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Political Parties

Political Parties (Class 10)

Political Parties** are organized groups of people who share similar political views and aim to contest elections and hold power in the government. They play a crucial role in shaping political discourse, mobilizing citizens, and governing a country.

Understanding political parties involves examining their definition, functions, the necessity of having them in a democracy, and the different types of parties that exist.


Why Do We Need Political Parties?

Political parties are considered essential for the functioning of modern democracies. Their existence and roles are vital for several reasons:

Meaning

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. Parties agree on some policies and programmes for the society with a view to promote the collective good.

Functions

Political parties perform several crucial functions in a democracy:

  • Contesting Elections: They nominate candidates and campaign to win elections.
  • Formulating Policies and Programmes: They develop policy proposals on various issues and present them to the voters.
  • Forming and Running the Government: The party or coalition that wins a majority of seats forms the government and implements its policies.
  • Playing the Role of Opposition: Parties that do not win a majority act as the opposition, critically examining government policies and holding them accountable.
  • Shaping Public Opinion: They raise awareness about issues, debate policies, and try to persuade the public to support their views.
  • Providing Access to Government Machinery: They act as a link between the government and the people, helping citizens access government services and voice their concerns.
  • Political Socialization: They educate citizens about political processes and encourage participation.

Necessity

Political parties are necessary for:

  • Organizing Political Will: They aggregate diverse opinions and interests into coherent political platforms.
  • Providing Choice: They offer voters a choice between different sets of policies and leaders.
  • Ensuring Accountability: They make governments accountable to the electorate.
  • Facilitating Governance: They provide structure and stability in government by organizing elected representatives into cohesive groups.

Without political parties, democracy would likely be chaotic, and governments would struggle to form and function effectively.


How Many Parties Should We Have?

The number of political parties in a democracy can vary, and each system has its own implications:

  • One-Party System: Only one party is legally allowed to hold power. This is not democratic as it denies choice to voters and suppresses dissent.
  • Two-Party System: Two major parties dominate the political landscape, with smaller parties having a limited chance of winning. This can lead to stable governments but might limit voter choice and representation for minority views. (Example: United States)
  • Multi-Party System: Three or more parties have a realistic chance of gaining power, either alone or in coalition. This system offers more choice to voters and ensures representation for a wider range of interests and ideologies. However, it can sometimes lead to coalition governments that are less stable. (Example: India, many European countries)

India has a multi-party system, which allows for a broad spectrum of political ideologies and interests to be represented. The debate is often not about how many parties *should* exist, but about ensuring that the parties that do exist function democratically, adhere to the rule of law, and contribute positively to governance and representation.


National Parties

National Parties** are political parties that have a presence and influence across the country. The Election Commission of India recognizes parties as 'National Parties' based on specific criteria related to their electoral performance in Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections.

Criteria for Recognition as a National Party (as per ECI guidelines):

  • A party must secure at least 6% of the valid votes polled in four or more states, at a General Election to the Lok Sabha and also win at least four seats in the Lok Sabha from any state(s).
  • OR, it must win at least 2% of the total seats in the Lok Sabha from not less than three different states.

Having a national party status grants certain benefits, such as a reserved election symbol for exclusive use across the country and eligibility to nominate candidates for elections.

Examples of major National Parties in India: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Communist Party of India (Marxist) - CPI(M), etc. (The list can change based on electoral performance.)


State Parties

State Parties**, also known as Regional Parties, are political parties that have a significant presence and influence primarily within one or a few states. They focus on regional issues and aspirations.

Criteria for Recognition as a State Party (as per ECI guidelines):

  • A party must secure at least 6% of the valid votes polled in that state in a General Election to the Legislative Assembly and also win at least two seats in the Assembly.
  • OR, it must win at least 3 seats in the Legislative Assembly for every 25 seats allotted to that state in the Lok Sabha, or 8% of the total seats in the Assembly, whichever is more.

State parties play a crucial role in the federal structure of India, often forming governments in their respective states and participating in national coalition politics.

Examples of State Parties: Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu, Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which started as a state party in Delhi and has expanded its presence.


Challenges To Political Parties

Political parties, despite their importance, face numerous challenges in their functioning and in upholding democratic ideals:

  • Lack of Internal Democracy: Power is often concentrated in the hands of a few leaders, with limited internal elections or genuine participation for ordinary members. Dynastic succession is also common.
  • Money and Muscle Power: The influence of wealth and intimidation in elections can distort the political process and favour parties with more resources.
  • Lack of Transparency and Accountability: The funding of political parties and their decision-making processes are often opaque, leading to questions about accountability.
  • Rise of Communalism and Casteism: Parties sometimes resort to appealing to religious or caste sentiments to gain votes, which can be divisive and harmful to social harmony.
  • Populism and Unrealistic Promises: Parties may make populist promises that are difficult to fulfill, leading to disillusionment among voters.
  • Focus on Power over Ideology: Sometimes, parties shift their ideological stance or form alliances based purely on electoral expediency, rather than core principles.
  • Personalization of Politics: Politics can become overly focused on individual leaders rather than party platforms or policies.

How Can Parties Be Reformed?

Reforming political parties is crucial for strengthening democracy. Various suggestions and measures have been proposed:

  • Internal Democracy: Mandatory holding of organizational elections within parties, transparent functioning, and open debate among members.
  • Transparency in Funding: Strict regulations on political donations, disclosure of sources of funding, and limiting the role of corporate or black money in elections.
  • Media Regulation: Ensuring fair media coverage and curbing the spread of misinformation or hate speech during elections.
  • Reducing Influence of Money and Muscle Power: Stricter enforcement of election laws, disqualification of candidates with criminal records, and public awareness campaigns.
  • Promoting Ideological Coherence: Encouraging parties to stick to their stated ideologies and programmes rather than engaging in opportunistic politics.
  • Strengthening Election Commission: Granting the ECI more powers to regulate party functioning and campaign finance.
  • Public Participation: Encouraging greater involvement of citizens in party activities and policy debates beyond just voting.

Reforming political parties is a continuous process that requires the collective effort of the parties themselves, the government, the judiciary, the media, and the citizens.