Contemporary Issues in Indian Politics (VSAQs)

Political Science-2 | 8. Contemporary Issues in Indian Politics – VSAQs:
Welcome to VSAQs in Chapter 8: Contemporary Issues in Indian Politics. This page covers the most crucial FAQs for Very Short Answer Questions. Answers are provided in simple English and follow the exam format. This approach helps you focus on key points and aim for top marks in your final exams.

VSAQ-1: Forms of Corruption (OR) Powers of Corruption

Corruption, as described by the World Bank, occurs when someone misuses their public office for personal gain. Think of it as someone using their position of power to benefit themselves rather than the public. Corruption can show up in several ways:

  • Nepotism: This is like giving special treatment to family members in jobs or promotions, regardless of whether they deserve it. Imagine a manager hiring their cousin for a top job even though someone else is more qualified—this is nepotism.
  • Bribery: Bribery happens when someone offers or accepts something valuable—like money or gifts—in exchange for influencing a decision. For example, if a contractor pays a government official to win a contract unfairly, that’s bribery.
  • Embezzlement: This is when someone entrusted with money or resources takes them for personal use. Picture a treasurer of a charity who secretly uses the charity’s funds to pay for their vacation—that’s embezzlement.
  • Extortion: Extortion involves forcing someone to give you something, like money, by threatening them. Think of a gang demanding “protection money” from a business owner, threatening to harm the business if the money isn’t paid—this is extortion.
  • Favoritism: Favoritism is when someone unfairly gives advantages to certain people over others. Imagine a teacher who always gives the best grades to their favorite students, regardless of their actual performance—that’s favoritism.

VSAQ-2: Whistleblowers

Whistleblowers are individuals who bravely expose wrongdoings, particularly corrupt activities, within organizations, often in public offices. Imagine someone inside a company noticing illegal activities and deciding to report them to protect the public interest. Whistleblowers can report corruption through two main avenues:

  • Internal Reporting: Here, a whistleblower reports the corrupt activities to someone within their organization, like a manager or a compliance officer. It’s like telling your teacher about another student cheating on a test.
  • External Reporting: If internal channels don’t work or are unsafe, whistleblowers can go to outside authorities, such as government agencies, law enforcement, or even the media. This is similar to calling the police if you witness a crime and feel that local authorities aren’t taking action.

Whistleblowers play a critical role in maintaining transparency and accountability by ensuring that corrupt practices are brought to light and addressed.

VSAQ-3: Merits and Demerits of Coalition Politics

Merits of Coalition Politics

  • Inclusivity: Coalition politics allows different political groups to come together, representing a wide range of interests. Imagine a group project in school where students from different classes work together to bring diverse ideas to the table. This ensures that more voices are heard and considered.
  • Stability: In coalition politics, no single party dominates. This balance of power can lead to more stable governance, as decisions must reflect the consensus of multiple groups, much like how a family might make joint decisions to keep everyone happy.
  • Consensus: Decisions in a coalition government are often well-thought-out because they require agreement among various parties. It’s like deciding on a family vacation where everyone has to agree on the destination, ensuring that the decision is fair and considerate of everyone’s preferences.
  • Minority Representation: Coalition politics often include smaller parties that represent minority groups, ensuring that these groups have a voice in government decisions. It’s akin to ensuring that everyone in a class, including those with different opinions, gets a say in planning a class event.

Demerits of Coalition Politics

  • Instability: Coalition governments can be unstable because different parties may have conflicting interests, leading to frequent changes in leadership. This is like a sports team that keeps changing captains, which can make it hard to have consistent strategies.
  • Policy Gridlock: When coalition partners disagree on important issues, it can result in delays or a complete halt in decision-making. Imagine trying to plan a group outing where no one can agree on where to go, leading to no decision at all.
  • Compromised Accountability: To keep the coalition together, parties may make ethical compromises, which can dilute accountability. It’s similar to agreeing to something you know is wrong just to keep your group of friends happy, even though it might not be the best decision.
  • Inefficiency: Coalition governments can be slow to make decisions because they need to get everyone on board, much like trying to coordinate a big group of people with different opinions to make a single decision.