NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science Civics (Political Science) Chapter 4 Political Parties help students to score good marks in the exams. These NCERT Solutions are prepared by expert teachers and available with free PDF download option. Here we have provided answers to all the questions in a very easy language.
Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Political Parties Questions and Answers
EXERCISE
Question 1: State the various functions political parties perform in a democracy.
Answer: Functions performed by political parties in a democracy:
- Parties represent the interests, concerns, and ideologies of different sections of society, giving citizens a voice in the government.
- They nominate candidates for elections and contest to form the government, offering voters choices and competition.
- When a party or coalition wins elections, it forms the government, shapes policies, and administers the country.
- Elected representatives from parties participate in legislatures to debate and pass laws, ensuring that diverse perspectives are considered.
- Parties serve as a link between the government and citizens, conveying public concerns and feedback.
Question 2: What are the various challenges faced by political parties?
Answer: Various challenges faced by political parties:
- Lack of Internal Democracy: Concentration of power in a few leaders, leading to insufficient internal democracy and decision-making processes within parties.
- Dynastic Succession: A tendency for leadership to remain within a single family, limiting opportunities for others to rise to leadership positions in parties.
- Influence of Money and Muscle Power: Reliance on wealthy individuals and candidates with muscle power, especially during elections, influencing party policies and candidate selection.
- Lack of Meaningful Choice for Voters: Reduced ideological differences among parties, resulting in limited options for voters seeking different policies or leaders.
OR
Political parties face several challenges, including:
- Lack of Internal Democracy: Many parties struggle with internal democratic processes, where decisions are often centralized and dominated by a select few. This lack of internal democracy can stifle debate, hinder the emergence of new leaders, and limit the participation of party members.
- Dynastic Succession: Several parties are plagued by dynastic politics, where leadership positions are often inherited by family members of prominent politicians. This practice can hinder meritocracy and limit opportunities for fresh talent within parties.
- Influence of Money and Muscle Power: The role of money and muscle power in politics remains a significant challenge. Parties may rely on wealthy donors or individuals with a history of using coercive tactics to secure votes, undermining the fairness of the electoral process.
- Lack of Meaningful Choice for Voters: In some cases, voters may feel that their choices are limited to a few dominant parties, with little ideological or policy differentiation between them. This lack of meaningful choice can lead to voter disillusionment and a sense of disengagement from the political process.
Question 3: Suggest some reforms to strengthen parties so that they perform their functions well?
Answer: Some reforms that could strengthen political parties are:
- Political parties should adopt practices that encourage internal democracy. This includes holding regular internal elections and maintaining transparent membership registers.
- Implementing strict regulations on party finances can help reduce the influence of money in politics.
- To prevent the concentration of power within specific families, parties can adopt rules that limit the succession of leadership roles to family members of current leaders.
- Parties should ensure adequate representation of underrepresented groups, including women and marginalized communities.
- Laws should be stringent to prevent defection solely for personal gain and to tackle corruption within political parties.
Question 4: What is a political party?
Answer: A political party is an organized group or organization of individuals who share similar political beliefs, ideologies, and goals. These parties seek to influence and participate in the government by contesting elections and winning seats in legislatures.
Question 5: What are the characteristics of a political party?
Answer: Characteristics of a political party are:
- A political party is formed by individuals who have similar political beliefs, values, and goals.
- Parties have a defined organisational structure with leaders, party workers and supporters.
- Parties contest elections to gain political power and representation.
- Provide a platform for citizens to express their political views and preferences.
- Parties raise issues, shape public opinion, and sometimes initiate social movements.
Question 6: A group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government is called a ____________.
Answer: A group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government is called a political party.
Question 7: Match List I (organisations and struggles) with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
| List I | List II | |
| 1. | Congress Party | A. National Democratic Party |
| 2. | Bharatiya Janta Party | B. State Party |
| 3. | Communist Party of India (Marxist) | C. United Progressive Alliance |
| 4. | Telugu Desam Party | D. Left Front |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| C | A | B | D | |
| (b) | C | D | A | B |
| (c) | C | A | D | B |
| (d) | D | C | A | B |
Answer:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| (c) | C | A | D | B |
Question 8: Who among the following is the founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party?
A. Kanshi Ram
Β. Sahu Maharaj
C. Β.R. Ambedker
D. Jotiba Phule
Answer: A. Kanshi Ram
Question 9: What is the guiding philosophy of the Bharatiya Janata Party?
A. Bahujan Samaj
B. Revolutionary democracy
C. Integral humanism
D. Modernity
Answer: D. Modernity
Question 10: Consider the following statements on parties.
A. Political parties do not enjoy much trust among the people.
B. Parties are often rocked by scandals involving top party leaders.
C. Parties are not necessary to run governments.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) A, B and C
b) A and B
c) B and C
d) A and C
Answer: b) A and B
Question 11: Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:
Muhammad Yunus is a famous economist of Bangladesh. He received several international honours for his efforts to promote economic and social development for the benefit of the poor. He and the Grameen Bank he started, jointly received the Noble Peace Prize for 2006. In February 2007, he decided to launch a political party and contest in the parliamentary elections. His objective was to foster proper leadership, good governance and build a new Bangladesh. He felt that only a political party different from the traditional ones would bring about new political culture. His party would be democratic from the grassroots level.
The launching of the new party, called Nagarik Shakti (Citizens’ Power), has caused a stir among the Bangladeshis. While many welcomed his decisions, some did not like it. “Now I think Bangladesh will have a chance to choose between good and bad and eventually have a good government,” said Shahedul Islam, a government official. “That government, we hope, would not only keep itself away from corruption but also make fighting corruption and black money a top priority.”
But leaders of traditional political parties who dominated the country’s politics for decades were apprehensive. “There was no debate (over him) winning the Novel, but politics is different − very challenging and often controversial,” said a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Some others were highly critical. They asked why he was rushing into politics. “Is he being planted in politics by mentors from outside the country,” asked one political observer.
Do you think Yunus made a right decision to float a new political party?
Do you agree with the statements and fears expressed by various people? How do you want this new party organised to make it different from other parties? If you were the one to begin this political party how would you defend it?
Answer: Yunus made a right decision to launch a political party and contest in the parliamentary elections. It’s a human tendency when a competitor comes in front of anybody, people look for excuses to quit the person out of the field. When there are more than one parties in the country, people have choice to select between good and bad. The new party should promote proper leadership, good governance and should be capable of bringing about new healthy political culture. Last but not least it should be democratic from the grassroots level.
More study materials for CBSE Class 10
| NCERT Solutions for Class 10 | CBSE Notes for Class 10 |
| CBSE Sample Papers for Class 10 | Important Questions for Class 10 |
| RS Aggarwal Solutions For Class 10 | RD Sharma Solutions For Class 10 |