A New Combined History & Civics for Class 7 ICSE Solutions Chapter 17 Basic Ideas of Our Constitution and Citizenship.

A New Combined Text Book of History & Civics for Class 7 ICSE Solutions (D.N Kundra, Goyal Brothers Prakashan)

These Solutions are part of A New Combined History & Civics for Class 7 ICSE Solutions. Here we have given. A New Combined History & Civics for Class 7 ICSE Solutions Chapter 17 Basic Ideas of Our Constitution and Citizenship.

I. Answer the following questions in 30-40 words each :

Question 1.
Explain the term ‘citizen’.
Answer:
The term ‘citizen’ is used for those persons who live in a state permanently and enjoy all the rights, both civil and political. The state safeguards the life, liberty, property and political rights of the citizen and the citizens are expected to remain loyal to the state and obey the laws of the country.

Question 2.
To what type of candidates should we cast our vote ?
Answer:
A citizen should be very careful when voting and should keep certain things in mind while voting fora particular candidate. The candidate should be known for his ability, honesty, integrity and record of social service.

  1. The candidate for whom he votes should not be selfish and incompetent.
  2. The political party to which be belongs should believe in preserving the integrity of the country and serving the people.
  3. We should vote for a candidate who is honest and able and not in return for a minor temptation.

Question 3.
Which considerations should a voter keep in his mind before casting his vote ?
Answer:
Before casting his vote, the voter should have full knowledge of the aims and programmes of the different parties.
He should be vigilant and alert. He should vote for those candidates who are known for their ability, honesty, integrity and record of social service.
He should not be misled by mere slogans and false promises.
He should also keep in mind that he votes for those candidates who are actually interested in the welfare and integrity of the country.

Question 4.
Explain why some voters in our country do not cast votes.
Answer:
Some voters in our country do not exercise the right to vote and remain indifferent during the elections. They do not understand that voting is not only a right but also a sacred duty. Any apathy on the part of citizens leads to the election of selfish and incompetent persons. Some citizens do not caste votes due to sheer laziness, sheer indifference or because the candidate is not known to them.
Some foolish people also wait for the candidate or his agent to send a vehicle to carry them to the polling booth. If it does not come they do not vote.

Question 5.
What is the importance of education in a democracy ?
Answer:
Education is the backbone of democracy. Education sharpens the intellect and develops a proper understanding. In a democracy education becomes important because the educated citizens can distinguish between the right and wrong and this helps them to elect the right type of representatives. Educated people elect wise rulers and make full contribution to the public good. Thus educated and enlightened citizens can make a democracy successful.

I. Answer the following questions in 80-100 words each :

Question 1.
What do you mean by democracy ? How is it implemented ?
Answer:
Democracy is a ‘Government of the people, by the people and for the people. It is implemented through election of the representatives by people themselves. After every five years, if they so desire, they can change the government. The whole fabric of democracy depends upon fair and free elections. Without elections a democratic government cannot be set up. The elections give an opportunity to the people to vote for such persons who are fit to solve the problems in a best possible way. To a democracy to be successful citizens should be enlightened and well informed so that they can elect the right type of representatives.

Question 2.
What do you mean by secularism ? Why is it necessary for the successful running of democracy ?
Answer:
Secularism can be defined as ‘complete separation of religion from politics. In a ‘secular’ state there is no discrimination against any religion. All citizens, whether Hindu, Muslim, Sikh or Christian has a right to profess his own religion.
Secularism is the ‘basic structure’ of our constitution. It is necessary for the successful running of the democracy because in such a state all religions command equal respect and recognition. The rights of the minorities are protected.
Our system of government is democratic. Democracy means above all, equality of all its citizens. It means the end of inequality. Quite obviously if a society practices social inequality, it cannot run a democratic system which requires that all citizens should be equal and have equal rights.

Question 3.
In a democracy citizens’ role is of utmost importance. How ?
Answer:
The success of a democracy depends on its citizens. Democracy needs intelligent, englightened and well informed citizens so that they can choose the right type of representative for their country. The citizens have been given a right to vote and if they have exercise their right properly it can lead to a successful democracy. If a citizen is not interested in public affairs, it leads to the election of selfish and incompetent persons.
The citizens play a very important role if they are vigilant and alert. They should vote for candidates who are really interested in the welfare of the people and integrity of the country. The citizens should be truly national and patriotic. They should be honest and above temptations. If so, they are able to condemn the parties which use illegal and unfair means. Therefore if the citizens shun violence and act peacefully, they can play a significant role in democracy which depends on the decisions of the majority.

Question 4.
What are the conditions necessary for the success of a democracy ?
Answer:
Democracy, to a great extent depends on the role of the citizens. If the citizens elect able and honest persons as their representatives there will be a good government in the country and all people will stand to gain. So, it is important for the citizens to be enlightened and well informed and to be vigilant and alert. If they do not elect the right type of representatives, there will be an inefficient and corrupt government in the country. For a successful democracy citizen should not be indifferent. They should exercise their right to vote. Citizens should have a national and patrioitic spirit. They should be honest and above temptations. They should be patient and tolerant and should shun violence. These conditions are necessary for the success of democracy.

Question 5.
What are the qualities of a good citizen ?
Answer:
The success of a democracy depends on citizens who have certain good qualities to their credit.

  1.  A citizen should be educated and well informed so that he can elect wise rulers.
  2. He should have an interest in public affairs and exercise his right to vote wisely. Otherwise selfish and incompetent persons will get elected.
  3. He should be vigilant and alert. He should have full knowledge of the aims and programmes of different parties so that he can vote for people who are actually interested in the welfare of the people.
  4. He should be truly national and partriotic. He should not vote for candidates on the basis of caste, religion or language.
  5. He should be honest and above temptations. He should condemn parties who try to tempt people by illegal and unfair means.
  6. He should be patient and tolerant even if he disagrees with the views of others.
  7. If a citizen is elected, he should have a broad outlook. He should not indulge in defection.
  8. He should follow peaceful means and shun violence. He should have full faith in democracy.

III. Fill in the Blanks :

  1. If the citizens are not alert there will be an incompetent governament.
  2. Education is the backbone of democracy
  3. We should vote for such candidates who are able and honest.
  4. Education enlightens sharpens the intellect of a man.
  5. A good citizen listens to the views of others patiently

IV. Tick mark (✓) the correct statements and cross (✗) the wrong ones.

  1. Violence has no place in democracy. (✓)
  2. The citizens in a democracy must be educated .(✓)
  3. The citizen in a democracy need not be vigilant, (✗)
  4. The party in power should not respect the views of the opposition. (✗)

Additional Questions :

Question 1.
Who are ‘aliens’ ? What are the differences between a citizen and an alien ? ‘
Answer:
People who visit a country but are not the citizens of the country are called ‘aliens’. The differences between a citizen and an alien are:

Citizens

  1. A citizen is a permanent member of the state and has a right to reside there.
  2. He owes allegiance to the country.
  3. They enjoy all civil and political rights.
  4. They are required to discharge certain duties.

Aliens

  1. An alien has no right of permanent residence. He can be turned out if his presence is against the interests of the state.
  2. He does not owe allegiance to the country as he doesn’t belong to it.
  3. They do not enjoy these rights.
  4. They are not required to discharge any duties

Question 2.
How can a citizen keep a close watch on the activities of the Government ?
Answer:
The citizen can keep a close watch on the activities of the government in a number of ways.

  1.  If they do not agree with the government policies, they should write in the newspapers in the ‘Letters to the Editor’ column.
  2. They should support those people who oppose wrong practices.
  3. They should organised meetings to educate the people.
  4. They should send memorandums to the government or to the Parliament.
  5. They should organised peaceful demonstrations, hartals or strikes.
  6. They should not vote for the government which follows wrong practices.

Question 3.
Why is it said, “As the citizens, so the government” ?
Answer:
In modern democracy it is correct to say, “As the citizens, so the government” because the citizens play an important role in choosing the government. If the citizens are educated and well informed, they will exercise their votes properly and take correct decision in electing the right type of representatives. On the other hand, if the citizens are indifferent and uneducated ; selfish and incompetent persons will come to power. So it is correct to say, “As the citizens, so the government”.

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