties to contribute to society and protect cultural and natural resources.
Q.8 Why do some groups question the accepted meaning of citizenship?
Answer: Some groups question the accepted meaning of citizenship because they feel it overlooks their unique needs, aspirations, or identities.
For instance, marginalized communities may seek recognition of additional rights or protections that reflect their specific cultural or social circumstances.
Full and Equal Membership
Q.1 How does the concept of ‘insiders’ and ‘outsiders’ develop in society?
Answer: The concept of ‘insiders’ and ‘outsiders’ often develops when limited resources like jobs, healthcare, and education create competition. People within a region may view newcomers as a threat to their access to these resources.
Q.2 Explain the slogan ‘Mumbai for Mumbaikars.’
Answer: The slogan ‘Mumbai for Mumbaikars’ reflects the desire of local residents to limit access to resources and opportunities for people from outside Mumbai, even if they are fellow citizens.
Q.3 What is the significance of the freedom of movement for workers?
Answer: Freedom of movement allows workers to migrate within the country in search of jobs. This is especially important for laborers who move to areas with better job opportunities, such as IT professionals moving to Bangalore.
Q.4 Why do local residents sometimes resist the influx of migrant workers?
Answer: Local residents may resist migrant workers due to increased competition for limited jobs, with migrants often willing to work for lower wages. This resistance sometimes leads to demands for reserving jobs for locals.
Q.5 Why are skilled migrants sometimes more welcomed than poor migrants?
Answer: Skilled migrants are often more welcomed due to their contributions to the economy and specialized skills, while poor migrants may face resistance because of limited resources and economic competition.
Q.6 What is the democratic approach to resolving conflicts related to citizenship and rights?
Answer: The democratic approach involves resolving conflicts through negotiation and discussion rather than force. Citizens are encouraged to express opinions, protest peacefully, and seek judicial intervention if needed.
Q.7 Why is it important to uphold the principle of ‘full and equal membership’ in society?
Answer: Upholding full and equal membership ensures that all citizens, regardless of their background or origin, have equal access to rights, resources, and opportunities, fostering a more inclusive society.
Equal Rights:
Q.1 Why is addressing the problem of the urban poor urgent for the government?
Answer: The urban poor, including slum-dwellers and squatters, represent a large and vulnerable population in cities, requiring urgent attention to improve their living conditions and integrate them into society.
Q.2 Why is addressing the problem of the urban poor an urgent issue for the government?
Answer: Addressing the issue of the urban poor is urgent for the government because they live in difficult conditions and their increasing population strains city resources, affecting health, sanitation, and general urban management.
Q.3 How do slum-dwellers contribute to the urban economy?
Answer: Slum-dwellers contribute to the economy by working in essential roles, such as hawkers, domestic workers, plumbers, mechanics, and petty traders, providing low-wage labor crucial to city functions.
Q.4 What challenges do slum-dwellers face from other city residents?
Answer: Slum-dwellers are often seen as “unwelcome visitors” by other residents, who may blame them for overusing city resources or contributing to crime and disease.
Q.5 What was the purpose of the national policy on urban street vendors introduced in 2004?
Answer: The national policy on urban street vendors aimed to recognize and regulate street vendors’ work, allowing them to conduct business without harassment if they followed government rules.
Citizen and Nation
Q.1 What symbols are commonly used to express national identity?
Answer: National identity is typically expressed through symbols like a flag, national anthem, national language, and ceremonial practices. These elements serve as shared markers of culture and history, helping to unify the people within a nation.
Q.2 What factor can influence citizenship eligibility in countries like Israel and Germany?
Answer: In countries like Israel and Germany, citizenship eligibility may be influenced by factors such as religion and ethnic origin. For instance, people with Jewish heritage in Israel or German ancestry in Germany often receive preference when applying for citizenship.
Q.3 What does the Republic Day parade in Delhi symbolize?
Answer: The Republic Day parade in Delhi is a powerful symbol of India’s unity in diversity. It showcases India’s various cultures, languages, and traditions, reflecting the state’s commitment to inclusiveness and the celebration of its rich, diverse heritage.
Universal Citizenship
Q.1 What are some common reasons people become refugees or illegal migrants?
Answer: People often become refugees or illegal migrants due to war, persecution, famine, or poverty. Some are smuggled into other countries for better opportunities, while others are displaced and forced to seek safety elsewhere.
Q.2 What is the role of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees?
Answer: The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) assists stateless people and refugees by advocating for their rights, providing resources, and working to find solutions, such as resettlement or support, in countries willing to accept them.
Q.3 What is a stateless person?
Answer: A stateless person is someone who does not have legal citizenship in any country. Often displaced by conflict, they lack rights such as legal work, education for their children, and property ownership in the places they reside.
Q.4 How does India view its role in providing refuge to persecuted people?
Answer: India takes pride in offering refuge to those facing persecution, such as when it accepted the Dalai Lama and his followers in 1959. However, not all refugees are granted citizenship, leading to prolonged statelessness for many.
Q.5 What is global citizenship, and why might it be considered?
Answer: Global citizenship is the idea of a universal identity that transcends national borders, aiming to provide people with rights and protections irrespective of state citizenship. It is considered as a solution for stateless people and global inclusivity.
Global Citizenship:
Q.1 What was the global response to the 2004 tsunami in South Asia?
Answer: The 2004 tsunami saw a global outpouring of sympathy and assistance, indicating a growing sense of solidarity and interconnectedness among people across different nations in times of crisis.
Q.2 How do international networks relate to terrorism today?
Answer: International networks enhance communication among terrorists, enabling coordination and collaboration across borders, which poses significant challenges for global security and law enforcement efforts.
Q.3 What is the role of the United Nations in preventing pandemics?
Answer: The United Nations works with various countries to prevent disease outbreaks like bird flu, focusing on cooperative strategies to manage potential human pandemics and safeguard global health.
Q.4 What challenges do states face in providing protection and rights to their citizens?
Answer: States struggle to address transnational issues effectively, making it difficult to ensure that individual rights and protections are upheld, especially amidst global crises and socio-economic inequalities.
Q.5 Why is the concept of global citizenship important in today’s world?
Answer: Global citizenship fosters cooperation in addressing transnational issues, such as migrants’ rights, encouraging individuals and governments to collaborate across borders for shared humanitarian goals.
