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 power sharing in democracy power sharing democracy- an evolving idea political science social science

In coalition government, power sharing is _______.

  1. among different organs of government

  2. among governments at different levels

  3. by different social groups

  4. by two or more political parties
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
A government formed by the coming together of at least two political parties is known as a coalition government. Usually partners in a coalition form a political alliance and adopt a common programme.
Congress led coalition government is UPA whereas BJP led coalition is known as NDA.
Multiple choice power sharing in democracy power sharing democracy- an evolving idea political science social science

The concept of power sharing is based on the principle of ______________.

  1. Sovereignty.

  2. Distribution of powers

  3. Individuality

  4. Concentration of power
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Power sharing in any system is essential to prevent the misuse of the authority or power by concentrating in any one organ, department or person. Distribution of powers keep check on the functional authorities and keep every organ within checks and balances and ensure that given power is exercised in the best interests of people and nation. 

Multiple choice power sharing in democracy power sharing democracy- an evolving idea political science social science

In a coalition government, power sharing takes place among different _______________.

  1. Organs of government

  2. Levels of government

  3. Religious groups.

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

Coalition is the association of political parties having same ideologies or same interest for the purpose of political strength and maximum representation. In coalition government power sharing is among and between different political parties that are part of the coalition and decision is taken by each and every political party part of the representation

Multiple choice power sharing in democracy power sharing democracy- an evolving idea political science social science

Sharing of power among different levels of government is known as the _________________.

  1. Vertical power sharing.

  2. Horizontal power sharing

  3. Organizational power sharing.

  4. Regional power sharing.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Under Vertical power sharing, power sharing takes place among different levels of the government in the hierarchy. The lower organ works under the direction and supervision of the higher organ.

Multiple choice power sharing in democracy power sharing democracy- an evolving idea political science social science

The horizontal distribution of power sharing takes place between the _________________.

  1. Legislature and executive

  2. Executive and judiciary

  3. Legislature, executive and judiciary.

  4. Legislature, executive, judiciary and press.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Under Horizontal power sharing power is shared among different organs of the government namely Legislature, Executive and Judiciary. These organs works differently but at same footing. This kid of distribution of powers creates the system of checks and balances over the function of one organ by the other organ while entitling them to work in their  own spheres.

Multiple choice power sharing in democracy power sharing democracy- an evolving idea political science social science

Which form of power sharing is also termed as vertical division of power?

  1. Power shared among different organs of government.

  2. Power shared among different social groups.

  3. Power shared among different political parties, pressure groups and movements.

  4. Power shared among government at different levels.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The division of power involving higher and lower level of governments is called vertical division of power.

Multiple choice power sharing in democracy power sharing democracy- an evolving idea political science social science

Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. This system of power sharing can also be termed as ___________________.

  1. Unitary form of government

  2. Horizontal distribution of power

  3. Vertical division of power

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

Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. This is called horizontal distribution of power  because it allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers. 

Multiple choice power sharing in democracy power sharing democracy- an evolving idea political science social science

Federalism is a system of government in which the power is _____________________.

  1. Concentrated in a few hands

  2. Concentrated in the central government

  3. Divided between a central authority and various constituents

  4. Divided amongst various communities
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
Federalism is a system of government in which the power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units of the country.
 Usually, a federation has two levels of government.
 One is the government for the entire country that is usually responsible for a  few subjects of common national interest. The others are governments at the level of provinces or states that look after much of the day-to-day administering of their state. Both these levels of governments enjoy their power independent of the other.
Multiple choice power sharing in democracy power sharing democracy- an evolving idea political science social science

Which form of government is prevalent in Sri Lanka?

  1. Majoritarianism

  2. Federal

  3. Unitary government

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

The Sri Lanka has Unitary Form of Government in which states are in subjugation to the center. It has semi presidential government system where two executives are present i.e. President along side with the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.

Multiple choice power sharing in democracy power sharing democracy- an evolving idea political science social science

Federal power-sharing is more effective today than in the past mainly because ________________________.

  1. It is the age of coalition governments at the centre

  2. States today are more conscious of their rights

  3. Centre today depends more on states

  4. There are more powerful leaders at the state level
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

After 1990, India saw the rise of regional political parties. This was also the beginning of the era of coalition government at the Centre. Since no single party got a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, the major national parties had to enter into an alliance with many parties including several regional parties to form a government at the Centre. This led to a new culture of power sharing and respect for the autonomy of State Governments. Thus, federal power-sharing is more effective today than it was in the early years after the Constitution came into force.

Multiple choice power sharing in democracy power sharing democracy- an evolving idea political science social science

Sharing of power between different organs of the Government such as legislature, executive and judiciary is called ___________.

  1. Vertical power-sharing

  2. Horizontal power-Sharing

  3. Circular power-sharing

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation
Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. This is known as the horizontal distribution of power because it allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers. Such separation ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited power. Each organ checks the others. 
Multiple choice power sharing in democracy power sharing democracy- an evolving idea political science social science

Belgium government is a good example of ______________.

  1. Monarchy

  2. Community government

  3. Unitary government

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

In Belgium apart from the Central and the State Government, there is a third kind of government. This ‘community government’ is elected by people belonging to one language community – Dutch, French, and German-speaking – no matter where they live. This government has the power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues. In Belgium, the leaders have realized that the unity of the country is possible only by respecting the feelings and interests of different communities and regions. Such a realization resulted in mutually acceptable arrangements for sharing power. 

Multiple choice power sharing in democracy power sharing democracy- an evolving idea political science social science

Match Column I (forms of power sharing) with Column II (forms of government) and select the correct answer using the codes given below in the lists:

Column I Column II
A. Power shared among different organs of government. I. Community government
B. Power shared among governments at different levels. II. Separation of powers
C.  Power shared by different social groups. III. Coalition government
D. Power shared by two or more political parties. IV. Federal government

  1. A - IV, B - I, C - II, D - III

  2. A - II, B - III, C - IV, D - I

  3. A - II, B - IV, C - I, D - III

  4. A - III, B - IV, C - I, D - II
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

i) Power shared among different levels of government- Separation of powers

ii) Power shared among governments at different levels- Federal government
iii) Power shared by different social groups- Community government
iv) Power shared by two or more political parties- Coalition government.

Multiple choice power sharing in democracy power sharing democracy- an evolving idea political science social science

Under federalism, the levels of governments are ________.

  1. Only one

  2. Two levels

  3. Three levels

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The three levels of government are local, state and federal. Local governments govern counties, cities, and towns. State governments rule over states, and the federal government rules the country as a whole. A local city government may be led by an elected mayor or a board of supervisors. It provides police, fire protection services and sanitation.

Multiple choice civics urban local government bodies local self - government - urban local self government - urban local self government- urban

The Municipal Council is the form of the local government body for _________.

  1. Small cities

  2. Big cities

  3. Metropolitan cities

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Municipal Councils are established for the administration of towns and smaller cities. They are also known as municipalities, municipal committee, municipal board, etc. It has three authorities, namely, the council, the standing committee, and the chief executive officer.