Class 10 Civics Chapter 1 Case Based Questions - Democratic Politics - II

Q1: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Political parties are an essential component of a democracy. They contest elections, formulate policies, form governments, and represent diverse interests. Without political parties, democracy would lack stability and direction. However, political parties also face criticism for corruption, lack of internal democracy, and misuse of money and muscle power.

i. Why are political parties important in a democracy? (1 mark)
ii. What are two main functions of political parties? (1 mark)
iii. How can political parties improve their credibility among citizens? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. Political parties are important because they bring people together, provide a platform for different views, and help in forming and running governments.
ii. Two main functions of political parties:

• Contesting elections and selecting candidates.
• Formulating policies and programs for governance.

iii. To enhance their credibility, political parties can:

• Promote transparency in their operations.
• Encourage participation from all members.
• Address public concerns effectively and responsibly.

Q2: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Countries follow different types of party systems based on their history and political structure.

• One-Party System: A single political party controls the government (e.g., China).
• Two-Party System: Power alternates between two major parties (e.g., the USA, UK).
• Multi-Party System: Several parties compete, and coalition governments are common (e.g., India).

i. What is a two-party system? (1 mark)
ii. Why does India follow a multi-party system? (1 mark)
iii. How does a multi-party system benefit democracy? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. A two-party system is a political system where two main parties dominate elections and governance, with little chance for smaller parties.
ii. India follows a multi-party system because of its diverse social, cultural, and regional differences, which cannot be represented by just two parties.
iii. Benefits of Multi-Party System:

• Encourages a variety of interests and opinions.
• Provides broader political representation.
• Allows for coalition governments, which can lead to more inclusive decision-making.

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Q3: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Despite being crucial for democracy, political parties face several challenges:

• Lack of internal democracy: Power is concentrated in the hands of a few leaders.
• Dynastic succession: Leadership is often passed within families.
• Influence of money and muscle power: Elections are often won by candidates with large financial resources.
• Lack of meaningful choices: Many parties have similar policies, limiting voter options.

i. What is meant by lack of internal democracy in political parties? (1 mark)
ii. How does dynastic succession affect democracy? (1 mark)
iii. Suggest two ways to reduce the influence of money and muscle power in elections. (2 marks)

Ans:
i. Lack of internal democracy means decision-making power is held by a few leaders, and ordinary party members have little influence.
ii. Dynastic succession affects democracy by limiting leadership opportunities for talented individuals outside political families.
iii. Two ways to reduce money and muscle power in elections:

• Strict monitoring of election spending by the Election Commission.
• State funding of elections to reduce dependency on private donors.

Q4: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

In India, political parties are classified into National Parties and State (Regional) Parties based on their influence and vote share.

• National Parties operate across multiple states and must secure at least 6% of total votes in four or more states and win at least 4 Lok Sabha seats. Examples: BJP, INC, CPI(M), BSP, AAP, NPP.
• State Parties operate primarily within one state and must secure 6% of votes in the Legislative Assembly and win at least 2 seats.

i. How does a party qualify as a National Party in India? (1 mark)
ii. Name two National Parties in India. (1 mark)
iii. How do regional parties contribute to democracy? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. A party qualifies as a National Party if it secures at least 6% of votes in four or more states and wins at least 4 Lok Sabha seats.
ii. Two National Parties in India: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Indian National Congress (INC).
iii. Regional parties play a vital role in strengthening democracy by:

• Enhancing political diversity in the Parliament.
• Encouraging representation of local interests.
• Facilitating alliances with national parties, contributing to federalism.

Q5: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Several reforms have been suggested to improve the functioning of political parties:

• Anti-Defection Law: Prevents elected representatives from switching parties after elections.
• Mandatory Affidavits: Candidates must declare their financial assets and criminal records before contesting elections.
• State Funding of Elections: Reduces dependence on private funding and prevents corruption.
  Despite these reforms, many parties continue to face challenges in implementing transparency and internal democracy.

i. What is the purpose of the Anti-Defection Law? (1 mark)
ii. Why must candidates submit affidavits before elections? (1 mark)
iii. How can state funding of elections help in reducing corruption? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. The Anti-Defection Law prevents elected representatives from switching parties after elections, ensuring political stability.
ii. Candidates must submit affidavits to disclose their financial assets and criminal records, promoting transparency in elections.
iii. State funding of elections reduces corruption by limiting dependence on private donors and ensuring equal opportunities for all candidates. It also minimizes the influence of money power in politics and levels the playing field for candidates without significant financial backing.

Q6: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Political parties are necessary for the smooth functioning of a democracy. They help in forming governments, representing different opinions, and providing choices to voters. Without political parties, there would be no organized way to run elections or create policies. Even non-democratic countries have some form of political organization to govern effectively.

i. Why are political parties essential for democracy? (1 mark)
ii. How do political parties provide choices to voters? (1 mark)
iii. What could happen if a country had no political parties? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. Political parties are essential because they help in forming governments, represent different ideologies, and ensure accountability in governance.
ii. Political parties provide choices to voters by offering different policies, leadership styles, and governance models during elections.
iii. Without political parties, a country would face unorganized governance, lack of policy direction, and difficulties in conducting elections. There would be no structured way to aggregate public opinions, formulate policies, or hold leaders accountable, leading to potential instability and inefficiency in governance.

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Q7: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

Countries have different types of party systems. Some countries like China follow a one-party system, where only a single political party is allowed to govern. Others, like the USA and UK, follow a two-party system, where power alternates between two major parties. India follows a multi-party system, where multiple political parties compete for power, and coalition governments are common.

i. What is a one-party system? (1 mark)
ii. How is a two-party system different from a multi-party system? (1 mark)
iii. Why does India follow a multi-party system instead of a two-party system? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. A one-party system is a political system where only one political party is allowed to form the government, with no opposition (e.g., China).
ii. A two-party system has two dominant parties that compete for power (e.g., USA, UK), while a multi-party system allows multiple parties to compete, often leading to coalition governments.
iii. India follows a multi-party system because of its diverse population, regional differences, and varied political ideologies that cannot be represented by just two parties. The multi-party system ensures representation for different regions, communities, and interests, reflecting the country's pluralistic nature.

Q8: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

In a democracy, opposition parties play a crucial role in holding the ruling party accountable. They question government policies, highlight corruption, and provide alternative viewpoints. A strong opposition ensures that democracy remains vibrant and prevents the government from becoming authoritarian. However, in some cases, opposition parties engage in disruptive politics, which affects governance.

i. Why is the opposition important in a democracy? (1 mark)
ii. How does the opposition help in preventing authoritarianism? (1 mark)
iii. What challenges does the opposition face in functioning effectively? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. The opposition is important because it questions government policies, highlights public concerns, and ensures transparency in governance.
ii. The opposition prevents authoritarianism by challenging unfair laws, protesting against corruption, and ensuring that the ruling party does not misuse power.
iii. The opposition faces challenges such as lack of funding, suppression by ruling parties, and difficulties in reaching voters due to biased media coverage. Additionally, internal disunity and weak leadership can hinder their effectiveness in holding the government accountable.

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Q9: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an independent body responsible for conducting free and fair elections. It ensures that political parties follow election rules, monitors campaign spending, and prevents unfair practices like vote-buying and booth capturing. Political parties must register with the Election Commission and follow electoral laws to maintain democratic integrity.

i. What is the main function of the Election Commission? (1 mark)
ii. How does the Election Commission ensure fair elections? (1 mark)
iii. Why is it important to regulate political parties during elections? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. The main function of the Election Commission is to conduct free and fair elections in the country.
ii. The Election Commission ensures fair elections by monitoring campaign funding, preventing voter fraud, and ensuring impartial conduct of elections.
iii. Regulating political parties during elections is important to prevent corruption, ensure equal opportunities for all candidates, and maintain public trust in democracy. It also helps curb malpractices like vote-buying, booth capturing, and misuse of money and muscle power, thereby upholding the integrity of the electoral process.

Q10: Read the source below and answer the questions that follow:

In a multi-party system like India, no single party often gets a clear majority. To form a government, political parties form alliances and coalitions. Coalition governments allow different parties to work together, but they can also lead to political instability if alliances break down. Some well-known alliances in India include the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA).

i. What is a coalition government? (1 mark)
ii. Name two major political alliances in India. (1 mark)
iii. How can coalition governments affect political stability? (2 marks)

Ans:
i. A coalition government is formed when multiple political parties join together to govern, usually because no single party has won a majority.
ii. Two major political alliances in India are National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and United Progressive Alliance (UPA).
iii. Coalition governments can affect political stability because differences between alliance partners can lead to frequent conflicts, policy delays, and sometimes the collapse of the government. However, they also promote inclusiveness by representing diverse interests and ensuring broader consensus on key issues.