Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

This apparent contradiction can be explained as follows:

Low trust does not mean low participation. Citizens may distrust political parties as institutions — finding them corrupt or self-serving — yet still join or support them because parties remain the most effective way to secure political representation and influence policy. In India, political parties are not just electoral bodies; they are deeply embedded in social and community life, making membership a practical necessity for many. Additionally, survey evidence shows that the proportion feeling 'close to a political party' has steadily increased over three decades, suggesting emotional or identity-based attachment even without institutional trust.

Source: Democratic Politics, Chapter 4 — Popular Participation in Political Parties

---

The examiner wants you to resolve the contradiction using the two dimensions from the passage: trust (institutional credibility) and participation/membership (personal engagement). Key points:

• Low trust is a global trend, not unique to India.
• Membership is driven by practical/social reasons, not just trust.
• Don't just restate the contradiction — explain the gap between the two measures.
• Cite the SDSA survey evidence to ground your answer.