SOCIAL SCIENCE 10

The Consumer in the Market Place We participate in the market both as producers and consumers. As  producers  of goods and services, we could be working in any of the sectors such as agriculture, industry, or services. Consumers  participate in the market when they purchase goods and services that they need. These are the final goods that people use as consumers. The rules and regulations are required for the protection of the consumers in the marketplace. Consumer Movement In India, the consumer movement as a ‘social force’ originated with the necessity of protecting and promoting the interests of consumers against unethical and unfair trade practices. Because of all these efforts, a significant initiative was taken in 1986 by the Indian government. It has implemented the  Consumer Protection Act 1986 , popularly known as  COPRA . Safety is Everyone’s Right Consumers have the right to be protected against the marketing of goods and delivery of services that are...

In a matter of years, our markets have been transformed. Production Across Countries Trade was the main channel connecting distant countries. Large companies which are now called Multinational Corporations (MNCs) play a major role in trade. An  MNC  is a company that owns or controls production in more than one nation. MNCs set up offices and factories for production in regions where they can get cheap labour and other resources so that the company can earn greater profits. Interlinking Production Across Countries The money that is spent to buy assets such as land, building, machines and other equipment is called  investment . An investment made by MNCs is called  foreign investment . MNCs are exerting a strong influence on production at these distant locations. As a result, production in these widely dispersed locations is getting interlinked. There are a variety of ways as mentioned below, in which MNCs are spreading their production and interacting with local prod...

Money as a Medium of Exchange Money acts as an intermediate in the exchange process, it is called a medium of exchange. A person holding money can easily exchange it for any commodity or service that he or she might want. Modern form of Money In the early ages, Indians used grains and cattle as money. Thereafter came the use of metallic coins – gold, silver, copper coins – a phase which continued well into the last century. Now, the modern forms of money include currency – paper notes and coins. The modern forms of money – currency and deposits – are closely linked to the working of the modern banking system. Currency In India, the Reserve Bank of India issues currency notes on behalf of the central government. No other individual or organisation is allowed to issue currency. The rupee is widely accepted as a medium of exchange in India. Deposits in Banks The other form in which people hold money is as deposits with banks. People deposit their extra cash with the banks by opening a ban...

What Development Promises – Different Peoples, Different Goals Different people can have different developmental goals What may be development for one may not be development for the other person. It may even be destructive for the other. Income and Other Goals People want more income. Money, or material things that one can buy with it, is one factor on which our life depends. However, the quality of our life also depends on non-material things such as equal treatment, freedom, security, and respect for others. For development, people look at a mix of goals. The developmental goals are not only about better income but also about other important things in life. National Development Different persons could have different as well as conflicting notions of a country’s development. How to Compare Different Countries or States? For comparing countries, their income is considered to be one of the most important attributes. Countries with higher income are more developed than others with less i...

What Development Promises – Different Peoples, Different Goals Different people can have different developmental goals What may be development for one may not be development for the other person. It may even be destructive for the other. Income and Other Goals People want more income. Money, or material things that one can buy with it, is one factor on which our life depends. However, the quality of our life also depends on non-material things such as equal treatment, freedom, security, and respect for others. For development, people look at a mix of goals. The developmental goals are not only about better income but also about other important things in life. National Development Different persons could have different as well as conflicting notions of a country’s development. How to Compare Different Countries or States? For comparing countries, their income is considered to be one of the most important attributes. Countries with higher income are more developed than others with less i...

Think About the Challenges of Democracy A challenge is a difficulty that carries within it an opportunity for progress. Different countries face different kinds of challenges. At least one-fourth of the globe is still not under a democratic government. These countries face the  foundational challenge  of making the transition to democracy and then instituting a democratic government. Most of the established democracies face the  challenge of expansion . This involves applying the basic principle of democratic government across all the regions, different social groups and various institutions. This also means that less and less decisions should remain outside the arena of democratic control. Countries like India and the US face this challenge. Deepening of democracy  is the challenge faced by every democracy in one form or another. This involves strengthening of the institutions and practices of democracy. This requires an attempt to bring down the control and influen...

How do We Assess Democracy’s Outcomes? Democracy is a better form of government than dictatorship in the following respects: Promotes equality among citizens. Enhances the dignity of the individual. Improves the quality of decision making. Provides a method to resolve conflicts. Allows room to correct mistakes. Democracy Produces Accountable, Responsive and Legitimate Government People have the right to choose their rulers and they have control over their rulers. Citizens can participate in decision making. Thus, democracy produces a government that is accountable to the citizens, and responsive to the needs and expectations of the citizens. Democracy ensures that decision making is based on norms and procedures. So, a citizen who wants to know if a decision was taken through the correct procedures can find out this information. Citizens can take part in decision making whenever they want. A democratic government is the people’s own government. People wish to be ruled by representative...

A party that secures atleast 6 per cent of the total votes in Lok Sabha elections or Assembly Elections in four States and wins atleast four seats in the Lok Sabha, is recognised as a ‘National party’. A party, that secures atleast 6 per cent of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a State and wins atleast two seats, is recognized as a ‘State party’. Tabulate four national parties and four regional parties of India. National Parties: Indian National Congress; BJP (Bharatiya Janta Party); CPI (Communist Party of India); CPI (M) (Communist Party of India —Marxist). Regional Parties: Akali Dal (Punjab); DMK (Tamil Nadu); RJD (Rashtriya Janta Dal) (Bihar); Shiv Sena (Maharashtra). Components of a political party are: The leaders, active members and the followers. Partisanship: A partisan is a person who is strongly committed to a party, group or faction. As parties (political) are about a part of the society, they involve ‘partisanship’. Role of an opposition party...

Popular struggles in Nepal and Bolivia In Chapter 1 of Class 9 Political Science, you have studied the story of the triumph of democracy in Poland. The story reminds you of the role of the people in making Poland a democratic country. Here are 2 more stories through which you get to know how power is exercised in a democracy. Movement for Democracy in Nepal Nepal witnessed a popular movement in April 2006, which was aimed at regaining popular control over the government from the king. All the major political parties in the parliament formed a Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and called for a four-day strike in Kathmandu. They demanded; Restoration of parliament Power to an all-party government A new constituent assembly On 24 April 2006, the king was forced to accept all the three demands. In 2008, the kingship was abolished and Nepal became a federal democratic republic. In 2015, it adopted a new constitution. The struggle of the Nepali people is a source of inspiration to democrats all ove...

Federalism  is a system of government in which the power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units of the country. This vertical division of power among different levels of governments is referred to as federalism. Federalism is one of the major forms of power-sharing in modem democracies. Key features of federalism are: Two or more levels of government. Different levels of government govern the same citizens, where each level has its own jurisdiction in specific matters of legislation, taxation and administration. Existence and authority of each level of government is constitutionally governed. The fundamental provisions of the Constitution cannot be unilaterally changed. Such changes require the consent of both the levels of government. Courts have the power to interpret the Constitution. The highest court acts as the umpire if any dispute arises between different levels of governments. Sources of revenue for each level of government are specified to en...