political science CBSE class 11 course A Chapter 4 sample paper

CBSE SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER (Political Science – Class XI)

SECTION – A (1 Mark Each)

Answer the following in about 20–30 words each.
(1 × 5 = 5 marks)

1. What do you mean by ‘Social Justice’?
2. Give one example of an unjust practice in society.
3. Who is the author of the book “A Theory of Justice”?
4. What is meant by ‘fair distribution’ according to John Rawls?
5. State one difference between natural inequality and social inequality.

Answers – Section A:

1. Social Justice means ensuring fairness, equality, and dignity for all individuals in social, political, and economic life.
2. Example: Untouchability or gender discrimination are examples of unjust practices.
3. John Rawls wrote the famous book “A Theory of Justice” in 1971.
4. Fair distribution means providing resources and opportunities in a manner that benefits all, especially the least advantaged.
5. Natural inequality arises from physical or biological differences, while social inequality arises from social systems like caste or class.

SECTION – B (2 Marks Each)

Answer the following in about 50–60 words each.
(2 × 5 = 10 marks)

6. Why is the idea of justice important in a democracy?
7. What are the two principles of justice given by John Rawls?
8. Differentiate between equality and justice.
9. What is meant by the “veil of ignorance”?
10. What role does the state play in promoting social justice?

Answers – Section B:

6. Justice ensures that all individuals get equal rights and opportunities, protecting weaker sections from exploitation. It is the moral foundation of democracy.
7. Rawls proposed:
   • Liberty Principle: Equal basic freedoms for all.
   • Difference Principle: Inequalities are acceptable only if they benefit the least advantaged.
8. Equality focuses on sameness of treatment; justice includes fairness, which sometimes requires unequal treatment to achieve equality of opportunity.
9. The veil of ignorance is a hypothetical situation where individuals make decisions about justice without knowing their own social position, ensuring fairness.
10. The state enacts laws, redistributes wealth, and ensures affirmative action to reduce inequalities and promote social justice.

SECTION – C (4 Marks Each)

Answer the following in about 100–120 words each.
(4 × 3 = 12 marks)

11. Explain the difference between distributive justice and retributive justice.
12. How does social justice relate to the idea of equality?
13. Discuss two challenges in achieving social justice in India.

Answers – Section C:

11. Distributive justice deals with the fair allocation of resources, wealth, and opportunities among people, while retributive justice is concerned with punishment for wrongdoings. Distributive justice seeks to correct social and economic imbalances, whereas retributive justice maintains moral and legal order.
12. Social justice and equality are deeply connected. Equality ensures that all individuals enjoy the same status and rights, while social justice goes further to remove obstacles like caste, poverty, and gender bias that hinder real equality. Justice ensures equal opportunities, not merely formal equality.
13. Challenges:

• Economic inequality: Unequal distribution of wealth and resources.
• Social discrimination: Practices like casteism, untouchability, and patriarchy still persist.
  These create barriers to achieving a just and fair society.

SECTION – D (6 Marks Each)

Answer the following in about 200–250 words each.
(6 × 2 = 12 marks)

14. Describe John Rawls’ Theory of Justice in detail.
15. Explain the meaning and significance of pursuing social justice in India.

Answers – Section D:

14. John Rawls’ Theory of Justice:
John Rawls, in his book “A Theory of Justice” (1971), proposed that a just society is one in which institutions and laws are designed to ensure fairness for all.
His two principles of justice are:

1. Liberty Principle: Everyone should have equal basic rights such as freedom of speech, thought, and association.
2. Difference Principle: Inequalities in wealth or status are acceptable only if they benefit the least advantaged.
   Rawls also introduced the concept of the “original position” and “veil of ignorance”, where individuals design rules for society without knowing their own place in it. This ensures impartiality and fairness.
   Thus, Rawls’ theory promotes a balance between freedom and equality, emphasizing moral fairness in social institutions.

15. Pursuing Social Justice in India:
Social justice in India means ensuring that all citizens, irrespective of caste, class, gender, or religion, have equal access to resources, rights, and opportunities.
After independence, the Indian Constitution aimed to remove inequalities through provisions like Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles of State Policy, and reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and OBCs.
However, achieving social justice remains a challenge due to economic disparities, caste prejudices, and gender bias.
Efforts like welfare schemes, education, land reforms, and employment programs (like MGNREGA) are steps toward justice.
Social justice is thus the moral foundation of democracy and essential for building a peaceful and inclusive society.