Political Parties Class 10 Notes | Chapter 6, Political Science

Key Terms in Political Parties

Political Party

A group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government. They agree on some policies and programmes for the society with a view to promote the collective good.

Partisanship

A strong attachment to a party, often leading a person to be biased in their opinions. A partisan is unable to take a balanced view on an issue.

Ruling Party

The political party that runs the government after winning a majority of seats in an election.

Opposition

The political parties that do not form the government. They play the role of criticising government failures and mobilising opposition to the government.

Coalition Government

A government formed by an alliance of two or more political parties, usually when no single party gets a clear majority in the elections.

National Party

A party that is present in several or all units of the federation. In India, a party that secures at least 6% of total votes in Lok Sabha elections or Assembly elections in four states and wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha is recognised as a national party.

Regional/State Party

A party that is present in only one of the federal units. In India, a party that secures at least 6% of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a State and wins at least two seats is recognised as a State party.

Defection

Changing party allegiance from the party on which a person got elected (to a legislative body) to a different party. An anti-defection law was passed to prevent this.

Must Remember: Core Concepts

• Three Components: Every political party has three components: the leaders, the active members, and the followers.
• Key Functions: Parties contest elections, form and run governments, shape public opinion, play the role of opposition, and provide people access to government machinery.
• Necessity: Parties are necessary for representative democracy as they perform functions that are essential for governing a large, complex society.
• Party Systems: There are three main types: One-Party System (e.g., China), Two-Party System (e.g., USA, UK), and Multi-Party System (e.g., India).
• National Party Criteria (ECI): Secure at least 6% of valid votes in Lok Sabha or Assembly elections in four states, AND win at least 4 seats in the Lok Sabha.
• State Party Criteria (ECI): Secure at least 6% of valid votes in a state's Assembly elections, AND win at least 2 seats in the same.
• Challenges: Major challenges for parties include lack of internal democracy, dynastic succession, money and muscle power, and not offering meaningful choices.
• Reforms: Suggested reforms include laws to regulate internal party affairs, mandatory state funding of elections, and greater pressure from the public and media.

The Functions of a Political Party

Political parties are the most visible institutions in a democracy and perform a series of crucial functions. Without them, the entire democratic process would be unmanageable.

1. Contesting Elections: The most fundamental function is to contest elections. Parties select their candidates and put them up to compete for votes. The selection process varies from party to party and country to country.

1. Policies and Programmes: Parties put forward different policies and programmes and voters choose from them. A party reduces a vast multitude of opinions into a few basic positions which it supports. This gives voters a clear choice and helps in the formation of a government with a coherent direction.

1. Making Laws: Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country. Formally, laws are debated and passed in the legislature. But since most members belong to a party, they go by the direction of the party leadership, irrespective of their personal opinions. The party whip ensures discipline.

1. Forming and Running Governments: The party that wins a majority of seats in an election forms and runs the government. The party recruits leaders, trains them, and then makes them ministers to run the government in the way they want.

1. Role of Opposition: Parties that lose the elections play the role of the opposition. They voice different views and criticise the government for its failures or wrong policies. By doing so, they keep a check on the ruling party and prevent the arbitrary use of power.

1. Shaping Public Opinion: Parties shape public opinion by raising and highlighting issues. They have lakhs of members and activists spread all over the country who help in mobilising support and educating the public on important matters.

1. Access to Government Machinery: For an ordinary citizen, it is easier to approach a local party leader than a government officer. Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes, acting as a link between citizens and the government.

National Parties vs. State/Regional Parties

Challenges Faced by Political Parties

Exam Tip

For your board exams, focus on two key areas: the functions of political parties and the criteria for recognition as a national vs. state party. These are very common 3 and 5-mark questions. Be prepared to write at least 5 distinct functions with a brief explanation for each. For the party recognition question, remember the specific percentages (6%) and seat numbers (4 for Lok Sabha, 2 for State Assembly). Also, have 2-3 examples of both national and regional parties ready.

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: What are the three components of a political party? A: The three components are: 1. The Leaders, 2. The Active Members, and 3. The Followers.
• Q: What is a multi-party system? Give an example. A: A system where several parties compete for power and more than two parties have a reasonable chance of coming to power, either on their own or in an alliance. India is an example.
• Q: What is meant by the term 'defection' in politics? A: Defection refers to an elected representative leaving the party on whose symbol they were elected to join another party.
• Q: Name two major challenges faced by political parties in India. A: Two major challenges are: 1. Dynastic succession, where top positions are controlled by a single family, and 2. The increasing role of money and muscle power in elections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions