Organs of Government (VSAQs)
Political Science-1 | 11. Organs of Government – VSAQs:
Welcome to VSAQs in Chapter 11: Organs of Government. This page covers the most significant FAQs for Very Short Answer Questions. Answers are provided in simple English and follow the exam format. This approach helps you focus on essential points and achieve top marks in your final exams.
VSAQ-1: How many organs of government are there? What are they? (OR) How many organs of government are there? (OR) How many organs of government are there? Name them. (OR) How many organs of government are there? Explain their functions briefly.
The three organs of government are essential pillars that ensure a balanced and functioning system. These are:
- Legislative Branch: This branch is like the rule-maker of the government. Imagine a group of people coming together to decide what rules everyone should follow. These elected representatives debate and pass laws that reflect the people’s needs and interests. Just like in a school, where the student council might create rules to ensure fairness, the legislative branch ensures that the country’s laws are just and beneficial for all.
- Executive Branch: Once the rules are made, someone needs to make sure they are followed. That’s where the executive branch comes in. This branch includes leaders like the President or Prime Minister, who oversee government operations, enforce the laws, manage relations with other countries, and ensure that the government runs smoothly every day. It’s similar to how a principal ensures that school rules are implemented and the school operates effectively.
- Judicial Branch: Sometimes, there are disagreements about what the rules mean or whether they are fair. The judicial branch, which includes courts and judges, steps in to interpret the laws, resolve disputes, and make sure justice is served. They ensure that everyone follows the laws correctly and that no one’s rights are violated. It’s like having a referee in a game to make sure the rules are followed fairly by all players.
VSAQ-2: What is meant by the theory of separation of powers?
The theory of separation of powers is like dividing chores at home so that no one person has too much control. Introduced by Montesquieu, this theory suggests that the government’s power should be split among three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. Each branch has its own job to do—one makes the laws, one enforces them, and one interprets them. This separation ensures that no single branch can become too powerful or dominate the others, much like how in a group project, each member has a different role to play, preventing any one person from taking over. This system of checks and balances helps protect individual freedoms and prevent the government from becoming too controlling.
VSAQ-3: What is meant by plural executive?
A plural executive is a system where the power to enforce and execute laws is not held by just one person, like a president, but is shared among several officials or bodies. Imagine a team of leaders, each responsible for different aspects of running the government, like a team of coaches each handling a different part of the game. This system is often seen in parliamentary governments or federal systems, where power is divided among different offices or councils to ensure that no single person or office has too much control. This helps in maintaining a balance of authority and preventing any one person from making all the decisions.
VSAQ-4: What is judicial review?
Judicial review is like a final check to make sure everything is done correctly according to the rules. It’s a process where courts review the actions and laws made by the legislative and executive branches to ensure they follow the constitution. For example, if a new school rule seems unfair, someone might bring it to the principal, who reviews it to ensure it aligns with the school’s guidelines. Similarly, through judicial review, courts can declare laws or government actions unconstitutional if they go against the principles laid out in the constitution. This concept was famously established in the U.S. through the Marbury v. Madison case. However, not every country uses judicial review, and the level of its application can vary depending on each nation’s legal system.
VSAQ-5: Council of States
The Council of States is the upper house of Switzerland’s Federal Assembly. It’s like a gathering of representatives who come together to voice the concerns and interests of the different regions, or cantons, of the country. Just as each student in a class might represent their group’s ideas during a class discussion, members of the Council of States represent the views of their cantons in the national government. These representatives are elected by the people in each canton, and they ensure that all regions have a say in how the country is run. This system helps maintain a balance between the central government and the individual cantons, ensuring that local interests are considered in national decisions.
VSAQ-6: Parliamentary Executive
In a parliamentary executive system, the government operates in close connection with the parliament. Think of it like a classroom where the class leader is chosen by the majority of students. In countries like India, the head of the government, usually the Prime Minister, is a member of the parliament and is selected because the majority of parliament members support them. The government can only continue its work as long as it has the confidence of these members, meaning they believe in the leader’s ability to make good decisions. This close relationship between the executive and legislative branches makes it easier for the government to make decisions quickly and keep everything running smoothly.
VSAQ-7: What is Bi-cameralism?
Bi-cameralism refers to a system where the legislature is divided into two separate chambers or houses, like having two teams working together on different tasks to achieve the same goal. For example, in a country with bi-cameralism like the United States or India, there are two houses: an upper house (like the Senate in the U.S. or the Rajya Sabha in India) and a lower house (like the House of Representatives in the U.S. or the Lok Sabha in India). The upper house usually represents larger regions or states and has members who might serve longer terms, like senior players in a team. The lower house directly represents the people through elected representatives, similar to team members who voice the concerns of everyone. Both houses must agree on new laws, ensuring that decisions are carefully reviewed from different perspectives.
VSAQ-8: Judicial Activism
Judicial activism is when judges take a more active role in interpreting the law, like a coach deciding to adjust the game strategy to address new challenges. Instead of just following traditional rules, these judges may consider the current needs of society and use their rulings to promote new policies or protect people’s rights. For instance, if a new social issue arises, judges engaging in judicial activism might make a decision that sets a new legal standard, aiming to bring about positive change. While this approach can help address modern problems, some critics worry that it might give judges too much power, potentially stepping on the roles of other branches of government.
VSAQ-9: Senate
The Senate in the United States is the upper house of Congress, part of the bicameral legislature. Imagine it as a council of senior members who review important decisions. When it comes to appointing federal judges, including those for the Supreme Court, the President nominates candidates, like a coach selecting players for a team. The Senate’s role is to review these nominations, providing “advice and consent.” This means the Senate must approve or reject the President’s choice through a majority vote before the judge can take office. This process is crucial for ensuring that judges are qualified and fair, maintaining a balance of power within the government.
VSAQ-10: House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the UK Parliament, similar to a council of wise elders. Its members are not elected but are instead appointed, including life peers (people given titles for their lifetime), bishops, and hereditary peers (those who inherit their titles). The House of Lords reviews laws proposed by the lower house, the House of Commons, much like an editor reviews a manuscript before it’s published. They suggest changes or improvements, offering their expertise on various issues. However, they cannot ultimately stop a bill from becoming law if the House of Commons insists on it. The House of Lords plays a vital role in ensuring that new laws are well thought out and beneficial to society.