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Q1 State the various functions political parties perform in a democracy.
Ans: Various functions political parties perform in a democracy are:
1) Candidates are forwarded by parties to participate in elections. They may be chosen by the members of the party or by the leaders of the party.
2) Parties are forwarded by various policies and programmes and the voters choose from them.
3) Parties play a vital role in making laws for a country. Laws are usually debated and passed in the legislature.
4) Parties are formed and run governments. They hire leaders and train them to be ministers and run the government in their own way.
5) Parties which lose the election form the opposition. The opposition raises various views and criticize the failures of the government.
6) Parties form public opinion. They have lakhs of members all over the country which play a great role in influencing people's thinking.
7) Parties provide access to government machinery and welfare schemes.Thus it becomes easier for a person to meet a local party leader than a government official.
Q2 What are the various challenges faced by political parties?
Ans: Political Parties in India face a lot of challenges. The important challenge they have to face is the lack of internal democracy. Power is in the hand of leaders at the top in a political party.Thus, party principles are kept at stake. Dynastic succession is also a main challenge. The top positions are controlled by the people close to the leaders. Few opportunities are given to a lower level worker to rise. This has worsen the situation because people without necessary experience or support are able to enjoy positions of power. Parties require money to win elections ,Thus they tend to nominate candidates who can invest a lot of money, regardless of their qualities. Party can influence the way the party machinery works by rich people's donation. Sometimes parties start supporting criminals because they can win elections. There is merging of beliefs among the major parties. This is also a challenge to political parties. People who largely want different ideas to come forward have no option left for them.
Q3 Suggest some reforms to strengthen parties so that they perform their functions well?
Ans: It should be made necessary for political parties to regulate a register of its members and follow its own constitution. Political parties should have an independent dominance, to act as a judge in party disputes. It should have open elections to the topmost posts. It should be made necessary for political parties to give a minimum number of tickets, about one-third to female candidates. Similarly, there should be a part for women in the decision making bodies of the party. There should be state funding of elections. The government should support parties with their election expenses. This support could be given in kinds too like petrol, paper, telephone etc or in cash on the basis of the votes obtained by the party in the previous election. This will strengthen parties and their performance in future.
Q4 What is a political party?
Ans: A political party is a group of people who come together to compete elections and possess power in the government. As they come in power, they try to validate laws and initiate programmes that promote the safety of all citizens.
Q5 What are the characteristics of a political party?
Ans: A political party is a group of people who come together to compete elections and possess power in the government. As they come in power, they try to validate laws and initiate programmes that promote the safety of all the citizens. Every party has like minded individuals who agree that few policies are better for the people than other policies. The parties try to convince people about their policies. Parties returns fundamental political divisions in society involving partisanship. Partisanship is a prejudice in favour of a issue. A political party has three main components, the leaders, the active members and the followers.
Q6 A group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government is called a _____________________.
Ans: Political Party.
Q7 Match List I (organisations and struggles) with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List I
List II
1.
Congress Party
A.
National Democratic Alliance
2.
Bharatiya Janta Party
B.
State Party
3.
Communist Party of India (Marxist)
C.
United Progressive Alliance
4.
Telugu Desam Party
D.
Left Front
Ans: 1. C
2. A
3. D
4. B
Q8 Who among the following is the founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party?
A. Kanshi Ram
B. Sahu Maharaj
C. B.R. Ambedkar
D. Jotiba PhuleAns: A. Kanshi Ram.
Q9 What is the guiding philosophy of the Bharatiya Janata Party?
A. Bahujan Samaj
B. Revolutionary democracy
C. Integral humanism
D. ModernityAns: C. Integral humanism.
Q10 Consider the following statements on parties.
A. Political parties do not enjoy much trust among the people.
B. Parties are often rocked by scandals involving top party leaders.
C. Parties are not necessary to run governments.
Which of the statements given above are correct?Ans: (b) A and B.