The correct option is A tendency to take a side and an inability to take a balanced view on an issue..
Explanation
In political science, a political party is an organized group of people with similar ideologies who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government. Partisanship is a defining characteristic of the relationship between an individual and a political party.Option Analysis:
- A tendency to take a side and an inability to take a balanced view on an issue. is Correct: Partisanship refers to a strong allegiance or commitment to a specific party, group, or faction. A "partisan" is an individual who strongly supports their party’s views, often leading to a tendency to take a side and an inability to take a balanced or neutral view on an issue.
- The act of funding a political party. is Incorrect: The act of funding a political party is related to political finance and electoral funding, not the definition of partisanship.
- The process of defecting from one party to another. is Incorrect: Moving from one party to another after being elected is termed defection. This is governed by the Anti-Defection Law (10th Schedule) in India.
- The legal recognition of a party by the Election Commission. is Incorrect: The legal recognition of a party is an administrative process conducted by the Election Commission of India, primarily under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.
Key Takeaway:
Partisanship denotes a strong emotional or intellectual identification with a political party, which often results in biased decision-making and a lack of neutrality.