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Competition and Contestations: NBSE class 10 Social Science
Here you will find all the questions, solutions, answers, and notes of chapter 13 Competition and Contestations in Democracy of Social Science for class 10 students studying under Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE). However, the study materials should be used only for references and nothing more. The notes can be modified/changed according to needs.
If you notice any errors in the notes, please mention them in the comments
Summary
Political parties are the life-blood of a democratic polity. It is particularly so in a country like India which has a multi-party system. If you travel to the countryside and discuss politics with village folks, they will talk about various political parties, their leaders and their politics, though they may not know anything about our Constitution and its provisions. Most of us tend to be very critical of political parties and blame them for all the wrongs in our society. They are blamed for conflicts, divisions and unethical practices prevalent in our democracy and political life. A century ago, there were few countries that had political parties, now there are few which do not have them. Most of the countries have several political parties.
A political party is a group of people who share a common ideology and aim to form the government by contesting elections and winning a majority of the contested seats. Each political party has a set of policies and programmes declared publicly by election manifestos, for the promotion of the common good of citizens.
Textual questions and answers
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Who chooses the candidates for contesting elections in India?
(a) Members and supporters of the party (b) Top party leader (c) The existing government (d) None of the these
Answer: (b) Top party leader
2. Which of these countries has a one-party system?
(a) India (b) China (c) USA d) UK
Answer: (b) China
3. Which of these is not a good option for a democratic state?
(a) One-party system (b) Two-party system (c) Multi-party system (d) None of the above
Answer: (a) One-party system
4. In the questions given below, there are two statements marked as Assertion (A) and Reason (R). Read the statements and choose the correct option.
(a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is correct explana tion of Assertion (A).
(b) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A).
(c) Assertion (A) is true but Reason (R) is false. (d) Assertion (A) is false but Reason (R) is true.
Assertion(A): Parties shape public opinion.
Reason(R): They raise and highlight issues of importance.
Answer: (a) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is correct explana tion of Assertion (A).
5. Which political party has this symbol?
[Refer to textbook to see the image]
(a) Telugu Desam Party (b) Shiromani Akali Dal (c) Shiv Sena (d) Mizoram People’s Conference
Answer: (b) Shiromani Akali Dal
Very Short Answer Questions
1. Name three components of a political party.
Answer: The essential components of a political party:
i. the leaders
ii. the active members, and
iii. the followers.
2. Define a political party.
Answer: A political party is a group of people who share a common ideology and aim to form a government by contesting elections and winning a majority of the contested seats.
3. What is the difference between a national party and a state party?
Answer: National parties are present in all or many of the federal units, whereas state parties are present in only one of the federal units.
Short Answer Questions
1. Differentiate between a ruling party and an opposition party.
Answer: A party that forms government at the central or state level is called a ruling party. On the other hand, a party other than the ruling party in a legislature is called ab opposition party.
2. Name two countries each adhering to (i) one-party system (ii) two-party system.
Answer: (i) China, North Korea. (ii) USA, United Kingdom.
3. Write the major objectives of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Answer: It wants to build a strong and modern India by drawing inspiration from India’s ancient culture and values.
Long Answer Questions
1. Explain how a political party can shape public opinion.
Answer: Opinion of people against and in favour of certain issues and policies of the government can make the prospects of a ruling party in the coming election. Opposition parties play a pivotal role in the formation of public opinion through organising meetings, demonstrations, protests, dharnas, distribution of posters and pamphlets and highlighting issues in the mass media. They examine and criticise the government for its failures and wrong policies.
2. State the various functions which political parties perform in a democracy.
Answer: The various functions which political parties perform in a democracy are::
i. Contesting elections: Political parties put up candidates in various constituencies to contest an election.
ii. Declaring different policies and programmes: Each party has a different set of ideologies, policy and programmes which it desires to implement after forming the government.
iii. Making laws for the country: Laws are made after the bills are debated and passed by legislatures by a majority.
iv. Parties form and run governments: The majority party in a legislature forms the government.
v. Role of opposition: The parties which fail to form government play the role of opposition inside the legislature and outside.
vi. Shaping public opinion: Opinion of people against and in favour of certain issues and policies of the government can make the prospects of a ruling party in the coming election.
3. What are the characteristics of a political party?
Answer: The characteristics of a political party are:
i. A political party is a group of people who share a common ideology and aim to form a government by contesting elections and winning a majority of the contested seats.
ii. Each political party has a set of policies and programmes declared publicly by election manifestos, for the promotion of the common good of citizens.
iii. As the policies, programmes and ideologies of different political parties are different they seek to win popular support in an election to be able to implement them.
iv. Each party has a different social base representing the interests and aspirations of a part of the society. Thus, it involves partisanship.
v. A party is known for its ideology, programmes and policies and the section of society whose interests it represents.
vi. There are three essential components of a political party which are the leaders, the active members, and the followers.
4. ‘The quality of democracy depends on the degree of public participation.’ Explain. [HOTS]
Answer: The quality of democracy depends on the degree of public participation. It would be difficult to reform politics if ordinary people simply criticise it from the outside. The problem of bad politics can be solved by adopting better politics. That is possible only when ordinary citizens participate in the process of democracy. Constitutional institutions should be strengthened that help people’s participation and control.
Additional/extra MCQs
1. What is the chief aim of a political party?
A. To form the government at the centre or in a state B. To contest elections C. To declare different policies and programmes D. To shape public opinion
Answer: A. To form the government at the centre or in a state
Q. Which of the following is an essential component of a political party?
A. The active members B. The followers C. The leaders D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Q. How do political parties seek to win popular support in an election?
A. By implementing their policies and programmes B. By representing the interests and aspirations of a part of the society C. By promoting the common good of citizens D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Q. What is the role of the opposition party inside the legislature?
A. To form the government B. To examine and criticize the government’s failures and wrong policies C. To declare different policies and programmes D. To contest elections
Answer: B. To examine and criticize the government’s failures and wrong policies
Q. How can an ordinary citizen approach the government machinery and welfare schemes through a political party?
A. Through a local leader, such as an MLA, MP, or councillor B. By directly approaching a minister or an officer C. By organizing protests and demonstrations D. By joining the ruling party
Answer: A. Through a local leader, such as an MLA, MP, or councillor
Q. Which of the following is the most common type of party system?
A. Two-Party System B. One-Party System C. Multi-Party System D. None of the above
Answer: C. Multi-Party System
Q. In which type of party system does power shift between two major dominant parties?
A. Multi-Party System B. Two-Party System C. One-Party System D. None of the above
Answer: B. Two-Party System
Q. Which of the following countries follows a one-party system?
A. United States of America B. United Kingdom C. China D. India
Answer: C. China
Q. What is the status given to a party that secures at least 6% of the total votes in a Lok Sabha election or Assembly elections in any four states and wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha?
A. State party B. Regional party C. National party D. None of the above
Answer: C. National party
Q. Which of the following is not a national political party in India as of April 2023?
A. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) B. Indian National Congress (INC) C. Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) D. Trinamool Congress (TMC)
Answer: D. Trinamool Congress (TMC)
Q. What is the process of changing party after an election to a legislative body called?
A. Defection B. Alliance C. Coalition D. None of the above
Answer: A. Defection
Q. Which of the following is a characteristic of a multi-party system?
A. It leads to political instability B. It allows fair representation of all shades of interests and opinions C. It is cumbersome D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Q. Which of the following is not a function of a political party?
A. Contesting elections B. Declaring different policies and programmes C. Making laws for the country D. Implementing the laws of the country
Answer: D. Implementing the laws of the country
Q. How are the council of ministers and top leaders of the ruling party related?
A. The council of ministers implements the ruling party’s policies and programmes B. The top leaders of the ruling party form the cabinet C. Both A and B D. None of the above
Answer: C. Both A and B
Q. What is the role of pressure groups and movements in shaping democracy in favor of ordinary people?
A. To galvanize their work to put pressure on governments B. To ensure greater power to local governments C. To bring down the control and influence of rich and powerful people in making governmental decisions D. Both A and C
Answer: A. To galvanize their work to put pressure on governments
Q. Which of the following is not a characteristic of a one-party system?
A. No competition B. Voters have the choice to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ against the nominated candidates C. Multiple parties contest elections D. Popular in authoritarian regimes
Answer: C. Multiple parties contest elections
Q. What is the purpose of a political party’s election manifesto?
A. To declare their different policies and programmes B. To promote the common good of citizens C. To represent the interests and aspirations of a part of the society D. All of the above
Answer: A. To declare their different policies and programmes
Q. How can the quality of democracy be improved?
A. By increasing public participation B. By bringing down the control and influence of rich and powerful people C. By ensuring greater power to local governments D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Q. Which of the following is not a characteristic of a two-party system?
A. Power shifts between two major dominant parties B. Smaller parties usually merge with the bigger parties C. Only one party wins elections D. Prevalent in countries like the USA, UK, and Canada
Answer: C. Only one party wins elections
Q. What is the process of different political parties joining hands for contesting elections and winning power called?
A. Coalition B. Alliance C. Front D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Q. Which of the following is an example of a two-party system?
A. China B. India C. United Kingdom D. Cuba
Answer: C. United Kingdom
Q. What is the role of political parties in making laws for the country?
A. Laws are made after bills are debated and passed by legislatures with a majority B. The ruling party’s influence and policies are apparent in the laws C. Both A and B D. None of the above
Answer: C. Both A and B
Q. Which of the following is not a way to shape democracy in favor of ordinary people?
A. Further decentralization of power to grassroots level B. Reservation of seats in legislatures for women C. Limiting the role of caste and religion in politics D. Strengthening the control and influence of rich and powerful people
Answer: D. Strengthening the control and influence of rich and powerful people
Q. What is the purpose of the reservation of seats in local bodies for women?
A. To increase women’s representation in local self-government B. To make local self-government more powerful and effective C. Both A and B D. None of the above
Answer: C. Both A and B
Q. Which of the following is not a characteristic of a political party?
A. It represents the interests and aspirations of a part of the society B. It has a set of policies and programmes declared publicly C. It promotes the common good of all citizens equally D. It involves partisanship
Answer: C. It promotes the common good of all citizens equally
Q. What is the role of political parties in shaping public opinion?
A. By organizing meetings, demonstrations, and protests B. By highlighting issues in the mass media C. By distributing posters and pamphlets D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Q. Which of the following is not a component of the multi-party system in India?
A. Three or more parties have the capacity to gain control of the government separately or in coalition B. People form multiple, distinct, officially recognized groups called political parties C. Only one party wins elections and forms the government D. Each party competes and contests for votes
Answer: C. Only one party wins elections and forms the government
Q. What is the purpose of reserving seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women?
A. To increase women’s representation in legislatures B. To make legislatures more powerful and effective C. To promote gender equality D. All of the above
Answer: A. To increase women’s representation in legislatures
Q. Which of the following is not a characteristic of a multi-party system?
A. It allows fair representation of all shades of interests and opinions B. It leads to political instability C. It is cumbersome D. It promotes a single-party leadership
Answer: D. It promotes a single-party leadership
Q. What is the role of the opposition party outside the legislature?
A. To form the government B. To mobilize public opinion and organize protests against government policies C. To declare different policies and programmes D. To contest elections
Answer: B. To mobilize public opinion and organize protests against government policies
Q. Which of the following is an essential function of a political party?
A. Implementing the laws of the country B. Declaring different policies and programmes C. Making laws for the country D. Both B and C
Answer: D. Both B and C
Q. How can political parties be reformed to serve the interests of ordinary people better?
A. By making laws for internal democracy within parties B. By limiting the role of money and muscle power in elections C. By providing more alternative choices to voters D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Q. Which of the following is a way to ensure greater participation of ordinary people in democracy?
A. Strengthening institutions that promote public participation and control B. Bringing down the control and influence of rich and powerful people in decision-making C. Extending the federal principle to all units of the federation D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Q. What is the purpose of making it mandatory for political parties to give a minimum number of tickets to women, dalits, and poor people?
A. To increase their representation in legislatures B. To promote inclusivity and diversity C. To address their concerns and issues D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
35. Which of the following is not a function of a political party?
A. Contesting elections B. Declaring different policies and programmes C. Making laws for the country D. Implementing the laws of the country
Answer: D. Implementing the laws of the country
Additional/extra questions and answers/solutions
1. What is a political party?
Answer: A political party is a group of people who share common ideology and aim to form government by contesting elections and winning a majority of the contested seats.
Q. What are the three essential components of a political party?
Answer: The three essential components of a political party are the leaders, the active members, and the followers.
Q. What is partisanship?
Answer: Partisanship means a tendency to take a side and be partial to somebody.
Q. What is a ruling party?
Answer: A ruling party is a party that forms government at the central or state level.
Q. What is an opposition party?
Answer: An opposition party is a party other than the ruling party in a legislature.
Q. What is defection?
Answer: Defection means changing party after an election to a legislative body.
Q. What is communism?
Answer: Communism is a political movement that believes in an economic system in which the state controls the means of production and distribution on behalf of the people.
Q. How many political parties are registered with the Election Commission of India?
Answer: More than 1866 political parties are registered with the Election Commission of India.
Q. What is an alliance or front or coalition in a multi-party system?
Answer: When several parties in a multi-party system join hands for the purpose of contesting elections and winning power, it is called an alliance or a front or a coalition.
Q. What is the difference between a national party and a state party?
Answer: National parties are present in all or many of the federal units, whereas state parties are present in only one of the federal units.
Q. What is the status given by the Election Commission to large parties?
Answer: Large parties are allotted an election symbol and given some privileges by the Election Commission of India, and are called ‘recognised political parties’.
Q. What is the criterion for a party to be recognized as a national party?
Answer: A party that secures at least six per cent of total votes in a Lok Sabha election or Assembly elections in any four states and wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha is given the status of a national party.
Q. What is the criterion for a party to be recognized as a state party?
Answer: A party that secures at least 6 per cent of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a state and wins at least two seats is recognised as a state party.
Q. How many national parties are there in India currently?
Answer: India has six recognised national parties currently.
Q. Which are the six national parties in India currently?
Answer: The six national parties in India currently are BJP, INC, CPI-M, AAP, BSP, and NPP (National People’s Party).
Q. What is the role of opposition parties?
Answer: Opposition parties examine and criticise the government for its failures and wrong policies, mobilise public opinion, and organise protests against policies of the government.
Q. How do political parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes?
Answer: When a party leader becomes a minister, he is easily approachable by members of the party, and members of the ruling party can easily approach the government machinery through a local leader to access welfare schemes.
Q. What is the necessity of political parties in a democracy?
Answer: Political parties are the lifeblood of a democratic polity, and they are necessary for representing the diverse interests and opinions in a multi-religious and multi-lingual country like India.
Q. How does a multi-party system in India ensure representation of diverse interests and opinions?
Answer: In India, we have a multi-party system. This system is healthy for a multi-religious and multi-lingual country like India with more than a billion population. This system allows all shades of interests and opinions to have a fair representation. With multiple distinct parties representing different sections of society, people have the opportunity to choose the party that best represents their interests and aspirations.
Q. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a multi-party system?
Answer: On the negative side, a multi-party system is cumbersome and leads to political instability, as most of the time no single party has a clear majority. However, on the positive side, this system is healthy for a diverse country like India. It allows for fair representation of all shades of interests and opinions. When several parties in a multi-party system join hands for the purpose of contesting elections and winning power, it is called an alliance, front, or coalition.
Q. How are national and state parties recognized in India?
Answer: In India, every party has to register with the Election Commission. Large parties are allotted an election symbol and given some privileges by the Election Commission of India. Such parties are called ‘recognized political parties’. A party that secures at least six percent of total votes in a Lok Sabha election or Assembly elections in any four states and wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha is given the status of a National party. A party that secures at least 6 percent of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a state and wins at least two seats is recognized as a state party.
Q. What are the three essential components of a political party?
Answer: There are three essential components of a political party:
- The leaders
- The active members
- The followers
Q. What is the chief aim of a political party?
Answer: The chief aim of a political party is to form the government at the center or in a state. It aspires to do so by winning maximum number of seats for a legislature.
Q. How do political parties declare their different policies and programs?
Answer: Each party has a different set of ideology, policy and program which it desires to implement after forming government. The ruling party chooses the council of ministers which implements its policies and programs. These have to be declared through an election manifesto at the time of election.
Q. What is the role of the opposition party?
Answer: The parties which fail to form government play the role of opposition inside the legislature and outside. They examine and criticize the government for its failures and wrong policies. They mobilize public opinion and organize protests against policies of the government, price rise, bad law and order situation, etc.
Q. How do political parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes?
Answer: An ordinary citizen finds it difficult to approach a minister or an officer. When a party leader becomes a minister, he is easily approachable by members of the party. A member of a ruling party can easily approach the government machinery through a local leader, say, an MLA, an MP or a councillor. Welfare schemes launched by the government are made easily accessible to citizens by a party which is responsible to people’s needs and demands.
Q. What are the three types of party systems discussed in the document?
Answer: There are three types of party systems discussed in the document:
- Multi-Party System
- Two-Party System
- One-Party System
Q. How can democracy be shaped in favor of ordinary people?
Answer: To shape democracy in favor of ordinary people:
- There needs to be further decentralization of power to the grassroots level.
- The proportion of women in legislatures should be increased through reservation.
- Pressure groups and movements need to galvanize their work to put pressure on governments to act in favor of ordinary people.
- Political parties need to be reformed to address issues like lack of internal democracy, dynastic succession, role of money and muscle power in elections, etc.
- The focus of election campaigns needs to be shifted to development of people.
- The role of caste and religion in politics needs to be mitigated.
- It should be made mandatory for political parties to give a minimum number of tickets to women, dalits and poor people.
- Basic principles of democratic government should be applied across all regions, social groups and institutions.
Q. What is the importance of public participation in strengthening democracy?
Answer: The quality of democracy depends on the degree of public participation. It would be difficult to reform politics if ordinary people simply criticize it from outside. The problem of bad politics can be solved by adopting better politics. That is possible only when ordinary citizens participate in the process of democracy. Those institutions should be strengthened that help people’s participation and control. This requires an attempt to bring down the control and influence of rich and powerful people in making governmental decisions.
25. Differentiate between a national party and a state party in India.
Answer: In India, every party has to register with the Election Commission. Large parties are allotted an election symbol and given some privileges by the Election Commission of India. Such parties are called ‘recognized political parties’. A party that secures at least six percent of total votes in a Lok Sabha election or Assembly elections in any four states and wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha is given the status of a National party. A party that secures at least 6 percent of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a state and wins at least two seats is recognized as a state party. National parties are present in all or many of the federal units, whereas state parties are present in only one of the federal units.
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