Maharashtra Board Class 11 Political Science Chapter 4 Constitutional Government Solutions

1A. Choose the Correct Alternative and Complete the Following Statements.

Question 1. Unwritten Constitution exists in _____________
(a) United Kingdom
(b) India
(c) South Africa
(d) United States
Answer: (a) United Kingdom
In simple words: The United Kingdom does not have a single written document as its constitution; instead, its rules are based on historical documents, laws, and customs.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that the UK is the classic example of an unwritten or uncodified constitution, whereas countries like India and the USA have written constitutions.

🎯 Exam Tip: Remember that a parliamentary system is characterized by the integration or merger of the executive and legislative branches, unlike the presidential system which features strict separation.

Question 3. The ten amendments to the American Constitution are collectively referred to as _____________ (Bills of Rights, Magna Carta, Basic Structure Doctrine, Fundamental Rights)
Answer: Bill of Rights
In simple words: The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, which protect individual liberties, are known as the Bill of Rights.

🎯 Exam Tip: Be careful with the spelling; it is "Bill of Rights" (singular Bill, plural Rights) and represents the first ten amendments of the US Constitution.

1B. Identify the Incorrect Pair in Every Set, Correct It and Rewrite.

Question 1.
(a) Magna Carta – England
(b) Veto – United Kingdom
(c) Kesavananda Bharati Case – Basic structure doctrine
Answer: (b) Veto – USA
In simple words: The power of veto is most prominently associated with the President of the USA, not the United Kingdom's system.

🎯 Exam Tip: When correcting pairs, clearly state the incorrect option first and then provide the correct association to secure full marks.

1C. Find the Odd Word Out in the Given Set.

Question 1. England, Scotland, Wales, Republic of Ireland.
Answer: The Republic of Ireland (not part of UK). While the other three are political divisions that make up Great Britain and are part of the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland is an independent sovereign nation.
In simple words: England, Scotland, and Wales are all part of the United Kingdom, but the Republic of Ireland is a completely separate independent country.

🎯 Exam Tip: Always write the reason why the word is the odd one out to ensure you get full marks for your explanation.

Question 2. India, Australia, Canada, Argentina.
Answer: Argentina (not a parliamentary system). India, Australia, and Canada all follow a parliamentary form of government, whereas Argentina has a presidential system.
In simple words: India, Australia, and Canada use a parliamentary system of government, while Argentina uses a presidential system.

🎯 Exam Tip: Group the other three options under a common characteristic (e.g., "parliamentary systems") to justify why the remaining one is the odd choice.

State Whether the Following Statements Are True or False with Reasons

Question 1. Indian Federation can be described as a ‘quasi-federation’.
Answer: This statement is True.
• The Indian Constitution provides for dual set of governments i.e Union State governments. There is a distribution of powers on the basis of three lists viz. Union list, State list, and Concurrent list.
• However, India has a federal structure with a powerful central government. The constitution framers felt that a strong Union government was needed to ensure the balanced development of the country. This design helps maintain national unity while respecting regional diversity.
In simple words: India is called a quasi-federation because it shares power between the center and states, but the central government holds more power to keep the country united.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly state 'True' or 'False' first, and then provide at least two distinct points explaining the constitutional distribution of power to score full marks.

Question 2. The parliamentary system exists in the United States.
Answer: This statement is False.
• In a Parliamentary system, there is a merger of legislative and executive functioning. There are two executives, i.e., real and normal executives. This is noticed in India, United Kingdom, etc.
• The United States follows the Presidential system based on separation of government powers. Here, there is only one executive i.e., President who is directly elected by citizens. This system ensures a strict division of responsibilities between the lawmakers and the executive head.
In simple words: The United States does not have a parliamentary system; instead, it uses a presidential system where the President is elected separately from the legislature.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining why a statement is false, contrast the incorrect system mentioned with the correct system actually used by that country.

Explain the Co-relation Between the Following

Question 1. Legislature and Executive in a parliamentary system.
Answer: In a parliamentary system, there is a fusion of legislative and executive functions. The real executive i.e. the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers is drawn from the Legislature. There are no separate elections for the post of Prime Minister and other Ministers. The Prime Minister and the Ministers play a dual role i.e., they are members of the legislature as well as the executive. This close relationship ensures better coordination in lawmaking and governance.
In simple words: In a parliamentary system, the leaders who run the government (executive) are chosen directly from the group of lawmakers (legislature), meaning they do both jobs at the same time.

🎯 Exam Tip: Use the keyword 'fusion of powers' or 'interdependence' to describe the relationship between the legislature and executive in a parliamentary setup.

Question 2. President and Legislature in a presidential system.
Answer: In a Presidential system, there is a separation of government powers and a system of checks and balances. The President i.e., head of the executive is directly elected by the citizens for a fixed tenure. He/she enjoys powers granted to the office by the constitution and must conduct his/her administration in accordance with laws passed by the legislature. Members of the executive are prohibited from being members of the legislature.

The legislature is also popularly elected. Its powers are not absolute since the President can exercise ‘Veto Power’ to reject a law passed by the legislature. Similarly, the legislature can also impeach the President if it is proved that the constitution has been violated by him/her. The President continues in office irrespective of whether he/she enjoys majority support in the legislature. However such lack of support may lead to a breakdown or impasse in government functioning. This system ensures that no single branch of government becomes too powerful.
In simple words: In a presidential system, the President and the law-making body (legislature) are separate and check each other's powers. The President is elected directly by the people and does not depend on the legislature to stay in power.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly highlight the concept of 'separation of powers' and 'checks and balances' as these are key terms examiners look for when grading presidential systems.

4. Answer the Following Questions

Question 1. Explain constitutionalism and constitutional morality.
Answer: Constitutionalism refers to the idea that there should be limitations on the powers of the government. It ensures that the ruling authority does not become dictatorial and respects the rights of the citizens. Constitutional morality, on the other hand, means adhering to the core values and philosophy of the Constitution in daily governance.
In simple words: Constitutionalism means that the government's power has limits so it cannot do whatever it wants. Constitutional morality means everyone, especially leaders, must follow the true spirit and values of the constitution.

🎯 Exam Tip: Differentiate clearly between constitutionalism (limits on power) and constitutional morality (following the spirit of the constitution) to score full marks.

...of the government which may be specified in the constitution or may arise due to historical developments. The Magna Carta (Great Charter) (1215) and Bill of Rights (1689) in England were attempts to restrict the powers of the Monarchs. As the concept of separation of legislative, executive, judicial powers became popular, so also, the idea of restricting powers of the government as a whole emerged. The origins of constitutionalism can be traced to the Social Contract Theory propounded by John Locke. He believed that people should have the right to change the government if it committed any wrongdoings.

The first ten amendments to the American Constitution (collectively called the Bill of Rights) imposed restrictions on the government. The Indian Constitution also restricts government jurisdiction so that it doesn’t violate Fundamental Rights. Any constitution is subject to amendments. Thus, it is possible that certain governments may use their amendment powers to remove restrictions, on their policies and actions.

In any democracy, Constitutionalism refers to restrictions on the power of the government and adherence to the spirit of the constitution. It refers to the values which form its foundations and the manner in which those who hold power are expected to behave. This can be described by the term ‘Constitutional Monarchy’.

Answer the Following in Detail with Reference to the Given Points

Question 1. Explain Constitution and its three distinct interrelated components.
(i) What is a Constitution?
(ii) set of rules
(iii) set of rights
(iv) set of objectives and values
Answer:
(i) The constitution is the highest law of the country. It reflects the objectives of the state and the rights and aspirations of its citizens. It establishes the rule of law and sets limits on government authority. A constitution is a living document that indicates the way in which a country is governed. The primary function of the constitution is to lay out the basic structure of the government according to which the state is run.
(ii) Set of rules: The constitution provides a set of basic rules that allow for minimal coordination among members of a society and govern the allocation of power.
(iii) Set of rights: It establishes a set of fundamental rights that protect citizens from arbitrary government action and ensure individual liberty.
(iv) Set of objectives and values: It expresses the core values, aspirations, and developmental goals of the society, guiding the state toward social justice and progress.
In simple words: A constitution is the supreme book of laws for a country. It acts as a rulebook for the government, protects the rights of the citizens, and outlines the main goals and values that the nation wants to achieve.

🎯 Exam Tip: When explaining the components of a constitution, clearly structure your answer using the sub-headings provided in the question to ensure you cover all points and secure full marks.

...the people are to be governed. A constitution has three distinct but interrelated components.

(ii) Set of Rules – A constitution is a set of rules that describes the structure, powers, and functions of the three organs of government to ensure that each organ functions without its jurisdiction. It lays down the limitations on what the government can do or cannot do.

(iii) Set of Rights – A constitution lists the rights of the citizens, means for the protection of these rights, and the duties of citizens. It also lists the means of protecting the rights e.g., in India, the judiciary is entrusted with protecting the rights. The rights guaranteed by the constitution are not unlimited i.e. they are subject to reasonable limitations.

(iv) Set of Objectives and Values – A constitution enumerates the values and objectives that it seeks to fulfill. For e.g., the Indian Constitution seeks to ensure the values of justice, liberty, and equality.

11th Political Science Digest Chapter 4 Constitutional Government Intext Questions And Answers

Find Out! (Text Book Page No. 30)

Question. How many times has the Indian Constitution been amended? What was the latest amendment?
Answer: Amendments refer to changes in certain provisions of the constitution. In India, Article 368 deals with the amendment procedure. Till March 2019, the Indian Constitution has been amended 103 times. The 101st amendment (July 2017) introduced GST, the 102nd amendment gave constitutional status to National Commission for Backward Classes, and the 103rd amendment provided for a maximum of 10% reservation for economically weaker sections (EWS) by amending Articles 15,16. (Right to Equality) These constitutional updates help the legal framework adapt to the changing needs of Indian citizens over time.
In simple words: An amendment is a change made to the constitution. Up to March 2019, the Indian Constitution was changed 103 times to update laws, such as adding the GST tax and providing reservations for weaker sections of society.

🎯 Exam Tip: Mention the specific article (Article 368) and cite recent examples like the 101st or 103rd amendments to secure full marks in constitutional amendment questions.

Find Out! (Text Book Page No. 32)

Question 1. Make a list of all Prime Ministers of India with their tenure.
Answer:
1. Jawaharlal Nehru (August 1947 - May 1964)
2. Gulzarilal Nanda - Acting Prime Minister (27 May 1964 - 9 June 1964, 11 January 1966 - 24 January 1966)
3. Lal Bahadur Shastri (June 1964 - January 1966)
4. Indira Gandhi (January 1966 - March 1977, January 1980 - October 1984)
5. Morarji Desai (March 1977 - July 1979)
6. Charan Singh (July 1979 - January 1980)
7. Rajiv Gandhi (October 1984 - December 1989)
8. V. P. Singh (December 1989 - November 1990)
9. Chandra Shekar (November 1990 - June 1991)
10. P. V. Narsimha Rao (June 1991 - May 1996)
11. A. B. Vajpayee (May 1996 - June 1996, March 1998 - May 2004)
12. H. D. Deve Gowda (June 1996 - April 1997)
13. I. K. Gujral (April 1997 - March 1998)
14. Dr. Manmohan Singh (May 2004 - May 2014)
15. Narendra Modi (May 2014 - till date)
This comprehensive list highlights the democratic transition of leadership in India over the decades.
In simple words: This is a list of all the Prime Ministers who have led India since its independence in 1947, along with the dates they served in office.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize the names of the first three Prime Ministers and the current one, as these are the most common questions asked in exams.

Find Out! (Text Book Page No. 34)

Question 2. Name any four American Presidents who belonged to the Republican Party and those who belonged to the Democratic Party.
Answer:
• Republican Party - Abraham Lincoln, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush.
• Democratic Party - F. D. Roosevelt, J. F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Donald Trump.
Understanding these political affiliations helps us better comprehend the history of modern American governance.
In simple words: This list shows some of the famous U.S. Presidents divided by their political parties, which are the Republicans and the Democrats.

🎯 Exam Tip: Present the names clearly under separate headings for the Republican and Democratic parties to make your answer neat and easy to read.

Do This. (Text Book Page No. 35)

Look at the following subjects (Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution):
• Law and Order

Question 1. Find out which of these subjects is in Union, state, or concurrent list: Atomic Energy, Banking, Agriculture, Police, Electricity, Education, Railways, Public health, Foreign affairs, Forests.
Answer: This division of subjects helps maintain a clear balance of power between the central and state governments.

🎯 Exam Tip: Memorize key subjects like defense, banking, and education as they are frequently asked in exams to test your understanding of federalism.

Activity (Text Book Page No. 36)

Question 2. What are the rights mentioned in the Bill of Rights of the American Constitution?
Answer: The Bill of Rights refers to the first ten amendments of the US constitution. These amendments serve as a cornerstone of modern democratic freedoms worldwide. Some of the rights include:

• First Amendment prohibits the making of any law impeding the free exercise of religion or restricting the freedom of speech or of the press or to assemble peacefully.
• The Second Amendment protects the individual right to keep arms.
• The Fifth Amendment protects against double jeopardy and self-incrimination.

🎯 Exam Tip: Clearly list the specific amendments (First, Second, and Fifth) and their corresponding rights to secure maximum marks.

• The sixth amendment establishes a number of rights of the defendant in a criminal trial such as speedy, public trial by an impartial jury, the assistance of counsel, etc.
• The Tenth amendment reinforces the principles of separation of powers and of federalism.