Class 6 Social Science Question Answers Chapter 10

Grassroots Democracy — Part 1: Governance

Question 1. Test yourself — What is the meaning of democracy? What is the difference between direct democracy and representative democracy?

Answer:

• Democracy means ‘rule by the people.’ It is a system where citizens have the power to make decisions, usually through elected representatives.
• Direct democracy involves all citizens directly participating in decision-making, while representative democracy means citizens elect representatives who make decisions on their behalf.

Question 2. Recall the three organs of government. What are their different roles?

Answer:

• Legislature: Makes and updates laws.
• Executive: Implements and enforces the laws.
• Judiciary: Interprets the laws and ensures they are followed, resolving disputes and determining punishment if laws are broken.

Question 3. Why do we need three tiers of government?

Answer: The three tiers (local, state, and national) of government are necessary to manage different levels of issues effectively. Local governments handle community-level problems, state governments address state-wide concerns, and the national government manages issues that affect the entire country.

Question 4. Project: Many of you will remember the lockdown that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Make a list of all the actions that were taken at that time? Which tiers of government were involved in managing the situation? What was the role of each of the organs of government?

Answer:

• Actions Taken: Imposing lockdowns, enforcing social distancing, closing schools and businesses, providing medical supplies, conducting testing and vaccination drives, and offering economic relief packages.
• Tiers Involved:

• Local Government: Implemented restrictions and monitored local compliance, provided essential services.
• State Government: Coordinated medical responses, managed hospitals, and imposed state-wide curfews.
• National Government: Issued nationwide lockdown orders, provided financial aid, and coordinated vaccine distribution.

• Roles of the Organs of Government:

• Legislature: Passed laws related to public health and economic relief.
• Executive: Enforced lockdowns, ensured the supply of essential goods and services, and managed health services.
• Judiciary: Addressed legal challenges to lockdown measures and ensured that government actions were in accordance with the law.

The Big Questions (Page 137)

Question 1. What is the meaning of ‘governance’?

Answer: Governance is the process of making decisions, organizing society with rules, and ensuring that these rules are followed to maintain order and harmony.

Question 2. Why do we need a government?

Answer: We need a government to create and enforce rules, manage resources, protect citizens’ rights, and ensure the smooth functioning of society.

Question 3. What is the meaning of ‘democracy’? Why is it important?

Answer: Democracy means ‘rule by the people,’ where citizens have the power to make decisions, often through elected representatives.

Importance of Democracy:

• Ensures Equal Participation: Democracy allows every citizen to have a say in how they are governed, ensuring equal participation in decision-making processes.
• Protects Individual Rights and Freedoms: Democratic systems protect citizens’ rights, such as freedom of speech, religion, and assembly, allowing people to live with dignity.
• Promotes Accountability: Elected representatives in a democracy are accountable to the people, which helps in reducing corruption and ensuring transparency in governance.
• Encourages Debate and Dialogue: Democracy fosters open discussion and debate, allowing for diverse opinions and ideas to be considered in policy-making.
• Adapts to Change: Democratic systems are flexible and can adapt to social, economic, and cultural changes, as they are based on the will of the people.