Political Ideologies (VSAQs)
Political Science-1 | 5. Political Ideologies – VSAQs:
Welcome to VSAQs in Chapter 5: Political Ideologies. This page features the most significant FAQs for Very Short Answer Questions. Answers are given in simple English and follow the exam format. This helps you focus on key concepts and aim for top marks in your final exams.
VSAQ-1: Capitalism
Capitalism is like running your own business. Imagine you open a lemonade stand. You own the lemons, the sugar, and everything you need to make lemonade. You sell it to make profit—that’s your main goal. In a capitalist system, lots of people and companies do this. They own their businesses and try to make money. The prices of things like lemonade, sugar, and lemons are decided by what people are willing to pay, not by the government. But sometimes, because everyone is focused on making money, things like fair wages for workers or the quality of products might not get enough attention.
VSAQ-2: Marxism
Marxism is an idea that comes from Karl Marx, who looked at how societies work, especially when it comes to money and power. Think about a factory where the owner makes a lot of money, but the workers are paid very little. Marxism says that this isn’t fair and that the workers should have more control over the factory. Marx believed that eventually, the workers would get tired of this unfairness and demand change, even if it means fighting for it. This idea is all about making society more equal, so everyone gets a fair share, not just the rich.
VSAQ-3: Non-Violence
Non-violence is all about solving problems peacefully. Imagine you’re in a disagreement with a friend. Instead of yelling or fighting, you sit down and talk it out. That’s the idea of non-violence—finding ways to make things right without hurting anyone. People who follow non-violence believe in standing up for what’s right, but they do it without using force. They believe that truth and understanding can solve conflicts better than violence ever could.
VSAQ-4: Civil Disobedience
Civil disobedience is like saying “No” to something unfair, but in a peaceful way. Imagine you and your friends decide not to go to school one day to protest a rule that seems unfair. You’re not causing trouble; you’re just making a statement. Civil disobedience is when people break a law or a rule on purpose to show that they think it’s wrong, but they do it peacefully. It’s a way to push for change without using violence. This method has been used in history to bring attention to important issues and make things better.
VSAQ-5: Surplus Value
Surplus value is a term from Karl Marx that talks about the extra value workers create that goes beyond what they are paid. Let’s say you work at a bakery, and in one hour, you make cakes worth Rs. 1,000. But you only get paid Rs. 200 for that hour. The surplus value is the Rs. 800 extra that goes to the bakery owner as profit. Marx believed that this system was unfair to workers because they weren’t getting the full value of what they produced. This idea is central to his criticism of how wealth and power are distributed in society.
VSAQ-6: Satyagraha
Satyagraha is a word coined by Mahatma Gandhi, and it means “Soul Force” or “Love Force.” Imagine standing up against something wrong but doing it peacefully, without anger or violence. That’s Satyagraha. Gandhi used this idea to fight against British rule in India. Instead of fighting with weapons, he and his followers used peaceful protests, like refusing to obey unjust laws. They believed that by showing love and truth, they could bring about change. Satyagraha wasn’t just about politics; it was about living a life of truth and non-violence.
VSAQ-7: Meaning of Socialism
Socialism is like sharing a big pizza so everyone gets a fair slice. Instead of one person eating the whole pizza, the idea is that everyone should get an equal share. In Socialism, the community or the government owns the big things that everyone needs, like factories, schools, and hospitals. The goal is to make sure that everyone has what they need, and there’s less inequality between rich and poor. It’s about working together as a society to take care of everyone, not just letting a few people get very rich while others struggle.
VSAQ-8: Neo-Liberalism
Neo-liberalism is like letting people run their lemonade stands however they want, without the government telling them what to do. It’s an idea that says the less the government is involved in the economy, the better. Neo-liberalism encourages businesses to compete freely, believing this will lead to better products, lower prices, and more opportunities. But it also means there’s less focus on helping people who might be struggling, as the idea is that the market will take care of itself. Some people like this freedom, while others worry that it can lead to greater inequality.