Telangana TSBIE TS Inter 1st Year Political Science Study Material 5th Lesson Political Ideologies Textbook Questions and Answers.
TS Inter 1st Year Political Science Study Material 5th Lesson Political Ideologies
Long Answer Questions
Question 1.
What is Individualism? Explain it.
Answer:
Meaning :
Individualism means the state should leave the individual alone. This theory is also known as the Laissez Faire theory. Laissez Faire is a French term which means leave alone’. It regards the individual as the centre of social life. According to this theory, the individual freedom should be given maximum scope and the state interference should be reduced to the minimum.
Ethical Argument :
According to J.S.Mill, state interference goes against the development of the individual personality and character. When government interferes and takes upon its shoulders the responsibility of doing what the individual should do, the individual loses the sense of responsibility and self-reliance and his personality is destroyed. He even advocated against the tyranny of the majority over the individual.
Economic Argument :
Adam Smith put forth the economic argument in favour of individualism. Every individual tries to get the maximum and would do his work well in which he is personally interested. He spoke in terms of the enlightened self-interest of the individual. The state must not interfere in the economic activities of men like trade, commerce, and industry, etc. and with its interference, the individual loses all his incentive for economic activity. Free competition will lead to improvement in the quality of industrial output and will also result in lowering of prices.
Biological Argument :
Herbert Spencer put forth the biological argument to support individualism. According to him, just as in the animal world the fittest survives, in society also, the individual should struggle for himself and survive or perish. Survival of the fittest is the law of nature and the progress of the society depends upon the elimination of the unfit by the fit. The duty of the state is simply to allow the fullest scope in the struggle for existence. The state has no business to come forward to help the poor, the aged and the sick.
Empirical Argument :
Experience shows that wherever and whenever the state regulated and controlled industry, the result has been unnecessary delay, waste and inefficiency. It was argued that whenever the state had tried to control and regulate the social or economic life of the community, it had miserably failed in its attempts. Moreover, state management means routine, red-tapism, unnecessary delay, bad economy and corruption.
Criticism :
Individualists regarded the state as a necessary evil, but actual experience has shown that it is not. bad. The state has to interfere in the larger interest of society. It does exist for the sake of good life.
Individualists contend that laws restrict liberty. This is wrong contention. Laws do not curtail liberty, but maintain and promote it.
The argument of the survival of the fittest is misleading, cruel, in human, dangerous and unethical. According to this principle, the weak, the old and infirm have no right to live. Such view is observed. Hence, such a cruel philosophy is worth rejection.
Question 2.
What is liberalism? Explain its basic Tenets.
Answer:
Meaning and definitions :
Liberalism in its classical sense stood for the liberty of the individual, democratic institution and free enterprise. Modern Liberalism stands for positive role of the state in securing a dignified life to the individuals.
Webster’s Unified Dictionary and Encyclopedia says that liberalism is a term indicating the tendency towards extending individual rights and liberties as against rigid political, economic and bureaucratic authority. Politically, the term was formerly used to denote a movement of progressive reform in government and has been applied at various times to parties agitating for the particular kind of liberty.
Basic Tenets:
1. Man is a rational creature. He has immense potential to contribute to social progress as well as to his own good. Man is endowed with certain natural rights which cannot to be transgressed by any authority.
2. There is no basic contradiction between an individual’s self-interest and common interest. In fact the common interest denotes a point of reconciliation between the diverse interests of different’ individuals.
3. Civil society and the state are artificial institutions created by individuals to serve the common interest. They are entitled to demand obedience from individuals on the condition of fulfilling this function.
4. It believes in the primacy of procedure over the end product. It means, if the procedure for arriving at a decision is right, the decision may be accepted to be right. Liberal view of freedom, equality, Justice and democracy is a search for right procedure in different spheres of social life.
5. Liberalism promotes civil liberties of the individual, including freedom of thought and. expression, freedom of association and movement, personal freedom and strict compliance with legal and judicial procedure. Any restriction on individual freedom should be meant to ensure equal restriction of freedom for others.
6. Liberalism upholds freedom of contracts. No individual can accept any obligation without his own consent and without consideration of mutual benefit. The state would function as umpire in the enforcement of contracts. However, a contract concluded under pressure, or the one which comprises dignity of the individual, shall be void.
7. Liberalism holds that public policy should be the product of free bargainihg between groups of individuals formed to pursue their common interests.
Ultimately, Liberalism treats market society as the model of social organization where role of the state should be confined to the protection of individuals’ life and property, enforcement of contracts, maintenance of minimum common services which would not be undertaken by private entrepreneurs. In liberal view, state is a necessary evil. Liberalism treats the state as the means and individual as the end. It rules out absolute authority of the state.
Question 3.
What is Socialism? Examine its basic principles.
Answer:
Socialism is considered as the most important theory in political science. It was advocated and popularised to oppose the defects in individualism and capitalism.The term socialism is derived from the workd ’Socio’ which means society. It was used for the first time in 1833. It was first enunciated by Robert Owen and Saint Simon Later on it was developed by Reyband, Louis Blanc and Proudhon. It was explained on scientific basis by Karl Max in 1848.
Definitions :
The term socialism is defnined by many writers in many ways. Some of them are as follows.
1) Robert Bland :
“Socialism is a system which keeps all the factors of production and exchange in social control and sees that they belong to all equally”.
2) Bertrand Russel :
“Socialism is the adovcacy of common ownership of land and property”.
3) George Bernard Shah :
“Socialism means equality of incomes and nothing else”.
Main Principles :
The following are some of the main principles of socialism. ”
1) Importance to Society :
Socialism assigns greater importance to society rather than the individual. It emphasised that individuals interests are subordinate to those of society. It also gave importance to the production of those commodities which are essential for common people. It is not guided by the profit motive of a fe^wealthy persons. It considers production of luxurious commodities as waste and superfluous. Lastly, it assigns importance to cooperative services motto than profit motive in productive operations.
2) Organic unity of Society :
Socialism regards that labourers in capitalist society do not enjoy liberties and freedom. It suggests adequate opportunities to common men for encouraging them to involve in the process of production. It points out that only a few persons enjoyed more liberty in a society dominated by inequalities. It is not proper to keep the majority of the poor people without liberties and freedoms. Socialism stands for a society where there prevails no inhabitations on individuals and where every one is granted basic facilities.
3) Abolition of capitalism :
Socialism desires for the abolition of capitalism. The socialists felt that the labours are exploited in the capitalist society. The capitalists aim at acquiring more profits and more acquisition of capital. They do not favour the provision of salaries, allowances and other facilities as determined by law to the labourers. The state shows favour to the capitalist sections. This makes the position of the labourers miserable. Hence the socialists strongly believed that it is through the abolition of capitalism that the interests of labourers will be safeguarded. They pointed out that capitalist system should be dissolved for regulating the unproductive expenditure, for just distribution of the wealth and for promoting the interests of the labourers.
4) Abolition of competition :
Socialism advocates the abolition of competition in economic affairs that too especially in productive matters. It stands for co-operation in the place of competition. It states that competition leads to certain evils like corruption, monopolies, illegal acts, deterioration of values etc. It also results in excessive or under production thereby causing great sufferings to the common men. That is why the socialists felt that co-operation, instead of competition, should be encouraged at local, provincial and national levels in the economy.
5) Belief in Equality :
Socialism is based on the principle of equality. Eventhough it did not support absolute equality, it suggested for the prevalence of relative equality among individuals. It recognised the fact that certain elements like merit, outstanding efficiency, talent, skill etc. make differences among the individuals. It pointed out that the long standing excessive inequalities among men must be wiped out and a new society must be formed.
6) Opposition to private property :
Socialism opposes individual ownership and control over lands, buildings, factories and other productive means. It suggested that productive means should not be utilised for selfish personal needs and benefits. It enunciated that no person created land and other things and all are the gifts of nature and no one can change their quantity. The factors of production must be utilised for collective welfare. The socialists advocated for keeping all the factors of production under the control of the society.
7) Social ownership of material factors :
Socialism believes that all materialist factors must be kept under the control of the society. For that purpose it suggests for their nationalisation. It treats private property as the possession by thieves. In order to avoid the irregularities and flow of private property, Socialism strongly desired for social ownership of factories, industries, mines etc.,
8) Centralised Planning System :
Socialism considers that centralised planning system is essential for the progress of the nation. It suggests planning as the best means for achieving rapid economic development.
Question 4.
Write an essay on basic Ideas of Gandhism.
Answer:
Gandhism – basic ideas :
Gandhi – A breif biography :
Mohandas karamchand Gandhi was bom at Porbandar in Gujarat in 1869. He was called the Mahatma. (The great soul) by Rabindranath Tagore.
He was the father of our nation. He applied age old ancient Indian ideals like Truth, Non-violence and Satgyagraha as political weapons and won the freedom not by late but by loving the enemy. He preached only whatever he practiced.
Basic ideas of Gandhism :
1) Meta Physical idealism :
The Upanishadic concepts like “The Divine”. The universal soul, manifested in all living and non living things of the entire universe, or “The Divine light illuminating everywhere” are the basis for the Gandhian Philosophy. His meta physical idealism was a unique combination of the values based on Non-violence, ethics* vedanta, Spiritual, Meta Physical, Jain, Buddhist and Vaishnava.
2) Ethical absolutism :
Gandhi believes the superiority of moral and ethical values. The roots of his ethical absolution can be traced in the “Rita” of the vedanta. This Rita is universal, omnipresent and ethical in values is ruling the Men and the Gods.
3) Doctrine of Non-Violence :
The literal meaning of-Non-violence is “not doing, vio-lence”. In a Nutshell it means “Not to kill”. “Not to do harm” is its wider meaning.
He applied nonviolence as a means and a weapon in politics.
Truth and fearlessness are the essential conditions of Non-violence. Gandhi regarded and equated non-violence on par with self torture of the Soul, Mercy, Love, Fearlessness, innocence, Soul force, kindness, Selflessness and non-idulgance.
Gandhi used non-violence as a potent weapon not only against the British colonial¬ism but also in the movements waged against all types of deeply entrenched evils of the society.
4) Doctrine of Satyagraha :
Gandhi explained Satyagraha not as a philosophical doctrine, but as a means to fight against the foreign rule and to achieve social and economic justice.
Gandhi formulated the word satyagraha when he was in South Africa. He called satyagraha as “Love Force” and “Soul Force”. Truth cannot tolerate violence. Even the guilty should not be punished with violence. A sin for one may not be to the other. At once, the search for truth must be only on non-violent means. We have to try to remove the holds on untruth and injustice from his ways by inflicting suffering upon himself. By satyagraha means, Gandhi said that inflicting suffering not on the evil doer but upon himself.
Short Answer Questions
Question 1.
Discuss Individualism.
Answer:
Meaning :
Individualism means the state should leave the individual alone. This theory is also known as the Laissez Faire theory. Laissez Faire is a French term which means ‘leave alone’. It regards the individual as the centre of social life. According to this theory, the individual freedom should be given maximum scope and the state interference should be reduced to the minimum.
The individualists regard state as a ‘necessary evil’. It is necessary because it has to protect the individual from violence and fraud. It is an evil because its existence is a threat to individual freedom. So it is desirable to have state’s interference as little as possible. Lesser the functions performed by the state, the more is the liberty enjoyed by the individual.
The state should perform the following limited functions :
- Protection of the individual and of the state from foreign aggression.
- Protection of the individual against one another.
- Protection of property from robbery and damage.
- Protection of individual from false contracts and breach of contracts.
Question 2.
Write a note on Socialism and its defects.
Answer:
Socialism is consideredas the most important theory in political science. It was advocated and popularized to oppose the defects in Individualism and capitalism.
Defects of Socialism :
1) Socialism destroys the initiative and creative instincts of individuals. As it considers the individuals insignificant in productive matters, there is a scope for the indifferent attitude of the individuals in economic enterprises.
2) The various socialist principles cannot be implemented. Some of the socialist ideals like elimination of economic inequalities, social taboos, substitution of collective ownership over individual properties etc. are very difficult to put into practice. The above ideals can be realised only through firm political leadership, sincerity, honest personnel, educated people etc.,
3) Socialism opposes individual liberties and freedoms. It is based on the principle that society is important and individuals are insignificant. It complete the people to act in subordination to the control and directives of the state. On the other side, socialism results in the exercise of absolute powers by the government unilaterally thereby causing harm to be liberties and freedoms of individuals through several laws.
4) Socialism advocated the intervention of the state in economic affairs. If such a proposal comes into vogue, there is every possibility of government acting with indifference and inefficiency.
Question 3.
Write a brief note doctrine of Non-Violence.
Answer:
The literal meaning of Non-violence is “not doing violence”. In a Nutshell it means “Not to kill”. “Not to do harm” is its wider meaning.
He applied non-violence as a means and a weapon in politics.
Truth and fearlessness are the essential conditions of Non-violence. Gandhi regarded and equated non-violence on par with self torture of the Soul, Mercy, Love, Fearlessness, innocence, Soul force, kindness, Selflessness and non-idulgance.
Gandhi used non-violence as a potent weapon not only against the British colonialism but also in the movements waged against all types of deeply entrenched evils of the society.
In his opinion either Swaraja or Democracy can not be achieved through violence because we cannot completely defeat any one with violence. Individual freedom does not mean violence. Individual freedom is a reality only in the state of non-violence.
Gandhi observed four reasons for the existence of violence. They are :
- Organized authority and power.
- Civil-strife (internal conflicts).
- Foreign invasions.
- Family system.
Question 4.
Explain the concept of Satyagraha.
Answer:
Gandhi explained Satyagraha not as a philosophical doctrine but as a means to fight against the foreign rule and to achieve social and economic justice.
Gandhi formulated the word satyagraha when he was in South Africa. He called satyagraha as “Love Force” and “Soul Force”. Truth cannot tolerate violence. Even the guilty should not be punished with violence. A sin for one may not be to the other At once, the search for truth must be only on non-violent means. We have to try to remove the holds on untruth and injustice from his ways by inflicting suffering upon himself. By satyagraha means, Gandhi said that inflicting suffering not on the evil doer but upon himself.
Political faith of Satyagraha :
Politically, Satyagraha depends upon three principles of faith :
- Absolute faith in non-violence.
- The basis of any Government is the consent of the people.
- No country can develop without self suffering, self-sacrifice, trials and tribulations. This is like the labour pains a mother suffers to deliver a child.
Principle of a satyagrahi:
A true satyagrahi has to follow the following principle alone :
- Truth means not to lie. It is divine. The evil-laws are to be disobeyed through non-violent means.
- Non-violence means not to kill. The dynamic factor in it is “Love”. Its essence is to love the entire life on earth.
- A satyagrahi has to observe complete celibacy (Brahmacharya) should not look any man or women with amorous looks.
- Should no t eat more than necessary
- Should nor steal. It does not mean stealing the things of others.
- One has to live on his labour (Bread Labour).
- Should not purchase or possess foreign goods. He has to purchase and use o/ily swadesi.
- He should tread fearlessly. To love and to search for truth fearlessness is an esseritial.
- Should not observe untouchability is not sufficient he has to fight against it.
- Observe religious tolerance.
Forms of Satyagraha:
- Civil-disobedience.
- Non-co-operation.
- Hunger-strike.
- Hartal.
- Hizrat.
These methods are to be used by a safygrahi according to the necessity to fight against foreign rule and all types -of injustice.
Satyagraha has many forms in practice. Non-co-operation to the evil-doer is a mild form of satyagraha. Civil disobedience is an intensive, potent and powerful weapon of influence. Civil disobedience may be of individual or of mass public. Non-co-operation. Hartal, Hizrat are other forms of satyagraha. The methods of satyagraha are also different. Hundger strike is one form of satyagraha. One should use hundger strike (non-eating) against those who intimately associate and love us.
Question 5.
Gandhiji’s views on Religion and politics.
Answer:
The moral concepts of Gandhi can be founded in his ideas expressed very frequently. Politics without morals character create a degenerated state and Government in a human society indulged in material pleasures. All the political means are used only to gratify power. But Gandhi described the theory of authority. He says that both authority and ethics should become the focal points of politics. He mixed humanistic, political religious and- ethical values in politics. He opposed the segregation of religion from politics. In his opinion both of there are equally essential. Politics without religion is like a dead corpse, not useful to a country except to burn. He says that his search for truth pulled him into politics and his moral strength helped him to remain very firm in politics.
Even a political programme is intended for the social and ethical advancement of the people. We cannot segregate politics from life, most importantly from religion. Segregation means nurturing religious fundamentalism, bigotry and evil in politics.
Religion according Gandhi was not Rituels and blind faith but a co-ordinated moral values of all religious. A religion should not promote sectarianism. But Gandhi never supported a state religion. He wants to use the religion to oppose all types of evils in the society.
Very Short Answer Questions
Question 1.
Individualism.
Ans. Individualism is an important theory of state activity which advocates maximum individual freedom and minimum interference of the state in individual matters. This theory gained more significance during the last quarter of 18th century and the first quarter of 19* century. This theory was also known as Laissez-faire which means “Le alone”. It has been advocated by political writers like Adamsmith, Ricardo, Malthus, Herbert Spencer, J.S.Mill, Bentham and others.
Question 2.
Neo-Liberalism.
Answer:
Neo-liberalism or libertarianism stands for contemporary version of classical liberalism which seeks to restore ‘Laissez Faire’ individualism. It denounces the welfare State; oppose state intervention and control of economic activities. Champions of neo-liberalism stand for ‘rolling back’ the, state which has immensely expanded its sphere of activities. The chief exponents of neo-liberalism include F.A. Fayek (1899 – 1992), an Australian thinker, Milton Freedman (1912 – 2006), an American economist and Robert Nozick (1938 – 2002), an American, philosopher.
Question 3.
Laissez-Faire.
Answer:
Laissez Faire is a French term which means “Leave alone”. It regards the Individual as the centre of social life. According to this theory, the Individual freedom should be given maximum scope and the state interference should be reduced to the minimum.
Question 4.
J.S. Mill.
Answer:
John Stuart Mill was the most prominent political thinker of 19th century. He was the most influential intellectual who propagated the Ideas of Liberty, Equality and Welfare State. He paved the way form the emergence and spread of individualism against the hitherto imperialist and despotic tendencies in European politics of Nineteenth century. He played a decisive role in propounding the theory of Individualism in Western political thought. He tried to disposed the misconception among the masses in regard to the validity and relevance of Bentham’s utilitarianism.
Question 5.
Meaning of Socialism.
Answer:
Hughan regarded socialism as the political movement of the working class which aims to abolish exploitation by means of collective ownership and democratic management of the instruments of production and distribution. Some writers regarded socialism as a democratic movement meant for promoting justice and liberty and for managing the society bn efficient principles. ..
Question 6.
Capitalism.
Answer:
Capitalism is an economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit. Characteristics central to capitalism include private property, capital accumulation, wage labour, voluntary exchange, a price system and competitive markets. In a capitalist market economy, decision making and investments are determined by every owner of wealth, property or production ability in financial and capital markets.
Question 7.
Marxism, (or) Communism (or) Scientific Socialism.
Answer:
The Marxis .is called as a ‘Scientific Socialism’ and it is also called as communism. Communism is propounded against the policy of Laissez faire. Karl Marx analysed this theory in his two books namely. ’DAS CAPITAL’ and ’COMMUNIST MANIFESTO ! V I. Lenin introduced this theory in Soviet Russia in 1917. Several countries are adopting the principles of communism in their political affairs.
Question 8.
Non-Violence.
Answer:
The literal meaning of Non-violence is “Not doing Violence”. In a Nutshell it means “Not to Kill”, “Not to do harm” is its wider meaning. Mahatma Gandhi used Non-violence as a potent weapon not only against the British colonialism but also in the movements waged against all types of deeply entrenched evils of the society. Truth and fearlessness are the essential conditions of Non-Violence Gandhi regarded and equated non-violence on par with self torture of the soul, Mercy, Love, Fearlessness, Kindness and non-indulgence.
Question 9.
Satyagraha.
Answer:
Gandhi explained Satyagraha not as a philosophical doctrine but as a means to fight against the foreign rule and to achieve social and economic justice. Gandhi formulated the word satyagraha when he was in South Africa. He called satyagraha as “Love Force” and “Soul Force”. By satyagraha means, Gandhi said that inflicting suffering not on the evil doer but upon himself.
Question 10.
Trusteeship.
Answer:
The society of Gandhian dreams was like the State of Rama (Rama Rajya) in which the welfare of all (Sarvodaya) will bloom. In such society, the individuals treat their personal property, industry. Land and business as trusteeship. They received what they need and give the rest to the deserving is the fundamental principle of the concept of trusteeship of Gandhi. Gandhi proposed trusteeship theory as an alternative to the revolutionary communism.
Question 11.
Non-co-operation – National Movement.
Answer:
This movement is a great event in the History of India’s Freedom Struggle. Gandhiji launched this movement between 1920 – 22 against the manss killing of innocent people in Jallian wallah Bagh in Punjab. This movement also supported the Indian Muslims and their Khilafat movement. The Indian National Congress presided over by Lala Lajapathi Rai extended its support to this movement. The congress has decided to undertakes !.
- Boy cotting Foreign goods.
- Renouncing the British titles and Honorary Offices.
- Abstaining from the Government sponsored meetings.
- Boy cotting British Courts.
- Boy cotting the Elections to the Legislative councils and
- Resigning from the membership of local bodies.
Question 12.
Civil disobedience – National Movement.
Answer:
This movement is a landmark in the constitutional history Of India. The Indian National Congress Launched this movement on March 12, 1930, under the guidance of Gandhiji. Gandhiji started the civil disobedience movement by taking salt laws for violation. Along with 78 standards supporters, Gandhiji began to march towards Dandi, a remote village about 240 miles from Sabarmati Ashram on 12th March 1930 to 6th April 1930. Gandhiji Planned to violate the salt Laws of the British government by making salt. Hence this movement is also popularly known as the salt Satyagraha Movement.