What is the difference between a pressure group and a political party?
:Pressure groups are organizations that tries to influence government policies. But unlike political parties, pressure groups do not aim to directly dominate or share political power. In order to acquire a common objective, people with common occupation, interests, desires, or beliefs come together . In some cases, the pressure groups are either formed or led by the leaders of political parties or act as extended supports for political parties. For example, most trade unions and students’ organizations in India are either settled or associated to one or the other political party. Leaders of such pressure groups are generallyy activists and leaders of party. Sometimes political parties grow out of movements. For example : Asom Gana Parishad was formed after the Aasam movement led by students against the foreigners ended. The roots of parties like the DMK and the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu can be found from a long drawn social reform movement during the 1930 and 1940s.
Match List I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List I List II
(i) Pressure group A. Narmada Bachao Andolan
(ii) Long-term movement B. Asom Gana Parishad
(iii) Single issue movement C. Women’s movement
(iv) Political party D. Fertiliser dealers, association
(a) D C A B
(b) B A D C
(c) C D B A
(d) B D C A
Explain how the activities of pressure groups are useful in the functioning of a democratic government.
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. Organisations that seek to promote A. Movement the interests of a particular section or group
2. Organisations that seek to promote B. Political parties common interest
3. Struggles launched for the resolution C. Sectional interest of a social problem with or without groups an organisational structure
4. Organisations that mobilise people D. Public interest with a view to win political power groups
(a) C D B A
(b) C D A B
(c) D C B A
(d) B C D A
Which among the following is the special feature that distinguishes a pressure group from a political party?
(a) Parties take political stances, while pressure groups do not bother about political issues.
(b) Pressure groups are confined to a few people, while parties involve larger number of people.
(c) Pressure groups do not seek to get into power, while political parties do.
(d) Pressure groups do not seek to mobilise people, while parties do.
Describe the forms of relationship between pressure groups and political parties?
Organisations that undertake activities to promote the interests of specific social sections such as workers, employees, teachers, and lawyers are called _____________________ groups.
In what ways do pressure groups and movements exert influence on politics?
What is a pressure group? Give a few examples.
State the various functions political parties perform in a democracy.
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.
What are the various challenges faced by political parties?
What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?
Features of a democracy.
Identify the challenges to democracy in the following descriptions. Also suggest policy/institutional mechanism to deepen democracy in the given situations:
* Following a High Court directive a temple in Orissa that had separate entry doors for dalits and non-dalits allowed entry for all from the same door.
* A large number of farmers are committing suicide in different states of India.
* Following allegation of killing of three civilians in Gandwara in a fake encounter by Jammu and Kashmir police, an enquiry has been ordered.
Mention any two constitutional provisions that make India a secular state.
State any two differences between the local government before and after the Constitutional amendment in 1992.
A group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government is called a _____________________.
Fill in the blanks:
Since the United States is a ___________________ type of federation, all the constituent States have equal powers and States are ______________vis-à-vis the federal government. But India is a_____________________ type of federation and some States have more power than others. In India, the ____________ government has more powers.
A few subjects in various Lists of the Indian Constitution are given here. Group them under the Union, State and Concurrent Lists as provided in the table below.
A. Defence; B. Police; C. Agriculture; D. Education; E. Banking; F. Forests; G. Communications; H. Trade; I. Marriages
Union List | |
State List | |
Concurrent List |
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.
How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?
What are the different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.
In the context of democracies, which of the following ideas is correct – democracies have successfully eliminated:
A. conflicts among people
B. economic inequalities among people
C. differences of opinion about how marginalised sections are to be treated
D. the idea of political inequality