Civics Polity

Political Systems and Governance

1,767 Questions

This section provides practice questions on various political systems including democracies, authoritarian regimes, and oligarchies. Understanding political governance and theories is crucial for cracking civil services and state PSC examinations. Regular practice ensures a solid grasp of political concepts and frameworks.

Authoritarian regimesLiberal democracyPolitical legitimacyOligarchy and plutocracyTransitional democracies

Political Systems and Governance Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the most important in a democratic set up?

  1. Freedom

  2. Tolerance for others

  3. Style of living

  4. Dignity of man
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Freedom (or Liberty) is the fundamental pillar of a democratic setup, allowing citizens to participate in governance and express their will. While tolerance and dignity are essential democratic values, freedom is the primary prerequisite for a functioning democracy.

Multiple choice

The most crucial aspect of 'Public Administration' in a democracy is:

  1. ownership of Government

  2. publicness of Public Administration

  3. benefit of the political party in power

  4. public opinion about the services rendered by government
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The publicness of public administration refers to its unique characteristics such as accountability to the public and adherence to legal standards. In a democratic setup, this ensures that the administration serves the collective interest rather than private or partisan goals. It is the defining characteristic that separates it from private management.

Multiple choice

According to Robert Dahl, the evolution of a science of public administration is a problem because of the need to concentrate on:

  1. clarification of ends

  2. aspects of human behaviour

  3. integrated view of politics and administration

  4. comparative studies from which it may be possible to discover principle

Select the correct answer from the codes given below.

  1. 1 and 4

  2. 2 and 3

  3. 3 and 4

  4. 2 and 4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In his 1947 essay, Robert Dahl identified three problems for a science of public administration: the exclusion of normative values (ends), the exclusion of human behavior, and the exclusion of the social/comparative context. Statements 1, 2, and 4 represent these three problems. While option A is marked correct, it is technically incomplete as statement 2 is also a core problem identified by Dahl.

Multiple choice

Comparing the administrative systems of different countries is useful. Which of the following are reasons for this?

  1. It promotes democracy in the sense that democracy in administration is allowed to grow.
  2. It facilitates quick transplantation of western administrative institutions in aid-receiving countries
  3. It helps in formulating universal general principles concerning public administration
  4. It widens the scope for interaction among the countries concerned Choose the correct answer from the codes given below:

  1. 1 and 2

  2. 2 and 3

  3. 3 and 4

  4. 1 and 4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Comparative Public Administration (CPA) is useful because it helps identify universal principles that apply across different cultures (3) and encourages international cooperation and learning (4). Statement 2 is incorrect because CPA scholars actually caution against the 'quick transplantation' of Western models into developing nations. Statement 1 is too broad and not a primary academic reason for comparative study.

Multiple choice

The New Public Administration movement is mainly against:

  1. administrative centralization and neutrality of administration

  2. neutrality of administration and meritocracy

  3. meritocracy and political orientation of administration

  4. political orientation of administration and administrative centralization
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

New Public Administration (NPA) was a movement that challenged the traditional 'neutrality' of administrators, arguing that they should instead be committed to social equity. It also opposed rigid administrative centralization, advocating for decentralization and greater citizen participation. It did not oppose meritocracy itself, but rather the way meritocracy was used to maintain an unresponsive status quo.

Multiple choice

What is meant by totalitarianism?

  1. A political system that allows freedom of speech

  2. A political system that extensively regulates people's lives

  3. A political system that allows multi-party elections

  4. A political system that allows trade unionism
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Totalitarianism is a political system where the state recognizes no limits to its authority and strives to regulate every aspect of public and private life.

Multiple choice

For which of the following does the democracy not stand?

  1. Equality

  2. Liberty

  3. Fraternity

  4. Dynasty rule
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Democracy is built on principles of equality, liberty, and fraternity. Dynasty rule is antithetical to the democratic principle of equal opportunity and meritocratic leadership.

Multiple choice

Democracy can function successfully in a country if the people are

  1. physically strong and healthy

  2. patriots

  3. politically conscious

  4. basically honest
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

For a democracy to function, citizens must be aware of their rights, duties, and the issues affecting the nation. Political consciousness allows citizens to make informed decisions and hold the government accountable.

Multiple choice

Dictatorship is based on

  1. force and fear

  2. public opinion

  3. will of God

  4. allegiance of the Constitution
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Dictatorships typically rely on the suppression of dissent through force, intimidation, and fear. They lack the democratic foundation of public opinion or constitutional legitimacy.

Multiple choice

A representative government is not possible without

  1. political parties

  2. impartial election

  3. political consciousness among the people

  4. all the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A representative government requires political parties to organize views, impartial elections to ensure fairness, and political consciousness among the people to make informed choices.

Multiple choice

The real work of opposition party in a democratic country is

  1. to make delays in legislation

  2. to put obstacles in the way of the government of rival parties

  3. to topple down the government of rival parties

  4. to offer healthy criticism to the government of rival parties
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Correct answer is (4). 

Multiple choice

Which of the following is a demerit of the party system?

  1. It creates awakening among the masses who starts struggling for their demands.

  2. It compels the government to work according to public opinion.

  3. It leads government to introduce reforms.

  4. It divides the nation into several groups.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Correct answer is (4). 

Multiple choice

Political equality means

  1. every citizen should be given political education

  2. every citizen should be given a chance to work in the government turn by turn

  3. every citizen should be given right to vote and contest election

  4. every citizen should be a member of any political party
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Correct Answer: given the right to vote and contest election