Indian Democracy and Election Commission
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Questions and Answers

What was one major challenge faced by newly independent countries regarding democracy?

  • Maintaining national unity (correct)
  • Establishing a multi-party system
  • Creating a federal government
  • Promoting economic growth

India's leaders viewed politics primarily as a way to create problems within society.

False (B)

Who was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India?

Sukumar Sen

The Indian Constitution came into effect on __________.

<p>26th January 1950</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following challenges faced by the Election Commission with their descriptions:

<p>Delimitation of electoral constituencies = Necessary for proper election conduct Preparation of electoral rolls = Time-consuming task to list eligible voters Ensuring fair elections = Difficulty due to India's vast size Conducting elections = Challenge due to diverse population</p> Signup and view all the answers

What method did Indian leaders choose to resolve the conflicting aspirations of different societal groups?

<p>Democratic politics (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Fair elections are considered easy to conduct in a large country like India.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What important institution was established in January 1950 to oversee elections in India?

<p>Election Commission</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was the founder of the Bharatiya Jana Sangh?

<p>Shyama Prasad Mukherjee (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Communist Party of India was primarily religious and traditional.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was observed during the first draft of the electoral rolls?

<p>Names of around 40 lakh women were not recorded (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name one of the notable leaders of the Communist Party of India.

<p>AK Gopalan</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Election Commission accepted the observation of missing names in the electoral rolls.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who founded the Socialist Party in India?

<p>Acharya Narendra Dev</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Bharatiya Jana Sangh advocated for the concept of one country, one ______, and one nation.

<p>culture</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which political party split into the CPI and CPI(Marxist) in 1964?

<p>Communist Party of India (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ideology of the Socialist Party criticized ______.

<p>capitalism</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following political parties with their characteristics:

<p>Socialist Party = Ideology of democratic socialism Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party = Focus on farmers and laborers Praja Socialist Party = Reunions and splits from the Socialist Party Samyukta Socialist Party = A coalition of various socialist groups</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following parties with their origins:

<p>Bharatiya Jana Sangh = One country, one culture Communist Party of India = Secular and authoritarian Samajwadi Party = Socialist Party Rashtriya Janata Dal = Socialist roots</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one effect of having multiple political parties during the era of one-party dominance?

<p>It changed the balance of power within the Congress (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The PRI in Mexico was founded as a symbol of authoritarian rule.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the Congress as a coalition?

<p>Strikes a balance on various issues (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which decade did the Communist Party of India experience a major split?

<p>1960s</p> Signup and view all the answers

The leaders of the opposition parties had a mutual respect relationship with Congress leaders initially.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name one leader from the socialist parties.

<p>Jayaprakash Narayan</p> Signup and view all the answers

Factions within Congress were seen as a weakness of the party.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name one factor that contributed to Congress's dominance in the first three general elections.

<p>Widespread organization across the country</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Congress party won _____ of the 489 seats in the first Lok Sabha.

<p>364</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following aspects with their characteristics:

<p>Coalition of Congress = Inclusion and representation of diverse groups Factions = Strength and balance within the party Opposition parties of the 1950s = Limited representation but crucial for democracy Jawaharlal Nehru = Popular leader of the Congress</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a significant outcome of the emergence of opposition parties?

<p>Enhanced democratic character of the political system (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Communist Party of India was the second highest party in terms of seats won in the first Lok Sabha.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the coalition nature of Congress allow parties to do during the freedom struggle?

<p>Accommodate internal differences and diverse aspirations</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which states did the Congress not win a majority of seats in the state elections?

<p>Travancore-Cochin, Madras, and Orissa (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Jawaharlal Nehru became the Prime Minister after the second general election.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of total votes did the Congress receive in 1952?

<p>45%</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the second general election held in ________, the Congress maintained its position by winning three-fourths of the seats.

<p>1957</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which party was the second largest in terms of votes in the elections mentioned?

<p>Socialist Party (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Match the following countries with their description of political dominance:

<p>China = Single-party state with constitution Cuba = Single-party state with constitution Egypt = One-party state due to legal measures Myanmar = One-party state due to military measures</p> Signup and view all the answers

The general election of 1952 was postponed three times before being held.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the average number of candidates per seat in the general elections?

<p>More than four</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Delimitation of electoral constituencies

The process of dividing a country into electoral constituencies based on population, ensuring fair representation.

Electoral Rolls

The official list of registered voters in an election, crucial for conducting fair and transparent elections.

Election Commission of India

The body established in India in January 1950 to conduct and oversee elections, ensuring fair and free elections.

One-Party Dominance

The system where a single political party dominates the political landscape, often lacking strong opposition.

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Challenge of Building Democracy in India

The challenges faced by India in building democracy, stemming from historical context and diverse social structures.

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Politics as a tool for solving problems

The view that politics can be used to solve societal problems, emphasizing its role in achieving common good.

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Resolving conflicting aspirations through democracy

The process of resolving conflicting interests and aspirations of different groups within a society through democratic means.

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Deciding and pursuing public interest

The main goal and focus of political activity, aimed at deciding and pursuing policies that benefit the public.

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Electoral Rolls Omission

The Election Commission rejected the initial draft of the electoral rolls due to the omission of approximately 4 million women's names.

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Congress Party Check & Balance

The Congress Party, despite its dominance, underwent checks and balances due to the presence of strong opposition parties.

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Opposition Role in Democracy

Opposition parties played a vital role in fostering a democratic environment by offering constructive criticism and shaping the country's political landscape.

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Early Years of Opposition Collaboration

The initial years of India's independence saw a respectful dialogue between the Congress and opposition leaders, often collaborating in governance.

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Socialist Party Origin

The Socialist Party emerged from a movement within the Indian National Congress, advocating for democratic socialism and criticizing capitalism.

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Socialist Party Splits

The Socialist Party experienced numerous splits and reunions, creating several socialist parties with different ideologies.

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Leaders of the Socialist Party

Key leaders of the Socialist Party, like Jayaprakash Narayan, Rammanohar Lohia, and S.M. Joshi, played a crucial role in India's politics.

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Congress Dominance Reasons

The Congress's dominance was due to its inclusivity and the significant role it played in the country's independence movement.

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What was the Bharatiya Jana Sangh and its key beliefs?

The Bharatiya Jana Sangh was founded in 1951 by Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, advocating for 'one country, one culture, one nation' and a unified India (Akhand Bharat). It also championed India's development of nuclear weapons, particularly after China's nuclear tests in 1964.

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How did the Communist Party of India (CPI) evolve in its early years?

The Communist Party of India (CPI) emerged in the 1920s, advocating for Marxist ideology and a socialist-oriented society. It initially operated within the Indian National Congress, but later supported the British during WWII, causing a split in 1941.

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What led to the division within the Communist Party of India?

The CPI experienced a major split in 1964 due to ideological differences related to the Soviet-China rift. The pro-Soviet faction retained the CPI name, while the opposing group formed the CPI (Marxist). Both continue to exist today.

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Describe the PRI and its origins in Mexico.

Founded in 1929 as the National Revolutionary Party, the PRI (Partido Revolucionario Institucional) dominated Mexican politics for nearly six decades. It was a symbol of the Mexican Revolution's legacy, representing a coalition of political, military, labor, and peasant groups.

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How did the PRI's rule affect Mexican democracy?

Known as the 'perfect dictatorship,' the PRI's long rule had a significant impact on Mexican democracy. The party's control and tactics had lasting effects on the political landscape.

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Factions within a political party

Groups within a political party that may have different views or goals than the party's overall platform.

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Multi-party democracy

A political system where multiple parties compete for power, with no single party consistently dominating.

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Balancing political interests

The act of reaching a compromise between different groups or factions within a party or government, often involving concessions from all sides.

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Dominant Political Party

The political party that dominates the government for a long period, often forming the majority in the legislature.

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One-Party State

A political system where one party consistently holds power, often suppressing opposition and dissent.

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First General Election in India (1952)

The first general election in India, held from October 1951 to February 1952, where the Indian National Congress (INC) won a landslide victory.

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Indian Congress Dominance vs. Other One-Party Systems

The difference between the Indian Congress dominance and other one-party systems is that democracy was not compromised in India, unlike in countries like China, Cuba, and Syria.

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Kerala's Coalition Government (1957)

In 1957, a coalition led by the Communist Party of India (CPI) formed the government in Kerala, marking a significant exception to the Congress's dominance.

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Artificial Boost of Congress Victory

The Congress's victory in the 1952 election was considered artificially boosted by the electoral system, where they won 74% of the seats despite only securing 45% of the votes.

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Study Notes

Era of One-Party Dominance

  • Independent India faced significant challenges establishing democracy, as many countries experienced non-democratic governance after independence.
  • India's leaders prioritized democracy and politics as problem-solving tools, not problem-creators.
  • Diverse groups within Indian society were accommodated through democratic politics.
  • The Congress party's success stemmed from its strong organizational network, its roots in the national movement, and its inclusive nature representing various social groups.
  • The party's ability to encompass differing viewpoints contributed to its dominance.

Setting Up of Election Commission

  • India's constitution took effect in 1950, necessitating the immediate establishment of an election commission.
  • Early challenges in Indian elections included significant difficulties in carrying out fair elections given the vast size of the country.
  • Establishing electoral rolls was a crucial but complex task, encountering issues like underrepresentation of women.
  • The Election Commission recommended revisions to address data inaccuracies and ensure fairer electoral representation.

Major Political Parties of India

  • The Socialist Party was formed in 1948, emphasizing democratic socialism, critiquing capitalism.
  • Key founders and leaders of the Socialist party included Acharya Narendra Dev, Jayaprakash Narayan, AK Gopalan, SA Dange, EMS Namboodiripad, PC Joshi, and Ajay Ghosh and P Sundarayya.
  • The Bharatiya Jana Sangh was founded in 1951, with ideologies of a unified India and a call for nuclear development.
  • Leaders of the Bhartiya Jana Sangh included Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, and Balraj Madhok.
  • The Communist Party of India also played a part in Indian politics
  • The Communist Party of India was primarily secular, modern, and authoritarian but faced schisms related to ideological differences.

Congress Dominance in the First Three General Elections

  • Jawaharlal Nehru's leadership and charismatic campaign played a key role in raising Congress's popularity and winning significant support amongst the public.
  • The Congress Party won a majority of seats and held dominant positions in national and state governments for the initial three general elections.
  • The Congress's victory was partially facilitated by electoral systems which did not always reflect voter preferences.
  • The Congress party's dominance in India was a complex phenomenon that was characterized by extensive organization, charismatic leadership, and the inclusion of diverse social groups.
  • Other parties also existed but had less organized approaches and lacked popular leaders.
  • The dominance was maintained in subsequent elections.

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Era of One-Party Dominance PDF

Description

Explore the challenges and successes of establishing democracy in India post-independence. This quiz covers the era of one-party dominance and the initial setup of the Election Commission, focusing on how various social groups were accommodated through democratic practices.

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