Ans: (d)
Elections are the primary means by which political parties are held accountable to the public. Voters are able to assess the candidates' performance and decide whether or not to endorse them based on their deeds and statements.
Q2: Describe any three functions of the Political Parties. (CBSE 2024)
Ans: Functions of Political Parties are:
(1) They contest election.
(2) They put forward different policies and programmes.
(3) Parties form and run the government.
(4) Parties that lose in the election play the role of opposition.
(5) They shape public opinion.
(6) They provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes.
Q3: Which one of the following countries has two party system? (2023)
(a) China
(b) Russia
(c) America
(d) India
Ans: (c)
The United States operates under a two-party system, primarily dominated by the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. This means that most elections are primarily contested between these two parties, making it easier for voters to choose between two distinct options. In contrast, other countries like China and Russia have different political systems, and India has multiple parties, which is known as a multi-party system.
Q4: Explain the merits of Multi Party System. (2023)
Ans: The merits of a multi-party system are as follows:
(i) It allows various intersets and opinions to enjoy political participation.
(ii) In a diverse country, this system cover all the aspects of different sections of society
Q5: Analyze the need of Political Parties in the Democracy. (CBSE 2023)
OR
Describe the roles of Political Parties in India. (CBSE 2014)
Ans: The need of political parties in a democracy are as follows:
(1) Parties contest elections. In most democracies, elections are fought mainly among the candidates put up by political parties.
(2) Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country. They mould public opinion.
(3) Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by governments.
Ans: The party which gets elected by winning the elections and forms a government is the ruling party. Playing opposition : A party which does not get majority or does not come under the majority coalition, needs to play the role of opposition
Q7: Why has India adopted a multi-party system? Explain. (Term-ll, 2021-22, Foreign 2017, Al 2016)
Ans: India is a democratic country and has adopted a multi-party system because of the social and geographical diversity of the nation which cannot be easily accommodated in one or two political parties. Through this system, variety of interests and opinions could enjoy different political representation
Q8: How do political parties shape public opinion? (Term-ll, 2021-22)
Ans: Political parties shape public opinion in the following ways:
(i) They highlight and raise issues.
(ii) 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.
(iii) Sometimes, parties launch movements for solving the problems faced by the people
Q9: Explain how the rise of political parties is directly linked to the emergence of representative democracies. (Term-ll, 2021-22)
Ans: When societies develop and expand it becomes, more complex in terms of social, economic and political relations. They need political relations, and political parties to sustain governance. Political parties tend to provide the base on which the policies of representative government is built. They gather public views on various important issues, articulate them and then present them to the government. Parties bring various representatives together, support or restrain the government and its apparatus, develop policies and justify or oppose them in the public domain depending on their political ideology. These conditions are necessary for healthy development or representative democracies. Hence, it can be said that political parties are essential for this purpose.
Q10: Explain any three features of a 'one-party system'. (Term-ll, 2021-22)
Ans: Three features of one party system are as follows :
(i) Only one party is allowed to control and rule the government. There is no change of government and power is concentrated in the hands of the party leader.
(ii) In this system electoral politics does not permit free competition for power.
(iii) There is absence of the checks and balances provided by democratic government.
Q11: "Political parties have become omnipresent in democracies all over the world." Explain the statement with examples. (Term-ll, 2021-22)
Ans: We need political parties because of the functions that the political parties perform:
(i) They contest in elections.
(ii) They put forward different policies and programme for the betterment of society.
(iii) They play a decisive role in the making of laws that affect each of us.
(iv) They form and run the government.
(v) They play the role of opposition to the ruling party.
(vi) They shape public opinion, as they raise and highlight issues.
(vii) They provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by the government.
Q12: Describe the role of political parties in Indian democracy. (Term-ll, 2021-22 C, 2020 C)
Ans: Indian democracy has a multi-party system, political parties perform a series of functions to strengthen our democracy in the following manners :
(i) Contesting elections : Political parties contest elections; A political party nominates its candidate for the electoral contest in various constituencies. This provides a variety of choice of personalities for the people to vote for.
(ii) Policies : Political parties put forward different policies and programmes so that the voters can choose from amongst them. A political party brings a large number of similar opinions under one umbrella. These opinions are channelised to form policies and programmes. The policies and programmes of the ruling party generally become the government policies.
(iii) Making law : Political parties play a decisive role in making laws for the country that benefits the v/hole population.
(iv) Playing opposition : A party which does not get majority or does not come under the majority coalition, needs to play the role of opposition. This forms the basis of checks and balances in a democracy.
(v) Shaping public opinion: Political parties shape public opinion. They do so by raising and highlighting issues in the legislature and in the media.
(vi) Providing access to government machinery: Political parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by governments. Parties need to be responsive to people’s needs and demands thus bring good governance.
Political parties are as easily one of the most visible institutions in a democracy. For most ordinary citizens, democracy is equal to political parties.
Q13: "There are various reforms taken to strengthen parties in India so that they perform their function well." Explain the statement with examples. (Term-II,2021-22)
Ans: To strengthen political parties in India and enhance their functioning, several reforms have been implemented.
Here are some examples:
(i) Transparency and Accountability: Requiring political parties to disclose their funding sources and expenditures to ensure transparency and accountability. For example, the Election Commission of India has introduced guidelines for parties to submit annual audited reports.
(ii) Internal Democracy: Encouraging parties to adopt internal democratic processes such as holding regular elections for party leadership positions. This promotes inclusivity and fairness within the party structure.
(iii) Anti-defection Law: Implementing the Anti-defection law to prevent elected representatives from switching parties indiscriminately, thus promoting stability and party discipline.
(iv) State Funding of Elections: Providing state funding for elections to reduce the influence of money power and promote a level playing field for all parties, especially smaller ones with limited resources.
(v) Electoral Reforms: Introducing reforms like electronic voting machines (EVMs) to ensure free and fair elections, reducing malpractices and enhancing the credibility of the electoral process.
(vi) Strengthening Election Commission: Empowering the Election Commission to regulate and oversee the conduct of elections impartially, ensuring that parties adhere to the set guidelines and rules.
These reforms aim to strengthen political parties in India, enabling them to fulfill their functions effectively and serve the interests of the public better.
(i) Which one of the following is a National party?
(a) Bharatiya Janata Party
(b) Samajwadi Party
(c) Shiv Sena
(d) Shiromani Akali Dal
Ans: (a)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is recognized as a national party in India because it has a presence in multiple states and follows a unified policy and strategy set at the national level. It meets the criteria laid out by the Election Commission, which includes securing a specific percentage of votes and winning a certain number of seats in elections. In contrast, the other options, like the Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena, and Shiromani Akali Dal, are primarily focused on specific states and do not have the same national reach.
(ii) Which of the following is not a regional party?
(a) Jharkhand Mukti Morcha
(b) Asom Gana Parishad
(c) Indian National Congress
(d) Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Ans: (c)
The Indian National Congress (INC) is not a regional party because it operates across the entire country and has units in multiple states. In contrast, the other options like Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Asom Gana Parishad, and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam are regional parties that primarily focus on specific areas or states in India.
(iii) Where does every political party have to register in India?
(a) Government of India
(b) NITI Aayog
(c) Election Commission
(d) Law Commisssion
Ans: (c)
In India, every political party must register with the Election Commission. This ensures that the party is recognized officially and can participate in elections. The Election Commission regulates the conduct of elections and maintains a fair electoral process in the country.
(iv) When a party that secures at least six per cent of total votes in Lok Sabha elections or Assembly elections in four states and wins at least four seats of Lok Sabha, it is recognised as a :
(a) Regional Party
(b) National Party
(c) Pressure Group
(d) Business Organisation
Ans: (b)
A party is recognized as a National Party in India if it secures at least 6% of the total votes in Lok Sabha elections or Assembly elections in four states and wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha. This recognition allows the party to have certain privileges, like using a unique election symbol across the country.
Q15: Give one technical term for the following statement: "A person who is strongly committed to a party or group." (2020 C)
View AnswerAns: Partisan
Q16: Describe the role of political parties in Indian democracy. (Term-ll, 2021-22 C, 2020 C)
Ans: Indian democracy has a multi-party system, political parties perform a series of functions to strengthen our democracy in the following manners :
(i) Contesting elections : Political parties contest elections; A political party nominates its candidate for the electoral contest in various constituencies. This provides a variety of choice of personalities for the people to vote for.
(ii) Policies : Political parties put forward different policies and programmes so that the voters can choose from amongst them. A political party brings a large number of similar opinions under one umbrella. These opinions are channelised to form policies and programmes. The policies and programmes of the ruling party generally become the government policies.
(iii) Making law : Political parties play a decisive role in making laws for the country that benefits the v/hole population.
(iv) Playing opposition : A party which does not get majority or does not come under the majority coalition, needs to play the role of opposition. This forms the basis of checks and balances in a democracy.
(v) Shaping public opinion: Political parties shape public opinion. They do so by raising and highlighting issues in the legislature and in the media.
(vi) Providing access to government machinery: Political parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by governments. Parties need to be responsive to people’s needs and demands thus bring good governance.
Political parties are as easily one of the most visible institutions in a democracy. For most ordinary citizens, democracy is equal to political parties.
Q17: Define the term 'Political Party'. Explain with examples the need for political parties in India. (2020)
Ans: Political parties: A political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government. Need of Political Parties in India:
(i) The rise of political parties is directly linked to the emergence of representative democracies.
(ii) As societies became large and complex, they also needed some agency to gather different views on various issues and to present these to the government.
(iii) They needed some ways, to bring various representatives together so that a responsible government could be formed.
(iv) They needed a mechanism to support or restrain the government, make policies, justify or oppose them.
(v) Political parties fulfill these needs that every representative government has.
Q18: Correct the following statement and rewrite it: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was formed under the leadership of Mayawati. (2020)
Ans: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was formed under the leadership of Kanshi Ram.
Q19: Suggest any one way to make political parties more responsive to people’s needs and demands. (CBSE 2020, 15)
Ans: Political parties can be made more responsive through organised petitions, agitations and publicity by various groups.
Explanation: This shall make political parties pay more attention to people’s needs to secure their support.
Q20: Suggest any one way to promote public participation in political parties for enhancing the quality of democracy. (CBSE 2020)
Ans: Following are the ways in which public participation in political parties can be promoted:
(1) Parties should make their election process more transparent and elect more candidates from among the common people.
(2) Various platforms like social media can be used to allocate them small responsibilities to maintain their interest in party activities.
Ans:
The three components of a political party are as follows:
Note: A political party is a group of people with similar ideologies who come together to form an organization in order to contest elections and hold power in the government.
Q22: How are Political parties recognised as regional and National parties in India? (CBSE Delhi 2019)
Ans: India has a multi-party system, where political parties are classified as national, state or regional level parties. All parties are registered with the Election Commission.
The criterion for Recognition by The Election Commission as national or state-level parties.
National Party
(i) A party that secures at least six per cent of total votes in Lok Sabha elections or Assembly elections in four States and wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha is recognised as a national part.
(ii) Now, India has seven recognised national parties.
(iii) Indian National Congress, Bhartiya Janta Party.
State Party
(i) A party that secures at least 6 per cent of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a State and wins at least two seats is recognised as a State party.
(ii) There are 54, state recognised parties in India.
(iii) Biju Janta Dal, Mizo National Front
Q23: Define the two-party system. Explain its advantages and disadvantages. (CBSE 2019)
Ans: Two party system: In a democratic system power usually changes between two main parties, several other parties may exists but only the two main parties have a serious chance of winning majority of seats to form government is known as Two Party System.
Advantages:
(1) Several other parties contest election.
(2) Clarity of manifestoes and programs.
Disadvantages:
(1) Limited choice to the voters.
(2) Limited representation.
Ans:
Q25: Illustrate the situations which display lack of internal democracy within a political party. (CBSE 2018)
Ans: Situations which display lack of internal democracy within a political party:
(1) Parties do not keep membership registers, do not hold organisational meetings, and do not conduct internal elections regularly.
(2) Ordinary members of the party do not get sufficient information on what happens inside the party.
(3) They do not have the means or the connections needed to influence the decisions. As a result, the leaders assume greater power to make decisions in the name of the party.
(4) Since one or few leaders exercise paramount power in the party, those who disagree with the leadership find it difficult to continue in the party.
(5) More than loyalty to party principles and policies, personal loyalty to the leader becomes more important.
Ans: The Election Commission of India is responsible for the task of recognizing political parties in India. Every party in India has to register with the Election Commission and it also lays down detailed criteria for state as well as national level parties to qualify as a particular 'party.'
Q27: Name any two regional political parties of U.P. (Uttar Pradesh). (CBSE 2017)
Ans: Two Regional Political Parties of UP:
(i) S. E (Samajvadi Party)
(ii) Rashtriya Lok Dal
Q28: Assess the importance of political parties in a democracy. (CBSE (F) 2017)
Ans: Importance of Political Parties:
Q29: “Political Parties are a necessary condition for a democracy.” Analyse the statement with examples. (CBSE (Comptt) 2017)
Ans: Political parties are a necessary condition for a democracy: If political parties don't exist then:
Q30: Why did India choose to have a multi-party system?
OR
Examine the reason to accept a multi-party system in India. (CBSE (F) 2017)
Ans: India adopted multi-party system because
Q31: Elucidate some of the recent efforts taken in our country to reform political parties and their leaders. (CBSE Delhi 2017)
OR
Examine any two institutional amendments made by different institutions to reform political parties and their leaders. (CBSE (F) 2016)
Ans:
Q32: Describe in brief the recent efforts that have been made in India to reform political parties and their leaders. (CBSE 2016-17C)
Ans: Recent efforts to reform political parties and their leaders are as given below:
Q33: How can the growing role of money and muscle power in political parties be controlled? Suggest any three measures. (CBSE 2017)
Ans: The growing role of money and muscle power in political parties can be controlled in the following ways:
(1) There should be state funding of elections.
(2) Rath yatras, rallies and processions should be banned.
(3) All types of elections should be held at the same time.
(4) It should be mandatory for every candidate contesting elections to file an affidavit giving details of his/her property and criminal cases pending against him/her, if any.
(5) Political parties should hold their organisational elections and file their income tax returns
Q34: Explain any three recent efforts made to reform political parties in India. (CBSE 2017, 11)
OR
Suggest any three reforms to make political parties more democratic. (CBSE 2017)
Ans: Recent efforts made to reform political parties in India are:
(1) Anti-defection law has been introduced, under which a member can be disqualified if he/she goes against the instructions issued by the party for monetary benefits.
(2) To reduce the influence of money and muscle power in the parties, funding of political parties has been made transparent and democratic. Funds can only be accepted if complete documentation has been attached and miscreants are likely to be punished.
(3) It is mandatory for any candidate to file an affidavit giving details of his property and cases pending against him/her before nomination.
Ans: A one-party system is not considered a good democratic system because it does not provide any democratic options or alternative viewpoints. It limits political competition and can lead to a lack of accountability and transparency. In a healthy democracy, multiple parties allow for a wider range of opinions and choices, fostering debate, checks and balances, and representation of diverse interests.
Q36: Name any one political party that has a national-level political organization but is not recognized as the national political party. (Al 2016)
Ans: Samajwadi Party, Samata Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal
Q37: Name the alliance formed by the Congress Party. (CBSE 2016)
Ans: United Progressive Alliance (UPA)
Q38: Which party was the principal opposition party in Lok Sabha in 2004? (2016)
Ans: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Q39: What are the components of a political party? (CBSE (AI) 2016)
Ans:
Q40: Name any one political party that has a national-level political organisation but not recognised as the national political party. (CBSE Delhi 2016)
Ans: State parties like the Samajwadi Party, Samata party and Rashtriya Janata Dal have National level political organisations with units in several States but are not recognised as national parties.
Q41: Why is a one-party political system not considered a good democratic system? (CBSE (F) 2016)
Ans: The one-party system has no democratic option
Q42: What is meant by a ‘national political party? State the conditions required to be a national political party. (CBSE Delhi 2016)
Ans: National Political Party has units in the various states, they follow the same policies, programmes and strategy that is decided at the national level.
Conditions required:
(i) A party that secures at least 6% of the total votes in general elections of Lok Sabha or assembly elections in four states.
(ii) Wins at least 4 seats in Lok Sabha.
Q43: “Nearly every one of the state parties wants to get an opportunity to be a part of one nr the other national-level coalition.” Support the statement with arguments. (CBSE 2016)
Ans: State parties seeking National level coalition: Before the general election of 2014, in three general elections, no one national party was able to secure on its own a majority in Lok Sabha. As a result, the national parties were compelled to form alliances with state or regional parties. Since 1996, nearly every one of the state parties has got an opportunity to be a part of one or the other national-level coalition government. This has contributed to the strengthening of federalism and democracy.
Q44: What is meant by a regional political party? State the conditions required to be recognised as a ‘regional political party. (CBSE (Al) 2016)
Ans: A regional Party is a party that is present only in some states. Conditions required for a party to be recognised as a regional political party are:
Q45: What is a political party? State any two points of the ideology of the Bhartiya Janata Party. (CBSE (F) 2016)
Ans: A political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government. They agree on some policies and programmers for the society with a view to promoting the collective good.
The ideology of BJP:
Q46: Why did India adopt a multi-party system? (CBSE (AI) 2016)
Ans:
Q47: “All over the world, people express their dissatisfaction with the failure of political parties to perform their functions well.” Analyse the statement with arguments. (CBSE Delhi 2016)
Ans: Popular dissatisfaction and criticism: It has focused on four areas in the working of political parties, need to face and overcome these challenges in order to remain effective instruments of democracy. Lack of internal democracy within parties.
Q48: What suggestions are often made to reform political parties?
OR
Suggest any five effective measures to reform political parties. (CBSE (AI) 2016)
Ans:
Q49: “Political parties are a necessary condition for a democracy”. Analyse the statement with examples. (CBSE (AI) 2016)
OR
“About hundred years ago there were a few countries that had hardly any political party. Now, there are a few countries that do not have political parties .” Examine this statement.
Ans: Political parties are a necessary condition for democracy.
Ans:
Q51: What is the multi-party system? Why did India adopt a multi-party system? (CBSE 2015)
Ans: (a) Multi-party system: If several parties compete for power, and more than two parties have a feasoriaLhre chance of coming to power either on their own strength or in alliance with others, it is called a multi-party system.
(b) (i) Every country develops a party system that is conditional by its special circumstances.
(ii) India has evolved a multi-party system because the social and geographical diversity in such a large country is not easily observed by two or even three parties.
Q52: Why do political parties involve partisanship? (CBSE 2015)
Ans: Parties follow different ideologies and people who support these ideologies passionately are its supporters. These supporters work hard to prove that their political party and its ideology is the only correct and ideal approach towards development of the country. In this process, they become staunch supporters of their parties which is called being a partisan.
Ans: Functions of Political Parties are:
(1) They contest election.
(2) They put forward different policies and programmes.
(3) Parties form and run the government
Q54: Name the “Regional political parties” that are predominant in Jharkhand, Maharashtra and in Odisha respectively with their symbols. (CBSE 2014)
Ans: The “Regional political parties” that are predominant in Jharkhand, Maharashtra and in Odisha respectively with their symbols are:
Ans: Indian National Congress (INC) espouses secularism and welfare of weaker sections and minorities. Four features of the party are as follows:
(1) It was found in 1885 and is one of the oldest parties in the world.
(2) It was the major party post-Independence which ruled both states and the centre.
(3) It is a centrist party.
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