Political Parties

Question 1

_________ are the most visible institutions in a democracy

Answer 1

political parties

Question 2

Define a political party.

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Describe the components of a political party.

Answer 3

1. Leaders
2. Active Members
3. The followers [people who don’t manage the party but are inclined towards it]

Question 4

How some people get inclined towards a certain political party?

Answer 4

Political parties have specific ideologies by which people get influenced and end up being inclined towards that political party.

Question 5

Define partisanship.

Answer 5

The feeling of commitment towards a political party shown by an individual or a group of individuals.

Question 6

Defined the functions of a political party,

Answer 6

1. Political parties contest elections. A candidate contest in elections on the behalf of a party.
2. Political parties put forward different policies and programmes.
3. Political parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country. The direction of a Political party depends on its leaders.
4. Political Parties form and run the government.
5. Parties play the role of opposition and keeps a check on the working of the ruling party.
6. Parties influence the general public and hence, shape the public opinion.
7. Party members play an important role in providing access to government welfare schemes and programmes.

Question 7

“Party members play an important role in providing access to government welfare schemes and programmes.”. Explain this statement.

Answer 7

This means that an ordinary citizen can reach to a local leader which act as a gateway to reach to government programmes.

Question 8

What is the necessity of political parties?

Answer 8

1. In a democratic country with only single candidates no uniform decision would be taken.
2. In a democratic country with only single candidates no major decisions would be taken.
3. Accountability would be limited to constituency only and no one would be responsible to look after the country.
4. Different opinions can be expressed through a single agency.
5. Responsible government could be formed.

Question 9

What are representative democracies?

Answer 9

Large societies need representation which is represented through political party. This type of democracy is called a representative democracy.

Question 10

Explain the 3 most common party systems.

Answer 10

1. One-party system
   - Only one party is allowed to run the government.
   - It is not a democratic option
   - eg; china
2. Two-party system
   - Two main parties compete with each other.
   - eg; UK and USA
3. Multi-party system
   - More than 2 parties compete in the elections
   - Coalition government is observed, i.e., when no single party gets majority, then 2 or 2+ parties combine to rule together.
   - eg; India

Question 11

How a country decides a party system for them?

Answer 11

A party system for a country evolves over a period of time depending on the nature of the society, its social and religious division and its political history.

Question 12

What is a national party and what are the criterias for a party to be recognised as a national party?

Answer 12

National parties have their units in various states and works broadly on national lines.

Here are some requirement for a party to be recognised as a national party -

1. They are required to register with election commission.
2. Either 6% votes in Lok Sabha elections or 6% votes in Assembly election in 4 states.
3. It should win at least 4 seats in Lok Sabha election.

Question 13

What is a state party and state the criteria for a party to be recognised as a state party?

Answer 13

The parties other than national party are called state parties. Yet these parties need not to be state specific in their outlook or ideology while at the same time some can be conscious about their state identity.
eg; Smajwadi party, Shiv Sena, etc;
These party can form alliances with a national party and make their own government

Criteria for becoming a national party -

1. 6% votes in state assembly
2. Wins at least 2 seats in Lok Sabha elections.

Question 14

State the challenges to Political parties.

Answer 14

1. Lack of Internal democracy
   - Concentration of power in few top leader. In this way, all members can’t present their opinions.
   - In this case personal loyalty becomes more important.
2. Challenge of dynastic successions
   - When family members dominates the top positions.
   - People new to the party cannot reach to the top positions or even express their opinions.
3. Money and Muscle power
   - Candidates with money and criminal record are given priority in voting.
   - It is a matter of concern when corporations are involved in political party ,i.e., they give money to political parties.
   - Rich people and companies who give funds to the parties tend to have influence on the policies and decisions of the party.
4. Lack of meaningful choice
   - No significant difference among political parties in terms of policies and plans.
   - When fundamental principals of both parties remain same, it is difficult to choose one.
   - eg; Conservative party and labour party in Britain

Question 15

State some steps taken to reform political parties?

Answer 15

1. There was a constitutional amendment brought to stop MLAs and MPs from defection.
2. Candidates are required to file an Affidavit(official promise). It would be displayed in general public which would automatically reduce money and muscle power. In an Affidavit, a person has to mention all things about him/her.
3. Election Commission made it mandatory for political parties to hold their organisational elections to regulate internal democracy in the party and file their income tax returns.

Question 16

__________________ gives the status of national party or state party to political parties in general.

Answer 16

Election Comission

Question 17

What is an Affidavit

Answer 17

It is an official promise which is to be made by every candidate appearing in elections. In this affidavit, he/she has to mention all things about him/her like, property, assets, criminal record, etc. It is displayed in general public before the elections

Question 18

Give some suggestions to reform political parties?

Answer 18

1. Laws to regulate internal party affairs should be made.
2. Minimum number of ticket should be given to women.
3. Government should fund parties and candidates for competing in elections, i.e., there should be state funding of elections.
4. Active involvement of general public is important in the form of protests, petitions and agitations.

Question 19

Describe All India Trinamool congress.

Answer 19

1. It got split from congress.
2. Launched on 1 Jan, 1998 with Mamta Banerjee as its leader.
3. It was recognised as a national party in 2016.
4. It is committed to secularism and federalism.
5. It is in the power of West Bengal since 2011. It has also a good control in the states of andra pradesh, manipur and tripura.
6. It is the 4th largest party and got 3.84% votes and 34 seats in lok sabha elections of 2014.

Question 20

Describe Bhartiya Janta Party.

Answer 20

1. It was fromed in 1980 by reviving Bhartiya Jan Sangh formed by Syama Prasad Mukherjee.
   2, Its ideology is that India’s ancient culture and value, integral humanism and antyoday (providing welfare schemes to all ) should be preserved.
2. It focuses on cultural nationalsim.
3. It did the integration of Jammu and Kashmir in order to implement uniform civil code.
4. Its support base increased in 1998 and became the largest party in 2014.

Question 21

Describe Indian National Congress.

Answer 21

1. It is one of the oldest party formed in 1885.
2. It has played a dominant role in Indian politics for decades after independence.
3. It aspires to build modern secular democratic republic in India.
4. It is a centerist party and supports new economic reform with human face.
5. It was the only ruling party at center till 1977 and then from 1980 to 1989.
6. It became the leader of UPA [2004-14] as a coalition. Then after 2014, became the principal opposing party.

Question 22

Describe Nationalist Congress Party.

Answer 22

1. It was formed in 1999 by splitting from Congress with Sarad Pawar as its leader.
2. It promotes democracy, Gandhian Secularism, equality, social justice and federalism.
3. It wants that high offices in government should be confined to natural born citizens of the country.
4. A majority party in Maharashtra [also in Meghalaya, Manipur and Assam].
5. Since 2004, a member of united progressive alliance.

Question 23

Name the 3 major coalition government alliances in India.

Answer 23

1. UPA (united progressive alliance) [Congress ++]
2. NDA (National Democratic Alliance) [BJP ++]
3. The Left Front

Question 24

Describe the Communist party of India.

Answer 24

1. It was formed in 1925 and got split in 1994 as CPI-M.
2. It believes in Marxism-Leninism, Secularism democracy.
3. It has significant presence in the states of Kerela, West Bengal, Punjab and Andra Pradesh.
4. It is a strong leftist party.

Question 25

Describe the Communist party of India - Marxist.

Answer 25

1. It got split from CPI in 1964.
2. It has the same ideology as CPI, it is supported by poor factory workers, farmers, agricultural labourers and intelligentsia.
3. According to CPI-M, new economic policies should be made to oppose the free flowing of goods in the country.
4. It was in power in West Bengal without a break for 34 years.
5. Enjoys strong support in West Bengal, Kerela and Tripura.

Question 26

Describe Bahujan Samaj Party.

Answer 26

1. It was formed in 1984 under the leadership of Kanshi Ram.
2. It seek to represent and secure power for Bahujan Samaj [Dalits, adavasis, OBCs and religious minorities].
3. It works on the ideological base of Sahu Majaraj, B.R. Ambedkar, Mahatma Phule and Periyar Ramaswami.
4. It has a strong hold in U.P., formed government several times taking support of different parties through coalition.
5. It has presence in Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Delhi and Punjab.

Question 27

In countries such as _________ party members and supporters choose the candidates to compete in elections from their party while, in countries such as __________, top party leaders choose candidates for competing in elections from their own party.

Answer 27

USA, India