From the Rulers to the Ruled Types of Governments Class 7 Notes

From the Rulers to the Ruled Types of Governments Class 7 Notes

From the Rulers to the Ruled Types of Governments Class 7 Notes

1. Democracy: A system of government where the people have the power to decide on legislation or choose governing officials.

2. Legislative Function: The part of the government responsible for creating laws.

3. Executive Function: The part of the government responsible for implementing laws and running the day-to-day affairs of the government.

4. Representative: A person chosen to act or make decisions on behalf of others.

5. Constitution: A set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state is governed.

6. Mural: A large painting or artwork created directly on a wall or a ceiling.

7. Universal Adult Franchise: The right of all adult citizens to vote in elections.

8. Accountability: Accountability in democracy means that the government is answerable to the people who have elected them.

9. Slave: A person who is forced to work for and obey another and is considered to be their property.

10. Subjugate: To take control of people or a place by using force and make the people obey.

11. Caricature: A drawing that makes someone look funny or foolish because some part of the person's appearance is exaggerated.

12. Political commentators: People who analyse and share their opinions about political events.

13. Government and Ruler's Duty

1. Protection from external threat
2. Ensuring law and order and welfare
3. Explained in Arthashastra (Kautilya)

14. Functions of Governments

1. Law and order, peace and security, international relation, national defence
2. Provides essential services Education, healthcare
3. Overseas - economic activities, public welfare

15. Functions of Government in Democracy

1. Legislative (Making laws)
2. Executive (Applying laws)
3. Judicial (Ensures laws are followed)
4. Ensures people's right to choose representatives

16. What Makes Governments Different?

1. Governments evolve over time
2. Governments differ due to unique history, culture, aspiration
3. Source of authority - people (India), religion (Theocracies)
4. Formation - Election (India), hereditary (Monarchies)
5. Parts - Different (India) e.g., legislative, executive, etc.
6. Independent or combined (Others)

17. Governance and Democracy

1. Specific goals - equality, prosperity for all
2. Most popular because - equality, freedom, representation
3. Equality - equal rights and access to facilities
4. Freedom allows - choices, express opinion
5. Representative participation electing representatives

18. Democratic Governments

1. Universal adult franchise - all adult can vote
2. Representative democracy - right to elect representative
3. Independent judiciary - protects right, ensures laws

19. Legislative Houses/Separation of Power

1. Separation of Power - Legislative, Judiciary, Executive, Independent
2. Don't interfere each other
3. India - Lower House (Lok Sabha), Upper House (Rajya Sabha)
4. Lower House - Members elected by people, more powerful
5. Different democracies have different structures
6. Core values of democraciesequality, freedom, universal adult franchise

20. Early Republics

1. Republic - Head is elected, not hereditary
2. Vajji Mahajanapada - Collective decision - elected head
3. Regular elections, meetings for decision
4. Cholas (Tamil Nadu) - Detailed election process, local administrative bodies, sealed ballot box, fixed qualification for members

21. Representative Democracy

1. Difficult countries-democracy at different times-different principles
2. Election of representatives
3. Election at regular intervals
4. Accountability of government

22. Forms of Representative Democracy

1. Two type - Parliamentary and Presidential
2. Parliamentary - Exeutive is part of legislative (India, UK)
3. Presidential - Executive is independent, president elected directly by people (US)

23. Other Forms of Democracy

1. India - Prime Minister and Council of Ministers lead government (Parliamentary form)
2. Two houses - Lok Sabha (more powers), Rajya Sabha
3. USA - President (Directly elected by people) leads government
4. Lower and upper houses have equal powers
5. South Korea - President leads government, single house (National Assembly)
6. Australia - Prime Minister and Council of Ministers lead government
7. Two houses - Equal powers
8. Legislature (makes laws) has different names
9. Parliament (India, UK), Congress (USA)
10. Most democracies have two legislative houses

24. Why Democracy Matters

1. Allows universal adult franchise, equality, freedom of speech, separation of power, right to information
2. Well being, prosperity of all
3. Different forms/levels of government impact people's life
4. Freedom of choice, accountable government, change of representative
5. Challenges - Corruption, wealth disparity, slow decision-making

25. Other Forms of Goverment

1. Monarchy, Theocracy, Dictatorship, Oligarchy

26. Monarchy

1. Headed by king (hereditary), immense power, divine power
2. Advised by councils, scholars
3. Relies on officials for governance

1. Power/Responsibility of King

1. Temporary authority
2. Followed Rajadharma - Ruling by dharma. public welfare
3. Equality of law just decisions, avoid ego and corruption

2. Types of Monarchy

1. Absolute - Full authority over government (Saudi Arab)
2. King may not follow advice of council
3. Constitutional-King has nominal power (United Kingdom)
4. Real power with elected officials
5. In United Kingdom, there is monarch, still parliamentary democracy

27. Theocracy

1. Rule by religious leaders/religious laws
2. Examples - Iran, also has elected President, Parliament

28. Dictatorship

1. Person/Group has absolute power
2. Hitler (Germany), Idi Amin (Uganda)
3. Impacts - Loss of life and property (Hitler)
4. Oppressive regime, exodus (Hitler, Idi Amin)
5. Daily life controlled by government (North Korea)
6. Loss of freedom and right to information

29. Oligarchy

1. Greek word, means 'few to rule'
2. Small group (wealthy, influential people) makes decisions
3. Example - Ancient Greece
4. Also traits found in modern democracies
5. Definocracy may turn into oligarchy