A group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government is called a _____________________.
Political Party.
State the various functions political parties perform in a democracy.
What are the various challenges faced by political parties?
Suggest some reforms to strengthen parties so that they perform their functions well?
What are the characteristics of a political party?
What is a political party?
What is the guiding philosophy of the Bharatiya Janata Party?
A. Bahujan Samaj
B. Revolutionary democracy
C. Integral humanism
D. Modernity
Who among the following is the founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party?
A. Kanshi Ram
B. Sahu Maharaj
C. B.R. Ambedkar
D. Jotiba Phule
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?
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 |
In what ways do pressure groups and movements exert influence on politics?
How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?
Writing your own definition of a good democracy.
What are the different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.
Locate the following States on a blank outline political map of India:
Manipur, Sikkim, Chhattisgarh and Goa.
Discuss three factors that determine the outcomes of politics of social divisions.
Mention different aspects of life in which women are discriminated or disadvantaged in India.
Describe the forms of relationship between pressure groups and political parties?
What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?
Features of a democracy.
The distinguishing feature of a federal government is:
(a) National government gives some powers to the provincial governments.
(b) Power is distributed among the legislature, executive and judiciary.
(c) Elected officials exercise supreme power in the government.
(d) Governmental power is divided between different levels of government.
Here are three reactions to the language policy followed in India. Give an argument and an example to support any of these positions.
Sangeeta: The policy of accommodation has strengthened national unity.
Arman: Language-based States have divided us by making everyone conscious of their language.
Harish: This policy has only helped to consolidate the dominance of English over all other languages.
Consider the following statements about power sharing arrangements in Belgium and Sri Lanka :
A. In Belgium the Dutch-speaking majority people tried to impose their domination on the minority French speaking community.
B. In Sri Lanka the policies of the government ensured the dominance of the Sinhala speaking majority.
C. The Tamils in Sri Lanka demanded a federal arrangement of power sharingto protect their culture, language and equality of opportunity in education and jobs.
D. The transformation of Belgium from unitary government to a federal one prevented a possible division of the country on linguistic lines.
Which of the statements given are correct ?
(a) A, B, C and D
(b) A, B, and D
(c) C and D
(d) B, C and D
After reading this chapter, three students drew different conclusions. Which of these do you agree with and why ? Give your reasons in about 50 words.
Thomman – Power sharing is necessary only in societies which have religious, linguistic or ethnic divisions.
Mattai – Power sharing is suited only for big countries that have regional divisions.
Ousep – Every society needs some form of power sharing even if they are small or do not have social divisions.
Match List I (forms of power- sharing) with List II (forms of government) and select the correct answer using codes given below the lists :
List I List II
(i) Power shared among different organs of government A. Community government
(ii) Power shared among governments at different levels B. Separation of Powers
(iii) Power shared by different social groups C. Coalition government
(iv) Power shared by two or more political parties D. Federal government
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
(a) | D | A | B | C |
(b) | B | C | D | A |
(c) | B | D | A | C |
(d) | C | D | A | B |
Writing your own definition of a good democracy.
Different arguments are usually put forth in favour of and against power sharing. Identify those which are in favour of power sharing and select the answer using the codes given below? Power sharing:
A. reduces conflict among different communities
B. decreases the possibility of arbitrariness
C. delays decision making process
D. accommodates diversities
E. increases instability and divisiveness
F. promotes people’s participation in government
G. undermines the unity of a country
(a) | A | B | D | F |
---|---|---|---|---|
(b) | A | C | E | F |
(c) | A | B | D | G |
(d) | B | C | D | G |
What are the different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.
Features of a democracy.
State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power-sharing with an example from the Indian context. [CBSE Sept. 2010]