Class 10 › Social Science › Political Science — Democratic Politics-II Political Parties Class 10 Social Science · Political Science — Democratic Politics-II · Chapter 4
Practice all → Summary Questions & answers Practise this chapter → View all Four History chapters: dates, people, maps Timeline: Europe, 1789 to 1914 Timeline: India, 1915 to 1942 Common traps, corrected Full CBSE map list Board questions, 2024–27 papers counted 12-question final test with answers And dozens more key concepts and facts Only 7 pages · Page 1 free
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~46 days left · Pre-boards · school dates varyBelgium, Sri Lanka, three lists, six parties Census tables and the data on women Four forms of power-sharing Common traps, corrected Federalism: language policy, third tier Party systems, challenges and reforms 12-question final test with answers And dozens more key concepts and facts Only 7 pages · Page 1 free
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View all 15 amazing Marks Booster kits → This chapter explains what political parties are and why they are necessary for democracy. A party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power, bound by a shared set of policies and programmes for the society. Parties perform key functions: contesting elections, putting forward policies and programmes, making laws, forming and running governments, acting as the opposition, shaping public opinion, and giving people access to government and welfare schemes. The chapter describes party systems — one-party, two-party and multi-party — and explains why India, given its social diversity, has a multi-party system. It distinguishes national and state parties on the basis of recognition and vote share by the Election Commission. It then discusses the challenges parties face — the lack of internal democracy, dynastic succession, the growing role of money and muscle power, and the failure to offer a meaningful choice to voters — and suggests reforms such as anti-defection laws, mandatory disclosure of finances and steps to make parties more democratic and accountable.
Political party
A group that contests elections to gain power and pursue shared policies.
Ruling party
The party or alliance that forms and runs the government.
Opposition
Parties that are not in power and check and criticise the government.
Multi-party system
A system in which many parties compete and contest for power.
Defection
Changing party allegiance after being elected on a party’s ticket.
National party
A party recognised across many states by the Election Commission.
Partisan
A person strongly committed to a party or faction.
Affidavit
A signed legal document candidates file declaring their details.
Q1 Why are political parties necessary in a democracy? Answer Q2 What are the main functions of political parties? Answer Q3 What challenges do political parties face? Answer Q4 Suggest some reforms to strengthen political parties. Answer Q5 How are national and state parties recognised? Answer Q6 Why are political parties necessary in a democracy? Answer Q7 What are the main functions of political parties? Answer Q8 What challenges do political parties face? Answer Q9 Suggest some reforms to strengthen political parties. Answer Q10 How are national and state parties recognised? Answer Q1 Categorise these photographs by the functions of political parties they illustrate. Find one photograph or news clipping from your own area for each of the functions listed above. Answer Q1 Let us apply what we have learnt about party systems to the various states within India. Here are three major types of party systems that exist at the State level. Can you find the names of at least two States for each of these types?
• Two-party system
• Multiparty system with two alliances
• Multiparty system Answer Q1 Can you identify which of the challenges described in this section are being highlighted in these cartoons (on pages 57 to 59)? Answer Q2 What are the ways to curb the misuse of money and muscle power in politics? Answer Q1 1. State the various functions political parties perform in a democracy. Answer Q2 2. What are the various challenges faced by political parties? Answer Q3 3. Suggest some reforms to strengthen parties so that they perform their functions well? Answer Q4 4. What is a political party? Answer Q5 5. What are the characteristics of a political party? Answer Q6 6. A group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government is called a _____________________. Answer Q7 1. Congress Party Answer Q8 2. Bharatiya Janata Party Answer Q9 3. Communist Party of India (Marxist) Answer Q10 4. Telugu Desam Party Answer Q11 8. 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 Answer Q12 9. What is the guiding philosophy of the Bharatiya Janata Party?
A. Bahujan Samaj
B. Revolutionary democracy
C. Integral humanism
D. Modernity Answer Q13 10. 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?
(a) A, B, and C (b) A and B (c) B and C (d) A and C Answer Q14 11. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:
Muhammad Yunus is a famous economist of Bangladesh. He received several international honours for his efforts to promote economic and social development for the benefit of the poor. He and the Grameen Bank that he started jointly, received the Nobel Peace Prize for the year 2006. In February 2007, he decided to launch a political party and contest in the parliamentary elections. His objective was to foster proper leadership, good governance and build a new Bangladesh. He felt that only a political party different from the traditional ones would bring about new political culture. His party would be democratic from the grassroots level.
The launching of the new party, called Nagarik Shakti (Citizens’ Power), has caused a stir among the Bangladeshis. While many welcomed his decision, some did not like it. “Now I think Bangladesh will have a chance to choose between good and bad and eventually have a good government,” said Shahedul Islam, a government official. “That government, we hope, would not only keep itself away from corruption but also make fighting corruption and black money a top priority.”
But leaders of traditional political parties who dominated the country’s politics for decades were apprehensive. “There was no debate (over him) winning the Nobel, but politics is different – very challenging and often controversial,” said a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Some others were highly critical. They asked why he was rushing into politics. “Is he being planted in politics by mentors from outside the country,” asked one political observer.
Do you think Yunus made a right decision to float a new political party?
Do you agree with the statements and fears expressed by various people? How do you want this new party organised to make it different from other parties? If you were the one to begin this political party, how would you defend it? Answer
A political party is a group of people who:
A avoid all elections B contest elections and hold power to pursue shared policies C only protest in the streets D run businesses for profit
Flashcards & interactive practice 
