Social and Political Life | Class 8 Social Science Notes
By ConceptScroll Team · Published on 17 July 2026 · 4 min read
Social and Political Life – this guide gives you a concise, exam-ready overview of Social and Political Life from Class 8 Social Science, written by ConceptScroll editors and reviewed against the latest NCERT textbook.
The Indian Constitution
This section introduces the concept of a Constitution by drawing an analogy with games such as football, hockey, and cricket. Each game has specific rules that define how it is played, known as constitutive rules. For example, in football, if the ball touches a player's arm (except the goalkeeper), it is considered a foul. If players start holding the ball and passing it with their hands, it ceases to be football. Similarly, societies have constitutive rules that define their nature and differentiate them from other societies. In modern countries, these rules are usually written down in a document called the Constitution.
The Indian Constitution has been introduced in earlier classes, but this chapter aims to explore why a Constitution is needed, how it was written, and its key features. The Constitution is fundamental to the functioning of democracy in India. It lays down the rules and principles that govern the country and ensures that all citizens agree on the basic ideals and governance mechanisms. The Constitution is not just a set of laws but a reflection of the aspirations and values of the people.
The chapter emphasizes that the Constitution is a social contract among the people, establishing the framework for governance and the rights and duties of citizens. It is a living document that has evolved over time to address new challenges and concerns. Understanding the Constitution helps students appreciate the democratic values and the rule of law that underpin Indian society.
📊 Diagram: The chapter includes an image of a football game illustrating the importance of rules in defining the game. The visual shows players on a field with a ball, emphasizing the rule about handling the ball.
🧪 Activity: Discuss with your teacher what you understand by the term 'constitutive'. Provide one example of constitutive rules from your everyday life.
🔗 Connection: Leads to the next section that explains why a country needs a Constitution, providing historical context and examples.
Frequently asked questions
1. Why does a democratic country need a Constitution?
A democratic country needs a Constitution because it lays down the fundamental principles and rules that govern the country. It ensures that power is distributed properly, protects the rights of citizens, and provides a framework for the functioning of government institutions. Without a Constitution, there would be no clear guidelines on how laws are made, how leaders are elected, or how citizens' rights are protected, which could lead to chaos and misuse of power.
2. Look at the wordings of the two documents given below. The first column is from the 1990 Nepal Constitution. The second column is from the more recent Constitution of Nepal. | 1990 Constitution of Nepal Part 7: Executive | 2015 Constitution of Nepal Part 7: Federal Executive | | --- | --- | | Article 35: Executive Power: The executive power of the Kingdom of Nepal shall be vested in His Majesty and the Council of Ministers. | Article 75: Executive Power: The executive power of Nepal shall, pursuant to this Constitution and law, be vested in the Council of Ministers. | What is the difference in who exercises 'Executive Power' in the above two Constitutions of Nepal?
The difference is that in the 1990 Constitution of Nepal, the executive power was vested in His Majesty (the King) along with the Council of Ministers, meaning the King had a significant role in executive decisions. In contrast, the 2015 Constitution of Nepal vests the executive power solely in the Council of Ministers, removing the King's role and establishing a federal executive system where the elected ministers hold the executive authority.
3. What would happen if there were no restrictions on the power of elected representatives?
If there were no restrictions on the power of elected representatives, they could misuse their authority and act arbitrarily without accountability. This could lead to tyranny, oppression of minorities, violation of citizens' rights, and corruption. The absence of checks and balances would undermine democracy and could result in the concentration of power in the hands of a few, harming the interests of the people.
4. In each of the following situations, identify the minority. Write one reason why you think it is important to respect the views of the minority in each of these situations. (a) In a school with 30 teachers, 20 of them are male. (b) In a city, 5 per cent of the population are Buddhists. (c) In a factory mess for all employees, 80 per cent are vegetarians. (d) In a class of 50 students, 40 belong to more well-off families.
(a) Minority: Female teachers (10 out of 30) Reason: Respecting their views ensures gender equality and prevents discrimination.
(b) Minority: Buddhists (5% of population) Reason: Respecting their views protects religious freedom and promotes social harmony.
(c) Minority: Non-vegetarians (20% of employees) Reason: Respecting their views allows for dietary diversity and inclusiveness.
(d) Minority: Students from less well-off families (10 out of 50) Reason: Respecting their views ensures fairn
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- Law and Social | Class 8 Social Science Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on Law and Social for Class 8 Social Science.
- Law and Social | Class 8 Social Science Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on Law and Social for Class 8 Social Science.
- Law and Social | Class 8 Social Science Notes
Clear NCERT-aligned notes on Law and Social for Class 8 Social Science.