NCERT Solutions for Social Civics Class 10 Chapter 4

NCERT Solutions for Class 10
Social Science (Civics)
Chapter 4– Political Parties
1. State the various functions political parties perform in a democracy.
Answer: Political parties fulfil the following functions in a democracy:
• Candidates are nominated by political parties to run in elections. These candidates may be picked by the party’s top leaders or by party members.
• Parties provide their policies and programs for voters to choose from.
• Political parties play a significant role in the creation of legislation for the country. No law can become a bill unless it has the backing of a majority of the legislature.
• Political parties create and govern governments.
• Parties that lose elections serve as the opposition to the party in power.
• Political parties shape public opinion.
• Political parties serve as a vital link between the government and the general public. The public can access their local leader more easily than a government official. The local leader must respond to public demand or risk losing the next election.
2. What are the various challenges faced by political parties?
Answer: The various challenges faced by political parties are shown below:
Lack of Internal democracy:
• Every member of the party does not have a say in the decision-making process.
• Before making a decision, no member is consulted.

• There is no proper organization or member registration.
• Power is still concentrated in the hands of a few elite leaders, who do not consult with common members.
• Ordinary members do not know the party’s internal operations.
Dynastic Succession: With authority concentrated in the hands of a few top leaders, all party positions are filled by family members. These members may not be capable of holding their positions.
Money and Muscle Power:
• Funding is required to organize demonstrations, public gatherings, and speeches to publicize the party’s image. Parties select candidates who can collect funds for the party and win elections using their resources.
• Parties may also endorse criminal candidates if they believe they can win elections.
Meaningful choice to others:
The majority of political parties share the same fundamental and ideological issues. Voters do not have a meaningful alternative. Even leaders switch parties, which confuses voters.
3. Suggest some reforms to strengthen parties so that they perform their functions well?
Answer: Some reforms to strengthen parties are shown below.
• A law should be enacted to govern political parties’ internal affairs.
• Political parties should be required to provide a certain number of tickets, around one-third of which should go to female candidates.
• Elections should be funded by the state. The government should provide funds to political parties to help with election expenses.

4. What is a political party?
Answer: A political party is a group of people who share an ideology and hence band together to run for office and hold power in government.
5. What are the characteristics of a political party?
Answer: The characteristics of a political party are given below.
∙ A political party is made up of members who agree on certain goals and programs for society to promote the common good.
• It aims to put plans into effect by gaining popular support through elections.
• The presence of a party leader, employees, and followers.
• It is a collection of people who band together to run for office and hold power in government.
6. A group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government is called a ______________________.
Answer: Political Party
7. Match List I (organisations and struggles) with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

8. Who among the following is the founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party?
A. Kanshi Ram
B. Sahu Maharaj
C. B.R. Ambedkar
D. Jotiba Phule
Answer: A. Kanshi Ram

9. What is the guiding philosophy of the Bharatiya Janata Party?
A. Bahujan Samaj
B. Revolutionary democracy
C. Integral humanism
D. Modernity
Answer: D. Modernity

10. Consider the following statements on parties.
A. Political parties do not enjoy much trust among the people.
B. Parties are often rocked by scandals involving top-party leaders.
C. Parties are not necessary to run governments.
Which of the statements given above is correct?

a. A, B, and C
b. A and B
c. B and C
d. A and C

Answer: (b) A and B

11. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:

Muhammad Yunus is a famous economist in Bangladesh. He received several international honours for his efforts to promote economic and social development for the benefit of the poor. He and the Grameen Bank which he started jointly, received the Nobel Peace Prize for the year 2006. In February 2007, he decided to launch a political party and contest in the parliamentary elections. His objective was to foster proper leadership, and good governance and build a new Bangladesh. He felt that only a political party different from the traditional ones would bring about a new political culture. His party would be democratic from the grassroots level. The launching of the new party, called Nagarik Shakti (Citizens’ Power), has caused a stir among the Bangladeshis. While many welcomed his decision, some did not like it. “Now I think Bangladesh will have a chance to choose between good and bad and eventually have a good government,” said Shahedul Islam, a government official. “That government, we hope, would not only keep itself away from corruption but also make fighting corruption and black money a top priority.” But leaders of traditional political parties who dominated the country’s politics for decades were apprehensive. “There was no debate (over him) winning the Nobel, but politics is different – very challenging and often controversial,” said a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Some others were highly critical. They asked why he was rushing into politics. “Is he being planted in politics by mentors from outside the country,” asked one political observer.

Do you think Yunus made a right decision to float a new political party?

Do you agree with the statements and fears expressed by various people? How do you want this new party organised to make it different from other parties? If you were the one to begin this political party, how would you defend it?

Answer: Students should write the answers in their own words after going through the above paragraph.