Political Systems and Government

Correct Answer: Cabinet responsibility to legislature

When the Government takes over an existing private concern, it is called nationalisation.

Heterarchy refers to a system of rule where foreign power governs a territory, distinct from other forms like kritarchy (rule by judges) or hagiocracy (rule by saints). This is an obscure political science term.

The term 'Duma' refers to the elected legislative body in Russia. The State Duma is the lower house of the Russian Federal Assembly. Historically, the Duma was established by Tsar Nicholas II in 1905 as part of the October Manifesto, following the Russian Revolution of 1905. It represents an elected parliamentary body in the Russian political system.

Democracy is a government system where power is held by the people - they exercise it directly or through elected representatives. This famous phrase comes from Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. A dictator rules alone, an actor performs, and democracy is the correct answer.

 Despotism is a form of government in which one person holds supreme power.

Kakistocracy is rule by the worst or least qualified citizens (from Greek 'kakistos' meaning worst). Despotism is rule by one with absolute power, oligarchy is rule by a small elite, and census is a population count.

Autocracy refers to a system of government by one person with absolute power. The autocrat holds supreme authority and is not restricted by laws, constitutions, or opposition. This differs from democracy where power is distributed among many.

The Morley-Minto Reforms (Indian Councils Act of 1909) are primarily known for introducing the system of Separate Electorates for Muslims. This allowed Muslims to vote only for Muslim candidates, effectively institutionalizing communal politics. This was done at the insistence of the Muslim League and is seen as the first official acceptance of the two-nation theory principle. The reforms did not create dyarchy (that came in 1919) or provincial autonomy (that came in 1935).

Elections are the most effective means of citizen control over administration because they allow citizens to directly choose their representatives and hold them accountable through the power of voting. Unlike lobbies, media, or committees, voting gives citizens direct decision-making power.

Herman Finer defined civil service as a professional, permanent, paid, and skilled body of officials. This emphasizes key characteristics: professional expertise, continuity (permanence), salary-based employment, and specialized skills required for effective governance.

A bureau is an administrative unit where power is vested in a single individual (the bureau chief). In contrast, councils, committees, and boards are collective decision-making bodies where power is distributed among multiple members.

Committed bureaucracy refers to a bureaucratic system fully aligned with and committed to implementing the ruling political party's programs. Unlike 'politicized bureaucracy' (which implies partisan manipulation), committed bureaucracy actively supports the government's policy agenda.

Audit of State Government comes under the Union List (Entry 77). The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audits both central and state governments, making it a Union subject. State subjects (Item 2) exclude audit.