Party System MCQs Quiz | Class 10

Welcome to the Party System MCQs Quiz for Class X Political Science, focusing on the Unit ‘Political Parties’ and specifically on ‘Party System’. This quiz covers important aspects of national and regional parties. Test your knowledge, then submit your answers to see your score and download a detailed PDF of your performance.

Understanding Political Parties and Party Systems

Political parties are fundamental to the functioning of modern democracies. They serve as vital intermediaries between citizens and the government, helping to articulate and aggregate public opinion, contest elections, and ultimately form or influence government policy.

Key Functions of Political Parties:

  • Contesting Elections: Parties put forward candidates and campaigns to win elections.
  • Forming Government: The party or coalition of parties that wins a majority typically forms the government.
  • Playing Opposition: Parties that do not form the government act as opposition, scrutinizing government policies and offering alternatives.
  • Shaping Public Opinion: They raise and highlight issues, influencing public discourse.
  • Providing Access to Government: Parties provide mechanisms for ordinary citizens to access government machinery and welfare schemes.

Types of Party Systems:

The number of major parties that effectively compete for power defines a country’s party system:

  • One-Party System: Only one party is allowed to control and run the government. This is common in non-democratic countries, offering no real choice to voters (e.g., China).
  • Two-Party System: Power typically alternates between two main parties. Other parties may exist but rarely win enough seats to form a government on their own (e.g., United States, United Kingdom). This often leads to stable governments.
  • Multi-Party System: Several parties compete for power, and more than two parties have a realistic chance of forming government, either alone or in alliance with others. This system allows for a wider range of interests and opinions to be represented but can sometimes lead to coalition governments and political instability (e.g., India, Germany).

National vs. Regional Parties in India:

In India, the Election Commission categorizes parties based on their electoral performance, distinguishing between National and State (Regional) parties.

National Parties:

  • These parties have a broad national presence and aim to address issues of national importance.
  • Recognition Criteria: A party is recognized as a National Party if it secures at least 6% of the total votes polled in a Lok Sabha election or Assembly elections in four states AND wins at least 4 seats in the Lok Sabha. Alternatively, if it wins at least 2% of the total seats in the Lok Sabha (i.e., 11 seats in the current House of 543) from at least three different states.
  • Examples: Indian National Congress (INC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Communist Party of India (CPI), Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), National People’s Party (NPP), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Regional (State) Parties:

  • These parties primarily focus on the interests and issues of a specific state or region.
  • Recognition Criteria: A party is recognized as a State Party if it secures at least 6% of the total votes polled in an election to the State Legislative Assembly AND wins at least 2 seats in the Assembly. Alternatively, if it wins at least 3% of the total number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of a state, or a minimum of 3 seats, whichever is more.
  • Examples: Samajwadi Party (SP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Shiv Sena (SHS).

Party Recognition Criteria (Simplified Table):

Party Type Recognition Requirement (Simplified)
National Party 6% votes in Lok Sabha or Assembly elections in 4 states + 4 Lok Sabha seats
OR 2% of total Lok Sabha seats from 3 states
State (Regional) Party 6% votes in State Assembly election + 2 Assembly seats
OR 3% of Assembly seats (min 3 seats)

Challenges Faced by Political Parties:

  • Lack of Internal Democracy: Parties often do not hold regular internal elections, leading to concentration of power.
  • Dynastic Succession: Power is often passed on to family members, undermining meritocracy.
  • Money and Muscle Power: Parties tend to nominate candidates who have money or can garner support through illegal means.
  • Lack of Meaningful Choice: Often, the ideological differences between major parties diminish, offering voters little real choice.

Quick Revision Checklist:

  • Political parties are essential for democracy, enabling participation and governance.
  • Key functions include contesting elections, forming government, acting as opposition, and shaping public opinion.
  • Party systems vary: One-party, Two-party, and Multi-party systems.
  • India has a multi-party system with both National and State (Regional) parties.
  • National parties have wider influence; State parties focus on regional issues.
  • The Election Commission sets criteria for party recognition.
  • Challenges include lack of internal democracy, dynastic succession, money/muscle power.

Extra Practice Questions:

  1. Which party system typically offers clearer policy alternatives but less diverse representation?
    Answer: Two-party system
  2. Name two major national parties in India.
    Answer: Indian National Congress (INC), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
  3. What is the primary role of an opposition party in a democracy?
    Answer: To scrutinize government policies, hold the government accountable, and offer alternative policies.
  4. In which body must a party win at least 4 seats (along with 6% votes) to be recognized as a national party?
    Answer: Lok Sabha
  5. Briefly explain what a ‘coalition government’ means.
    Answer: A government formed by an alliance of two or more political parties, often when no single party secures an absolute majority in elections.