Question

Read the following source and answer the questions that follow:

The Need for Political Parties               As we have seen, large societies need representative democracy. As societies became large and complex, they also needed some agency to gather different views on various issues and to present these to the government. They needed some ways, to bring various representatives together so that a responsible government could be formed. They needed a mechanism to support or restrain the government, make policies, justify or oppose them. Political parties fulfil these needs that every representative government has. We can say that parties are a necessary condition for a democracy.

1. Explain the meaning of ‘representative democracy’.  [1]
2. How do political parties shape public opinion?   [1]
3. Why are political parties considered a necessary condition for a democracy? Explain.  [2]

Answer 1

1. Representative democracy is a system where citizens elect leaders to make decisions and govern on their behalf.
2. Political organizations influence public opinion by serving as a bridge between the government and citizens and facilitating support or opposition to policies.
3. Political parties play a crucial role in democracy by allowing citizens to support or oppose government policies, contest elections, and influence public opinion.