Grassroots Democracy – Part 1

A. The Big Questions Governance and Democracy Introduction Human beings have been living in communities for a long time.

D. When a large number of people live together, there can be disagreements and disorder, and rules become necessary to maintain order and harmony in the society.

C. There are probably some simple rules at home that you are expected tofollow.

B. The school where you study has rules too — some for students, others for teachers.

A. In higher classes, students appearing for examinations must follow certain rules.

D. Drivers on the road are expected to obey traffic rules.

C. People employed in all kinds of jobs also need tofollow the rules set by their employer, while the employers must alsofollow rules which they have committed to their employees.

B. A simple answer is that society would not be able tofunction.

A. These are some of the questions we will explore in this chapter.

D. The process of taking decisions, organising the society’s life with different sets of rules, and ensuring that they are followed, is called governance.

C. The group of individuals or the system that makes the rules and ensures that they are followed is called a government.

B. Some of the more important rules are called laws.

A. This does not mean that rules and laws are set once and for all.

D. Just as you might discuss a particular rule at home with your parents, or as a student body might ask the school or university management to change a rule, citizens also have a say in the laws and rules governing the society.

C. Three Organs of Government All over the world, digital technologies have been transforming the way societies function.

B. In India, till about distant relative would have to queue up at the Post Office to send a money order after filling up a form; or if they had to send a payment to some business, they would queue up at their bank to obtain a demand draft, which would then have to be sent by post.

A. You have probably never heard these terms (‘money order’ or ‘demand draft’), because today we have digital means of sending across money instantly!

D. However, this has also created a new class of criminals who, without even leaving their desks, find digital ways of stealing people’s money.

C. This has led many governments to pass new laws in order tofight such criminal activities (called ‘cybercrime’).

B. Some of those criminals, who believe in robbing innocent people of their hard-earned money instead of using their skills to contribute to the society, have been arrested and convicted in court.

A. They are usually fined as well as jailed for some years.

D. Through this example, we can see how the three branches or ‘organs’ of a government work together: ƒ The legislature is the organ that makes new laws (or ‘legislates’).

C. Sometimes it also updates or removes Governance and Democracy existing laws.

B. This is done by an assembly of represen- tatives of the people.

A. We will soon see how the Indian system works. ƒ The executive is the organ that implements (or ‘executes’) the laws.

D. Sometimes it also examines whether a decision taken by the executive is right, or whether a law passed by the legislature is well conceived and fair to all.

C. In a system of good governance, these three organs must be kept separate, although they interact with each other and work together.

B. It is intended to provide a system of checks and balances.

A. This means that each organ of the government can check what the other is doing and restore balance if one organ acts beyond its expected role.

D. Three Levels of Government Any democratic government operates at multiple levels.

C. In many countries, including India, it functions at three levels or tiers — local, state or regional, and national.

B. Each level deals with different matters.

A. To use a comparison, if a bulb in your home is not lighting up, you will first check the bulb, switch, fuse, etc.

D. If that does not work, you may call an electrician, and if it is found that the problem is not within your home, you may need to go to the Electricity Board and file a complaint.

C. These are also three levels of dealing with a problem.

B. Imagine that following heavy rain for a few days, there is a flood in a part of a district.

A. If it is not too severe, the local authorities may be able to deal with it.

D. If it involves several towns and many villages, the State Government will step in and send rescue teams to help affected people.

C. But if it’s a massive flood affecting vast areas, the Central Government may also come to help by sending relief supplies, the army, etc.

B. The Government of India’s motto, for example, is Satyameva Jayate, which means “Truth alone triumphs”.

A. It means, in our case, that the President of India and the Governor of a State are not the actual executive heads.

D. They do have certain powers under special circumstances, but normally do not interfere in the affairs of the Central or State government.

C. House: An assembly where laws are discussed or passed.

B. Abdul Kalam Born in a humble family in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, in 1931, Dr.

A. Abdul Kalam was arenowned scientist, nicknamed the ‘Missile Man of India’ for his crucial role in the development of India’s space programme, missile programme and nuclear capabilities.

D. Abdul Kalam served as the 11 th President of India from 2002 to 2007.

C. Despite his high status, he remained deeply connected to the people, and the youth in particular, through his passion for good education and innovation.

B. He inspired millions with his humility, dedication to social causes and commitment to the nation.

A. He tirelessly encouraged young Indians to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals.

D. Kalam showed that even though his position as the President of India was nominal, he could play an important role, impacting countless lives.

Let us meditate on a few of his inspiring thoughts: “Look at the sky. End is not the end, in fact E.N.D. means ‘Effort Never Dies’.

End is not the end, in fact E.N.D. means ‘Effort Never Dies’. If you get ‘no’ as an answer, remember N.O. means ‘Next Opportunity’.

If you get ‘no’ as an answer, remember N.O. means ‘Next Opportunity’. This is one of the foundation stones of the system of governance adopted by most countries of the world — democracy.

This is one of the foundation stones of the system of governance adopted by most countries of the world — democracy. The word ‘democracy’ comes from two Greek words — dēmos meaning ‘people’, and kratos meaning ‘rule’ or ‘power’; so ‘democracy’ literally means the ‘rule of the people’.

The word ‘democracy’ comes from two Greek words — dēmos meaning ‘people’, and kratos meaning ‘rule’ or ‘power’; so ‘democracy’ literally means the ‘rule of the people’. Imagine there is a problem that your class wants to bring to the attention of your school’s principal — maybe there is something wrong with the classroom, or with the school’s infrastructure, or perhaps you would like to propose a certain date for a field trip.

Imagine there is a problem that your class wants to bring to the attention of your school’s principal — maybe there is something wrong with the classroom, or with the school’s infrastructure, or perhaps you would like to propose a certain date for a field trip. In many schools, classes have a ‘class monitor’ or ‘class representative’, whom the whole class elected; even if there is none, one representative can be selected for this specific purpose.

In many schools, classes have a ‘class monitor’ or ‘class representative’, whom the whole class elected; even if there is none, one representative can be selected for this specific purpose. It will be enough to send the representative to the principal.

It will be enough to send the representative to the principal. It is the same principle at the State or national levels ̶ through elections, people vote for representatives, who will be the elected members of their respective assemblies.

It is the same principle at the State or national levels ̶ through elections, people vote for representatives, who will be the elected members of their respective assemblies. They are generally called ‘Members of Legislative Assembly’ (or MLAs) at the State level, and ‘Member of Parliament’ (or MPs) at the national level.

They are generally called ‘Members of Legislative Assembly’ (or MLAs) at the State level, and ‘Member of Parliament’ (or MPs) at the national level. All these members discuss laws, problems and solutions in the assemblies, and, through dialogue and debate, try to convince each other whenever there are different opinions.

All these members discuss laws, problems and solutions in the assemblies, and, through dialogue and debate, try to convince each other whenever there are different opinions. Like any modern democracy, therefore, India is arepresentative democracy.

Like any modern democracy, therefore, India is arepresentative democracy. It is also the world’s Governance and Democracy largest democracy, with some 970 million voters in 2024!

It is also the world’s Governance and Democracy largest democracy, with some 970 million voters in 2024! In principle, all Indian citizens above the age of 18 have the right to participate in these elections.

In principle, all Indian citizens above the age of 18 have the right to participate in these elections. Imagine that your class is planning to gofor a picnic.

Imagine that your class is planning to gofor a picnic. There are two possible places, A and B.

There are two possible places, A and B. The class discusses the pros and cons — distance, time, cost, availability of basic facilities, etc. It becomes difficult to arrive at a decision.

It becomes difficult to arrive at a decision. So your teacher decides that voting can solve the problem. The number of students in favour of place A raise their hands, then the number of students in favour of place B raise theirs.

The number of students in favour of place A raise their hands, then the number of students in favour of place B raise theirs. The decision is taken by whichever option gets a larger number of raised hands. (This process is called voting.) This is a case of direct democracy where every student’s opinion was taken tofinalise the place. In such a system, the citizens can have a say in decisions which affect them.

In such a system, the citizens can have a say in decisions which affect them. We will study more features of Indian democracy in the next two chapters and also in later grades. Before we move on... Æ No country can run without governance and government. Æ A modern government has three organs — legislative, executive and judiciary — which need to work together. Æ The Indian government functions at three levels — Centre or national, State and local. Æ Democracy is the overall framework for this system.

Before we move on... Æ No country can run without governance and government. Æ A modern government has three organs — legislative, executive and judiciary — which need to work together. Æ The Indian government functions at three levels — Centre or national, State and local. Æ Democracy is the overall framework for this system. It functions through elected representatives, both at the State and the national levels. Recall the three organs of government.

Recall the three organs of government. Project: Man y of you will remember the lockdown that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Governance and Democracy Noodles *‘Noodles’ is our abbreviation for ‘Notes and Doodles’!

Governance and Democracy Noodles *‘Noodles’ is our abbreviation for ‘Notes and Doodles’! in communities for a long time. When a large number of people live together, there can be disagreements and disorder, and rules become necessary to maintain order and harmony in the society. harmony in the society. There are probably some simple rules at home that you are expected tofollow. The school where you study has rules too — some for students, others for teachers.

harmony in the society. There are probably some simple rules at home that you are expected tofollow. The school where you study has rules too — some for students, others for teachers. for students, others for teachers. In higher classes, students appearing for examinations must follow certain rules. Drivers on the road are expected to obey traffic rules. questions we will explore in this chapter. The process of taking decisions, organising the society’s life with different sets of rules, and ensuring that they are followed, is called governance.

questions we will explore in this chapter. The process of taking decisions, organising the society’s life with different sets of rules, and ensuring that they are followed, is called governance. called governance. The group of individuals or the system that makes the rules and ensures that they are followed is called a government. Some of the more important rules are called laws. rules are called laws. This does not mean that rules and laws are set once and for all.

rules are called laws. This does not mean that rules and laws are set once and for all. All over the world, digital technologies have been transforming the way societies function. to send a money order after filling up a form; or if they had to send a payment to some business, they would queue up at their bank to obtain a demand draft, which would then have to be sent by post.

to send a money order after filling up a form; or if they had to send a payment to some business, they would queue up at their bank to obtain a demand draft, which would then have to be sent by post. to obtain a demand draft, which would then have to be sent by post. You have probably never heard these terms (‘money order’ or ‘demand draft’), because today we have digital means of sending across money instantly! we have digital means of sending across money instantly! However, this has also created a new class of criminals who, without even leaving their desks, find digital ways of stealing people’s money. of stealing people’s money. This has led many governments to pass new laws in order tofight such criminal activities (called ‘cybercrime’). in robbing innocent people of their hard-earned money instead of using their skills to contribute to the society, have been arrested and convicted in court. They are usually fined as well as jailed for some years.

in robbing innocent people of their hard-earned money instead of using their skills to contribute to the society, have been arrested and convicted in court. They are usually fined as well as jailed for some years. fined as well as jailed for some years. Through this example, we can see how the three branches or ‘organs’ of a government work together: ƒ The legislature is the organ that makes new laws (or ‘legislates’). is the organ that makes new laws (or ‘legislates’). Sometimes it also updates or removes Governance and Democracy existing laws. This is done by an assembly of represen- tatives of the people. We will soon see how the Indian system works. tatives of the people. We will soon see how the Indian system works. ƒ The executive is the organ that implements (or ‘executes’) the laws. head of state (who may be a president, a prime minister or a chief minister), the ministers and any agency responsible for enforcing ‘law and order’.

head of state (who may be a president, a prime minister or a chief minister), the ministers and any agency responsible for enforcing ‘law and order’. example above, that agency is the cyber police.) ƒ The judiciary is the system of courts which decides whether someone has broken the law and, if so, what course of action should be taken, including punishment if necessary. course of action should be taken, including punishment if necessary. Sometimes it also examines whether a decision taken by the executive is right, or whether a law passed by the legislature is well conceived and fair to all. functions at three levels or tiers — local, state or regional, and national. Each level deals with different matters. To use a comparison, if a bulb in your home is not lighting up, you will first check the bulb, switch, fuse, etc. found that the problem is not within your home, you may need to go to the Electricity Board and file a complaint. These are also three levels of dealing with a problem.

found that the problem is not within your home, you may need to go to the Electricity Board and file a complaint. These are also three levels of dealing with a problem. there is a flood in a part of a district. If it is not too severe, the local authorities may be able to deal with it. involves several towns and many villages, the State Government will step in and send rescue teams to help affected people. institutions have mottos inspired by the wisdom of our ancient texts. The Government of India’s motto, for example, is Satyameva Jayate, which means “Truth alone triumphs”. Court’s motto is Yato Dharmastato Jayah, or, “Where there is dharma, there is victory.” The table on the facing page provides in summary a general framework of the main functions of the government’s three organs at the national and State levels.

Court’s motto is Yato Dharmastato Jayah, or, “Where there is dharma, there is victory.” The table on the facing page provides in summary a general framework of the main functions of the government’s three organs at the national and State levels. main functions of the government’s three organs at the national and State levels. Their details (including the precise role of the assemblies) will be studied in greater depth in Grade 7. Governor of a State are not the actual executive heads. They do have certain powers under special circumstances, but normally do not interfere in the affairs of the Central or State government. House: An assembly where laws are discussed or passed. Central or State government. House: An assembly where laws are discussed or passed. eign Affairs Atomic Ener gy Communications Curr ency Inter-state Commer ce Education Formulation of National Policies Police, law and order Adaptation and implementation of laws made by the Central government at the State level.

eign Affairs Atomic Ener gy Communications Curr ency Inter-state Commer ce Education Formulation of National Policies Police, law and order Adaptation and implementation of laws made by the Central government at the State level. family in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, in 1931, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was arenowned scientist, nicknamed the ‘Missile Man of India’ for his crucial role in the development of India’s space programme, missile programme and nuclear capabilities. Dr. of India’s space programme, missile programme and nuclear capabilities. Dr. Abdul Kalam served as the 11 th President of India from 2002 to 2007. he remained deeply connected to the people, and the youth in particular, through his passion for good education and innovation. He inspired millions with his humility, dedication to social causes and commitment to the nation. social causes and commitment to the nation. He tirelessly encouraged young Indians to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals. Dr.

social causes and commitment to the nation. He tirelessly encouraged young Indians to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals. Dr. his position as the President of India was nominal, he could play an important role, impacting countless lives. Let us meditate on a few of his inspiring thoughts: “Look at the sky. We are not alone. “To succeed in your mission, you must have single-minded devotion to your goal.” “If you fail, never give up because F.A.I.L. means ‘First Attempt In Learning’. End is not the end, in fact E.N.D. means ‘Effort Never Dies’. not the end, in fact E.N.D. means ‘Effort Never Dies’. If you get ‘no’ as an answer, remember N.O. means ‘Next Opportunity’. hard work, and perseverance — then anything can be achieved.” Governance and Democracy Democracy You may have noticed that we earlier mentioned ‘representatives of the people’.