State the various functions political parties perform in a democracy.
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.
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?
A group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government is called a _____________________.
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.
What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?
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
Read the following passage, and pick out any one of the prudential reasons for power sharing offered in this.
“We need to give more power to the panchayats to realise the dream of Mahatma Gandhi, and the hopes of the makers of our Constitution. The Panchayati Raj establishes true democracy. It restores power to the only place where power belongs in a democracy – in the hands of the people. Giving power to Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption, and increase administrative efficiency. When people participate in the planning and implementation of developmental schemes, they would naturally exercise greater control over these schemes. This would eliminate the corrupt middlemen. Thus the Panchayati Raj will strengthen the foundations of our democracy."
State any two differences between the local government before and after the Constitutional amendment in 1992.
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
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 |
In dealing with social divisions which one of the following statements is NOT correct about democracy?
(a) Due to political competition in a democracy, social divisions get reflected in politics.
(b) In a democracy it is possible for communities to voice their grievances in a peaceful manner.
(c) Democracy is the best way to accommodate social diversity.
(d) Democracy always leads to disintegration of society on the basis of social divisions.
________________ social differences create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions. ___________________ social differences do not usually lead to conflicts.
How do social divisions affect politics? Give two examples.
Writing your own definition of a good democracy.