How do social divisions affect politics? Give two examples.
Social divisions affect politics in the way given below:
Social divisions leading to violence and disintegration becomes political divisions. Democracy involves competition among different political parties. Their competition divides society on the basis of existing social divisions. In such situation social divisions become political divisions, thus leading to violence and the disintegration of the country. For example, in Northern Ireland, Roman Catholics (44 percent) demand that It should be unified with the Republic of Ireland, a catholic country. The Protestants (53 percent) and their party wants to stay with the UK which is predominantly protestant. This led to violence and conflict. It was only in 1998 that the UK government and the Nationalists (Catholics)signed a peace treaty and the armed struggle ended. However, in Yugoslavia, political competition among religious and ethnic lines led to it's disintegration into six independent countries. Effect of social divisions on elections: Social divisions are shown in politics. In a democracy ,political parties make promises to different communities and try to readress their grievances of the downside communities. Social divisions affect voting during elections. Candidates are selected on the basis of social divisions to gain maximum voters. A Muslim or Hindu both fights election in a Muslim or Hindu dominated constituency. Parties try to attract voters on the basis of social divisions. For example, the Bahujan Samaj Party seeks the votes of Dalits in India.
When does a social difference become a social division?
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.
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
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
Discuss three factors that determine the outcomes of politics of social divisions.
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
________________ social differences create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions. ___________________ social differences do not usually lead to conflicts.
In what ways do pressure groups and movements exert influence on politics?
State the various functions political parties perform in a democracy.
How does democracy produce an accountable, responsive and legitimate government?
Writing your own definition of a good democracy.
What are the different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.
Locate the following States on a blank outline political map of India:
Manipur, Sikkim, Chhattisgarh and Goa.
Mention different aspects of life in which women are discriminated or disadvantaged in India.
Describe the forms of relationship between pressure groups and political parties?
What are the various challenges faced by political parties?
What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?
In the context of democracies, which of the following ideas is correct – democracies have successfully eliminated:
A. conflicts among people
B. economic inequalities among people
C. differences of opinion about how marginalised sections are to be treated
D. the idea of political inequality
Consider the following statements about power sharing arrangements in Belgium and Sri Lanka :
A. In Belgium the Dutch-speaking majority people tried to impose their domination on the minority French speaking community.
B. In Sri Lanka the policies of the government ensured the dominance of the Sinhala speaking majority.
C. The Tamils in Sri Lanka demanded a federal arrangement of power sharingto protect their culture, language and equality of opportunity in education and jobs.
D. The transformation of Belgium from unitary government to a federal one prevented a possible division of the country on linguistic lines.
Which of the statements given are correct ?
(a) A, B, C and D
(b) A, B, and D
(c) C and D
(d) B, C and D
State different forms of communal politics with one example each.
What are the different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.
Studies on political and social inequalities in democracy show that
A. democracy and development go together.
B. inequalities exist in democracies .
C. inequalities do not exist under dictatorship.
D. dictatorship is better than democracy.
State any two differences between the local government before and after the Constitutional amendment in 1992.
Mention different aspects of life in which women are discriminated or disadvantaged in India.
State how caste inequalities are still continuing in India.
Consider the following two statements on power-sharing and select the answer using codes given below:
A. Power sharing is good for democracy.
B. It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.
Which of the statements are true and false?
(a) A is true but B is false
(b) Both A and B are true
(c) Both A and B are false
(d) A is false but B is true
What are the conditions under which democracies accommodate social diversities?