Extra 20 long-answer questions from Chapter:6 Political Parties (Class 10 CBSE Political Science):
1. What are the functions of political parties?
Answer: Political parties play an essential role in a democracy. Their major functions include:
Contesting elections
– Political parties nominate candidates to compete in elections.
Forming governments
– The party that wins elections forms the government and runs the country.
Making laws
– Political
parties
debate and pass laws in the legislature.
Providing leadership
– Political parties train leaders who can govern efficiently.
Acting as opposition
– Parties that lose elections keep a check on the government’s actions.
Shaping public opinion
– They influence citizens through media, rallies, and campaigns.
2. Why are political parties necessary in a democracy?
Answer: Political parties are crucial for democracy due to the following reasons:
Representation of diverse interests
– They bring together people with common views.
Choice for voters
– People can choose from different parties and policies.
Formation of government
– Parties ensure that a structured government is in place.
Policy formulation
– They discuss and implement policies for national progress.
Accountability
– Ruling parties are responsible for their actions, and opposition parties hold them accountable.
Link between government and people
– They act as a bridge between the public and the government.
3. What are the different types of party systems?
Answer: Different countries follow different types of party systems:
One-party system
– Only one political party is allowed (e.g., China’s Communist Party).
Two-party system
– Two major parties dominate politics (e.g., USA - Democrats & Republicans).
Multi-party system
– Several parties compete for power (e.g., India, France, Germany).
Dominant-party system
– Many parties exist, but one party dominates for a long time (e.g., South Africa).
No-party system
– There are no political parties, and leaders are chosen by consensus (e.g., some Middle Eastern nations).
4. What is a multi-party system? Mention its advantages and disadvantages.
Answer: A multi-party system is one in which multiple parties compete for power.
Advantages:
More choices for voters
– Different ideologies are represented.
Better representation
– More groups in society get political representation.
Prevents dictatorship
– No single party can dominate for long.
Encourages debate
– Various perspectives lead to better decision-making.
Disadvantages:
Government instability
– Coalitions may lead to frequent breakdowns.
Slow decision-making
– Too many parties make reaching a consensus difficult.
Possibility of corruption
– Bargaining among coalition partners can encourage corruption.
5. What are national and regional parties? How do they differ?
Answer:
National parties
operate across the country, while
regional parties
work within a specific state or region.
National parties
need recognition in at least four states;
regional parties
are recognized in one or a few states.
Examples of national parties:
BJP, Congress, CPI(M).
Examples of regional parties:
Shiv
Sena
(Maharashtra), DMK (Tamil Nadu).
National parties focus on national policies
, while
regional parties focus on state-specific issues
.
National parties influence national elections
, whereas
regional parties influence state elections
.
6. How does the Election Commission recognize a political party as a national or state party?
Answer:
A party is recognized as:
National Party
if it:
Wins
2% of Lok Sabha seats
from
at least three states
.
Gets
6% of votes in four or more states
in a Lok Sabha or Assembly election.
Is recognized as a
state party in four or more states
.
State Party
if it:
Wins
6% of votes
in a state assembly or Lok Sabha election.
Wins at least
two assembly seats
or
one Lok Sabha seat
from the state.
7. What is the role of opposition parties in a democracy?
Answer: Opposition parties play a crucial role, such as:
Checking government policies
– They ensure that the ruling party does not misuse power.
Debating issues
– They raise public concerns in the legislature.
Offering alternatives
– They propose different policies.
Ensuring accountability
– They expose government failures and corruption.
Encouraging political awareness
– They inform citizens about national issues.
Preventing dictatorship
– They keep democracy alive by challenging the ruling party.
8. What is the Anti-Defection Law? Why was it introduced?
Answer: The Anti-Defection Law (1985) prevents elected representatives from switching parties after winning elections.
It was introduced because:
Prevent party-hopping
– To stop MLAs and MPs from changing parties for personal gains.
Ensure stability
– Prevents frequent government collapse due to shifting alliances.
Discourage corruption
– Stops politicians from being bribed to change parties.
Promote discipline
– Ensures party loyalty among elected members.
Strengthen democracy
– Encourages honest governance.
Gives power to Speaker/Chairman
– They can disqualify defectors.
9. What are the challenges faced by political parties in India?
Answer:
Lack of internal democracy
– Power remains with a few leaders.
Dynastic succession
– Family members
inherit
leadership.
Money and muscle power
– Rich candidates influence elections unfairly.
Lack of meaningful choice
– Parties often have similar agendas.
Corruption
– Parties sometimes misuse funds.
Influence of caste and religion
– Many parties appeal to caste and religious groups.
10. What measures can be taken to reform political parties in India?
Answer:
Laws on internal democracy
– Parties should hold transparent elections.
Ban on dynastic politics
– Leadership should not be inherited.
State funding of elections
– Government should provide funds to reduce corruption.
Strict implementation of Anti-Defection Law
– Leaders switching parties should be disqualified.
Encouraging independent candidates
– More participation beyond party politics.
Awareness campaigns
– Citizens should be informed about fair elections.
11. Explain the rise of regional parties in India.
Answer: The rise of regional parties in India can be attributed to various factors:
Linguistic and cultural diversity
– Different regions have distinct languages and cultures, leading to the formation of state-specific parties.
Failure of national parties
– When national parties fail to address regional issues, people turn to regional parties.
State autonomy demands
– Many states seek more autonomy, and regional parties represent these demands.
Economic disparities
– States with economic grievances (like backwardness) support regional parties.
Caste and community-based politics
– Many regional parties appeal to specific caste or community groups.
Coalition politics
– The need for alliances in a multi-party system has strengthened regional parties.
12. What are the different party systems around the world?
Answer: The world follows different types of party systems:
One-Party System
– Only one party is allowed (e.g., China - Communist Party).
Two-Party System
– Two dominant parties compete for power (e.g., USA - Democrats and Republicans).
Multi-Party System
– Many parties contest elections, leading to coalitions (e.g., India, Germany, France).
Dominant-Party System
– Multiple parties exist, but one party consistently wins (e.g., South Africa - ANC).
No-Party System
– Some countries do not allow political parties (e.g., Saudi Arabia).
13. Explain the importance of political parties in a federal structure.
Answer: Political parties play a vital role in a federal system:
Link between state and central government
– Helps in coordination.
Representation of diverse interests
– Ensures state-specific needs are addressed.
Formation of coalition governments
– Necessary in a multi-party democracy.
Promotes decentralization
– Strengthens local governance.
Ensures balanced policy-making
– Different regions contribute to national policies.
Prevents dominance of a single party
– Encourages regional participation in national politics.
14. How do political parties contribute to policy-making?
Answer: Political parties influence policies in several ways:
Debating laws in Parliament
– They propose, discuss, and amend policies.
Framing election manifestos
– They outline their vision and policies before elections.
Public consultation
– Parties collect feedback from citizens.
Influencing government decisions
– The ruling party sets national policies.
Pressure from opposition parties
– Ensures fair policies through criticism and debate.
Expert committees
– Many parties have
think
tanks that research policies.
15. Explain the working of a coalition government.
Answer: A coalition government is formed when multiple parties come together to share power.
Occurs when no single party wins a majority
in elections.
Parties form alliances
based on common policies and interests.
Leaders from different parties share ministries
and responsibilities.
Decision-making requires compromise
, making governance complex.
Example:
United Progressive Alliance (UPA)
and
National Democratic Alliance (NDA)
in India.
Challenges:
Frequent disagreements and instability may lead to government breakdowns.
16. How does caste and religion affect political parties in India?
Answer: Caste and religion play a significant role in Indian politics:
Vote-bank politics
– Many parties appeal to specific castes or religious groups for votes.
Formation of caste-based parties
– Example: Bahujan
Samaj
Party (BSP) represents Dalits.
Religious polarization
– Some parties use religion to gain political support.
Reservation policies
– Caste-based reservations are key political issues.
Divisive politics
– Can lead to communal tensions.
Impact on governance
– Policies may
favor
specific groups rather than the entire nation.
17. Why do some political parties fail to sustain for long?
Answer: Many political parties struggle to survive due to:
Lack of leadership
– Absence of strong leaders.
Financial crisis
– Inability to fund election campaigns.
Internal conflicts
– Party members often disagree on policies.
Failure to adapt
– Parties that don’t change with time lose relevance.
Corruption and scandals
– Public loses trust in corrupt parties.
Lack of voter support
– If a party fails to meet public expectations, it loses elections.
18. How can the role of money in elections be reduced?
Answer: The role of money in elections can be minimized through:
State funding of elections
– The government provides financial support to candidates.
Strict spending limits
– Election Commission should enforce spending caps.
Transparency in donations
– Parties must disclose funding sources.
Ban on corporate funding
– Prevents undue influence of big businesses.
Encouraging small donations
– Crowdfunding and public donations should be promoted.
Strict action against bribery
– Legal actions against vote-buying practices.
19. What is the impact of digital media on political parties?
Answer: Digital media has changed political campaigning in several ways:
Social media outreach
– Parties connect with voters through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Online fundraising
– Many parties raise money via online platforms.
Targeted advertisements
– Digital platforms help parties reach specific voter groups.
Fake news and misinformation
– Parties sometimes use digital media to spread propaganda.
Faster communication
– Leaders can share their views instantly with millions of people.
Influences young voters
– The internet has increased youth participation in politics.
20. Why do some parties fail to get public support?
Answer: Some parties fail to attract public support due to:
Lack of clear ideology
– If a party has no strong policies, people don’t trust it.
Ineffective leadership
– Weak leaders fail to inspire voters.
Failure to address public issues
– If a party ignores real problems, it loses support.
Scandals and corruption
– Corrupt parties lose voter trust.
Regional limitations
– Some parties cannot expand beyond one state or region.
Competition from major parties
– Small parties struggle against established national parties.
