Question-1
Discuss three factors that determine the outcomes of politics of social divisions.
Three factors decide the outcome of politics of social divisions as mentioned below :
(1) Single or multiple identities : Outcome depends on how people perceive their identities. If they think that they have only one identity as catholic or protestant, it is difficult to accommodate and reconcile their differences as happened in Northern Ireland. They think about their interests exclusively.
On the other hand if people think that they have multiple identities i.e., national identity as well as on the basis of language, their differences are easier to be reconciled. As in Belgium they think they are as much Belgian as they are Dutch or German-speaking. This helps them to stay together. In India too, people think of themselves as Indian as well as belonging to a state or a language group or religious community.
(2) Raising of demands of any community by the leaders : If the demands are raised by the leaders within the framework of the constitution and not at the cost of another community, they can be accommodated easily. But if the demands are at the cost of other community, it may lead to violent struggle or division of the county. The examples are Sri Lanka and Yugoslavia.
(3 ) Policy and reaction of the government to demands of different groups : If the rulers are willing to share and accommodate the demands of the minority community, social divisions become less threatening. But if the demands are suppressed in the name of national unity it may result in disintegration. It has happened Sri Lanka. Thus there should be no forced integration.
From above the following conclusions may “he drawn :
- The assertion of social diversities in a country need not be seen as a source of danger,In a democracy, political expression of social divisions is very normal and can be healthy.
- This allows various disadvantaged and marginal social groups to express their
grievances and get the government to attend to these. - Expressions of various kinds of social divisions in politics often results in their cancelling one another out and thus reducing their intensity. This leads to strengthening of a democracy.
Question-2
When does a social difference become a social division?
- A social difference becomes a social division when some social difference overlaps, with other differences. For example in the USA, the difference between Blacks and Whites becomes a social division.
- The Blacks are poor, homeless, and are discriminated against.
- In the same way in India, Dalits are mostly poor, landless, and are discriminated.
- Such situations as in the USA and India are responsible for social divisions because one kind of social difference becomes more important than the other and people start feeling that they belong to different communities.
Question-3
How do social divisions affect politics? Give two examples.
Social divisions affect politics in the following way:
Social divisions become political divisions and lead to violence and disintegration. Democracy involves competition among political parties. Their competition divides society on the basis of existing social divisions. In such a situation social divisions become political divisions. It may lead to violence and the disintegration of the country. For example, in Northern Ireland, Roman Catholics (44 percent) demand that Northern Ireland be unified with the Republic of Ireland, a catholic country.
The Protestants (53 percent) and their party Unionists wanted to remain with the UK which is predominantly protestant. This led to violence and a fight. It was only in 1998 that the UK government and the Nationalists (Catholics) reached a peace treaty and the armed struggle came to an end. However, in Yugoslavia, political competition along religious and ethnic lines led to the disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent countries.
Effect of social divisions on elections: Social divisions are reflected in politics. In a democracy political parties talk about these divisions. They make promises to different communities and try to redress their grievances of the disadvantaged communities. Social divisions affect voting behaviour during elections. Candidates are selected on the basis of social divisions in a constituency to attract maximum voters.
A Muslim or Hindu fights election in a Muslim or Hindu dominated constituency. Parties to try to attract voters on the basis of social divisions. For example, the Bahujan Samaj Party seeks the votes of Dalits in India. Its base is the Dalit vote bank.
Question-4
___________ social differences create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions. ____________ social differences do not usually lead to conflicts.
Overlapping social differences create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions. Cross-cutting social differences do not usually lead to conflicts.
Question-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.
(d) Democracy always leads to disintegration of society on the basis of social divisions.
Question-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
(b) A and B
Question-7
1. Which of the following divisions is unique to India?
(a) Gender division
(b) Caste division
(c) Economic division
(d) Religious division
2. 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 the disintegration of society on the basis of df social divisions.
3. Consider the following three statements:
(i) Social divisions take place when social differences overlap.
(ii) It is possible that a person can have multiple identities.
(iii) Social divisions exist in only big countries like India which of the statement is/are correct.
(a) (i), (ii) and (iii)
(b) (i) and (ii)
(c) (ii) and (iii)
(d) only (iii)
4. Arrange the following statements in a logical sequence and select the right answers by using the code given below:
(i) But all political expression of social divisions need not be always dangerous.
(ii) Social divisions of one kind or the other exist in most of the countries.
(iii) Parties try to win political support by appealing to social divisions.
(iv) Some social differences may result in social divisions.
(a) (iv), (ii), (iii), (i)
(b) (iv), (ii), (i), (iii)
(c) (iv), (i), (iii), (ii)
(d) (i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
5. 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) the Netherlands
6. Consider the statement:
Which three elements show the basic unity in India?
(i) Cultural unity
(ii) Discrimination
(iii) Unity in language
(iv) Religious equality
(a) (i), (iii) and (iv)
(b) (i), (ii) and (iv)
(c) (i) and (iii) only
(d) (i) and (iv) only
7. Which three countries faced the problem of social division?
(a) United Kingdom, USA, and India
(b) Belgium, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom
(c) Sri Lanka, Canada, and India
(d) Belgium, Germany, and the USA.
8. List out the reasons for the growth of the Civil Rights Movement in America. Consider the statement:
(i) Prevalence of Poverty
(ii) Racial Discrimination
(iii) Civil Rights Movements
(iv) Religious Diversity
(a) (i), (iii) and (iv)
(b) (ii), (iii) and (iv)
(c) (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv)
(d) (i), (ii) and (iii)
9. Overlapping differences signify:
(a) Religious and linguistic differences
(b) Cross-cut social differences
(c) Some social difference overlaps with other differences
(d) Cultural differences
10. Democracy involves:
(a) Competition among various political parties
(b) Religious inequalities
(c) Cultural diversity
(d) Conflict, violence, and disintegration
11. Social difference arises due to the difference in
(a) Race
(b) Religion
(c) Language
(d) All the above
12. Society is fairly homogenous i.e., there are no significant ethnic difference in
(a) Germany
(b) Belgium
(c) Sri Lanka
(d) China
13. In Mexico Olympics, John Carlos received the winner’s medal without wearing shoes. This was done to represent
(a) Black people
(b) Black poverty
(c) Black pride
(d) White domination
14. To show his support to the protesting American athletes during the award ceremony of Mexico Olympics, Peter Norman
(a) wore no socks
(b) wore a human right badge
(c) wore a black scarf
(d) wore a string of beads
15. In recent times a European country that has been worst affected by social differences is
(a) Sri Lanka
(b) Zimbabwe
(c) Yugoslavia
(d) France
16. A society that has similar Kinds of people, especially where there are no significant ethnic differences is called a
(a) Secular society
(b) Communal society
(c) Homogenous society
(d) Socially divided
17. Give one word for the following :
(a) A society that has similar kinds of people and where there is no significant ethnic differences ……………. (Homogenous, Heterogenous)
(b) Anybody who shifts from one region or country to another region within a country ……….. (Migrant, Nomad)
(c) It refers to as set of events and reforms move ………… (Reforms movement, Revolution movement)
(d) Social differences take place when some social difference overlaps the other differences …………….. (Overlapping Social differences, Crosscutting Social differences)
18. State true and false :
(a) Social differences lead to social divisions. (True / False)
(b) Democracy fails to accommodate social diversity. (True / False)
(c) All people have multiple identities. (True / False)
(d) Attempts of forced integration in any country often sow the seeds of disintegration. (True / False)
19. Fill in the blanks :
(a) Social differences are based on the ……………. (Ethnic Complexity, Urbanisation)
(b) ………………… social difference is creating possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions. (Overlapping, Crosscutting)
(c) ………………. social differences are easier to accommodate and do not usually lead to conflicts.(Cross-cutting, Multi cutting)
(d) People who feel marginalized, deprived and discriminated have to fight against the ………………. (Exploitation, Regionalism)
20. “Is it necessary for people belonging to the same religion to have the same caste.” Justify by selecting best option.
(a) Yes, it is necessary because it is fairly common for people belonging to the same religion to have the same caste.
(b) No, it is not necessary for people because their caste and sect are very different.
(c) The statement itself is not relevant
(d) It can be or it cannot be
21. Does every social difference lead to social division? Select the correct option
(a) No, every social difference does not lead to social division because people belonging to different social groups share differences and similarities.
(b) Yes, every social difference leads to social division.
(c) There is a ‘mixed reaction on the social division and individual identity.
(d) The statement itself is irrelevant.
22. Multi-dimensional or multi-cultural nature of social division signifies;
(a) division of society under the influence of one dominant social group.
(b) division of society under the influence of majoritarian political culture.
(c) division of society under the influence of more than one culture.
(d) division of society under the influence of multiple identities of individuals.
23. Do only big countries have social divisions?
(a) Yes, only big countries have social divisions.
(b) There is a mixed reaction like it can be or it cannot be.
(c) No, not only big countries like ‘India’ have social division, but small countries like Belgium, Island, Sri Lanka also have social differences.
(d) All the above.
24. African – American is the term used for:
(a) Africans who were brought into America as slaves. .
(b) Black Americans of America.
(c) Martin Luther and his group.
(d) John Carlos and Smith.
25. What does the “Civil Rights Movement of USA” signify?
(a) A movement against the discrimination
(b) A reform movement for the Civil Rights of the citizens
(c) A reform movement against the social discriminations of Afro-Americans
(d) None of the above.
26. Do you think that Carlos and Smith should have raised an internal matter of American society in an international forum.
(a) No, they didn’t raise internal matter but the practice of racism in the humanitarian issue.
(b) Yes, it was the internal matter of America.
(c) No, they should not have done that.
(d) Only statements b and c are correct.
17. (a) Homogenous
(b) Migrant
(c) Reforms movement
(d) Overlapping social differences
18. (a) True
(b) False. Democracy tries to accommodate social differences.
(c) False. It is not possible that all people have multiple identities they may have a singular identity.
(d) True
19. (a) Ethnic complexity
(b) Overlapping
(c) Cross cutting
(d) Exploitation
20. Option – (b) is correct because cast and sect depend on the choice of the community like – Protestants and Catholics of Christianity.
21. (a)
22. Statement (c) is correct because the multi-cultural nature of social division is related to the influence of more than one culture.
23. Option (c) is correct because social divisions is identical to social differences and all these countries have social differences.
24. (a)
25. Statement (c) is correct. Actually the Civil Rights Movement stated by Martin Luther against the practice of Apartheid.
26. (a)