ISC Political Science Previous Year Question Paper

2015 Solved for Class 12

Maximum Marks: 80
Time allowed: Three hours

 Candidates are allowed additional 15 minutes for only reading the

paper. They must NOT start writing during this time.
 Answer Question 1 (Compulsory) from Part I and five questions from
Part II, choosing two questions from Section A, two questions from
Section B and one question from either Section A or Section B.
 The intended marks for questions or parts of questions are given in
brackets [ ].

Part—I
(Compulsory)

Question 1. .
Answer briefly each of the questions (i) to (xv): [15 x 2]
(i) State Aristotle’s Theory of Cyclic Change.
(ii) Give an example of a Federal State and a Quasi Federal State.
(iii) Mention any two merits of a Parliamentary System of Government.
(iv) State any two conventions of the written constitution of the United States of
America.
(v) Define cumulative vote system.
(vi) Explain the meaning of Psychological Basis for the organization of political
parties f*
(vii) Flow has the judicial review undermined the legislature ?
(viii) What is the tenure of the President of USA ? How many terms can the US
President serve?
(ix) Name the two conventions that are followed
while appointing the British Prime Minister.
(x) Explain the statement ‘American President can pigeon hole any bill’.
(xi) Why is the judiciary in USA called the two tier system ?
(xii) State what is meant by open trial system.
(xiii) Explain the meaning of Jury System.
(xiv) What is casteism ?
(xv) State the importance of reforms in the education system to check communalism
under strengthening Indian Democracy.
Answer:
(ii) Federal state is one that brings together a number of different political
communities with a common government for common purposes, and separate
“state” or “provincial” or “cantonal” governments for the specific needs of each
community. USA is an example of Federal State. Quasi federal state on the other
hand refers to a union of states under a central government; rather ‘ than the
individual governments of the separate states. India is by constitution a federal
republic, but in reality functions as a quasi-federal state.
(iii) The two merits of a parliamentary system of government are as follows :

 It is faster and easier to pass legislation.

 Power is more divided and more evenly spread out in the power
structure of parlia mentarianism.

(iv) Senatorial courtesy and Judicial review are the two written conventions of
constitution of USA.

(v) This method of minority representation facilitates creation of multi-member

constituencies and each voter is given as many votes as is the number of
representatives which are to be elected, and each voter has the freedom either to
give all his votes to any one candidate or to distribute his votes among as many
candidates as he wishes. For example, if from a constituency four representatives
are to be elected, each voter gets four votes. Each voter can give all his four votes
either to one candidate or to two or three or four candidates of his choice. Now the
voters belonging to a minority community can get their candidates elected by
accumulating all their votes behind their candidate/candidates. In this way, it is
regarded as a method of minority representation.

(vii) The constitution becomes a tool in the hands of the judiciary. Judiciary gets the
chance to give meaning to laws passed by the representatives of the people.

Judicial Review has unduly enhanced the prestige of the judiciary vis-a-vis the
legislature. It behaves like a third cahmber of legislature with only a negative power
of rejecting the laws.

Judicial Review creates complications because of the fact that on several occasions
a law is declared ultra vires by the court several years after its enactment by the
legislature and enforcement by the executive.

(viii) The President of USA is elected for a term of 4 years. No President may serve
more than two four year terms. He or she can serve additionally for a maximum of
two years in case he or she took over as President under some other President’s
term.

(x) This means the President of America has the right to not assign or hear debate
on the bill. If he feels that a bill is not appropriate for discussion he may decide not to
hear the same as in case he feels that the bill is not as per the letter and spirit of the
constitution.

(xi) While there are similar premises of justice for all citizens, there is reasonable
immunity for high level government officials who commit felonies like obstruction of
justice, . eavesdropping etc. This is referred as the two-tier system.
(xiii) It is a legal system for determining the facts at issue in a law suit. The system
consists of twelve people who sit in criminal and civil events to make decisions on
matters of facts. In England there is an approximate 800 year history of the jury
system.

(xiv) Casteism is the belief in, and adherence to the caste system. It involves
separation on the basis of caste. For example, in India the Caste System constituted
four major categories namely Brahmins, Khastriyas, Vaishyas and Sudras. While
Brahmins were engaged in spiritual work, Khastriyas were into warfare and Vaishyas
did business. Sudras were required to menial work.

(xv) Education system reforms can inculcate learning on diversity of culture. This
would allow appreciation of the differences among different groups of people and
higher levels of tolerance, thus, strengthening Indian Democracy.

Part—II
Section—A
Answer two questions

Question 2.
(a) C.F. Strong has suggested a modern classification of States, Explain the same,
with the help of examples. [8]
(b) Discuss any six merits under Indian Constitution of liberal democracy. [6]
Answer:
(b) The six merits under Indian Constitution of liberal democracy are as follows :
It offers the right to vote to all the adult citizens : In a democratic country all the
citizens above 18 years can elect their representatives through electoral process.
They can also participate in decision-making process on various issues related to
politics, economy and society. Even the President of the country who is responsible
for taking the major decisions is also indirectly elected by the people.

It offers the opportunity to bring change : The elected officials can’t stay in power for
a long time. In case, the perfor-mance of the officials is not satisfactory, people can
bring about a change by not supporting them.

It offers opportunity for the representation to people : The elected leaders are
people’s representative. People have the right to elect the candidate whom they
consider as capable.

It promotes participation of the people : A democratic government allows people to

participate in the decision-making process. Thus, it helps in inculcating a sense of
belongingness to the people. As the citizens have freedom to vote, they can consider
themselves as a significant part of the society. Moreover, it also enables the citizens
to make a difference in the society they are living through the electoral process.
It helps in promoting equality : All the citizens are considered equal in front of law
and every citizen above 18 years has a right to vote regardless of gender, caste or
creed.

It enables people to give voice to their issues : People have freedom to carry rallies
to hold assemblies to raise their issues. In case the citizens are not happy with the
working of the government or against some policy of the government can express
their views openly against it.

Question 3.
(a) Distinguish between the unitary form of government and the federal form of
government. [8]
(b) Discuss any six merits of a Presidential form of Government. [6]
Answer:
(a) A unitary form of government is one wherein all the powers are concentrated in
the hands of the central government. The central government delegates authority to
local units which are created by it. These local units are referred as local
governments. Countries like England, France, and Japan have Unitary
Governments. Unitary Governments are suitable for smaller countries.

K. C. Where describes the federal principle as the method of divided power so that
the general and regional governments are each within a sphere co-ordinate and
independent.

Federalism is the theory of federal political order, wherein final authority is divided
between sub-units and a center. Unlike a unitary state, sovereignty is constitutionally
split at two tiers. Unlike Unitary form, in the Federal system the Constitution has
absolute supremacy. There is also devolution of powers between the central
government and state governments. Further an independent judiciary is a key
feature of Federalism. The Indian system is relatively federal in nature with states
enjoying reasonable powers on a number of subjects like law and order. The
Judiciary in India too is independent and often gives verdicts which go against the
governments.

(b) Merits of Presidential Form of Government :

It guarantees stable government : In a Presidential form of government, the
govern¬ment becomes stable, because the President is elected for a fixed tenure
and he cannot be removed from his office through a vote of no¬confidence. He can
only be removed from his office through the process of impeachment, in case he or
she violates the constitution.

Such system is most suitable for emergencies : In a Presidential form of government,

real powers of the government rest with the President. During a War or any other
emergency, after consulting his or her administrators, the President can take a
number of decisions independently. In the case of US, during war and emergency,
the Congress also delegates its numerous powers to the President. Thus President
in the US can be authoritative while dealing
with eme-gencies as during the World Wars.
Efficiency in administration : As the President is empowered to appoint adminis-
trative heads on the basis of ability rather than political affiliation they are responsible
to the President and not to the parliament. This ensures administrative efficiency.

Less influence of political parties : Compared to the Parliamentary government there

is less influence of political parties in this system. This ensures less dependence on
the Parliament for execution of functions.

Strong Executive : Executive is independent of day-to-day interference of legislature,

hence forms a stronger organ of functioning.

Expert Ministers : A Presidential form of government is government by professionals

and experts.

Question 4.
(a) The distinction between a written and unwritten constitution is a false one.
Discuss this statement. [8]
(b) Explain any three merits and any three demerits of a rigid constitution. [6]
Answer:
(a) (i) The essential features of a written constitution and an unwritten constitution
are as follows:
(1) Written Constitution:

 A written constitution means a constituion written in the form of a book

or a series of documents combined in the form of a book.
 It provides for a definite design of Government institutions, their
organisations, powers, functions and inter-relationships.
 It is consciously planned and enacted constitution which is formulated
and adopted by a constituent assembly or a council or convention or a
legislature.

(2) Unwritten Constitution:

 An unwritten constitution means a constitution is not in the written form

of a book and it is not drafted or enacted by a constituent assembly.
 The Government is organised and it functions in accordance with the
several well settled laws and several unwritten conventions.
 The people know their constitution and they accept and obey it, but they
do not possess it in the written form.

(ii) Constitutions are classified as written and unwritten. Such a classification is,
however, of little practical importance. As Wheare observes, “we cannot agree that
there is any country, least of all, the United Kingdom, which has a system of
government embodied solely in written rules or solely in unwritten rules.” The
distinction between written and unwritten constitution is illusory. The bulk of the rules
regulating the fundamental political institutions of a country may be written down in a
document or documents. The written constitutions are framed by a representative
body called, Constituent Assembly. For example, the USA and India have a written
constitutional document. On the other hand, the constitution of a country is said to be
unwritten, when most of the rules governing its fundamental political institutions are
found in customs, usages and conventions, as is the case in U.K.

It follows therefore, that constitutions can hardly be classified into written and
unwritten types in absolute term. The distinction is really a superfluous one.

(b) Merits of Rigid Constitution :

 The ruling class cannot misuse the constitution for its vested interest.
 Rigidity provides legitimacy to the constitution. It earns the respect of all
as it cannot be easily abused for vested motives.
 A rigid constitution ensures protection of the fundamental rights of
citizens.

Demerits of Rigid Constitution :

 As the amendment procedure of a rigid constitution is very difficult, it

can cause problems for the country.
 A rigid constitution is likely to fail to cope with changing times and
environment. Thus the country may fail to keep pace with social, political
and economic changes.
 When people feel that a rigid constitution comes in the way of the
national legislature towards managing disasters or ensuring equality etc.
They are likely to approach the judiciary to intervene. This naturally
exposes the constitution to judicial intervention.

Section—B
Answer three questions

Question 5.
(a) Explain how the system of checks and balances makes the theory of separation
of powers workable in the United States. [8]
(b) Why is Universal Adult Franchise the most accepted form of Representation in a
modern state ? [6]
Answer 5.
(b) The popularity of the Adult Franchise is linked to certain clear benefits :
It is based on political equality : The system is truly in alignment with democratic
values as it gives political equality to all the citizens irrespective of their caste, creed,
sex, religion, wealth etc.

Promotes national unity : Adult franchise spreads the message that all the citizens
are equal and no one is more privileged. This naturally promotes the cause of
national unity.
Political awakening : The system arouses thoughts of political awakening among all
the citizens. They are in a position to safeguard their rights and freedoms. This
inculcates a sense of responsibility among them.

Question 6.
(a) What is meant by the sovereignty of the British Parliament ? What are its
limitations ? [8]
(b) Make a comparative study of US House of Representatives and the British House
of Commons. [6]

Question 7.
(a) Explain the reasons why the power of the Executive has grown in recent years.
[8]
(b) State the main difference between the political executive and the permanent
executive. [6]
Answer 7.
(a) Factors responsible for the increase in the power the executive :

The Rise of the Welfare State : In the 19th century, the state used to be a police
state having the responsibility of performing only the protection functions for the
people. It has little role to play towards the promotion of social economic and cultural
interests of the people. However, in the 20th century, the state got transformed into a
welfare state responsible for performing social economic development functions
along with the traditional protection functions. A big increase took place in the
functions of the state and it came to be an administrative welfare state. Naturally, it
led to a big increase in the functions of the executive. In the 21st century, the era of
globalization has opened and this has given a new push to the functions of the
executive.

System of Delegated Legislation : When the legislature delegates its law-making

powers to the executive and the latter makes laws on the basis of the delegated
powers, the system is called Delegated Legislation. Several factors increased
pressure of work, lack of expert and technical knowledge, the technical nature of
modem law-making, the paucity of time and the rise of welfare administration always
compel a modem legislature to delegate its law-making powers to the executive. This
has considerably strengthened the position of executive. At times, the legislature
finds it essential even to delegate abnormal law-making powers to the executive.
Ever- increasing scope of delegated legislation has been responsible for a big
increase in the powers of the executive.

System of Administrative Justice : A modem executive has come to acquire and

perform several quasi-judicial functions for meeting the new needs resulting from the
rise of a complex industrial society. Cases involving grant of permits, licenses,
quotas and tax-cases are today being adjudicated by the executive. It has increased
the powers of the executive in a big way.

Important Functions of Executive : In contemporary times, the most important

functions of the government have come to be conduct of international relations, war
and peace functions, international trade, import and export regime, international
finance, security of the state, treaty-making, fighting the menace of terrorism, fiscal
management and the like. All these functions are the functions of the executive.
Naturally therefore, the role and importance of the executive has registered a big
growth in contemporary times.

Planning Functions : The executive has the responsibility to make social economic
development plans, to get these carried through in the legislature and then to
implement these in actual practice. The executive prepares and implements
developmental programmes and leads the process of social economic development.
This has been a source of big increase is the powers of the executive.

Decline in the Role of the Legislature : The legislature in every state has virtually
suffered a decline. It has become a talking shop. Intense party politics which
characterizes its functioning has adversely affected its working. Dependence upon
the system of delegated legislature has further declined the role of legislature. The
loss of legislature has been a gain of the executive.

The availability of the Services of Civil Servants : One part of the executive consists
of the expert, trained and a professional class of civil servants. The civil servants are
a source of expertise and professionalism for the executive. The political executive
always utilizes their services as the civil servants work under the political-leadership
of the political executive makes the executive an efficient and strong organ of the
state. The executive, as such, has come to be in a position to use its powers and
perform its functions in a vigorous way. This has been a source of increase in its
powers.

Executive’s Control over Military and Police : The defense of the security of the state
against foreign aggressions and threats has been a key function of the executive.
Likewise, the executive has the responsibility to maintain law and order in the
country. For this it has at its disposal the services of military, police and para-military
forces. It has indeed been a source of strength for the executive.

The power to meet emergencies and the power to provide relief to the people : It is
the prime responsibility of the executive to deal with emergencies and natural
calamities. The executive provides relief to the victims of all natural and man-made
calamities. This has been a factor in the increase in the role and importance of the
executive. Due to all these factors the power of the executive has grown and is still
growing. Increased power and role of the executive is a reality of our times. It
appears to be a natural phenomenon, in fact a natural necessity of a complex
industrial society.

It is also a necessary condition for the development of a developing country.

Consequently, the power of executive has grown in all countries both developed and
developing, Western as well as Eastern, Asian, African, European, Latin American
and in fact in all parts of the world without any exception.
(b) The differences between the political executive and the permanent executive :
Permanent executives are also known as “non-elected” executives whereas Political
executives are “non-permanent” elected executives. While the former are not directly
answerable to the people, the latter are accountable to the citizens who elected
them.

Permanent executives usually have a very long term i.e., they do not leave office
until and unless they retire, but political executives leave office as soon as their short
term gets over.

Permanent executives are necessarily experts in their areas but political executives
may or may not be experts in their areas.

Permanent executives get their designation and office through standard selection
procedures whereas political executives get elected.

Question 8.
(a) Discuss the functions of the Judiciary. [8]
(b) Discuss the original and appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India. [6]
Answer:
(a) Some of the functions of the Judiciary are as follows:
Judicial Functions : When a dispute is brought before a court, it is the responsibility
of the court to ‘determine the facts’ involved. The court studies the facts presented
through evidence by the contesting parties. The Judiciary takes up the role of the
interpreter of the laws.

Law-making Functions : The judiciary while interpreting the existing laws also
performs the role of lawmaker. Infact ‘judge- made’ laws are common to all systems
of jurisprudence. Such occasions may arise when the provisions of the existing laws
may be ambiguous, or sometimes two or more laws appear to be in conflict. Herein
the judiciary plays an important role in determining what the law is and when two
laws apparently conflict, which one shall prevail.

Guardianship of the Constitution : In federal States like India and the USA the
judiciary is the guardian of the Constitution. In federal States conflict in jurisdiction
and authority is common, as there are multiple law making and executive authorities.
Under circumstances, the judiciary plays the role of an umpire and regulates the
legal actions of the States and Central governments.

Advisory Jurisdiction : Some national judiciaries possess advisory jurisdiction. For

instance, the President of India may seek the advice of the Supreme Court of India
on any proposed legislation.

(b) Appellate Jurisdiction of Supreme Court : The Supreme Court of India has
Original, Appellate and Advisory Jurisdiction. Its exclusive original Jurisdiction
extends to any dispute between the Government of India and one or more States of
the Indian Union or between one or more States. Article 32 of the Constitution grants
an extensive original jurisdiction to the Supreme Court in regard to enforcement of
Fundamental Rights. It is empowered to issue directions, orders or writs including
writs in the nature of habeas corpus to enforce them. The Supreme Court may direct
transfer of any civil or criminal case from one State High Court to another State High
Court or from a lower Court to a higher Court.

The appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court can be invoked in respect of any
judgement, decree or final order of a High Court for both civil and criminal cases,
involving substantial questions of law as to the interpretation of the Constitution.
Appeals also lie to the Supreme Court in civil matters if the High Court concerned
certifies: (a) that the case involves a substantial question of law of general
importance, and (b) that, in the opinion of the High Court, the said question needs to
be decided by the Supreme Court.

In criminal cases, an appeal lies to the Supreme Court if the High Court (a) has on
appeal reversed an order of acquittal of an accused person and sentenced him to
death or life imprisonment or for a period of not less than 10 years, or (b) has
withdrawn for trial before itself any case from any lower Court to its authority and has
in such trial convicted the accused and sentenced him to death or to imprisonment
for life or for a period of not less than 10 years, or (c) certified that the case is fit for
appeal to the Supreme Court.

Parliament is also authorized to confer on the Supreme Court any further powers to
entertain appeals from any judgement, final order or sentence in a criminal
proceeding of a High Court.

Question 9.
(a) State any two consequences of regional imbalances. Suggest six steps for
removing regional imbalances. [8]
(b) Give any six ways to combat Separatism. [6]

ISC Class 12 Political Science Previous Year Question Papers