Short Answer Questions: Political Parties

Q.1. What is the role of Opposition?
 OR
 What is the function of the Opposition party?

Ans.  

• Opposition party is a party which does not win elections in sufficient numbers to form a government.
• It watches the working of the ruling party and points out mistakes or failures.
• It acts as a check on the government by questioning policies and demanding explanations.
• It aims to prevent the ruling party from misusing its power and authority.
• It keeps a check on public expenditure and calls for accountability in how money is spent.
• It highlights the ruling party's failures and offers alternative suggestions to the electorate.
• It protects the rights and liberties of the people by opposing laws or actions that threaten them.
• It ensures that no law is passed that endangers citizens' fundamental rights, and raises public awareness about such issues.

Q.2. Write a short note on one-party system.

Ans. One-party system is followed in countries such as China, North Korea and Cuba. This system was also prevalent in USSR until its breakup into independent states. These governments are usually led by a single ruling party and there is little or no competition from other parties. The lone party controls nominations and voters can only approve or reject the candidates put forward; they have no choice between rival parties.

Supporters say a one-party system can quickly mobilise people and resources for common goals. However, it limits citizens' choices and freedoms and does not suit a democratic system. In a democracy, people should have at least two parties to choose from. Because of its lack of competition and accountability, a one-party system often resembles a dictatorship, where dissent is limited and policies go largely unchallenged.

Q.3. Are political parties no longer popular? Discuss with examples.

Ans.  

• Political parties are losing popularity and trust in many countries.
• Surveys in parts of South Asia show that a majority of people do not trust political parties much.
• Many citizens fall into the "not much" trust category, showing widespread scepticism.
• In India, there is growing indifference towards parties because they are seen as failing to solve problems like poverty and rising prices.
• As a result, parties have become unpopular and viewed as among the least trusted public institutions in several democracies.
• Paradoxically, participation and formal membership in parties have increased in some places, including India, where membership rates are higher than in countries such as Canada, Japan, Spain and South Korea.
• Thus, despite falling public trust, party membership and activity can still grow, showing a mixed picture of unpopularity together with continued political engagement.

Q.4. What is the first thing the Election Commission does after recognising a party? Does it treat every party as equal?

Ans. The first thing the Election Commission does is to allot a symbol to the recognised party. The Commission is expected to treat every party equally in principle. In practice, it gives some special facilities to large and established parties: they are allotted a unique symbol reserved for that party and only the official candidates of that party can use that symbol at elections. For example, the Hand is the symbol recognised for the Congress party and the Lotus for the BJP. Parties that receive these permanent symbols and related privileges are called recognised national or state political parties.

Q.5. What is the criteria laid down by the Election Commission for the proportion of votes in order to be a recognised party?
 OR
 What are the criteria laid down by the Election Commission in order to be recognised as a national party and a state party. 

Ans. A party that secures 6% of the total votes cast in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a state and wins at least two seats in that Assembly is recognised as a state party. A party that secures 6% of the total votes cast in the elections for the Lok Sabha or Assembly in four states and also wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha is recognised as a national party. These criteria ensure a measurable level of public support before special recognition and facilities are granted.

Q.6. Why is there a need to quickly solve the challenges faced by the political parties?

Ans. Political parties must retain the trust of the people to remain relevant and effective. If they fail to address criticisms or solve internal problems quickly, voters may lose faith and punish them at elections. Loss of public trust weakens a party's ability to govern, to attract capable leaders and volunteers, and to represent people's interests. Therefore parties need prompt internal reforms to regain credibility and electoral support.

Q.7. Name the four problem areas in the working of political parties. Why is dynastic succession bad for a democratic country?
 OR
 Mention any two challenges faced by political parties in India. 

Ans. The four challenges are :
(i) Lack of internal democracy within parties
(ii) Challenge of dynastic succession
(iii) Money and muscle power
(iv) A meaningful choice

Dynastic succession means that leadership and party positions remain concentrated within a family and are passed from one family member to another. This is harmful for democracy because it limits opportunities for capable leaders from outside the family, reduces internal competition and merit, and can make party decisions more about family interests than public welfare. As a result, public trust and the quality of political leadership may decline.

Q.8. Explain the terms Defection and Affidavit.

Ans.

(i) Defection - When an elected MP or MLA leaves the party on whose ticket they were elected and joins another party, it is called defection. Such actions can undermine the mandate given by voters and affect stability in legislatures.
(ii) Affidavit - An affidavit is a signed legal document in which a person makes a sworn statement of facts. In elections, candidates must file an affidavit giving truthful details of their education, assets, liabilities and any criminal cases pending against them so that voters can make informed choices.

Q.9. What role has the Election Commission played in reforming political parties?

Ans.

(i) The Election Commission has made it compulsory for many parties to hold regular organisational elections, which promotes internal democracy and transparency.
(ii) It has required political parties to file their income-tax returns and to disclose financial details, which increases financial accountability and helps check irregular funding.

Q.10. Do you think reforms can be forced on political parties by legal actions?

Ans. No. If too many reforms are forced from outside by strict laws, people may stop participating in party work and parties may seek illegal ways to avoid rules. Lasting reform must come from inside the parties themselves - through willingness to change, pressure from members and voters, and voluntary adoption of better practices. Political parties are unlikely to accept or implement measures they strongly oppose if imposed solely by law.

Q.11. 'No system is ideal for all countries and all situations'. Explain. 

Ans. No single party system is ideal everywhere because party systems develop over long periods and reflect each country's unique social divisions, history, regional differences and electoral arrangements. For example, some societies with strong regional identities tend to develop regional parties, while others form strong national parties. Thus the party system that works well in one country may be unsuitable in another. Each country's system is conditioned by its own circumstances and history.

Q.12. 'The rise of regional parties has led to strengthening of federation and democracy in our country.' Do you agree with the option? Why/why not? 

Ans. I agree. Over the last few decades the number and strength of regional parties in India have increased. Because national parties often cannot secure a majority on their own in the Lok Sabha, they have had to form alliances with state or regional parties. This has made Parliament more politically diverse and has encouraged national parties to take regional interests into account. Such coalition politics has helped to strengthen federalism and democratic representation by giving a stronger voice to regional concerns at the national level.