Civics Polity

Political Systems and Government

1,786 Questions

Political systems and government frameworks determine how power is distributed and exercised within a society. This topic covers concepts like democracies, republics, meritocracies, and the separation of powers. It is a vital part of the polity syllabus for various competitive examinations.

Types of governmentSeparation of powersPolitical legitimacyDelegation of authorityDecision making structures

Political Systems and Government Questions

Multiple choice

When a higher official confers authority on a lower official to take decision, it is known as:

  1. discretion

  2. decentralization

  3. delegation

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

Delegation is the process where a superior assigns authority to a subordinate to perform specific tasks or make decisions. While the superior remains accountable for the outcome, the subordinate is given the power to act within a defined scope. This is a fundamental principle of organizational management used to distribute workload and empower lower-level officials.

Multiple choice

According to dictionary, the meaning of administration is:

  1. management of functions

  2. to run the government

  3. service

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

The word administration is derived from Latin 'ad' and 'ministrare', meaning to serve or to manage. In a general dictionary sense, it refers to the management of affairs or functions. While it is used in government contexts, its core definition is broader than just politics or the state.

Multiple choice

Who defines that 'Public Administration consists of all those operations having for their purpose and fulfilment or enforcement of public policy?'

  1. Willoughby

  2. L.D. White

  3. Woodrow Wilson

  4. Luther Gullick
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Leonard D. White provided this classic definition in his book Introduction to the Study of Public Administration. He viewed public administration as the execution of public policy. This perspective is central to the traditional view of the field.

Multiple choice

If the Public Administration consists of all the functions of government, then it will be:

  1. narrow view of Public Administration

  2. broader view of Public Administration

  3. managerial view of Public Administration

  4. subject-matter view of Public Administration
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The broader view of public administration includes all three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. In contrast, the narrow view focuses only on the executive branch. This inclusive perspective sees administration as the total activity of government.

Multiple choice

The implication of 'Public' in Public Administration is:

  1. state

  2. people

  3. executive

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

In the field of Public Administration, the term public is used to signify the governmental nature of the activity. It indicates that the administration is carried out by state agencies and is funded by the taxpayer. This distinguishes it from private administration, which operates for individual or corporate interests.

Multiple choice

The most significant difference between public and private administration lies in:

  1. accountability

  2. concern for productivity

  3. uniformity of structures

  4. legal basis
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

While both types of administration use similar management techniques, public administration is accountable to the public and the legislature. Private administration is primarily accountable to owners or shareholders. This difference in accountability structures dictates the transparency and legal constraints of the public sector.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements: Public Administration is different from Private Administration for it

  1. has to provide socially essential public services
  2. has to protect and promote public interest
  3. is subject to public accountability
  4. can show differential treatment to different people Which of these is/are correct?

  1. Only 1

  2. 1 and 2

  3. 2, 3 and 4

  4. 1, 2 and 3

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Public administration is defined by its focus on essential public services, the promotion of public interest, and its accountability to the public. Unlike private administration, it is generally expected to treat all citizens uniformly rather than showing differential treatment.

Multiple choice

`New Public Administration'

  1. closely associated with numerous private groups and individuals

  2. concerned with bureaucracy and its activities

  3. accepts a rational and deterministic view of mankind

  4. stresses ethics, values, innovation and social equality
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

New Public Administration (NPA) emerged in the late 1960s as a response to the traditional, value-neutral approach of public administration. It emphasizes social equity, ethics, and innovation to make administration more responsive to societal needs. Unlike traditional models, it rejects the idea of a purely rational and value-free bureaucracy.

Multiple choice

Which of the following are reasons or facts that made Goodnow separate the spheres of Politics and Administration?

  1. Both were separate disciplines.

  2. Separation of powers provided the basis of distinction.

  3. He was keen to promote Administration as an independent discipline.

  4. Politics and Administration are two separate functions of government.

Choose the correct answer by using the codes given below:

  1. 1, 2 and 3

  2. 1, 2 and 4

  3. 1, 3 and 4

  4. 2, 3 and 4
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Frank Goodnow, in his work 'Politics and Administration' (1900), argued that politics and administration are two distinct functions of government: politics as the expression of the state's will and administration as its execution. He used the separation of powers as a conceptual basis (2) and sought to establish administration as an independent discipline (3) with its own functional sphere (4). Statement 1 is a result of this distinction rather than a primary reason for it, but it is often included in this context.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the option that substitutes the following phrase.

Government by small groups of powerful people

  1. Oligarchy

  2. Small group

  3. Support by small group

  4. Members of small group
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

An oligarchy is a form of government where power is held by a small group of people, often distinguished by wealth, family, or military power. This contrasts with a democracy, where power is held by the people, or an autocracy, where one person holds power. The term is derived from Greek words meaning 'few' and 'to rule'.

Multiple choice

Directions: One of the given four words can be used as a substitute for the stem.

A system of government by one person with absolute power

  1. Autocracy

  2. Democracy

  3. Monarchy

  4. Plutocracy

  5. .
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

 Here, autocracy is the correct option. Democracy is a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. Monarchy is a form of government with a monarch at the head and plutocracy is the government by the wealthy.