What is Government?

A group of people with the authority to govern a country or state. It makes decisions and gets things done.

Building roads and schools, controlling prices, supplying electricity, running postal/railway services, protecting boundaries, and maintaining peace.

1. Local Level (Village/Town). 2. State Level (Entire State). 3. National Level (Entire Country).

Making laws is deciding the rule (e.g., wear a helmet). Enforcing laws is punishing those who break them (e.g., fining someone without a helmet).

The monarch (king or queen) has the power to make decisions and run the government. They may have a small group of advisors, but the final power is with the monarch. Kings do not explain their actions.

It is the rule of the people. People choose their representatives through elections. The government has to explain its actions and defend its decisions to the people.

People do not participate directly but choose representatives through an election process. These representatives meet and make decisions for the entire population.

It means that all adults in the country are allowed to vote, regardless of their wealth, gender, or education.

The struggle for the right to vote for women. It got strengthened during the First World War when men were away fighting and women took over their work.

American women got the right to vote in 1920. Women in the UK got it in 1928.

Mahatma Gandhi, in his journal 'Young India' in 1931.

A form of government where a single individual has absolute power. People have no rights.

To ensure security, provide facilities, manage resources, and prevent chaos.

The laws and the constitution of the country determine whether it is a democracy, monarchy, or dictatorship.

Yes, if a law is not followed or rights are violated, citizens can approach the courts.

Only a small minority (rich, educated men) was allowed to vote. The British made the laws.

To interpret the laws and punish those who break them. It is part of the government but independent.

Through discussion and debate in the assembly/parliament.

Direct: People vote on every law (e.g., Switzerland). Indirect: People vote for representatives (e.g., India).

To include the youth in the decision-making process.

Government manages public affairs.

Supreme Court controls the government legally.

Bharat Petroleum is a government undertaking.

Indian Railways is a government undertaking.

Laws apply to everyone equally.

Without power to enforce, laws are useless.

Abraham Lincoln defined democracy as 'by the people, for the people, of the people'.

India is the world's largest democracy.

USA is the oldest modern democracy.

Monarchy is hereditary.

Queen Elizabeth II was a constitutional monarch.

Dictators usually take power by force.

Suffrage means Right to Vote.

Suffragettes went on hunger strikes.

Women were imprisoned for demanding votes.

1920: USA 19th Amendment gave women the vote.

1928: UK gave women the vote.

In early democracies, slaves, women, and the poor could not vote.

Gandhi demanded Universal Adult Franchise.

Young India was Gandhi's journal.

A designated place for voting is a Polling Booth.

EVM stands for Electronic Voting Machine.

Voter ID card is EPIC.

Voting age in India is 18 years.

Government provides aid during disasters (Tsunami, Flood).

Local government deals with day-to-day issues.

State government looks after state issues (Police, Agriculture).

Central government looks after national issues (Defense, Foreign Affairs).

A law is a rule of conduct.

Citizens can protest against unjust laws.

Apartheid was a system in South Africa.

Nelson Mandela fought against Apartheid.

Democracy requires active participation.

Elections are held regularly (every 5 years in India).

Coalition government involves multiple parties.

Opposition party checks the ruling party.

Media plays a role in democracy.

RTI Act 2005 gives right to information.

Preamble says 'We the People'.

Sovereign means independent.

Socialist means equal distribution of wealth.

Secular means no state religion.

Republic means head of state is elected.

Democratic means government by choice.

Liberty means freedom.

Equality means no discrimination.

Fraternity means brotherhood.

Justice means fairness.

Constitution is the supreme law.

Parliament House is in New Delhi.

Women's suffrage in USA

Women's suffrage in UK

Gandhi writes in Young India