Political Parties - class 10

Chapter – 6

Political Parties

Q1.  “Political Parties are one of the most visible institutions in a democracy”. Explain

Ans. Political parties are one of the most visible institutions in a democracy. For most ordinary citizens, democracy is equal to political parties.

2. People may not know anything about our constitution or about the nature of our government, but chances are that they would know something about our political parties. Most people tend to be very critical of political parties.

Q2. “Visibility of political parties need not mean their popularity “. Explain

Ans. Visibility of political parties does not mean popularity parties.

2. they tend to blame parties for all that is wrong with our democracy and our political life.

3. Parties have become identified with social and political divisions.

Q3. Explain the meaning of political parties.

Ans. A political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government.

2.  They agree on some policies and programmes for the society with a view to promote the collective good.

3. Parties try to persuade people why their policies are better than others.

4.  They seek to implement these policies by winning popular support through elections.

Q4. Explain how political parties involve partisanship.

Ans. Parties reflect fundamental political divisions in a society.

2. A party is known by which part it stands for which policies it supports and whose interests it upholds.

3. Parties are about a part of the society and thus involve partisanship.

Q5. Mention the three components of a political party.

Ans. The three components of a political party are –

1.       The leaders

2.       The active members and

3.       The followers

  

Q6. What are the functions of political parties?

Ans. Parties contest elections- In most democracies, elections are fought mainly among the candidates put up by political parties.

2. Parties put forward different policies and programmes and the voters choose from them.

3. Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country.

4. Parties form and run government. The big policy decisions are taken by political executive that comes from the political parties.

5. Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition to the parties in power.

6.  Parties shape public opinion. They raise and highlight issues .

7. Parties promote people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by government.

Q7. Describe the role of opposition in a democracy?

Ans. Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition to the parties in power.

2. They voice different views and criticize government for its failure or wrong policies.

3. Opposition parties also mobilise opposition to the government.

Q8. How do political parties shape public opinion?

Ans. Parties have lakhs of members and activists spread all over the country.

2. Many of the pressure groups are the extensions of political parties.

3. Parties sometimes also launch movements for the resolution of problems faced by people.

4. Often opinions in the society crystallise on the line’s parties take.

Q9. Examine the situation on a country without a political party?

Ans. If there were no political parties every candidate in the elections will be independent.

2.  No one will be able to make any promises to the people about any major policy changes.

3.  The government may be formed, but its utility will remain ever uncertain.

4. elected representatives will only be accountable to their constituency.

5 No one will be responsible for how the country will be run.

  

Q10. Why do we need political parties?

                                Or

Justify that parties are a necessary condition for a democracy.

Ans. The rise of political parties is directly linked to the emergence of representative democracies.

·         Large societies need representative democracy. As societies became large and complex, they also needed some agency to gather different views on various issues and to present these to the government.

·         They needed some ways, to bring various representatives together so that a responsible government could be formed.

·         They needed a mechanism to support or restrain the government, make policies, justify or oppose them.

·         Political parties fulfil these needs that every representative government has.

·         Hence parties are a necessary condition for a democracy.

Q11. Explain the three types of party system.

Ans. One Party System-

·         In some countries only one party is allowed to control and run the government. These are called one-party system. For e.g. in china only the communist party is allowed to rule.

·         We cannot consider one party system as a good option because this is not a democratic option.

Two Party system

·         In some countries, power usually changes between two main parties.

·         Several other parties may exist, contest elections and win a few seats in the national legislatures.

·         But only the two main parties have a serious chance of winning majority of seats to form government. Such party system is called two party system. For e.g. USA and UK.

Multi Party System –

·         In a multi party system more than two political parties contest elections.

·         People have a choice to choose any of the political parties.

·         Multi party system usually led to the formation of coalition government.

·         The multi-party system often appears very messy and leads to political instability.

·         At the same time, this system allows a variety of interests and opinions to enjoy political representations.

Q12. What is an alliance? Give examples.

Ans. When several parties in a multi-party system join hands for the purpose of contesting elections and winning power, it is called an alliance or a front. For example in india there were three such major alliances in 2004 parliamentary elections- the National Democratic alliance, the United Progressive Alliance and the left fraud.

Q13. “Party system is not something any country choose”. Explain

                                                                Or

“No party system is ideal for all countries and all situations”. Explain

Ans. Party system is not something any can country can choose.

·         It evolves over a long time,depending on the nature of society, its social and regional divisions, its history of politicsand its system of elections.

·         Each country develops a party system that is conditioned by its special circumstances.

·         For eg. India has evolved a multi-party system, it is because the social and geographical diversity in such a large country is not easily absorbed by two or even three.

·         Hence no system is ideal for all countries and all situations.

Q14. Which political parties are called recognised political parties in india?

Ans. Every party in the country has to register with the election commision.

·         While the commision treats all parties equally, it offers some special facilities to large and established parties.

·         These parties are given a unique symbol and some other special facilities by the Election Commission.

·         These parties are called recognised political parties.

Q15. What criteria has been down by the election commission to recognise a political party as a national or state political party?

Ans. A party that secure at least six per cent of the total votes in an election to the legislative assembly of a state and wins at least two seats is recognised as a state party.

2. A party that secures at least six per cent of the total votes in Lok Sabha elections or Assembly elections in four states and wins at least four seats in te Lok Sabha is recognised as a national party.

Q16. Justify with examples that all regional political parties need not be regional in their identity.

Ans. Although state parties are commonly referred to as regional parties yet these parties need not be regional in their ideology or outlook.

2. Some of these parties are all Indian parties that happen to have succeeded only in some states. For e.g. Samajwadi party, Samata Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal.

3. some of these parties like Biju Janta Dal, Sikkim democratic fraud and Mizo National Front are conscious about their state identity.

Q17. State the main features of National Political parties.

Ans. Parties that are present in several or all units of the federations are called national political parties.

2. There are some country wide parties, which are called national parties . These parties have their units in various states.

3. A party that secures at least six per cent of the total votes in Lok Sabha elections or Assembly elections in four states and wins at least four seats in te Lok Sabha is recognised as a national party.

4.       All these units follow the same policies, programmes and strategy that is decided at the national level. For e.g Indian National Congress, Bhartiya Janata Party. Etc.

5.       National parties have influence all over the country.

Q18. State the main features of regional/state political parties.

Ans. Parties that are present in only one of the federal units are called state parties.

2. state parties are commonly referred to as regional parties.

3. A party that secure at least six per cent of the total votes in an election to the legislative assembly of a state and wins at least two seats is recognised as a state party.

4. However all state parties need not be regional in their ideology or outlook. For eg. Janata Dal , Indian National LokDal etc.

5. these parties have influence only in one or two states.

Q19. How has the position of state parties in Indian improved over the past few decades?

Ans. Over the last few decades, the number and strength of these parties has expanded.

2. this made the parliament of India politically more and more diverse.

3. No one national party is able to secure on its own a mojority in Lok Sabha.

4. As a result, the national parties are compelled to form alliances with state parties.

5. since 1996, nearly every one of the state parties has got an opportunity to be a part of one or the other national level coalition government.

6. This has contributed to the strengthening of federalism and democracy in our country.

Q20. What are the challenges faced by political parties in India?

Ans. The first challenge is Lack of internal democracy within parties.

2. There is a tendency in political parties towards the concentration of power in one or few leaders at the top.

3. Ordinary members of the party do not get sufficient information on what happens inside the party.

4. They do not have the means of connections needed to influence the decisions.

5. those who disagree with the leadership find it difficult to continue in the party.

The second challenge is of dynastic succession:-

·         There are very few ways for an ordinary worker to rise to the top in party.

·         Those who happen to be the leaders are in a position of unfair advantage to favour people close to them or even their family members.

·         In many parties the top positions are always controlled by members of one family.

·         This is unfair to other members of that party and also bad for democracy.

 The third challenge is about the growing role of money and muscle power in parties ,especially during elections.

·         Since parties are focused only on winning elections, they tend to nominate those candidates who have or can raise lots of money.

·         Rich people and companies who give funds to the parties tend to have influence on the policies and decisions of the party.

·         In some cases, parties support criminals who can win elections.

The fourth challenge is that very often parties do not seen to offer a meaningful  choice to the voters.

·         In order to offer meaningful choice, parties must be significantly different.

·         In recent years there has been a decline in the ideological differences among parties in most parts of the world.

·         Those want really different policies have no option available to them.

·         Sometimes people cannot even elect very different leaders either, because the same set of leaders keep shifting from one party to another.

Q21. What are the various ways to reform political parties?

                                                Or

a)       What legel measures have been taken to reform political parties in India?

b)      Suggest any three ways to reform political parties in India.

Ans. a) The constitution was ameded o prevent elected MLA’s and MP’s from changing parties.

·         Now the law says that if any MLA or MP change parties, he or  she will lose the seat in the legislature.

·         At the same time this has made any dissent even more difficult.

·         The Supreme court pass an order to reduce the influence of money and criminals. Now, it is mandatory for every candidate who contest elections to file an affidavit giving details of his property and criminals cases pending against him.

·         The new system has made a lot of information available to the public.

·         The election commission passed an order making it necessary for political parties to hold their organisational elections and file their income tax returns.

b)A law should be made to regulate the internal affairs of political parties.

·         It should be made mandatory for political parties to give a minimum number of tickets about one-third to women candidates.

·         There should be state funding of elections. The government should give parties money to support their eection expenses.

Q22. Describe the role of citizens in reforming political parties.

Ans. There are two ways in which political parties can be reformed.

1.       People can put pressure on political parties. This can be done through petitions, publicity and agitations. Ordinary citizens, pressure groups and movements and the media can play an important role in this.

2.       Political parties can improve if those who want this join political parties. The quality of democracy depends on the degree of public participation. The problem of bad politics can be solved by more and better politics.

Q23. Write a short note on the following :-

 1.    Partisan (Active member)

A person, who is strongly committed to a political party

2.    Partisanship ( Follower)

Partisanship is marked by a tendency to take a side and inability to take a balanced view on an issue.

31.      Indian National Congress(INC)

a.       Congress Party is one of the oldest parties of the world. It was founded in 1885 and has experienced many splits.

b.      Under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, the party sought to build a modern secular democratic republic in India.

c.       Ruling party at the centre from 1947 to 1977 and then from 1980 to 1989. After 1989, its support declined, but it continues to be present throughout the country, cutting across social divisions.

d.      A centrist party (neither rightist nor leftist) in its ideological orientation, the party espouses secularism and welfare of weaker sections and minorities.

e.       Currently leads the ruling United Progressive Alliance coalition government at the Centre.

2.      Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP)

a.       It was founded in 1980 by reviving the erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh.

b.      It wants to build a strong and modern India by drawing inspiration from India’s ancient culture and values. Cultural nationalism (or ‘Hindutva’) is an important element in its conception of Indian nationhood and politics.

c.       It wants full territorial and political integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India, a uniform civil code for all people living in the country irrespective of religion and ban on religious conversions.

d.      Earlier its popularity was limited to north and west and to urban areas but the party expanded its support in the south, east and north-east and to rural areas.

e.       Came to power in 1998 as the leader of the National Democratic Alliance including several state and regional parties.

3.      Bahujan Samaj Party( BSP)

a.       It was formed in 1984 under the leadership of Kanshi Ram.It seeks to represent and secure power for the bahujan samaj which includes the dalits, adivasis, OBCs and religious minorities.

b.      It draws inspiration from the ideas and teachings of Sahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Periyar Ramaswami Naicker and Babasaheb Ambedkar.

c.       It stands for the cause of securing the interests and welfare of the dalits and oppressed people.

d.      It has its main base in the state of Uttar Pradesh and substantial presence in neighbouring states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Punjab.

e.       It formed government in Uttar Pradesh several times by taking the support of different parties at different times.

f.       In the Lok Sabha elections held in 2004, it polled about 5 per cent votes and secured 19 seats in the Lok Sabha.

4.      Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPI-M):

a.       It was founded in 1964. It believes in Marxism- Leninism.

b.      It supports socialism, secularism and democracy and opposes imperialism and communalism.

c.       It accepts democratic elections as a useful and helpful means for securing the objective of socioeconomic justice in India.

d.      It enjoys strong support in West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura, especially among the poor, factory workers, farmers, agricultural labourers and the intelligentsia.

e.       Has been in power in West Bengal without a break for 30 years. In 2004 elections, it won about 6 per cent of votes and 43 seats in the Lok Sabha.

 5.      Communist Party of India (CPI)

a.       It was formed in 1925. It believes in Marxism-Leninism, secularism and democracy.

b.      It opposes to the forces of secessionism and communalism.

c.       It accepts parliamentary democracy as a means of promoting the interests of the working class, farmers and the poor.

d.      It became weak after the split in the party in 1964. Significant presence in the states of Kerala, West Bengal, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

e.       Its support base had gradually declined over the years. It secured about 1.4 per cent votes and 10 seats in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.

6.      Nationalist Congress Party (NCP):

a.       It was formed in 1999 following a split in the Congress party.

b.      It espouses democracy, Gandhian secularism, equity, social justice and federalism.

c.       It wants that high offices in government be confined to natural born citizens of the country.

d.      A major party in Maharashtra and has a significant presence in Meghalaya, Manipur and Assam.

e.       A coalition partner in the state of Maharashtra in alliance with the Congress. Since 2004, a member of the United Progressive Alliance.