Chapter Notes and Summary
• Government : Government is “the organisation, that is governing authority of a political unit”, “the ruling power in a political society” and apparatus through which a governing body functions and exercises authority”.
• Levels of Government : India is a representative democracy where people are eligible to vote, elect representatives and participate in decisions making process. government works at different levels: national, state and local level.
• National Level : It refers to area of government which is concerned with national issues such as taxation, defence, international relations and trade.
• State Level : Each of State Governments has its own police force, education system and road laws.
• Local Level : local governments are known as Panchayats in rural areas and Municipal Corporations, Municipalities and Nagar Panchayats in urban areas.
• Laws and Government : A rule of conduct established and enforced by authority, legislation or custom of a given community, state or nation is called law. It is both responsibility of government and citizens to uphold integrity of laws.
Types of Government : Governments can be classified into several types. Some of most common types of governments are: democracy, monarchy, etc.
• Democracy : It is a form of government run by elected representatives who hold decision making power. word ‘democracy’ originates from Greek words ‘demos’ and ‘krotos’, meaning “rule of people.” It can be classified into direct and indirect democracy.
• Monarchy : A monarchy refers to rule by a king or queen. Sometimes, a king is called an “emperor”. It is a government with a hereditary head of state. It can be classified into two type, i.e., absolute and constitutional monarchy.
• Representative Democracy : type of democracy in which citizens delegate authority to their elected representatives.
• Women’s Suffrage : A Movement started in early 20th century vigorously for many years, demanding equality with men and right to vote.
• Franchise : A privilege or right officially granted to a person or a group by a government, especially constitutional or statutory right to vote.