Chapter Summary

This is a concise recap of Chapter 4 - Political Parties. Use it for last-minute revision before the Board examination.

1. Meaning. A political party is a group that comes together to contest elections and hold power, agreeing on policies and programmes for the collective good. Its three components are leaders, active members and followers. Parties involve partisanship.

2. Functions. Parties perform seven functions: contest elections; offer policies and programmes; make laws; form and run governments; act as the opposition; shape public opinion; and give people access to government and welfare schemes.

3. Necessity. Modern democracies cannot exist without parties. Without them, candidates would be independent, no policy promises possible, and no one responsible for the country. Even non-party panchayat polls split into factions and panels. Parties are a necessary condition for democracy.

4. Party systems. One-party (China - undemocratic), two-party (USA, UK), and multiparty (India). Several parties joining hands form an alliance/front (NDA, UPA, Left Front in 2004). No system is ideal; each evolves with a country's circumstances.

5. National parties. Must win 6 per cent of Lok Sabha votes (or Assembly votes in four States) and four Lok Sabha seats. There are six national parties (2023): AAP, BSP, BJP, CPI-M, INC, NPP.

6. State parties. A State party needs 6 per cent of a State's Assembly votes and two seats. Their number and strength have grown over three decades, strengthening federalism; since 1996 nearly all have shared national coalitions.

7. Challenges. Four challenges: lack of internal democracy, dynastic succession, money and muscle power, and no meaningful choice.

8. Reforms. In force: anti-defection law, affidavit disclosure (Supreme Court), and ECI orders on organisational elections and income tax returns. Suggested: a law regulating parties, one-third tickets for women, and state funding. Also: public pressure and joining parties - bad politics is cured by more and better politics.

Key Terms to Remember

  • Political Party: a group that contests elections and holds power to promote the collective good.
  • Partisan: a person strongly committed to a party or faction; unable to take a balanced view.
  • Ruling Party: the party that runs the government.
  • One-Party / Two-Party / Multiparty System: based on how many parties have a real chance of gaining power.
  • Alliance / Front: several parties joining hands to contest elections and win power.
  • Recognised Party: a party granted a unique symbol and facilities by the Election Commission.
  • Defection: changing party allegiance after being elected on another party's ticket.
  • Affidavit: a signed, sworn statement of personal information (property, criminal cases).

Quick Revision - Facts and Figures

Item Key fact
Parties registered with ECI More than 750
Recognised national parties (2023) Six
State party criterion 6 per cent of Assembly votes + 2 seats
National party criterion 6 per cent votes (LS or 4 States) + 4 LS seats
One-party system example China (Communist Party)
Two-party system examples USA and UK
Multiparty system example India
2004 major alliances NDA, UPA, Left Front
BJP seats in 2019 Lok Sabha 303
INC seats in 2019 Lok Sabha 52

Quick Revision - One-Line Answers

  • Three components of a party? Leaders, active members, followers.
  • How many functions of parties? Seven.
  • China's party system? One-party system.
  • India's party system? Multiparty system.
  • How many national parties (2023)? Six.
  • National party vote criterion? 6 per cent (plus 4 Lok Sabha seats).
  • Law stopping party-switching? The anti-defection law.
  • Document disclosing candidates' property and cases? The affidavit.
  • Cure for bad politics? More and better politics.