Question

(a) Examine the role of political parties in strengthening democracy.

Accepted Answer

(i) Political parties are one of the most visible institutions in a democracy. (ii) They put forward policies and the voters choose from them. (iii) Political parties offer choice to the citizens for electing their leaders. (iv) Various political parties participate in law making process. (v) Winning political parties form and run the governments. (vi) Those parties that lose in elections play the role of opposition to the parties in power, by voicing different views. (vii) Opposition parties keep ruling parties accountable by criticizing their wrong policies. (viii) Political parties shape public opinion by raising and highlighting the issues. (ix) They launch movements for the resolution of the problems faced by people. (x) Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by governments. OR 27.(b) Examine the role of opposition parties in a Parliamentary democracy. (i) Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition to the parties in power. (ii) They voice different views of public. (iii) They criticise government for its failures or wrong policies. (iv) Opposition parties also mobilise opposition to the government. (v) They shape public opinion by raising and highlighting issues. (vi) They launch movements for the resolution of the problems faced by people. (vii) They offer choice to the voters. (viii) They participate in law making process.

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