Hinglish

What Makes Governments Different?

Class 7 Social Science · Chapter 9: From the Rulers to the Ruled: Types of Governments · NCERT Exploring Society: India and Beyond section 9.2

Learn

Countries have their own histories and aspirations, so their governments differ. Four questions help us compare them. 1. Who decides "this is the government"? In a democracy, the people; in a theocracy, religious beliefs and leaders. 2. How is it formed? By elections in a democracy; by birth within a royal family in a kingdom.

3. What are its parts and what do they do? The legislative, executive and judicial functions may be done by separate, independent bodies or by one body; in most democracies the rules are written in a constitution, while in monarchies the king or queen may decide. 4. What is it working for? Some governments aim at equality and prosperity for all, as India's does; others serve only a few families or groups.

Explore: four questions about a government.

  1. Sort each answer under its question.

Remember

  • Governments differ in who gives them authority and how they are formed.
  • They also differ in their parts (often set out in a constitution) and in the goals they serve.

Quick check

In a theocracy, the government's authority comes from …

  1. religious beliefs and religious leaders
  2. the people's votes
  3. the army only
  4. traders
Answer

religious beliefs and religious leaders. In a democracy, it comes from the people.

Think about it

Which of the four questions do you think matters most to ordinary people? Why?

One answer

Many would say "what is it working for?", because a government that aims at everyone's welfare affects daily life most; others may say "who gives it authority?", since that decides whether people can change it.

Practice

Practise with fresh questions at three levels (easy, medium, hard), some answered hands-on, with hints and worked answers. Get 4 of your last 5 right to finish the topic.