Chapter 3
Democracy and Diversity
Exercises -
1. Discuss three factors that determine the outcomes of political of social divisions.
Ans.
The three factors that determine the outcomes of politics of social divisions:
a. The outcome depends on how people perceive their identity. If people see their identity in singular and exclusive terms, it becomes very difficult to place.
b. This depends on how political leaders articulate the demands of any community.
c. It is easier to lay claims that are within the constitutional framework and not at the expense of another community.
This depends on how the government reacts to the demands of different groups.
2. When dose a social difference become a social division?
Ans.
Social divisions occur when some social differences cross with other differences. Such situations create social divisions when one type of social distinction becomes more important than the other, and people begin to feel that they belong to different communities. Differences that transition into social divisions are referred to as overlapping differences.
3. How do a social divisions affect politics? Give two division?
Ans.
Democracy involves competition between different political parties. Their competition divides any society. If they start competing in terms of some existing social divisions, it can turn social divisions into political divisions and cause conflict, violence or even the disintegration of a country. This has happened in many countries:
a. In Northern Ireland – it has experienced violent and bitter ethnic clashes. Two major Christian communities – Protestants (53 percent) and Roman Catholics (44 percent) live in the country. Catholics were represented by nationalist parties which demanded that Northern Ireland be united with the Republic of Ireland, a predominantly Catholic country. The Protestants were represented by Unionists who wanted to stay with the UK, which is predominantly Protestant. Fighting between nationalists and unionists resulted in social clashes in which hundreds of civilians were killed.
b. In Yugoslavia – Political competition along religious and ethnic lines led to the disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent countries.
4. social differences create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions. social differences do not usually lead to conflicts.
Ans.
Overlapping social differences create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions. Cross-cutting social differences do not usually lead to conflicts.
5. In dealing with social divisions which one of the following statements is NOT correct about democracy?
(a) Due to political competition in a democracy, social divisions get reflected in politics.
(b) In a democracy it is possible for communities to voice their grievances in a peaceful manner.
(c) Democracy is the best way to accommodate social diversity. (d) Democracy always leads to disintegration of society on the basis of social divisions.
Ans.
d. Democracy always leads to the disintegration of society on the basis of social divisions.
6. Consider the following three statements.
A. Social divisions take place when social differences overlap.
B. It is possible that a person can have multiple identities.
C. Social divisions exist in only big countries like India.
Which of the statements is/are correct?
(a) A, B and C (b) A and B (c) B and C (d) Only C
Ans. (b) A and B
7. Arrange the following statements in a logical sequence and select the right answers by using the code given below.
A. But all political expression of social divisions need not be always dangerous.
B. Social divisions of one kind or the other exist in most countries.
C. Parties try to win political support by appealing to social divisions.
D. Some social differences may result in social divisions.
(a) D, B, C, A (b) D, B, A, C (c) D, A, C, B (d) A, B, C, D
Ans.
(a) D, B, C, A
8. Among the following, which country suffered disintegration due to political fights on the basis of religious and ethnic identities?
(a) Belgium (b) India (c) Yugoslavia (d) Netherlands
Ans.
(c) Yugoslavia
9. Read the following passage from a famous speech by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963. Which social division is he talking about? What are his aspirations and anxieties? Do you see a relationship between this speech and the incident in Mexico Olympics mentioned in this chapter?
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring-when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children-black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics-will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: 'Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!' I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal".
Ans.
Martin Luther King Jr. is referring to segregating policies used by whites against coloured people. He mentioned that it is the reason for the social division between the two communities. His aspiration was for people to move towards a secure society where different communities could live together peacefully. He hoped for a non-racial society where racial abuse doesn’t exist. He wanted the communities to respect each other and not discriminate against each other on the basis of their colour. Yes, there is a relationship between his speech and the incident at the Mexico Olympics, as both reflect a stand against the plight of the African-American people.
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