Indian Politics Essay
500 words essay on indian politics.
Politics, simply speaking, refers to the activities surrounding a country’s governance. In the context of a large democratic country like India, politics becomes really complicated. This Indian politics essay will throw light on the politics of India.
Indian Politics Essay
Background of Indian Politics
Politics in India, like any other democratic country, involves the ruling party and the opposition. In India, the formation of political parties has taken place on the basis of ideology. Moreover, the Indian political parties belong to the left and the right political spectrum.
Leftist politics rely on the values of secularism , liberalism, and rebelliousness. In contrast, rightist politics favour the values of being pro-government, orderly, conservative, and traditional.
There are no definitions of left-right politics anywhere in the Indian constitution. Furthermore, these terms were given by commentators, authors, and journalists. Also, it has been witnessed in India that some politicians can change their political party and ideology.
Indeed for a stable democracy , it is necessary that both political ideologies, the right and left, operate side by side. As such, some times, the country may be under rightist influence while leftist ideals may dominate at another time. The two major political parties in India, BJP and Congress, clearly demonstrate the two different political spectrums of right and left respectively.
Problem with Indian Politics
For a democracy to work properly there must be a proper demarcation between the political ideologies. However, in India, the demarcation between these ideologies tends to get blurry, thereby resulting in the superimposition of one ideology over the other. This is certainly not an indication of a mature democracy.
The political system of India suffers due to the clash of different political ideologies. Furthermore, such clashes can turn out to be quite ugly. Most noteworthy, such clashes are detrimental to the development of the country as a whole.
Various other problems affect Indian politics like hatred, injustice, corruption, greed, and bigotry. Due to all these problems, Indian politics is called a dirty game. Such problems can also force many intellectual and eminent individuals to stay away from Indian politics.
Sometimes the Indian politicians may choose a political party, not because of the ideological stance, but rather due to the winning probability in the elections. This is a really sad reality of Indian politics. Moreover, it shows that such politicians care more about their own personal interests rather than the interests of the common people.
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Conclusion of Indian Politics Essay
Indian politics is a colourful drama and, according to some, its the great circus of the country. Despite such negative connotations, no one can doubt the enormously important role that politics has played in India. Most noteworthy, it is a crucial aspect of Indian democracy.
FAQs For Indian Politics Essay
Question 1: How many political parties are there in India?
Answer 1: According to the latest publication from the Election Commission of India, the total number of registered political parties in India is 2698. Furthermore, out of the registered political parties, 8 are national parties, 52 are state parties, and 2638 remain unrecognised. Also, registered parties that contest elections must have a symbol of their own that is approved by the EC.
Question 2: What are the two most powerful political parties in India?
Answer 2: The two most powerful political parties in India are the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Indian National Congress or Congress or INC. Furthermore, BJP is the leading right-wing party while Congress is the leading centrist/leftist party in India.
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- Indian Politics Essay
Essay on Indian Politics
The functioning of the political system is crucial for the smooth development of any country. India is no different. From being the largest democracy in the world and having the Prime Minister as the supreme leader of the country, Indian politics has its own charisma.
In the given below Indian politics essay, one can read all about the Indian political system, it's functioning, and the problems faced by it. For India, political scenarios and events play an important role.
The Various Shades of Indian Politics
India is the largest democracy in the world. Almost 1 out of every 6 humans in the world is an Indian. With such an enormous and diverse population, there are a number of political ideologies and political parties which are present and functioning all over the country. The constitution of India gives the right to every citizen of the country to form political parties and contest elections in the country. Although, Politics in India is not only limited to just political parties but has become central to all walks of life among everyone. Politics is said to be the art of influencing the will of the state. We have seen various pressure groups, advocacy groups, interests groups, etc which work in tandem with the political organizations. The work of the political parties is not just limited to winning elections, but it is the duty of every citizen of the country to ensure that our representatives remain responsive to the demand of the people and fulfill their electoral promises.
Political parties in India are generally of two major categories, these are National Parties and Regional parties. The National parties are those political organizations that have a substantial presence in most parts of the country while the Regional parties are those parties that are limited to just one state or a few states where they have some influence. The regional parties are generally formed on the lines of language as the states in India have been organized on the basis of language. The various political interest groups work along with these political parties to lobby for their interest and make sure that the issues which are of concern to the common people are brought to the attention of our leaders. The Media also plays a very vital role in the functioning of a democracy and has been recognized as the fourth pillar of a democracy.
Long Essay on Indian Politics
The functioning of the political system is crucial for the smooth development of any country. India is no different. From being the largest democracy in the world and having the Prime Minister as the supreme leader of the country, Indian politics has its own charisma. In the given below Indian politics essay, one can read all about the Indian political system, it's functioning, and the problems faced by it. For India, political scenarios and events play an important role.
Through this essay on Indian politics, one can get enlightened about working in the country's political system. The entire country revolves around the Indian political system. Every decision and law is taken into account for the development of the country.
An Indian politician is somebody who is elected from his/her constituency. Every politician has their constituency from where they are elected. They then actively delve into politics. Since independence, India has strived forward thanks to the laws implemented by politicians. Indians can take pride in the fact that they are the largest democracy in the world. The PM or prime minister heads the country. He is the head of the government formed at the center. Likewise, the president is head of the central and the state government.
The Indian parliament consists of the upper and lower house. The upper house is known as the Rajya Sabha and the lower house is called the Lok Sabha. The upper house consists of members who represent the states of the country. The lower house consists of members elected to represent the people of the country. The Supreme Court or SC is the protector of the constitution of India. Indian politics comprises three pillars that consist of the central leadership, state leadership, and the village or panchayat raj. The panchayat ray is still prominent in several villages and most rural parts of the country. Thanks to the 73rd constitutional amendment, local governance is acceptable. India is a democratic country where the leaders are elected through elections held once in four years.
The party with the largest vote bank after the election can claim their victory. To vote in India, one must be an Indian citizen, and above 18 years of age. They need to obtain an election card. Anybody can contest in the elections in India. The individual should be an Indian citizen and have completed 25 years of age. Additionally, there are a few more conditions to be met that most candidates become eligible for. In India, there are no criteria for contesting elections. Hence, it is not surprising to note that many legislators have little to no education. One can use NOTA when they feel that their constituent candidate is not well-educated or is worthy of the position.
In this paragraph on Indian politics, one learns about the lack of educational qualifications for the politicians. In most of the developed and developing countries, the politicians are an educated lot. Education and corruption cannot go hand in hand. The opposition needs to be proactive and take a tough stance on the ruling of the government. The country's few significant parties include BJP, Indian National Congress, CPI, AAP, BSP, and the SP.
It is safe to say that the political scenario can be changed for the greater good of the country and society.
Short Essay on Indian Politics
The information given below is suitable for the Indian politics essay 10th class syllabus. Students can make use of it during their examinations. In this short essay on Indian politics, one can read about the nuances of Indian politics.
Indian politics is compared to a great circus where different political parties fight till the end. Most of the elections are marred by corruption on a large scale. Sadly, the country's political climate decides on the communal, social, and economic condition of the country. In this paragraph on Indian politics, one finds out that when the political situation is unstable, then it gives rise to unwanted problems like civil wars and revolutions, as seen in Libya, Syria, and Egypt.
Indian politics has seen it all, right from the birth of the two single largest parties in India, the partition, emergency period, India-Bangladesh war, and the terror attacks. It is a colorful game indeed with plenty of good and bad happening side-by-side. One can hope that India progresses and matures with time. Hopefully, it will be for the greater good and development of the nation. The essay about Indian politics has shown that the freedom of choosing the kind of ideology one wants to take itself lies in Indian democracy.
Conclusion
To conclude the Indian politics essay in English, the Indian political scenario has seen it all. Rulers of dynamic capabilities and charismatic character have taken over the realms of the country.
Likes of Jawaharlal Nehru and Narendra Modi have adorned the coveted position of this country, which is a moment of pride for any Indian.
FAQs on Indian Politics Essay
1. What can one learn from the essay on Indian Politics?
The Indian politics essay reveals the existing Indian political system in the country. It is similar to a game of snake and ladders. Friends become one's enemies, and sworn enemies share the dais during election rallies.
It is becoming a common sight today. Indians can be proud of the fact that they are the largest democracy existing in the world. In Indian politics, the prime minister is the head, and power is equally divided between the central and state governments.
2. Does it help Indian Politics in electing educated ministers?
The main issue plaguing the Indian political system is the lack of education. Even ministers occupying senior positions in the country are devoid of quality education. One can blame the lack of criteria when electing the minister.
This has been going on for decades, and quick changes must be imminent for the betterment of the country. It would help in routing problems like corruption that is the root cause of all issues in the country.
3. What is Politics?
Politics is a very wide subject that does not have one definite answer, for most people it is about winning elections and getting the key to state power. However, according to one of the widely accepted definitions, Politics is the art of influencing the will of the state, which means that not only the political parties and the politicians but every citizen has an active role to play in the politics of this country.
4. Which is a democracy?
According to the famous definition given by Abraham Lincoln, Democracy is a form of government that is for the people, by the people, and of the people. This is good to give a basic sense of the idea of democracy but in the more general sense, it is people deciding what is good for them and taking an active part in the decision-making process of the country.
5. What is the difference between a democracy and a republic?
Democracy is the form of government in which it is considered that the people will be deciding how to govern themselves. While in a Republic, the people give the franchise of their mandate to a selected candidate who represents them in the seat of governance. So the Republic is the enshrinement of the will of the people into a system that selects the people who govern them while democracy makes them responsive to the people who vote for them.
6. How can the write ups along with important questions for Indian Politics be downloaded from Vedantu?
The Online resources at Vedantu can easily be accessed using 4 steps:
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You can avail all the well-researched and good quality chapters, sample papers, syllabus on various topics from the website of Vedantu and its mobile application available on the play store.
7. What is the importance of elections in Indian democracy?
Elections play a very vital role in any functioning democracy in the world. Elections are the litmus test on how democracy has been working because without a free and fair election process, No true democracy can survive and if the election process is not free and fair then the belief of people will turn away from democratic politics. However, elections should not be seen as the endgame of democracy as a public partition in the development process must be ensured to keep democracy vibrant.
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Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Panchayat Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
Last updated on August 30, 2023 by ClearIAS Team
India is a vast landscape with cultural, linguistic, and geographical diversity.
One element that binds India as a nation together is its polity and governance structure.
The Indian political system is connected with the threads of history, culture, and the aspirations of its people.
From the remarkable Constitution that serves as the guiding light to the intricate Panchayat Raj system, this blog post delves into the multifaceted aspects of Indian polity and governance, encompassing the Constitution, the political system, Panchayat Raj, public policy, and rights issues.
Table of Contents
Indian Polity – The Political System
Polity means political system.
Indian Polity means the Indian Political System.
The Indian state has three organs – (1) legislature (which makes laws), (2) executive (which implements laws) and (3) judiciary (which interprets laws).
India is a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic.
Indian Political system derives its origin from the historical underpinnings , however, its present structure owes to the Indian Constitution .
India’s political system is federal in nature, with a union of states and territories.
At the Center – the Parliament, consisting of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People), is the legislative body responsible for making laws. The President, elected by an Electoral College, is the ceremonial head of the state. The Prime Minister, the head of government, leads the executive branch.
At the state level – the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly make law. The governor is the ceremonial head of each state (provinces). The Chief Minister leads the executive branch.
India’s vibrant multi-party democracy ensures that voices from various sections of society are heard.
Know more about Indian Polity …
Governance – The Administrative Framework
Governance in India is a dynamic process that involves the management, administration, and regulation of the nation’s affairs.
India is a democracy. The real power lies with people. However, people elect representatives to make laws.
At the executive level, there are political executives (elected) and permanent executives or bureaucrats (selected).
Rooted in the principles of democracy, governance encompasses various levels of decision-making, from the central government to state administrations and local bodies.
The Indian political system is characterized by a multi-tiered structure that facilitates decentralization, with power shared between the Union and State governments. This complex framework is guided by the Constitution of India, which outlines the roles and responsibilities of different branches of government and upholds the fundamental rights and freedoms of its citizens.
As India continues to evolve as a global player, its governance strives to strike a balance between tradition and progress, inclusivity and efficiency, and the aspirations of its diverse population.
Know more about Governance …
The Indian Constitution: The fundamental law of the land
At the heart of India’s polity lies its Constitution, a remarkable document that reflects the vision of the nation’s founding fathers.
Adopted on January 26, 1950, the Constitution of India enshrines the values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.
It establishes a democratic framework with a division of powers among the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary, ensuring a system of checks and balances.
Over the years, the Indian Constitution has demonstrated its adaptability to changing times and societal needs. Amendments have been made to reflect evolving priorities while preserving the core principles. This capacity for change has allowed the Constitution to remain relevant and effective in a rapidly evolving world.
Know more about Indian Constitution …
Panchayat Raj: Empowering Local Governance
A unique feature of Indian governance is the Panchayat Raj system.
Enshrined in the Constitution’s 73rd and 74th Amendments, it empowers local self-governance at the grassroots level.
Panchayats (village councils) and Municipalities play a pivotal role in rural and urban development, ensuring community participation and decentralization of power.
This system promotes effective governance by addressing local issues with the involvement of the people.
Know more about Panchayat Raj …
Public Policy: Bridging Aspirations and Reality
Public policy formulation and implementation are crucial for addressing the diverse needs of the population.
The government’s policies impact various sectors, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, and the economy. Initiatives like “ Make in India ,” “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan,” and “ Digital India ” showcase India’s commitment to progress and development.
Effective policy implementation requires collaboration between the government, civil society, and the private sector.
Know more about the Public Policy of India …
Rights Issues: Striving for Social Justice
Rights encompass a wide range of freedoms, privileges, and protections that individuals are inherently entitled to by virtue of being human.
Despite progress, our society still grapples with numerous rights issues.
- Discrimination based on race, gender, religion, and economic status continues to persist.
- Gender inequality deprives millions of women of their rights and opportunities.
- The LGBTQ+ community faces challenges to their rights and acceptance.
- Marginalized communities often confront unequal access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
- Environmental degradation threatens the right to a sustainable future.
These issues are not isolated; they intersect and amplify one another, underscoring the complexity of the fight for rights.
India’s journey towards a just society involves addressing rights issues, particularly those concerning marginalized and vulnerable communities.
The Constitution guarantees fundamental rights such as the right to equality, freedom of speech, and the right to life.
Additionally, affirmative action policies, as enshrined in the Constitution’s provisions for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, aim to uplift historically disadvantaged groups.
Know more about Rights Issues…
Challenges and Future Prospects
While India’s polity and governance framework has achieved significant milestones, challenges persist. Corruption, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and socioeconomic disparities demand continuous attention. Additionally, maintaining the delicate balance between cultural diversity and national unity remains a constant endeavour.
The future of Indian polity and governance is promising, with technology-driven innovations, increased public awareness, and a growing emphasis on inclusive and sustainable development. Strengthening institutions, promoting transparency, and fostering citizen engagement will play a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s trajectory.
How to study Indian Polity and Governance?
Readers may note that this article on the Indian Polity and Governance is just an overview of the topic. There is a lot more to learn about Indian Polity and Governance.
We recommend the below sources to learn the subject.
- Join ClearIAS Video Course (Prelims cum Mains).
- Go through ClearIAS notes on Indian Polity and Governance.
- Read books on Indian Polity .
Indian polity and governance are a testament to the nation’s commitment to democracy, unity, and progress.
The Constitution acts as a guiding compass, while the political system, Panchayat Raj, public policies, and rights issues collectively contribute to the nation’s growth.
As India treads the path of development, it is imperative to uphold the principles of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity to create a society that truly reflects the aspirations of its diverse populace.
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Indian Politics Essay
India is the largest democracy in the world, with over 133.92 Crores people of different cultures and religions. Cultural aspects of north India are completely different from that of down south. Similarly, central India has its own distinct cultural and linguistic heritage, which is completely different from north east or far west, for that matter. Considering the huge cultural and religious diversity of India it is quite natural that every region has its own political representative.
This in turn makes Indian politics complicated than the western democracies with a single religion and culture in majority. A politician in India can only be successful when he/she manages to garner the support of different religions, cultures as well as caste. Politics in India isn’t easy and provides a quite challenging environment to even the most adept politicians.
Long and Short Essay on Indian Politics in English
Here we have given short and long essay on Indian Politics of varying lengths to help you with the topic in your exam.
You can use any Indian Politics essay for your exams/assignments, essay writing, debate competitions or other similar occasions.
After going through the essays you will get an insight of Indian politics and its structure.
You will also appreciate the diversity of India and the role that the politics plays in making the voices of people heard.
Short Essay on Indian Politics – Essay 1 (200 words)
India is a democratic country. The political leaders and parties in India come into power by voting system. Indian citizens above the age of 18 years acquire the right to vote and elect their leaders. However, although it is a government by the people, to the people and for the people, the common man still suffers a great deal. This is because there is a lot of corruption within the political system of our country.
Most of our political leaders are known to be corrupt. Their corrupt practices often come to limelight however they are seldom punished for the same. Such a mindset and behaviour of our politicians is affecting the country adversely. This is hampering the growth and development of the country to a vast extent. The common man of the country is suffering the most due to the corrupt Indian politics. On the other hand, the ministers are misusing their power and position to further their interests.
A huge amount of tax is being levied on the general public. Instead of using this money to develop the country, corrupt politicians are filling their bank accounts with it. This is the reason why we have not developed as much as we should have since independence.
The Indian political system must be changed for good to bring about a positive change in the society.
Essay on Indian Politics and Politicians – Essay 2 (300 words)
Introduction
India enjoys a democratic set up that gives the general public the right to vote and elect government. While this type of political system is strong and sound with clearly defined laws, in India it has been a prey to corrupt politicians ever since its inception.
The Need for Educated Ministers
In India, almost anyone can contest elections and come to power. The person contesting the elections must be a citizen of India and should be minimum 25 years of age. Apart from this, there are few other very simple clauses to contest elections in our country.
It is strange that there is no minimum education criterion to run the government in our country. It is ironic that the nation has witnessed many uneducated and non deserving candidates rising to higher powerful levels in politics purely on the basis of money and muscle strength. We cannot expect our country to grow in the right direction when the power is in the hands of such politicians.
There is a dire need to elect educated politicians for the development of our country. We can exercise NOTA if none of the politicians contesting the elections is well-qualified and worthy of the position.
Corruption at the Chore of Indian Politics
Most of the politicians are corrupt. They misuse their power to further their interests rather than serving the country. Every now and then there is news about ministers and their family members being involved in illegal practices and scams. Since they are in power they do not fear anyone and get away with the crime.
It is the common man who is suffering due to these corrupt politicians and their corrupt practices.
India, as a nation can prosper only if our political system is improved. We need educated, sincere and hard working politicians who work for the betterment of our country and not for their personal good.
Essay on Indian Political System – Essay 3 (400 words)
India is a federal parliamentary democratic republic. It is known to be world’s largest democracy. This Indian political system came into being in August 1947 as the country got freedom from the British rule. The constitution of India was written soon after and came into force on 26 th January 1950. It has seen several amendments since then. These changes have been brought about for the good of the society after a lot of consideration.
The Political Set up of India
The President of India is the head of the state in our country while the Prime Minister is the head of the government. We have an upper house referred to as the Rajya Sabha and a lower house called the Lok Sabha. The members of these houses are known as the Members of Parliament (MP). Here is a brief about these parliamentary houses:
- There are a total of 545 members in the Lok Sabha.
- 543 Lok Sabha members are elected by the general public of the country through election. 2 Lok Sabha members are elected directly by the President of the country from the Anglo Indian Community.
- Among other requirements, one must be 25 years of age in order to be eligible for Lok Sabha membership.
Rajya Sabha
- There are a total of 245 members in the Rajya Sabha.
- 233 members of the Rajya Sabha are elected from States and Union Territories. 12 members are nominated by the President.
- A candidate must be at least 30 years old in order to become a Rajya Sabha member.
The Members of Parliament is an essential part of the Indian political system and have the power to take many political decisions collectively.
Political Parties and Formation of Government
India has numerous political parties that contest the elections. The party that gets majority of votes comes into power. The government of India is formed for a total of five years.
For years, the Indian National Congress and the Bhartiya Janata Party were the main political parties in the country that gave a tough competition to each other during elections. However, the recently formed Aam Aadmi Party headed by Arvind Kejriwal is now giving them a tough race.
The Indian political system largely suffers from corruption. Though the constitution of our country has clearly defined laws, the ministers are exempted from it for most part. They work as per their will and the general public suffers because of their corrupt means. The political system of the country needs serious reforms to ensure proper growth and development of the country.
Essay on Politics and Corruption – Essay 4 (500 words)
The terms, politics and corruption can be used synonymously when it comes to the Indian political system. It would be no exaggeration to say that the Indian political system is corrupted to the core.
Politics and Corruption
India is a land full of corrupt politicians who think about nothing but juggling more and more money by corrupt means. They work for their own benefit rather than the benefit of their country. The cases of the Indian politicians being involved in various kinds of scams have come forward many a times and these are a proof how they are bluffing the general public of the country to further their selfish motives.
Our leaders make numerous promises to the general public before coming to the power but forget about the same as they gain power. This happens in every election. The poor public gets fooled by the corrupt ministers each time. They vote for the politicians based on the promises they make in the hope of a better future. However, they are disheartened each time. Their problems remain unheard and they continue to live miserably.
Time to Bring About Change
The people of India need to wake up and realize that the political system will continue to stay as corrupt as it is till the time they allow it to be. They must realize that they are being befooled by the corrupt ministers time and again. The corrupt practices of the ministers are having negative repercussions on the entire society. The rise in the prices of petrol, diesel, food items and other commodities is all a result of the corruption in the system. Unequal wealth distribution and slow economic growth of the country is also because of the corrupt practices of our leaders.
It is unfortunate that willingly or unwillingly, the general public is becoming a party to the corrupt practices. One of the clear examples of this is bribery. While we allege the ministers and government officials of bribery we forget that we also promote the same by giving bribery at various places just to get our work done quickly and smoothly.
It is time for us to stand united to drive corruption out of our country. The only way to bring about a positive change in the political system is to raise voice unanimously. We need to realize that our strength lies in our unity and we must use it to improve the system.
Let the History Repeat itself
Just as the Indians stood united against the British, we must come together once again with the same dedication and feeling of patriotism to fight against corruption and the corrupt politicians. We must all think above our petty issues and work for a bigger cause. It is time to bring about reforms and stop the corrupt practices of the people in power. If our ancestors could struggle and sacrifice so much for our better future then why can’t we do the same?
The politicians of India are eating the country like parasites. Instead of complaining and yet being a part of this corrupt system, we must now act upon breaking it. We, Indians must unite to bring about reforms by ending corruption.
Long Essay on Women in Indian Politics – Essay 5 (600 words)
Indian society has always been male dominated. Women were restricted to the household chores for centuries. However, they are now being educated and exploring different fields. Women of our country are making a mark in different domains and Indian politics is one of them. The parliament of India has a good number of women members and the number is increasing with each election.
Women Politicians in India
Some Indian women who have made a mark in the field of Indian politics include:
Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi was the first female Prime Minister of India. She had a keen interest in Indian politics and helped her father Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Indian Prime Minister, with his political agendas. She became the Congress President in 1959 and went on to become the third Prime Minister of the country in 1966. She dominated the political scene during her tenure and was known for taking many hard decisions.
Her persona was so strong that she was named the ‘Woman of the Millennium’ in an online poll done by BBC.
Mamata Banerjee
Mamta Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal has proved to be stronger and wiser than many male politicians. She believed in herself and thus gathered the courage to separate from the Indian National Congress and form a party of her own in 1998. She is the founder of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITMC or TMC). She held many positions of prominence in the Indian politics before becoming the West Bengal Chief Minister. She is popular among the people of West Bengal who regard her as their Didi (elder sister).
She made a place in the list of 100 Most Influential People in the World in Time Magazine’s 2012 edition.
Jayalalithaa
Jayalalithaa was known for her dynamic personality. She was extremely popular among the people of Tamil Nadu. Her popularity can very well be ascertained by the fact that she was elected as the Chief Minister of the state for five terms. People of Tamil Nadu regarded her as a mother figure. She was fondly called Amma. She is also remembered by the name Puratchi Thalaivi meaning revolutionary leader.
It was found that she had accumulated massive assets by indulging in corrupt practices owing to which she was sentenced to imprisonment for four years. Many people came out to show their discontentment against this verdict. They did so by setting themselves on fire or hanging themselves.
Pratibha Patil
Pratibha Patil served as the 12 th President of India. She came to power in the year 2007 and successfully completed her term in 2012.
She has served numerous roles in the Indian politics and has years of experience in the field. She began her political career at the age of 27 when she got elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for the Jalgaon constituency. She went on to become the member of the Rajya Sabha and also served as a Member of Parliament for the Lok Sabha.
Sushma Swaraj
Sushma Swaraj is a well educated lady who served as a lawyer in the Supreme Court of India before joining the Indian politics. She is a popular leader of the Bhartiya Janta Party. She has served as the president of the party. She has been elected as the Member of Parliament seven times and thrice as the Member of the Legislative Assembly.
She has been serving as the Minister of External Affairs of India since May 2014. She had also served many other roles in the Indian politics.
India is lucky to have been blessed with such strong and dynamic women who have held positions of prominence in the Indian politics. They have set an example for the other woman to be confident, follow their dreams and work hard.
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Essay on Indian Politics
Students are often asked to write an essay on Indian Politics in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.
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100 Words Essay on Indian Politics
Introduction to indian politics.
Indian Politics is a broad subject which involves the activities related to governance of India. It includes a multitude of political parties, each with their unique ideologies and agendas.
Political Structure
India, known as the largest democracy in the world, has a federal structure. It is divided into central and state governments, each with their own jurisdictions and responsibilities.
Political Parties
Major political parties in India include the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC), and various regional parties. They play a vital role in shaping the country’s policies.
Role of Politics
Politics in India is crucial for law-making, maintaining law and order, and ensuring the welfare of the citizens. It impacts every aspect of society.
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250 Words Essay on Indian Politics
Introduction.
Indian politics, a complex and multifaceted arena, is a vibrant blend of democratically elected representatives, political parties, and their ideologies. It is a reflection of the nation’s diverse socio-cultural fabric, with its roots deeply entrenched in the democratic ethos of the world’s largest democracy.
The Political Structure
India follows a federal structure, with power distributed between the central government and individual states. The President is the head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government. The Parliament, consisting of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, is the legislative body, and the judiciary ensures the constitution’s supremacy.
Political Parties and Ideologies
Indian politics is characterized by a multitude of political parties, each with unique ideologies. The Indian National Congress (INC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are two prominent national parties. The ideologies of these parties range from secularism and socialism to nationalism and Hindutva, providing a broad spectrum of political thought.
Role of Caste and Religion
Caste and religion significantly influence Indian politics. Political parties often use these factors to mobilize voters, leading to identity-based politics. This can sometimes result in social divisions, highlighting the need for political maturity and responsible leadership.
Indian politics, while dynamic and diverse, faces challenges such as corruption, criminalization of politics, and the misuse of power. However, the democratic structure provides mechanisms for checks and balances. The future of Indian politics lies in strengthening these mechanisms, promoting inclusive politics, and ensuring the welfare of all citizens.
500 Words Essay on Indian Politics
Indian politics, a complex and multifaceted subject, is a tapestry woven with threads of diversity, democracy, and development. It is a democratic process that has evolved over seven decades, reflecting the aspirations of the world’s second-most populous nation.
The Democratic Framework
India, the world’s largest democracy, operates under a federal structure of government, although the word is not used in the Constitution itself. The President of India is the ceremonial head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government and runs the country’s day-to-day operations. The Indian political structure also comprises the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People), forming a bicameral parliament.
Political Parties and Coalition Politics
Indian politics is characterized by a multi-party system. The Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party are two of the major national parties. However, regional parties also play a pivotal role in the political sphere. Coalition politics has become a norm in Indian politics, reflecting the diversity of the country. It ensures that various regional and community interests are adequately represented, enhancing the democratic spirit.
Politics of Socio-Economic Development
Indian politics has always been closely linked with socio-economic development. Policies and schemes aimed at poverty alleviation, rural development, and social upliftment have been key political agendas. However, these initiatives often face challenges due to corruption, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and disparities in implementation.
Identity Politics
Identity politics, based on religion, caste, language, or regional identity, is a significant aspect of Indian politics. While it has led to empowerment of marginalized communities, critics argue that it has also resulted in increased polarization and social divisions.
Politics and Corruption
Corruption remains a pervasive issue in Indian politics, undermining the democratic ethos. Despite numerous anti-corruption movements and legislation, the problem persists. It is a pressing challenge that needs to be addressed to ensure transparency and accountability in the political system.
Indian politics, with its rich history and diverse dynamics, is a fascinating study of democratic processes. Despite challenges like corruption and social divisions, the democratic spirit continues to thrive. The future of Indian politics lies in leveraging its democratic potential to foster inclusive growth and development, ensuring that it truly represents the ‘unity in diversity’ that India stands for.
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Essay on Indian Politics in English for Children and Students
Table of Contents
India is the largest democracy in the world, with over 133.92 Crores people of different cultures and religions. Cultural aspects of north India are completely different from that of down south. Similarly, central India has its own distinct cultural and linguistic heritage, which is completely different from north east or far west, for that matter. Considering the huge cultural and religious diversity of India it is quite natural that every region has its own political representative.
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This in turn makes Indian politics complicated than the western democracies with a single religion and culture in majority. A politician in India can only be successful when he/she manages to garner the support of different religions, cultures as well as caste. Politics in India isn’t easy and provides a quite challenging environment to even the most adept politicians.
Long and Short Essay on Indian Politics in English
Here we have given short and long essay on Indian Politics of varying lengths to help you with the topic in your exam.
You can use any Indian Politics essay for your exams/assignments, essay writing, debate competitions or other similar occasions.
After going through the essays you will get an insight of Indian politics and its structure.
You will also appreciate the diversity of India and the role that the politics plays in making the voices of people heard.
Short Essay on Indian Politics – Essay 1 (200 words)
India is a democratic country. The political leaders and parties in India come into power by voting system. Indian citizens above the age of 18 years acquire the right to vote and elect their leaders. However, although it is a government by the people, to the people and for the people, the common man still suffers a great deal. This is because there is a lot of corruption within the political system of our country.
Most of our political leaders are known to be corrupt. Their corrupt practices often come to limelight however they are seldom punished for the same. Such a mindset and behaviour of our politicians is affecting the country adversely. This is hampering the growth and development of the country to a vast extent. The common man of the country is suffering the most due to the corrupt Indian politics. On the other hand, the ministers are misusing their power and position to further their interests.
A huge amount of tax is being levied on the general public. Instead of using this money to develop the country, corrupt politicians are filling their bank accounts with it. This is the reason why we have not developed as much as we should have since independence.
The Indian political system must be changed for good to bring about a positive change in the society.
Essay on Indian Politics and Politicians – Essay 2 (300 words)
Introduction
India enjoys a democratic set up that gives the general public the right to vote and elect government. While this type of political system is strong and sound with clearly defined laws, in India it has been a prey to corrupt politicians ever since its inception.
The Need for Educated Ministers
In India, almost anyone can contest elections and come to power. The person contesting the elections must be a citizen of India and should be minimum 25 years of age. Apart from this, there are few other very simple clauses to contest elections in our country.
It is strange that there is no minimum education criterion to run the government in our country. It is ironic that the nation has witnessed many uneducated and non deserving candidates rising to higher powerful levels in politics purely on the basis of money and muscle strength. We cannot expect our country to grow in the right direction when the power is in the hands of such politicians.
There is a dire need to elect educated politicians for the development of our country. We can exercise NOTA if none of the politicians contesting the elections is well-qualified and worthy of the position.
Corruption at the Chore of Indian Politics
Most of the politicians are corrupt. They misuse their power to further their interests rather than serving the country. Every now and then there is news about ministers and their family members being involved in illegal practices and scams. Since they are in power they do not fear anyone and get away with the crime.
It is the common man who is suffering due to these corrupt politicians and their corrupt practices.
India, as a nation can prosper only if our political system is improved. We need educated, sincere and hard working politicians who work for the betterment of our country and not for their personal good.
Essay on Indian Political System – Essay 3 (400 words)
India is a federal parliamentary democratic republic. It is known to be world’s largest democracy. This Indian political system came into being in August 1947 as the country got freedom from the British rule. The constitution of India was written soon after and came into force on 26 th January 1950. It has seen several amendments since then. These changes have been brought about for the good of the society after a lot of consideration.
The Political Set up of India
The President of India is the head of the state in our country while the Prime Minister is the head of the government. We have an upper house referred to as the Rajya Sabha and a lower house called the Lok Sabha. The members of these houses are known as the Members of Parliament (MP). Here is a brief about these parliamentary houses:
- There are a total of 545 members in the Lok Sabha.
- 543 Lok Sabha members are elected by the general public of the country through election. 2 Lok Sabha members are elected directly by the President of the country from the Anglo Indian Community.
- Among other requirements, one must be 25 years of age in order to be eligible for Lok Sabha membership.
Rajya Sabha
- There are a total of 245 members in the Rajya Sabha.
- 233 members of the Rajya Sabha are elected from States and Union Territories. 12 members are nominated by the President.
- A candidate must be at least 30 years old in order to become a Rajya Sabha member.
The Members of Parliament is an essential part of the Indian political system and have the power to take many political decisions collectively.
Political Parties and Formation of Government
India has numerous political parties that contest the elections. The party that gets majority of votes comes into power. The government of India is formed for a total of five years.
For years, the Indian National Congress and the Bhartiya Janata Party were the main political parties in the country that gave a tough competition to each other during elections. However, the recently formed Aam Aadmi Party headed by Arvind Kejriwal is now giving them a tough race.
The Indian political system largely suffers from corruption. Though the constitution of our country has clearly defined laws, the ministers are exempted from it for most part. They work as per their will and the general public suffers because of their corrupt means. The political system of the country needs serious reforms to ensure proper growth and development of the country.
Essay on Politics and Corruption – Essay 4 (500 words)
The terms, politics and corruption can be used synonymously when it comes to the Indian political system. It would be no exaggeration to say that the Indian political system is corrupted to the core.
Politics and Corruption
India is a land full of corrupt politicians who think about nothing but juggling more and more money by corrupt means. They work for their own benefit rather than the benefit of their country. The cases of the Indian politicians being involved in various kinds of scams have come forward many a times and these are a proof how they are bluffing the general public of the country to further their selfish motives.
Our leaders make numerous promises to the general public before coming to the power but forget about the same as they gain power. This happens in every election. The poor public gets fooled by the corrupt ministers each time. They vote for the politicians based on the promises they make in the hope of a better future. However, they are disheartened each time. Their problems remain unheard and they continue to live miserably.
Time to Bring About Change
The people of India need to wake up and realize that the political system will continue to stay as corrupt as it is till the time they allow it to be. They must realize that they are being befooled by the corrupt ministers time and again. The corrupt practices of the ministers are having negative repercussions on the entire society. The rise in the prices of petrol, diesel, food items and other commodities is all a result of the corruption in the system. Unequal wealth distribution and slow economic growth of the country is also because of the corrupt practices of our leaders.
It is unfortunate that willingly or unwillingly, the general public is becoming a party to the corrupt practices. One of the clear examples of this is bribery. While we allege the ministers and government officials of bribery we forget that we also promote the same by giving bribery at various places just to get our work done quickly and smoothly.
It is time for us to stand united to drive corruption out of our country. The only way to bring about a positive change in the political system is to raise voice unanimously. We need to realize that our strength lies in our unity and we must use it to improve the system.
Let the History Repeat itself
Just as the Indians stood united against the British, we must come together once again with the same dedication and feeling of patriotism to fight against corruption and the corrupt politicians. We must all think above our petty issues and work for a bigger cause. It is time to bring about reforms and stop the corrupt practices of the people in power. If our ancestors could struggle and sacrifice so much for our better future then why can’t we do the same?
The politicians of India are eating the country like parasites. Instead of complaining and yet being a part of this corrupt system, we must now act upon breaking it. We, Indians must unite to bring about reforms by ending corruption.
Long Essay on Women in Indian Politics – Essay 5 (600 words)
Indian society has always been male dominated. Women were restricted to the household chores for centuries. However, they are now being educated and exploring different fields. Women of our country are making a mark in different domains and Indian politics is one of them. The parliament of India has a good number of women members and the number is increasing with each election.
Women Politicians in India
Some Indian women who have made a mark in the field of Indian politics include:
Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi was the first female Prime Minister of India. She had a keen interest in Indian politics and helped her father Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Indian Prime Minister, with his political agendas. She became the Congress President in 1959 and went on to become the third Prime Minister of the country in 1966. She dominated the political scene during her tenure and was known for taking many hard decisions.
Her persona was so strong that she was named the ‘Woman of the Millennium’ in an online poll done by BBC.
Mamata Banerjee
Mamta Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal has proved to be stronger and wiser than many male politicians. She believed in herself and thus gathered the courage to separate from the Indian National Congress and form a party of her own in 1998. She is the founder of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITMC or TMC). She held many positions of prominence in the Indian politics before becoming the West Bengal Chief Minister. She is popular among the people of West Bengal who regard her as their Didi (elder sister).
She made a place in the list of 100 Most Influential People in the World in Time Magazine’s 2012 edition.
Jayalalithaa
Jayalalithaa was known for her dynamic personality. She was extremely popular among the people of Tamil Nadu. Her popularity can very well be ascertained by the fact that she was elected as the Chief Minister of the state for five terms. People of Tamil Nadu regarded her as a mother figure. She was fondly called Amma. She is also remembered by the name Puratchi Thalaivi meaning revolutionary leader.
It was found that she had accumulated massive assets by indulging in corrupt practices owing to which she was sentenced to imprisonment for four years. Many people came out to show their discontentment against this verdict. They did so by setting themselves on fire or hanging themselves.
Pratibha Patil
Pratibha Patil served as the 12 th President of India. She came to power in the year 2007 and successfully completed her term in 2012.
She has served numerous roles in the Indian politics and has years of experience in the field. She began her political career at the age of 27 when she got elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for the Jalgaon constituency. She went on to become the member of the Rajya Sabha and also served as a Member of Parliament for the Lok Sabha.
Sushma Swaraj
Sushma Swaraj is a well educated lady who served as a lawyer in the Supreme Court of India before joining the Indian politics. She is a popular leader of the Bhartiya Janta Party. She has served as the president of the party. She has been elected as the Member of Parliament seven times and thrice as the Member of the Legislative Assembly.
She has been serving as the Minister of External Affairs of India since May 2014. She had also served many other roles in the Indian politics.
India is lucky to have been blessed with such strong and dynamic women who have held positions of prominence in the Indian politics. They have set an example for the other woman to be confident, follow their dreams and work hard.
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The Indian Political Parties Research Paper
Introduction, india — overview of the country and its politics, multi-party system, political parties in india, population diversity and the party system dilemma, the idea of democracy in relation to political parties, works cited.
The system of political parties underwent drastic changes since the country gained its independence and became a democratic republic. The old parties transformed in their modern versions while plenty of new parties appeared as well. The dilemma in the multi-party system is caused by the caste system and population diversity.
The Republic of India is a seventh largest country in the world by its geographical borders and the second most populated country (“India Country Profile — Overview”, 2015, par. 1). The population of the country comprises more than one billion people. India is also known for being the most populated democracy in the world (“India Country Profile — Overview”, 2015, par. 2). The country is newly industrialized. Despite its economic flourishing, it stills faces the urgent problems of poverty, malnutrition, terrorism, and improper governance (“India Country Profile — Overview”, 2015, par. 4).
India is a federal parliamentary constitutional republic with Pranab Mukherjee being a current president. The President is the head of the state while the Prime Minister is the head of the government (“Types of Governments”, n.d., par. 1). The Constitution is the primary law of the country that defines all regulations.
Currently, India has a multi-party system. There are numerous national and regional political parties. A local party has the authority in one particular state. A party should represent at least four different states to become national (“Types of Governments”, n.d., par. 1). The primary mission of all political parties is to serve and protect interests of the nation in various aspects.
A political party is an organized group of people who share the same political opinion and follow the common aim in the controlling of the country (Hofmeister and Grabow, 2011, 8). The most important function of every party is to represent the interests of the citizens among the political elite.
Besides, political parties handle the achievement of better economic, political, educational, and other prospects of the country (Hofmeister and Grabow, 2011, 15). A multi-party system is the final type of party system in the country. In this kind of the system, several parties exist in the government, and none of them receives the majority of seats. Some dominance is usually achieved with the help of coalitions (Hofmeister and Grabow, 2011, 8).
The multi-party system has both advantages and disadvantages. The first plus refers to the fact that voters have many options (Caramani, 2014, 224-225). A variety of political parties presupposes the numerous political principles. As a result, the citizen can find the party that meets his or her personal opinions (Barrington, 2012, 264). The second advantage relates to increasing chances to represent the interests of different minorities more effectively.
The third positive reason — fewer chances of the development of dictatorship (Barrington, 2012, 264-265). Nevertheless, the multi-party system has several disadvantages as well. First, no party can receive the majority of seats in the multi-party system. Consequently, the coalition is the must in such a situation. Different parties have to join their votes to form alliances (Caramani, 2014, 224-225). These coalitions are fragile and unstable, and it impedes the general political environment in the country.
Second, small extreme parties often become significant constituents of the government. Extreme parties face no difficulty in gaining the necessary amount of votes (Barrington, 2012, 264). Then, some other major party may need their votes to form the coalition. In such a way, extreme parties may rule the country. Finally, the excessive variety of political parties leads to the disparities of interests and activities (Barrington, 2012, 264-265).
Historical background of the development of the multi-party system
The party system in India has changed drastically in the last two decades. Politicization of people from less privileged groups of society became the most significant change in the current system. The nature of the relationship between country and its citizens has also altered (Kesalu, 2013, 56-57). It is necessary to have an insight into the evolution of the Indian party system in pre and post-independence years.
The party system of India commences with the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1882. The Congress became popular among people as far as it represented the interests of the indigenous population and became the primary opposing force to the British imperialism (Rana, 2014, par. 3). The political activity of the Congress during the pre-independence period should be divided into three stages.
The first period (1885-1905) was characterized by the privileged dominance of the Congress. The next phase occurred since 1905 until 1916 (Kesalu, 2013, 58-59). The opinions between political representatives became diverse. Some of them believed that the country would gain independence through persuasion while others were intended to fight for their rights.
During the third stage (1916-1945), the Indian Independence Movement took place (Kesalu, 2013, 58-59). As a result, the British governor and General of India announced the separation of the British India into India and Pakistan. On August 15 in 1947, the Indian Independence Act was signed (Kesalu, 2013, 59).
Since that time, the Indian post-independence era began. The Congress became the leading political party due to its active participation in the independence movement (Kesalu, 2013, 59). Nevertheless, many political parties had already existed in the country. They comprised four major political groups that were interested in the gaining of votes in the first general election. The first group included the Congress, the Socialist Party, and Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party.
Marxist parties and the Communist Party of India represented the second group (Kesalu, 2013, 60). Religious, political parties formed the third group. They were Bharatiya Jan Sangh (BJS), Ram Rajya Parishad, and Hindu Mahasabha. Regional parties like Akali Dal, Jharkhand party, and Tamilnadu Congress formed the fourth group. Despite this variety, the Congress became the dominant political party and remained its domination until 1967 (Kesalu, 2013, 60).
In 1967, the fourth general election showed that the Congress’s authority declined. The regional parties popularized the idea of the decentralization of power. Congress’ organizational abilities were weak, and citizens lost trust in it (Kesalu, 2013, 60). In 1980, numerous parties appeared. Bharatiya Janata Party was established in 1980.
The activity of BJP made it the principal rival of the Congress. More often large parties were divided into smaller regional representatives. The coalition era began in 1989 (Kesalu, 2013, 60-61). The democratization of the society led to the increasing formation of various political parties that formed a unique diversity of the Indian multi-party system. All these parties represented interests of different ethnic, social, and religious groups.
Current typology of political parties
There are almost one thousand registered political parties in India and 50 of them have the status of National or State parties (Dutt, 2006, 62). All national and state parties are recognized while other parties are known as not recognized. It also should be noted, that there are two houses of parliament in India. Rajya Sabha or the Upper House serves the interests of the separate states. Lok Sabha or the Lower House is formed to monitor and fulfill the needs of all people on the national level (Dutt, 2006, 51).
There are six recognized national parties. They are Bharatiya Janata Party, Indian National Congress, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Bahujan Samai Party, and National Congress Party (Dutt, 2006, 62). Almost fifty parties are State parties.
Some of them are All India Forward Bloc, Indian Union Muslim League, Sikkim Democratic Front, Zoram Nationalist Party and others. There are also unrecognized parties that affect the politics in India to some extent — Lok Satta Party, Manipur Peoples Party, Jana Sena Party, and many others (Dutt, 2006, 62-65).
The caste system as the factor that impedes Indian multi-party system
The role of castes is a significant factor that predetermines the functioning of the multi-party system. There are more than three thousand castes in India. Their number varies in different regions (Shan, 2004, 5). In general, they are divided into four groups. They are the learned people, the warriors, agriculturalists and traders, and those who serve (“The Caste System”, n.d., par. 5). Castes are hereditary. It means that one belongs to the high or low caste since birth.
The Indian Constitution abolishes the caste system. Despite this fact, every political party makes use of the caste system. This tradition has a long history, and that is why it is deeply rooted in all aspects of social and political life (“The Caste System”, n.d., par. 10). No sphere limits the impact of caste. In the political life, it commences with the electoral process.
For instance, the Communist Party of India always chooses the representative from the most influential caste as the candidate for elections (Gulabsingh and Palekar, 2014, 2). The problem is that the most prominent representative is not always the most capable person in the party. Such an individual is interested in his caste enrichment. Thus, such an approach to choosing candidates is one of the factors that comprise the dilemma in the party system.
Gulabsingh and Palekar (2014) also write that “when a ministry is formed in the State or at the Centre, caste considerations are always kept in mind. Every chief minister tries to ensure that all dominant castes in the State are adequately represented in his council of ministers” (2). This fact also exemplifies the injustice in the multi-party system.
Sub-castes are also known as “jati”. They represent smaller localized groups within the particular large caste (Johnson and Johnson, n.d., par. 1-3). They are essential for receiving the needed minority of votes by the party.
The candidate from the sub-caste knows the primary concern of people, their problems, desires, traditions, and ways of life. It is easy to use all this information to create a campaign that will attract the attention of the target group. Parties can create distinct banners or advertisements that reflect the interests of this or that group and gain the favor of the voters.
Another crucial aspect that affects Indian party system is the great diversity of the population. When there are many representatives from various social and ethnic groups, there is an immense number of interests. This situation is directly connected to the multi-party system. However, it is necessary to examine the dilemma of the multi-party system through the several perspectives of diversity.
Indian political culture and its manifestation through multi-party system
The population is divided into elite and masses (Hoveyda, 2010, 14). These two groups participate in the political process and represents different types of political culture. These kinds of political culture enhance the divergence of opinion within the party system as well. Indian political culture is heterogeneous.
It is divided into the elite culture and mass culture. Hoveyda (2010) writes that “elites are associated with liberal education and related values, institutions of the representative government and values of citizenship; while the masses are viewed as traditional, regional and conservative, though also oriented towards modern values and institutions” (15). There are differences between elite culture and mass culture that impede the successful development of the country.
Military and civil bureaucracy, educated intelligentsia, and political leaders comprise the elite political culture. Mass culture consists of traditional castes, and it is more interested in the local and regional levels of governance (Hoveyda, 2010, 15-16). Mass culture became widely spread due to the processes of democratization and the policy of power decentralization. These aspects increased the level of involvement of people from various social strata in the governmental activities.
On the one hand, the formation of political parties by different people was a good sign of democracy and the efficient implementation of the multi-party system. On the contrary, it increased the inequality between people. Thus, those who belonged to wealthy castes could become involved in politics and increase their status and financial resources while others remained in the same disadvantageous position (Hoveyda, 2010, 16).
One more distinctive feature of mass political culture refers to the dominance of caste, religious, provincial, and linguistic factors. All these features of mass culture differ it from the elite culture. Consequently, their goals are not the same and cannot be achieved with the help of each other.
Thus, the elite political culture emphasizes the significance of developing the country on the national and global level (Hoveyda, 2010, 16-17). Such a plan includes the formation of the advanced infrastructure system, the representation of state schemes, and economic growth. The mass political culture needs support in the form of subsidized services, water, or electricity (Hoveyda, 2010, 16-17).
It is obvious that political orientations of the elite and mass political cultures are far from being the same. Some voters are more interested in having enough water. That is why they will vote for parties from the mass political culture. Other people realize the necessity to develop the overall economy of the country.
In this case, they will vote for parties from the elite political culture. What is more significant, the parties themselves are not ready to achieve any consensus. They focus only on their goals. The coalitions are not of great assistance in this case. Though parties combine their votes, it is still not enough for the political stability within the country (Hoveyda, 2010, 17).
Ethnic diversity and its relation to the dilemma
India is a home for representatives from many dissimilar religious, ethnic, and social classes of people. Such aspect as ethnicity can also shed the light on the problem of the country’s multi-party system. A particular attention should be paid to the notion of the political secularism.
The so-called “ethinification” of the party system means the intentional direction of political parties to receive support from the particular ethnic group (Huber and Suryanarayan, 2014, 5).
Elites can use ethnicity as a target to attract as many voters as possible and form the necessary coalition. Such schemes work well in countries where it is challenging to receive the majority of seats by one party (Huber and Suryanarayan, 2014, 2). It is obvious that such plan is of great advantage for Indian political parties. Religious beliefs are significant constituents that comprise the ethnicity of every individual in the country.
Hinduism is the most widespread religion in India (Ghosh, 2015, par. 2). More than eighty percent of all population in India are Hindus. Muslims comprise ten percent while Christianity — almost three percent (Ghosh, 2015, par. 2). The primary problem with Hinduism refers to the fact that there is no universal religion. People from different religious minorities proclaim themselves Hindus. There are Hindu and Muslim political parties in the country (Ghosh, 2015, par. 5).
The key concern between them has a religious background. The Bharatiya Janata Party is the largest party that directly demonstrates its Hindus roots and follows the policy of the Hindu nationalism (Dutt, 2006, 62). The results of elections prove the religion-based politics. It has been found out that only a few votes for the BJP are observed in regions where the Muslim population is prevailing.
Secularism has become a popular trend in many Western societies. The idea of separation the government from the religious organizations became widespread due to several reasons Maclure and Taylor, 2011, 11-12). First, the Church can impede the scientific progress and forbid to conduct particular types of researches. Second, the necessity to be under the patronage of the church does not appeal to many individuals.
Consequently, the religion got detached and became a private affair of everyone (Maclure and Taylor, 2011, 11). The role of religion in the Indian society should not be underestimated. No secularist tendencies take place in the country due to the significance of worship. Faith has always been a prominent stimulus for the national awakening. Thus, Gandhi inspired people with the idea of political freedom with the help of religious texts (Moradian and Whiteshouse, 2000, par. 20-25).
The idea of democracy in India is a controversial issue. The country proclaims itself the largest democracy in the world. The concept of democracy is interconnected with the activity of political parties in India. Political parties are often regarded as both “heroes and villains of the country’s democratic experiment” (Diamond and Gunther, 2001, 206). All citizens of India strongly support the idea of democracy. Nevertheless, the democracy is still more like an illusion rather than the reality in the country.
It is also worthwhile mentioning the research conducted by Rudolph and Rudolph. The authors investigate the new dimensions of Indian democracy since the 1990s. They have pointed out five primary aspects that reflect the achievement of justice in the Indian society. The issues that are related to political parties include the modification of the party system, the rise of states, and the coalition government. India has a federal system that assists in maintaining peaceful coexistence of people from various ethnic and cultural groups.
The federal system of India can be compared to the European Union countries rather that to the U.S.’s states (Rudolph and Rudolph, 2002, 53-54). This statement is proved by the fact that there are particular correspondences between them. The residents of England and Italy, for instance, as well as Hindu and Tamils speak different languages and share some history.
They have different socioeconomic profiles and various cultural heritage (Rudolph and Rudolph, 2002, 54). Considering all these factors, both India and European Union promote peaceful living among the residents of states.
The transformation into the multi-party was the second manifestation of the Indian democracy. The end of the ruling of one dominant party symbolized the appearance of new features of the country (Rudolph and Rudolph, 2002, 54-55). As a result, people from all social classes, ethnic, and religious groups became able to form the political parties and represent the interests of their minorities.
The third representation of democracy refers to the establishment of the coalition government (Rudolph and Rudolph, 2002, 55). Coalitions are inevitable in the country where the number of political parties makes it impossible to gain the majority of seats by one particular party. Thus, parties unite to become more valuable and possess more power. Besides, the aim of every coalition government is to reduce the risks of extremism (Rudolph and Rudolph, 2002, 55).
For instance, BJP commenced its political activity as the party whose primary concern was Hindu nationalism. Due to the lack of power, the party had to look for partners. One secular party from South India became the partner of BJP and, in such a way decreased the possibility of the excessive concentration on Hindu nationalism issues (Rudolph and Rudolph, 2002, 55-56).
The country experienced recent rapid economic growth. However, this growth has not influenced the standard of living of people. Residents of India are destitute. The general income per capita is below the threshold (“Effects of Poverty in India: Between Injustice and Exclusion”, 2013, par. 1). Such a situation resembles the features of the dictatorship but not of the democracy.
India has an immense number of ethnic minorities that have different languages, culture, traditions, and beliefs. Besides, the cases of inter-community violence are usual thing in India. People belong to different castes, and this is the major differentiator of the whole society until nowadays. Religious conflicts can occur as well. Also, the level of corruption in the country is not like it should be in democratic societies (Oldenburg, 2007, 5-7).
These distinctive characteristics of India explain the necessity to have the multi-party system. On the one hand, various political parties should represent such socio-cultural diversity. Otherwise, it will be impossible to take into account the interests of all people. Democracy presupposes the rule of masses through the representatives. The only possible option, in this case, is to employ a multi-party system (Oldenburg, 2007, 7).
On the other hand, there are many flaws in the system. The first problem refers to the fair play in the election. There are no evidence that elections are fair and not corrupted (Oldenburg, 2007, 7-8). Besides, many people in India are still illiterate or have the inadequate education. They cannot make profound decisions due to the lack of knowledge and ability to comprehend the situation. When the parties are already chosen, their promises, in most cases, remain just promises (Oldenburg, 2007, 8).
All these issues undermine the idea of democracy in the Indian multi-party system. Oldenburg has conducted research and examined that corruption in courts is a typical practice. For instance, many politicians are accused of participating in some illegal activity. Nevertheless, none of them was convicted in the commitment of the crime (Oldenburg, 2007, 9). Democracy is impossible in such conditions.
India is the second most populated country in the world with the most diverse society. The party system of the country has changed drastically since independence. India started as the country with one dominant party, the Indian National Congress, and gradually developed the multi-party system. Such a transformation of the government is a direct manifestation of the democratization.
However, such factors as the caste system and the population diversity influence the implementation of the multi-party system significantly. On the one hand, the multi-party system is the best option for the country with such diversity. On the contrary, the caste inequalities and ethnic diversity make it impossible to achieve any consensus among parties.
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FAQs For Indian Politics Essay. Question 1: How many political parties are there in India? Answer 1: According to the latest publication from the Election Commission of India, the total number of registered political parties in India is 2698. Furthermore, out of the registered political parties, 8 are national parties, 52 are state parties, and ...
The Indian politics essay reveals the existing Indian political system in the country. It is similar to a game of snake and ladders. Friends become one's enemies, and sworn enemies share the dais during election rallies. It is becoming a common sight today. Indians can be proud of the fact that they are the largest democracy existing in the world.
India is a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic, republic. Indian Political system derives its origin from the historical underpinnings, however, its present structure owes to the Indian Constitution. India’s political system is federal in nature, with a union of states and territories.
Short Essay on Indian Politics – Essay 1 (200 words) India is a democratic country. The political leaders and parties in India come into power by voting system. Indian citizens above the age of 18 years acquire the right to vote and elect their leaders. However, although it is a government by the people, to the people and for the people, the ...
Indian democracy faces further challenges because of criminality in the political system. 43 per cent of those who won national parliament seats at the 2019 general election had been charged with a crime of some kind. Democracy and corruption in India. Indian politics has been plagued by corruption for decades.
Politics of India. Politics of India works within the framework of the country's Constitution. India is a parliamentary secular democratic republic in which the president of India is the head of state & first citizen of India and the Prime Minister of India is the head of government. It is based on the federal structure of government, although ...
Indian politics is characterized by a multi-party system. The Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party are two of the major national parties. However, regional parties also play a pivotal role in the political sphere. Coalition politics has become a norm in Indian politics, reflecting the diversity of the country.
Short Essay on Indian Politics – Essay 1 (200 words) India is a democratic country. The political leaders and parties in India come into power by voting system. Indian citizens above the age of 18 years acquire the right to vote and elect their leaders. However, although it is a government by the people, to the people and for the people, the ...
Short Essay on Indian Politics 200 Words in English. Below, we have provided a 200-word short essay on Indian politics is helpful to classes 1,2,3,4,5, and 6. students can make use of in test and examinations. Indian politics is a colourful drama and most famously called as the great circus of the country.
The party system of India commences with the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1882. The Congress became popular among people as far as it represented the interests of the indigenous population and became the primary opposing force to the British imperialism (Rana, 2014, par. 3).