RBSE Class 11 Political Science Notes Chapter 4 Executive

These comprehensive RBSE Class 11 Political Science Notes Chapter 4 Executive will give a brief overview of all the concepts.

RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 4 Notes Executive

→ Meaning of Executive
Executive is that organ of the government which enforces the will of the legislature expressed in the form of laws. The Legislature makes laws and the executive is charged with the responsibility of giving effect to these laws. Besides, it keeps law and order in the country in check. It also protects the life and property of the people and maintains internal peace by putting down all those factors that disturb the peace of the country. In fact, it is executive that runs the administration of the country. In order words, it is a Government in itself.

→ Meaning of Parliamentary Form of Government
Parliamentary type of government is also called Cabinet Government. In this form of government, there is a nominal head of the state and all executive powers are exercised by a Cabinet of Ministers. These ministers are usually members of the legislature for their action and policies. They attend the meetings of the legislature and answer the questions put to them by the members of legislature. If the legislature passes a vote of no-confidence against them, they resign their offices.

→ Formation of the Council of Ministers:
The only provision made in the Constitution for formation of the Council of Ministers is that the President appoints the Prime Minister and other ministers are appointed by him with consultation of the latter. But the fact is that the President does not appoint the Prime Minister of his own sweet will. Normally, the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha is made the Prime Minister and all other ministers are appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The President cannot make any changes in the list of ministers. It is again the Prime Minister who distributes portfolios among the ministers. The ministers are taken out of the members of the legislature. If any outsider is appointed as a minister, he must become the member of the legislature within 6 months.

→ Appointment of Prime Minister
The Prime Minister is appointed by the President but while doing so, the President does not have a free hand. Only that person can be appointed to the office of the Prime Minister who is the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha. After the general election, the President invites the leader of the party which has gained majority in the Lok Sabha to form the Government. If no political party gets an absolute the majority in the Lok Sabha, even then the President is not free to appoint anybody as the Prime Minister. Under such circumstances, only that person will be invited to form the Government who can seek the cooperation of the majority of members in Lok Sabha.

After the 15th Lok Sabha elections in May 2009, no single party secured majority in the Lok Sabha. Hence, the President appointed Dr. Manmohan Singh, leader of the United Progressive Alliance as the Prime Minister. In the 16th and 17th Lok Sabha elections held in 2014 and 2019, the Bharatiya Janata Party turned out victorious securing majority in the elections. Mr. Narendra Modi was appointed as the Prime Minister.
 
→ Functions of Prime Minister

• Formation of the Council of Ministers
• Distribution of Portfolios among Ministers
• The Prime Minister is the link between the President and Cabinet.
• The Prime Minister is the Chief Advisor of the President.
• The Prime Minister represents India at International Conferences.

→ Meaning of Bureaucracy:
Bureaucracy has been derived from the French word ‘Bureau’ which means desk or writing table. Hence, bureaucracy means ‘Desk Government’. The meaning of this word has been changing with the passage of time. This word is widely misinterpreted and is used to mean arbitrations, wastefulness, officiousness and regimentation. In words of John A. Weig, “Through distortion and caricature, the term bureaucracy has come to imply bungling, arbitrations, wastefulness, officiousness and regimentation.”

In spite of the distorted meaning of bureaucracy, it has assumed importance in democracy and in a welfare state. This word is used to the maximum to prove the effect of public services. Generally, in all the modern states, the functions of the government are carried out by those officials who possess administrative ability and understanding of administrative problems. This body of officials is called bureaucracy.