/ Class 10 Polity Notes, NCERT Notes / By

Class 10 Polity Chapter 5: Popular Struggles and Movements Notes

In a democracy, people’s participation is essential, and movements and protests play a crucial role in bringing change. This chapter explores how pressure groups, interest groups, and mass movements influence political decisions, using case studies like Nepal’s struggle for democracy and Bolivia’s Water War.



Introduction

  • Democracy is not just about elections and political parties.
  • Ordinary people play an important role in bringing social and political change through popular struggles, movements, and pressure groups.
  • Many important democratic rights have been gained through mass struggles.


Movement for Democracy in Nepal (2006 People’s Movement)


Background
  • Nepal was a monarchy (ruled by a king) for most of its history.
  • In 1990, a democracy was established, but the king retained power over the government.
  • In 2005, King Gyanendra dismissed the government and took full control, leading to protests.

The 2006 People’s Movement for Democracy
  • All major political parties, Maoist rebels, and civil society groups united against the king.
  • Mass protests took place across Nepal, demanding a democratic government.
  • Result:
    • The king was forced to step down in 2006.
    • Nepal became a constitutional democracy.
    • In 2008, Nepal officially abolished the monarchy and became a republic.

Lesson:
  • People’s power can bring about major political change in a democracy.


Water War in Bolivia (2000 Protests)


Background
  • Bolivia is a small country in South America.
  • In 1999, the government privatized water supply in Cochabamba, leading to high prices.
  • A multinational company Bechtel took control, making water unaffordable for the poor.

The Protests and Movement
  • Ordinary citizens, farmers, and social groups protested against the price hikes.
  • The government used police force against protesters, but the movement continued.
  • Result:
    • The government was forced to cancel the water contract.
    • Water supply was returned to public control.

Lesson:
  • Mass movements can force governments to reverse unfair decisions.



Democracy and Popular Struggles

  • In a democracy, people must actively participate in struggles to protect their rights.
  • Movements can be led by political parties (Nepal) or by ordinary citizens (Bolivia).
  • Mass protests and pressure from the people can influence government decisions.


Different Forms of Popular Struggles

Popular struggles in a democracy take different forms:


Type Description Example
Political Movements Led by political parties to change the government Nepal’s Movement for Democracy (2006)
Social Movements Led by social groups to demand policy changes Anti-corruption movement in India (2011)
Economic Struggles Demand for better wages, jobs, and services Bolivia’s Water War (2000)

Popular struggles ensure democracy remains responsive to the needs of the people.



Pressure Groups and Movements


What Are Pressure Groups?
  • Pressure groups are organized groups that try to influence the government’s decisions.
  • They do not aim to form a government but influence policies.

Types of Pressure Groups
Type Example Description
Interest Groups Trade Unions, Business Associations Represent a specific profession or business
Public Interest Groups PUCL, Narmada Bachao Andolan Work for public issues like environment, human rights
Social Movements Women’s Rights Movements Broad-based campaigns for social change

Example of Pressure Group Influence:

The Anti-corruption movement in India (2011) led to the passing of the Lokpal Act.


Key Learning:

Pressure groups strengthen democracy by ensuring diverse voices are heard.



Political Parties vs. Pressure Groups

Feature Political Parties Pressure Groups
Goal Want to form a government Want to influence policies
Structure Have a formal structure and leadership Can be loosely organized
Participation in Elections Contest elections Do not contest elections

Both political parties and pressure groups contribute to democracy.



Movements for Democracy and Rights


What Are Movement Groups?

Movements are long-term efforts to bring social, political, or economic change.


Types of Movement Groups
Type Example Description
Single-Issue Movements Right to Information (RTI) Campaign Focus on one specific issue
General Movements Women’s Rights Movement Cover broader social and political issues

Example of a Successful Movement:

Right to Information (RTI) Act (2005) – A law that allows citizens to access government records.



Role of Popular Struggles and Movements in Democracy


How Do They Help Democracy?
  • Ensure public participation in decision-making.
  • Bring attention to important social issues.
  • Act as a check on government power.

Challenges:
  • Sometimes movements disrupt daily life (e.g., strikes, protests).
  • Governments may suppress movements using police force.


Conclusion

  • Democracy is not just about elections; it requires constant public engagement.
  • Popular struggles, pressure groups, and social movements help keep democracy alive.
  • Governments should listen to people’s voices and allow peaceful protests.


Scroll to Top