Consider the following statements regarding the role of political parties in modern democracies : I. In most democracies, elections are fought mainly among the candidates put up by political parties. II. Political parties put forward different policies and programmes and the voters choose from them. III. Political parties shape public opinion. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A.I and II only
- B.II and III only
- C.I and III only
- D.I, II and III
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is D, I, II and III. All three statements describe functions that political parties perform in a modern representative democracy.
Parties contest elections: in most democracies the real contest is between candidates nominated by parties, and in India too most members of the Lok Sabha belong to some party. Parties also put forward rival policies and programmes, so the voter chooses between packages of ideas rather than individuals alone. Through their workers, campaigns, agitations and the media, parties raise issues and shape public opinion. Besides these, parties form and run governments, play the role of opposition, make laws in the legislature and give people access to welfare schemes.
A is wrong because it leaves out statement III, which is also a basic function. B is wrong because it drops statement I, even though contesting elections is the most visible work of a party. C is wrong because it omits statement II, the offering of policies and programmes to the voters.
Exam tip: Functions of parties are contest elections, offer policies, make laws, form government or opposition and shape public opinion.
Practice Questions
View allThe right to form associations and unions is a right
- A.guaranteed to everybody
- B.to freedom guaranteed to citizens only
- C.to equality before law
- D.to life and personal liberty
Show answer
The right to form associations or unions is part of Article 19, and Article 19 rights belong only to citizens of India.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following statements with regard to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes is not correct?
- A.The Union and every State Government shall consult the Commission on all major policy matters affecting Scheduled Tribes.
- B.All the reports of the Commission and its recommendations shall be laid only before Lok Sabha.
- C.The Commission, while investigating any matter, has all the powers of a Civil Court.
- D.The Commission has the power to regulate its own procedures.
Show answer
It is not correct, because the President causes the Commission's reports to be laid before each House of Parliament, not only before the Lok Sabha.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following statements with regard to the conduct of elections in India is/are not correct? 1. The responsibility for the preparation of the electoral rolls is vested in the Election Commission of India. 2. The Model Code of Conduct comes into existence as soon as the date of the election is announced. 3. The laws relating to delimitation of constituencies are made by the Election Commission of India. 4. No election shall be called in question except by an election petition. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A.3 only
- B.1, 2 and 4
- C.1, 2 and 3
- D.4 only
Show answer
Statement 3 is the only incorrect one, because laws on the delimitation of constituencies are made by Parliament, not by the Election Commission.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following statements with regard to the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India is not correct?
- A.It was inserted by the Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1951.
- B.The Acts and Regulations specified in the Ninth Schedule shall become void on the ground that it violates a fundamental right in Part III of the Constitution.
- C.The Supreme Court has the power of judicial review of an Act included in the Ninth Schedule on the doctrine of basic structure.
- D.The appropriate Legislature can repeal or amend an Act specified in the Ninth Schedule.
Show answer
It is not correct, because Article 31B says the opposite: an Act placed in the Ninth Schedule shall not become void merely because it is inconsistent with a fundamental right in Part III.
Read the full explanation →The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India pertains to the administration of tribal areas in which of the following States?
- A.Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram
- B.Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur and Mizoram
- C.Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya and Tripura
- D.Manipur, Meghalaya, Tripura and Arunachal Pradesh
Show answer
The Sixth Schedule covers the administration of tribal areas in exactly these four north-eastern states.
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