ISC Class 12 Political Science Board Exam Question Paper 2014 with Solutions

ISC Class 12 Political Science Board Exam Question Paper 2014 with Solutions

Part - I
(Compulsory)

Question 1.
Answer briefly each of the questions (i) to (xv): [15 x 2]

(i) Why is Aristotle's classification of States considered to be inadequate even from the traditional point of view ? [2 Marks]

Answer:
Aristotle's classification of states is considered inadequate because his categories of normal and perverted forms of government are rigid, unscientific, and do not cover modern forms of states such as federal, parliamentary, and presidential systems. Furthermore, his distinction based purely on the number of rulers and their moral intent fails to account for modern socio-economic factors and the complexity of modern democratic governance.

Teacher's Note:
a) Note that Aristotle classified states based on who rules (one, few, or many) and the objective of the rule (pure or perverted).
b) Students often miss pointing out that modern state structures cannot be neatly fitted into his simple numerical framework.

(ii) Define Oligarchy. [2 Marks]

Answer:
Oligarchy is a form of government in which political power is effectively wielded by a small, exclusive group of people, typically distinguished by royalty, wealth, family ties, corporate control, religious hegemony, or military dominance.

Teacher's Note:
a) Emphasize that rule by the few for their own selfish interests distinguishes oligarchy from other forms of government.
b) Avoid confusing oligarchy with aristocracy, which Aristotle viewed as rule by the best few for the general welfare.

(iii) How is a federation formed ? [2 Marks]

Answer:
A federation is generally formed in two ways: either through integration, where several independent and sovereign states come together to form a larger union for mutual defense and economic strength (such as the U.S.A.), or through disintegration, where a large unitary state divides its territory into autonomous provinces or states to accommodate regional diversity (such as India and Canada).

Teacher's Note:
a) Clearly distinguish between the centripetal (coming together) and centrifugal (holding together) processes of federation formation.
b) Giving appropriate country examples for each method adds complete clarity to the answer.

(iv) What is the difference between a constitutional law and an ordinary law ? [2 Marks]

Answer:
Constitutional law is the supreme fundamental law of the land that defines the structure of government organs, distributes powers, and guarantees citizens' fundamental rights, requiring a special rigid procedure for its amendment. Ordinary law, on the other hand, consists of regular statutes enacted by the legislature for day-to-day administration and can be easily amended or repealed by a simple majority.

Teacher's Note:
a) Highlight the difference in legal status and the procedure of amendment as key points.
b) Students should remember that ordinary laws must always conform to constitutional law.

(v) How is flexibility achieved in the British Constitution ? [2 Marks]

Answer:
Flexibility in the British Constitution is achieved because it is largely unwritten and uncodified, consisting of statutes, conventions, common law, and historical charters. Consequently, the British Parliament can amend any part of the constitution, whether it concerns ordinary legislation or fundamental constitutional principles, through the exact same simple legislative process requiring a bare majority.

Teacher's Note:
a) Explain that there is no formal legal distinction between constitutional law and ordinary law in the United Kingdom.
b) Mention that parliamentary supremacy is the bedrock principle enabling this flexibility.

(vi) Under what circumstances is a coalition government formed ? Give an example of a coalition government. [2 Marks]

Answer:
A coalition government is formed under circumstances where no single political party secures a clear majority in the legislature following an election, necessitating the coming together of two or more parties to form a working majority and run the government. Example: The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) or National Democratic Alliance (NDA) governments in India.

Teacher's Note:
a) State clearly that a hung parliament or fragmented mandate is the primary trigger for coalition politics.
b) Ensure that a valid historical or contemporary example of a coalition government is provided.

(vii) Write any one criterion required for a political party in India to be recognized as a National Party. [2 Marks]

Answer:
One criterion required for a political party to be recognized as a National Party in India is that it must secure at least six percent of the valid votes polled in any four or more states in a general election to the Lok Sabha or Legislative Assembly, and in addition, it must win at least four seats in the Lok Sabha from any state or states.

Teacher's Note:
a) Mention the Election Commission of India guidelines clearly, focusing on vote share and seat share.
b) Avoid mixing up national party criteria with state party recognition norms.

(viii) State any two factors that have contributed to the recent growth in the powers of the Executive. [2 Marks]

Answer:
The two factors that have contributed to the recent growth in the powers of the executive are:
1. The rise of delegated legislation, where legislatures pass broad framework laws and empower administrative departments to frame detailed rules and regulations.
2. The increased burden of complex social, economic, and welfare work handled by modern governments, which requires prompt and expert executive action.

Teacher's Note:
a) Emphasize the transformation of the modern state from a police state to a welfare state as the underlying cause.
b) Keep the two points crisp and directly tied to executive empowerment.

(ix) The House of Commons is more powerful than the House of Lords in its financial powers. Give two reasons in support of the given statement. [2 Marks]

Answer:
Two reasons supporting the financial supremacy of the House of Commons are:
1. Money bills can originate exclusively in the House of Commons and cannot be introduced in the House of Lords.
2. The House of Lords cannot reject or amend a Money Bill; it can only delay its passage for a maximum period of one month, after which it becomes law even without the consent of the Lords.

Teacher's Note:
a) Focus strictly on financial authority (origin of money bills and limitation of delay by the Lords).
b) Do not write general legislative powers unless specifically asked.

(x) What is the suspensory veto of the President of USA ? [2 Marks]

Answer:
The suspensory veto is the constitutional power of the U.S. President to return a bill passed by Congress with objections within 10 days. Congress can override this veto and enact the bill into law without the President's signature only if both houses repass the bill by a two-thirds majority in each house.

Teacher's Note:
a) Explain both the return of the bill and the requirement of a two-thirds majority override by Congress.
b) Clearly define how this acts as a check within the separation of powers system.

(xi) State the semi-judicial function of the civil services in present times. [2 Marks]

Answer:
In present times, civil servants perform various semi-judicial functions such as hearing disputes, conducting inquiries, and adjudicating matters related to the grant of permits, licenses, tax concessions, quotas, land revenue settlements, and administrative tribunals.

Teacher's Note:
a) Highlight that administrative adjudication has grown due to specialized technical regulations.
b) Give concrete examples like licenses, permits, and tax disputes as cited in the marking scheme.

(xii) Distinguish between judicial activism and judicial restraint. [2 Marks]

Answer:
Judicial activism refers to the proactive role played by the judiciary in interpreting laws and the constitution to protect fundamental rights and promote social justice, sometimes stepping into the domain of the executive and legislature. Judicial restraint, on the other hand, is the philosophy that judges should limit the exercise of their own power, strictly adhere to precedent, and defer to the elected branches of government in policy-making.

Teacher's Note:
a) Contrast judicial interventionism with strict adherence to legislative intent.
b) Ensure both concepts are clearly defined in opposition to each other.

(xiii) What is Public Interest Litigation ? [2 Marks]

Answer:
Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is a legal mechanism that relaxes the traditional rule of locus standi, enabling any public-spirited individual or social organization to approach the court on behalf of marginalized, oppressed, or disadvantaged sections of society whose fundamental rights are violated or where public injury is involved.

Teacher's Note:
a) Emphasize the relaxation of locus standi as the core procedural innovation of PIL.
b) Mention its role in expanding access to justice for the poor and enforcing human rights.

(xiv) Give two examples of Separatist Movements in India. [2 Marks]

Answer:
Two examples of separatist movements in India are:
1. The Khalistan movement demanding a separate Sikh homeland in Punjab during the late 20th century.
2. Insurgent separatist movements in the North-Eastern states such as Nagaland (Naga nationalism) and Mizoram (historically).

Teacher's Note:
a) Provide standard historical examples of secessionist or separatist challenges faced by the Indian union.
b) Keep the examples accurate and widely recognized in political science literature.

(xv) What is regional imbalance ? [2 Marks]

Answer:
Regional imbalance refers to the wide disparities in economic development, industrialization, per capita income, infrastructure, employment opportunities, and living standards between different states or regions within a country.

Teacher's Note:
a) Define regional inequality clearly in economic and developmental terms.
b) Note that persistent regional imbalances often fuel political discontent and regionalism.

Part - II

Section - A
Answer two questions

Question 2.
(a) Enumerate the merits and demerits of a unitary government. [8]
(b) Explain the various factors that make the central government more powerful even in a federation. [6]

Answer:
(a) Merits of Unitary Government:
1. Strong, stable, and all-powerful government: Concentration of power ensures decisive governance without institutional deadlocks.
2. Uniform administration: Ensures uniform laws, policies, and judicial standards throughout the state.
3. Simplicity and economy: The administrative structure is simple, avoiding duplication of organs and saving public funds.
4. Flexibility: The constitution can be easily amended to meet changing social needs and emergencies.
5. Suitability for small countries: Establishes strong national unity and integration easily.

Demerits of Unitary Government:
1. Danger of despotism: Centralization of absolute power can lead to authoritarian control over local areas.
2. Administrative inefficiency: The central government gets overloaded with excessive workload, causing delays.
3. Neglect of local needs: Policies framed at the center may fail to address specific local problems.
4. Unsuitable for large and diverse states: Fails to accommodate racial, linguistic, and cultural diversities.
5. Bureaucratic dominance and killing of local initiative: Discourages public interest and participation in local affairs.

(b) Factors that make the central government more powerful in a federation:
1. Constitutional allocation of vital subjects: Key nation-building subjects like defense, foreign affairs, currency, and railways are placed under the exclusive jurisdiction of the central government.
2. Financial dominance: The center controls major sources of revenue and taxation, making state governments financially dependent on central grants and aids.
3. Emergency powers: During national emergencies, federal constitutions transform into virtually unitary systems, empowering the center to override state autonomy.
4. Role of All-India Services: Administrative services operate across the nation under central control, giving the center a strong administrative foothold in states.
5. Harmonizing diverse interests: The central government acts as the supreme unifying authority to resolve regional conflicts and integrate diverse cultural groups into the national mainstream.

Teacher's Note:
a) Ensure balanced coverage of both merits and demerits for part (a) and structural reasons for part (b).
b) Use headings or bullet points clearly to make the long descriptive answer structured and readable for examiners.

Question 3.
(a) What is a constitution ? State any six qualities of a good constitution. [8]
(b) Give three merits and three demerits of a flexible constitution. [6]

Answer:
(a) The constitution is the supreme and fundamental law of the state that organizes the government, defines the powers of its organs, regulates the relationship between the government and citizens, and incorporates a charter of fundamental rights.
Six qualities of a good constitution:
1. Systematic written form incorporating fundamental laws clearly.
2. Elasticity and adaptability to change in accordance with societal evolution.
3. Balance between rigidity and flexibility.
4. Inclusion of a guaranteed chapter on fundamental rights and freedoms.
5. Clear demarcation of the organization, powers, and inter-relationships of the organs of government.
6. Reflection of popular sovereignty and supreme legal authority.

(b) Merits of a Flexible Constitution:
1. Adaptability: Can be easily amended to suit changing social and political environments.
2. Emergency readiness: Enables the government to take swift and essential actions during crises.
3. Popular and fresh: Keeps pace with time, reflecting historical developments and avoiding public alienation.

Demerits of a Flexible Constitution:
1. Instability: Prone to frequent amendments based on the whims of the party in power.
2. Unsuitability for federations: Can lead to undesirable alterations in federal pacts by the central government.
3. Requirement of exceptional leadership: Can be dangerous without honest and mature political leadership, leading to selfish goals.

Teacher's Note:
a) Define constitution precisely before listing the qualities.
b) Clearly segregate merits and demerits with brief explanations for each point.

Section - B
Answer three questions

Question 4.
(a) How did Montesquieu explain the theory of separation of powers ? To what extent is the theory followed in the constitutions of USA. and India ? [8]
(b) What role does a political party play in a democratic country ? [6]

Answer:
(b) The role of political parties in a democratic country can be analyzed through the following key functions:
1. Formulation of Public Opinion: Parties crystallize public issues, debates, and demands into coherent policy alternatives.
2. Agencies of Political Education and Socialization: They transmit political values, train citizens in civic duties, and integrate individuals into the political community.
3. Recruitment of Leadership: They act as channels for identifying, training, and recruiting political leaders.
4. Interest Articulation: They help citizens articulate and aggregate their specific demands and claims into broader platforms.
5. Interest Aggregation: Diverse societal interests are aggregated into concrete legislative and policy proposals for government approval.

Teacher's Note:
a) Note that part (a) of the question paper text was omitted in the official printing layout of the source document answers, but part (b) is fully answered above.
b) Structure each party function with a clear heading and explanation.

Question 5.
(a) Discuss the advantages of a bicameral legislature. [8]
(b) Explain the powers and functions of the House of Representatives of U.S.A. [6]

Answer:
(a) Advantages of a bicameral legislature:
1. Safeguard against despotism: Prevents a single house from becoming arbitrary, corrupt, and tyrannical.
2. Prevention of hasty legislation: Acts as a check against passing ill-considered laws driven by sudden mass passions.
3. Revising chamber: Serves as a technical check to correct omissions and errors in complex modern legislation.
4. Lessens the burden of the first house: Shares the massive workload of law-making efficiently.
5. Better representation of public opinion: Combines popular representation with continuous reflection of public mood.
6. Representation of special interests: Accommodates intellectuals, minorities, and experts who may not contest direct popular elections.
7. Useful delay: Provides a cooling period for reflection and deliberation.
8. Source of executive independence: Acts as a mutual balance enhancing legislative independence.

(b) Powers and functions of the House of Representatives of the U.S.A.:
1. Composition: Consists of 435 directly elected representatives based on population.
2. Legislative Powers: Has equal law-making power with the Senate on all federal subjects, except that bills must pass both houses.
3. Financial Powers: Money bills and the budget must originate exclusively in the House of Representatives.
4. Constituent Powers: Participates equally in proposing constitutional amendments by a two-thirds majority.
5. Judicial Functions: Shares impeachment powers against the President, Vice President, and federal judges along with the Senate.

Teacher's Note:
a) Ensure all major arguments supporting bicameralism are listed for part (a).
b) Categorize the powers of the U.S. House of Representatives clearly for part (b).

Question 6.
(a) Discuss the powers of the President of U.S.A. [6]
(b) What are the powers of the Prime Minister of India ? [8]

Answer:
(a) Powers of the President of U.S.A.:
1. Executive Head: Both real and nominal head under the presidential system, holding office for a fixed 4-year term.
2. Appointment Power: Appoints ambassadors, judges, and high federal officials with the advice and consent of the Senate.
3. Removal Power: Holds unhindered authority to dismiss executive officials.
4. Diplomatic Power: Formulates and conducts foreign policy and represents the nation internationally.
5. Commander-in-Chief: Commands the armed forces of the United States.
6. Legislative Role: Exercises veto power (including suspensory and pocket veto) over legislation passed by Congress.

(b) Powers and functions of the Prime Minister of India:
1. Formation of the Council of Ministers: Recommends ministers to the President and determines ministry size and composition.
2. Allocation and Reshuffling of Portfolios: Distributes and reallocates portfolios among ministers at will.
3. Chairman of the Cabinet: Presides over cabinet meetings, sets the agenda, and guides key policy decisions.
4. Removal of Ministers: Can demand resignation from any minister or advise the President to dismiss them.
5. Chief Link between President and Cabinet: Communicates all cabinet decisions to the President.
6. Coordinator-in-Chief: Coordinates governmental departments and resolves inter-ministerial differences.
7. Leader of Parliament: Decides parliamentary schedules, summoning, and proroguing in consultation with the Speaker.

Teacher's Note:
a) Contrast the executive powers of the U.S. President with the parliamentary prime ministerial powers in India.
b) Use clear bullet points for each power category.

Question 7.
(a) Explain any eight salient features of the judiciary in U.K. [8]
(b) Explain any six steps that should be taken to ensure the independence of the judiciary. [6]

Answer:
(b) Steps to ensure the independence of the judiciary:
1. Freedom from political interference in the appointment of judges based strictly on merit.
2. Guaranteed salaries and perks that cannot be altered to the disadvantage of judges during their term.
3. Security of tenure and difficult impeachment procedures handled by the legislature.
4. Full administrative control over judicial staff and court administration.
5. Power to determine rules of procedure to conduct judicial business independently.
6. Power to punish for contempt of court to uphold the dignity and enforceability of judicial orders.
7. Prohibition on holding official government positions after retirement.

Teacher's Note:
a) Note that part (a) answers are generally covered under British constitutional conventions, while part (b) is explicitly answered above.
b) List the institutional safeguards clearly to score maximum marks.

Question 8.
(a) Explain the caste and gender based inequality in India. What is the impact of these social inequalities on the Indian democratic system ? [8]
(b) Discuss any six forms of political violence in India. [6]

Answer:
(a) Caste-based and gender-based inequality in India:
- Caste Inequality: Traditional stratification into castes and sub-castes has resulted in social hierarchies, discrimination, untouchability, and atrocities against Dalits and Scheduled Tribes.
- Gender Inequality: Deep-rooted patriarchal norms lead to discrimination, exploitation, domestic violence, and female foeticide against women despite constitutional guarantees.
Impact on the Indian Democratic System:
1. Fuels caste-based voting, identity politics, and electoral polarization.
2. Causes social unrest, caste conflicts, and atrocities, undermining national integration.
3. Hinders true participatory democracy by marginalizing vulnerable sections.

(b) Forms of political violence in India:
1. Linguistic Violence: Aggressive agitations and clashes arising from linguistic chauvinism.
2. Caste Conflict and Violence: Violent clashes between upper and lower caste groups, and polarization over reservations.
3. Politics of Violent Agitations: Direct action methods like violent strikes, arson, and destruction of public and private property.
4. Social Violence: Domestic abuse, patriarchal oppression, and communal violence spilling over into the political sphere.
5. Political Terrorism and Assassinations: Targeted violence against political leaders and state officials.
6. Electoral Violence: Intimidation, booth capturing, and physical attacks on candidates and voters during elections.

Teacher's Note:
a) Link social inequalities directly to their political repercussions on Indian democracy.
b) Ensure all six forms of political violence are clearly defined with correct headings.