Regular practice with AP Inter 1st Year Civics Study Material Chapter 12 Government Questions and Answers helps students stay prepared for examinations.
AP Inter 1st Year Civics 12th Lesson Government Questions and Answers
Very Short Answer Questions
Question 1.
What is the basis of Aristotle’s classification of government?
Answer:
Aristotle classified governments on the basis of two elements:
- Number of persons holding power
- End of the state.
Question 2.
What is Limited monarchy?
Answer:
- Limited monarchy is one in which the monarch or king acts as a constitutional head.
- He exercises his powers only in accordance with the advice of the cabinet.
Ex: Britain.
Question 3.
What do you know about ‘Republican government’?
Answer:
A republican government is one where power resides with the citizens who elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
Ex: India, USA
In India, there are two houses of Parliament and State legislative assemblies.
Question 4.
What is Unitary Government?
Answer:
- The word ‘Unitary’ is derived from ‘Uni’ and ‘Tary’. Uni means ‘one’ and tary means ‘rule’.
- Unitary Government is a single integrated government with all executive powers.
- The constitution vests all powers in the union Government. Ex: UK, Japan, China.
Question 5.
Explain the role of the judiciary in federal government.
Answer:
Independent judiciary is one of the essential features of a federal government. It will settle disputes between the centre and the states. Judges constitutionally possess independent position. They can check the misuse of powers by the executive and legislative authorities.
Question 6.
What are the organs of the government?
Answer:
The government comprises three organs, namely,
- Legislature – Law making authority.
- Executive – Decision-implementation organ of Government.
- Judiciary – Law Adjudication organ in the Government.
Question 7.
What is the primary function of the judiciary in a democratic government?
Answer:
The primary function of judiciary is interpretation of laws and safeguarding of the constitution and civil liberties of the people.
Short Answer Questions
Question 1.
Explain any two features of Federal Government.
Answer:
The term ‘Federation’ is derived from a Latin word “Foedus”, which means Treaty or Agreement.
Features of federal government:
- Written constitution
- Dual citizenship
- Division of powers
- Bicameralism
- Rigid constitution
- Independent judiciary
1. Written constitution: A federal government normally will have a written constitution. Such a constitution is considered as the supreme law of the land. It defines, decides and divides powers between the central and state governments.
2. Dual citizenship: Federal state provides dual citizenship to the citizens. Accordingly, citizens will have membership in both the centre and the states simultaneously.
As a result, they participate in the election of representatives to both the national and provincial bodies.
Question 2.
Explain the ‘theory of separation of powers.
Answer:
Montesquieu, an eminent French political philosopher, is regarded as the chief architect of this theory. He elaborated this theory in his book “The spirit of laws” published in 1748.
Montesquieu was a strong supporter and advocate of human dignity. He proposed, propagated and popularised the theory of separation of powers for upholding individual liberties.
He stated that powers of government must be separated among the three organs of government in a clear manner. They are Legislative, Executive, Judiciary.
Each organ must be assigned with specific powers and functions. Each must confine its activities to its domain. No one shall enter into the jurisdiction of another organ. The theory of checks and balances is subsidiary to the theory of separation of powers. Montesquieu advocated this theory too. This theory denotes the functional aspect of the government.
Question 3.
Write any four merits of the Presidential government.
Answer:
Presidential government is also known as single executive government or fixed tenure government or non-responsible government. Under this system a single person, namely, the President exercises all executive powers.
Merits of Presidential government:
- Presidential government is based on the theory of separation of powers. So, there is less scope for dictatorship.
- The tenure of head of the executive will not depend upon the confidence of the legislature. So, stable government is possible in this system.
- There will be no delay in solving the problems of the people.
- Presidential government is suitable for emergencies.
Long Answer Questions
Question 1.
Write any eight differences between Unitary government and Federal government.
Answer:
Differences between Unitary government and Federal government:
| Unitary Government | Federal Government |
| 1. There may or may not be a written constitution. | 1. There will be a written constitution. |
| 2. There will be a flexible constitution. | 2. There will be a rigid constitution. |
| 3. Central government constitutes the regional governments which are subordinate to the centre. | 3. Regional governments act independently. They are created by the constitution. |
| 4. The provisions of constitution can be amended only by the union legislature. | 4. Both the union and state legislatures participate in the constitutional amendment process. |
| 5. Unicameral or Bicameral legislatures exist at the national level. | 5. There will be Bicameralism at the national level. |
| 6. There is single citizenship. | 6. There is dual citizenship. |
| 7. There is only one constitution. | 7. There are two constitutions. |
| 8. The formation of government is simple. | 8. The formation of government is complex. |
| 9. There is less scope for diversity | 9. There is more scope for diversity |
| 10. It is easy to ammend the constitution. | 10. It is not easy to ammend the constitution. |
Question 2.
Discuss any four merits and four demerits of Parliamentary government.
Answer:
Parliamentary government is also known as responsible government, cabinet government, prime ministerial government. Britain is a classic example of this form of government.
Merits of Parliamentary Government:
- Parliamentary government secures co-operation and co-ordination between the legislature and executive.
- No scope for Despotism
- Parliamentary government stands for the distribution of political power and administrative authority.
- Parliamentary government enables easy formation of alternative government.
Demerits of Parliamentary Government:
- Parliamentary government works against the spirit of the theory of separation of powers.
- Parliamentary government may not always provide political stability.
- The cabinet of the parliamentary government becomes a dictator under absolute majority.
- It is very difficult to form the cabinet in a parliamentary system due to its vast diversity.
Question 3.
Mention any eight differences between Parliamentary and Presidential governments.
Answer:
Differences between Parliamentary and Presidential Governments:
| Parliamentary Government | Presidential Government |
| 1. There are two types of executive heads, i.e. nominal and real executives. | 1. There is only one executive head (President). |
| 2. The Head of the state and the Head of the government are different. | 2. The Head of the State and the Head of the Government are one and the same. |
| 3. Ministers will have freedom to take decisions in their respective departments. | 3. Secretaries do not have such freedom to take decisions. |
| 4. Equal representation to all sections and regions in the administration is possible. | 4. There will be no equal representation to all sections and regions. |
| 5. There will be less scope for disputes between the legislature and the executive due to co-operation and coordination. | 5. There will be a scope for conflicts between the legislature and the executive due to the separation of powers. |
| 6. This is an unstable government. | 6. This is a stable government. |
| 7. This is not suitable for emergencies. | 7. It is suitable to emergencies. |
| 8. Ministers assign priority to party interests. | 8. The President assigns priority to national interests only. |
| 9. There is less scope for diversity. | 9. There is more scope for diversity |
| 10. It is easy to ammend the constitution. | 10. It is not easy to ammend the constitution. |
Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1.
Which country is the best example for Unitary government?
1. Britain
2. USA
3. Australia
4. Switzerland
Answer:
1. Britain
Question 2.
What type of Government is also known as ‘Responsible government’, ‘Cabinet government’, and ‘Prime ministerial government?
1. Unitary government
2. Federal government
3. Presidential government
4. Parliamentary government
Answer:
4. Parliamentary government
Question 3.
Which of the following is not a feature of a federal government?
1. Written constitution
2. Rigidity
3. Division of powers
4. Single citizenship
Answer:
4. Single citizenship
Question 4.
According to Aristotle’s classification of governments, what is the perverted form of the ‘polity’?
1. Tyranny
2. Oligarchy
3. Democracy
4. Monarchy
Answer:
3. Democracy
Fill in the Blanks
Question 1.
Collective responsibility is a salient feature of ___________ government.
Answer:
Parliamentary
Question 2.
The term “Federation” is derived from the Latin word ‘Foedus’ Which means ___________.
Answer:
Treaty/Aareement
Question 3.
The first federal system came into being in the United States of America in the year ___________
Answer:
1789 AD
Question 4.
The ‘theory of checks and balances’ is subsidiary to ___________.
Answer:
The theory of separation of powers
One Word Answers
Question 1.
In which form of the government does the head of the state not attend legislature?
Answer:
Presidential government
Question 2.
Who is the real executive head of a parliamentary government?
Answer:
Prime minister
Question 3.
Who advocated the theory of the ‘Separation of powers’?
Answer:
Montesquieu
Question 4.
Which country is the best example of ‘Limited Monarchy”?
Answer:
Britain
Question 5.
Which type of government is also known as ‘Single executive government”?
Answer:
Presidential government
Question 6.
Who wrote the book ‘The spirit of laws”?
Answer:
Montesquieu