6 Most FAQ’s of Emerging Political Trends 1977 to 2000 Chapter in Class 10th Social (TS/AP)

8 Marks

LAQ-1 : Suggest measures for better democracy and ethical government.

Introduction

To nurture a robust democracy and maintain ethical governance, active citizen participation, transparency, and accountability are essential. Implementing specific measures can significantly enhance these aspects in India.

Key Measures for Strengthening Democratic and Ethical Practices

1. Promoting Voter Education and Awareness:
   • Awareness Campaigns: Conduct initiatives to emphasize the importance of voting.
   • Educational Programs: Provide programs that underline the critical role of voters in a democracy.
2. Incorporating Civic Education:
   • School Curricula: Introduce civic education in schools to instill democratic values from a young age.
   • Ethical Governance Awareness: Educate students about the significance of ethical governance and citizen responsibilities.
3. Ensuring Transparency in Government Spending:
   • Public Disclosure: Make all government expenditures publicly accessible.
   • Digital Transparency: Use online platforms for updates on development projects and their costs.
4. Regulating Party Hopping:
   • Strict Regulations: Implement rules against arbitrary party switching by elected officials.
   • Penalties for Violators: Consider disqualification or penalties for officials switching parties for personal benefits.
5. Boosting Rural Voter Participation:
   • Addressing Apathy: Tackle the causes of low interest in voting in rural areas.
   • Improved Voting Infrastructure: Enhance access and infrastructure for rural voters.
6. Mandating Asset Declarations:
   • Asset Transparency: Require candidates to disclose their assets and potential conflicts of interest.
   • Regular Audits: Conduct periodic audits of these declarations to prevent corruption.
7. Facilitating Citizen Involvement in Policymaking:
   • Participatory Governance: Foster a culture where citizens contribute to decision-making.
   • Public Consultations: Hold consultations before major policy decisions.
8. Empowering the Election Commission:
   • Augmenting Powers: Strengthen the Election Commission’s authority to address electoral malpractices.
   • Maintaining Independence: Ensure the commission’s independence and impartiality.
9. Protecting Whistleblowers:
   • Strong Legal Protection: Enact laws safeguarding those who expose corruption.
   • Safe Reporting Mechanisms: Provide secure channels for reporting unethical practices.

Summary

A flourishing democracy and ethical government are contingent on concerted efforts towards increased engagement, transparency, and accountability. By implementing these measures, India can reinforce its democratic framework and ensure governance that is ethical, responsive, and inclusive of all its citizens.

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LAQ-2 : Explain the effect along with reasons for the emerging era of coalition politics.

Introduction

The advent of coalition politics in India during the 1990s was a result of the evolving multi-party system and the competitive nature of political parties. This era saw the formation of coalition governments, where alliances among multiple parties were necessary to achieve a majority.

Reasons for the Emergence of Coalition Politics

1. Multiparty Competition:
   • Rise of Diverse Parties: The proliferation of numerous national and regional parties made it challenging for any single party to secure an absolute majority.
2. Regional Aspirations:
   • Influence of Regional Parties: The emergence of regional parties highlighted the varied aspirations across India, with these parties becoming pivotal in forming coalitions.
3. Diverse Ideologies: The varying ideologies of different political entities necessitated coalition formations.
4. Electoral Dynamics: The fragmented outcomes in elections necessitated partnerships for government formation.

Effects of Coalition Politics

1. Common Minimum Programmes (CMPs):
   • Consensus Building: Coalition governments often formulated CMPs to align the diverse agendas of coalition partners.
2. Policy Paralysis:
   • Decision-making Challenges: The differing views within coalitions sometimes led to delays in policy implementation.
3. Sensitivity in Governance: Coalitions led to more inclusive and considerate approaches to various national issues.
4. Stability Concerns:
   • Government Longevity: The initial phase of coalition politics saw governments struggling with stability.
5. Coordination Committees:
   • Enhanced Communication: These committees were established to facilitate better coordination among coalition partners.

Major Coalition Groups

1. NDA and UPA: The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by the BJP and the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) led by the Congress emerged as significant coalitions.
2. UPA’s Re-election: Marked a milestone, indicating the maturation of coalition politics in India.

Summary

Coalition politics transformed India’s political scenario, bringing both challenges and opportunities. While it initially introduced complexities in policy-making and government stability, it also promoted inclusivity and a broader representation in governance. Over time, India has developed effective strategies, such as CMPs and coordination committees, to navigate the intricacies of coalition governance, illustrating the dynamic nature of its political landscape.

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LAQ-3 : Explain about Assam Movement in detail.

Introduction

The Assam Movement was a significant political movement in the history of modern India. It took place in Assam from 1979 to 1985, primarily focusing on the issue of illegal immigration and the safeguarding of the cultural, social, and economic rights of the indigenous people of Assam.

Background and Causes

1. Influx of Immigrants: The primary cause of the Assam Movement was the continuous influx of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan).
2. Threat to Indigenous Identity: The native Assamese people felt that their cultural identity, political rights, and employment opportunities were being threatened by the increasing number of immigrants.

Major Events and Course of the Movement

1. All Assam Students’ Union (AASU): The movement was led by AASU, which demanded the identification and deportation of illegal immigrants.
2. Nellie Massacre (1983): One of the darkest episodes of the movement was the Nellie Massacre, where hundreds of people, suspected to be immigrants, were killed.
3. Election Boycotts: The movement included boycotting elections to pressurize the government to address their demands.

Demands and Goals

1. Detection and Deportation: The key demands were the detection, deletion (from electoral rolls), and deportation of illegal immigrants.
2. Safeguard Indigenous Rights: The movement also sought to protect the rights and preserve the culture of the indigenous Assamese population.

Conclusion and Outcome

1. Assam Accord (1985): The movement culminated in the signing of the Assam Accord in 1985 between the leaders of AASU, the central government, and the state government.
2. Key Provisions of the Accord: The Accord stipulated that all foreigners who came to Assam after March 25, 1971, would be identified and deported. It also included clauses for safeguarding the cultural, social, and economic rights of the indigenous people.
3. Lasting Impact: The Assam Movement had a lasting impact on the political and social landscape of Assam, leading to the formation of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), a political party formed by leaders of the AASU.

Summary

The Assam Movement was a pivotal chapter in Assam’s history, reflecting the complexities of illegal immigration, ethnic identity, and regional politics in India. The Accord, while a significant milestone, left some issues unresolved, and its ramifications are still felt in the region’s socio-political environment.

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LAQ-4 : Read the following paragraph and write your opinion.

The twentieth century closed with an India which was drawn into the world market, an India which seemed to have a thriving democracy in which voices of different sections of the population were making themselves heard and in which, divisive and communal political mobilisation were threatening to destroy social peace. It had stood the test of time for over fifty years and had built a relatively stable economy and deeply rooted democratic politics. It still had not managed to solve the problem of acute poverty and gross inequality between castes, communities, regions and gender.

Introduction

The paragraph provides a comprehensive overview of India’s situation at the close of the 20th century. It touches on India’s integration into the global market, the robustness of its democracy, and the challenges posed by divisive politics and deep-rooted social inequalities.

Analysis of Key Aspects

1. Global Market Integration:
   • Significance: India’s entry into the world market marked a pivotal shift in its economic landscape.
   • Economic Transition: This integration brought about significant economic changes and opportunities for growth.
2. Democratic Progress:
   • Expression of Diverse Voices: The thriving democracy in India enabled various population segments to make their voices heard.
   • Stability and Resilience: India’s democratic system demonstrated remarkable stability over fifty years, adapting and evolving with time.
3. Challenges to Social Harmony:
   • Communal Politics: Divisive and communal political mobilization threatened the social fabric of India.
   • Impact on Democracy: Such politics posed a challenge to the country’s democratic ethos.
4. Economic and Social Challenges:
   • Stable Economy: Despite challenges, India succeeded in building a stable economy.
   • Persistent Poverty and Inequality: However, acute poverty and disparities in caste, community, regional, and gender equality persisted.
5. Personal Opinion:
   • Concern over Communalism: The use of communalism in politics is deeply concerning, as it undermines democratic values.
   • Citizen Responsibility: It is crucial for citizens to be aware of such tactics and responsibly exercise their right to vote, avoiding support for communal agendas.

Summary

The 20th century was a period of significant transformation for India. While it witnessed positive strides in economic integration and democratic resilience, it also faced challenges like communal politics and social inequalities. The enduring issues of poverty and inequality highlight the need for continued efforts in social reform. As citizens, the responsibility lies in being vigilant and actively participating in democratic processes to steer India towards a more equitable and harmonious future.

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LAQ-5 : Identify the major changes in party system during second phase of Independence?

Introduction

The political landscape of India underwent significant changes after 1977, marking the second phase of independence. This period saw the end of single-party dominance and the rise of multi-party coalitions, fundamentally altering the dynamics of Indian politics.

Decline of Single-Party Dominance

1. Transition from Congress Dominance: The Indian National Congress, which had been the predominant political force since independence, began to lose its grip on power.
2. Emergence of Opposition: This period witnessed the rise of various opposition parties, challenging the Congress’s longstanding rule.

Emergence of New Political Parties

1. Diversity in Ideologies: New parties with diverse ideologies and regional focuses came to the forefront.
2. Intensified Political Competition: The entry of these parties led to a more competitive political environment.

Advent of Coalition Governments

1. Coalitions as a Necessity: With no single party able to secure an absolute majority, coalition governments became increasingly common.
2. Janata Party Formation: The Janata Party, formed in 1977, was a crucial coalition that marked the end of the Congress party’s unbroken rule.

Rise of Regional Parties

1. Focus on Regional Issues: Parties such as the DMK, SAD, TDP, and AASU gained prominence, advocating for regional interests and identity.
2. Impact on National Politics: These regional parties played a significant role in shaping national politics, often as part of larger coalitions.

Stabilization of Coalition Governance

1. Early Challenges: Initially, coalition governments faced stability issues, struggling to maintain a coherent governance approach.
2. Formation of Alliances: Over time, the creation of alliances and shared principles among coalition partners helped ensure more stable governance.

Summary

The second phase of independence in India marked a transition from a single-party system to a vibrant multi-party democracy, characterized by the emergence of new national and regional parties and the formation of coalition governments. This era brought about greater political diversity and represented a significant evolution in India’s democratic journey.

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LAQ-6 : Read the paragraph given below and interpret.

“On one hand, India was forced to open up and ‘liberalise’ its economy by allowing freer flow of foreign capital and goods into India. On the other hand, new social groups asserted themselves politically for the first time, and finally religious nationalism and communal political mobilisation became important features of our political life. All this put the Indian society into great turmoil, we are still coming to grips with these changes and adapting ourselves to them”.

Introduction

The paragraph captures India’s significant transformations in the late 20th century, highlighting economic liberalization, the emergence of new social groups in politics, and the rise of religious nationalism and communal politics.

Analysis of Key Developments

1. Economic Liberalization:
   • Pressured Opening: India was compelled to open its economy to the global market, allowing more freedom for foreign capital and goods.
   • 1991 Economic Reforms: Led by P.V. Narasimha Rao, these reforms were a response to a financial crisis, involving reduction of government spending, encouragement of foreign investment, lower import barriers, and privatization.
   • Impact: This shift brought challenges, particularly for local businesses and public welfare, but was also a step towards integrating India into the global economy.
2. Political Changes:
   • New Social Groups: The era saw the rise of new social groups asserting their political presence, indicating a diversification in the political arena.
   • Shift in Power Dynamics: These groups challenged traditional political structures, contributing to a more varied and representative political landscape.
3. Religious Nationalism and Communal Politics:
   • Increased Influence: The period marked a significant rise in religious nationalism, affecting the nation’s socio-political fabric.
   • Communal Tensions: This shift led to increased communal tensions, posing challenges to India’s secular ethos.

Summary

The late 20th century in India was a period of substantial change, characterized by economic liberalization, the emergence of new social and political dynamics, and the rise of religious nationalism. These changes brought both opportunities and challenges, shaping the nation’s current socio-political and economic landscape. As India continues to adapt and evolve, understanding these historical shifts is crucial for comprehending its present and future trajectories.