Grade 10 -Political Science
POLITICAL PARTIES
Reference notes
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS [3 MARKS]
1. How do political parties shape public opinion? Explain with three
examples.
Answer:
Political parties shape public opinion in the following ways.
They highlight and raise issues.
Parties have lakhs of members spread all over the country. Often pressure
groups are an extension of political parties, among different sections of the
society. They help in taking up issues and forming public opinion.
Sometimes, parties launch movements for solving the problems faced by
people. Often the public opinion develops on the same lines that the parties
take.
2. Name the national political party which gets inspiration from India’s
ancient culture and
values. Mention four features of that party.
Answer:
Bhartiya Janata Party gets its inspiration from India’s ancient culture and
values. Four features of Bhartiya Janata Party are as follows.
It wants full territorial and political integration of Jammu and Kashmir with
India.
It wants a uniform civil code for all people living in the country, irrespective of
religion.
It wants a ban on religious conversions.
Hindutva or cultural nationalism is an important element in its conception of
politics.
3. Name the national political party which espouses secularism and
welfare of weaker sections and minorities. Mention any four features of
that party.
Answer:
National Congress Party, formed in 1999, espouses secularism and the welfare
of weaker sections and minorities. Four features of this party are as follows:
It wants high offices in the government to be confined to natural-born citizens
of the country.
It stands for social justice, federalism, and equity.
It is a major party in Maharashtra with a significant presence in Meghalaya,
Manipur and Assam.
In Maharashtra, it is a coalition partner in an alliance with the Congress.
It is a member of the United Progressive Alliance since 2004.
4. Name the national political party which draws inspiration from the
ideas and teachings of Sahu Maharaj. Mention any four features of that
party.
Answer:
The national political party which draws inspiration from the ideas and
teachings of Sahu Maharaj is Bahujan Samaj Party. The four features of this
party are as follows.
It wants to secure the interest and welfare of the dalits and oppressed classes.
It seeks to represent and secure power for the bahujan samaj which includes
dalits, adivasis, OBCs and religious minorities.
It draws inspiration from the ideas and teachings of Mahatma Phule, Periyar,
Ramaswami Naicker and Dr Ambedkar.
Its main base is in Uttar Pradesh.
5. What is meant by a political party? Describe the three components of a
political party.
Answer:
A political party is a political association or a voluntary group of people who
come together to contest elections and hold political power in the government.
They agree on some policies and programs. Political parties are necessary for
democracy. They provide an important two-way link between the government
and the people. They also unite and aggregate like-minded people from diverse
backgrounds and religions to form a wide coalition of people and provide unity
in diversity.
6. State the conditions laid down by the Election Commission to
recognize a state party and a National Party.
Answer:
A party that secures at least six percent of the total votes in an election to the
legislative assembly of a state and wins at least two seats is recognized as a
state party.
A party that secures at least six percent of the total votes in Lok sabha
elections or assembly elections in four states and winning at least four seats in
the Lok Sabha is recognized as a national party.
7. Name the six national political parties of India in chronological order.
Answer:
The following are the six national political parties of India in chronological
order.
Indian National Congress (1885).
Communist Party of India (1925)
Communist Party of India-Marxist (1964)
Bhartiya Janata Party (1980)
Bahujan Samaj Party (1984)
National Congress Party (1999)
8. Name any three national political parties along with their symbols.
Answer:
Indian National Congress—symbol: hand, palm facing the people
Bhartiya Janata Party—symbol: a lotus
Bahujan Samaj Party—symbol: an elephant
9. Name any six regional political parties of the four southern states of
India.
Answer:
The four southern states with regional political parties are as follows.
Kerala: Indian Federal Democratic Party and Kerala Congress (Mani)
Tamil Nadu: All India Anna DMK and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Andhra Pradesh: Telugu Desam Party
Karnataka: Janata Dal (Secular)
10. Name the regional political parties predominant in Punjab, Haryana
and Uttarakhand
respectively with their symbols
Anwer:
The regional political parties predominant in:
Punjab—Shiromani Akali Dal, symbol: scales
Haryana—Indian National Lok Dal, symbol: a pair of spectacles
Uttarakhand—Uttarakhand Kranti Dal, symbol: chair
11. Name the regional political parties predominant in Jharkhand,
Maharashtra and Orissa, respectively with their symbols.
Answer:
The regional political parties predominant in:
Jharkhand—Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, symbol: bow and arrow
Maharashtra—Shiv Sena, symbol: bow and arrow
Orissa—Biju Janata Dal, symbol: conch
12. Name the regional political parties predominant in Sikkim, Nagaland
and Manipur,
respectively with their symbols.
Answer:
The regional political parties predominant in:
Sikkim—Sikkim Democratic Front, symbol: an umbrella
Nagaland—Nagaland People’s Front, symbol: a cock
Manipur—Manipur People’s Party, symbol: a cycle
13. What is a multiparty system? Why has India adopted a multiparty
system? Explain
Answer:
A multiparty system is a political system in which several parties contest the
election to hold political power. In this system, there is a chance of two or more
parties coming to power. This system also advocates coalition government and
alliance politics. India adopted a multiparty system because of the following
reasons.
India is blessed with tremendous social and geographical diversity. This
diversity cannot be easily accommodated in one or two political parties.
Because of a multiparty system, a variety of interests and opinions enjoy
political representation.
14. ‘Lack of internal democracy within parties is the major challenge to
political parties all over the world.’ Analyze the statement,
Answer:
Lack of internal democracy within political parties is a major challenge to
political parties all over the world. This statement can be analysed giving the
following reasons.
It is a tendency among political parties to concentrate power in the hands of
one or few top leaders.
Parties do not often keep membership registers and do not hold organizational
meetings and do not conduct internal elections regularly.
Sufficient information on what happens inside the party is not provided to the
ordinary members of the party.
In such a situation, personal loyalty to the leader becomes more important.
15. ‘Dynastic succession is one of the most serious challenges before the
political parties.’
Analyze the statement.
Answer:
The challenge of dynastic succession is undoubtedly one of the most serious
challenges before the political parties. The statement can be analyzed giving the
following arguments.
Most parties do not practice open and transparent procedures, hence, there are
very few opportunities for an ordinary worker to rise to the top in a party.
Top leaders favor 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 bad for democracy because people without sufficient experience or
popular support are able to enjoy positions of power.
16. How do money and muscle power play an important role in elections?
Explain.
Answer:
Ans. Nowadays elections are focused mainly on winning at any cost so parties
try to use shortcuts like money and muscle power.
They try to select or nominate those candidates who can raise money or
provide muscle power.
Sometimes, wealthy people and big companies also get involved in the
democratic politics for their own interest and to influence the decision-making
process.
In many cases, candidates with criminal records, who can win elections, are
supported.
17. “Serious efforts were made by the legal organizations to reform
political parties in India.” Support the statement.
Answer:
Serious efforts were made by the legal organizations to reform political parties
in India. The following points support the statement.
The Supreme Court has made it mandatory for the candidates contesting
elections to produce an affidavit giving details of property and cases pending
against them. It is hoped that this will reduce the influence of money and
muscle power in elections.
Anti-defection law has been passed by amending the constitution to prevent
elected MLAs and MPs from changing their parties.
The Election Commission has made it mandatory for political parties to hold
organizational elections and file their income tax returns.
18. Describe any three main features of a two-party system
Answer:
Three main features of a two-party system are as follows.
Power usually changes between two parties, while other political parties may
exist.
The party that wins the majority forms the government, while the other forms
the major opposition.
Decision-making and implementation is prompt and quick.
Such a system gives a strong and good opposition.
19. What is meant by a national political party? State the conditions
required to be a national political party.
Answer:
A national political party is a party that is present in several or all units of the
federation. In other words, it is a country-wide party. It has its units in various
states. By and large, all these units follow the same policies. The following are
the conditions required for a party to become a national party.
A party has to secure at least six per cent of total votes polled in the Lok Sabha
elections or Assembly elections in four states.
It has to win at least four seats in the Lok Sabha to be recognized as a national
party
20. ‘Nearly every one of the state parties wants to get an opportunity to
be part of one or the other national-level coalition.’ Support the
statement with arguments
Answer:
Nearly every one of the state parties wants to get an opportunity to be part of
one or the other National-level coalition because:
The members of the state party get a chance of being included in the cabinet or
the council of ministers.
State parties get an opportunity and a platform to express their views and
ideology at the national level.
It helps in strengthening federalism and democracy, thus bringing diversity in
the parliament.
21. What is meant by a regional party? State the conditions required to be
recognized as a regional political party.
Answer:
A regional party, also called a state party, is a political party that takes care of
regional concerns and the state’s interests only. It happens to have succeeded
only in some states units of the federation.
The following are the conditions required for a party to be recognized as a
regional party.
A party has to secure at least six percent of the total votes polled in the election
to the legislative assembly of a state.
It has to win at least two seats in the election to the legislative assembly of. a
state to be recognized as a state or regional party.
23. Analyse the three components of a political party.
Answer:
The following are the three elements of a political party.
The leaders: The leaders contest elections and, if they win, perform the
administrative jobs.
The active members: The active members attend party meetings and are close
to the party leaders. They can be called the assistants of the leaders.
The followers: The followers are the dedicated workers of the party. They work
under the able guidance of the active members.
The lack of internal democracy within political parties is a major challenge to
political parties all over the world. This statement can be analyzed by giving the
following reasons.
It is a tendency among political parties to concentrate power in the hands of
one or few top leaders.
Parties do not often keep membership registers and do not hold organizational
meetings and do not conduct internal elections regularly.
Sufficient information on what happens inside the party is not provided to the
ordinary members of the party.
In such a situation, personal loyalty to the leader becomes more important.
15. ‘Dynastic succession is one of the most serious challenges before the
political parties.’ Analyze the statement.
Answer:
The challenge of dynastic succession is undoubtedly one of the most serious
challenges before the political parties. The statement can be analyzed by giving
the following arguments.
Most parties do not practice open and transparent procedures, hence, there are
very few opportunities for an ordinary worker to rise to the top in a party.
Top leaders favor 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 bad for democracy because people without sufficient experience or
popular support are able to enjoy positions of power.
16. How do money and muscle power play an important role in elections?
Explain.
Answer:
Ans. Nowadays elections are focused mainly on winning at any cost so parties
try to use shortcuts like money and muscle power.
They try to select or nominate those candidates who can raise money or
provide muscle power.
Sometimes, wealthy people and big companies also get involved in democratic
politics for their own interests and influence the decision-making process.
In many cases, candidates with criminal records, who can win elections, are
supported.
17. “Serious efforts were made by the legal organizations to reform
political parties in India.” Support the statement.
Answer:
Serious efforts were made by legal organizations to reform political parties in
India.
The following points support the statement.
The Supreme Court has made it mandatory for the candidates contesting
elections to produce an affidavit giving details of property and cases pending
against them. It is hoped that this will reduce the influence of money and
muscle power in elections.
Anti-defection law has been passed by amending the constitution to prevent
elected MLAs and MPs from changing their parties.
The Election Commission has made it mandatory for political parties to hold
organizational elections and file their income tax returns.
18. Describe any three main features of a two-party system.
Answer:
Three main features of a two-party system are as follows.
Power usually changes between two parties, while other political parties may
exist.
The party that wins the majority forms the government, while the other forms
the major opposition.
Decision-making and implementation are prompt and quick.
Such a system gives a strong and good opposition.
19. What is meant by a national political party? State the conditions
required to be a national political party.
Answer:
A national political party is a party that is present in several or all units of the
federation. In other words, it is a country-wide party. It has units in various
states. By and large, all these units follow the same policies. The following are
the conditions required for a party to become a national party.
A party has to secure at least six percent of the total votes polled in the Lok
Sabha elections or Assembly elections in four states.
It has to win at least four seats in the Lok Sabha to be recognized as a national
party
20. ‘Nearly every one of the state parties wants to get an opportunity to
be part of one or the other national-level coalition.’ Support the
statement with arguments.
Answer:
Nearly every one of the state parties wants to get an opportunity to be part of
one or the other
National-level coalition because:
The members of the state party get a chance of being included in the cabinet or
the council of ministers.
State parties get an opportunity and a platform to express their views and
ideology at the national level.
It helps in strengthening federalism and democracy, thus bringing diversity in
the parliament.
21. What is meant by a regional party? State the conditions required to be
recognized as a
regional political party.
Answer:
A regional party, also called a state party, is a political party that takes care of
regional concerns and the state’s interests only. It happens to have succeeded
only in some state units of the federation.
The following are the conditions required for a party to be recognized as a
regional party.
A party has to secure at least six percent of the total votes polled in the election
to the legislative assembly of a state.
It has to win at least two seats in the election to the legislative assembly of . a
state to be recognized as a state or regional party.
Long answers (5 markers)
22. Which are the challenges do you feel are being faced by political
parties in India? Give your opinion.
Answer:
As political parties are the essence of democracy, it is natural that they are
often blamed for the failure of any policy or the working of democracy. Mostly,
political parties face the following challenges in their working area.
Lack of internal democracy: Political parties face the problem of internal
democracy, which implies that: parties do not hold organizational meetings.
they do not conduct regular internal elections.
membership of the party members is not registered.
all the members, except top leaders, are not included in the decision-making
process.
Dynastic succession:
Another challenge is that in most of political parties, the top posts are always
controlled by the members of one family, which is very unfair to other
members.
Since open and transparent functioning is lacking, there are very few chances
for an ordinary worker to rise to the top.
Money and muscle power: The third challenge is the growing role of money and
muscle power.
Nowadays, elections are focused mainly on winning at any cost, so parties try
to use shortcuts like using money and muscle power.
They try to select or nominate those candidates who can raise money or
provide muscle power.
Sometimes, wealthy people and big companies also get involved in democratic
politics for their own interest and try to influence the decision-making process.
In some cases, parties support criminals who can win elections.
Absence of a meaningful choice:
In the present political scenario, there is no ideological difference among the
political parties, so they do not provide a meaningful choice to voters.
Those voters, who really want a change in the government and its policies,
never get any positive option. For instance, in India, where we have a multi-
party system, the differences between the parties over economic matters have
reduced.
Also, people cannot even elect different leaders because the same set of leaders
keeps shifting from one party to another.
26. ‘Political parties are a necessary condition for a democracy.’ Analyze
the statement with examples.
Answer:
In a democratic set-up, political parties are required because without political
parties:
every candidate in the elections will be independent. No promises could be
made and the utility of the government formed will remain uncertain.
no one will be responsible for running the country. Elected representatives
will only be accountable to their constituency there will be no agency to gather
and present different views on various issues to the government.
no one will be responsible for bringing various representatives together so as to
form a responsible government.
there will be no mechanism to support the government, make policies and
justify or oppose them.
27. Suggest and explain any five measures to reform political parties.
Answer:
The following reforms could be suggested in order to strengthen parties so that
they perform their functions well.
Regulation of party’s internal affairs: A law should be made to regulate the
internal affairs of political parties. It should be made compulsory for political
parties to maintain a register of their members, to follow their own
constitution, to have independent authority, etc.
State funding: There should be state funding of elections. The government
should give money to parties to support their election expenses to avoid
corruption.
The pressure of public opinion: Political parties can be reformed if people put
pressure on them.
This can be done through petitions, propaganda, and agitations. Pressure
groups and media play an important role in this.
Ban on political parties based on religion and caste: The Election Commission
should ban the political parties which are formed on the basis of religion and
caste.
Ensure women’s participation: It should be made mandatory for all political
parties to allot one-third of the tickets to women to ensure their decisive voice
in decision-making. If the above mentioned suggestions are taken into
consideration; it can be ensured that these could lead to some improvement in
the working of the political parties.
28. Examine any two institutional amendments made by different
institutions to reform political parties and their leaders.
Answer:
The following are the two institutional amendments made by different
institutions to reform political parties and their leaders.
Anti-defection law: The anti-defection law was passed to prevent elected MLAs
and MPs from changing their parties. It was seen that many MLAs and MPs
were changing their parties for personal gains. Now, according to the law, if any
MLA or MP changes his/her party, his/her seat in the legislature will be lost.
Also, MLAs and MPs have to accept whatever the party leaders decide.
Affidavit: To reduce the influence of money and muscle power (criminals), an
order has been passed by the Supreme Court making it mandatory for every
candidate contesting election to file an affidavit giving details of his/her
property and criminal records. This system has helped
in making a lot of information available to the public. But, we cannot say that
this amendment has been successful as it cannot be said that the information
provided by the candidates is true.
Mandatory organizational meeting and filing of ITR: An order has been passed
by the Election Commission making it mandatory for political parties to hold
their organizational elections and file their income tax returns. The parties
have started doing this, but sometimes it is only a
formality. It is not clear if this step has brought some reform or not.
29. Describe any five major functions of political parties.
Answer:
The following are the various functions political parties perform in a
democracy.
Contest elections: Parties contest elections. In countries like India, top party
leaders choose candidates for contesting elections.
Put forward policies and programs: Parties put forward different policies and
programs and voters choose from them. Political parties accommodate different
views and opinions.
Play an important role in making laws: Political parties play a decisive role in
making laws for a country. Formally, laws are debated and passed in the
legislature, but since most of the members belong to a party, they go by the
direction of the party leadership, irrespective of their personal opinions.
Form and run government: To run the government, political parties prepare a
council of ministers by recruiting and training the leaders.
Provide access to government machinery and welfare schemes: Political parties
provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes
implemented by governments.
For an ordinary citizen, it is easier to approach a local party leader than a
government officer.
Play the role of position: The party which loses the election plays the role of
opposition.
The opposition party tries to put checks on the ruling party by constantly
criticizing its policies.
Shape public opinion: One of the most important functions of political parties
is that they shape public opinion on relevant issues for the proper functioning
of the government and to deepen the concept of democracy
30. ‘About hundred years ago there were few countries that had hardly
any political party. Now there are few countries that do not have political
parties.’ Examine the statement.
Answer:
The statement has two parts.
About a hundred years ago, there were few countries that had hardly any
political party. It shows that very few countries were democratic countries and
if they were not democracies, there was no need for political parties.
Now there are few countries that do not have political parties. In the last
hundred years, many countries became independent from colonial control.
After independence, they adopted democratic governments. So there was an
increasing necessity for political parties.
Political parties have become very important in a democratic country because
of the following reasons.
Not having political parties will lead to chaos and turmoil in the society. It will
be against democratic principles.
Without parties, candidates elected will be independent and will not be able to
make policies.
They will not be responsible and accountable to the people.
The existence of parties in a democracy ensures that a country runs as per its
policies and ideologies and has a government that is answerable to the people.
31. How is dynastic succession a major challenge for political parties in
India? Explain.
Answer:
The challenge of dynastic succession is undoubtedly a major challenge for
political parties in India. The following points explain this.
Usually, an ordinary worker does not rise to the top positions in a party
because the functioning of most political parties is not transparent.
Most of the top leaders favour and choose members of their families. This is
unfair to other members.
The top positions are always controlled by members of one family. This is
unhealthy for democracy.
People who are at top levels usually do no have adequate experience, education
or popular support.
The challenge of dynastic succession is related to the challenge of lack of
internal democracy.
Non-deserving leaders exercise paramount power and make decisions. Those
who disagree with the leadership find it difficult to continue in the party.
32. How do state or regional political parties contribute to strengthening
federalism and
democracy in India? Explain with examples.
Answer:
State and regional political parties contribute in strengthening federalism and
democracy in India in the following ways.
They provide a variety of choice to people as each of them has different agendas
and focus on different issues.
They provide a platform for different pressure and social groups, and
communities to put forward their demands.
They help in power-sharing by sharing the power of government with the help
of coalition government.