Polity Miscellaneous (Part-I)

Total Questions: 50

31. Amnesty International is - [I.A.S. (Pre) 2015]

Correct Answer: (b) A Global Human Rights Movement.
Solution:
  • Amnesty International is a worldwide moverment of people who campaign for human rights.
  • Its members give freely of their time and energy in solidarity with the victims of human rights violations.
  • it is a campaigning organization
  • It researches, documents and reports on human rights abuses, but its work does not end there.
  • Al members take practical, effective action to stop these abuses.
  • Amnesty International is organised to make it possible for ordinary people to speak up to protest on behalf of other human beings who are in danger.
  • The work of Amnesty International is built upon international solidarity.
  • Its members come from many different cultures and backgrounds, with widely different beliefs, united by a determination to work for a world where everyone enjoys human rights.

32. Amnesty International is an organization associated with [56th to 59th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2015]

Correct Answer: (b) Protection of human rights
Solution:
  • Amnesty International is a worldwide moverment of people who campaign for human rights.
  • Its members give freely of their time and energy in solidarity with the victims of human rights violations.
  • it is a campaigning organization
  • It researches, documents and reports on human rights abuses, but its work does not end there.
  • Al members take practical, effective action to stop these abuses.
  • Amnesty International is organised to make it possible for ordinary people to speak up to protest on behalf of other human beings who are in danger.
  • The work of Amnesty International is built upon international solidarity.
  • Its members come from many different cultures and backgrounds, with widely different beliefs, united by a determination to work for a world where everyone enjoys human rights.

33. 'Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres),' often in the news, is [I.A.S. (Pre) 2016]

Correct Answer: (b) A non-governmental international organization
Solution:
  • Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) or Doctors without Borders is a Non-governmental organisation.
  • It was founded on 20 December 1971.
    The international humanitarian medical aid organisation works in 69 countries.
  • MSF has no real "headquarters." Although the organization was established in France.
  • It has grown into an international association with 24 independent sections worldwide.
  • It serves populations affected by epidemics, armed conflicts, natural calamities, and manmade disasters. It delivers health care to some of the most deprived peoples on the planet.

34. How many countries of the World have adopted Compulsory Voting System? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]

Correct Answer: (e) 28
Solution:According to the 255th report of law commission in March 2015, 28 countries around the world have adopted Compulsory Voting System often starting at the Age of 18.

Compulsory voting is a system in which electors are obliged to vote in elections or attend a polling place on voting day. If an eligible voter does not attend a polling place, he or she may be subject to punitive measures such as fines or community service.
Compulsory voting can be defined very simply as the legal obligation to attend the polls at the election time and platform whatever duties are required thereof electors

35. The Electoral College for the United States Presidential Election is comprised of - [R.A.S./R.T.S.(Pre) 2008]

Correct Answer: (d) None of them
Solution:The President and Vice President of America are not elected. Directly by the people instead, they are chosen by "electors" through a process called the Electoral College.

How is the President of India elected?

  • The President is elected by the members of an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both the Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of States and the Union Territories of Delhi and Pondicherry.
  • Therefore, those nominated to both Houses of Parliament, state legislative assemblies, state legislative councils (if applicable), and the Legislative Assemblies of Delhi and Puducherry are not eligible to vote in the presidential election.
  • Members of the electoral college vote for the President in a system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote, where each member has a single vote that can be transferred to other candidates in a sequence of preferences. The candidate who receives the majority of votes in the electoral college is elected as the President of India.

36. Where does the first primary take place in the election of U.S. President - [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1992]

Correct Answer: (b) New Hampshire
Solution:The first primary in the election of US President takes place in New Hampshire and Iowa states. The elections for first primary are held about a year ahead of the presidential elections. Conventionally the process of election for the President starts from here. The electoral college is the mechanism established by the United States Constitution for the indirect election of the President of the United States.

How is the President of India elected?

  • The President is elected by the members of an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both the Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of States and the Union Territories of Delhi and Pondicherry.
  • Therefore, those nominated to both Houses of Parliament, state legislative assemblies, state legislative councils (if applicable), and the Legislative Assemblies of Delhi and Puducherry are not eligible to vote in the presidential election.
  • Members of the electoral college vote for the President in a system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote, where each member has a single vote that can be transferred to other candidates in a sequence of preferences. The candidate who receives the majority of votes in the electoral college is elected as the President of India.

37. Where was the concept of written Constitution, born? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2006]

Correct Answer: (b) United States of America
Solution:The concept of a written Constitution first came into existence in the United States of America.

Differences between Unwritten Constitution and the Written Constitution

Unwritten ConstitutionWritten Constitution
Unwritten constitution refers to the constitution not codified in a structured manner.Written Constitution refers to the constitution codified and compiled in a structured and cohesive manner.
Unwritten Constitution evolves over a long period with a new set of laws and guidelines being added as time progresses.Written constitutions have been properly framed and compiled in a step-by-step matter, with any subsequent changes being added almost instantaneously.
Rigid, flexible or both.Majorly flexible, however, there can be instances where even the Written Constitution is rigid.
The Parliament is supreme in a country where there is an unwritten constitution.The constitution is supreme.
The judiciary has limited powers.The judiciary has more power in order to ensure constitutional supremacy.
The Magna Carta can be considered the earliest form of the unwritten constitution. It was a charter of rights signed by King John of England on 15th June 1215. The charter promised to protect the rights of the nobility from the interference of the crown. The Magna Carter would eventually evolve into the unwritten constitution of the United Kingdom.The Constitution of the United States of America is considered as the oldest written constitution, that is still in force. It was drafted on September 17th, 1787, ratified on June 21st, 1788 and came into effect on March 4th, 1789. James Madison, one of the founding fathers of the United States, wrote the document that formed the model for the Constitution.

38. Larry Pressler is associated with - [R.A.S./R.T.S. (Pre) 1994]

Correct Answer: (c) Criticizing the proposed Military help to Pakistan by the Clinton-Administration.
Solution:Larry Pressler was a U.S Senator who brought up Pressler Amendment in 1986, to link US assistance with nuclear non-proliferation. He criticized US assistance to Pakistan under the Clinton administration on the grounds of Pakistan's involvement in nuclear proliferation.

39. Match the following:

 

List-IList-II
A. Pressler Amendments1. Bangladesh
B. Chakma Refugees2. Gorbachev
C. Perestroika3. Agreement between Israel and P.L.O.
D. 13th September, 19934. Linking American assistance and with development of nuclear capacity

 

ABCD
(a)1243
(b)4123
(c)4132
(d)3421
Correct Answer: (b)
Solution:The 'Pressler Amendments' linked American aid to the development of nuclear capacity. 'Chakma Refugees' are Bangladesh refugees in India. Perestroika was the economic policy of the former and the last President of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev. When in May, 1948, the State of Israel was proclaimed, and five Arab Nations attacked in support of the Palestinian Arabs, since then, a bloody animosity developed and decades passed in fighting. A historic peace accord was signed between Israel and PLO on September 13, 1993.

40. 'Pivot to Asia' is the strategy of the foreign policy of [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]

Correct Answer: (d) U.S.A.
Solution:Pivot to Asia is the strategy of the foreign policy of the United States of America (U.S.A.).

International Cooperations

  • India and the United States cooperate closely at multilaterat orgenizations, including the United Nations. G-20. Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Regional Forum, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.
  • The United States welcomed Indis joining the UN Security Council in 2021 for a two-year term and supports a reformed UN Security Council mat includes India as a permanent member
  • India is also one of twelve courmes partnering with the United States on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prospety (IPEF).
  • India is a member of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), at which the Usted States is a dialogue partner
  • In 2021, the Unted States joined the International Solar Alliance headquartered in India, and in 2022 the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)