Questions on Political Parties

1. Which of the following is the characteristic of a political party?

  1. Group of people organized for betterment of their locality.
  2. Group of people sharing similar religious views.
  3. Group of people having common principles and views on public matters.
  4. Group of people attending an election meeting.

Answer: (c)

2. Why do we need political parties in a democracy?

  1. To help legislature making laws.
  2. To help executives administering the country.
  3. To help judiciary delivering judgments.
  4. To help people choosing their representatives.

Answer: (d)

3. Which one of the following is a correct statement?

  1. India is a ‘one party system’.
  2. Political parties in India came into in existence even before independence.
  3. Political parties in India emerged only after independence.
  4. The Congress did not get majority in Lok Sabha in 1989.

Answer: (b)

4. Which of the following is not the function of political parties in a democratic system:

  1. Political parties work secretly to bring a change in the system.
  2. They shape public opinion.
  3. They attempt to acquire political power.
  4. They form opposition if not in majority in the legislature.

Answer: (a)

5. Since when the coalitional governments in India have come to stay at the national level?

  1. 1952
  2. 1989
  3. 1977
  4. 1967

Answer: (b)

6. State any two features of India’s party system.

competitive, coalitional

7. Which of the following is a regional political party in Jammu & Kashmir?

  1. Indian National Lok Dal
  2. National Conference
  3. Forward Bloc
  4. Rashtriya Janata Dal

Answer: (b)

8. The Shiv Sena is a political party in

  1. Maharashtra
  2. Tamil Nadu
  3. Bihar
  4. Uttrakhand

Answer: (a)

9. What are Pressure groups? How do they differ from interest groups?

A pressure group is an interest group which exerts pressure on the government or the decision-makers for the fulfillment of the interests of its members. Pressure groups are different from interest groups in the sense that the interest groups may exist without even exerting influence on the government or the decision-makers.

But unless a group exerts such pressure to influence or pressurize the authorities in order to achieve the desired objects, it may not be called a pressure group.

10. Write two differences between pressure groups and political parties?

(i) Pressure groups are not primarily political in nature. For example, although Rashtriya Swayamak Sangh supports the Bharatiya Janata Party, it is, by and large, a cultural organization. Political parties are basically political in nature and orientation.

(ii) Pressure groups do not contest elections; they only support political parties of their choice. Political parties nominate candidates, contest elections, and participate in elections campaigns.

11. Discuss at least three ways in which pressure groups try to influence the policies of the government. Give suitable examples.

Pressure groups play a vital role in the democratic functioning of a polity. They help promote, discuss, debate and mobilize public opinion on major public issues. Three ways used by pressure groups are: appeals, petitions and demonstrations.

For instance, the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) has influenced the government to improve its policies on the rights of women workers. Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan led the people’s movement which forced the government to bring about the law on ‘Right to Information’.