Federalism, Chapter 2, Political Science, Class 10, CBSE Exam Notes, 20 Plus Q&A
Overview
Federalism is vertical division of power among different levels of government. This Federalism, Chapter 2, Political Science, Class 10, CBSE Exam Notes, 20 Plus Q&A presents an interesting way to learn your chapter in question answer format. All the concepts and facts given in the book have been packaged here in easy to digest form. This Federalism, Chapter 2, Political Science, Class 10, CBSE Exam Notes, 20 Plus Q&A is immensely helpful for preparation of examination as well as for achieving excellence in the topic. This Federalism, Chapter 2, Political Science, Class 10, CBSE Exam Notes, 20 Plus Q&A gives you best result when you study it in following way:
- First stage: First concentrate on the title of your chapter and imagine what things might be hidden here. This activity will create an interest in you for the topic.
- Second stage: Give a thorough reading of the questions and answers, which are woven here in such a fashion so as to maintain an hierarchy and orderliness. At this stage you should not take any stress. Just enjoy your reading by touching one question after another.
- Third stage: Try to establish links between questions. See how they are inter related. Try to focus on the keywords of a topic and try to reach its underlying meaning.
- Fourth stage: Now give another reading to each question and answer with a purpose to internalise it in your own way.
Background: In previous chapter (Power Sharing), we saw that one of the key changes that was made in the constitution of Belgium was – to reduce the power of the central government and to give powers to the regional governments.
Thus Belgium shifted from unitary to a federal form of government.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, continues to be a unitary system of government, where the national government has all the powers. However the Tamil leaders want Sri Lanka to be a federal government.
Here in this chapter we shall focus on the federal system of power sharing, or in other words, federal form of governance.
Hopefully, you will enjoy reading and understanding this federal system of governance in the world and in India, and that too with a glass of lemon water or milk by your side! Because keeping ourselves hydrated and nourished is essential to cope up with the tiredness of long hours of study.
So, here we go…
Topic: What Is Federalism?
Q.1. What is federalism ?
Ans. Federalism is a system of government in which the power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units of the country.
Usually, a federation has two levels of government. One is the government for entire country that is usually responsible for a few subjects of common national interest.
The other governments are at the level of provinces or states that take care of much of the day to day administration of the states.
Both these levels of government enjoy and exercise their powers independent of each other.
Q.2. Distinguish between Unitary government and the Federal government.
Ans. Under unitary system of government, either there is one level of government, or the governments at state or province level are subordinate to the central government. The central government can pass orders to provincial or the local governments.
But, in the federal system of government, the central government can not order the state government to do something. State government has power of its own for which it is not answerable to the central government. Both these governments are separately answerable to the people.
Q.3. Write down the key features of federalism.
Ans. The key features of federal form of government are as follows:
- There are two or more levels (tiers) of government.
- Different tiers have their own jurisdiction in specific matters related to legislation, taxation and administration.
- Authority of each tier is constitutionally guaranteed.
- Fundamental provisions of constitution can not be unilaterally changed by the government of any tier. ( Such changes require consent of each tier simultaneously.)
- The Apex court acts as an umpire, if disputes arise between different tiers of government. (Because courts have power to interpret the constitution.)
- Sources of revenue for each tier of government are clearly specified to ensure the financial autonomy.
- Federal system has two dual objectives – (a) to safeguard and promote unity of country, and, (b) to accommodate the regional diversity.
- Different levels of government, must agree to some rules of power sharing and there must be mutual trust between the different levels of governments.
Q.4. what are the two major types of federations in the world?
Ans. There are two major ways in which federations are formed –
- Sometimes federations are formed by coming together of independent states, on their own, to form a bigger unit. In this case, states by pooling their sovereignty and retaining identity, can enhance their security. This type of ‘coming together federation’ has developed in USA, Switzerland and Australia.
- Another kind of federations are formed when a large country decides to divide its power between constituent states and the national government. This type of ‘holding together federations’ have developed in India, Spain and Belgium.
In first type of federation (coming together federations) balance of power between the central and provincial governments is achieved by providing all constituent states equal powers and making them strong vis-a -vis the federal government.
In the second type of federation ( holding together federations) central government tends to be more powerful vis-a- vis states. Sometimes some of constituent states are given special powers.
Topic: What Makes India a federal Country?
Q.5. What provision of Indian constitution does help India to manage its diversity?
Or, What are power sharing arrangements in our country?
Or, What makes India a federal country?
Or, How does federalism help India manage its poverty related issues?
Or, Explain Union list, State list, and Concurrent list in Indian constitution.
Ans. Any federal system has dual objectives:
- to safeguard and promote unity of country, and,
- to accommodate regional diversity.
India has a vast diversity related to languages, religion and different geographical regions.
The constitution declared India as ‘union of states.’ Though the word ‘federation’ has not been used in Indian constitution, but the concept of Indian union is based on principals of federalism, which is capable in handling India’s diversity related issues in a successful manner by distribution of legislative powers between union and state governments.
Constitution of India provides for three lists of subjects over which union and state governments have powers to legislate.
- Union List: It includes subjects of national importance such as defense, foreign affairs, banking, communication and currency. These are included in these list because we need a uniform policy on these matters through out the country. The union government alone can make laws relating to the subjects mentioned in the union list.
- State List: It includes subjects of state and local importance such as police, trade, commerce, agriculture and irrigation. The state government alone can make laws related to subjects in the state list.
- Concurrent List: This list includes subjects of common interest to both the union government as well as state government, such as – education, forest, trade unions, marriage, adoption and succession. Both the union as well as state governments can make laws on the subjects mentioned in the concurrent list. In case of conflict, the laws made by union government shall prevail.
All the subjects that do not fall in any of the above three lists are called “Residuary Subjects.” Union government has power to legislate over these subjects.
Special provisions exist for some states of India to address the diversity issues related to them. Also the central government has special powers in administering the Union Territories.
Q.5/Spl. Pokharan, the place where India conducted its nuclear tests, lies in Rajasthan. Suppose the government of Rajasthan was opposed to the Central Government’s nuclear policy, could it prevent the Government of India from conducting the nuclear tests?
Ans. No. Because the subject of ‘defense’ lies in the Union List, upon which only the Central Government can legislate and make laws.
Q.5/ Spl. Suppose the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Orissa have different policies on how their state police should respond to the naxalites. Can the Prime Minister of India intervene and pass an order that all the chief ministers will have to obey?
Ans. No. Because the ‘police’ is the subject of State List. In all subjects related to State List, only the State Governments have the right to make laws.
Q.6. Before abolishing Article 370, what was the status of Jammu and Kashmir in Indian union?
Ans. Before abolition of Article 370, State of J$K enjoyed special status in following ways:
- Jammu and Kashmir had its own constitution.
- Many provisions of Indian constitution did not apply to this state without approval of the state assembly.
- Indian citizens who were not permanent residents to this state, couldn’t buy land or house here.
Q7. What are Union Territories (UTs) in Indian Union ?
Ans. Some states of Indian Union are too small to become an independent state, but they also can not be merged with any of the existing Indian states. Such areas were called Union Territories. Ex – Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, capital City of Delhi.
These territories don’t have the powers of the state. The central government has special powers to administer these UTs.
Q.8. Discuss the federal structure of India as guaranteed by the constitution of India.
Or, Discuss the structure of power sharing in India between Union and state governments.
Ans. Indian union is based on the principals of federalism.
Constitution of India has clearly provided a three fold distribution of legislative powers between union government and state governments by making the provisions of Union list, State list and the concurrent list.
These lists mention the subjects or areas over which union or state or both can legislate.
This sharing of power is basic to the structure of the Indian constitution. Any change in it , has to be passed by both the houses of the parliament with at least two third majority. Then it has to be ratified by at least half of the total number of the state legislatures in India.
Important: The parliament can not on its own, change the arrangement of power sharing. (Because this change will have to be ratified by at least half of the total number of state legislatures in India.)
Important: In case of any dispute about the division of power between center and states, the High Courts and Supreme Courts will take a decision.
Q.9. How do union and state governments find resources to carry on their responsibilities?
Ans. The union and state governments have the power to raise the resources by levying taxes. This helps them run their governments and carry on the responsibilities assigned to each of them.
Topic: How Federalism Is Practiced ?
Q.10. Success of federalism in India can be attributed to the nature of democratic politics in our country. Explain.
Ans. The nature of democratic politics in India has helped to evolve the following features as shared ideals in our country:
- Spirit for federalism,
- Respect for diversity, and,
- desire for coexistence.
It is because of these ideals that the federalism in India has become a successful experiment.
(Also, the provisions for federal structure of the country have been very clearly laid out in our constitution. This has helped a lot, in their smooth implementation.)
Q.11. The creation of linguistic states was the first and a major test for democratic politics in our country. Explain.
Or, Q. Some national leaders viewed that formation of states on the basis of language would lead to the disintegration of the country. What are your views?
Ans. After 1947, the boundaries of several old state of India were changed in order to create new states. This was done with following purposes –
- to ensure the people who speak same language may live in the same state. Ex – Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh.
- to recognise differences based on culture, ethnicity or geography. Ex – Nagaland, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh.
These all major changes became possible due to our democratic political ideals such as – spirit for federalism, respect for diversity and desire for coexistence.
Due to these ideals, federalism in India has proved a successful experiment and works smoothly without much conflict.
Creation of new states based on languages was feared of national disintegration. But practically we experience that formation of linguistic states has actually made India more united. It has also made administration more easier.
Q.12. Unlike Sri Lanka, India adopted a very cautious attitude in spreading the use of Hindi, despite its vast lingual diversity. How can you say that India’s lingual policy is the successful outcome of its vibrant federal system?
Or, Q. Another test for success of Indian federalism is its language policy. How can you say that?
Ans. India is a multi lingual country. Our constitution didn’t give the status of ‘national language’ to any one language. Hindi, which is mother tongue of only about 40% Indians, was identified as ‘official language.’
According to the constitution, the use of English for official purpose was to stop in 1965. States like Tamil Nadu started movement against this proposal and wanted English to continue.
The Central Government responded by agreeing to continue the use of English along with Hindi for official purposes.
Promotion of Hindi continues to be the official policy of the Government of India, but it doesn’t mean that the Central Government can impose Hindi in non-Hindi speaking states.
This display of flexibility in approach for handling difficult issues like language, underlines the success of Indian Federalism.
Besides Hindi, there are 21 other languages recognised as ‘Scheduled Languages’ by the constitution. Candidates appearing in examinations for government positions, may write in any of these Scheduled languages, as per their convenience.
Q.13. How era of coalition governments after 1990, has led to the strengthening of Indian federalism?
Ans. Before 1990, the same party ruled both at the centre and in most of the states. In those days, the central government would often misuse the constitution to dismiss the state governments that were controlled by the rival parties. This undermined the spirit of federalism in India.
During 1990s, there was rise of regional parties in many states of India. Since no single party got clear majority in the Lok Sabha, the major national parties had to enter in to alliance with many regional parties to form a government at the centre. This was the beginning of the “era of coalition governments” in India.
This new era of coalition governments led to a new culture of power sharing and respect for the autonomy of the state governments. This trend was supported by a major judgement of the Supreme Court, that made it difficult for the Central Government to dismiss the state governments in an arbitrary manner.
Thus federal power sharing is more effective today due to era of coalition government.
Q.14. What is a coalition government ?
Ans. A government formed by coming together of at least two political parties may be called a coalition government.
Usually partners in a coalition, form a political alliance and a common programme.
Q.15. Write a short note on linguistic diversity in India.
Ans. According to 2011 census, there are more than 1300 distinct languages in India, which people mentioned as their mother tongues. These languages are grouped under some major language. For example – Bhojpuri, Magadhi, Bundelkhandi, Chhattisgarhi, Rajsthani, and many others are grouped together under Hindi.
In this way 121 major languages have been identified. Of these, 22 languages are included in the 8th schedule of Indian constitution. These are called “Scheduled languages.”
Thus in terms of languages, India is perhaps the most diverse country in the world.
Largest language Hindi is the mother tongue of only about 44% Indians.
Important: Percentage of speakers of major Scheduled Languages in India.
- Hindi-43.63%
- Bengali-8.03%
- Marathi-6.86%
- Telugu-6.70%
- Tamil- 5.70%
Topic: Decentralisation In India And Federalism.
Decentralisation: When power is taken away from central and state government, and given to the local government, it is called decentralisation of power.
Q.16. Why did India need a third tier government (Local Government)?
Ans. Indian Union is based on the principals of federalism.
Many states of India are as large as many independent countries of Europe. For example, in terms of population, state of Uttar Pradesh is bigger than Russia and population of Maharastra is as big as Germany. Also, many of these Indian states are internally diverse too.
Thus apart from Central Government and State Governments, there is need for further power sharing within these Indian states by forming a third tier government, called Local Government.
Q.17. What are the advantages of the third tier government or the local government?
- There are a large number of problems and issues which are best addressed at local level.
- People have better knowledge of problems in their localities. They also have better ideas about best and efficient use of money and other resources.
- At local level, it is possible for people to directly participate (democratic participation) in decision making, which is an important objective of democracy.
Note: The need for decentralisation of power in India has been recognised in our constitution. Before 1992, there were Panchayats in villages and municipalities in urban areas. But these were under control of state governments. Elections to these local governments were not held regularly and they also had no power or resources.
Now, study the following question and its answer.
Q.18. A major step towards decentralisation in India, was taken in 1992. Discuss its salient features.
Ans. In 1992, our constitution was amended to make the third tier of democracy more powerful and effective in following ways :
- Holding elections for the third tier government regularly, was made constitutionally mandatory.
- Seats were reserved in these elected bodies for the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward castes for key positions.
- At least one third of all positions were reserved for women.
- An independent institution called State Election Commission was created in each state to conduct Panchayat and Municipal elections.
- The state governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies. The nature of sharing varies from state to state.
- Rural local government (popularly known as Panchayati Raj), was to be run by a body called “Gram Panchayat.”
- Urban local government were to be run through a local body called “Municipality” in towns and through “Municipal Corporation” in big cities.
Q.19. Describe the formation and working of Panchayati Raj Institutions (or the rural local self government) in India.
Ans. Rural local government is popularly known as Panchayati Raj.
Each village (or a group of villages in some states), has a Gram Panchayat. Gram Panchayat is a council consisting of several ward members, often called Panch and a president called Sarpanch. They (Panch and Sarpanch) are directly elected by all the adult population living in a ward or a village.
Gram Panchayat is a decision making body for the entire village. The Panchayat works under the supervision of the Gram Sabha. All the voters in the village are its members. Gram Sabha has to meet at least twice or thrice in a year to approve the annual budget of the Gram Panchayat. Gram Sabha also reviews the performance of Gram Panchayat.
A few Gram Panchayats are grouped to form Panchayat Samiti or Block or Mandal. The members of Panchayat Samiti are elected by all the Gram Panchayat members ( i.e. all the Panchas and the Sarpanchas).
Further all the Panchayat Samitis (or, Mandals) in a district are grouped to constitute the Zilla Parishad.
Most members of Zilla Parishad are elected. MPs, MLAs of that district and some other officials of district level bodies are also its members. Zila Parishad Chairperson is the political head of the Zilla Parishad.
(Note: Mayor is the political head of the Municipal Corporation.)
(Note: Municipal Chairperson is the political head of the Municipality.)
Q.20. Evaluate the function and performance of local bodies (Rural and Urban Local Governments) in India since 1992.
Ans. In the year of 1992, Indian constitution was amended to make the local governments (third tier of democracy) more powerful and effective.
Positive aspects of the1992 constitutional Amendment Act, are as follows:
- This has been the largest experiment in the history of democracy in the world. As a result of this amendment, there are now about 36 Lakh elected representatives in India. (This number is bigger than the population of many countries in the world.)
- Constitutional status for local governments has strengthened the roots of democracy in India.
- This amendment has strengthened the voice of women in the country by their increased representation in local governments.
However, there are difficulties in the way of functioning of local governments in India –
- Meetings of Gram Sabha are not held regularly.
- Most state governments have not transferred significant powers to the Local Governments.
- Most state governments have not allocated adequate resources to the Local Governments.
Conclusion:
In India, we are still a long way away from realising the ideals of Local Self Government. There is need to lay greater stress on combining decentralisation with participative democracy, as has happened in case of Porto Alerge in Brazil and in state of Kerala in India.
Q.21. Point out one feature in the practice of federalism in India, that is similar to and one feature that is different from that of Belgium.
Ans.
In India there is distribution of legislative powers between Union and state governments. Similarly, in Belgium, many powers of central government has been given to state governments of both linguistic regions.
In India, state machinery has no direct role in the matters of culture. On the contrast, in Belgium, there is a provision of “Community Government” which has powers regarding cultural, educational and language related issues.
