FA Civics (Elective) Flashcards

24 sample cards from the Civics (Elective) deck

Sampled from the end of the deck, so these are different cards from the ones shown on the syllabus page.

1. What is the difference between the state and an association?

   The state is sovereign, includes all people in its territory, and membership is compulsory; an association is a smaller group formed for a particular purpose, is not sovereign, and membership is voluntary.

2. What does the 'Divine Right Theory' say about the origin of the state?

   It holds that the state was created by God, the ruler is appointed by God, the ruler is answerable only to God, and obedience to the ruler is a religious duty.

3. What does the 'Social Contract Theory' say about the origin of the state?

   It holds that the state arose from an agreement (contract) among people who left a 'state of nature' to live in an organized political community. Its chief exponents are Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau.

4. How did Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau differ in their views of the state of nature in the Social Contract Theory?

   Hobbes saw the state of nature as a state of war ('solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short') needing an absolute ruler; Locke saw it as fairly peaceful but insecure, justifying limited government to protect rights; Rousseau idealized it and based the state on the 'General Will'.

5. What does the 'Force Theory' say about the origin of the state?

   It holds that the state originated through force and conquest — the strong subdued the weak and 'might made right' — so the state is essentially a product of war and coercion.

6. What does the 'Evolutionary (Historical) Theory' say about the origin of the state?

   It holds that the state was not created by a single event but evolved gradually over time through factors such as kinship, religion, force, property and political consciousness; it is the most widely accepted theory.

7. List the main factors that contributed to the growth of the state according to the Evolutionary Theory.

   Kinship (family and blood ties), religion, force/war, economic factors (property and trade), and the growth of political consciousness.

8. Define 'democracy' and state the famous definition by Abraham Lincoln.

   Democracy is a form of government in which sovereign power rests with the people. Abraham Lincoln defined it as 'government of the people, by the people, and for the people'.

9. What are the two main types/forms of democracy?

   (1) Direct (pure) democracy, where people make decisions themselves; and (2) Indirect (representative) democracy, where people rule through elected representatives.

10. List the main merits (advantages) of democracy.

    It protects rights and liberty, is based on the consent and equality of people, promotes political awareness and accountability, allows peaceful change of government, and develops a sense of responsibility among citizens.

11. List the main demerits (disadvantages) of democracy.

    It can be slow and costly, may be dominated by the ignorant majority or by money/propaganda, may neglect the qualified for the popular, and emphasizes quantity over quality of votes.

12. Define 'dictatorship'.

    Dictatorship is a form of government in which all power is concentrated in one person or a small group who rule without the consent of the people, usually without effective constitutional limits or accountability.

13. What are the main features (characteristics) of dictatorship?

    Absolute and unlimited power in one ruler/party, absence of free elections and opposition, suppression of civil liberties, strict censorship, glorification of the leader/state, and rule by force.

14. State two key differences between democracy and dictatorship.

    In democracy power rests with the people through elections and rights are protected, while in dictatorship power is held by one person/group without popular consent and individual rights and freedoms are suppressed.

15. What is a 'unitary' system of government?

    A unitary system is one in which all powers of government are concentrated in a single central government, and any local or provincial bodies exercise only the powers delegated to them by the centre (e.g., the United Kingdom, France).

16. What is a 'federal' system of government?

    A federal system is one in which powers are constitutionally divided between a central (federal) government and constituent provincial/state governments, each supreme in its own sphere (e.g., Pakistan, USA, India).

17. State two main differences between unitary and federal systems.

    In a unitary system all power lies with the centre and provinces are subordinate, with usually a single (often flexible) constitution; in a federal system power is divided between centre and provinces by a rigid written constitution that both must obey.

18. List the essential features of a federation.

    A written and rigid constitution, division of powers between centre and provinces, supremacy of the constitution, an independent judiciary to settle disputes, and dual government (federal and provincial).

19. What is a 'parliamentary' system of government?

    A parliamentary system is one in which the executive (Prime Minister and cabinet) is drawn from and responsible to the legislature, with a nominal head of state (President/Monarch) and a real head of government (Prime Minister), e.g., the UK and Pakistan.

20. What is a 'presidential' system of government?

    A presidential system is one in which the President is both head of state and head of government, is elected separately from the legislature, and the executive and legislature are independent of each other (e.g., the USA).

21. State two main differences between parliamentary and presidential systems.

    In a parliamentary system the executive is part of and answerable to the legislature with no strict separation of powers; in a presidential system the executive is separate from and independent of the legislature, with a strict separation of powers.

22. What is the position of the head of state versus head of government in a parliamentary system?

    In a parliamentary system the head of state (President or Monarch) is only a nominal/titular head, while real executive power is exercised by the head of government, the Prime Minister, and his cabinet.

23. Define 'law'.

    Law is a body of rules of conduct recognized and enforced by the state, which all members of society are bound to obey, and the violation of which leads to punishment by the state.

24. What are the main characteristics (essentials) of law?

    Law is a rule of human conduct, it is made or recognized by the state (sovereign), it applies generally to all, it is enforced by the state, and its breach carries a definite penalty/sanction.

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