CBSE Class 7 Social Science Chapter 09 From The Rulers To The Ruled Types Of Governments MCQs Set 01

Answer: (C) Collection of taxes from merchants

Explanation:
Kauṭilya identified three duties: rakṣha (protection), pālana (maintenance of law and order), and yogakṣhema (welfare). Tax collection is not mentioned as one of these fundamental duties in the chapter.

Answer: (B) Legislative, executive, and judicial functions

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly defines the three functions as legislative (creating rules), executive (implementing rules and administering), and judicial (ensuring rules are followed).

Answer: (D) Both the Prime Minister and Rajya Sabha members

Explanation:
• The Prime Minister is selected from elected legislature members, not directly by people
• Rajya Sabha members are formed either by election or nomination, not through direct voting
• Only Lok Sabha members are directly elected by universal adult franchise

Answer: (B) Selection of village sabhā members through sealed ballot boxes with qualifications and removal conditions

Explanation:
The chapter describes how these 10th-century inscriptions documented election processes for village sabhā members, including sealed ballot boxes, member qualifications, duties, and conditions for dismissal—showing early democratic election practices in India.

Answer: (B) It is very difficult to carry out in larger countries because decision-making becomes cumbersome

Explanation:
The text explicitly states that direct democracy's limitation is that it is very hard to carry out in practice, particularly in larger countries, because if everyone becomes part of the decision-making process, reaching decisions and managing implementation smoothly becomes difficult.

Answer: (B) In parliamentary democracy, the executive is also part of the legislature, whereas in presidential democracy, the executive works independently

Explanation:
The chapter clearly distinguishes these two forms: in parliamentary democracy, members of the executive are also part of the legislature and are accountable to it; in presidential democracy, the executive works independently and the president is elected by the people without needing the legislature's confidence.

Answer: (B) The king's responsibility to rule according to dharma and ensure the welfare of all people

Explanation:
The chapter explains that in many parts of India, the power of the raja was neither absolute nor beyond question; instead, the king was expected to make decisions while staying within the limits of rājadharma, meaning ruling according to dharma and ensuring the welfare of all people.

Answer: (B) With the prime minister and the Council of Ministers

Explanation:
Although Britain has a king as head of state, the monarch holds only nominal power. The real power of the executive is exercised by the prime minister, and legislative power is exercised by the elected parliament, making Britain essentially a parliamentary democracy.

Answer: (A) • In democracy, people are the source of authority • In theocracy, religious beliefs and religious leaders are the source of authority

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states this key difference: in a democracy like India, the people of the country are the source of power and authority; in a theocracy, the source of authority is religious beliefs and the head of a religious institution.

Answer: (B) India was ahead in implementing universal adult franchise, while some democracies like Switzerland took longer to grant voting rights to all adults

Explanation:
The chapter notes that India provided universal adult franchise from the very beginning of the Indian republic in 1950, whereas in Switzerland, women got the right to vote only in 1971, demonstrating that democratic principles have evolved differently across countries and that India was ahead in this regard.

Answer: (B) It allowed each grade to elect a representative who would voice their specific needs and concerns

Explanation:
The chapter explains that in the third method, students from each grade could choose one representative from among themselves—someone they believed would effectively advocate for their class's needs. This represents a democratic way to choose representatives because it gives each group a voice through their chosen representative.

Answer: (B) He asked the cobbler's permission respectfully and provided adequate compensation, demonstrating commitment to dharma even toward a lowly subject

Explanation:
The story illustrates that even though the king had authority, he followed dharma by respecting the cobbler's rights and property. Rather than using force, the king asked permission and gave compensation, showing that true authority comes with the responsibility to treat all people fairly regardless of their social status.

Answer: (B) An absolute monarch has complete control over law-making and enforcement, while a constitutional monarch's power is limited by a constitution and parliament

Explanation:
In an absolute monarchy, the monarch has complete control in making laws and ensuring they are followed, with no limits imposed by a constitution. In a constitutional monarchy like Britain, the monarch has only nominal power while elected parliament makes laws and a prime minister exercises executive power.

Answer: (B) Democratic principles are ideals that not all democracies fully achieve, but it is important for citizens to keep these ideals in front of them

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly states: 'Clearly, the above principles are ideals; not all democracies are able to put them in practice. But equally clearly, it is important for the citizens to keep these ideals in front of them.' This acknowledges the gap between ideals and practice while emphasizing the importance of striving toward these ideals.

Answer: (B) That wealthy or influential groups might hold excessive power over a supposedly democratic institution

Explanation:
The chapter notes that political commentators have observed that even some democracies show signs of oligarchy when a small group of politicians and wealthy businesspeople hold too much influence in governance. The cartoon, showing wealthy figures dominating the elected body, illustrates this concern about concentrated power despite democratic structures.

Answer: (B) • They show detailed records of election processes including sealed ballot boxes • They reveal qualifications and duties of elected members • They document conditions for member dismissal, including for corruption

Explanation:
The inscriptions from the 10th century Chola period provide detailed information about democratic practices in village administration, including election procedures with ballot boxes, member qualifications, and accountability measures, demonstrating that democratic principles existed in ancient India.

Answer: (B) Shane's government controls many aspects of his life including compulsory military service, hairstyle, clothing, and information access, contrasting with the freedoms available in democracies

Explanation:
Shane's story demonstrates how in a dictatorship like North Korea, the government controls people's personal freedoms—from military service duration to appearance and information access. This stark contrast highlights why democracy matters, as democratic governments theoretically allow people to make their own choices about appearance, beliefs, and self-expression unless it harms others' rights.

Answer: (C) Too many elections being held in the country

Explanation:
The chapter lists corruption, wealth disparity, excessive control by a few over democratic institutions, erosion of the judiciary's independence, and manipulation of information as hurdles in democracy. It does not mention the frequency of elections as a problem; in fact, regular elections are presented as essential to democracy.

Answer: (B) Dictators can exercise absolute power without constitutional limits, leading to persecution, mass killing, and severe suffering of people

Explanation:
Both examples illustrate how dictators with unchecked absolute power can commit atrocities—Hitler's Holocaust and responsibility for World War II, and Amin's merciless killing of thousands. These cases demonstrate that without constitutional limits and accountability, dictators can inflict immense harm on their populations.

Answer: (B) Because even established democracies can face issues like corruption and erosion of institutional independence that require ongoing citizen engagement

Explanation:
The chapter concludes by noting that even democracies have problems including corruption, wealth disparity, excessive control by a few, erosion of judicial independence, and information manipulation. It asks what citizens can do to remain vigilant and minimize these issues, indicating that maintaining democracy requires continuous citizen attention and participation.

Answer: (B) Universal adult franchise is a fundamental principle of democracy, though its implementation has evolved at different times in different countries

Explanation:
The chapter explicitly notes that universal adult franchise is a core feature of democracy, but its adoption varied significantly across nations—India provided it from 1950, while Switzerland granted women the right to vote only in 1971. This shows the principle is foundational to democracy, yet its practical realization has been staggered and imperfect across different democracies.

Answer: (B) The first method would make decision-making difficult with everyone involved, while the second would silence most students' voices

Explanation:
The chapter explains that including every student would hinder effective decisions and implementation, while the Head Teacher's selection would exclude many students from having their concerns heard or represented, undermining genuine participation and voice in governance.

Answer: (C) Legislative and executive powers operate independently, while the monarch serves a symbolic role in the state structure

Explanation:
The chapter states that in Britain, the king or queen has only nominal power, the prime minister exercises real executive authority, and parliament makes the laws. This arrangement shows distinct separation: the legislature (parliament) creates laws, the executive (prime minister and council) implements them, while the monarch is mainly ceremonial.

Answer: (B) The chapter acknowledges that while democracies have serious problems, citizens can address them through vigilance, implying democracy's strength lies in its potential for self-correction

Explanation:
The chapter concludes by noting that challenges like corruption and wealth disparity can hinder democratic ideals, then poses the question: "What can we do as individuals, and as a society, to remain vigilant and minimize these issues?" This approach—identifying problems while emphasizing citizen responsibility to address them—reveals that the chapter sees democracy's value in its capacity for improvement through collective action and engagement, not in perfection.

Answer: (A) Universal adult franchise allowing citizens to vote in elections

Explanation:
Shane's narrative reveals strict governmental control over personal freedoms—including mandatory military service, dictated hairstyles, and restricted internet access—without any mention of citizens voting or having democratic participation. While various non-democratic systems exist, North Korea exemplifies a dictatorship where the people have no voice in choosing their government, making the absence of universal adult franchise the most characteristic feature distinguishing it from democracy.