The Crisis of Democratic Order
Describe any three elements of growing consensus among most of the political parties of India after 1989.
Elements of growing consensus
(i) Agreement on new economic policies : Most parties were in support of the new economic policies and believed that these policies would lead the country to prosperity and a status of economic power in the world.
(ii) Acceptance of the political and social claims of the backward castes : Political parties had recognized that the social and political claims of the Backward Castes need to be accepted and support reservation of seats for OBC in education and employment.
(iii) Acceptance of the role of State level parties in governance of the country: State level parties were sharing power at the national level and had played a central role in the country’s politics.
(iv) Emphasis on pragmatic considerations rather than ideological positions and political alliances without ideological agreement as most parties of the NDA did not agree with the ‘Hindutava’ ideology of the BJP. Yet, they came together to form a government and remained in power for a full term.
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• Effects on civil liberties for citizens.
• Impact on relationship between the Executive and Judiciary.
• Functioning of Mass Media.
• Working of the Police and Bureaucracy.
Indian democracy was never so close to a two-party system as it was during the 1977 elections. However, the next few years saw a complete change. Soon after its defeat, the Indian National Congress split into two groups ................ The Janata Party also went through major convulsions ........ David Butler, Ashok Lahiri and Prannoy Roy. –Partha Chatterjee
(a) What made the party system in India look like a two-party system in 1977 ?
(b) Many more than two parties existed in 1977. Why then are the authors describing this period as close to a two-party system ?
(c) What caused splits in Congress and the Janata parties ?
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