Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
India’s political landscape has witnessed a transition from periods of coalition governance, particularly prominent from 1989 to 2014, to a phase of single-party dominance under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) since 2014. This shift represents a significant alteration in the dynamics of power and decision-making within the governmental system. Coalition governments, characterized by power-sharing and negotiation, differ fundamentally from single-party dominance, where a single party holds a clear majority and exercises greater control. Understanding the implications of this change is crucial for assessing its impact on governance, policy implementation, and the overall health of Indian democracy.
Understanding Coalition Governments and Single-Party Dominance
Coalition Governments: These arise when no single party secures a majority in the legislature, necessitating the formation of a government through alliances between multiple parties. Decision-making is often slow and requires consensus-building, leading to compromises and potential policy paralysis. Accountability can be diffused as responsibility is shared among coalition partners.
Single-Party Dominance: This occurs when a single party commands a clear majority, allowing it to form a government without relying on external support. This facilitates quicker decision-making, stronger policy implementation, and clearer accountability. However, it can also lead to a concentration of power and potential disregard for minority viewpoints.
Impact on Governmental Systems
1. Decision-Making & Policy Formulation
- Coalition: Policy formulation is often a protracted process involving extensive negotiations and compromises. Common Minimum Programmes (CMPs) are frequently adopted to provide a framework for governance, but these can be diluted to accommodate diverse interests. Example: The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) governments (2004-2014) often faced challenges in implementing reforms due to coalition compulsions.
- Single-Party Dominance: Decision-making is streamlined, and policies can be formulated and implemented more efficiently. The ruling party can pursue its agenda with greater conviction. Example: The BJP government’s implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017, despite initial resistance, demonstrates the efficiency of single-party dominance.
2. Accountability & Transparency
- Coalition: Accountability can be diffused among coalition partners, making it difficult to pinpoint responsibility for failures. Transparency may be compromised due to the need for confidential negotiations.
- Single-Party Dominance: Accountability is more clearly defined, as the ruling party is directly responsible for the government’s performance. However, there is a risk of reduced scrutiny and potential for abuse of power.
3. Political Stability
- Coalition: Coalition governments are often inherently unstable, prone to internal conflicts and the threat of collapse. This can lead to frequent elections and policy uncertainty. The 1996-1998 period saw several short-lived coalition governments.
- Single-Party Dominance: Provides greater political stability, allowing the government to focus on long-term policy goals. This stability can attract investment and promote economic growth.
4. Representation & Inclusivity
- Coalition: Coalitions often represent a broader spectrum of interests and ideologies, potentially leading to more inclusive policies.
- Single-Party Dominance: May lead to the marginalization of minority viewpoints and a focus on the priorities of the dominant party. Concerns have been raised regarding the representation of marginalized communities under the current dispensation.
Comparative Analysis
| Feature | Coalition Government | Single-Party Dominance |
|---|---|---|
| Decision-Making | Slow, Consensus-based | Fast, Efficient |
| Accountability | Diffused | Clear |
| Stability | Low | High |
| Representation | Broad | Potentially Narrow |
Conclusion
The shift from coalition governments to single-party dominance in India has undeniably altered the governmental system. While single-party dominance offers advantages in terms of decisiveness, stability, and accountability, it also carries the risk of reduced inclusivity and potential for authoritarian tendencies. A healthy democracy requires a balance between these forces, ensuring that the benefits of efficient governance are not achieved at the expense of representation and the protection of minority rights. Continuous vigilance and robust institutional mechanisms are essential to safeguard democratic principles in this evolving political landscape.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.