Chapter 6 Political Parties

Overview

This chapter explores the concept and functions of political parties, explaining their necessity in modern democracies. It defines a political party as a group aiming to gain power through elections by promoting policies for the collective good. The chapter details the various functions parties perform, including contesting elections, formulating policies, making laws, forming and running governments, acting as opposition, shaping public opinion, and providing access to government machinery. It discusses different party systems (one-party, two-party, multi-party) and analyzes the Indian context as a multi-party system. Finally, it addresses the challenges faced by political parties, such as lack of internal democracy, dynastic succession, the role of money and muscle power, and the decline in ideological differences, while also suggesting potential reforms.

Why Do We Need Political Parties?

Political parties are essential institutions in democracies for several reasons:

• Contesting Elections: They select candidates and organize campaigns to contest elections, providing voters with choices.
• Formulating Policies: Parties group diverse opinions into a few policy directions, guiding government actions.
• Making Laws: They participate in the legislative process, debating and passing laws.
• Forming and Running Governments: The ruling party or coalition forms the government and implements policies.
• Acting as Opposition: Parties not in power voice dissent, criticize government failures, and mobilize public opinion.
• Shaping Public Opinion: They raise awareness about issues and influence public discourse.
• Providing Access: They offer citizens a link to government machinery and welfare schemes.

In large, complex societies, parties are necessary to gather diverse views, present them to the government, and ensure accountability.

Meaning

A political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections, hold power in the government, and implement policies for the collective good.

Functions

Parties perform key functions: contesting elections, formulating policies, making laws, forming governments, acting as opposition, shaping public opinion, and providing access to government services.

Necessity

In representative democracies, elections are the primary mechanism for selecting leaders. Parties provide this mechanism, enabling competition, accountability, and the formation of responsible governments. Without parties, governing a large, diverse nation would be chaotic and impractical.

How Many Parties Should We Have?

Democracies can have different party systems:

• One-Party System: Only one party is allowed to rule (e.g., China). This is undemocratic as it lacks choice and competition.
• Two-Party System: Two major parties dominate, with a reasonable chance of winning power (e.g., USA, UK).
• Multi-Party System: Several parties compete, often forming coalition governments (e.g., India). This system allows for broader representation but can lead to instability.

The ideal number of parties depends on a country's social, regional, and historical context. India's multi-party system reflects its diversity.

National Parties

Recognized national parties have units across various states and generally follow the same policies nationwide. They meet criteria set by the Election Commission regarding vote share and seat wins in general elections. Examples include the Indian National Congress (INC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and All India Trinamool Congress (AITC).

State Parties

State parties (regional parties) operate primarily within a specific state but can have national influence. Some are purely regional in outlook, while others have national organizations. Their increased strength has contributed to federalism and democracy by necessitating coalition governments at the national level.

Challenges To Political Parties

Political parties face several challenges:

• Lack of Internal Democracy: Power concentration in top leaders, lack of transparent procedures, limited member participation, and dominance of personal loyalty over party principles.
• Dynastic Succession: Top positions often held by family members, disadvantaging ordinary workers and lacking meritocracy.
• Money and Muscle Power: Increased use of wealth and criminal elements to win elections, leading to undue influence of rich individuals and companies on policies.
• Meaningful Choice: Declining ideological differences between major parties can reduce the real choice for voters.

Lack of Internal Democracy

Concentration of power in a few leaders, lack of transparency, and absence of regular internal elections undermine democratic functioning within parties.

Dynastic Succession

The dominance of families in party leadership creates unfair advantages and prevents merit from rising, potentially leading to inexperienced or unpopular individuals gaining power.

Money and Muscle Power

The excessive use of money and criminal influence in elections compromises fairness and allows vested interests to sway policies.

Meaningful Choice

When major political parties offer similar policies, voters may lack genuine alternatives, diminishing the essence of democratic choice.

How Can Parties Be Reformed?

Reforming political parties is crucial for strengthening democracy. Potential measures include:

• Legal Regulation: Laws mandating internal democracy, transparent functioning, regular elections, and financial accountability.
• Reservation: Allocating a minimum quota of seats for women in party structures and elections.
• State Funding: Government financial support for election campaigns to reduce reliance on private funding and curb the influence of money power.

However, legal solutions must be carefully considered, as over-regulation can be counterproductive. Ultimately, reforms depend on the willingness of parties and the active participation and pressure from citizens, movements, and the media.