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 softskills communication
  1. capital

  2. federal

  3. creole

  4. collectivism

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

A federal system describes a political structure where states are united under a central government but retain independence in internal matters. 'Capital' refers to a city, not a system. 'Creole' refers to people of mixed descent. 'Collectivism' is a social/cultural philosophy, not a political structure.

Multiple choice softskills planning
  1. Plutocracy

  2. Oligarchy

  3. Aristocracy

  4. Bureaucracy

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

Plutocracy comes from the Greek word 'ploutos' meaning wealth, referring to a system where the wealthy hold power. Oligarchy is rule by a few, Aristocracy is rule by the elite/best, and Bureaucracy refers to administration by officials.

Multiple choice softskills communication
  1. large

  2. dependent

  3. democracy

  4. autocracy

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

Tyranny refers to cruel and oppressive government or rule, typically by one person (autocracy). "Democracy" is the opposite concept. "Large" and "dependent" don't capture the meaning of oppressive power.

Multiple choice softskills communication
  1. Totalitarian

  2. Egalitarian

  3. Utalitarian

  4. Democracy

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

An egalitarian system emphasizes equality among all citizens, making option B correct. Totalitarian concentrates power in one authority. Democracy involves voting rights but egalitarian specifically emphasizes equality as the core principle. Option C appears to be a misspelling or nonexistent term.

Multiple choice softskills communication
  1. Absence of governing body

  2. Disputatious,

  3. Autonomous, self governing

  4. Injure, Spoil

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

Anarchy refers to the absence of a formal governing body or political authority. It can describe a state of society where there is no recognized government, or political disorder and confusion resulting from this absence.

Multiple choice
  1. the police

  2. the press

  3. the judiciary

  4. the ministry

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

The 'Fourth Estate' refers to the press and journalism. The term originated from the traditional three estates (clergy, nobility, commoners) and highlights the media's role in society as a watchdog and informer. The police, judiciary, and ministry are part of the executive and judicial branches, not the fourth estate.

Multiple choice
  1. The Khalisa administration was done by the central bureaucracy.

  2. The income of Khalisa regions reached the royal treasury.

  3. Generally the Khalisa regions were controlled through Amirs.

  4. All of the above

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

Khalisa lands were territories directly administered by the Sultan, not through intermediaries like Amirs or local chiefs. The revenue from these lands went straight to the royal treasury, making option B correct. Option A is incorrect because Khalisa administration was handled by royal officers directly appointed by the Sultan, not by the general central bureaucracy. Option C is wrong since the defining feature of Khalisa was direct royal control, bypassing the Amirs altogether.

Multiple choice
  1. an official or judicial command

  2. a non-official command

  3. a non-judicial command

  4. a legislative command

  5. None of these

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

Authority is the power to determine, adjudicate or otherwise settle issues or disputes; the right to control, command or determine. 

Multiple choice
  1. The government has two distinct levels, state government and central government.

  2. State governments are agents of central government.

  3. Both central and state government derive powers from the Constitution.

  4. Both central and state government have co-ordinate status.

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

Part XI(11) of the Indian constitution defines the power distribution between the federal government (the Centre) and the States in India. Both central and state government doesn't have co-ordinate status.

Multiple choice
  1. Centre’s control of the state in the legislative sphere.

  2. Centre’s control of the state in financial matters.

  3. Centre’s control of the state in administrative sector.

  4. Centre’s control of the state in planning process.

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

Due to centre’s control of the state in planning process Centre – State relation termed as municipal relation.

Multiple choice
  1. external sovereignty

  2. internal sovereignty through constitutional revolutionary processes

  3. Prime Minister

  4. the administrative system

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

(2) “Succession of Government” means change of internal sovereignty through constitutional revolutionary processes.