NCERT Solutions For Class 10 Political Science Chapter 3 Democracy And Diversity Long Answer Questions
Question 1. Explain the factors that determine the outcome of politics of social divisions.
Answer:
The three crucial factors that determine the outcome of politics of social divisions are:
- The outcome depends on how people perceive their identities. If they see their identities in singular and exclusive terms, it becomes very difficult to accommodate. It will be much easier if people see their identities as multiple and complementary to the national identity.
- It depends on how political leaders raise the demands of any community. It is easier to accommodate demands that are within the constitutional framework and are not at the cost of another community.
- It depends on how the government reacts to the demands of different groups. If the reasonable demands of a community are suppressed by the government, it leads to social divisions, which in turn threaten the integrity of the country.
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Question 2. ‘Social divisions of one kind or the other exist in most countries’. Explain with examples.
Answer:
Social divisions of one kind or another exist in most countries. It does not matter whether the country is small or big.
India is a vast country with many communities. Belgium is a small country with many communities. Even countries such as Germany and Sweden which were once highly homogeneous, are undergoing rapid changes with an influx of people from other parts of the world.
Migrants bring with them their own culture and tend to form a different social community. In this sonata, most countries of the world are multicultural having social divisions.
Question 3. Differentiate between overlapping and cross-cutting differences
Or
What are overlapping and cross-cutting differences?
Answer:
Question 4. Can the politics and social divisions be allowed to mix?
Answer:
In fact, at first sight, it would appear that the combination of politics and social divisions is very dangerous and explosive. Democracy involves competition among various political parties.
Their competition tends to divide any society. If they start competing in terms of some existing social divisions, it can make social divisions into political divisions and lead to conflict violence, or even the disintegration of a country. We take the case of Northern Ireland.
This region of the United Kingdom has been for many years the site of a violent and bitter ethno-political conflict. In consequence, its population is divided into two major sects of Christianity.
53% are Protestants, while 44% are Roman Catholics. The fight between the two led hundreds of civilians, militants, and security forces to be killed.
The above example leads us to conclude that political and social divisions must not be allowed to mix. But at the same time, every expression of social divisions in politics does not lead to such disasters.
Question 5. ‘Democracy is the best way to fight for recognition and also to accommodate diversity\ Justify the statement.
Answer:
In a democracy, political expression of social division is very normal and can be healthy. We have seen that in India and Belgium, social diversities have been accommodated in a very positive manner.
Democracy is the best way to fight for recognition and also to accommodate diversity. However a positive attitude towards diversity and willingness to accommodate it does not come easily.
People who feel marginalized, deprived, and discriminated against have to fight against injustice. The struggle against such inequalities sometimes takes the path of violence and defiance of state power.
However, history shows that democracy is the best way to fight for recognition and also to accommodate diversity.
Question 6. Do social differences exist in all the countries? Explain in your own words.
Answer:
Yes. social differences exist in almost all countries irrespective of the size of the population.
They are based on many factors like race, culture, religion, etc. When two social differences overlap, social division occurs in the society. We can see diversity in many countries like Belgium, India, Sri Lanka, etc.
Question 7. How is the combination of politics and social divisions very dangerous and explosive?
Answer:
Democracy involves competition among various political parties. Their competition tends to divide any society. If they start competing in terms of some existing social divisions, it can make social divisions into political divisions and lead to conflict, violence, or even the disintegration of a country.
Question 8. Some Dalit groups decided to participate in the UN Conference Against Racism in Durban in 2001, demanding the inclusion of caste in the agenda of this conference. Here are three reactions to this move:
Amandeep Kaur (a government official): Our Constitution declares caste discrimination to be illegal. If some caste discrimination continues, it is an internal matter. I am opposed to this being raised in an international forum. Oinam (a sociologist): I am opposed to this because caste and race are not similar divisions.
Caste is a social division, while race is a biological one. Raising caste in this conference on racism would mean equating the two. Ashok (a Dalit activist): The argument about the internal matter is a way of preventing an open discussion of oppression and discrimination. Race is not purely biological.
It is as much a legal and sociological category as caste. Caste discrimination must be raised in this conference. Which of the three opinions do you agree with most and why?
Answer:
- I agree with the opinion of Ashok (a Dalit activist).
- I agree with him because according to him race is not biological. It is a legal and sociological category, as caste. In the UN conference, issues based on caste discrimination must be raised.
Question 9. So you are saying that too many small divisions are better than a Single big division? Are you also saying that politics is a force of unity?
Answer:
In a democratic country, political expression of social division is normal and can be healthy. It allows different social groups to express their feelings and get the government to pay attention to them.
Different kinds of expression in politics result in canceling one or the other out. In that way, they reduce their identity which leads to the strengthening of democracy.
Question 10. Which three values are responsible for determining the outcome of the politics of social divisions?
Answer:
The following values are responsible for determining the outcomes of politics of social division:
- The way the people perceive their identity.
- The manner in which the political leaders raise their demands of any community.
- The determining factors of the government’s reaction to the demands of different groups.
Question 11. On what basis are social differences created?
Answer:
- Based On Physical Abilities Or Disabilities: There is discrimination based on gender, they are tall or short, have different kinds of complexions, or have different physical abilities or disabilities.
- Differences Based On Choices: Some people are atheists, they do not believe in God or any religion. While some people choose to follow a religion other than the one in which they were born into.
- Based On Accident Of Birth: Normally we do not choose to belong to the community. We belong to it simply because we were born into it. We all experience social differences based on accident of birth in our everyday lives.
Question 12. How did Bulgaria make sure that Roma people should dress and behave like other people from Bulgaria?
Or
Do you think the Bulgarian government should try to ensure that the Roma people dress and behave like other people from Bulgaria?
Answer:
In a democratic country, every person has the right to freedom of speech, freedom, etc. People can also wear the type of dress of their choice and behave on their own without harming others.
No one can compel a particular community to dress other than their own identified dress. Because in democracy, everyone’s identity must be protected. So, the Bulgarian government should not try to ensure that the Roma people dress and behave like other people from Bulgaria.