Analyse the role of a multiparty system in a democratic country like India.
Answer:
Answer by Student
A multiparty system is a system in which several political parties exist and compete for power in a democratic country. India has a multiparty system with more than 2000 registered parties and about 50 national and regional parties. The role of a multiparty system in India is as follows:
- Reflects diversity : A multiparty system reflects the diversity of India’s society, culture, religion, language, ethnicity and region. It allows different groups and interests to have a voice and representation in the political system. It also accommodates different ideologies and perspectives on various issues.
- Promotes democracy : A multiparty system promotes democracy by providing more choices and alternatives to the voters. It also ensures accountability and transparency of the government by allowing opposition parties to criticise and challenge its policies and performance. It also fosters healthy competition and cooperation among parties for public welfare.
-
Facilitates coalition
: A multiparty system facilitates
coalition politics
in India, where no single party can secure a majority of seats in the parliament or state assemblies. This requires parties to form
alliances
or
coalitions
with other parties based on common minimum programs or agendas. This can enhance the
stability
and
legitimacy
of the government and also promote
consensus
and
compromise
on key issues.
-
Encourages participation
: A multiparty system encourages the
participation
of people in the political process by providing them with various platforms and opportunities to express their views and grievances. It also mobilises people on various issues and causes that affect them or their interests. It also empowers people to hold their representatives
accountable
for their actions and promises.
- Strengthens federalism : A multiparty system strengthens federalism in India by giving more space and autonomy to the regional parties and states. It also ensures that the central government respects the diversity and aspirations of the states and regions. It also promotes cooperative federalism by facilitating dialogue and coordination among different levels of government.
Detailed Answer by Teachoo
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A multiparty system is a system in which several political parties exist and compete for power in a democratic country. India has a multiparty system with more than 2000 registered parties and about 50 national and regional parties. The role of a multiparty system in India is as follows:
- Reflects diversity : One of the main roles of a multiparty system in India is that it reflects the diversity of India’s society, culture, religion, language, ethnicity and region. India is a vast and diverse country with many social groups and interests that have different aspirations and demands. A multiparty system allows these groups and interests to have a voice and representation in the political system through various parties that cater to their needs and concerns. For example, there are parties that represent specific castes, communities, religions, regions or ideologies such as Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Shiv Sena, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) or Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M). A multiparty system also accommodates different ideologies and perspectives on various issues such as secularism, nationalism, socialism or liberalism.
- Promotes democracy : Another role of a multiparty system in India is that it promotes democracy by providing more choices and alternatives to the voters. A multiparty system ensures that the voters have a wide range of options to choose from while electing their representatives. It also ensures that no single party can dominate or monopolise the political power or agenda. A multiparty system also ensures accountability and transparency of the government by allowing opposition parties to criticise and challenge its policies and performance. It also fosters healthy competition and cooperation among parties for public welfare.
- Facilitates coalition : A third role of a multiparty system in India is that it facilitates coalition politics in India, where no single party can secure a majority of seats in the parliament or state assemblies. This requires parties to form alliances or coalitions with other parties based on common minimum programs or agendas. This can enhance the stability and legitimacy of the government and also promote consensus and compromise on key issues. For example, there have been several coalition governments at the centre such as Janata Party (1977-1979), National Front (1989-1990), United Front (1996-1998), National Democratic Alliance (1998-2004, 2014-present) and United Progressive Alliance (2004-2014).
- Encourages participation : A fourth role of a multiparty system in India is that it encourages participation of people in the political process by providing them with various platforms and opportunities to express their views and grievances. A multiparty system mobilizes people on various issues and causes that affect them or their interests. It also empowers people to hold their representatives accountable for their actions and promises. For example, there are parties that raise issues such as corruption, environment, human rights, women’s empowerment, farmers’ welfare, etc. such as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC), etc.
- Strengthens federalism : A fifth role of a multiparty system in India is that it strengthens federalism in India by giving more space and autonomy to the regional parties and states. It also ensures that the central government respects the diversity and aspirations of the states and regions. It also promotes cooperative federalism by facilitating dialogue and coordination among different levels of government. For example, there are parties that champion the cause of regional development and autonomy such as Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Trinamool Congress (TMC), etc.
