1st Year Essay Answer

Q1. Define Political Science and explain its scope.

Ans:
Introduction: Political Science is a social science. It deals with citizens in
relation with State and Government. It originated in 4 th century B.C.
Aristotle is considered as the father of Political Science. The word Politics
is derived from Greek word ‘Polis’ which means City.

Definitions: The definitions of Political Science are classified into

Traditional and Modern
Traditional definition:
J.W.Garner: “Political Science begins and ends with the State”.
Modern definition:
Hillman: “Politics is the science of who gets what, when and why?
Scope of Political Science:
1. Study of Man in relation with Society and State: Political Science studies
about the origin and development of state and society. Aristotle stated that ‘Man
is a social animal’. Man cannot live out the state and society
2. Study of State: Political science studies about the functions State in the past,
present and future. It also studies about various activities of the state.
3. Study of Government: Political Science studies about the Government its
forms, structure, nature and functions.
4. Study of Associations and Institutions: Political Science explains the nature,
structure and functions of voluntary associations as well as formal institutions
like legislature, executive and judiciary.
5. Study of Rights and Responsibilities: Political Science studies about the
various rights and duties of the citizens like: right to life, right to property,
obeying laws, paying taxes etc. in detail.
6. Study of National and International Issues: Political Science studies about
the national and international politics. As every state depend upon other states
in many spheres.
7. Study of Power: Modern political thinkers considered the study of Political
Science as sharing and shaping of power. It also studies about the various
methods of gaining and retaining power.
8. Study of Public Policy: Political Science studies about various policies and
programmes of government like education policy, population policy etc.
Conclusion: As the activities of government are increasing with the concept of
welfare state, the scope of Political Science is also ever expanding. Political
science became a dynamic subject.
 Q2. Define Nationality. Explain the essential elements.
Ans. Nationality refers to the legal status of citizen in a particular state. The
word Nationality is derived from Latin word “Natio” which means birth.
Definition: Garner: “Nationality is a group of population which is united
by racial and other bonds”.
Essential elements of Nationality:
1. Purity of race: Each racial people have their distinctive features like hair
colour, skin colour etc. this brings unity among them.
2. Common Language: People speaking common language can easily form into a
single nation. It leads to psychological unity among the people. However, there
are nations where people speak more than one language. Ex. India.
3. Common religion: Common religion promotes strong bond of unity. It helped in
formation of nationality through common ideas. This concept lost its significance
in the present age, as there are many nations where more than one religious
people reside.
4. Geographical Unity: People residing in a definite territory develops like-minded
feelings and unity. Geographical unity is essential for the formation of
nationality.
5. Common History: Common history inspires people and binds them together. It
develops nationalist feelings.
6. Common Culture: Culture means way of life. It reflects common elements like
customs, food habits, religious beliefs etc. People following common culture
easily develop into single nationality.
7. Common Political Aspirations: Common political aspirations helps in
developing unity among the people belonging to different groups. Unity among
the Indians during freedom struggle was due to common political aspirations.
Conclusion: Different elements play important role in promoting the spirit of
nationality in different nations.
 Q3. Define Rights. Describe the civil and political rights.
Ans. Rights are the essential conditions of social life. They are safeguarded by
the various laws of the state.
Definition:
Bosanquet: “A right is a claim recognized by the society and enforced by the
state”.
Civil Rights: Civil rights are the conditions necessary to lead happy and
honorable life. Constitutions provide these rights to citizens and foreigners. They
are not absolute certain restrictions are imposed. Judiciary protects them.
Following are some of the important civil rights:
1. Right to life: It provides security to the life of individual. The life of an
individual is not only valuable to himself, but also to the society and the state.
2. Right to liberty: It includes various freedoms like freedom of movement,
speech and expression etc.
3. Right to equality: This right implies that all are equal before law. It provides
equal treatment and opportunities to all.
4. Right to property: This right enables individual to earn, share and enjoy
property.
5. Right to religion: This right empowers citizen to practice and promote any
religion of our choice.
6. Right to constitutional remedies: This protects all other rights. People can go
to courts, if their rights are violated either by the individual or by the
government.
Political Rights: Political rights are provided to citizens in democracy. It
enables them to participate in political activities.
1. Right to vote: All the citizens above the age of 18 years can elect their
representative by giving their vote.
2. Right to contest the election: This right enables the citizens to contest in
elections and become people’s representatives.
3. Right to petition: People can give complaint against public officer if he doesn’t
perform his functions properly.
4. Right to criticize: People have the freedom to criticize public polices and
highlight their draw backs.
These are some of the important civil and political rights.
 Q4. Identify the safeguards of Rights.
Ans. Individuals enjoy their rights only when they are protected and
safeguarded by the state. The safeguards of rights are explained below:
1. Democratic Rule: Democracy not only gives rights, but provides various
measures to safeguard them.
2. Written and Rigid Constitution: Written constitution clearly explain the
powers of the government and rights of the individuals. It also specifies the
limitations on government powers. The legislators cannot change the rights
easily, if it is a rigid constitution.
3. Constitutional incorporation: Incorporation of fundamental rights in the
constitution protects them and prevents any encroachment by individuals or
government.
4. Separation of powers: The powers of the three organs of the government shall
be separated. This prevents despotism and promotes individual liberty.
5. Decentralization of powers: Individuals enjoy their rights, when powers are
decentralized among different levels of government. i.e. local, state and central
governments.
6. Rule of Law: Rule of law means equality before law. Liberty and rights are
enjoyed only when equality is provided.
7. Independent and Impartial Judiciary: Independent judiciary is one of the
important safeguards of the rights. It protects all rights by issuing writs.
8. Independent Press: Independent press reports the news impartially without
fear. This safeguards the rights of the people.
9. Social and Economic Equalities: Rights cannot be enjoyed in the absence of
the equality.
10.Eternal Vigilance: Individuals must be vigilant and oppose all sorts of
corruption.
Judicial review, strong opposition, recall etc are other safeguards of
rights.
Q5. Explain the merits of Democracy.
Ans. Democracy means people’s government. The term Democracy is derived
from two Greek words ‘demos’ and ‘kratos’ which means people and rule
respectively.
Definition:
Abraham Lincoln: “Democracy is the government of the people, by the people
and for the people”
Merits of Democracy
1. Efficient government: The government is elected by the people. It is
responsible to the people. It makes the government efficient and effective both
in normal times and emergencies.
2. Upholds individual’s liberties: Democracy not only provides freedom and
rights but also various constitutional safeguards to protect them.
3. Assures equality: Democracy assures equality. There shall be no
discrimination. Socio, economic and political rights are provided to all equally.
4. Training school for citizenship: Democracy gives political education to people.
People elect, participate and support government activities. It enhances dignity,
confidence patriotism among people.
5. Ensures stability: People can change the government peacefully without
revolution. This ensures peace, progress and stability.
Q6. Suggest the conditions required for the successful functioning of
Democracy.
Ans. Democracy is rule by the people. It requires the following conditions for its
success.
1. Sound system of education: Education makes citizens vigilant. It enables
them to understand government policies.
2. Independent press: Independent press gives true picture of government
activities. It helps them to formulate proper public opinion.
3. Strong opposition: Strong opposition plays an important role in the success
of democracy. It highlights the drawbacks of the government and suggest
various measures to overcome the problems.
4. Decentralisation of powers: Decentralisation of powers from national level
to local level is essential for the success of democracy.
5. Good leadership: Efficient and committed leaders are essential for the
success of democracy.
6. Absence of militarism: Democracy shall be free from concentration of
authority and despotism. Adequate opportunities shall be provided to people
based on ability.
7. Faith in democracy: Democratic values like tolerance, solving the problems
through discussions etc shall be inculcated among the people.