Q. 10. Explain the role of sectional interest groups in deepening democracy.
Ans
1. Where different groups function actively, no single group can achieve dominance over the society. If one grout puts pressure on the government to make policies in its favour, another will put counter pressure not to make policies in the way, the first group desires. This leads to a rough balance of power and accommodation of conflicting interests.
2. While working for the interests of their sections, they also inspire others to put forward their demands.
Q. 11. How do pressure Groups and Movements exert influence on politics? Explain.
Ans .
1. Raising Public issues:- They try to gain public support and sympathy for their goal, and their activity by carrying out information campaigns, organizing meetings, file petitions, etc. Most of these groups try to influence the mass media into giving more attention to these issues.
2. Participation in the working of government:- They often organize protest activities like strikes, disrupting government programmes. Workers organizations from pressure groups or movement groups may participate in official bodies and committees that offer advice to the government.
3. Impact on political parties:- Most of the political parties take agenda from these organizations. Most of the movement groups take political stance without being a party.
4. New Parties:- These movements give birth to a new political party. DMK, AIADMK etc.
Q 12. “The pressure groups interest groups and movements have both negative as well as positive points.” Explain.
Ans. Negative impacts:
1. These promote interests of one section.
2. These weaken the basic structure of democracy because mostly they work for a particular group or issue whereas a democracy must look after the interests of all, not just one section.
3. These groups wield power without responsibility. Political parties have to face the people in elections, but these groups are not accountable to the people.
4. Pressure groups and movements may not get their funds and support from the people. Sometimes, pressure groups with small public support, but lots of money can hijack public discussion in favour of their narrow agenda.
5. Sometimes, these pressure groups can create political instability.
Positive impacts:
1. Pressure groups and movements have deepened democracy. Putting pressure on the rulers is not an unhealthy activity in a democracy as long as everyone gets this opportunity.
2. Public interest groups and movements perform a useful role of countering the undue influence of rich and powerful and reminding the, government of the needs and concerns of ordinary citizens.
Q. 13. What are the two different ways of participating in a struggle?
Ans.
1.
Direct participation – In this people try to influence the decisions in a democracy by directly participating in active politics.
2. Indirect participation - In this people try to voice their interests by forming organizations and influence the government policies without sharing the political power i.e., in a very indirect manner.
Q.14. State the similarities and levels of popular mass struggles of Nepal and Bolivia.
Ans. Similarities
1. Both these were the instances of popular political conflict that led to popular struggles.
2. In both the bases struggle involved mass mobilization. Public demonstration of mass support, clinched the dispute.
3. Lastly, both instances involved critical role of political organizations.
Level of Popular struggle
The two movements involved mass mobilization and public demonstration of mass support. Both these struggles shows how democracy evolved all over the world like:
1. Democracy evolved through popular struggle.
2. Democratic conflict and mobilization.
3. Democracy and political organization.
