PYQ Vault · Paper 1 · Party System & Electoral Politics
To what extent has the inadequate intra-party democracy affected the functioning of Indian democracy?
How the answer moves
The flow snapshot — the routes in, the body, the counter-view and the routes out.
Flow snapshot — how the answer moves
Intro routes
R1 parties = core of representation & governance → intra-party democracy = transparency / participation / accountability → its absence turns the damage inward k2_ in India the deficit is real and deep → but “to what extent” → serious, yet not without limits (stake the degree)
Body flow
structural problem set (high-command, dynasty, centralized nominations, weak internal elections) → Michels “iron law of oligarchy” → opaque candidate selection + money / muscle / defections → personalization (Indira → Congress, intermediate institutions weakened) → factional splits → why it matters: Sartori “schools of democracy” + Scarrow legitimacy → internal failure erodes democratic legitimacy → weak regulation (Section 29A, RPA) → reform calls (Law Commission 170th Report, internal elections, transparent finance)
Counter-view
internal democracy is not costless → Duverger (weakens cohesion) + Aldrich (capture by charismatic leaders / interest groups) → the deficit alone cannot carry all the blame
Conclusion routes
rR! deep but not total → weakens representation / candidate selection / accountability from within, not the sole determinant of performance R2 reform path → internal elections + transparent finance + enforceable regulation repairs much of it
Model answer
Handwritten, in the form it would be written in the examination hall.
