DR.

RAM MANOHAR LOHIYA,

NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY,
LUCKNOW
SESSION 2016-2017

SUBJECT: POLITICAL SCIENCE

TOPIC: INNER PARTY DEMOCRACY
CLASS: B.A.LL.B. (HONS), 2nd SEMESTER

SUBMITTED TO SUBMITTED BY
DR. MONIKA SRIVASTAVA RAJ KIRAN
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR ROLL NO. 90

ENROOLMENT NO-160101117

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 POLITICAL SCIENCE PROJECT - INNER PARTY DEMOCRACY

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

First of all, I would like to thank my teacher of the subject Pol.Science, Dr.Monika

srivastava, for providing every bit of help and also showing the way in which to

proceed and how to go about the project. I would also like to thank my parents,

friends and others who helped me immensely at every step and gave every possible bit

of help that I needed in preparing the project and making it look presentable in a good

way. I would also like to thank the library staff of RMLNLU who provided me with

books that I needed in making and preparing the project and other pieces of

information and help that was required. At last I would like to sincerely thank God

who gave me the much needed strength and power to go ahead with the project and

make it in a presentable way.

Raj kiran

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 POLITICAL SCIENCE PROJECT - INNER PARTY DEMOCRACY

TABLE OF CONTENT
Abstract

Chapter 1: Principal aims and objectives of the study

Chapter 2: Introduction

Chapter 3: Need for Inner Party Democracy

Chapter 4: Major Elements of Inner Party Democracy

Chapter 5: Constitutional and Legal Provisions for Inner Party Democracy

Chapter 6: Democratic v. Undemocratic Functioning

Chapter 7: Inner Party Democracy in India

Chapter 8: Conclusion

Bibliography

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ABSTRACT

True democracies demand that people be involved in decision making at all levels of
decision making of which they are stake holders; this demand calls for Inner party
Democracy. Inner Party Democracy forms the base of the actual functionality of the
speeding democratizing world today. Democracy is only skin deep in a system where
there is no inner party democracy and leaders of political party run them as their
fiefdoms. The need for Inner Party Democracy arises from this idea that the major
features of a democracy such as transparency, accountability, inclusion, strengthening
of the civil society etc. are maintained. Where the question comes to party line
ideology and when there is no freedom of speech and for the expression of opinion the
views of the party and its decisions are not inclusive which can be fatal for the overall
functioning of the democracy. In a multiparty system democracy revolves around
parties and they serve the checks and balances for the democracy. In such a system
the importance of inner party democracy is even more amplified.

Today in India we see an evident autocratic streak in the party functions and
administration. We find hence, that we have oldest active politician as due to the lack
of a democratic mechanism in the party the new emerging leaders do not get the
opportunity and old leaders do not leave their hold on power. A lack of inner party
democracy leads to the incapable leadership and infringement of the right of the
constituency to be represented by the right candidate. It also deters the people without
political lobbying to enter into politics. An undemocratic setup combined with the
anti-defection law leads India into a pseudo- democratic state which actually runs as a
autocratic democracy.

If we really value the idea and philosophy of democracy then it should be practiced in
as healthy manner as the inner party democracy in USA. If there is some real
democracy and real adult-suffrage its only through inner party democracy and that is
the rout to change.

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Chapter 1: Principal aims and objectives of the study

This research aims to discuss and extrapolate the concept of INNER PARTY
DEMOCRACY. The research is intended, in large part, to be a focused and intrinsic
study of the same.

AIMS:

1. To present the concept Inner Party Democracy in a concise yet efficacious

manner.
2. To identify the situation of this doctrine in the world democracies.
3. To give an overview of the concept of inner party democracy.
4. To identify the statutory reforms required to promote the doctrine.
5. To present a comprehensive an overview of the prevailing status quo.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To define the doctrine in order to give a base to understand the basics of the
concept and functionality of democracy.
2. To understand the situation in the world order.
3. To understand the real requirements to make democratic principles trickle
down to root.
4. To show a holistic picture of all the aspects related to the concept.
5. To show the importance of the concept and the inefficiency of the system that
lacks this mechanism.

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:

Descriptive research: A doctrinal research methodology has been employed to

study the topic. Viewpoints of eminent authors and thinkers have been taken
into consideration. A practical study of the prevailing systems has been done
to identify efficiency linkage to the topic of study.

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Chapter 2: Introduction

Inner Party Democracy connotes the democratic functioning of parties.

True democracies demand that people be involved in decision making at all levels of
decision making of which they are stake holders; this demand calls for Inner party
Democracy. Political party functioning in our society is based on an autocratic
system where the senior, more influential leaders of a party dictate its terms and are
the authorities on decision making; it has seen to result in a corrupted governmental
function that eliminates vital issues such as accountability, safeguard and prime
importance of civil rights and legitimate criticism of the actions of the government.
Inner Party Democracy seeks to resolve this.1

No concrete definition of this term is possible.2 A wide and proper definition is that
all stakeholders have a say in party functioning and that the party functions as per
true democratic principles of state practice. Inner Party Democracy is a very
flexible term and its scope and method of appropriation depends on the prevailing
system. This paper will seek to provide and enshrine the basic principles of the term
and will try to expose the nuances of the existing system; it will seek to explore the
merits and demerits of the Inner Party Democracy and critique upon how it shall
benefit our society.

For the purpose of this submission, the scholar would like to divide this paper into 5
major components:

1. Need for Inner Party Democracy

2. Elements of Inner Part Democracy
3. Constitutional or Legal provisions for Inner Party Democracy
4. Leadership in an Inner Party Democracy
5. Conclusion

1
See Naom Chomsky, Failed States: Abuse of Power in A Democracy, 1st ed. (2006), p.13: The
author seeks to establish the failed state of affairs in the so called Successful Democracies by
illustrating its true functioning. The author speaks about the same in the context of the United States
of America; he explains how power constraints are still along lines contradictory to the essence of a
Democracy.
2
See Anthony Giddens, The Third Way: Renewal Of Social Democracy, 1st ed. (1996), p.63

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Chapter 3: NEED FOR INNER PARTY

DEMOCRACY

True democracy can function only if such democracy exists in all levels of the system.
The need for Inner Party Democracy arises from this idea that the major features of
a democracy such as transparency, accountability, inclusion, strengthening of the civil
society etc. are maintained.

As a common man, the scholar would like to see the system that he is governed by to
function properly. Inner Party Democracy ensures that such features are preserved.
Three major reasons however shall be given in support of the scholars argument that
Inner Party Democracy is of supreme importance in the civil society.

A. MULTIPARTY SYSTEMS

Multiparty competitive systems deem that parties are a key to and a major factor of
political power. All political parties, in attainment as well as exercise of power, must
be adequately democratic; only then can the political process of making and running a
government be truly democratic.

B. POLITICAL PARTIES REPRESENT THE PRIMARY SOURCE OF THE

POLITICAL WILL OF THE PEOPLE3

For the above stated reason, the process of will formation and mobilization of action
for the good of the people must follow the fundamentals of democratic functioning. In
the absence of this, the political culture of militancy and authoritarianism set in, which
are undesirable for obvious reasons.

3
See Richard A. Posner, Law Pragmatism and Democracy, 1st ed. (2003), p. 98

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C. THE CONCEPT OF MERITOCRACY

It is an established fact that democracy does not function automatically; while this
principle is clearly laid down in the Constitution, it does finally come down to the
competence of the citizens and thus the parties key factor of functioning. Charisma,
vision, skill and commitment of the leaders is what the leadership should demand.
This can happen only through democratic functioning.

D. SETTING THE NORMS OF SOCIAL CONDUCT

Political parties are the only links that connect the people to the government. They
represent therefore, the true functioning. Their mode /method of functioning will in
turn also affect the functioning of other manifestations of peoples political will.

In the functioning of parties, the factor of inclusion has largely been left out of many
debates. This scholar considers it immensely important.

The bases of inclusion are: ethnicity, gender, religion, social backwardness, etc. As
far as a democratically functioning society is concerned, the factor assumes special
importance as democracy will open opportunities and incentives for the party
members to raise and discuss many social issues; consequently, such issues will
assume greater importance in preparation of political action. 4 Since it is necessary
that such issues play a pivotal role in the government, Inner Party Democracy comes
as an automatic and essential corollary.

4
Khagendra Prasad, Democratisation of Political Parties, Paper on the related aspects of Inner
Party Democracy

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Chapter 4: MAJOR ELEMENTS OF INNER

PARTY DEMOCRACY

This section is included to prove that if Inner Party Democracy is of supreme

importance, then its method, content and process are of prime concern as well.

The principle measures to be discussed under this head are as follows:

A. PARTY COMMITTEE AND THE SELECTION OF A LEADER

All levels of committee constitution and executive positions must necessarily be

formed through the process of elections. There must be provisions of accountability
where in decisions of the leader may be questioned or discussed; their actions must be
liable to legitimate criticism and judgement.

Periodic meetings and recalls are effective instruments of this. This makes the party
functioning more professional in its outlook.

B. IDEOLOGY AND POLICY FORMATION

Thoroughly informed and qualitative participation of the maximum members must

help form ideology and policy of the party.

If party policy does not represent the thinking of the majority of its individuals, its
policies will, in the long run be rendered ineffective. Here it would be important to
point out the nuances and the relevance of the concept of majority.

The term majority is defined by the Websters Dictionary as proposing a number

greater than 50%. The significance of the term however, is twofold. Firstly, the fact
that more than 50% of the people agree on a certain issue as opposed to a minority is
the fairest way to go against the minority will. Secondly, and far more importantly, a
majority represents a physically stronger team. The fact that they are greater in
number overrules the will of the minority; their will in such cases is insignificant and
they basically do not have a choice.

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For the purpose of policy formation in a party, Open Discussion and Deliberation
are two things that must be kept in mind.

C. IDENTIFICATION OF CANDIDATES

Selection of party candidates has been seen to be more of a factor of authoritative

members or the party high command or central committee. Such functioning is prima
facie undemocratic functioning and demands criticism.

Two major instruments to solve this are primary elections and a democratically
formed party committees.

The United States of America is the best example of primary elections and deserves
applaud.

D. TRANSPARENCY IN DECISION MAKING

The entire partys decisions and decision making process must be made known, not
only to the members, but to all the people; this is because transparency in decision
making processes is the major tool for judging the merits and demerits of party
functioning.

This seeks to serve two major purposes. Firstly, it gives members a platform to study
the party leadership. Secondly, it provides a platform to potential leaders for the
same; and lastly it makes a party public in the true sense.

E. SCIENTIFIC MINDEDNESS OF THE MEMBERS5

Democratisation of a party also demands a specific state of mind from the party
members. Such a state of mind has to be developed.

1. Inquisitiveness of members
2. Open-mindedness
3. Critical Mind

5
Don McKinsley, Introduction to Psychology, 3rd ed. (2003), p.231.

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Chapter 5: CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL

PROVISIONS FOR INNER PARTY DEMOCRACY

All parties must be governed by fundamental democratic principles. While some

people contend that this must be an entirely internal issue, the scholar believes that
democratic functioning must be subject to external regulation. The major reasons
cited in support of this argument are:6

A. All business, relation or interaction in parties must be governed by the

fundamentals of democracy; therefore, constitutional regulation is equally
attracted in a political party as the generalia.

B. The decisions and activities of parties are of public concern and thus not
private matters.

C. In a democratic system, no institution must be above the constitution; parties

must be subject to constitutional regulations and constitutional methods of
functioning.

In Germany, provisions of political parties have been defined in Basic Law, Article
21(c) which requires internal organization in conformity with democratic
principles.7

6
See Robert A. Dahl, On Democracy, 1st ed. (1998), p. 224 : The author describes these reasons in
detail explaining the vital merits of Constitutional regulation of Inner Party Democracy.
7
http://www.bundestag.de/htdocs_e/parliament/function/germanlaw.pdf, last visited on 23-02-2017
at 4:30 p.m. IST

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In Spain8, Article 6 of the Constitution requires the same.

Similarly Article 51(5) in the Portugese Constitution9 , and the Finnish Act on
Political Parties prescribes that internal structure and management of political
parties must be democratic.

The scholars argument is that the Constitution of India too must provide for such
safeguards and legal provisions to ensure democratic functioning of parties. As
undemocratic and autocratic setup and functioning of our parties makes the whole
concept of a functioning democracy seem lame in front of anti-defection laws in
combination with leaders for whom their parties are their fiefdoms. In retrospection,
the negatives of such a system would be hard to find.

8
http://www.servat.unibe .ch/law/icl/sp00000_html, last visited on 20-03-2017 at 5:30 p.m. IST
9
http://www. Parliamento.pt/ingles_cons_leg/crp_ing/index.html, last visited on 21-03-2017 at 6:30
p.m. IST

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Chapter 6: DEMOCRATIC v. UNDEMOCRATIC

FUNCTIONING

It is the opinion of the scholar that the demands from a leader in a democracy follow a
difference. Such leadership demands a democratic thought, behaviour and work style.
The fundamental differences that lead to this are as follows:

Explanation and wider discussion are made use of by a democratic leader to

make and establish decisions vis--vis command and force used by an
undemocratic one. Greater participation is encouraged and opinions and
suggestions are seriously considered. While a democratic leader generates or
synthesizes opinion, an undemocratic leader imposes them upon citizens.

Reciprocal and egalitarian relationships are developed between members of

the party under a democratic leader. The autocratic leader however, maintains
one-sided relations based on inequality. While the former regards other
members as co-workers, the later treats them as subordinates.

Planning and action are made public without hiding anything by a democratic
leader; in contradiction to which, an undemocratic leader uses secret,
clandestine and conspiracy.

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Chapter 7: Inner Party Democracy in INDIA.

HISTORY:

Ironically, it began thus. Just before India became independent, the Congress Party
had to choose a president who would then go on to become Indias first prime
minister. That leader was not elected from the bottom, but appointed from the top -
Mahatma Gandhi chose Jawaharlal Nehru, and got the other possible contenders,
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, to endorse his choice.

In Indias early decades, the Congress enjoyed a large majority by virtue of being a
driving force behind Indias independence. Meanwhile, within the Congress, Nehru
consolidated his power. Patel died in 1950, C Rajagopalachari, a dissenter when it
came to Nehrus economic policies, was marginalised, and Nehru faced no challenges
while he was alive.

When Nehru died in 1964, no one could have foretold that the Congress would
become a feudal party. The main contenders for the prime ministership, K Kamaraj,
Lal Bahadur Shastri and Morarji Desai, were all popular leaders in their own right.
Shastri got the job, but didnt live long. Indira Gandhi was appointed prime minister.
She took over the party, filled the key positions with her sycophants, and even ran a
dictatorship for a couple of years, aided by her son, Sanjay. The Congress became
dependent on the charisma of her family and the brand value of her family name.

India, meanwhile, has moved on from the Congress. For such a heterogenous country
to be so dominated by one party was an aberration, and it will never happen again.
Politics in India is now local. People choose their MPs based on local considerations,
sometimes at the constituency level, and sometimes at the level of the state. National
trends have ceased to matter. The coalitions that come to power after an election may
change, but all talk of the will of the people is nave generalization.10

10
See Amit Verma, Where is Inner Party Democracy in India,
http://www.indiauncut.com/iublog/article/where-is-inner-party-democracy-in-india/ as accessed on
27-03-2017 at 09:25 p.m. IST.

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STATUS QUO:

One look at the various political parties in India, will conform that our democracy is
only skin deep. While the leaders give customary lip service to democracy, their
autocratic streak is all too evident in their dealings within their own political parties.
Not only do they shamelessly promote their kith and kins, they run their parties as
personal fiefdoms. They also prevent free voicing of opinions. Any contrarian voice
against the ruling clique even at Inner Party Fora leads to swift expulsion. Even
though it is now established, that dissent is the true essence of democracy, no political
party, without exception, provides any space for dissent. How can such a situation be
conducive for the growth and prosperity of democratic values in our polity?

. Indian political history is replete with instances of dynastic successions. Led by the
redoubtable Nehru- Indira Gandhi- Rajeev- Sonia- Rahul, off late this virus has been
contracted by practically every state satrap be it Lalu Rabri & Paswans in Bihar,
Patnayaks in Orissa, Badals in Punjab, Abdullahs and Sayeeds in J&K, Pawars and
Thakareys in Maharasthtra, Gaudas in Karnataka, Mulayam clan in U.P., Karunanidhi
clan in Tamil Nadu etc. The examples are endless on both sides of the divide. The oft
repeated, specious argument that one should not object to politicians son becoming a
politician where there is no objection to a doctors son becoming a doctor and an
engineers son becoming an engineer etc., does not hold much water. The objections
are not just based on the relatives joining politics but more importantly on the
complete absence of any due process and the walkover awarded to these star
politicians. Obviously it is at the cost of more deserving leaders and it discourages
those without such affiliations to enter politics.

All our politics is identity politics. Politicians go out there claiming to represent
different minority groups - for all groups are minority groups in our countries, even
Hindus, split by caste and region and language - and get people to vote for them for
visceral, emotional reasons. The loyalties they evoke are tribal ones.11

11
See Amit Verma, Where is Inner Party Democracy in India,
http://www.indiauncut.com/iublog/article/where-is-inner-party-democracy-in-india/ as accessed on
04-03-2017 at 06:25 p.m. IST.

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India has among the oldest active politicians in the world. Manmohan Singh -
nominated to his post by Congress owner Sonia, and not elected to it, for all practical
purposes - leads the government at 75; LK Advani, the leader of the opposition, is 80.
Contrast these leaders with Gordon Brown (56), Nicolas Sarkozy (53) and Angela
Merkel (53). Barack Obama (46) is an embryo compared to our leaders.

The reason for this is obvious. In the absence of robust, inner-party democracy, young
leaders find it hard to rise within the system - unless, like Rahul Gandhi, Sachin Pilot,
Manvendra Singh, Akhilesh Yadav, Omar Abdullah and Jyotiraditya Scindia, theyre
some bigwigs son taking charge of an inheritance. The old fogeys stay in charge,
consolidate their positions, and promote their sycophants.

Even otherwise, nomination of candidates for elections by Political parties is done

without any transparent due process. It is subject to the whims of the ruling clique. In
some cases, sale of party tickets to the highest bidder has also come into light. It may
seem like an internal matter of the respective political party, but it has an important
bearing on the quality of choice (or lack of it) available to the electorate.

Hence this process needs to be brought under public scrutiny. We need to devise a
model where party members duly elect their candidates for each constituency after
following a due process.12

Party system is an integral part of parliamentary democracy. It plays a crucial role in

deciding not just the candidates but also the party line on critical issues. This party
line is then enforced in the legislatures using the anti-defection bill, if required.
Normally the political satraps whim becomes the will of the people. Hence political
parties cannot be left solely to the discretion of their leaders alone. They need to be
more tightly regulated by an outside agency. While the election commission mandates
timely election of party functionaries, in most cases it is a mere formality. Active
electioneering is discouraged and a consensus is concocted to keep the status quo
going.

Inner party democracy will add more depth and meaning to our democracy. It will
also have a direct impact on the kind of people joining politics and a bearing on the
choice available to the electorate.

12
See http://www.nobribe.org/tag/inner-party-democracy , accessed on 06-03-2017, at 7:30 p.m. IST.

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Chapter 8: CONCLUSION

It is submitted by the scholar that Inner Party Democracy must be treated as the
quintessential of the growth, evolution and perfection of democracies in their entirety.

Our country sees an absence of such functioning at the party level. The major parties
of the country follow an undemocratic system of authoritarianism and command.
While the BJP and the Congress leaders have at times displayed certain traits to
implement the same, the absence of a set of norms governing such functioning shows
large gaps in the current system of our democracy.

Rahul Gandhi has on several occasions hinted a shift in Congress functioning towards
such a system; concrete steps however, are yet to be seen.13 The congress party
founded in 1885 on the lines of trust in the authoritarian members of the party,
provided they delivered results has undergone changes with the coming of various
party leaders. The partys functioning though is largely undemocratic.

Inner party democracy takes many forms and can manifest itself in diverse ways.
The ultimate objective is to be as inclusive and representative as possible, keeping in
mind the inherent propensities of party functionaries to filter information as it moves
upwards. Therefore the first stage is in the selection of party functionaries, where
some element of democratic functioning is necessary, if the next stage of distribution
of party tickets for elections is not to be totally rigged. Parties can also introduce
gender sensitivity in their organisational structures without waiting for any
legislation mandating quotas. Finally, the representation of all the three levels of

13
See Balvir Arora, Can Democracy Flourish With Undemocratic Parties,
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070815/independence/main3.htm, As accessed on 07-03-2017
at 8:00 p.m. IST: The author in the course of this article seeks to analyse the Indian scenario on Inner
Party Democracy and helps the reader understand the merits of its existence.

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what is after all a multilevel federal system is of the utmost importance if

democratisation is to take root in the polity.14

Newer generations of volunteers are however, showing a willingness to place a

premium upon meritocracy and pay heed to the voices of all stakeholders in party
functioning.

Countries like the USA and nations of the European Union have provisions in party
policy and the Constitution itself to ensure democratic functioning at the party level.
The concept of preliminaries in the United States gives the people a say in the
selection of the candidate for the Presidential Elections in the country. Similarly
countries of the European Union have provisions in their Constitutions to facilitate
democratic functioning of parties.

Our country too sees the need of such a system; adding to the importance of this need
is the culture of secularism and the existence of varied communities that necessitate
inclusion and wider participation. The prevailing system does not promote the
interests of the larger population and hence needs to change. Inner Party
Democracy represents that change.

14
Ibid.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Chomsky, Naom. Failed States: The Abuse of Power and the Assault on
Democracy. (1st Edition). New York: Metropolitan Books, 2006.

Chomsky, Naom. Deterring Democracy, (1st Edition). London: Verso

Publications, 1991.

Giddens, Anthony. The Third Way: The renewal Of Social Democracy, (1st
Edition). London: Polity Press, 1998.

Dahl, Robert A . On Democracy, (1st Edition). Yale: Yale University Press, 1998.

Tilly, Charles. Democracy, (1st Edition). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,

1996.

WEBSITES REFFERED:

http://www.bundestag.de/htdocs_e/parliament/function/germanlaw.pdf

http://www.servat.unibe .ch/law/icl/sp00000_html

http://www. Parliamento.pt/ingles_cons_leg/crp_ing/index.html

http://www.indiauncut.com/iublog/article/where-is-inner-party-democracy-in-
india/

http://www.nobribe.org/tag/inner-party-democracy

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070815/independence/main3.htm

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