Political Science

---
name: political-science
description: >-
  CBSE Grade 10 Political Science — Democratic Politics II. Covers Power Sharing, Federalism,
  Political Parties, and Democracy. Activate for civics concepts and board exam preparation.
---

# Political Science — CBSE Grade 10 Social Science

## Syllabus Coverage (2026–27)

**Book: Democratic Politics – II**

| Chapter | Topic | Marks (out of 20) |
|---------|-------|--------------------|
| Ch 1 | Power Sharing | ~3-4 |
| Ch 2 | Federalism | ~4-5 |
| Ch 3 | Gender, Religion and Caste | ~3-4 |
| Ch 4 | Political Parties | ~4-5 |
| Ch 5 | Outcomes of Democracy | ~3-4 |
| **Total** | **5 Chapters** | **20** |

---

## Chapter 1: Power Sharing

### Key Concepts
- **Belgium model**: population — 59% Dutch, 40% French, 1% German
  - Community government, equal representation in central government
  - Brussels: equal French and Dutch representation
- **Sri Lanka model**: 74% Sinhalese, 18% Tamil
  - Majoritarianism: Sinhala Only Act (1956), state religion Buddhism
  - Led to civil war (1983-2009)
- **Why power sharing?**: prudential (reduces conflict) + moral (people have right to participate)

### Forms of Power Sharing
1. **Horizontal**: Legislature, Executive, Judiciary (checks and balances)
2. **Vertical**: Central, State, Local governments (federalism)
3. **Among social groups**: community government (Belgium), reserved constituencies
4. **Among political parties**: coalition government, opposition, pressure groups

### Key Comparison
| Feature | Belgium | Sri Lanka |
|---------|---------|-----------|
| Approach | Accommodation | Majoritarianism |
| Result | Peace, unity | Civil war |
| Language policy | Equal recognition | Sinhala Only |
| Government | Federal, community-based | Unitary, Sinhalese-dominated |

---

## Chapter 2: Federalism

### Key Concepts
- **Federalism**: power divided between central and state governments by Constitution
- **Unitary vs Federal**:

| Feature | Unitary | Federal |
|---------|---------|---------|
| Power | Central government supreme | Division of power |
| Constitution | Can be changed by central govt | Written, rigid |
| Judiciary | Not necessarily independent | Independent |
| Example | UK, France | India, USA, Australia |

- **Indian Federalism** (3 tiers):
  - Union List (97 subjects): Defence, Banking, Currency, Foreign Affairs
  - State List (66 subjects): Police, Agriculture, Health, Land
  - Concurrent List (47 subjects): Education, Marriage, Forest — both can legislate
  - Residuary subjects: handled by Centre

- **Decentralization** (73rd & 74th Amendment, 1992):
  - Panchayati Raj: Gram Panchayat → Block/Taluk Panchayat → District/Zila Panchayat
  - Urban: Municipal Corporation, Municipality, Nagar Panchayat
  - 1/3 seats reserved for women
  - State Election Commission conducts elections
  - State Finance Commission recommends revenue sharing

### Key Facts
```
SCHEDULE 7: Contains Union, State, Concurrent lists
Article 1: India is a "Union of States"
73rd Amendment (1992): Rural local bodies (Panchayati Raj)
74th Amendment (1992): Urban local bodies
Number of states: 28 + 8 Union Territories
Languages in 8th Schedule: 22 official languages
```

---

## Chapter 3: Gender, Religion and Caste

### Key Concepts
- **Gender division**: patriarchal society, women's underrepresentation in politics
  - India: 33% reservation for women in local bodies (Panchayats & Municipalities)
  - Women's Reservation Bill: pending for Parliament
  - Gender division is not biological but social (social roles assigned)

- **Religion and politics**:
  - **Communalism**: using religion to gain political power
  - **Secularism in India**: no state religion, freedom of religion, no discrimination based on religion
  - Constitutional provisions: Article 25-28 (Religious freedom), no state religion, prohibition of discrimination

- **Caste and politics**:
  - Caste-based discrimination exists despite Constitutional provisions
  - SC/ST reservation in legislatures and government jobs
  - Caste politics: can divide society but can also bring disadvantaged groups into political mainstream
  - Universal Adult Franchise: every citizen 18+ can vote regardless of caste

### Key Differences
```
COMMUNALISM vs SECULARISM:
  Communalism: religion used for political mobilization
  Secularism: separation of religion from politics

CASTEISM vs SOCIAL JUSTICE:
  Negative: vote banks, caste-based violence
  Positive: reservation, social upliftment of marginalized
```

---

## Chapter 4: Political Parties

### Key Concepts
- **Political party**: group with common objectives seeking political power through elections
- **Functions**: contest elections, form policies, make laws, shape public opinion, provide opposition
- **Types**:
  - National parties: recognized in 4+ states or 6%+ votes in 4 states in Lok Sabha
  - State/Regional parties: recognized in fewer states

### National Parties (MUST memorize)

| Party | Symbol | Founded | Ideology |
|-------|--------|---------|----------|
| BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) | Lotus | 1980 | Cultural nationalism, Hindutva |
| INC (Indian National Congress) | Hand | 1885 | Secular, liberal, centrist |
| BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party) | Elephant | 1984 | Dalit rights, social justice |
| CPI-M (Communist Party - Marxist) | Hammer, Sickle & Star | 1964 | Marxist-Leninist, left |
| CPI (Communist Party of India) | Ears of Corn & Sickle | 1925 | Marxist, democratic socialism |
| NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) | Clock | 1999 | Secularism, federalism |
| AAP (Aam Aadmi Party) | Broom | 2012 | Anti-corruption, grassroots democracy |

### Challenges to Political Parties
1. Lack of internal democracy (dynasty politics)
2. Money and muscle power in elections
3. Meaningful choice not offered to voters
4. Growing role of hereditary succession
5. Criminalization of politics

### Reforms Suggested
- Anti-defection law (10th Schedule)
- Right to Information Act (RTI, 2005)
- Affidavit system for candidates (declaring assets, criminal record)
- State funding of elections
- Internal democracy within parties

---

## Chapter 5: Outcomes of Democracy

### Key Concepts
- **Is democracy more accountable?** Yes — free press, opposition, judiciary check government
- **Is democracy more efficient?** Not always faster, but decisions are more legitimate (deliberation takes time)
- **Economic outcomes**: democracies show slightly lower growth than dictatorships but more equitable
- **Inequality and poverty**: democracy alone doesn't reduce inequality — needs active policies
- **Accommodation of diversity**: democracy best handles social diversities and prevents tyranny of majority
- **Dignity and freedom**: democracy provides dignity to women, marginalized, minorities

### Key Comparison
```
DEMOCRACY vs DICTATORSHIP:
Democracy:
  ✓ Accountable government
  ✓ Responsive to people
  ✓ Reduces inequality over time
  ✓ Accommodates diversity
  ✓ Dignity and freedom
  ✗ Slower decision-making
  ✗ Corruption possible

Dictatorship:
  ✓ Faster decisions
  ✓ Can show quick economic growth
  ✗ No accountability
  ✗ Suppresses dissent
  ✗ No dignity for citizens
  ✗ Leads to conflict
```

---

## High-Yield Topics (495+ Strategy)
1. **Federalism** — Highest weightage; lists, decentralization, Panchayati Raj
2. **Political Parties** — National parties table, challenges, reforms
3. **Power Sharing** — Belgium vs Sri Lanka comparison
4. **Outcomes of Democracy** — Evaluation of democracy's performance

## Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Not writing Constitutional articles when relevant (Art 1, Art 25-28)
2. Confusing Union List with State List
3. Not mentioning amendment numbers (73rd, 74th)
4. Writing opinions without constitutional backing
5. Forgetting that India is a "Union of States" not "Federation of States"

## Answer Writing Framework for Political Science
1. **Use Constitutional terminology**: "Article 1 states...", "73rd Amendment provides..."
2. **Compare and contrast**: always use table format when comparing (Belgium vs Sri Lanka)
3. **Balanced arguments**: present both sides for "Evaluate" questions
4. **Give examples**: use real Indian examples (election data, party names, leader names)
5. **For reform questions**: list problems FIRST, then suggest reforms