DP (X)- LESSON-3 DEMOCRACY AND DIVERSITY QUESTION ANSWERS

 

DP (X)- LESSON-3

DEMOCRACY AND DIVERSITY

QUESTION ANSWERS

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NCERT EXERCISE

1. Discuss three factors that determine the outcomes of politics of social divisions.

Answer. The three factors that determine the outcomes of politics of social divisions:

     1.    The outcome depends on how people perceive their identities. If people see their identities in singular and exclusive terms, it becomes very difficult to accommodate.

    2.    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.

    3.    It depends on how the government reacts to the demands of different groups.

2. When does a social difference become a social division?

Answer. The social division takes place when some social difference overlaps with other differences. Situations of this kind produce social divisions when one kind of social difference becomes more important than the other and people start feeling that they belong to different communities. The differences that turn into social divisions are called overlapping differences.

3. How do social divisions affect politics? Give two examples.

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 disintegration of a country. This has happened in many countries:

a. In North Ireland – It has faced violent and bitter ethnopolitical conflict. Two major sects of Christianity – Protestants (53 per cent) and Roman Catholics(44 per cent) are represented in the country. The Catholics were represented by Nationalist parties who demanded that Northern Ireland be unified with the Republic of Ireland, a predominantly Catholic country. The Protestants were represented by Unionists who wanted to remain with the UK, which is predominantly protestant. The fight between Nationalist and Unionist led to social conflicts where hundreds of civilians died.

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.

Answer. 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 the disintegration of society on the basis of social divisions.

Answer.

d. Democracy always leads to the disintegration of society on the basis of social divisions.

6. Consider the following three statements.

    1.    Social divisions take place when social differences overlap.

     2.    It is possible that a person can have multiple identities.

      3.    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

Answer.

(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

Answer.

(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

Answer.

(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’.”

Answer.

Martin Luther King Jr. is referring to segregating policies used by the whites against the 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 can 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.

 

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

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. “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

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

1. 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)

(e) Social differences are based on the ……………. (Ethnic Complexity, Urbanisation)
(f) ………………… social difference is creating possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions. (Overlapping, Crosscutting)
(g) ………………. social differences are easier to accommodate and do not usually lead to conflicts.(Cross-cutting, Multi cutting)
(h) People who feel marginalized, deprived and discriminated have to fight against the ………………. (Exploitation, Regionalism)

 

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)

ANSWERS

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
B	D	B	A	C	A	B	D	C	A
11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20
D	A	B	B	C	C	B	A	C	C

 

FILL IN THE BLANKS

 (a) Homogenous
(b) Migrant
(c) Reforms movement
(d) Overlapping social differences

(e) Ethnic complexity
(f) Overlapping
(g) Cross cutting
(h) Exploitation

TRUE/ FALSE

(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