Short question and answers
1.When were the first general elections held in India?
Answer: The first general elections were held in 1952.
2.Which elections were held simultaneously with the first Lok Sabha elections?
Answer: The State Assembly elections were held simultaneously.
3.Which party won the second largest number of Lok Sabha seats in the first elections?
Answer: The Communist Party of India won the second largest number of seats.
4.What was one of the guiding principles of the Swatantra Party?
Answer: One of its guiding principles was an economy free from state control.
5.Is one-party dominance linked to the nation’s colonial past?
Answer: True, it is linked to the nation’s colonial past.
6.What ideology did the Bharatiya Jana Sangh promote?
Answer: It promoted the ideology of one country, one culture, and one nation.
7.What would have been a policy focus of the Communist Party of India?
Answer: They would have emphasized control over electronic mass media by an autonomous body.
8.In what sense was the Congress an ideological coalition?
Answer: It merged different social groups and ideologies, accommodating various beliefs.
9.What were the various ideological currents present within the Congress?
Answer: Ideologies ranged from revolutionary to conservative, and from radical to moderate.
10.Why did one-party dominance occur?
Answer: It occurred due to the absence of strong alternative political parties and a strong public opinion.
11.How would policies differ if the Bharatiya Jana Sangh had formed the government?
Answer: Policies would focus on cultural unity and oppose concessions to minorities.
12.What would be different if the Communist Party of India had formed the government?
Answer: The government would work for proportional representation and follow communist ideology.
13.Who were eligible to participate in the first general elections?
Answer: All adults aged 21 and above were eligible to vote.
14.What was the outcome of the first general elections?
Answer: The Indian National Congress emerged as the dominant party.
15.How long did the era of one-party dominance last?
Answer: It lasted until the 1970s when other parties began to gain strength.
long question and answers
1.How did the Congress party dominate the political landscape in India post-independence?
Answer: The Congress party dominated the political landscape in India post-independence through various means. Initially, it enjoyed widespread popularity due to its role in the independence movement and its charismatic leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru.
Additionally, it had a well-established organizational structure, which helped it to mobilize support across the country. Furthermore, the Congress party’s policies of secularism and socialist-leaning economic policies resonated with a significant portion of the electorate, solidifying its dominance.
2.Discuss the factors that contributed to the era of one-party dominance in India.
Answer: Several factors contributed to the era of one-party dominance in India. Firstly, the Congress party’s role in the independence movement and its association with national icons like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru gave it immense legitimacy and popularity.
Secondly, the lack of a credible opposition with a pan-Indian presence allowed the Congress to dominate the political scene.
Thirdly, the socio-economic policies pursued by the Congress, such as land reforms and the promotion of public sector enterprises, appealed to a wide section of the population, strengthening its electoral base.
3.How did the dominance of the Congress party impact the functioning of democracy in India?
Answer: The dominance of the Congress party had both positive and negative impacts on the functioning of democracy in India. On the positive side, it provided stability and continuity to the political system, which was crucial in the early years of nation-building.
Moreover, the Congress party’s inclusive policies helped in integrating diverse regions and communities into the national mainstream. However, on the negative side, the lack of a credible opposition hindered the proper functioning of democratic institutions such as the legislature. It also led to issues of centralization of power and authoritarian tendencies within the Congress party itself.
4.Analyze the challenges faced by opposition parties during the era of one-party dominance.
Answer: Opposition parties faced numerous challenges during the era of one-party dominance. Firstly, they struggled to match the organizational strength and resources of the Congress party, which hindered their ability to mobilize support effectively.
Secondly, the lack of a level playing field, including instances of electoral malpractices and restrictions on political activities, posed significant hurdles for opposition parties.
Additionally, the dominance of the Congress party at the state level often resulted in the misuse of governmental machinery to suppress opposition voices. Overall, these challenges made it difficult for opposition parties to emerge as viable alternatives to the Congress party.
5.Discuss the role of regional parties in challenging the dominance of the Congress party.
Answer: Regional parties played a crucial role in challenging the dominance of the Congress party, especially in states where they had a strong presence. These parties often emerged as champions of regional aspirations and identities, effectively mobilizing support around issues specific to their respective states.
Moreover, the federal structure of the Indian political system provided opportunities for regional parties to assert their influence at the state level, thereby reducing the Congress party’s hegemony in certain regions. Over time, regional parties formed alliances and coalitions at the national level, further weakening the Congress party’s grip on power.
6.How did the emergence of coalition politics contribute to the decline of one-party dominance in India?
Answer: The emergence of coalition politics played a significant role in challenging the one-party dominance of the Congress in India. As regional parties gained prominence, they began to form alliances and coalitions with each other to collectively oppose the Congress party at the national level.
These coalitions, often referred to as ‘third fronts,’ provided a platform for non-Congress and non-BJP parties to come together based on shared ideological or political interests. The success of such coalitions in winning parliamentary seats and forming governments signaled a shift away from the era of one-party dominance towards a more fragmented political landscape.
7.Evaluate the impact of economic liberalization on the Indian political scenario during the era of one-party dominance.
Answer: Economic liberalization, initiated in the early 1990s, had a profound impact on the Indian political scenario during the era of one-party dominance. It led to significant changes in India’s economic policies, moving towards a more market-oriented approach and opening up the economy to foreign investment and trade.
This shift had political repercussions, as it challenged the traditional socialist economic agenda of the Congress party. Additionally, it created new opportunities for political actors, including regional parties and emerging leaders, to capitalize on the changing economic landscape and mobilize support around issues of economic reform and development.
8.Examine the role of social movements in challenging the dominance of the Congress party during the era of one-party rule.
Answer: Social movements played a crucial role in challenging the dominance of the Congress party during the era of one-party rule. Movements advocating for social justice, environmental protection, and other causes mobilized people across various sections of society, including farmers, workers, and marginalized communities.
These movements often targeted the policies and practices of the Congress party, demanding greater accountability and responsiveness to the needs of the people. Additionally, social movements provided a platform for civil society organizations and non-governmental actors to influence the political agenda and push for progressive reforms.
9.Discuss the impact of coalition politics on governance and policy-making in India.
Answer: The impact of coalition politics on governance and policy-making in India has been both positive and negative. On the positive side, coalitions have led to greater representation of diverse interests and perspectives in decision-making processes.
They have also encouraged consensus-building and compromise among political parties, leading to more inclusive and participatory governance. However, coalitions have also been associated with instability and policy paralysis, as competing interests often hindered the implementation of coherent policies. Moreover, the need to accommodate coalition partners sometimes resulted in compromises that were not always in the best interest of the country.
10.Assess the legacy of one-party dominance on India’s democratic institutions and political culture.
Answer: The legacy of one-party dominance has had a lasting impact on India’s democratic institutions and political culture. While it provided stability and continuity in the initial years of independence, it also entrenched certain undemocratic practices such as centralization of power and suppression of dissent.
Moreover, it fostered a culture of political patronage and clientelism, where access to resources and opportunities was often determined by loyalty to the ruling party. However, the era of one-party dominance also laid the groundwork for the emergence of a multi-party democracy, characterized by greater competition and diversity of political voices. Overall, its legacy continues to shape India’s political landscape and democratic ethos.
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