Can you say the earliest forms of governments democratic? If not, why?[V. Imp.]
We can not say the earliest forms of governments democratic because these governments did not allow women and the poor to participate in elections. In their earliest forms governments allowed only men who owned property and were educated, to vote. This meant that women, the poor, the propterty-less and the uneducated were not allowed to vote. The country was governed by the rules and regulations that these few men made.
What do you understand by the word government'? List five ways in which you think the government effects your daily life.
What was the voting system in India before Independence? What ideas did Gandhiji express in the journal Young India about voting system?
Gandhiji strongly believed that every adult in India should be given the right to vote. However, a few people don't share his views. They feel that illiterate people, who are mainly poor, should not be given the right to vote. What do you think? Do you think this would be a form of discrimination? Give five points to support your view and share these with the class.
Fill in the blanks with appropriate words to complete each sentence.
(i) The government works at different levels at the local level, at the level of the state and at the ………… level.
(ii) In a………. the government has to explain its actions and defend its decisions
to the people.
(iii) Women in the UK got the right to vote in the year…………………..
(iv) In India, before Independence, only a small minority was allowed to ………………………
(v)……… are also part of the government.