1. Political Parties in Democracy:
    • Political parties are visible and essential in a democracy.
    • Most people may not know much about the Constitution or the government, but they are aware of political parties.
    • However, many people criticize political parties, blaming them for the problems in society, as they represent political and social divisions.
    • Despite criticisms, political parties are necessary for democracy.
  2. What is a Political Party?
    • A political party is a group of people who join together to contest elections and hold power in the government.
    • Parties agree on policies and programs to benefit society, but different parties may have different views on what is good for society.
    • Political parties have three components: leaders, active members, and followers.
  3. Functions of Political Parties:
    • Contesting Elections: Political parties field candidates in elections. In some countries like the USA, party members choose candidates. In India, leaders decide.
    • Policy Formulation: Political parties create policies by gathering diverse opinions and combining them into clear directions for the government.
    • Making Laws: Political parties play a key role in passing laws. Legislators often vote according to the party’s direction.
    • Forming Governments: Political parties run the government by appointing leaders and ministers to make major decisions.
    • Opposition Role: Parties that lose elections play the role of opposition, criticizing the government and voicing different views.
    • Shaping Public Opinion: Political parties highlight issues, raise awareness, and launch movements to solve problems in society.
    • Providing Access to Government: Parties make it easier for citizens to access government schemes and welfare programs, often more so than government officials.
  4. Necessity of Political Parties:
    • Without political parties, elections would be chaotic, with independent candidates making vague promises. Governments would lack clear direction and accountability.
    • In non-party-based elections, like panchayats in some states, factions and groups still emerge, similar to the role of political parties.
    • Political parties are necessary for forming a responsible government, gathering diverse views, and ensuring a functioning democracy.
  5. Types of Party Systems:
    • One-Party System: Only one party controls the government. For example, China has a one-party system, which isn’t democratic because it restricts free competition.
    • Two-Party System: In some countries, two main parties dominate elections. Examples include the USA and the UK.
    • Multiparty System: In countries like India, multiple parties compete, and governments are formed through coalitions. This system can lead to instability but ensures representation of diverse interests.
  6. Party Systems and Political History:
    • The type of party system evolves with the country’s history, society, and electoral system. For example, India’s multiparty system is shaped by its social and regional diversity.
    • There is no ideal party system for all countries. It depends on each country’s unique circumstances.
  7. Popular Participation in Political Parties:
    • While political parties are not very trusted by the public in many countries, including India, the level of participation is still high.
    • More people are joining political parties and feeling close to them compared to other democracies like Canada or Japan.
    • The number of people who identify with political parties in India has been increasing steadily over the last three decades.

Key Concepts to Understand:

  • Political Party: A group formed to contest elections and hold political power.
  • Partisanship: Being strongly loyal to a political party and its ideas.
  • Coalition: When multiple parties come together to form a government.
  • Multiparty System: A system with several political parties competing for power, common in countries like India.
  • Two-party System: Only two main parties dominate the political landscape, like in the USA and UK.

Competitive Exam Insights:

  • Political Party Functions: Be prepared to discuss the functions of political parties, such as contesting elections, policy formulation, making laws, and shaping public opinion.
  • Party Systems: Know the differences between one-party, two-party, and multiparty systems, and the advantages/disadvantages of each system.
  • Importance in Democracy: Understand why political parties are crucial for representative democracies, especially in managing diverse views and making governance efficient.
  • Trends in Party Membership: The increasing membership and affiliation with political parties, even in societies with low trust in these parties, shows the continued relevance of political parties in society.

1. Federal System and Political Parties:

  • Democracies with federal systems, like India, have two types of political parties:
    • National parties: These are present in multiple states and follow the same policies, strategies, and programs across the country.
    • State parties: These function mainly within one state or region.

2. Recognition by Election Commission:

  • Every political party in India must register with the Election Commission to participate in elections.
  • Some national and state parties receive recognition from the Election Commission based on their performance in elections.
  • Recognized political parties get special privileges, such as:
    • A unique election symbol that only their candidates can use.
    • Other facilities provided by the Election Commission.
  • Criteria for recognition:
    • A State party must win 6% of the votes and at least 2 seats in the Legislative Assembly of a state.
    • A national party must win 6% of the votes in four states or the Lok Sabha elections, and secure at least 4 seats in the Lok Sabha.

3. Examples of National Parties:

  • Aam Aadmi Party (AAP):
    • Founded in 2012, focusing on accountability, transparency, and good governance.
    • Formed governments in Delhi and Punjab. Won 1 Lok Sabha seat in 2019.
  • Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP):
    • Founded in 1984 by Kanshi Ram, focuses on the welfare of Dalits, backward classes, and religious minorities.
    • Has a strong base in Uttar Pradesh and nearby states. Won 10 Lok Sabha seats in 2019.
  • Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP):
    • Founded in 1980, advocates for cultural nationalism, a uniform civil code, and full integration of Jammu and Kashmir.
    • Won 303 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, leading the NDA government.
  • Communist Party of India – Marxist (CPI-M):
    • Founded in 1964, supports socialism and secularism. Strong in West Bengal, Kerala, and Tripura.
    • Won 3 Lok Sabha seats in 2019.
  • Indian National Congress (INC):
    • Founded in 1885, one of the oldest parties. Focuses on secularism, welfare of weaker sections, and social justice.
    • Led the UPA government from 2004-2019 and won 52 Lok Sabha seats in 2019.
  • National People’s Party (NPP):
    • Founded in 2013, focuses on diversity and development, particularly in North East India. Won 1 seat in 2019.

4. State Parties:

  • Many regional parties are classified as State parties by the Election Commission.
  • These parties may or may not have a regional outlook but are strong within their states, such as Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal.
  • Over time, these parties have become crucial in forming coalitions with national parties, strengthening federalism in India.

5. Challenges to Political Parties:

  • Lack of internal democracy:
    • Power is often concentrated in the hands of a few leaders, limiting participation from ordinary party members.
    • Internal elections are rare, and members lack the influence to affect decisions.
    • This leads to a focus on loyalty to leaders rather than party principles, and dissenting members may find it difficult to remain in the party.

6. Impact on Democracy:

  • Political parties are essential for democracy. The challenges they face in terms of internal democracy, leadership control, and member participation affect the functioning of the system.
  • Addressing these issues is vital for the parties to remain effective and continue contributing to India’s democratic processes.

Challenges and Reforms in Political Parties:

  1. Dynastic Succession in Political Parties:
    • Problem: Political parties often have family-controlled leadership. This gives unfair advantages to family members, even if they lack experience or popular support. This is harmful to democracy as it prevents talented individuals from rising based on merit.
    • Example: Political leaders favor their relatives or friends for important positions, making it harder for others in the party to grow and contribute.
    • Global Presence: This issue is seen worldwide, even in older democracies.
  2. Money and Muscle Power in Politics:
    • Problem: In elections, parties focus more on winning at all costs, often using money and muscle power. They may choose candidates who can raise large sums of money, leading to influence from wealthy donors. Some parties even support criminals if they help win elections.
    • Example: Wealthy individuals and companies may influence party decisions and policies.
    • Global Concern: Many democracies are worried about the increasing role of money and criminal elements in politics.
  3. Lack of Meaningful Choice for Voters:
    • Problem: Many political parties do not offer real ideological differences. As a result, voters often don’t have a clear alternative when it comes to choosing policies or leaders.
    • Example: In India, major political parties have fewer differences on economic policies, leading to less variety for voters. Similarly, in countries like the UK, major parties like Labour and Conservative may only differ in minor policy details.
    • Result: Voters feel like they are choosing from a similar set of options, even when parties appear different.

How Can Political Parties be Reformed?

  1. Challenges to Reforms:
    • Lack of Will: Political parties are often unwilling to reform because they are controlled by leaders who benefit from the current system.
    • Democratic Dilemma: In a democracy, leaders make decisions on reforms. If they are not willing to change, it’s hard for citizens to force them.
  2. Recent Reforms and Efforts:
    • Anti-Defection Law: This law prevents elected members (MLAs/MPs) from switching parties after elections. If they do, they lose their seat. This has reduced defections but also made it harder for dissenters within a party to speak out.
    • Transparency Measures: Candidates now have to file affidavits detailing their property and criminal records, making this information available to the public. However, there is no system to verify its accuracy.
    • Election Commission Orders: Political parties are required to hold organizational elections and file tax returns, but this has not led to significant improvements in internal democracy.
  3. Suggestions for Reform:
    • Internal Party Regulation: There should be laws requiring political parties to maintain member registers, follow their constitutions, and have independent authorities to resolve disputes. Regular elections for leadership positions should be mandatory.
    • Quota for Women: Parties should be required to give at least one-third of their tickets to women candidates and reserve seats for women in decision-making bodies.
    • State Funding of Elections: The government could provide financial support to parties for election expenses. This could reduce the influence of money in politics.
  4. Challenges to Reform Implementation:
    • Political parties are resistant to passing laws that restrict their power or influence, which makes implementing these reforms difficult.
    • Over-regulating parties can lead to more loopholes and corruption, as parties will find ways to bypass the law.
  5. Alternative Ways to Reform:
    • Public Pressure: Citizens, pressure groups, and the media can put pressure on political parties for reform through petitions, campaigns, and public discourse.
    • Increased Participation: If more ordinary citizens join political parties, they can bring about change from within. Effective political participation is crucial for strengthening democracy.
  6. Conclusion:
    • Reforms can improve political parties, but citizens must take an active role. The solution to bad politics is better politics, where individuals take part in shaping the political system rather than only criticizing it from the outside.

Extra Knowledge and Key Concepts for Competitive Exams:

  1. Defection: Changing allegiance from the party a candidate was elected from to another party. The Anti-Defection Law aims to curb this.
  2. Dynastic Politics: When political power is passed down within a family, limiting democratic and meritocratic leadership choices.
  3. Money and Muscle Power: The use of financial resources and criminal influence in elections, which undermines fair democratic processes.
  4. Affidavit Requirement: A legal document submitted by candidates detailing their criminal records and assets, aiming for transparency.
  5. Internal Democracy: The ability of party members to participate in decision-making and leadership elections within their own parties.

THESE ALL ARE THE NOTES OF CHAPTER 4 POLITICAL SCIENCE. AND AFTER SOME TIME YOU GET IMPORTANT QUESTIONS HERE. *#THANKS FOR VISITING, VISIT AGAIN#* 😊