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L I J I N G O L D E N
PoliticalParties
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Main Topics
Meaning of Political Party
Components of Political Party
Functions of the Political Party
Necessary of a Political Party Different Party System- Uni, Two and Multiple Party
Kishenji and his idea about alternative politics
Different types of Political Parties
National PartiesState Parties
Challenges to political party
Formation of a Political Party
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What is a political party (meaning)
A party is a group of people who come together tocontest elections and hold power in the government.The political parties are easily one of the most visible
institution in democracy. They agree on somepolicies and programmes for the society. They formthe public opinion by talking about their policies.They are convince the people that their policies are
better than others policies. They aim to win thesupport of the people in the elections and form thegovernment. They work for the collective interest ofthe society and not for a particular section of the
society.
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Components of a Political Party
A political party has three components
1. The Leaders
2. The Active Members
3. The Followers
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Who is a Partisan
A person who is strongly committed to a party,group or faction. The Partisanship is marked by atendency to take a side and inability to take a
balanced view on an issue
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Various Functions of a political partyWhat do the political parties do? (Or)
Political Parties play a major role indemocracy- Justify this statement
A political party is a group of people who aim to attain
the power in the government through the election.They play a major role in democracy. They perform
various functions in a democracy
Contest Elections, Policies and Programmes,Law Making, Form and Run the Government,Role of Opposition, Form the Public Opinion,Access to Government machinery and welfareschemes.
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1. Contest Elections: In most democracies, elections arefought mainly among the candidates put up by politicalparties. Parties select their candidate in different ways. InUSA, the members and supporters of a party choose itcandidates. Most of the countries following this method. InIndia the top leaders choose the candidate for the election.
2. Policies and Programmes: The political parties talkabout their policies in public. They try to convince thepublic that the policies of their party better. They organisedemonstrations. Public meeting and speeches to discuss thepolicies that they would take. They discuss the problemsfacing the country and the policies to the people. They try togain support of the public through such measures
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3. Law Making: Political parties play a very importantrole in making the law for the country. Any proposed lawis first called the bill. The bill is debated in the legislature
and if it gets majority, it is considered to be passed. Sucha bill then become the law of the country
4. Form and Run the Government: The political partythat wins majority in the election forms the government.
Such a party called the ruling party. It forms, then runsthe government. It takes all the important all decisions.Trained and experienced members are made theministers who implement the policies of the government.
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5. Role of the Opposition: The political part that losethe election forms the opposition party. It keeps a checkon the ruling party. Opposition party criticize the ruling
government if it implements a policy that is not in favourof the masses. They also ensure that the ruling party doesnot misuse the power.
6. Form the Public Opinion: Political parties discuss
various issues facing the country. They discuss thepolicies and form the government. They launch themovements for the problems facing the country andmobilize mass support for various issues.
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7. Access the Government Machinery and WelfareSchemes: The political parties form the link betweenthe public and government. The leaders are answerable
to the people for the policies followed by their party. It iseasy for the public to approach the local leaders to raisetheir demands. The leaders cannot ignore their concernsas the public might not vote for them in the next
elections.
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Why modern democracies cannot existwithout the political parties?
What is the need of a political partyA political party is an organised group of people who aim
to control power in the government. They have their ownpolicies and programmes for the society. The politicalparties are very needed in society.
1. Lets think of a situation where we do not have politicalparties in the system. Every candidate would contest the
election independently. There would be no organizedgroups to take the important decision for the country.The decision of a single person only the government
would be very uncertain in such issues. The election
process become
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much more complicated and numerous candidates in theelection. There would be a confusion among the voters.
2. Political parties have their own policies and programmes
for the society. They talk about them to the public andform the public opinion. They discuss the various issuesfacing the country to the public.
3. They inform the people about the working of the ruling
party. They keep the people about the political activity.They talk about the problems of the state, the working ofthe government and the failure of the ruling party andsuggestions for the upliftment
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4. Political parties maintain their contact with thecommon people. They act as a link between thegovernment and the masses. They present the demands
and the interest of the people to the government. Theyalso present to the people what government has done tofulfill those demands.
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What are the important difference between Uni-Party, Two- Party and Multi- Party System (Or)To prepare a note about Different Party System
Uni- Party System
In Uni- Party system, there is only one political partyin the country. There is no competition in thissystem and people have no choice in the elections.
Legally speaking, people are free to form politicalparties, it does not happen because the electoralsystem does not permit free competition for power.
Eg: Communist Party in China, North Kotea and Cuba
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Two Party System
In the two party system, there are two major parties inthe political sphere. There are smaller parties also
but they become partners with the major parties. Towin the elections, the winning party has to get themaximum votes
Eg: USA, Canada and UK
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Multi- Party System
This is the most common type of the party system. Inthis system there are three or more parties. Everyparty has the capacity to win the election and formthe government. Each party competes and conteststhe elections. Some time no party gets the majorityand several parties join together to form thegovernment it is called Coalition government
Eg: India, France and Denmark
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What do you meant by Alliance/ Front
In the Multi Party system, there are three or morepolitical parties in the system. Each party has thecapacity to win the elections and form thegovernment. When several parties in a multi- party
system join hands for the purpose of contestingelections and winning power, it is called an Allianceor a Front.
Eg: In 2004 parliamentary election the differentpolitical parties has formed the alliance NationalDemocratic Alliance (NDA), The United Progressive
Alliances (UPA) and Left Front
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What do you meant by CoalitionGovernment
In the Multi Party System, the government is formedby various parties coming together in a coalition thisis called Coalition government.
Eg: UPA government in Lok Sabha
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How the Party systems wereoriginated in the Democratic System
Party system is not something any country can choose
It evolves over a long time, depending on the nature ofthe society, its social and regional divisions, history of
politics and its system of election. These cannot change very quickly
Each country has developed a party system that isconditioned by its special Circumstance.
In India, the multi system has evolved the multi partysystem because the social and geographical diversity insuch a large country is not easily absorbed by two oreven three parties
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Various kinds of Political Parties inDemocratic government (Or)
Difference between- National Party andState Party
Democracies that follow a federal system all over theworld: the party that are represent only one federal
units and parties that represent in several or all unitsof the federation. There are some countries the wideparties, which are called national parties. These partieshave units in various states. But all units follow the
same policies; programmes and strategy that isdecided at the national level.
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National Party
A political party that wins at least six percent of thevotes in the Lok Sabha elections or assembly electionsin four states and wins at least four seats in the LokSabha, it recognised as a national party. These partiesare given a unique symbol- only the official candidatesof the party can use that election symbols. Theseparties they were enjoying lot of other privileges and
special facilities so thats why this is otherwise knownas Recognised Parties
In 2006, in India we have sixrecognised national parties
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Indian National Congress (INC)
Popularly known as Congress Party. One of the oldest parties of the world.
Founded in 1885, experienced many splits.
Played a dominant role in national and state level after
the independence. Under Jawaharlal Nehru, the party build a modern
secular democratic republic in India.
Till to 1977, and then 1980-89 ruled the country.
After 1989, its support declined
A centrist party (neither rights nor leftist) in itsideological orientation, the party espouses secularismand welfare of the sections and minorities
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1n 2004,145 members in Lok Sabha
Currently leads the ruling United Progressive Alliance(UPA) coalition government at the centre.
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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Founded in 1980 by reviving the erstwhile Bharatiya JanaSangh.
Inspiration from ancient Indian culture and values.
Cultural Nationalism (Hindutva) is an important element
Wants full territorial and political integration of Jammu andKashmir with India and a introduce a uniform civil codeirrespective of religion, and ban religious conversions.
Earlier limited only North, West and Urban areas thenexpended the support in the south, north east and rural areas
Came in to power in 2004 election and the leader of nationalDemocratic Alliance (NDA) including several state andregional parties.
Lost in 2004 election, and became the opposition party in the
Lok Sabha.
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Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)
Formed in 1984- under the leadership of kanshi Ram Seeks to represent and secure power for the bahujan samaj
which includes- dalits, adivasis, OBC and religiousminorities.
Inspiration from the ideas and teachings of- sahu Maharaj,mahatma Phule, Periyar Ramaswami naicker and babasaheb
Ambedkar. Standing for the welfare and interest of the dalits and
oppressed class Main base- UP, MP, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Delhi and
Punjab Formed government in UP several times along with the help
of other parties. In 2004 Lok Sabha election- 6 per cent of vote polled and 19
seats in Lok Sabha
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Communist Party of India- Marxist (CPI-M)
Founded in 1964
Believes in Marxism and Leninism
Supports- Socialism, Secularism and democracy and opposeimperialism and Communalism
Objective- Socio Economic Justice in India
Support in West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura, especiallyamong the poor, factory workers, farmers, agriculturallabourers and intelligentsia.
Critical of the new economic policies that allow free flow of
foreign capital and goods in to the country. Power in West Bengal without break for 30 years.
In 2004, 6 per cent of votes and 43 seats in Lok Sabha
Currently supports the UPA government from outside,
without joining the government
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Communist Party of India (CPI)
Formed in 1925 Believes in Marxism, Lenisism, Secularism and democracy
Accepts the parliamentary democracy as a means ofpromoting the interests of the working class, farmers and the
poor In 1964, party has divided in to two led the formation of CPI-
M.
Kerala, West Bengal, Punjab, andhra Pradesh and Tamil
Nadu In 2004, 14 per cent vote and 10 seats in the Lok sabha
election
Currently supporting UPA government from outside.
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Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)
Formed in 1999, as a result of the split in thecongress party.
Democracy, Gandhian Secularism, Equity, Social
Justice and federalism- Ideology Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Manipur and Assam
A coalition partner in Maharashtra in alliance withthe Congress.
Since 2004, a member of the United ProgressiveAlliance.
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State Parties
The state parties commonly referred as Regional Parties These parties need not be regional in their ideology or
outlook
Some parties are all India parties Samajwadi Party,Samata Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal.
But some parties like Biju Janata Dal, SikkimDemocratic Front and Mizo national Front areconscious about their state identity
Last three decades the number and strength of the ststeparties has increased.
As a result the parliament of India politically morediverse
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The National party cant get the majority in LokSabha, so they form the alliance with state parties.
This has strengthened the federalism and democracy
in country.
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What are the various challenges of the
Political partyThe political parties are very important in democracy.
They are the link between the government and the
masses. People blame the parties for any thing wrong inthe working of the democracy
There are four main challenges facing by a political party
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1. Lack of Internal Democracy
Democracy means every member takes part in thedecision making process.
Lack of internal democracy in a political party
happens when every member is not consulted beforetaking the decisions for the party. Generally the realpower in a party is with a few leaders at the toppositions. They take all the decisions for the party.
The ordinary members have no information aboutthe internal working of the party.
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2.Dynastic Succession
The real power in any party is with a few leaders atthe top positions.
They are generally occupied by the members of afamily.
Thus a party is nearly ruled by a family only. Peopleclose to the family get advantage in getting the toppositions in the party. Ordinary members find itdifficult to rise to the top positions. People from
socially weaker sections of the society, who do nothave close contacts with the ruling family, find ithard to influence the decision of the party.
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3. Money and Muscle Power
Various political parties compete in the elections towin the support of the public.
There is competition among the political parties towin the elections and form the government.
A lot of money needed at the time of the election.
Parties need money for to organise demonstrations,meetings and speeches to talk about their policies.
Parties choose those candidates who can raise moneyfor the party.
Party choose either the rich candidates or those whocan raise the money from rich people and bigcompanies
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4. No Meaningful Choice to the Voters
Political parties discuss the problems facing thecountry and the policies that they would adopt forthem.
They try to convince the public that the policies of
their party are better. But these days most of the party agree on the
fundamental issues facing the country.
They differ only in the preference and priorities for
such issues. There is no clear difference between the different
parties in the elections and the voters do not have ameaningful choice among the parties.
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Discuss the Political Parties and thereformation they need (Or)
Suggest some reforms to strengthen partiesso that they perform their function well.
The political parties need to reform their working to
face the challenges facing them in in a better way.There is lack of internal democracy in the parties
where all the members are not given the sameimportance. Candidates are chosen on the basis of
their ability to raise money for the partyThe political parties need to reform themselves to face
these challenges in a better way. Some of such effortsto reform the political party are the following
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1. The constitution of the country was amended to prevent
the elected MPs and MLAs from changing their parties. Itis called defection, when elected candidate change theirparties for personal benefits. But now according to the law,the elected candidate would lose his seat in the legislature
if he indulges in defection. This also means that themembers of a party cannot disagree with the party. Theyhave to agree as they cannot leave the party.
2. The contesting candidates have to file an affidavit stating
their personal property and the criminal cases againstthem. This helps in giving information to the public aboutthe monetary and criminal activities of the candidates.This would help the voters in making better decisions
regarding their vote.
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3. The election commission has made it compulsory forthe political parties to hold elections within the party.This will ensure internal democracy in the party. Theyare also required to file their income tax returns.
Apart from the measures taken by the SupremeCourt and the Election Commission. There are a fewother suggestions to reform the political parties. They
are
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1. A law needs to be made that makes it compulsory for every
party to have a proper list of all its members. There is also aneed to hold elections within the party for the top positions.It is to ensure that every member has same importance inthe party and the party is not being ruled by one family inthe real terms.
2. A minimum seats needs to be reserved for women andmembers of socially weaker sections of the society. This isneeded so that every social group gets represented in apolitical party
3. The different parties should get money from the stategovernment for election purposes. It is important as it willcheck the total money that gets spent at the time of theelections. It will also reduce the role of money in theelection process.
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Short Notes
Defection
Changing party allegiance from the party on which aperson got elected (to a legislative body) to a
differentAffidavit
A signed document submitted to an officer, where aperson makes a sworn statement regarding his/her
personal information.
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Characteristics of a Political Party
1. A certain Organisation: Every party has a certainstructure. The group of people is organised in a proper
way. Every member is aware of his role andresponsibilities.
2. Unity of Purpose:All the members agree on somepolicies and programmes for the society. The party hasits own vision and ideology. Every member works inaccordance with the goals and objectives of the party.
3. Commitment to Adhere to Constitutional
means: All the political parties agree that thecompetition at the time of election should be free andfair. They would contest the elections and agree to theresults of the voting system
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4.Adhere to its policies when voted to power:all the parties have the characteristic that they willadhere to the declared policies when voted to power.They cannot implement completely different policiesafter coming to power.
