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Chapter Analysis
Intermediate9 pages • EnglishQuick Summary
The chapter 'The Constitution and Social Change' discusses the transformative role of the Indian Constitution in promoting social justice and inclusiveness through democratic means such as the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments. It highlights the importance of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in promoting grassroot democracy and enhancing the participation of marginalized groups. The chapter also explores the challenges of democratic participation in a society marked by inequalities and the role of political parties and pressure groups in democratic politics.
Key Topics
- •Role of the Indian Constitution in social change
- •73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments
- •Panchayati Raj and local governance
- •Social justice and fundamental rights
- •Challenges of democratization in India
- •Role of political parties and pressure groups
Learning Objectives
- ✓Understand the importance of the Indian Constitution in promoting social change.
- ✓Analyze the impact of the 73rd and 74th Amendments on local governance.
- ✓Assess the challenges in achieving democratic participation in diverse societies.
- ✓Critically evaluate the roles of political and social organizations in democracy.
Questions in Chapter
Have you heard of Bal Panchayats and Mazdoor Kissan Sanghathan? If not, find out and write a note about them in about 200 words.
Page 39
The 73rd amendment has been monumental in bringing a voice to the people in the villages. Discuss.
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Write an essay on the ways that the Indian Constitution touches peoples’ everyday life, drawing upon different examples.
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What is the significance of political parties in a democracy?
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How are pressure groups formed?
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What is the role of interest groups in a democratic system?
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Additional Practice Questions
Discuss the impact of the 73rd Amendment on rural governance in India.
mediumAnswer: The 73rd Amendment, by giving constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions, transformed the landscape of rural governance, ensuring regular elections and empowering locals through reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women.
Explain how the Indian Constitution acts as a tool of social change.
mediumAnswer: The Indian Constitution, through its provisions for fundamental rights and directive principles, extends the meaning of social justice and supports social movements, thereby acting as a pivotal tool for social change.
How do political parties contribute to democratic processes?
easyAnswer: Political parties, by representing diverse social interests and shaping governmental agendas through electoral competition, are central to the functioning of democratic processes.
Evaluate the role of interest and pressure groups in influencing government policy.
hardAnswer: Interest and pressure groups influence government policy by lobbying for specific issues. They provide a voice to various societal interests and can bring about significant policy changes, although they are often more accessible to elite groups.
Compare the functions of traditional tribal institutions and Panchayati Raj Institutions.
hardAnswer: Traditional tribal institutions often operate on age-old customs and may lack formal democratic structures, whereas Panchayati Raj Institutions are constitutionally mandated to function as democratic bodies intended to decentralize governance.