Question

What is politics of coalition ?

Hint:

Think of a coalition government as a team project among different groups. Success depends on cooperation and compromise. The period from 1989 to 2014 in India is known as the 'Era of Coalitions'.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The politics of coalition arises in a multi-party democratic system when no single political party wins a clear majority of seats in an election to form a government on its own.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The politics of coalition refers to the process and dynamics of forming and running a government by an alliance of multiple political parties.
Key features of coalition politics include:


Alliance Formation: Two or more parties come together, either before or after an election, based on a common minimum programme to form a government.

Negotiation and Compromise: The partner parties must negotiate over policies, cabinet positions, and other aspects of governance. This often involves ideological compromises.

Shared Power: The Prime Minister or Chief Minister typically comes from the largest party, but other key ministerial portfolios are distributed among the coalition partners.

Instability Concerns: Coalition governments can sometimes be unstable, as the withdrawal of support by any partner can lead to the government's collapse.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The politics of coalition is a system of governance where multiple political parties join forces to form a government, which requires constant negotiation, compromise, and power-sharing among the alliance partners.