NCERT Political Science (Civics) Class 10 Chapter 4 | Challenges To Political Parties
Topic & sub-topics covered: “Challenges To Political Parties Class 10” and MCQs Questions: Political Parties (All single detail notes are exam-oriented).
We have discussed in-depth and exam-oriented pointers that can be asked in the board exam of class 10th about “Challenges To Political Parties Class 10” from the NCERT Political Science (Civics) notes for class 10th chapter 4 “Political Parties“.
Download the NCERT Political Science (Civics) for Class 10 Chapter 4 Political Parties PDF Notes
Get comprehensive insights into the function of political parties with our Class 10 Political Science (Civics) Chapter 4 Political Parties PDF Notes. This chapter explains the role of political parties in a democracy, political parties structure, and their impact on governance.
The notes cover all important topics, such as the necessity of political parties, their classification, and the challenges parties face in India. They are prepared according to the CBSE syllabus. These notes simplify concepts and provide easy-to-understand notes with different examples to help you prepare for your board/school exams.
Download the PDF now to prepare for your Class 10 Civics exam and enhance your understanding of political parties!
Challenges To Political Parties Class 10

1. General Issues with Political Parties:
- Political parties are considered the most visible face of democracy.
- Blame on parties: People often blame political parties for problems in democracy.
- Four key problem areas challenge political parties globally and in India.
2. First Challenge: Lack of Internal Democracy:
- Concentration of power: Power is centralized in the hands of one or a few leaders at the top.
- No transparency: No membership registers, organizational meetings, or regular internal elections.
- Lack of participation: Ordinary members are uninformed and lack the means to influence party decisions.
- Loyalty shift: Personal loyalty to leaders becomes more important than party principles.
- Consequences:
a. Leaders dominate decision-making.
b. Disagreements lead to members leaving the party.
3. Second Challenge: Dynastic Succession:
- Closed systems: Ordinary workers have limited opportunities to rise in party ranks.
- Unfair advantage: Leaders favour family members or close associates.
- Impact on democracy:
a. Inexperienced or unpopular individuals occupy key positions.
b. Present globally, even in older democracies.
4. Third Challenge: Role of Money and Muscle Power:
- Election focus: Parties prioritize winning elections, often using unethical means.
- Influence of wealth:
a. Parties nominate candidates who can raise significant funds.
b. Rich individuals and companies influence party policies. - Criminal candidates: Some parties support candidates with criminal backgrounds for electoral success.
- Global concern: Growing role of wealthy individuals and corporations in politics.
5. Fourth Challenge: Decline in Meaningful Choice:
- Limited ideological differences:
a. Political parties have fewer distinct ideologies.
b. Example: Labour and Conservative Parties in Britain differ only on policy details. - Reduced options:
a. Major parties in India show minimal differences in economic policies.
b. Voters often cannot choose distinct leaders as the same individuals switch parties.
6. Conclusion:
- Political parties must address these challenges to remain effective instruments of democracy.
- Focus areas include internal democracy, reducing dynastic control, limiting money and muscle power, and offering distinct ideological choices.
Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE Political Science (Civics) Class 10 Chapter 4: Political Parties
Topics No. | Topics Name |
---|---|
1 | Why Do We Need Political Parties? |
2 | How Many Parties Should We Have? |
3 | Challenges To Political Parties |
4 | How Can Parties Be Reformed? |
MCQs on NCERT Civics Class 10 Chapter 4 Tpoic – Challenges To Political Parties
Here are top exam oriented mcq’s type questions on “Challenges To Political Parties” that you should prepare for your CBSE or state board exams:
Question 1. Why are political parties considered crucial for democracy?
a) They are the sole source of funding for elections
b) They are the most visible face of democracy
c) They prevent criticism of government policies
d) They eliminate the need for elections
Answer: b) They are the most visible face of democracy
Question 2. Which of the following is NOT one of the challenges political parties face?
a) Lack of internal democracy
b) Dynastic succession
c) The rise of independent candidates
d) Growing role of money and muscle power
Answer: c) The rise of independent candidates
Question 3. What does a lack of internal democracy in political parties result in?
a) Greater transparency within the party
b) Concentration of power in a few leaders
c) Easier decision-making processes
d) Equal opportunities for all members
Answer: b) Concentration of power in a few leaders
Question 4. Why do political parties fail to hold internal elections regularly?
a) To maintain transparency
b) To encourage grassroots participation
c) To concentrate power in a few leaders
d) To comply with legal requirements
Answer: c) To concentrate power in a few leaders
Question 5. What is a common consequence of dynastic succession in political parties?
a) Increased grassroots participation
b) Unfair advantage for family members of leaders
c) Reduced influence of family members
d) Increased ideological differences within the party
Answer: b) Unfair advantage for family members of leaders
Question 6. How does dynastic succession negatively impact democracy?
a) By promoting transparency
b) By allowing inexperienced individuals to hold power
c) By encouraging internal elections
d) By ensuring fair representation of all members
Answer: b) By allowing inexperienced individuals to hold power
Question 7. What is one major issue caused by the growing role of money in politics?
a) Political parties become less competitive
b) Rich individuals and companies influence policies
c) Election processes become more transparent
d) It reduces the need for political campaigns
Answer: b) Rich individuals and companies influence policies
Question 8. Why do political parties support candidates with money or muscle power?
a) To comply with election laws
b) To reduce campaign expenses
c) To increase their chances of winning elections
d) To promote ideological diversity
Answer: c) To increase their chances of winning elections
Question 9. What does the lack of meaningful choice in political parties lead to?
a) Increased ideological diversity
b) Reduced voter turnout
c) Voters electing similar leaders or policies
d) Elimination of smaller political parties
Answer: c) Voters electing similar leaders or policies
Question 10. What is the result of reduced ideological differences among political parties?
a) Easier decision-making processes for voters
b) Limited options for voters seeking different policies
c) Increased political stability
d) Elimination of smaller parties
Answer: b) Limited options for voters seeking different policies
Question 11. What is the primary reason for voters being unable to elect different leaders?
a) Leaders shifting from one party to another
b) Frequent internal elections in parties
c) Limited funding for campaigns
d) Lack of media coverage
Answer: a) Leaders shifting from one party to another
Question 12. Which country is mentioned as an example of reduced ideological differences among parties?
a) India
b) Britain
c) United States
d) France
Answer: b) Britain
Question 13. What is an example of the concentration of power within political parties?
a) Leaders making decisions on behalf of the party
b) Regular internal elections
c) Open and transparent decision-making processes
d) Frequent consultations with party members
Answer: a) Leaders making decisions on behalf of the party
Question 14. What is the focus of criticism regarding political parties worldwide?
a) Their ability to maintain ideological diversity
b) Their failure to perform their functions well
c) Their emphasis on grassroots-level participation
d) Their commitment to internal democracy
Answer: b) Their failure to perform their functions well
Question 15. What challenge arises when leaders prioritize personal loyalty over party principles?
a) Increased grassroots participation
b) Concentration of power in one leader
c) Promotion of ideological differences
d) Enhanced transparency within the party
Answer: b) Concentration of power in one leader
Question 16. What drives political parties to nominate candidates with money and muscle power?
a) The desire to maintain ideological diversity
b) The focus on winning elections
c) The aim to reduce election costs
d) The requirement of the Election Commission
Answer: b) The focus on winning elections
Question 17. What do critics fear about the influence of big companies in politics?
a) Companies will reduce political competition
b) Companies will dictate public policy decisions
c) Companies will promote greater internal democracy
d) Companies will improve grassroots participation
Answer: b) Companies will dictate public policy decisions
Question 18. What has contributed to the lack of meaningful choice in Indian politics?
a) Frequent ideological debates
b) Reduced differences in economic policies of major parties
c) Strict laws against party-switching
d) Decline in voter turnout
Answer: b) Reduced differences in economic policies of major parties
Question 19. What is one solution to address the challenges faced by political parties?
a) Increase funding for election campaigns
b) Promote open and transparent party functioning
c) Eliminate party-based democracy
d) Discourage public participation in politics
Answer: b) Promote open and transparent party functioning
Question 20. What is the role of internal elections in political parties?
a) Concentrating power in a single leader
b) Encouraging transparent decision-making processes
c) Reducing ideological differences among members
d) Strengthening dynastic succession
Answer: b) Encouraging transparent decision-making processes
Question 21. What are the challenges to political parties class 10?
A. Lack of organizational structure
B. Influence of money and muscle power
C. Lack of internal democracy
D. All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above