Political Parties and Internal Democracy Issues

Class X Civics Notes - Summary

• The provided text is a set of study notes for a Class X Civics course. It covers topics like power sharing, federalism, political parties, and the outcomes of democracy.
• The notes detail various concepts, examples, and challenges related to these topics, focusing on the Indian context and comparing it with other countries (e.g., Belgium, Sri Lanka).
• The notes are structured to explain the key elements and practical implementation, along with advantages and disadvantages, of each concept.

Power Sharing

• Power sharing is a crucial aspect of modern democracies.
• It involves the division of power among different organs of government (executive, legislative, judicial).
• It also involves power sharing among governments at different levels (central, state, local).
• A federal system shares power between central and regional governments.
• The Belgian model demonstrates an accommodation of differences through power division.
• Majoritarianism, where the majority dictates decisions, ignoring minority interests, is a concern.
• Sri Lanka's experience highlights potential tensions arising from ethnic and religious divides.
• Power sharing among different social groups (like religion or language) can be crucial also.

Federalism

• Federalism is a system of government where power is distributed between a central authority and constituent units (states or provinces).
• In a federation, the central and regional governments share power, with specified jurisdictions.
• India has a federal structure, although the central government has more power than the states in some cases.
• The Indian constitution has a system for dividing responsibilities and power between different tiers of government.
• Federalism has mechanisms for protecting minority interests.

Political Parties

• Political parties are essential for democracies because they act as a means to aggregate opinions, organize and unite citizens, and provide for structured policy choices.
• Different parties represent distinct political ideologies, opinions, and philosophies.
• Parties contest elections by selecting and campaigning on behalf of particular candidates.
• Several functions are performed by parties: putting forward policies, forming and running governments, acting as an opposition, influencing and shaping public opinion, and providing access to governance for ordinary citizens.
• These functions shape the way democracies are run; parties are necessary for effective governance, popular participation, policy and leadership selection.
• Several challenges to functioning political parties include internal democracy issues, the rise of dynastic leadership, the use of money and muscle power, and the decline of party policy or ideological diversity.
• Ways to reform political behaviour and institutions include anti-defection laws, greater transparency in candidate financial information and campaign funding, more accessible leadership processes and greater state support for and regulation of political parties. This can improve quality of governance, reduce corruption, and reduce the influence of wealthy donors.

Outcomes of Democracy

• Democracy can better promote equality among citizens, and the dignity of every individual; also a method to solve conflicts and correct mistakes.
• Democracy is seen to be a positive force in terms of accommodation of social diversity, providing greater legitimacy to the government.
• However, democracies may not always be successful in reducing inequality or producing a more effective government, as the presence of economic disparity, corruption and violence remains a problem in many democracies.

Gender, Religion, and Caste in Politics

• Social factors like gender, religion, and caste frequently impact politics.
• Gender divisions and expectations often influence political participation.
• Differences in religious beliefs are often expressed in political ideologies and mobilization.
• The influence of caste-based divisions and discrimination is significant in India.
• Historical context and socio-economic implications impact the expression of social divisions in political life. Social differences are translated into conflicts of interests.
• The most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs and behaviour, often involving prejudice, stereotypes and a belief of superiority.
• The secular nature of Indian democracy is an important feature in how it manages pluralism.
• The constitution prohibits discrimination based on religion or caste and provides for freedom of religious expression; but there are issues of unequal power distribution and its enforcement.

Additional Notes

• The provided notes are complex and detailed, covering substantial content related to 10th-grade Civics.
• The information is presented in a comprehensive manner, providing explanations, examples, and critical analysis of the topics.