Microtheme: Political Theory —
21 questions asked in Prelims in the past.

1. [2023] In essence, what does ‘Due Process of Law’ mean?
   • (a) The principle of natural justice
   • (b) The procedure established by law
   • (c) Fair application of law
   • (d) Equality before law
   Correct Answer: (A) The principle of natural justice
2. [2023] Which one of the following statements best reflects the Chief purpose of the ‘Constitution’ of a country?
   • (a) It determines the objective for the making of necessary laws.
   • (b) It enables the creation of political offices and a government
   • (c) It defines and limits the powers of government.
   • (d) It secures social justice, social equality and social security
   Correct Answer: (C) It defines and limits the powers of government.
3. [2021] Which one of the following best defines the term ‘State’?
   • (a) A community of persons permanently occupying a definite territory independent of external control and possessing an organized government.
   • (b) A politically organized people of a definite territory and possessing an authority to govern them, maintain law and order, protect their natural rights, and safeguard their means of sustenance.
   • (c) A number of persons who have been living in a definite territory for a very long time with their own culture, tradition, and government.
   • (d) A society permanently living in a definite territory with a central authority, an executive responsible to the central authority, and an independent judiciary.
   Correct Answer: (A) A community of persons permanently occupying a definite territory independent of external control and possessing an organized government.
4. [2021] Constitutional government means:
   • (a) a representative government of a nation with a federal structure
   • (b) a government whose Head enjoys nominal powers
   • (c) a government whose Head enjoys real powers
   • (d) a government limited by the terms of the Constitution
   Correct Answer: (D) a government limited by the terms of the Constitution
5. [2021] Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty in a liberal democracy?
   • (a) A committed judiciary
   • (b) Centralization of powers
   • (c) Elected government
   • (d) Separation of powers
   Correct Answer: (D) Separation of powers
6. [2021] We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model?
   1. As regards legislation, the British Parliament is supreme or sovereign but in India, the power of the Parliament to legislate is limited.
   2. In India, matters related to the constitutionality of the Amendment of an Act of the Parliament are referred to the Constitution Bench by the Supreme Court.
   Select the correct answer
   using the code given below.
   • (a) 1 only
   • (b) 2 only
   • (c) Both 1 and 2
   • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
   Correct Answer: (C) Both 1 and 2
7. [2020] In the context of India, which one of the following is the characteristic appropriate for
   bureaucracy?
   • (a) An agency for widening the scope of parliamentary democracy
   • (b) An agency for strengthening the structure of federalism
   • (c) An agency for facilitating political stability and economic growth
   • (d) An agency for the implementation of public policy
   Correct Answer: (D) An agency for the implementation of public policy
8. [2020] A constitutional government by definition is a
   • (a) government by legislature
   • (b) popular government
   • (c) multi-party government
   • (d) limited government
   Correct Answer: (D) limited government
9. [2020] A Parliamentary System of Government is one in which
   • (a) all political parties in the Parliament are represented in the Government
   • (b) the Government is responsible to the Parliament and can be removed by it
   • (c) the Government is elected by the people and can be removed by them
   • (d) the Government is chosen by the Parliament but cannot be removed by it before completion of a fixed term
   Correct Answer: (B) the Government is responsible to the Parliament and can be removed by it
10. [2019] In the context of any country, which one of the following would be considered as part of its social capital?
    • (a) The proportion of literates in the population
    • (b) The stock of its buildings, other infrastructure and machines
    • (c) The size of population in the working age group
    • (d) The level of mutual trust and harmony in the society
    Correct Answer: (D) The level of mutual trust and harmony in the society
11. [2019] In the context of polity, which one of the
    following would you accept as the most
    appropriate definition of liberty?
    • (a) Protection against the tyranny of political rulers
    • (b) Absence of restraint
    • (c) Opportunity to do whatever one likes
    • (d) Opportunity to develop oneself fully.
    Correct Answer: (D) Opportunity to develop oneself fully.
12. [2018] Which one of the following reflects the most appropriate relationship between law and liberty?
    • (a) If there are more laws, there is less liberty.
    • (b) If there are no laws, there is no liberty.
    • (c) If there is liberty laws have to be made by the people.
    • (d) If laws are changed too often, liberty is in danger.
    Correct Answer: (B) If there are no laws, there is no liberty.
13. [2018] Which of the following are regarded as the main features of the “Rule of Law” ?
    1. Limitation of powers
    2. Equality before law
    3. People’s responsibility to the Government
    4. Liberty and civil rights
    Select the correct answer using the code given below :
    • (a) 1 and 3 only
    • (b) 2 and 4 only
    • (c) 1, 2 and 4 only
    • (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
    Correct Answer: (C) 1, 2 and 4 only
14. [2017] ‘Democracy’s superior virtue lies in the fact that it calls into activity
    • (a) the intelligence and character ordinary men and women.
    • (b) the methods for strengthening executive leadership
    • (c) a superior individual with dynamism and vision.
    • (d) a band of dedicated party workers.
    Correct Answer: (A) the intelligence and character ordinary men and women.
15. [2017] Out of the’ ‘following statements, choose the one that brings out the principle underlying the Cabinet form of Government :
    • (a) An arrangement for mimmizing the criticism against the Government whose responsibilities are complex and hard to carry out to the satisfaction of all.
    • (b) A mechanism for speeding up the activities of the Government whose responsibilities are increasing day by day.
    • (c) A mechanism of parliamentary democracy for ensuring collective responsibility of the Government to the people.
    • (d) A device for strengthening the hands of the head of the Government whose hold over the people is in a state of decline.
    Correct Answer: (C) A mechanism of parliamentary democracy for ensuring collective responsibility of the Government to the people.
16. [2017] The main advantage of the parliamentary form of government is that
    • (a) the executive and legislature work independently.
    • (b) it provides continuity of policy and is more efficient.
    • (c) the executive remains responsible to the legislature.
    • (d) the head of the government cannot be changed without election.
    Correct Answer: (C) the executive remains responsible to the legislature.
17. [2017] One of the implications of equality in society is the absence of
    • (a) Privileges
    • (b) Restraints
    • (c) Competition
    • (d) Ideology
    Correct Answer: (A) Privileges
18. [2015] There is a Parliamentary System of Government in India because the
    • (a) Lok Sabha is elected directly by the people
    • (b) Parliament can amend the Constitution
    • (c) Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved
    • (d) Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha
    Correct Answer: (D) Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha
19. [2014] Consider the following statements :
    A Constitutional Government is one which:
    1. places effective restrictions on individual liberty in the interest of State Authority.
    2. places effective restrictions on the Authority of the State in the interest of individual liberty.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
    • (a) 1 only
    • (b) 2 only
    • (c) Both 1 and 2
    • (d) Neither 1 nor 2
    Correct Answer: (B) 2 only
20. [2012] Which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India have a bearing on Education?
    1. Directive Principles of State Policy
    2. Rural and Urban Local Bodies
    3. Fifth Schedule
    4. Sixth Schedule
    5. Seventh Schedule
    Select the correct answer using the code given below:
    • (a) 1 and 2 only
    • (b) 3, 4 and 5 only
    • (c) 1, 2 and 5 only
    • (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
    Correct Answer: (D) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
21. [2003] Which among the following countries was the earliest to give women the right to vote?
    • (a) Iceland
    • (b) India
    • (c) New Zealand
    • (d) U.S.A.
    Correct Answer: (C) New Zealand