Important Questions and Answers for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 4 Social Justice 2025-26

Q1. In ancient Indian society, justice was most closely associated with which concept?

• (a) Karma
• (b) Dharma
• (c) Moksha
• (d) Ahimsa

Answer: (b) Dharma

Q2. According to John Rawls, fair distribution can be achieved if decisions are made under:

• (a) Supreme Authority
• (b) Veil of Ignorance
• (c) Majority Rule
• (d) Legal Sanctions

Answer: (b) Veil of Ignorance

Q3. Which principle suggests that all individuals should receive the same reward for the same work?

• (a) Treating unequals equally
• (b) Proportionate Justice
• (c) Equal Treatment for Equals
• (d) Recognition of Special Needs

Answer: (c) Equal Treatment for Equals

2. Very Short Answer (VSA).

Q1. What is meant by the 'veil of ignorance' as used by John Rawls?

Answer: The 'veil of ignorance' is a situation imagined by Rawls where people decide on social rules without knowing their own position in society, ensuring impartiality and fairness.

Q2. Define distributive justice in simple terms.

Answer: Distributive justice refers to the fair allocation of social goods and resources among all members of society.

Q3. What does social justice seek to achieve?

Answer: Social justice aims to provide equal opportunities, treatment, and access to basic facilities for all, regardless of caste, class, gender, or background.

3. Short Answer Questions.

Q1. Explain why 'equal treatment for equals' may sometimes not result in justice.

Answer: While treating equals equally is a just principle, differences like disabilities or lack of access to facilities may require special treatment for true fairness. Only focusing on sameness can ignore actual disadvantages, resulting in injustice for those needing further support.

Q2. How does the Indian Constitution support social justice?

Answer: The Indian Constitution aims to ensure social justice by prohibiting untouchability, enabling equal access, and providing reservations in jobs and education for disadvantaged groups like Scheduled Castes and Tribes.

4. Long Answer Questions.

Q1. Discuss John Rawls' contribution to the theory of justice and its importance in modern Political Science.

Answer: John Rawls introduced the idea of justice as fairness, emphasizing decision-making from behind a 'veil of ignorance.' This approach mandates that social rules should be chosen by people without knowing their future status, making self-interest drive fairness for the worst-off. Rawls' theory highlights rational, not merely moral, grounds for just distribution, influencing contemporary debates on equality and policy-making.

1. Imagines impartial rule-setting (veil of ignorance)
2. Promotes rational self-interest aligned with fairness
3. Ensures policies benefit both worst-off and society as a whole

Q2. Examine the debate between free markets and state intervention in achieving social justice. Which approach is more justified according to the chapter?

Answer: The chapter describes both free markets and state intervention as approaches to social justice. Free markets reward merit regardless of social identity but may ignore the less privileged. State action can ensure basic needs and equal starting conditions, which markets may not. A balanced approach, involving state support to provide minimum facilities and opportunities for all, is suggested as necessary for real social justice.

1. Free markets reward merit, may neglect disadvantaged
2. State action supplies basic minimum needs to all
3. A combination addresses both equality and fairness

5. Assertion–Reason type questions.

Assertion (A): Providing only equality in treatment always leads to a just society.
Reason (R): There are individuals with special needs who may require additional support to achieve real equality.

• (a) A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
• (b) A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
• (c) A is true, but R is false
• (d) A is false, but R is true

Answer: (d) A is false, but R is true. Just treatment often requires extra support for those with special needs, not just identical treatment for all.

Assertion (A): Free market systems automatically result in social justice.
Reason (R): Market outcomes are always just because they are merit-based.

• (a) A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
• (b) A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
• (c) A is true, but R is false
• (d) A is false, but R is true

Answer: (d) A is false, but R is true. Markets may reward merit, but may also increase inequality if disadvantaged lack access.

3. Fill in the Blanks Questions.

Q1. According to the principle of __________, people with similar characteristics should be treated in the same way.

Answer: Equal treatment for equals

Q2. The Indian Constitution abolished the practice of __________ to promote social equality.

Answer: untouchability

Q3. John Rawls’ theory emphasizes decision-making from behind a __________.

Answer: veil of ignorance

Benefits of Learning Social Justice Concepts for Students

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