SHORT QUESTIONS AND ANSWER
Question 1: What is federalism?
Answer:
Federalism is a system of government where power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units of the country.
Question 2: Name the two levels of government in a federal system.
Answer:
The two levels of government in a federal system are the central or national government and the state or provincial governments.
Question 3: What is the main objective of federalism?
Answer:
The main objective of federalism is to accommodate regional diversity while maintaining national unity.
Question 4: Give an example of a country that practices federalism.
Answer:
Examples of countries that practice federalism include the United States, Canada, India, Australia, and Switzerland.
Question 5: How does federalism promote decentralization?
Answer:
Federalism promotes decentralization by delegating certain powers and responsibilities to state or provincial governments, thus reducing the central government’s dominance.
Question 6: Explain the concept of dual government under federalism.
Answer:
Dual government refers to the existence of two separate levels of government—central and state/provincial—with each level having its own set of powers and responsibilities.
Question 7: What are the advantages of federalism?
Answer:
Advantages of federalism include promoting unity in diversity, accommodating regional aspirations, enhancing local governance, and fostering innovation in policy-making.
Question 8: How does federalism help in managing regional diversity?
Answer:
Federalism helps in managing regional diversity by allowing states or provinces to have autonomy in decision-making on issues relevant to their region, such as language, culture, and local development.
Question 9: Discuss the role of federalism in promoting democracy.
Answer:
Federalism promotes democracy by decentralizing power and allowing for greater participation of citizens in governance at local and regional levels, thus enhancing democratic principles.
Question 10: What is meant by ‘division of powers’ in federalism?
Answer:
Division of powers refers to the allocation of specific powers and responsibilities between the central and state/provincial governments, as outlined in the constitution.
Question 11: Explain the concept of ‘checks and balances’ in federalism.
Answer:
Checks and balances refer to mechanisms that ensure no single level of government becomes too powerful. Each level of government can limit the power of the other through various constitutional means.
Question 12: How does federalism contribute to administrative efficiency?
Answer:
Federalism contributes to administrative efficiency by allowing states or provinces to tailor policies that meet local needs and priorities, which may vary across different regions of the country.
Question 13: What challenges are associated with federalism?
Answer:
Challenges of federalism include conflicts over jurisdiction between central and state governments, potential for duplication of efforts, and disparities in resource allocation and development among states.
Question 14: Describe the financial arrangement between the central and state governments in federalism.
Answer:
In federalism, the central government collects taxes and shares a portion of revenue with state governments through schemes like grants-in-aid to support their development initiatives.
Question 15: What lessons can India learn from other federal countries regarding effective federal governance?
Answer:
India can learn lessons such as maintaining a balance between centralization and decentralization, ensuring equitable development across states, and fostering cooperation between central and state governments for effective policy implementation.
LONG QUESTIONS AND ANSWER
Question 1: Explain the concept of federalism. How does it differ from a unitary system of government?
Answer:
- Federalism divides power between a central authority and constituent units like states. It ensures decentralization and regional autonomy.
- In contrast, a unitary system centralizes power with minimal autonomy for local entities, promoting uniformity.
- Federalism, like in India, balances national unity with regional diversity through shared and exclusive powers, fostering democratic governance across diverse regions.
Question 2: Discuss the historical context of federalism in India. How has federalism evolved since independence?
Answer:
- Federalism in India traces back to the Government of India Act, 1935, which laid foundations for provincial autonomy.
- Post-independence, the Constitution formalized federal principles, distributing powers between the Union and states. Amendments and judicial interpretations, alongside commissions like Sarkaria and Punchhi, enhanced cooperative federalism.
- Despite challenges like resource disputes, India’s federal structure continues to manage diversity while ensuring national unity through equitable governance.
Question 3: Explain the distribution of powers between the Union and State governments in India. Provide examples of subjects under each list.
Answer:
India’s Constitution divides powers into Union, State, and Concurrent Lists. The Union List includes defense and foreign affairs, exclusively legislated by the central government. The State List covers police and public health, solely under state jurisdiction. The Concurrent List, including criminal law and marriage, permits both levels to legislate. This distribution aims for effective governance while safeguarding federal principles, enabling tailored policies and local governance across diverse states.
Question 4: Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of federalism. How does federalism contribute to unity in diversity?
Answer:
- Federalism’s advantages include decentralized governance, local responsiveness, and enhanced democratic participation. However, challenges like overlapping jurisdictions and fiscal disparities can arise.
- Federalism in India preserves unity amidst diversity by accommodating regional aspirations through devolution and autonomy. This ensures local needs are addressed while maintaining national integrity.
- Effective federal structures promote cooperation and equitable development, fostering unity through diversity in governance and policy implementation.
Question 5: Examine the role of federalism in promoting administrative efficiency. Provide examples to support your answer.
Answer:
- Federalism enhances administrative efficiency by decentralizing decision-making and allowing states to tailor policies to local needs. In Canada, provincial autonomy in education policy permits curriculum adjustments.
- Similarly, India’s states implement health and agricultural policies reflecting regional realities. Such tailored governance fosters innovation and responsiveness, enhancing overall administrative effectiveness.
- Federal structures empower states to address local challenges effectively, promoting developmental diversity and efficient public service delivery.
Question 6: Evaluate the challenges faced by federalism in India. How can these challenges be addressed?
Answer:
- Challenges in Indian federalism include resource disputes, center-state tensions, and fiscal dependencies. Addressing these requires robust inter-governmental coordination mechanisms, equitable resource distribution, and fiscal autonomy for states.
- Constitutional reforms, like clearer jurisdictional delineations and cooperative federalism promotion, can mitigate tensions. Strengthening federal principles through dialogue and balanced governance ensures effective policy implementation and sustainable development across diverse regions.
Question 7: Explain the concept of cooperative federalism. How does it foster collaboration between the Union and State governments?
Answer:
- Cooperative federalism emphasizes collaborative governance where the Union and states work together to address national challenges.
- It promotes joint decision-making, shared resources, and mutual accountability.
- In India, cooperative federalism strengthens inter-governmental relations through forums like GST Council, facilitating consensus-driven policies.
- This approach ensures equitable development and effective governance, balancing national priorities with regional aspirations.
- Cooperative federalism enhances synergy in policy implementation, fostering inclusive growth and harmonious governance practices.
Question 8: Discuss the significance of fiscal federalism in India. How does it impact economic governance and development?
Answer:
- Fiscal federalism in India involves the distribution of financial resources and responsibilities between the Union and states. It impacts economic governance by influencing resource mobilization, expenditure prioritization, and fiscal discipline at both levels of government.
- Through mechanisms like Finance Commission grants and GST revenue sharing, fiscal federalism supports equitable development and fiscal stability.
- This ensures optimal resource allocation, promotes regional balance, and strengthens cooperative federalism, fostering inclusive growth and sustainable economic development.
Question 9: Explain the role of federalism in promoting cultural diversity. How does it safeguard minority rights?
Answer:
- Federalism safeguards cultural diversity by empowering states to protect and promote regional languages, traditions, and customs.
- In India, linguistic diversity is preserved through state autonomy in education and cultural policies.
- Federal structures ensure minority rights by decentralizing power, enabling states to enact laws that uphold cultural and linguistic rights.
- This inclusive approach fosters national unity while respecting diverse identities, promoting social harmony and inclusive governance across pluralistic societies.
Question 10: Evaluate the future prospects of federalism in India. How can it be strengthened to address emerging challenges?
Answer:
- The future of federalism in India hinges on enhancing cooperative federalism, clarifying jurisdictional ambiguities, and empowering states economically.
- Strengthening inter-governmental mechanisms, like NITI Aayog, fosters collaborative policymaking and resource sharing. Addressing fiscal disparities through fair revenue allocation and promoting fiscal discipline ensures sustainable development.
- Empowering local bodies and leveraging digital governance tools can enhance transparency and citizen participation. A robust federal framework, adapted to evolving socio-economic dynamics, will sustain democratic governance and national unity.
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