All questions of Coalition Government for UPSC CSE Exam

Primary Meaning of 'Coalition' from Latin word 'Coalitio'
The primary meaning of the term 'coalition' is derived from the Latin word 'coalitio', which means the act of coalescing or uniting in one body.

Explanation:
- Coalescing or Unitng: The term 'coalition' refers to the act of coming together or uniting in one body. It signifies the process of different entities or groups merging or joining forces towards a common goal or purpose.
- Alliance of Distinct Political Parties: In a political context, a coalition often refers to an alliance formed by distinct political parties in order to achieve a shared objective, such as forming a government or passing legislation.
- Collaboration for a Common Cause: The concept of coalition involves collaboration and cooperation among various individuals or groups who may have differing interests or ideologies but come together for a common cause.
- Strength in Unity: By forming a coalition, parties or groups can pool their resources, expertise, and support to increase their influence and effectiveness in achieving their goals.
- Historical Significance: Throughout history, coalitions have played a significant role in shaping political outcomes, facilitating social change, and fostering unity among diverse factions.
In conclusion, the primary meaning of 'coalition' emphasizes the act of coalescing or uniting in one body, highlighting the importance of collaboration and unity in achieving common objectives.

Understanding Coalition Politics
In coalition politics, pragmatism stands out as the defining hallmark due to the following reasons:
Flexibility in Alliances
- Coalition politics often involves multiple parties with diverse ideologies coming together.
- Pragmatism allows these parties to set aside ideological differences for the sake of governance and stability.
Compromise and Negotiation
- Successful coalitions thrive on compromise, enabling parties to negotiate terms that accommodate various interests.
- This approach fosters collaboration, leading to effective decision-making and policy implementation.
Focus on Governance
- The primary goal of a coalition is to achieve effective governance rather than adhering strictly to ideological beliefs.
- Pragmatism emphasizes practical solutions to pressing issues, which can often differ from theoretical ideals.
Adaptability to Change
- Political landscapes are dynamic, and coalition politics requires adaptability to changing circumstances.
- Pragmatism enables coalitions to adjust their strategies and policies in response to new challenges and public demands.
Conclusion
- In summary, pragmatism is crucial in coalition politics as it facilitates cooperation, prioritizes effective governance, and encourages flexibility among diverse political entities.
- This approach ultimately leads to more stable and functional political environments, making it the hallmark of coalition politics.

The concept of coalition governance known as "common governance" is based on a common decision-making process where decisions are made collectively by the coalition partners.

A pre-poll coalition is considered advantageous because electorates get to know about the joint manifesto of the coalition partners before the election, which provides transparency and clarity about their agenda.

In political terms, a coalition government refers to an alliance of distinct political parties coming together to form a government based on a commonly agreed agenda. This typically happens when no single political party can secure a majority in the parliament.

In independent India, the Janata Party formed a minority government with the outside support of CPI, DMK, and others after a split in the Congress party in 1969.

One of the merits of a coalition government mentioned in the text is that it better reflects the popular opinion of the electorate within a country, making it more democratic.

One of the demerits of a coalition government mentioned in the text is that it has a tendency to be fractious and prone to disharmony due to the involvement of parties with contrasting ideologies.

According to the text, a coalition government often leads to a lack of coherence in government policy because parties with contrasting ideologies come together, making it difficult to push bold decisions.

A coalition government typically leads to a shift from clear and formal decision-making procedures to informal conversations, as stated in the text.