Extra 30 short questions and answers from the chapter "Nature of State Activity: Individualism" for Class 11 Political Science:
1. What is Individualism?
Answer: Individualism is a political and economic philosophy that emphasizes the freedom, rights, and independence of individuals over collective or state control. It promotes personal responsibility and limited government intervention.
2. Who is considered the father of Individualism?
Answer: John Locke is considered the father of individualism due to his advocacy for natural rights, limited government, and the idea of a social contract.
3. What does the term ‘Laissez-faire’ mean?
Answer: "Laissez-faire" is a French term meaning "let do" or "leave alone." It refers to minimal government interference in economic affairs, allowing free-market forces to operate independently.
4. What is the main function of the state in individualism?
Answer: The main function of the state in individualism is to protect life, liberty, and property while ensuring law and order, without interfering in personal and economic freedoms.
5. How does individualism differ from collectivism?
Answer:
Individualism
prioritizes personal freedom and self-reliance.
Collectivism
emphasizes group interests, social welfare, and government intervention in economic and social matters.
6. Which economic system aligns with individualism?
Answer: Capitalism aligns with individualism as it promotes private ownership, free-market competition, and minimal state control over businesses.
7. What is the Night-Watchman State?
Answer: A Night-Watchman State is a state that performs only basic functions such as maintaining law and order, enforcing contracts, and protecting citizens' rights, with minimal involvement in social and economic affairs.
8. Who introduced the concept of the "Invisible Hand" in economics?
Answer: Adam Smith introduced the concept of the "Invisible Hand," which suggests that individuals pursuing their own economic interests also benefit society through free-market competition.
9. What are the advantages of individualism?
Answer:
Encourages
personal freedom
and self-reliance.
Promotes
innovation and economic growth
through competition.
Reduces government control, allowing greater
market efficiency
.
10. Mention any two disadvantages of individualism.
Answer:
Can lead to
economic inequality
and social injustice.
May
weaken social responsibilities
and collective welfare.
11. What are the key principles of individualism?
Answer:
Freedom
of thought and action.
Private property rights.
Minimal government interference.
Free-market economy.
12. How does individualism affect democracy?
Answer: Individualism supports democracy by promoting personal rights, free speech, and political participation, but extreme individualism can weaken social unity.
13. What is the role of government in an individualist society?
Answer: The government should ensure security, enforce laws, and protect individual rights, but should not interfere in economic and personal matters.
14. How does individualism contribute to economic growth?
Answer: By encouraging entrepreneurship, competition, and innovation, individualism leads to increased productivity and wealth creation.
15. What is the Social Contract Theory?
Answer: The Social Contract Theory, proposed by John Locke, Hobbes, and Rousseau, states that individuals form a state through a mutual agreement to ensure protection and order.
16. How does individualism support capitalism?
Answer: Individualism promotes private ownership, free markets, and competition, which are the key principles of capitalism.
17. How did John Stuart Mill contribute to individualism?
Answer: John Stuart Mill supported freedom of speech, personal liberty, and the Harm Principle, which states that individuals are free to act unless they harm others.
18. What is the Harm Principle?
Answer: The Harm Principle, proposed by John Stuart Mill, states that people should be free to do anything unless their actions cause harm to others.
19. Why do individualists support limited government?
Answer: Because they believe too much government control restricts personal freedom and economic efficiency.
20. What is meant by "Rugged Individualism"?
Answer: A belief in self-reliance, minimal government assistance, and personal responsibility for one’s success or failure.
21. How does individualism impact social welfare?
Answer: Individualism reduces government welfare programs, emphasizing personal responsibility and charity instead of state support.
22. Why do individualists oppose collectivism?
Answer: Because collectivism limits personal freedom, increases government control, and suppresses individual initiative.
23. What is the relation between individualism and human rights?
Answer: Individualism strongly supports fundamental rights like freedom of speech, equality, and personal liberty.
24. What are the dangers of extreme individualism?
Answer:
Weakens
social responsibility
and cooperation.
Increases
economic inequality
.
Reduces
sense of community and shared values
.
25. What does Adam Smith’s "Wealth of Nations" advocate?
Answer: It advocates for free markets, minimal government interference, and the importance of self-interest in economic progress.
26. How does individualism relate to political liberalism?
Answer: Political liberalism promotes individual rights, constitutional government, and democracy, which align with individualist principles.
27. What role does competition play in individualism?
Answer: Competition in an individualist society encourages innovation, efficiency, and economic growth.
28. How does individualism affect education policies?
Answer: Individualism supports educational choice, private institutions, and merit-based learning rather than government-controlled education.
29. What is the role of property in individualism?
Answer: Private property is considered a fundamental right in individualism as it encourages economic independence and security.
30. Why do individualists prefer a market economy?
Answer: Because it allows freedom of trade, competition, and self-regulation without government interference.
