Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Multiparty System: When several parties compete for power and more than two parties have a reasonable chance of coming to power — either on their own or in alliance with others — it is called a multiparty system. The government is usually formed by various parties coming together in a coalition.

Reason why India has such a system: India has evolved a multiparty system because its social and geographical diversity is so vast that it cannot be easily absorbed by two or even three parties. Different regions, castes, religions and communities require varied political representation, making a multiparty system natural for India.

Source: Chapter 4 — "How many parties should we have?"

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• Definition (1 mark): Focus on "more than two parties with a reasonable chance of power, alone or in alliance."
• Reason (2 marks): The textbook explicitly states India's diversity — social and geographical — as the cause. Mention coalition/alliance as a feature. Examiners expect these exact textbook points; avoid vague answers like "India is a big country" without linking it to diversity.
• Do not confuse multiparty system with coalition — coalition is the result, multiparty is the system.