Political Parties
Short Questions
1. What is a political party?
Answer: A political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in government.
2. Name the three components of a political party.
Answer: Leaders, active members, and followers.
3. Which law prevents elected representatives from changing parties?
Answer: The Anti-Defection Law of 1985.
4. Which party was founded by Kanshi Ram in 1984?
Answer: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).
5. What is meant by partisanship?
Answer: It is the tendency of taking sides and being strongly committed to a party, group, or faction.
6. How many national parties are recognised in India as of 2023?
Answer: Six national parties.
7. Name two countries with a two-party system.
Answer: United States of America (USA) and United Kingdom (UK).
8. Which party was born out of the anti-corruption movement of 2011?
Answer: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
9. What is meant by defection?
Answer: Defection means changing party allegiance by an elected representative after elections.
10. Which political party is associated with the idea of ‘Integral Humanism’?
Answer: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
11. Which national party is the oldest in India, founded in 1885?
Answer: Indian National Congress (INC).
12. Name one state where CPI(M) has been strong historically.
Answer: West Bengal.
13. Which party became the first from North-East India to gain national party status?
Answer: National People’s Party (NPP).
14. What is the ruling party?
Answer: The ruling party is the political party that forms and runs the government.
15. Which commission recognises national and state parties in India?
Answer: The Election Commission of India.
Long Questions
1. Why are political parties considered necessary in a democracy?
Answer: Political parties are necessary because they contest elections, form governments, make laws, shape public opinion, and provide choices to the people. Without them, stable government and accountability would not be possible in democracy.
2. Explain two functions of opposition parties.
Answer: Opposition parties criticise government policies and highlight failures, offering alternative viewpoints. They also mobilise public opinion and act as a check on the ruling party.
3. What is meant by a multi-party system? Give an example.
Answer: In a multi-party system, more than two parties compete for power, and governments are often formed in coalitions. India has a multi-party system with alliances like NDA and UPA.
4. What is the difference between national and state parties?
Answer: National parties have presence across the country and must secure 6% votes in at least 4 states and 4 Lok Sabha seats. State parties are recognised within a state if they secure 6% votes and 2 assembly seats.
5. State any two challenges faced by political parties.
Answer: Parties face lack of internal democracy and dynastic succession. Power is concentrated in few leaders, and leadership often passes within families, limiting opportunities for common workers.
6. What reforms have been suggested to improve women’s representation in parties?
Answer: It is suggested that at least one-third of tickets should be given to women candidates. Also, there should be reservation for women in decision-making bodies of political parties.
7. Explain the role of money and muscle power in elections.
Answer: Parties often choose wealthy or criminal candidates who can influence results. This weakens democracy, as policies are shaped by money and power instead of people’s welfare.
8. Why can one-party systems not be considered democratic?
Answer: In one-party systems like China, only one party controls the government, leaving no real competition. Democracy requires at least two parties to provide fair choice to people.
9. How did the Anti-Defection Law help reduce corruption?
Answer: The law states that MPs or MLAs who change parties will lose their seats. This reduced frequent switching of parties for money, power, or ministerial positions.
10. Explain two ways in which citizens can help reform political parties.
Answer: Citizens can pressurise parties through petitions, media, and movements for reforms. They can also join political parties to bring change from within and improve democracy.
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