CBSE Class 10 Social Science (Political Science) Chapter: Political Parties
Political Parties is one of the most significant chapters in CBSE Class 10 Political Science because it explains the role of organized groups in the functioning of a democratic system. A political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections, hold political power, and implement policies for public welfare. In a democracy, political parties act as a bridge between citizens and the government by representing public interests and raising important issues. This chapter helps students understand the structure, functions, and importance of political parties in shaping governance and policy-making. It also discusses the challenges faced by political parties, such as lack of internal democracy, dynastic succession, corruption, and the influence of money and muscle power. Students learn about the need for political reforms and the importance of active citizen participation in strengthening democratic institutions.
The chapter further highlights the differences between national and regional political parties and their contribution to democratic representation. By studying political parties, students gain a deeper understanding of how governments are formed, how public opinion is represented, and why political competition is essential for a healthy democracy. This chapter provides valuable insights into the working of democratic politics in India and beyond. Before going through these CBSE notes, students must read NCERT textbooks and solve all the questions given in the textbook with the help of NCERT solutions for Class 10. :
Theory notes covering the meaning, necessity, functions, types, and key national political parties of India, along with solved questions and practice exercises.
Table of Contents- Important Terms
- Meaning of Political Party
- Necessity of Political Parties
- Functions of Political Parties
- Types of Party Systems
- Popular Participation in Political Parties
- National and Regional Parties
- National Political Parties of India
- Solved Questions
- Exercises
Important Terms
Meaning of Political Party
A political party is 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. Since there can be different views on what is good for all, parties try to persuade people why their policies are better than others. They seek to implement these policies by winning popular support through elections.
Political parties reflect fundamental political divisions in a society. They involve partisanship — a party is known by which part of society it stands for, which policies it supports and whose interests it upholds.
Three Components of a Political Party
- The leaders
- The active members
- The followers
Necessity of Political Parties
The necessity of political parties can be understood by imagining a situation without parties. Every candidate in the elections would be independent, so no one would be able to make major policy promises. The government may be formed, but its utility would remain uncertain. Elected representatives would be accountable only to their constituency for local matters, but no one would be responsible for how the country is run.
The rise of political parties is directly linked to the emergence of representative democracies. Large-scale societies need representative democracy. As societies became large and complex, they needed an agency to gather different views on various issues and present them to the government. They needed a mechanism to support or restrain the government, make policies, justify or oppose them. Political parties fulfil these needs.
Political parties are a necessary condition for a democracy.
Functions of Political Parties
(i) Elections
Parties contest elections. In most democracies, elections are contested mainly among the candidates put up by political parties.
(ii) Declaration of Policies
Political parties put forward their considered views and policies before the people and suggest ways to tackle socio-economic and political issues at domestic and international levels.
(iii) Moulding Public Opinion
Parties stimulate public interest in issues before the nation. They use all means of mass communication to educate, influence and mould public opinion. Political parties are significant agencies for creating public opinion.
(iv) To Form and Run the Government
Formation of government is one of the primary aims and functions of a political party. In a Parliamentary system, the leader of the party in power becomes the Prime Minister and appoints other ministers to the Cabinet.
(v) Function of Criticism (Opposition)
Parties that fail to form the government constitute the opposition and perform the crucial function of criticising the working of the government, its policies and its failures. They check the government from assuming dictatorial powers.
Types of Party Systems
One-Party System
A one-party system cannot produce a democratic political order. One party can only produce autocratic or dictatorial power. Examples include China, North Korea, and Cuba. One common feature is that the ruling party's position is guaranteed in a constitution and all forms of political opposition are banned by law. The ruling party controls all aspects of life within the state.
Two-Party System
In this system just two parties dominate. Other parties might exist but have no political importance. America has the most obvious two-party system with the Republicans and Democrats. For the system to work, one of the parties must obtain a sufficient working majority after an election and be able to govern without the other party's support. A rotation of power is expected.
The Multi-Party System
More than two parties have a significant impact on a state's political life. Sartori defines a multi-party system as one where no single party can guarantee an absolute majority. A multi-party system can lead to coalition governments as seen in Germany and Italy. In Germany, these have provided reasonably stable governments. In Italy, coalition governments have often been short-lived (lasting less than one year).
Dominant-Party System
This differs from a one-party system. A party can become so dominant that electoral victory seems a formality. This was the case under the Conservative governments of Margaret Thatcher and John Major in Britain (1979–1997) for 18 consecutive years. During an extended stay in power, a dominant party can significantly shape society through its policies.
Popular Participation in Political Parties
Evidence based on large sample surveys over several decades shows:
- Political parties do not enjoy much trust among the people in South Asia. The proportion with "not much" or "not at all" trust outweighs those with "some" or "great" trust.
- Political parties are one of the least trusted institutions all over the world.
- Yet the level of participation in party activities was fairly high. The proportion of those who were members of a political party was higher in India than in many advanced countries like Canada, Japan, Spain and South Korea.
- Over the last three decades, the proportion of those who report being members of political parties in India has grown steadily.
- The proportion of those who feel "close to a political party" has also risen in India.
National and Regional Political Parties
| National Parties | Regional / State Parties |
|---|---|
| Influence all over the country or in many states. | Influence limited to one state or a few regions. |
| Care for national interests. | Promote mainly regional interests. |
| Try to harmonise various conflicting regional interests and end regional imbalances. | Stand for greater autonomy for the states. |
| An exclusive symbol (e.g., lotus for BJP, hand for INC) is reserved throughout India. | A symbol is reserved only in the state where it is recognised. |
A party that secures at least six percent of total votes in Lok Sabha or Assembly elections in four states and wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha is recognised as a National Party. There were six national parties in India in 2006.
National Political Parties of India
Indian National Congress (INC)
Popularly known as the Congress Party. Founded in 1885, it is one of the oldest parties in the world. It played a dominant role in Indian politics at the national and state level for several decades after Independence. Under Jawaharlal Nehru, the party sought to build a modern, secular, democratic republic. It was the ruling party at the centre till 1977 and from 1980 to 1989.
A centrist party in its ideological orientation, it espouses secularism and the welfare of weaker sections and minorities. It supports new economic reforms with a human face. In the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, it emerged as the largest party with 145 seats and led the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) coalition government at the Centre.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Founded in 1980 by reviving the erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh. It wants to build a strong, modern India by drawing inspiration from India's ancient culture and values. Cultural nationalism ("Hindutva") is an important element in its politics. It advocates full territorial and political integration of Jammu and Kashmir, a uniform civil code for all citizens irrespective of religion, and a ban on religious conversions.
Its support base increased substantially in the 1990s, expanding from north and west India to the south, east, north-east and rural areas. It came to power in 1998 as leader of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). It lost the 2004 elections and became the principal opposition party in the Lok Sabha.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)
Formed in 1984 under the leadership of Kanshi Ram. It seeks to represent and secure power for the bahujan samaj, which includes Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs and religious minorities. It draws inspiration from the teachings of Sahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Periyar Ramaswami Naicker and Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Its main base is in Uttar Pradesh, with a substantial presence in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Punjab. It has formed government in Uttar Pradesh several times with the support of different parties. In the 2004 Lok Sabha elections, it polled about 5% votes and won 19 seats.
Solved Questions
Q1. What is a political party?
A political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government. They agree on some policies and programmes with a view to promote the collective good and seek to implement them by winning popular support through elections.
Q2. What are the three components of a political party?
The three components are: (i) the leaders, (ii) the active members, and (iii) the followers.
Q3. Why do we need political parties?
Political parties are necessary because large-scale societies need representative democracy. Parties gather different views on various issues and present them to the government. They provide a mechanism to support or restrain the government, make policies, justify or oppose them, and ensure accountability. Parties are a necessary condition for democracy.
Q4. What is a multi-party system? Give an example.
A multi-party system is one where more than two parties have a significant impact on a state's political life, and no single party can guarantee an absolute majority. India follows a multi-party system.
Q5. What is the criterion for recognition as a National Party in India?
A party must secure at least six percent of total votes in Lok Sabha or Assembly elections in four states, and win at least four seats in the Lok Sabha, to be recognised as a National Party.
Q6. What are the main features of the Indian National Congress?
INC was founded in 1885 and is one of the oldest parties in the world. It is centrist in ideology, espouses secularism and welfare of weaker sections, and supports economic reforms with a human face. It played a dominant role in Indian politics after Independence and has experienced many splits.
Q7. What does "defection" mean in politics?
Defection means changing party allegiance from the party on which a person gets elected to a different party, typically for money, a post, or other benefits.
Practice Questions
- List any three functions of political parties in a democracy.
- Distinguish between a national party and a regional party with examples.
- Why is a one-party system considered undemocratic?
- What is a coalition government? Give one example from India.
- Explain the term "partisanship" in the context of political parties.
- How do political parties help in moulding public opinion?
- Describe the ideology and support base of the Bahujan Samaj Party.
- Why did the BJP expand its support base in the 1990s?