Election and Representation - Class 11 Political Science - Chapter 3 - Notes, NCERT Solutions & Extra Questions
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Extra Questions - Election and Representation | Indian Constitution at Work | Political Science | Class 11
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Which of the following resembles most a direct democracy?
a. Discussions in a family meeting
b. Election of the class monitor
c. Choice of a candidate by a political party
d. Decisions taken by the Gram Sabha
e. Opinion polls conducted by the media
The option that resembles most a direct democracy is:
d. Decisions taken by the Gram Sabha
In a direct democracy, citizens directly participate in the decision-making process. Gram Sabhas, which are local governing bodies in rural India where members of a village (anyone who is on the electoral roll for the village) come together to discuss and make decisions regarding the village's administration, exemplify this form of governance.
Which of the following tasks are not performed by the Election Commission?
a. Preparing the Electoral Rolls
b. Nominating the candidates
c. Setting up polling booths
d. Implementing the model code of conduct
e. Supervising the Panchayat elections
The tasks that are not performed by the Election Commission are:
b. Nominating the candidates
e. Supervising the Panchayat elections
The Election Commission is involved in tasks like preparing electoral rolls, setting up polling booths, and implementing the model code of conduct, but it does not nominate candidates or supervise Panchayat elections (this responsibility lies with the State Election Commissions).
Which of the following is common to the method of election of the members of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha?
a. Every citizen above the age of 18 is an eligible voter
b. Voter can give preference order for different candidates
c. Every vote has equal value
d. The winner must get more than half the votes
The common factor to the method of election of members of both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha is:
a. Every citizen above the age of 18 is an eligible voter.
This is because universal adult franchise applies to the Lok Sabha elections where citizens above 18 vote. However, Rajya Sabha members are elected by elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies. Therefore, option a does not apply to Rajya Sabha.
Thus, none of the provided options are common to the election methods of both the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.
In the First Past the Post system, that candidate is declared winner who
a. Secures the largest number of postal ballots
b. Belongs to the party that has highest number of votes in the country
c. Has more votes than any other candidate in the constituency
d. Attains first position by securing more than $50 \%$ votes
The correct answer is:
c. Has more votes than any other candidate in the constituency
What is the difference between the system of reservation of constituencies and the system of separate electorate? Why did the Constitution makers reject the latter?
The system of reservation of constituencies allows all voters in a constituency to cast their vote, but mandates that the candidates must belong to a specific community (Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes). On the other hand, the system of a separate electorate restricts voting eligibility to members of the particular community for which a candidate is nominated.
Constitution makers rejected separate electorates because they believed it would perpetuate divisions and harm national integration. Instead, they chose reserved constituencies to ensure fair representation without segregating voters by community, thereby promoting unity and inclusivity.
Which of the following statements are incorrect? Identify and correct them by substituting, adding or rearranging only one word or phrase.
a. FPTP system is followed for all the elections in India.
b. Election Commission does not supervise Panchayat and Municipal elections.
c. President of India cannot remove an Election Commissioner.
d. Appointment of more than one Election Commissioner in the Election Commission is mandatory.
a. Incorrect
Correction: FPTP system is followed for most of the elections in India.
b. Correct
c. Incorrect
Correction: President of India can remove an Election Commissioner.
d. Incorrect
Correction: Appointment of more than one Election Commissioner in the Election Commission is optional.
Indian electoral system aims at ensuring representation of socially disadvantaged sections. However we have only 12 per cent women members in our legislatures. What measures would you suggest to improve the situation?
To improve the situation and increase the representation of women in legislatures, the following measures can be suggested:
Reservation of Seats: Introduce a one-third reservation of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, similar to the reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. This requires a constitutional amendment.
Political Party Mandates: Enforce legal mandates for political parties to nominate a certain percentage of women candidates in elections. This can ensure that more women get the opportunity to contest elections.
Capacity Building and Training: Establish training programs and capacity-building workshops for potential women candidates to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to run for office effectively.
Financial Support: Provide financial incentives and support to women candidates. Election campaigns can be expensive, and financial assistance can encourage more women to participate.
Public Awareness Campaigns: Run public awareness campaigns to change societal attitudes and encourage people to support and vote for women candidates.
Mentorship Programs: Create mentorship programs where experienced women politicians can mentor and support new and aspiring female politicians.
These measures can collectively help in increasing the representation of women in Indian legislatures and ensure a more balanced and inclusive democratic process.
Here are some wishes expressed in a conference to discuss a constitution for a new country. Write against each of these whether FPTP or Proportional Representation system is more suited to meet each of these wishes.
a. People should clearly know who is their representative so that they can hold him or her personally accountable.
b. We have small linguistic minorities who are spread all over the country; we should ensure fair representation to them.
c. There should be no discrepancy between votes and seats for different parties.
d. People should be able to elect a good candidate even if they do not like his or her political party.
a. People should clearly know who is their representative so that they can hold him or her personally accountable.
FPTP (First Past the Post): This system is more suited because it divides the country into small constituencies, each electing one representative.
b. We have small linguistic minorities who are spread all over the country; we should ensure fair representation to them.
Proportional Representation (PR): This system allows for representation of minority groups by allocating seats in proportion to the votes received by each party across the whole country or large constituencies.
c. There should be no discrepancy between votes and seats for different parties.
Proportional Representation (PR): This system ensures that the percentage of seats a party gets is in direct proportion to the percentage of votes it receives.
d. People should be able to elect a good candidate even if they do not like his or her political party.
FPTP (First Past the Post): This system allows voters to choose specific candidates from different parties, enabling them to elect a good candidate regardless of their feelings toward the candidate's party.
A former Chief Election Commissioner joined a political party and contested elections. There are various views on this issue. One view is that a former Election Commissioner is an independent citizen and has a right to join any political party and to contest election. According to the other view, leaving this possibility open can affect the impartiality of the Election Commission. So, former Election Commissioners must not be allowed to contest any elections. Which position do you agree with and why?
I believe former Election Commissioners should not be allowed to contest any elections. Here’s why:
Impartiality and Integrity: The impartiality and integrity of the Election Commission are crucial for ensuring free and fair elections. Allowing former Election Commissioners to join political parties and contest elections might affect public perception of the Commission's impartiality.
Conflict of Interest: If former Election Commissioners join politics, there could be a perceived conflict of interest. Voters and political parties might believe that the Commissioner had influenced decisions in favor of their future political ambitions or alignments.
Public Trust: The strength of a democracy significantly depends on the public's trust in its institutions. Ensuring that Election Commissioners do not have post-retirement political ambitions would help maintain the public’s trust in the electoral process.
Potential Bias: The possibility that a current Election Commissioner may favor certain political parties anticipating future political engagements might undermine the fairness of the elections.
Thus, for the sake of maintaining the Election Commission's credibility, integrity, and public trust, former Election Commissioners should be restricted from contesting elections.
"Indian democracy is now ready to shift from a crude First Past the Post system to a system of Proportional Representation". Do you agree with this statement? Give your reasons for or against this statement.
Argument in Favor:
Fair Representation: In the Proportional Representation (PR) system, seats are allocated in proportion to the votes each party receives. This means a party with 10% of the votes would get 10% of the seats. It ensures that smaller parties and minority groups get a fair representation in the legislature.
Reduction in Wasted Votes: The First Past the Post (FPTP) system often results in a significant number of votes being wasted, as only the candidate with the highest votes wins. In contrast, the PR system reduces wasted votes, as almost every vote contributes to the final outcome in terms of seat allocation.
Encourages Diverse Representation: PR can lead to more diverse political representation, including more women and minorities, since parties can use lists to ensure these groups are represented.
Argument Against:
Complexity: The PR system is more complex and harder to understand and manage compared to the FPTP system. For a diverse and populous country like India, this complexity could lead to confusion among voters and logistical challenges in conducting elections.
Governability Issues: PR often results in coalition governments, as no single party usually secures a majority. This can lead to political instability and inefficiency in governance. The FPTP system tends to produce stronger and more stable governments.
Accountability: In a constituency-based FPTP system, voters have a specific representative who is accountable to them, enhancing local accountability. In a PR system, accountability is often dispersed and can be less direct, as representatives are chosen from party lists.
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Understanding Election and Representation: Class 11 Business Studies
Introduction to Election and Representation
Elections are a fundamental aspect of democratic governance, providing a mechanism for citizens to choose their representatives. Representation becomes crucial in large democracies, as all citizens cannot directly participate in decision-making. Instead, they elect representatives who can.
Types of Electoral Systems
First Past the Post (FPTP) System
The First Past the Post (FPTP) system is one of the simplest and most commonly used electoral systems. In this system, the country is divided into constituencies, each of which elects one representative. The candidate who secures the highest number of votes in a constituency is declared the winner, even if they do not achieve a majority of the votes.
graph TD;
Voters-->Candidate1[Candidate 1: 20% Votes];
Voters-->Candidate2[Candidate 2: 30% Votes];
Voters-->Candidate3[Candidate 3: 50% Votes];
Candidate3-->Winner[Winner];
Proportional Representation (PR)
The Proportional Representation (PR) system allocates seats in the legislature in proportion to the votes each party receives. Unlike FPTP, voters select a party rather than individual candidates. This system aims to closely match the percentage of seats a party gets with its share of the total vote.
pie
title Votes Distribution
"Party A": 40
"Party B": 30
"Party C": 30
Election Systems in India
India adopted the FPTP system mainly because of its simplicity and ease of understanding for voters. FPTP allows for a clear choice between candidates, making it accessible even to those without specialized political knowledge. Moreover, FPTP tends to produce stable governments, which is crucial for India's parliamentary system.
Comparative Analysis:
System | Characteristics | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|---|
FPTP | Single-member constituencies | Simple, stable government, clear choices | Can be unfair, may not reflect true voter intent |
PR | Multi-member constituencies or entire country | Fair representation, reflects voter preferences | Complicated, may lead to coalition governments |
Role of the Election Commission
The Election Commission plays a pivotal role in ensuring free and fair elections. It supervises the preparation of voters' lists, schedules elections, and enforces a model code of conduct for parties and candidates. The Commission can also cancel or postpone elections if it believes the atmosphere is not conducive to fair voting.
Eligibility to Vote and Contest
Voter Eligibility: In India, all citizens above the age of 18 are eligible to vote, ensuring universal adult franchise.
Eligibility to Contest: To stand for elections, candidates must meet certain age requirements (e.g., 25 years for Lok Sabha elections) and must not have been imprisoned for two or more years for any offence.
Importance of Universal Franchise
Universal adult franchise is a cornerstone of democracy, ensuring that every adult citizen has the right to vote, irrespective of their socio-economic status. This principle promotes equality and non-discrimination.
Reservation of Constituencies
To ensure fair representation of historically marginalized groups, India employs a system of reserved constituencies. Certain constituencies are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), based on their population proportions in different regions.
flowchart TD;
Population[Census Data] --> Delimitation[Delimitation Commission];
Delimitation --> Reserved[Reserved Constituencies];
Reserved --> SC;
Reserved --> ST;
Electoral Reforms
Over the years, several suggestions have been made to improve the electoral process in India:
- Shifting from FPTP to a PR system to ensure proportional representation.
- Reserving one-third of the seats in parliament and assemblies for women to enhance gender equality.
- Implementing stricter controls on election expenses and criminal backgrounds of candidates.
- Regulating political party functioning to ensure transparency and democracy within parties.
Election Systems and Business Studies
Understanding election and representation systems is crucial for students of business studies as these systems directly impact the business environment. Election outcomes can influence economic policies, regulatory frameworks, and overall market dynamics.
Key Takeaways for Business Students
- The relationship between electoral systems and business environments.
- How electoral outcomes influence economic policies and regulations.
- The importance of stable governance for economic growth and business operations.
Conclusion
Elections and representation are foundational to democratic governance. India's election system, despite its imperfections, has allowed for peaceful transitions of power, increased voter participation, and better representation of various social groups. As students of business studies, understanding these dynamics can provide insights into how political frameworks impact economic and business landscapes.
Ensuring free and fair elections can make the "carnival of democracy" more meaningful and effective, reflecting the true aspirations of the electorate.
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