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 ‘Election and Representation’ 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!
Elections and Democracy:
Q1. Why are elections important in a democracy?
Answer: Elections are important because they give citizens the power to choose their representatives. This ensures that the government reflects the will of the people. Without elections, it would be difficult to maintain democratic governance.
Q.2 Can elections happen in non-democratic countries?
Answer: Yes, elections can occur in non-democratic countries, but they are often manipulated to maintain the power of rulers. In such cases, elections do not provide a real choice to citizens, making them non-democratic in nature.
Q.3 Name the types of democracy.
Answer: Direct Democracy – Citizens directly participate in decision-making and governance.
Indirect (or Representative) Democracy – Citizens elect representatives to make decisions and govern on their behalf.
Q.4 What is direct democracy?
Answer: Direct democracy is a system where citizens directly participate in decision-making. In this system, people vote on important issues themselves rather than electing representatives. Ancient Greece is an example of direct democracy in history.
Q.5 Define indirect democracy.
Answer: Indirect democracy is a system where citizens elect representatives who make decisions and govern on their behalf. This system is widely used in large countries, where direct participation by all citizens is not feasible.
Q.6 How do citizens participate in indirect democracy?
Answer: In indirect democracy, citizens participate by voting in elections to choose their representatives. These elected representatives then make laws and policies on behalf of the people, ensuring public participation in the government through elections.
Q.7 Can a democratic country be ‘Election free country’?
Answer: No, a democratic country cannot exist without elections. Elections play a crucial role in democracy by enabling citizens to select their representatives, which ensures that the government aligns with the people’s desires. Without elections, key elements like representation and accountability, essential to democracy, would be absent.
Q.8 Can elections happen in non-democratic countries?
Answer: Yes, elections can occur in non-democratic countries, but they are often manipulated to maintain the power of rulers. In such cases, elections do not provide a real choice to citizens, making them non-democratic in nature.
Q.9 Can elections happen in non-democratic countries?
Answer: Yes, elections can occur in non-democratic countries, but they are often manipulated to maintain the power of rulers. In such cases, elections do not provide a real choice to citizens, making them non-democratic in nature.
Q.10 How does the constitution help in conducting democratic elections?
Answer: The constitution lays down the basic framework for elections, such as voter eligibility, candidate qualifications, and the process of supervising elections. This ensures that elections are conducted fairly and transparently, protecting democratic values.
Q.11 What basic rules are needed for elections in a democracy?
Answer: Basic rules for elections include who can vote, who can contest elections, how voting is conducted, and how votes are counted. These rules ensure that elections are fair and provide a real choice to citizens.
Q.12 What is the main role of elections in an indirect democracy?
Answer: The main role of elections in an indirect democracy is to allow citizens to choose their representatives. These representatives make decisions and govern the country, ensuring that the government reflects the will of the people.
Election System in India:
Q.1 What is the election system in India?
Answer: The election system in India involves various methods for conducting elections, along with established rules and authorities to ensure fair and transparent processes for electing representatives.
Q.2 Why are rules for elections important in the constitution?
Anwer: Rules in the constitution establish clear guidelines for counting votes and electing representatives. These rules promote fairness, consistency, and transparency, ensuring every election operates smoothly and reflects the will of the people.
Q.3 Why is it necessary to think critically about election systems?
Answer: Thinking critically about election systems is crucial as it reveals the various methods of counting preferences. Understanding these methods helps ensure fairness and effectiveness, influencing which candidates can succeed in the electoral process.
First Past the Post System:
Q.1 What is the First Past the Post (FPTP) system?
Answer: The First Past the Post (FPTP) system is an electoral process where a nation is divided into various constituencies. In this system, each constituency elects one representative, and the candidate with the highest number of votes is declared the winner, regardless of whether they secure a majority. For Example:- In the 1984 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party won 415 out of 543 seats, achieving over 80% representation. However, they secured only 48% of the total votes cast by the electorate.
Q.2 What happens to votes cast for losing candidates in the FPTP system?
Answer: Votes cast for losing candidates in the FPTP system are considered “waste.” Those votes do not contribute to any representation, as only the highest vote-getter in a constituency is declared elected.
Proportional Representation:
Q.1 What is the Proportional Representation (PR) system?
Answer: The Proportional Representation (PR) system distributes parliamentary seats according to the share of votes each party secures, promoting equitable representation for parties of varying sizes.
Q.2 How does the PR system work in Israel?
Answer: In Israel, voters cast their ballots for political parties instead of individual candidates. Seats in the Knesset are allocated to each party in proportion to the number of votes they receive, ensuring representation for smaller parties as well.
Q.3 What is the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system used for Rajya Sabha elections?
Answer: The STV system enables voters to rank candidates by preference. Candidates must meet a specific vote quota to win, with votes from eliminated candidates transferred to remaining candidates.
Q.4 How is the quota for electing Rajya Sabha members calculated?
Answer: The quota is calculated by dividing the total votes polled by the number of candidates to be elected, plus one, ensuring each candidate secures enough votes for election.
Why did India adopt the FPTP system?
Q.1 Why did India choose the FPTP system for elections?
Answer: India adopted the FPTP system for its simplicity, allowing voters to easily understand the election process and make clear choices between candidates and parties
Q.2 What advantage does FPTP offer for stable governance?
Answer: FPTP often grants larger parties extra seats, facilitating majority formation in the legislature, essential for smooth parliamentary governance.
Q.3 How does the FPTP system affect the relationship between the ruling party and the opposition?
A: The FPTP system often leads to a power imbalance, where the ruling party may dismiss the opposition, perceived as “tiny,” reducing meaningful dialogue.
Source: NCERT Political Science Book (Class XI)
