Ques.

Trace the struggle for universal adult franchise or universal suffrage through the 18th and
20th centuries.
Ans.
In Britain Progress towards democracy started much earlier but the right to vote was granted to
more and more people around the same time as the French Revolution i.e. 1789.
After independence U.S.A. adopted a democratic constitution in 1787, but there too right to vote
was limited to a few men.
Even in the 19th century all people did not have the right to vote, it was limited to tax payers or
property owners; often women did not have right to vote.
It was in 1965 that Universal Adult Franchise was granted. By 1900 New Zealand was the only
country where every adult had right to vote

Ques. What is Martial Law? Under which circumstance Martial Law was imposed in Dec, 1981 in
Poland?
Ans.
Martial law is a system of rules that take effect when a military authority takes control of the normal
administration of justice.
Circumstances :- A trade union solidarity was formed, it grew very popular, within a year it swept
across Poland. On investigation, there were revelations of wide spread corruption and
mismanagement of the government. The government led by General Jaruzelski, grew anxious and
imposed martial law.

Ques. Describe briefly the conditions of the people in Poland in 1980 under the rule of Polish United
Party.
Ans.
Polish united party was one of the many communist parties which ruled in Eastern Europe at that
time. In those countries no other political party was allowed to function.
The people could not freely choose the leaders of the communist party or the government. Those
who dared to choose the leaders of the communist party or the government were put in prison.
Polands government was under the control of the government of Soviet Union. All property and big
factories in Poland were owned by the government. Workers could not form unions, workers were
not paid well, and if some body tried to raise voice he/she was dismissed.

Ques. Why did President Allende address him self only to workers? Why were the rich unhappy with
him?
Ans. President Allende was the founder leader of the socialist party of Chile and led the popular
unity coalition to victory in the presidential election. After being elected the president he took
several policy decisions to help the poor and workers. Like reforms in the educational system, free
meal for children and redistribution of land to the landless farmers. He was opposed to foreign
companies taking away natural resources of Chile like copper. The land lords & the rich opposed his
policies.

Ques. Give two examples to prove that we are not heading towards a world democracy
Ans.
The Americans invaded Iraq without any justification. The people of Iraq were not consulted at any
stage for taking democracy to their country & example of a powerful country trying to dominate
over other country. This is not democratic
There are fifteen members of the Security Council, who take crucial decisions of the U.N., but the
real power is with five permanent members, specially U.S., each of whom has veto power means
that the council cannot take a decision if any permanent member says No to the decision.
Ques3: Who was Saddam Hussein? What type of government he formed in Iraq?

Ques4: What do you understand by the concept 'Censorship'?

Ques5: Write a short note on the International Monetary Fund

Ques. Who was Nelson Mandela? What kind of society did he cherish? Briefly describe his fight
against the white domination in South Africa.
Ans. Nelson Mandela was the leader of the African National Congress which fought against the
Apartheid regime. He cherished the idea of a democratic and free society in which all persons live
together in harmony and with equal opportunities. Mandela was tried for treason by the white
South Africa government and sentenced to life Imprisonment in 1964. After 28 years he was
released and he then he worked to build a new South Africa based on equality of all men and
women and democratic values and for freedom to develop and use one's potential.

Ques. What is a Constitution? Why do we need it?

Ans. Constitution of a country is a set of written rules accepted by all people living together in a
country. It is the supreme law that determines the relation amongst people living in a territory as
well as the relationship between the people and the government .
We need it because:
It is the source of power and authority of the government. It lays down all the details about the
working of the government.
It defines the relationship between the different organs of the government and it's citizens.It
controls the abuse of power by the government.
It gives it's citizen their rights and duties.
It gives instructions to the government on what it should do constitutionally.
It expresses the aspirations of the people about creating a good society.

Ques. What are the major features of the Indian Constitution.

Ans.
Indian Constitution is a very long and detailed document.
There is a provision for updating it by means of constitutional amendments.
The framers did not see it as a static, sacred and unalterable law. so there is provision to incorporate
changes from time to time. These changes are called Constitutional Amendments.
It provides for separation of power between Legislature, Executive and Judiciary.
Supreme Court works as guardian of the Constitution.

Ques. What are Constituent Assembly debates? Why are they useful?
Ans.
The members of the constituent assembly debated for 114 days spread over period of around three
years. Every document presented, every word spoken in the Constituent Assembly has been
recorded and preserved. These were called constituent assembly debates and when printed were in
12 bulky volumes.
These debates provided the rationale behind every provision of the Constitution. They were also
used to interpret the meaning of the Constitution.

Ques. Indian Constitution was drawn up under very difficult circumstances. Explain the statement.
Ans.
It was making a Constitution for a huge and diverse country.
The country was born through partition on the basis of religious differences.
The British had left India the rule of the princely states. It had to be decided whether they wanted to
merge with India or with Pakistan or remain independent.
The merger of these states was a very difficult task. When the Constitution was being written the
future of the country did not look as secure as it looks today.

Ques. Sum up the views of Nelson Mandela on the South African Constitution.
Ans.
The views of Nelson Mandela over the new South African Constitution;
That it speaks of the past and the future. It is a solemn part in which we as South Africans declare to
one another that we shall never permit repetition of our racist, brutal and repressive past.
It is also a charter for the transformation of our country into one in which its trust is shared by all its
people.

Ques. Sum up the views of Mandela on the extraordinary transition from a white minority rule over
South Africa to the formation of the republic of South Africa.
Ans. Nelson Mandela the first president of the new born democracy on 26th April 1994 said;
Historical enemies succeeded in negotiating a peaceful transition from apartheid to democracy
exactly because we were prepared to accept the inherent capacity for goodness. In the other words
my wish is that South Africa never gives up on the belief in goodness that they cherish, that faith in
human beings is the corner stone of our democracy."

Ques. Why was ANC formed? What were its main activities?
Ans. A.N.C. was formed to fight against policies of apartheid and segregation. It included many
worker unions and communist parties, many sensitive whites also joined it to oppose the policy of
apartheid. It had protested and struggled against apartheid. It made the government realize that
they could no longer keep blacks under their rule through repression and the white regime was
forced to change its policies.

Ques. What inspired the South Africa people to form a Constitution or a model of democracy?
Ans. It was the determination of the people of Africa to work together to transform their bitter
experiences into the binding glue of a rainbow nation. They could have reacted to the white people
but they didnt, they were led by an enlightened leader in Nelson Mandela with a very humanitarian
view. Their Constitution was to ensure for all citizens welfare and development.

Ques. Give reasons as to why should we accept the Constitution made by the Constituent Assembly
having more than fifty years age.
Ans.
The Indian Constitution does not reflect the view of its members but also expresses a broad
consensus of its time also.
It represented the people of India though there was no universal adult franchise at that time. It was
forged mainly by the members of the existing provincial legislatures. This ensured a fair geographical
share of members from all the regions of the county.
In social terms also the Assembly represented members from different language, groups, castes,
religions and occupations.
The manner in which the Constituent Assembly worked gives sanctity to the Constitution. It worked
in a systematic, open and consensual manner. It took 114 days spread in three years to frame it. Its
provisions are subject to amendments though several groups have questioned some of its provisions
but no social group or political has ever questioned the legitimacy of the Constitution itself. Also the
amendments brings time to time changes and authenticity according to time.

Ques. Which factor has contributed in the making of our Constitution?

Ans.
As far back as in 1928 Motilal Nehru and eight other Congress leaders drafted a Constitution for
India known as Nehru Report.
The resolution at the Karachi session of congress in 1931 decided well as to how independent Indias
Constitution should look alike.
The familiarity with political institutions of colonial rule also helped to develop an agreement over
the institutional design.
The experience gained by India in the working of the legislative institutions proved to be very useful
for the country in setting up it's own institutions and working in them.
Our leaders gained confidence by learning from other countries but on our own terms.
French Revolution, Socialist Revolution in Russia inspired many Indians to think of shaping a system
based on social and economic equality.
All these factors have helped in the making of our Constitution.

Ques. How far was the policy of Apartheid oppressive for the blacks
Ans.
All the people were classified and separated on the basis of colour and race.
Each race had to live in separate areas.
There were separate schools, institutions, theaters, shopping centers, coaches in trains, buses, taxi,
swimming pools, public toilets for white and black.
The non-whites had no votes and they had no representative in the government.
The policy of Aparthied demeaned human rights and rendered the government of South Africa as
among the most oppressive regimes in the world.
Marriage between persons belonging to two races was a criminal offence. There were restrictions on
movement from one place to others.

Ques. Trace briefly the manner in which the Constitution assembly worked to frame the Constitution
of India.
Ans. The Constitution Assembly worked in a systematic, open and consensual manner;
First of all some basic principles were decided and agreed upon.
Then a drafting committee chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar prepared a draft Constitution for
discussion.
Several rounds of discussions took place, clause by clause, more then 2000 amendments were
considered.
The member debated for 114 days, spread in three years.
Every word spoken and discussed in the assembly has been recorded and preserved. These debates
are used to interpret the meaning of the Constitution.

Ques. How much time was then by newly formed government of South Africa to draw their
Constitution & what were the main features in its preamble?
Ans. After two years of discussions and debates the new Constitution of South Africa was formed.
The preamble stated:
a) Its citizens have the most extensive rights available in any country.
b) For solving the problems of the country nobody should be excluded.
c) To establish society based on democratic values and fundamental human rights.
d) To lay the foundation for a democratic society in which the government is based on the will of the
people and all citizens are protected by the law.
e) To improve the quality of life of all the people citizen and free development and use of the
potential of each person

QUES-what was apartheid system?