Grassroots Democracy-Governance Social Science Class 6 In English-CBSE Notes

Chapter 10. Grassroots Democracy

Governance

Governance means the process of taking decisions, organising society according to rules and ensuring that these rules are followed.

• Human beings live together in families, communities and societies.
• When many people live together, different opinions and disagreements may arise.
• Rules are needed to maintain order and harmony.
• Rules are found in homes, schools, workplaces, roads and other places.
• Governance involves making decisions for the proper functioning of society.
• It also involves making and implementing rules.
• Good governance ensures that rules are properly followed.
• Citizens can also have a say in the laws and rules that govern society.

Rules

Rules are guidelines that tell people what they should or should not do in a particular situation or place.

• Rules help maintain discipline and order.
• Rules are necessary when people live and work together.
• Different places and institutions may have different rules.
• Home, school, workplace and roads all have rules.
• Rules can be changed when circumstances or needs change.
• Following common rules helps prevent disorder and conflict.

Laws

Laws are some of the most important rules made by the government for society.

• Laws regulate the behaviour and activities of people in society.
• Government makes laws for the proper functioning of society.
• Laws are implemented by the executive.
• Courts deal with violations of laws.
• Laws can be updated, changed or removed when necessary.
• Citizens can participate in the democratic process through which laws are made and changed.

Government

Government is the group of individuals or the system that makes rules and ensures that they are followed.

• No country can function properly without government and governance.
• Government makes important rules and laws.
• Government implements laws and policies.
• Government maintains law and order.
• Government provides many public services.
• Government works at different levels.
• In India, government functions at the local, State and Central or Union levels.

Governance and Government – Difference

Why Do We Need Government?

• Government is necessary to maintain order in society.
• It makes laws and rules for society.
• It ensures that laws are implemented.
• It maintains law and order.
• It provides various public services.
• It deals with matters affecting large numbers of people.
• It helps coordinate actions during emergencies and disasters.
• It represents the collective system through which society is governed.

Government and Public Life

The government affects many aspects of our everyday life through laws, public services, administration and policies.

• Government is involved in many public services.
• It makes rules relating to different areas of public life.
• It develops policies for the country and its people.
• It maintains systems required for the smooth functioning of society.
• Technological changes can create new challenges that require new laws.

Example – Cybercrime

• Digital technology has changed the way people communicate and transfer money.
• Earlier, people used methods such as money orders and demand drafts for certain transactions.
• Today, digital methods allow money to be transferred almost instantly.
• Digital technology has also created new forms of crime called cybercrime.
• Governments have made laws to deal with such criminal activities.
• People accused of crimes may be arrested and brought before courts.
• Courts decide whether the law has been broken and what action should be taken.
• This example shows how the three organs of government work together.

Three Organs of Government

A modern government has three main organs or branches: Legislature, Executive and Judiciary.

Legislature

Legislature is the organ of government that makes new laws.

• The legislature makes laws for society.
• It can also update existing laws.
• It may remove laws when necessary.
• It consists of assemblies of representatives of the people.
• Representatives discuss laws and different issues.
• Different opinions are considered through discussion and debate.

Executive

Executive is the organ of government that implements or executes laws.

• The executive implements laws made by the legislature.
• It includes the head of state, ministers and agencies responsible for administration.
• It is responsible for enforcing law and order.
• Police and other agencies may work under the executive to enforce laws.
• The executive takes necessary administrative action according to laws and policies.

Judiciary

Judiciary is the system of courts that decides whether someone has broken the law and what action should be taken.

• Courts decide cases involving violations of law.
• The judiciary can determine punishment when necessary.
• It can examine whether a decision taken by the executive is appropriate.
• It can examine whether a law passed by the legislature is well conceived and fair.
• The judiciary therefore plays an important role in maintaining justice and balance.

Three Organs – Easy Revision

• Legislature → Makes Laws
• Executive → Implements Laws
• Judiciary → Interprets Laws and Decides Legal Matters

Separation of Powers

Separation of powers means keeping the three organs of government separate while allowing them to interact and work together.

• The legislature, executive and judiciary have different roles.
• They should not be completely controlled by the same group.
• Each organ has its own expected role.
• They can interact and cooperate with one another.
• Separation of powers helps prevent excessive concentration of power.
• It is an important feature of good governance.

Checks and Balances

Checks and balances means that each organ of government can check what the other organs are doing and help restore balance when necessary.

• Each organ has its own responsibilities.
• One organ can check the actions of another.
• This helps prevent misuse of power.
• It helps maintain balance among the three organs.
• It supports good governance.

Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances – Difference

Three Levels of Government

Democratic governments operate at multiple levels. In India, government functions at three levels: Local, State and Central/Union.

• Local Government – Works at the town or village level.
• State Government – Works at the State or regional level.
• Central/Union Government – Works at the national level.
• Different levels deal with different kinds of matters.
• The three levels can cooperate when a problem is too large for one level to handle alone.

Why Do We Need Three Levels of Government?

• Different problems affect different areas and groups of people.
• Local problems can often be handled at the local level.
• Problems affecting an entire State may require State Government action.
• National-level matters require the Central or Union Government.
• Different levels make governance more organised and effective.
• The levels can cooperate during large emergencies.

Example – Flood Management

• If a flood affects a small part of a district, local authorities may deal with it.
• If several towns and villages are affected, the State Government may step in.
• The State Government may send rescue teams to affected areas.
• If a massive flood affects a very large area, the Central Government may also help.
• The Central Government may provide relief supplies and assistance such as the army when required.
• This example shows how the three levels of government can work together.

Central Government

• The Central or Union Government works at the national level.
• It deals with matters affecting the country as a whole.
• Its responsibilities include defence and foreign affairs.
• It deals with atomic energy and communications.
• It is responsible for currency and inter-State commerce.
• It also deals with education and formulation of national policies.

State Government

• The State Government works at the State level.
• It deals with police, law and order.
• It adapts and implements Central Government laws at the State level.
• It deals with public health.
• It deals with education and agriculture.
• It deals with irrigation.
• It also deals with local government.

Central Government and State Government – Difference

National and State Leadership

• At the national level, the President of India is the nominal head.
• The Prime Minister is the executive head of the Central Government.
• The President is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces.
• At the State level, the Governor is the nominal head.
• The Chief Minister is the executive head of the State Government.

Nominal Head

Nominal means “in name only”. In this context, the President and Governor are nominal heads and are not the actual executive heads in the normal functioning of government.

• The President is the nominal head of the Union Government.
• The Governor is the nominal head of a State.
• They have certain powers under special circumstances.
• Normally, they do not interfere in the day-to-day affairs of the Central or State Government.

Legislature at National and State Levels

• At the national level, the legislature consists of two Houses.
• These are the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
• They formulate national laws.
• At the State level, there is generally one State Assembly or Vidhan Sabha.
• Most States have a single assembly.
• A few States have two Houses.

Judiciary at National and State Levels

• The Supreme Court of India is the highest court at the national level.
• The High Courts function at the State level.
• Courts decide whether laws have been broken.
• Courts determine the appropriate course of action according to law.

Important Institutional Terms

Important Mottos

• Satyameva Jayate – “Truth alone triumphs.”
• It is the motto of the Government of India.
• Yato Dharmastato Jayah – “Where there is dharma, there is victory.”
• It is the motto of the Supreme Court.

Important Facts to Remember

• ✔ Governance is the process of taking decisions and organising society through rules.
• ✔ Government makes rules and ensures that they are followed.
• ✔ Laws are important rules made by the government.
• ✔ Modern government has three organs.
• ✔ Legislature makes laws.
• ✔ Executive implements laws.
• ✔ Judiciary decides whether laws have been broken and determines appropriate action.
• ✔ Separation of powers keeps the three organs separate.
• ✔ Checks and balances allow each organ to check the actions of the others.
• ✔ India has three levels of government—Local, State and Central/Union.
• ✔ Local Government works at the town or village level.
• ✔ State Government works at the State level.
• ✔ Central Government works at the national level.
• ✔ President is the nominal head of the Union Government.
• ✔ Prime Minister is the executive head of the Central Government.
• ✔ Governor is the nominal head of a State.
• ✔ Chief Minister is the executive head of the State Government.
• ✔ Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are the two Houses at the national level.
• ✔ Vidhan Sabha is the State Legislative Assembly.
• ✔ Supreme Court is the highest court of India.
• ✔ High Courts function at the State level.

All Topics Chapter Grassroots Democracy

• 1. Chapter Review and Key Points
• 2. Governance
• 3. Democracy