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In This Post we are  providing  CHAPTER 3 US HEGEMONY IN WORLD POLITICS NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS for Class 12 POLITICAL SCIENCE PART- A CONTEMPORARY WORLD POLITICS which will be beneficial for students. These solutions are updated according to 2021-22 syllabus. These MCQS  can be really helpful in the preparation of Board exams and will provide you with a brief knowledge of the chapter.

NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ON US HEGEMONY IN WORLD POLITICS

Question 1.
Examine any three factors responsible for the U.S. Hegemony in world politics.
Answer:
In world politics, the U.S.A. has the position of hegemony. Following factors are responsible for the U.S. hegemony in world politics.

• After the end of the Cold War, there was no serious rival to the United States.
• Mikhail Gorbachev, General Secretary of the Communist Party, introduced political and economic reforms in the political and economic system of the Soviet Union. These reforms are also responsible for the U.S. hegemony in world politics.
• The sudden collapse of the Soviet Union is mainly responsible for the hegemony of U.S.A. After the disintegration of U.S.S.R., one superpower ceased to exist. On the other hand, the powers of another superpower (U.S.) enhanced. Thus, the U.S. hegemony began in 1991 after the Soviet Union disappeared from the international scene.

Question 2.
“The bedrock of contemporary U.S. power lies in the overwhelming superiority of its military power.” Justify the statement with any three suitable arguments.
Answer:
In international politics, countries and group of countries are constantly trying to capture and retain power. Power can be in the form of military domination, economic power and cultural dominance. After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, U.S.A. dominated world politics. When there is only one centre of power in the international system, it is called hegemony.

The meaning of hegemony as a hard power relates to the relations, pattern and balance of military capability between states. The nation of hegemony as military domination is relevant to the current position and role of the U.S. in world politics.

The bedrock of contemporary U-S. the power lies in the overwhelming superiority of its military power. American military dominance today is both absolute and relative.1. In absolute terms, the U.S. today has military capabilities that can reach any point on the prevalent accurately, lethally and in no time, thereby crippling the opposite while its own forces are sheltered to the maximum extent possible from the dangers of war.
2. Moreover, America spends more on its military capability than the next 12 powers combined. A large part of the budget is spent on technology.
3. In fact, U.S. dominance is not just based as higher military spending, but in a qualitative gap, a technological chasm that no other power can at present conceivably span.

Question 3.
Examine the U.S. hegemony as a structural power.
Answer:
With the sudden collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, one superpower ceased to exist. While another superpower, i.e., the U.S. enhanced its position. Thus, the U.S. hegemony began in 1991 after the Soviet Union disappeared from the international scene.

The hegemony of the U.S. as a structural power:
(a) The basic idea of the U.S. hegemony as structural power is that an open world economy requires a hegemon or dominant power to support its creation and existence.
(b) The hegemon must possess both the ability and the desire to establish certain norms to sustain a global structure.
(c) The hegemon usually does this for its own advantage. It takes advantage of the openness of the world economy without paying the cost of maintaining its openers.
(d) Thus, hegemony in this second sense as economic superiority is reflected by the roles played by the U.S. in providing global public goods.
(e) The U.S. hegemony prevails in all parts of the world, almost in all sectors in the world economy and in all areas of technology.

Question 4.
Evaluate India’s changing relationship with the U.S.A.
Answer:
The Indo-U.S. relationship has gone through many phases. There had been many ups and downs in their relationship. After the independence of India, America wanted India to join the American bloc. But India was not ready to accept the superiority of any other nation and Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of Independent India adopted the policy of non-alignment. This policy turned America against India. America did not appreciate some other policies of India such as Nuclear test, Indo-Soviet friendship treaty, etc.

On the other hand, India stands against American help to Pakistan as Pakistan is the root cause of terrorism in India. Thus, America and India disagree with each other’s approach but after a meeting between Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and President Reagan in October 1981, the administration of both the countries started to re-examine their policies and the process of normalisation kept on going on and on. After the Cold War, America and India adopted the policy of making a good relationship in the field of economic, political and military-strategic spheres. The steps that mark the process of normalisation of the relationship between India and the U.S. are given below:

1. In May 1994, Prime Minister Narasimha Rao visited the U.S.A. The American President Bill Clinton expressed satisfaction with his wide-ranging talks with Narasimha Rao and described the meeting productive. The American President extended full support to India in Economic reforms.

2. On 25 July 1999 U.S.A. asked Pakistan to pull out its forces from the areas of Kargil and immediately stop acts of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, showing for the first time Washington’s greater understanding of India’s concern of cross border militancy.

3. On October 26, 1999, India and the U.S.A. signed a joint declaration on energy co-operation and related environmental aspects, heralding a new dimension to multifaced bilateral relation.

4. On March 19, 2000, U.S. President Mr Bill Clinton visited India. It strengthened the relationship between the two largest democratic countries in the world. The Prime Minister of India Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee and American President Mr Bill Clinton signed the ‘Vision Document’ on the future of Indo- U.S. relations in the new Millenium. They also signed ‘Vision-2000’ for a lasting and dynamic partnership.

5. On September 23, 2001, President Bush lifted sanctions imposed on India in the wake of 1998 nuclear tests.

6. On October 17, 2001, the two countries signed a new bilateral treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.

7. After 11, September 2001, terrorist attack on America; America has joined India in its fight against terrorism.

8. In January 2002, India and U.S.A. signed a defence pact.

9. In January 2004, both the countries agreed to increase co-operation on three issues-civilian nuclear programmes, the civilian space programme and high technology.

10. In June 2004, India’s Foreign Minister Mr Natwar Singh visited the U.S.A. to increase co-operation between the two countries. In November 2004, President George Bush was elected for his second term. India’s Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, in his congratulatory message to him, has said, “Our shared vision and common values provide an endearing base for our relations. India and the United States together and in partnership based on trust and mutual confidence can make a positive difference on issues of global significance in this country.”Indo-U.S. Civil Nuclear Co-operation Agreement, 2008. The Indo-U.S. Civil Nuclear co-operation agreement consists of 22 pages and 17 articles. The agreement will remain in force for 40 years.

The purpose of the agreement is to enable full civil nuclear energy co-operation between India and the United States. This agreement would help to address the problem of energy deficit that has emerged as one of the primary constraints on accelerating India’s growth rate.

The agreement does not hinder India’s military nuclear programme and provides for uninterrupted supply of fuel. India-U.S. defence co¬operation received a big boost with India formalising a mega-deal with the U.S.A. for the supply of eight long-range Naval Reconnaissance aircraft. The agreement was signed on January 1, 2009.

In Nov. 2009, the Indian Prime Minister visited the U.S.A. During his visit, both countries said that they are committed to abolishing terrorism President Obama Visits (Nov. 2010). On November 6, 2010, American President Barack Obama visited India. Several landmark deals worth $ 10 billion were signed between Indian and American companies. President Obama said, “There is no reason why India cannot be our top trading partner. I am absolutely sure that the relationship between India and the U.S. is going to be one of the defining partnership of the 21st century.” President Obama backed India for United Nation Security Council seat. Bilateral Meeting between Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and President Mr Obama.

Bilateral meeting between Indian Prime Minister and American President Obama took place on November 18, 2011, at Bali. Contending that there were ‘no irritants whatsoever’ in Indo-US ties, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh told President Obama that India had gone ‘some way’ to ally the concern of U.S. firms by notifying rules for nuclear business and any specific grievance would be addressed within the four corners of Indian laws.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and American President Obama meet on September 28, 2013, at White House. The U.S. and India sought more intensive engagement on a gamut of issues, including defence, security, bilateral trade and efforts to dismantle terrorist safe havens and promote clean energy. Both leaders emphasised the need for more intensive defence cooperation. Defence trade between the two nations has reached nearly $9 billion. The U.S. and India sought expansion of cooperation to address 21st-century challenges in the areas of counter-terrorism, cyber, space and global health security. Indian Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi and American President Obama met in September 2014. During this meeting, both leaders discussed Terrorism, Trade and Civil Nuclear Agreement.

In Jan 2015 American President Mr Barack Obama visited India to attend the Republic Day Parade. During this visit, both countries signed an important agreement like Nuclear Deal and Clean Energy. In Sept 2015, the Indian Prime Minister visited the U.S.A. During this visit, P.M. Narendra Modi pressed for President Obama’s help in securing India’s membership of the international export control regimes “within our targeted time of frame” and also sought American support to complete the UN reform process ‘within’ a fixed time frame. In June 2016, and 2017 Indian Prime Minister visited the U.S.A. During this visit, both leaders discussed Terrorism, Trade, and nuclear energy etc.

In September 2019, the Indian Prime Minister visited U.S.A to attend U.N.O. conference. During this visit, on 22 Sept. 2019, U.S.A. President Donald Trump attends ‘Howdy Modi; Programme. On 24 Sept. 2019. During their joint press conference, both leaders show concern on Terrorism and climate change. This shows that both countries are doing their level best to maintain a healthy and lasting relationship.

Question 5.
Analyse the political impact of j H hegemony of the U.S. on the world.
Answer:
Following are the political impact of the hegemony of the U.S. on the world:
1. On 2nd August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait. Immediately a meeting of Security Council was held. U.N. Security Council condemned the invasion and demanded the withdrawal of Iraqi troops. The United Nations mandated the liberation of Kuwait by force. A massive coalition force of 660,000 troops from 34 countries fought against Iraq and defeated it. The U.N. operation was called ‘Operation Desert Storm.’ It is also known as the First Gulf War.

2. In 1998, there was a bombing at the U.S. embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania by Al-Qaeda, a terrorist organisation. President Clinton ordered ‘Operation Infinite Reach’ in which Al-Qaeda terrorist targets in Sudan and Afghanistan were attacked. America did not bother about the U.N. sanction in this regard

3. USA dominating the International organisation like U.N.O., LM.F. and World Bank. On this basis, it influences the political and economic matters of other countries.

Question 6.
Analyse the three major different views within India about the type of relationship India should have with the United States of America.
Answer:
It is very difficult to decide exactly what type of relationship India should have with the US. The debate rotates around the three possible strategies :
1. One group of Indian analysts opine that Indian should maintain its aloofness from Washington and focuses upon increasing its own national power.

2. Second thought of opinion advocate a strategy that India should take advantage of US hegemony and the mutual convergences to establish best relations. Opposing the US is a futile strategy and will only hurt India.

3. the Third group of analysis advocate that India should take the lead of developing nations and after some times this coalition would become more powerful and may succeed in weaning the hegemon away through its dominating style. Thus, India needs an appropriate foreign policy to deal with the US.

Question 7.
“Resistance is the only option available to overcome the U.S. hegemony”. Justify the statement by comparing it to other anti hegemony strategies.
Answer:
It is true that resistance is the only option available to overcome the hegemony of U.S.A. other two anti hegemony strategies are known as “Bandwagon and Hide.”In world politics. the U.S.A. has the position of the hegemon. After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, no other country is in a position to challenge America’s authority and military power. Big and resourceful states like China, Russia, India and the European Union are not in a position to challenge U.S. hegemony and these countries are not unduly antagonising the U.S.A.

It is unrealistic to expect much smaller states to offer any resistance to the U.S. But it is possible that the resistance may come from a combination of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), social movement and public opinion. Resistance can also start by intellectuals writers, artists and mass media. Due to globalisation, the whole world has become a ‘global village’. Thus, we are all neighbours of the village headman.

If the behaviour of the headman becomes intolerable then we have no other alternative except to resist against the headman because there is only one village or world where we have to live. In other words, resistance against U.S. hegemony will be the only option available.

Question 8.
Study the cartoon given below carefully and answer the questions that follow :

(a) The mighty soldier with weapons represents which country?
Answer:
The mighty soldier with weapons represents the U.S.A.

(b) Why do the names of various countries appear on his uniform?
Answer:
The names of countries like Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan appear on his uniform as the U.S. has carried out various military operations in these countries.

(c) What important message does the cartoon convey to the world?
Answer:
The cartoon conveys the message that the U.S. has hegemony on the world politics. Though India and USA are having friendly relations, yet at the same time, friendly relations between India and Russia have achieved a new level of privileged strategic partnership.

Question 9.
Read the following cartoon and answer the following questions:

(а) What is the basic idea of this cartoon?
Answer:
The basic idea of this cartoon is that world converts into the American dollar.

(b) What does this cartoon say about the nature of hegemony?
Answer:
This cartoon says about the Nature of hegemony that the U.S.A. dominated world Politics through its dollar.

(c) Mention any two examples of its structural power.
Answer:

• The basic idea of hegemony as a structural power is that an open world economy requires a hegemony or dominant power to support its creation and existence.
• The hegemony must possess both the ability and the desire to establish certain norms for order and exist sustain and global structure.

Question 10.
Interpret the given picture and answer the following questions :

(а) The US hegemony is being constrained in the current scenario. Justify with two suitable examples.
Answer:
1. China’s fastest-growing economy can constrain the U.S. hegemony.
2. Nowadays the world heading towards a multipolar world. This trend can also constrain the U.S. hegemony.

(b) Assess the steps taken by India to deal with US hegemony in the current scenario. 3
Answer:
It is very difficult to decide exactly what type of relationship India should have with the US. The debate rotates around the three possible strategies :
1. One group of Indian analysts opine that Indian should maintain its aloofness from Washington and focuses upon increasing its own national power.

2. Second thought of opinion advocate a strategy that India should take advantage of US hegemony and the mutual convergences to establish best relations. Opposing the US is a futile strategy and will only hurt India.

3. the Third group of analysis advocate that India should take the lead of developing nations and after some times this coalition would become more powerful and may succeed in weaning the hegemon away through its dominating style. Thus, India needs an appropriate foreign policy to deal with the US.

Note: The following questions are for the visually impaired students, in line of Q.No.10
(a) The present world order is different from the cold war period. Justify.
Answer:
The present world order is different forms of the Cold War period because during Cold War World was bipolar in nature, but after the disintegration of U.S.S.R in 1991, the world order becomes unipolar in nature.

(b) Assess the implications of the US Hegemony economic terms on the world.
Answer:

• The U.S.A. Dominate the economic world organisations such as I.M.F. and World Bank.
• The U.S.A. also dominate the U.N.O. Through its Economic power.

In This Post we are  providing  CHAPTER 3 US HEGEMONY IN WORLD POLITICS NCERT MCQ for Class 12 POLITICAL SCIENCE PART-A CONTEMPORARY WORLD POLITICS which will be beneficial for students. These solutions are updated according to 2021-22 syllabus. These MCQS  can be really helpful in the preparation of Board exams and will provide you with a brief knowledge of the chapter

NCERT MCQ ON US HEGEMONY IN WORLD POLITICS

1. The US Hegemony began in

(a) 1990.(b) 1991.(c) 1992.(d) 1993.

► (b) 1991.

2. The first business school in the world is

(a) Harvard School.(b) Oxford School.(c) Wharton School.(d) Stanford School.

► (c) Wharton School.

3. The root of the word ‘hegemony’ lies in the

(a) Latin.(b) Classical Greeks.(c) French.(d) Spanish.

► (b) Classical Greeks.

4. The duration of Cold War was_______

.(a) 1914 – 1919(b) 1939 – 1945(c) 1945 – 1991(d) 1965 – 1991

► (c) 1945 – 1991

5. United States was founded in which year?

(a) 1774(b) 1776(c) 1778(d) 1780

► (b) 1776

6. The hegemony that shapes minds through ideological forces like values, beliefs, etc., is referred as

(a) Hegemony as unlimited power.(b) Hegemony as structural power.(c) Hegemony as hard power.(d) Hegemony as soft power

.► (d) Hegemony as soft power.

7. The ‘Operation Iraqi Freedom’ was launched on __________.

(a) 19th March, 2003(b) 19th March, 2004(c) 21st March, 2003(d) 21st March, 2004

► (a) 19th March, 2003

8. The headquarters of the US defence department is at

(a) New York.(b) Washington.(c) Pennsylvania.(d) Virginia.

► (d) Virginia.

9. The World Trade Center and Pentagon buildings of USA were attacked by:

(a) Zamait–e-Islami.(b) Al-Qaeda.(c) Al-Badr.(d) Hamas

.► (b) Al-Qaeda.

10. US embassies were bombed by Al-Qaeda in

(a) Dublin.(b) New Delhi.(c) Dar-es-Salaam.(d) Zimbabwe.

► (c) Dar-es-Salaam.

11. The US operation in Iraq was called:

(a) Operation Desert Suicide(b) Operation Desert Storm(c) Operation Desert Qaeda(d) Operation Desert Hamas

► (b) Operation Desert Storm

12. Why was the ‘First Gulf War’ called the ‘Video Game War’?

(a) Use of military’s in large number.(b) Use of Mass Destruction Weapons(c) Widespread television coverage(d) None of the above

► (c) Widespread television coverage

13. When Iraq invaded Kuwait?

(a) June1990(b) July1990(c) August 1990(d) September1990

► (c) August 1990

14. ‘What was ‘Operation Iraqi Freedom’?

(a) A Military operation(b) An Economic operation(c) A Military Pact(d) An Economic Pact

► (a) A Military operation

15.Operation Iraqi Freedom was launched on:

(a) 21 April 2003(b) 19 March 2004(c) 23 March 2003(d) 19 March 2003Answer

► (d) 19 March 2003

In This Post we are  providing  CHAPTER 1THE END OF BIOPOLARITY NCERT MCQ for Class 12 POLITICAL SCIENCE PART-A CONTEMPORARY WORLD POLITICS which will be beneficial for students. These solutions are updated according to 2021-22 syllabus. These MCQS  can be really helpful in the preparation of Board exams and will provide you with a brief knowledge of the chapter

NCERT MCQ ON THE END OF BIOPOLARITY

1. Which was the first Soviet Republic to declare its independence from Soviet Russia?

(a) Lithuania.(b) Moldova.(c) Armenia.(d) Georgia.

Answer (a)
2. Bolshevik Communist party was founded by

(a) Vladimir Lenin.(b) Stalin.(c) Nikita Khrushchev.(d) Leonid Brezhnev.

Answer (a)

3. The most severe conflict took place in the Balkan republics of:

(a) Bulgaria(b) Greece(c) Yugoslavia(d) Macedonia

Answer (c)

Question 4.In which year Gorbachev became General Secretary of the Communist Party of U.S.S.R.?

(a) 1989(b) 1990(c) 1987(d) 1985

Answer: (d)

Question 5 : he USSR came into being after the Socialist Revolution in Russia in the

(a) 1915.(b) 1916.(c) 1917.(d) 1918.

 Answer :   C
Question 6 : The Berlin wall fall in _________.

(a) November 1989(b) December 1989(c) January 1990(d) February 1990 

Answer :   A
Question 7 : Which country in Central Asia witnessed a civil war that went on for ten years?

(a) Azerbaijan(b) Tajikistan (c) Uzbekistan(d) Turkmenistan  

Answer :   B
Question 8 : The revolution of Russia in 1917 was inspired by Ideals

(a) Socialism(b) Capitalism(c) Socialism as well as Capitalism(d) None of the above 

Answer.   A
Question 9 : The warsaw pact was______

.(a) an economic alliance(b) an political alliance(c) a military alliance(d) none of the above

 Answer :  A
Question 10 : Independence movement begins in Lithuania in –

(a) 1985(b) 1988(c) 1989(d) 1991 

Answer :  B
Question 11 : The USSR came in to being after the Socialist revolution in Russia in –

(a) 1915(b) 1916(c) 1917(d) 1918

 Answer :  D
Question 12 : Russia takes over the USSR Seat in the United Nations in –

(a) December1990(b) December1991(c) December1992(d) December1993 

Answer :  B
Question 13 : NATO was as association of –

(a) March, 1990(b) April, 1990(c) May, 1990(d) June,1990 

Answer :  D
Question 14 : The Chechens are

(a) Bhuddhist group.(b) Christain ethnic group.(c) Jewish ethnic group.(d) Muslim ethinic group. 

Answer :  D
Question 15 : Which one of the following was NOT given primacy by the makers of the Soviet system?

(a) Abolition of private property.(b) A society based on the principle of equality.(c) No opposition party to be allowed.(d) No state control over the economy. 

Answer :  D

In This Post we are  providing  CHAPTER 1THE COLD WAR ERA NCERT MCQ for Class 12 POLITICAL SCIENCE PART-A CONTEMPORARY WORLD POLITICS which will be beneficial for students. These solutions are updated according to 2021-22 syllabus. These MCQS  can be really helpful in the preparation of Board exams and will provide you with a brief knowledge of the chapter

NCERT MCQ ON THE COLD WAR ERA

Question 1 : Why did Truman ignore his advisors and officially recognize Israel as a new and independent nation in 1948?
(a) He wanted Jewish-American votes
(b) The American public sympathized with Jews after the Holocaust
(c) He wanted to keep the USSR out of Israel
(d) All of the above 

Answer :   D
Question 2 .The event that took place in 1961 was
(a) The construction of the Berlin wall
(b) Soviet intervention in Afghanistan
(c) Vietnamese Intervention in Cambodia
(d) The unification of Germany 

Answer :   A
Question 3 : The Eisenhower Doctrine was aimed at bolstering key nations from Communist insurgents in
(a) The Middle East
(b) Latin America
(c) Southeast Asia
(d) Western Europe

 Answer :   A
Question 4 : When USSR placed nuclear missiles in Cuba?
(a) 1960
(b) 1961
(c) 1962
(d) 1963

 Answer :   C
Question 5 : What is the full form of ‘CENTO’?

(a) The Central Task Organisation

(b) The Central Treaty Organisation

(c) The Central Tally Organisation

(d) The Central Team Organisation

 Answer :  B
Question 6 : The Soviet Union’s brutal response to the 1956 Hungarian Revolution demonstrated the ineffectiveness of the U.S. strategy of
(a) Flexible response
(b) Massive retaliation
(c) Containment
(d) The Truman Doctrine 

Answer :  B
Question 7 .Which among the following statements about the Cold War is wrong?
(a) It was a competition between the US and Soviet Union and their respective allies
(b) It was an ideological war between the superpowers
(c) It triggered of an arms race
(d) The US and U.S.S.R. were engaged in direct wars 

Answer :   D
Question 8 .The Western Alliance was headed by
(a) the United States
(b) Brazil
(c) the Soviet Union
(d) Balkan countries 

Answer :   A
Question 9 :  Which among the following statements does not reflect the objectives of NAM?
(a) Enabling newly decolonized countries to pursue independent policies
(b) Not to joining any military alliances
(c) Following a policy of neutrality on global issues
(d) Focus on elimination of global economic inequalities

 Answer :  C
Question 10 : After the second World War, the world was divided into the blocks of
(a) U.S.A and U.K.
(b) USSR and China
(c) Japan and Korea
(d) U.S.A and USSR 

Answer :   D
Question 11 : What did Kennedy’s New Frontier program seek to do?
(a) Increase social welfare spending
(b) Decrease military spending
(c) Halt “creeping socialism”
(d) Fund anti-Communist insurgents abroad 

Answer :   A
Question 12 : The Warsaw pact was led by _________(a) Japan
(b) Britain
(c) Italy
(d) the Soviet Union

 Answer :   D
Question 13 : Which of the following statements about the NIEQ is false?
(a) Give the LDCs control over their natural resources
(b) Obtain access to Western markets
(c) Reduce the cost of technology from the Western countries
(d) Provide the developed countries with a greater role in international economic institutions

 Answer :   D
Question 14 : In both the 1950s and 1960s, national income approximately
(a) Doubled
(b) Tripled
(c) Quadrupled
(d) Quintupled

 Answer :   A
Question 15 : Mark correct or wrong against each of the following statements that describe the features of the military alliances formed by the superpowers.
(a) Member countries of the alliance are to provide bases in their respective lands for the superpowers.
(b) Member countries to support the superpower both in terms of ideology and military strategy.
(c) When a nation attacks any member country. it is considered as an attack on all the member countries.
(d) Superpowers assist all the member countries to develop their own under weapons.

 Answer :   A

In This Post we are  providing  CHAPTER 18 RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN INDIAN POLITICS NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS for Class 12 POLITICAL SCIENCE PART-B POLITICS IN INDIA SINCE INDEPENDENCE which will be beneficial for students. These solutions are updated according to 2021-22 syllabus. These MCQS  can be really helpful in the preparation of Board exams and will provide you with a brief knowledge of the chapter.

NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN INDIAN POLITICS

Question 1.
Describe any three points of consensus that emerged among most political parties in India in spite of severe competition and conflicts.
Answer:
Inspite of serious differences between major national political parties emergence of new consensus is being viewed with interest in the light of statement as following :
1. Acceptance of political and social claims of the backward castes
Most of the political parties accepted the adequate representation. As a result, all political parties supported reservation for OBCs in education and employment. Political parties even want to ensure that OBCs get their due share of power.

2. Role of state-level parties
The role of state-level parties in governance of the country has been recognised. The gap between centre and state level parties decreased. State level parties are sharing power at central level and have become crucial for the survival of country’s politics in the last two decades.

3. Focus on pragmatic consideration
Coalition politics has shifted political alignments from ideological differences to power-sharing agreements. Governance is based on pragmatic consideration and political alliances take no rigid ideological positions. Thus, the alliance with BJP was formed called NDA in spite of BJP Hindutva. The NDA government lasted for its full term in office.

Question 2.
Which three major developments took place in Indian politics during the last decade of the 20th century? Describe.
Answer:
For major development in Indian politics towards the end of 1980s, country saw five major development which are as follows (any four) :
1. End of Congress system mean dominance of Congress for two decades. But the most important event was the defeat of Congress party in the 1989’s elections. The party had won only 197 seats, which was very low in comparision to 1984 elections where party won 415 seats.

The Congress boosted up its performance and finally it came back to power in 1991, after Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination. But the elections of 1989 marked the end of what political scientists have called the ‘Congress system’, congress remained as major party but it lost its dominance as it enjoyed earlier in the party system.

2. Mandal Issue The Mandal issue started with the National Front government’s decision to implement the recommendations of Mandal Commission in 1990. The recommendation was that 27 per cent of job in the Central Government should be reserved for other backward classes’s candidates only.

Thus, it brought widespread dismay and anger. This conflict between supporters and opponents of OBC reservation was popularly called ‘Mandal issue’. It played a crucial role in shaping politics since 1989.

3. New Economic Reforms The new Ans economic reforms were announced as the structural adjustment programme. These reforms were initiated by Rajiv Gandhi, but these were more visible in Narsimha Rao’s Government in the year 1991. These reforms faced many criticism, but the upcoming governments have continued to follow these.

4. Assassination of Rajiv Gandhi There was a change in leadership due to assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in May 1991. He was assassinated during his election campaign in Tamil Nadu by a Sri Lankan Tamil linked to the LTTE. The elections of 1991 witnessed Congress party emerging as the single largest party.Though death of Rajiv Gandhi led to the appointment of Narsimha Rao as the Prime Minister.

5. Ayodhya Issue The Ayodhya issue was started with the demolition of Babri Masjid in December, 1992. This, incident led to violence and many questions were raised about the nature of Indian nationalism and secularsm. This issue exemplified and provoked various changes in the politics of the country and guided the rise of the BJP and the politics of Hindutva.

Question 3.
Coalition government is a bane or boon for democracy in India’. Explain any three arguments in support of your answer.
Answer:
Coalition government is a boon because :

1. Participation of regional parties at national level State level parties played a crucial role in the country politics for last twenty years. Therefore the differences between state-level parties and central parties is decreasing day-by-day.
2. Spirit of adaptation Coalition politics has shifted the focus of political parties from ideological distinctions to power sharing accommodation. We can see in the government of NDA that most of the parties did not agree with the ideology of Hindutva of BJP. However, they allied with BJP to form a government for a full term completion.
3. Inclined towards one consensus Various radical parties opposed the new economic policies, but some parties came to support new economic policies because they believed that these policies would lead the country towards prosperity and raise its status all over the world. Coalition government is a bane for democracy in India because of three reasons:
   • Unstable government The coalition government has its own interest and they fight for their own self-interest. This leads to the breakup not only of various fronts but of governments as well.
   • Political opportunism Government which is formed on the basis of coalition becomes selfish as opportunist power hungry and unscrupulous politicians emphasise on their self-interest only.
   • Lack of polarisation The coalition governments are formed not on the basis of polarisation of political forces, but for the sake of capturing power and vested interest. There have been no sincere urge even among the parties of same ideology for political polarisation.

Question 4.
From 1989 to 2004, there have been nine coalition governments in India. Analyse the rise and fall of any two such coalition governments.
Answer:
The era 1990s witnessed the emergence of strong political parties, regional parties through several issues viz OBC, Dalit etc. These parties formed government through alliances. Such alliance were United Front, National Front in 1996 and 1989 respectively.

Coalition from 1989 to 2004
Some parties had Congress support and formed alliance in 1996 called United Front. In 1989, BJP and Left supported National front.

In 1989, BJP and Left wanted to keep the Congress out of power, hence, both supported National Front and later in 1996, Congress wanted to keepout BJP from the power. Therefore, it supported United front and Left supported Congress in 1996. The alliance government did not succeed for long because BJP continued to strengthen its position in the elections of 1991 and 1996. The BJP was the single largest party in 1996 parliamentary election.

In 1996, BJP was invited to form the government, but most of the political parties opposed its policies consequently it could not secure a majority in the Lok Sabha.

Lok Sabha Elections, 2004
In 2004 elections, the Congress party came to power with the new alliance known as United Progressive Alliance.This was a coalition in a big way. NDA was defeated and installation of another coalition led by DR. Manmohan Singh occurred. The UPA received support from DMK, PMK, AIADMK, RJD, NCP, TRS and left from Andhra Pradesh etc.

The 2004 elections also saw the partial revival of Congress party as it increased its seats compared to 1996 elections. However, there was a little bit difference between the votes polled by the Congress and its allies and the BJP and its allies in 2004 elections. Thus, the party system has taken another form suddenly from what it was till the seventies.

After the 1990s, the political process has been changed and it led to emergence of broadly four groups of parties:

• The Congress supporting parties that made coalition with Congress.
• The BJP allying parties
• Left front parties
• Some other parties which were not part of the above three

Question 5.
“The end of Eighties of the 20th century witnessed developments which made a long lasting impact on Indian parities”. Assess any three such developments,
Answer:
The end of eighties of the 20th century witnessed major development which have lasting impact on Indian politics, are as follows:
(i) End of Congress system
mean dominance of Congress for two decades. But the most important event was the defeat of Congress party in the 1989’s elections. The party had won only 197 seats, which was very low in comparison to 1984 elections where party won 415 seats.

Congress boosted up its performance and finally it came back to power in 1991, after Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination. But the elections of 1989 marked the end of what political scientists have called the ‘Congress system’. Congress remained as major party but it lost its dominance as it enjoyed earlier in the party system.

(ii) Mandal issue
The Mandal issue started with the National Front Government’s decision to implement the recommendations of Mandal Commission in 1990. The recommendation was that 27 per cent of job in the Central Government should be reserved for other backward classes’s candidates only. Thus, it brought widespread agitation and anger. This conflict between supporters and opponents of OBC reservation was popularly called ‘Mandal issue’. It played a crucial role in shaping politics since 1989.

(iii) New economic reforms
The new economic reforms were announced as the structural adjustment programme. These reforms were initiated by Rajiv Gandhi, but these were more visible in Narismha Rao’s Government in the year 1991. These reforms faced many criticism, but the upcoming governments have continued to follow these reforms.

Question 6.
Describe the emergence of the coalition government in India.
Answer:
Undoubtly, in the new era of coalition politics, political parties are not aligning or re-aligning on the basis of ideology. The main basis of their aligning with one or the other party is to safeguard their own interest and to frustrate their opponents.

The best example was of Dr Manmohan Singh’s government where the leftists supported the UPA but in state both are opponents. The main interest was to keep out BJP from government. Same condition occurred in Bihar, when BJP and Janata Dal formed government to keep out RJD.

At the centre, UPA and NDA generally do these things and hence, it could be said that political parties are not aligning or realigning on the basis of ideology.
For features of coalition government on the basis of ideologies

Three features of coalition government has been given in which we have to understand the not aligning and re-aligning on the basis of ideologies. These are :

1. Unstable government The coalition government has its own interest and they fight for their own self interest. This leads to the breakup of not only of various fronts, but of governments as well.
2. Political opportunism Government formed on the basis of coalition becomes selfish, as opportunist, power hungry and unscrupulous politicians focus on the self interest only.
3. Lack of polarisation The coalition governments are formed not on the basis of polarisation of political forces, but for the sake of capturing power and vested interest. There have been no sincere urge even among the parties of same ideology for political polarisation.

Question 7.
A two-party system is considered as the best form for a democratic system. India, on the other hand, has a multi-party system. Assess the advantages of the multi-party system in India.
Answer:
Two party systems is required for successful democracy. However, the multi-party system have the following advantages:

1. No place for dictatorship Even if a party enjoys full majority, it can not function as dictator. The multi-party system provided a democratic government. Hence, if the largest party try do so then other parties will withdraw their support.
2. Multiple choice of voters Since 1989 elections, voters have choices about whom they want to cast their votes. This is another advantage of multi-party system.
3. True reflection of public opinion Parliament is the reflection of people. In case of multi-party systems. Parliament becomes a true reflector of people because diversity of culture, language are noticeable in Parliament.
4. Possibility of stable government There is government majority in Parliament and Council of Ministers work according to the majority. This restricts Parliament not to pass no-confidence motion. Hence, mulit-party system is comparatively stable.
5. Passing of bills Bills favouring people are passed by the Parliament and it is a coalition government which always asks its member parties to do so.
6. Check the division of the two camps The two-party system leads to two camps. But the multi-party system checked the two hostile camps. It is rather a cementing force between groups of divergent loyalties.

Question 8.
“The regional parties have started playing an important role in the Indian politics”. Comment.
Answer:
India as democracy has the multi-party system which means there are several political parties competing for power. Apart from the primary parties, each state has their own local political parties that rule and compete in their region.

Regional parties play following roles in Indian politics :

1. In absence of clear majority, the largest party has to join hands with a regional party in order to form government. This is where the importance of the regional parties comes into play.
2. Most of the regional parties have agenda furthering certain culture dominant within that state.
3. The regional parties for their benefits divide the people of different states on the line of language, culture, traditions etc.
4. Sometimes serious issues like India’s foreign policy’ are influenced and compromised by regional parties. This affects India’s credibility in international politics.
5. They also work as a pressure groups in Indian politics.
6. Sometimes regional parties influence the central government to divert more annual budget funds to their states at the expense of other states.

Question 9.
What was Godhra episode? What were its after-effects?
Answer:
In February-March 2002 large scale violence took place against Muslims in Gujarat because :

1. At Godhra station a bogey of Sabarmati Express train was set on fire which was full of Karsevaks. They were returning from Ayodhya.
2. Suspecting the hands of Muslims in setting fire to the bogey large-scale violence against Muslims began in Gujarat from the next day.

The outcomes of these riots were :

• This violence continued for almost a whole month. Nearly 1100 persons, mostly Muslims were killed.
• The National Human Rights Commission criticised the Gujarat Government’s role in failing to control this communal violence, providing relief to the victims and prosecute the perpetrators of this violence.
• The Election Commission of India ordered are assembly elections to be postponed.

Question 10.
The National Front Government led by VP Singh was supported by the Left (represented here by Joyti Basu) as well as the BJP (represented by LK Advani)

Look at the cartoon given above carefully and answer the following questions
(i) Does the cartoon refer to a puppet government?
(ii) Describe the role of such a government in the Indian democratic setup.
(iii) What is meant by ‘Support the Government from outside’?
Answer:
(i) Yes, the cartoon refers to a puppet government.
(ii) The role of a puppet government in the Indian democratic set-up can be

• The government may become unstable.
• It will weaken the functioning of democratic set-up.
• Generally compromises are made on the policy decisions.

(iii) Support from outside means to support the functioning and process of the government without joining or becoming a part of the government.

In This Post we are  providing  CHAPTER 18 RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN INDIAN POLITICS NCERT MCQ for Class 12 POLITICAL SCIENCE PART-B POLITICS IN INDIA SINCE INDEPENDENCE which will be beneficial for students. These solutions are updated according to 2021-22 syllabus. These MCQS  can be really helpful in the preparation of Board exams and will provide you with a brief knowledge of the chapter

NCERT MCQ ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN INDIAN POLITICS

Question 1 : Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in the year

(a) 1989.

(b) 1990.

(c) 1991.

(d) 1992.

 Answer : C

Question 2 : Which of the following statement is not correct about Public Account Committee?
(a) Public Account Committee is made as per the provision of Government of India Act, 1919
(b) This Committee consists of members from both the house of the Parliament
(c) Term of the members of the Committee is 5 year
(d) A minister cannot be member of the Committee 

Answer : C

Question 3 : Bhartiya Janata Party is rebirth of which of the following political party?
(a) Bhartiya Jana Sangh
(b) Bahujan samaj party
(c) Samajwadi party
(d) Shiv sena

Answer:  A

Question 4 : The recommendations of the Mandal Commission were implemented in the year

(a) 1990.

(b) 1991.

(c) 1992.

(d) 1993.

 Answer :  A

Question 5 : The Union Public Service Commission of India has been established under the Article
(a) Article 122
(b) Article 178
(c) Article 272
(d) Article 315 

Answer :  D

Question 6 : The Parliament of India cannot be regarded as a sovereign body because
(a) it can legislate only on subjects entrusted to the Centre by the Constitution
(b) it has to operate within the limits prescribed by the Constitution
(c) the Supreme Court can declare laws passed by parliament as unconstitutional if they contravene the provisions of the Constitution
(d) All of the above

 Answer :  D

Question 7 : Which of the following committee enforces code of conduct of members of Parliament?
(a) Ethics committee
(b) House committee
(c) Committee of privileges
(d) Ad-hoc committee 

Answer :  A

Question 8 :  Who was the chairperson of Mandal Commission?

(a) Bindeshwari Prasad Mandal.

 (b) Nandeshwari Prasad Mandal. 

(c) Chandeshwari Prasad Mandal. 

(d) None of the Above

 Answer :  A

Question 9 : The president addresses both the Houses of Parliament assembled together
(a) during emergency session summoned for the purpose
(b) every session
(c) first session after each general election and the first session of each year
(d) any session

 Answer : C

Question 10 : The president can dismiss a member of the council of ministers
(a) on his own
(b) on the recommendation of the prime ministers
(c) only under emergency conditions
(d) with the consent of the speaker

 Answer : B

Question 11 : The National Human Rights Commission is formed in the year
(a) 1990
(b) 1993
(c) 1995
(d) 1997

 Answer : B

Question 12 : The function of the ______ committee is to examine the estimates included in the budget and suggests economies in public expenditure.
(a) Public Accounts Committee
(b) Rules Committee
(c) Estimate Committee
(d) Ethics Committee

 Answer : C

Question 13 : Which of the following statement is wrong with regard to Parliamentary Committee
(a) Parliamentary Committee is appointed/elected by the speaker/chairman
(b) Works under the guidance of speaker/chairman
(c) Has a secretariat provided by the president of India
(d) Submits its reports to house or speaker/chairman

Answer : C

Question 14 : The president can advance money to meet unforeseen expenses, pending authorization by Parliament, from
(a) the Consolidated Fund of India
(b) the Contingency Fund
(c) both the above funds
(d) None of the above 

Answer : B

Question 15 : The pension of a high court judge is charged to the
(a) Consolidated Fund of India
(b) Consolidated Fund of the state where he last served
(c) Consolidated Funds of the different states where he has served
(d) Contingency Fund of India 

Answer :  A