State how caste inequalities are still continuing in India.
Caste inequalities are still continuing in India in these ways:
Most of the people still marry within their own caste. Inter caste marriages are still not allowed in the upper caste people or sometimes in other caste people . Untouchability still exists in differents part of country after being prohibited by the Constitution , particularly in rural areas. In the field of education too the position is far from satisfactory. The caste groups that had access to education under the old system can only acquire modern education as well. But those groups who did not have access to education or prohibited from acquiring it have naturally lagged. Caste is still a source of economic inequality because it regulates access to resources while the upper castes are best off, the Dalits and Adivasis are worst off, and the backward castes are in between. Although every caste has poor members, the portion of living in extreme poverty is higher for the lowest castes. Lower caste people are generally poor and exploited even today. Caste still continues to be linked to economic status.
State two reasons to say that caste alone cannot determine election results in India.
State different forms of communal politics with one example each.
What is the status of women’s representation in India’s legislative bodies?
Mention different aspects of life in which women are discriminated or disadvantaged in India.
When we speak of gender divisions, we usually refer to:
(a) Biological difference between men and women
(b) Unequal roles assigned by the society to men and women
(c) Unequal child sex ratio
(d) Absence of voting rights for women in democracies
Mention any two constitutional provisions that make India a secular state.
Which among the following statements about India’s Constitution is wrong? It
(a) prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion.
(b) gives official status to one religion.
(c) provides to all individuals freedom to profess any religion.
(d) ensures equality of citizens within religious communities.
Match List I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists:
List I List II
(i) A person who believes A. Communalist in equal rights and opportunities for women and men.
(ii) A person who says that B. Feminist religion is the principal basis of the community.
(iii) A person who thinks C. Secularist that caste is the principal basis of community.
(iv) A person who does not D. Castiest discriminate against others on the basis of religious beliefs.
(a) (i) – B; (ii) – C; (iii) – A; (iv) – D
(b) (i) – B; (ii) – A; (iii) – D (iv) – C
(c) (i) – D; (ii) – C; (iii) – A (iv) – B
(d) (i) – C; (ii) – A; (iii) – B (iv) – D
Social divisions based on _________ are peculiar to India.
In India seats are reserved for women in
(a) Lok Sabha
(b) State legislative assemblies
(c) Cabinets
(d) Panchayati Raj bodies
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.
Discuss three factors that determine the outcomes of politics of social divisions.
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?
Identify the challenges to democracy in the following descriptions. Also suggest policy/institutional mechanism to deepen democracy in the given situations:
* Following a High Court directive a temple in Orissa that had separate entry doors for dalits and non-dalits allowed entry for all from the same door.
* A large number of farmers are committing suicide in different states of India.
* Following allegation of killing of three civilians in Gandwara in a fake encounter by Jammu and Kashmir police, an enquiry has been ordered.
When does a social difference become a social division?
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.
How do social divisions affect politics? Give two examples.
What are the various challenges faced by political parties?
Give arguments to support or oppose the following assertions:
* Industrialised countries can afford democracy but the poor need dictatorship to become rich.
* Democracy can’t reduce inequality of incomes between different citizens.
* Government in poor countries should spend less on poverty reduction, health, education and spend more on industries and infrastructure.
* In democracy all citizens have one vote, which means that there is absence of any domination and conflict.
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
Read the following passage, and pick out any one of the prudential reasons for power sharing offered in this.
“We need to give more power to the panchayats to realise the dream of Mahatma Gandhi, and the hopes of the makers of our Constitution. The Panchayati Raj establishes true democracy. It restores power to the only place where power belongs in a democracy – in the hands of the people. Giving power to Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption, and increase administrative efficiency. When people participate in the planning and implementation of developmental schemes, they would naturally exercise greater control over these schemes. This would eliminate the corrupt middlemen. Thus the Panchayati Raj will strengthen the foundations of our democracy."
What are the different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.
Different arguments are usually put forth in favour of and against power sharing. Identify those which are in favour of power sharing and select the answer using the codes given below? Power sharing:
A. reduces conflict among different communities
B. decreases the possibility of arbitrariness
C. delays decision making process
D. accommodates diversities
E. increases instability and divisiveness
F. promotes people’s participation in government
G. undermines the unity of a country
(a) | A | B | D | F |
---|---|---|---|---|
(b) | A | C | E | F |
(c) | A | B | D | G |
(d) | B | C | D | G |