Regular practice with AP Inter 1st Year Civics Study Material Chapter 5 Liberty and Equality Questions and Answers helps students stay prepared for examinations.
AP Inter 1st Year Civics 5th Lesson Liberty and Equality Questions and Answers
Very Short Answer Questions
Question 1.
Explain the term, liberty.
Answer:
- The term ‘liberty’ is derived from the Latin word ‘liber’ which means ‘free from restrictions.’
- Liberty denotes freedom to do something like freedom of speech, fight of self defence.
Question 2.
Give any one definition of liberty.
Answer:
- “Liberty is the opposite of over government – J. R. Seely
- “Liberty means absence of coercion” -F.A. Hayek. [Coercion means force/ compulsion]
Question 3.
What is political equality?
Answer:
Political equality means providing equal and identical political rights to all the citizens of the state. It implies provision of adequate conditions for the people to participate in the political affairs of the state. It could be achieved by granting various political rights to the citizens in a state.
Question 4.
Point out any two essential features of equality.
Answer:
- Equality is not given by nature: Absolute equality is found nowhere. No two individuals remain exactly like each other. Practically, individuals are not equal.
- Equality is not absolute: Absolute equality is neither possible nor desirable. In no movement in the history of the world did individuals claim they had absolute equality.
Question 5.
Mention any two elements threatening of individual liberty.
Answer:
- Enhancement of state authority
- Too many laws
- Negative attitude
- Tyranny of majority
Question 6.
What is Equality?
Answer:
The term ‘Equality’ implies absolute equality of treatment. But in actual practice it is not possible to have such equality. In Political Science, the term ‘Equality’ refers to a state which grants its citizens equality before the law and equal opportunities to develop their personality.
Question 7.
Mention the different implications of Equality.
Answer:
Implications of Equality:
- There should not be any special privileges to any individual or a group of individuals.
- People must be provided with adequate opportunities to develop their personalities.
- There should not be any discrimination among the people on the grounds of religion, caste, creed, colour, place of birth etc.
Question 8.
Mention any four safeguards of Liberty.
Answer:
Safeguards of Liberty:
- Democratic Rule
- Written and Rigid Constitution.
- lndependent Judiciary.
- Rule of Law
Short Answer Questions
Question 1.
Write any four characteristics of Liberty.
Answer:
Characteristics of Liberty:
- Liberty is a dynamic concept. Its interpretation varies according to time, place and wishes of the people.
- Liberty always opposes political subjugation, imprisonment and slavery.
- It always aims at realizing the aspirations of the individuals.
- Liberty always means absence of irrational restraints and presence of favourable conditions.
- It is the product of rights.
- It is essential for the realization of human personalities.
- It is found only in democratic states.
- It is manifest in the form of rights.
Question 2.
Explain any two types of liberty.
Answer:
Types of Liberty:
- Natural liberty
- Civil liberty
- Economic liberty.
- Political liberty.
- National liberty.
1. Natural Liberty: Natural liberty denotes unrestrained freedom to do whatever one pleases. It gives no scope for interference or restraint of any type. It prevails when individuals are allowed to do what they wish. However, unrestrained liberty negates the liberties of individuals. Natural liberty is not found in the present-day society. It existed prior to the origin of the state and society.
2. Civil Liberty: Civil liberty is also known as personal liberty. It relates to the individual’s freedom in his life as a member of the social organization. It is enjoyed by the individuals in the society. Civil liberty is the essential prerequisite to the existence and survival of human beings. It enables them to lead happy, honourable and civilized life in the state. Civil Liberty is manifested in several rights.
Ex: 1) Right to life
2) Right to work
Question 3.
Narrate any two types of equality.
Answer:
The concept of equality has a significant in the study of political science.
It was originated at first in Europe as a protest against feudalism.
Types of equality
- Natural equality
- Social equality
- Economic equality
- Political equality.
- International equality.
1. Natural equality: Natural equality implies freedom from all restraints and social customs. It means absence of restraints of any type in individual sphere. Natural equality was mentioned in the social contract theory as propounded by Thomas Hobbes. He stated that men led their life in the state of nature prior to the civil society.
2. Social Equality: Social equality stands for equality of status and absence of class distinctions and discrimination. It exists when no individual is made to suffer on account of his caste, class, colour, creed, race etc. Social equality implies the presence of harmonious conditions among the people who live in a society.
Question 4.
Describe any two obstacles to equality.
Answer:
The concept 6f equality has remained inoperative owing to the following obstacles.
Types of Obstacles:
- Gap between law and practice
- Equality is an Ideal
- Social obstacles
- Monopolization of Political power
- Economic elements.
Obstacles to equality:
1. Gap between law and practice:
- In modern times, the concept of equality has been widely accepted all over the world.
- Law upholds the principle of equality in democratic states.
- Equality is said to be prevalent when there is no gap between the theory and practical application.
2. Social obstacles:
- Equality is not found in social sphere in almost all countries of the world.
- This is due to the narrow outlook, selfish attitude, superstitions etc.,
Long Answer Questions
Question 1.
Define Liberty and explain its types.
Answer:
Liberty: The success of a political system depends on the enjoyment of liberty and equality by the individuals. These two elements have great significance in the study of Political Science.
- “Liberty is the opposite of over government” – J. R. Seely
- “Liberty means absence of coercion” – F. A. Hayek
- “Liberty does not mean the absence of restraint, but it lies in the development of one’s personality” -Mahatma Gandhi
Types of Liberty:
1. Natural liberty: Natural Liberty denotes unrestrained freedom to do whatever one pleases. It gives no scope for interference or restraint of any type. It prevails when individuals are allowed to do what they wish. However, unrestrained liberty negates the liberties of individuals. Natural liberty is not found in the present-day society. It existed prior to the origin of the state and society.
2. Civil liberty: Civil liberty is also known as personal liberty. It relates to the individual’s freedom in his life as a member of the social organization. It is enjoyed by the individuals in the society. Civil liberty is the essential pre-requisite to the existence and survival of human beings. It enables them to lead happy, honourable and civilized life in the state.
Civil Liberty is manifested in several rights. These include:
- Right to life
- Right to work
- Right to Property
- Right to Religion
- Right to Speech, expression, assembly, movement and residence etc.
These rights are given to the individuals without any discrimination.
3. Economic Liberty: Economic liberty means the right of everyone to earn his livelihood. Laski described this liberty as ‘the security and opportunity to find reasonable significance in earning one’s daily bread. Economic liberty ensures everyone freedom from want and fear, hunger and starvation, unemployment and insufficiency. Economic liberty denotes freedom from want or insecurity of economic nature. Without economic liberty democracy is meaningless.
4. Political Liberty: Political Liberty facilitates the citizens to take part in the political affairs of the State. Laski regarded political liberty as the power to be active in the affair of the state. Political Liberty is confined to the citizens alone. It is positive in nature. Political Liberty provides several rights in political matters.
These include:
- Right to vote.
- Right to contest as candidates in elections
- Right to hold public office.
- Right to criticism.
5. National Liberty: National Liberty implies the freedom and independence of the State. It also denotes the sovereignty of the state. Every state enjoys this liberty and remains free from the political domination of other states. This liberty is essential for the progress of nation in all spheres. The Indian masses under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi waged a non-violent struggle to secure national freedom from the British Rule.
Question 2.
What is equality? and explain its significant features.
Answer:
Equality: The term ‘equality’ implies absolute equality of treatment. But in actual practice it is not possible to have such equality. In political science, the term ‘equality’ refers to a state which grants its citizens equality before law and equal opportunities to develop their personality.
According to Pathanjali Shastri, equality means “Equality does not mean identical treatment. It means equal treatment under equal conditions”.
Significant Features of Equality:
1. Equality is not given by nature:
Equality is not given by nature. Absolute equality is found nowhere. All individuals are bom in the same circumstances. Human beings are not like standard commodities which are coming out of a factory.
2. Equality is not absolute:
Equality is not absolute. Absolute equality is neither possible nor desirable.
In no movement in the history of the world did individuals claim they had absolute equality.
3. Essential for social justice:
Equality is essential for social justice. All over the world, there have been movements aiming at social justice. These movements have laid special attention to the achievement of equality.
4. Connected with liberty:
Equality is closely connected with liberty. This is due to the fact that without liberty people cannot have equality. Liberty remains insignificant in the absence of equality.
5. A condition of good life:
Equality is a condition of good life. Given equality individual can have good opportunities for developing his personality. He can reap the fruits of a higher life when there is no gap between those who are at the top and those who are at the bottom.
Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1.
Which of the following equalities implies provision of adequate conditions for the people in the political affairs of the state?
1. Social Equality
2. Political Equality
3. Economic Equality
4. Natural Equality
Answer:
2. Political Equality
Question 2.
Which of the following equalities implies freedom from all restraints and social customs?
1. Natural Equality
2. Economic Equality
3. Political Equality
4. Social Equality
Answer:
1. Natural Equality
Question 3.
The definition “Liberty means absence of coercion” was given by…
1. T. H. Green
2. H.J. Laski
3. F.A. Hayek
4. J.R. Seely
Answer:
3. F.A. Hayek
Question 4.
Who opined, “Liberty is a constitutional freedom given to the individual to express his opinion frankly”?
1. Herbert Spencer
2. H. J. Laski
3. J. S. Mill
4. John Locke
Answer:
3. J. S. Mill
Question 5.
Identify the incorrect statement among the following essential features of equality.
1. Equality is not given by nature.
2. Equality is absolute.
3. Equality is essential for social justice.
4. Equality is closely connected with liberty.
Answer:
2. Equality is absolute.
Fill in the Blanks
Question 1.
The term liberty is derived from the Latin word ‘liber’ which means ___________.
Answer:
Free from restrictions
Question 2.
Natural equality was mentioned in the ‘Social contract theory’ as propounded by ___________.
Answer:
Thomas Hobbes
Question 3.
___________ equality denotes presence of equality of status and absence of class distinctions.
Answer:
Social
Question 4.
___________ equality is considered as the basis of social and political equalities.
Answer:
Economic
One Word Answers
Question 1.
Who gave the slogan “Give me liberty or Give me death”?
Answer:
Patrick Henry.
Question 2.
Which country revolutionaries shed their blood for the sake of the magic words “liberty, equality and fraternity”?
Answer:
French.
Question 3.
Which type of liberty existed before the formation of the state and society?
Answer:
Natural Liberty
Question 4.
Who stated, ‘Equality does not mean identical treatment, it means equal treatment under equal conditions’?
Answer:
Justice Pathanjali Shastri