Chapter 10: Grassroots Democracy – Part 1: Governance
Who makes the rules we live by, and how? In this chapter we learn what governance means, meet the three organs and three levels of government, and discover why democracy matters.
In this chapter you will
- explain governance and why we need a government
- describe the three organs of government
- name the three levels of government in India
- explain what democracy is and why it is important
Topics
- Governance and the Three Organs of Government NCERT 10.1
Governance is making decisions and rules for society and ensuring they are followed; the government does this.
- Three Levels of Government NCERT 10.2
Government works at three levels: local, State and Central (Union).
- Democracy NCERT 10.3
Democracy is government by the people, usually through elected representatives.
Key words
- Governance
- making decisions and rules for society and ensuring they are followed
- Law
- an important rule made by the government
- Legislature
- the organ that makes laws
- Executive
- the organ that carries out laws
- Judiciary
- the courts, which settle disputes
- Democracy
- government by the people
Summary
- Governance means making and enforcing rules; the government does this.
- The legislature makes laws, the executive implements them, the judiciary settles disputes.
- India has local, State and Central governments.
- In India's democracy, every adult citizen can vote by secret ballot.