Concept of Representation
Exercise
1. (A) Choose the correct alternative and complete the following statements.
1. Ancient Greece had direct democracy. (dictatorship, direct democracy, indirect democracy, monarchy)
2. The oldest representative assembly in the world is House of Commons. (House of Commons, House of Lords, Senate, House of Representatives)
(B) State the appropriate concept for the given statement.
The political system where people elect representatives to govern themselves.
Answer: Representative Democracy
(C) Find the odd word in the given set.
The Indian National Trade Union Congress, All India Kisan Sabha, National Students Union of India, Indian National Congress
Answer: Indian National Congress
Explanation: The Indian National Trade Union Congress, All India Kisan Sabha, and National Students Union of India are interest or pressure groups, while the Indian National Congress is a political party.
2. Complete the concept map.
Answer:
- Indian National Congress
- Bharatiya Janata Party
- Communist Party of India
- Communist Party of India (Marxist)
- Bahujan Samaj Party
- Nationalist Congress Party
- All India Trinamool Congress
3. Explain the co-relation between the following.
Governmental and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Answer:
Governmental Organisations (GOs) are formal institutions established by the government to carry out administrative and public service functions, such as municipal corporations or state legislatures. They operate within the framework of the government and are accountable to the public through elected representatives. Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are private, non-profit groups that work independently of the government to address social, environmental, or community issues, such as child development or women’s empowerment.
The co-relation lies in their complementary roles in representation. While GOs directly represent the people through elected officials and make policies, NGOs indirectly represent public interests by advocating for specific causes, raising awareness, and influencing government policies through non-violent means. Both aim to serve society, but GOs have formal authority, while NGOs rely on voluntary efforts and public support.
4. Express your opinion of the following.
Pressure groups are different from political parties.
Answer:
In my opinion, pressure groups are indeed different from political parties. Pressure groups focus on specific issues, such as workers’ rights (e.g., trade unions) or environmental concerns, and aim to influence government policies without contesting elections. They work outside the government system. Political parties, on the other hand, have a broad agenda covering political, social, and economic issues. They participate in elections to gain power and form the government, directly shaping policies from within. Additionally, pressure groups have a narrower focus and do not seek to govern, while political parties aim to represent the entire population and take responsibility for governance.
5. Answer the following in detail with reference to the given points.
What is meant by representation? Explain the various methods of representation?
(a) Meaning
(b) Electoral
(c) Non-electoral
(d) Non-official
Answer:
(a) Meaning
Representation refers to the process by which individuals, known as representatives, are chosen by the people to express their demands, advocate their concerns, and safeguard their interests in the decision-making process. In a democracy, representatives act on behalf of the people in governing the country, ensuring that the government reflects the will of the citizens. This concept is central to indirect or representative democracies, where people do not govern directly but entrust this responsibility to elected officials.
(b) Electoral
The electoral method involves people choosing their representatives through elections. In this system, citizens vote to select individuals who will represent them in representative assemblies, such as parliaments or state legislatures, where ultimate decision-making powers lie. Electoral systems vary, including:
- Single-Member Constituencies: One representative is elected per constituency, as in India’s Lok Sabha elections using the First Past the Post (FPTP) system, where the candidate with the most votes wins.
- Multi-Member Constituencies: Multiple representatives are elected from a single constituency, often using proportional representation or systems like the Single-Transferable Vote (STV), used for Rajya Sabha elections in India.
- Plurality, Majority, and Proportional Systems: Plurality elects the candidate with the most votes (e.g., Lok Sabha), majority requires over 50% votes (e.g., President of India), and proportional systems allocate seats based on vote share (not used in India’s direct elections).
(c) Non-electoral
The non-electoral method involves selecting individuals to represent people through appointment or nomination rather than elections. These representatives occupy positions in government bodies or as officials, such as bureaucrats, judges, or members of advisory councils. In India’s history, for example, the British nominated Indians to legislative councils before elected representation was introduced. Non-electoral representatives do not derive authority directly from the public but are appointed to serve specific roles in governance.
(d) Non-official
Non-official representation refers to the role played by civil society groups, such as interest and pressure groups, in representing people’s aspirations outside formal government structures. These groups, like trade unions (e.g., Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh), agricultural unions (e.g., Bharatiya Kisan Union), or student organizations (e.g., Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad), advocate for specific causes without contesting elections. They influence government policies by lobbying, protests, or public campaigns, ensuring that diverse societal interests are voiced in the decision-making process.
6. Suggest ways by which you can encourage people to vote in elections.
Answer:
To encourage people to vote in elections, the following steps can be taken:
- Awareness Campaigns: Organize street plays, social media campaigns, and posters to educate people about the importance of voting in shaping their future and strengthening democracy.
- Voter Education Programs: Conduct workshops in schools, colleges, and communities to explain the voting process, how to register, and the significance of each vote.
- Celebrity Endorsements: Involve popular figures like actors or athletes to promote voting through advertisements or public events, inspiring youth participation.
- Community Drives: Partner with local NGOs to reach marginalized groups, providing transport or assistance to polling stations for elderly or disabled voters.
- Incentives and Recognition: Encourage local authorities to offer small incentives, like discounts at local businesses, or public recognition for high voter turnout areas to motivate participation.
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