Class 6 Social Studies Notes Chapter 3 (What is Government?) – Social and Political Lifea Book

Detailed Notes with MCQs of Chapter 3, 'What is Government?'. This is a foundational chapter, and understanding these basic concepts is crucial, not just for your Class 6 exams, but also as a base for competitive government exams later on. Pay close attention.

Chapter 3: What is Government? - Detailed Notes for Exam Preparation

1. What is Government and Why Do We Need It?

• Definition: A government is a group of people that governs a community or unit. It sets and administers public policy and exercises executive, political, and sovereign power through customs, institutions, and laws within a state.
  • Simpler terms: It's the system or group of people responsible for managing a country, state, or community.
• Need for Government:
  • Every country needs a government to make decisions and get things done.
  • To maintain law and order, ensuring the safety and security of citizens.
  • To provide essential services and infrastructure (like roads, electricity, water, healthcare, schools).
  • To protect the country's boundaries and maintain peaceful relations with other countries.
  • To manage the country's resources effectively.
  • To help people during natural disasters (like floods, earthquakes, tsunamis).
  • To make and enforce laws for the common good.

2. Functions of Government (What does a Government do?)

• Decision Making & Law Making: Decides on rules and regulations for society (e.g., where to build roads/schools, how to reduce prices, rules for driving).
• Infrastructure Development: Builds roads, schools, hospitals, railways, etc.
• Essential Services: Ensures supply of water, electricity, postal services, public transport. Runs healthcare facilities.
• Maintaining Law & Order: Manages police forces to prevent crime and maintain peace. Runs the judicial system (courts).
• Defence: Protects national boundaries through the armed forces (Army, Navy, Air Force).
• Economic Management: Manages the country's finances, collects taxes, controls prices of essential goods.
• Welfare Programs: Runs programs for the poor and marginalised sections of society.
• Disaster Management: Organises relief and aid during natural calamities.
• International Relations: Represents the country internationally and maintains relationships with other nations.

3. Levels of Government in India

Governments work at different levels to manage a large country like India effectively:

• Local Level:
  • Deals with issues in your village, town, or locality.
  • Examples: Gram Panchayat (in villages), Municipal Corporation/Municipality (in towns and cities).
  • Focuses on local needs like water supply, cleaning streets, local markets, parks, primary schools, local health centres.
• State Level:
  • Covers an entire state (e.g., Government of Tamil Nadu, Government of Uttar Pradesh).
  • Deals with issues concerning the whole state, like state highways, state police, state board education, agriculture within the state.
• National Level (Central/Union Government):
  • Responsible for subjects of national importance concerning the entire country.
  • Examples: Defence of the country, relations with foreign countries, railways, currency, national highways, major ports.
  • Based in the national capital (New Delhi).

4. Laws and the Government

• What are Laws? Rules made by the government that everyone living in the country must follow.
• Why Laws? To ensure safety, order, fairness, and proper functioning of society.
• Government's Role:
  • Making Laws: The government has the power to make laws.
  • Enforcing Laws: The government also has the power to ensure people follow these laws. If laws are broken, there are consequences (fines, imprisonment). Police and courts help enforce laws.
• Citizens' Role: Citizens also play a role. If they feel a law is unfair or discriminatory, they can raise their voice, protest (peacefully), or approach the courts.

5. Types of Government

• Democracy:
  • Meaning: Rule by the people. 'Demos' (people) + 'Kratos' (rule).
  • Key Feature: People have the power to choose their leaders/government through elections.
  • Accountability: The government is answerable to the people for its actions and decisions.
  • India: India is a democratic country.
  • Representative Democracy: In large countries like India, people elect representatives who meet, make decisions, and form the government on their behalf.
• Monarchy:
  • Meaning: Rule by a King or Queen (Monarch).
  • Power Source: Power is usually hereditary (passed down in the family).
  • Decision Making: The Monarch holds the ultimate power to make decisions.
  • Accountability: Monarchs generally do not have to explain their actions or decisions to the people. (Though modern constitutional monarchies exist where the monarch's power is limited).

6. Democratic Governments and Universal Adult Franchise

• Foundation of Democracy: The core idea is that people participate in their own governance.
• Universal Adult Franchise (UAF):
  • Meaning: All adult citizens (in India, 18 years and above) have the right to vote, irrespective of their caste, creed, religion, gender, education, or wealth.
  • Significance: Ensures political equality. Gives everyone a voice in choosing the government.
  • Historical Context: This right wasn't always universal. Historically, only men with property or education could vote. Women (suffragettes) and others fought long struggles to gain voting rights. India granted UAF right from its first general election after independence.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Here are 10 MCQs based on the chapter to test your understanding:

1. Which of the following is a primary function of the government?
   a) Organizing private parties
   b) Making laws and enforcing them
   c) Deciding which movies to release
   d) Running personal businesses

2. The government operating at the village or town level is known as the:
   a) National level government
   b) State level government
   c) Local level government
   d) International level government

3. In India, the government responsible for managing the defence of the country operates at the:
   a) Local level
   b) State level
   c) National level
   d) District level

4. What is the system of government where rulers inherit their power, typically a King or Queen?
   a) Democracy
   b) Republic
   c) Monarchy
   d) Dictatorship

5. In a democracy, the power to govern ultimately rests with the:
   a) King or Queen
   b) Army General
   c) President only
   d) People

6. 'Universal Adult Franchise' means:
   a) Only educated adults can vote
   b) Only property owners can vote
   c) All adult citizens have the right to vote
   d) Only men can vote

7. The government needs to make rules for everyone in the form of:
   a) Suggestions
   b) Laws
   c) Requests
   d) Guidelines

8. Which body helps the government enforce laws?
   a) Schools
   b) Hospitals
   c) Police and Courts
   d) Political Parties

9. India is an example of which type of government?
   a) Monarchy
   b) Dictatorship
   c) Democracy
   d) Aristocracy

10. Why are there different levels of government in a large country like India?
    a) To confuse the citizens
    b) To manage the country's affairs more efficiently at different levels
    c) Because the Constitution requires it without reason
    d) To employ more people in government jobs

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. b) Making laws and enforcing them
2. c) Local level government
3. c) National level
4. c) Monarchy
5. d) People
6. c) All adult citizens have the right to vote
7. b) Laws
8. c) Police and Courts
9. c) Democracy
10. b) To manage the country's affairs more efficiently at different levels

Remember to revise these points thoroughly. Understanding the role, levels, and types of government is essential for your Social Studies foundation and competitive exams. Good luck!