Democracy and Diversity Class 10 Social Science Notes and Questions

The people and the leaders respect the sentiments of different communities and religions.

It is a society that has similar kinds of people especially where there  are no  significant ethnic differences. For example, as in the countries like Germany and Sweden.

The descendants of Africa, who were mostly brought into America as slaves between 17th and early 19th century.

In Northern Ireland, people are predominantly Christian but divided between Catholic and Protestants.   Class  and   religion   overlap   with each other thus, creating a possibility of deep social divisions and tensions. If one is Catholic, he/she is also more likely to be poor, and may have suffered a history of discrimination. The result is that  Catholics and  Protestants  have conflicts in Northern Ireland.

In 2005, the San Jose State University installed a 20-foot high sculpture representing the protest by Tommie Smith and John Carlos.

The example of Catholics and Protestants and their conflicts in Northern Ireland.

The movement to end racism.

Sri Lanka, Belgium, United Kingdom

(i) People’s perception : This is the most important factor which decides the outcome of politics of social divisions. If people see their identities in singular and exclusive terms, it will lead to social divisions and violence. As long as, people in Ireland saw themselves as only Catholic or  Protestant,  their  difference prevailed leading to conflicts. It is better when the people see their identities  as made of multiple factors that are in sync with the national identity. Such as a majority of Belgians now feel that they are as much Belgian nationalist as they are Dutch or German speaking. This feeling binds them together. Though  India is a multi-cultural country, but the feeling of nationalism binds us together.

(ii)  Raising of demands by political leaders : The outcome of politics of social division also 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. The Sinhalese leaders of Sri Lanka wanted to fulfil their demand  at the cost of other  communities,  and this led to the civil war. In Yugoslavia, the leaders of different ethnic communities presented their demands in such a way that these could not be accommodated within a single country. (iii) Reaction  of  Government   :   The  outcome also depends on how the government  reacts to the demands of different groups. If the rulers are willing to share power and accommodate the reasonable  demands   of  minority   community, social divisions become less threatening  for the country. But if they try to suppress such a demand with force and in the name of national unity, this can lead to civil war or division of country, and that is what happened in Sri Lanka.

(i)  If social differences cross-cut one another, it is difficult to avoid clashes between the groups holding different views.

(ii)  It means that groups that share a common interest on one issue are likely to be in different sides of a different issue.

(iii) For example, in Northern  Ireland class and religion tend to cut across each other leading to social tensions.

(i) Carlos and Smith were held guilty for violating the Olympic spirit by making political statement.

(ii)  Medals were taken back.

(iii) Norman was not included in the Australian team.

(iv) Their action helped in gaining international attention for Civil Rights Movement.

(i)  The difference between the  Blacks and Whites becomes   a social division in the US because the Blacks tend to be poor, homeless and discriminated against.

(ii)  In our country Dalits tend to be poor and landless. They often face discrimination and injustice.

(iii) One kind of social difference becomes more important  when other  people start  feeling that they belong to different communities.

(i) Every expression of social division in politics does not lead to disasters because wherever social divisions exist, they are reflected in politics and get huge support.

(ii)  In many countries, there are parties that focus on  one  community  e.g., AIADMK and  BSP in India.

We have different identities in different contexts. It can be proved as follows  :

(i)   It is fairly common for people belonging to the same religions to feel that they do not belong to the same community because their caste is different.

(ii)  It is also possible for people from different religions to have the same caste and feel close to each other.

(iii) Rich and poor persons from the same family often do not keep close relations with each other for they feel they are different.

Following steps can be taken to promote the unity among Indians :

(i) There should be equal opportunities of representation   and   no   discrimination   in   the society.

(ii) Participation of more and more people in political affairs should be encouraged.

(iii) Religious  tolerance  and  the  support   to minority groups should be given and they should be allowed to voice their opinion.

(i) The above statement is true from the example of Sri Lanka. If the rulers are willing to share power and accommodate the reasonable demands of the minority community, social divisions become less threatening for the country.

(ii)  But if they suppress such a demand  in the name of national unity, the end result is often quite the opposite. Thus  with  such  attempts  at  forced  integration often sow the seeds of disintegration as seen in Sri Lanka.

(i) Social differences which overlap other differences are known as overlapping differences, while when social differences cross-cut one another, it is known as cross-cutting differences.

(ii)  Cross-cutting social differences are easier to accommodate, while overlapping differences are not.

(iii) Overlapping    social    differences    create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions, as seen in Ireland while cross-cutting differences do not usually lead to conflicts as seen in Belgium.

Different forms of social differences  :

(i)   Social differences are based on  accident of birth, e.g., people around us are male and female, they are tall and short, have different kind of complexions, or have different physical abilities or disabilities.

(ii)  Some differences are based on choices, e.g. some people are atheists. Some people choose to follow a religion other than the one in which they were born.

It depends on how political leaders raise the demands of any community. For example :

(i)   it is easier to accommodate demands that are within the constitutional framework and are not at the cost of another community.

(ii)  The demand for ‘only Sinhala’ was at the cost of the interest and identity of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka.

(iii) In Yugoslavia, the leaders of different ethnic communities presented their demands in such a way that these could not be accommodated within a single country.

People think that is not correct to politicize social divisions because :

(i)  it can make social divisions into political divisions and  lead to conflict, violence or  even disintegration of a country.

(ii)  In Northern Ireland, there has been a violent and bitter ethno-political conflict for many years.

(iii) It caused disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent countries.

Civil Rights Movement (1954-1968) :

Refers to a set of events and reform movements aimed at legally abolishing racial discrimination against African-Americans. Led by Martin Luther King Junior, this movement practised non-violent methods.

The Black Power Movement (1966 – 1975) :

This movement was a more militant anti-racist movement, advocating even violence, if necessary, to end racism in the U.S.

Martin Luther King Junior was the leader of the Civil Rights Movement. This movement was started in 1954 and lasted till 1968.

Importance of Civil Rights Movement :

(i)   It was a reform movement with the aim to abolish legal racial discrimination against African- Americans.

(ii) It practised non-violent methods of civil disobedience against racially discriminatory laws and practices.

Every expression of social division in politics does not lead to disasters. Sometime, it is beneficial too.

(i)   The  various  disadvantaged  groups  express their grievances and get the government to attend to the same.

(ii)  Expression of various kinds of social divisions in politics often results in their cancelling one another out and thus, reducing their intensity.

(iii) Fight against injustice often takes a democratic path, voicing their demands in a peaceful and constitutional manner and seeking a fair position through elections.

Social division of one kind or the other exists in most of the countries.

(i)   Social divisions exist whether  the  country is big or small. India is a vast country with many communities. Belgium is a small country with many communities too.

(ii)  Countries, such as Germany and Sweden, that were once highly homogeneous are undergoing rapid change with influx of people from other parts of the world.

(iii) Migrants bring with them their own culture and tend to form a different social community. In this sense, most countries of the world are multicultural and have social division.

Features of a homogeneous society  :

(i)   A society has similar kinds of people.

(ii)  There are no significant ethnic differences. Germany and Sweden have homogenous societies.

Social divisions affect politics in both negative and positive ways :

Negative  ways :

(i)   In Northern Ireland, there has been a violent and bitter ethno-political conflict for many years. Northern Ireland population was divided into Protestant (53%) and Roman Catholic (44%). The Catholics were represented by Nationalist parties who wanted to be unified with the Republic of Ireland. In contrast, Protestants were represented by Unionists who wanted to remain with the U.K. Hundreds of civilians, militants and security forces were killed in the fight between Unionists and Nationalist.

(ii) Disintegration   of  Yugoslavia  into   six independent  countries  happened  due  to  ethnic and religious differences.

Positive ways :

(i)   Every expression of social division in politics does not lead to disasters because wherever social divisions exist, they are reflected in politics. In e.g. AIADMK and BSP in India.

(a) Carlos and Smith were similar because both were African-Americans and thus, different from Norman who was white.

(b)  However,  all  three   were  similar  because they were athleties who stood against racial discrimination.

Thus, it is correct to say that  social differences divide similar people from each other but it also unites different people.

To draw international attention to racial discrimination in the United States, the African- American athletes performed following activities  :

(i)   They received their models wearing black socks and no shoes to represent Black poverty.

(ii)  When American national anthem was played, these two African-American athletes stood with clenched fists upraised and heads bowed.

(iii) The black gloved and raised clenched fists were meant to symbolise Black power.

(i)  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 change social division into political division and lead to conflict, violence or even disintegration of a country.

(ii)  Hundreds of civilians, militants and security forces were killed in the fight between Unionists and Nationalists and between the security forces of the UK in Ireland.

(iii) Political  competition  along  religious  and ethnic lines led to the disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent countries.

(iv) In a democracy, it is only natural that political parties would talk about the social divisions, make different promises to different communities, look after due representation of various communities, but often it takes a negative turn.

(v) Social divisions affect voting in most countries. People from one community tend to prefer some party to others. In many countries, there are parties that focus only on one community, which does not serve the greater cause.

Various problems faced by a democracy to accommodate social diversities are as follows  :

(i)   A positive attitude towards diversity and a willingness to accommodate it do not come about easily amongst the leaders.

(ii)  People who feel marginalized, deprived and discriminated  have to fight against the injustice often with less support.

(iii) Such  a  fight  often  takes  the  democratic path, voicing their demands in a peaceful and constitutional manner and seeking a solution through elections.

(iv) Sometimes social differences can take the form of unacceptable level of social inequality and injustice.

(v) The struggle against  such  inequalities sometimes takes the path of violence and difference of state power.

(i) People  learnt  that   issues,  such  as discrimination on the basis of colour existed in many regions of the world and especially in the USA.

(ii)  The issue of equality was much discussed and it was realized that equality is a dream for many sections of the society in different countries with parallel problems.

(iii) People learnt  that  thought  a  non-violent protest it was possible to highlight a social problem and find solutions for the same.

(iv) It is only by the democratic process that disadvantaged sections of society are able to highlight their problems and find solutions.

Social divisions of one kind or the other exist in most parts of the world based on race, religion, language or culture.

(a)   Overlapping Social Differences: Overlapping differences happen when some social differences overlap other differences.

It becomes a social division when some social differences are joined by another set of social differences. For example, the difference in the Blacks and the Whites in America is due to their different race, which is a social difference.

It becomes a social division when, for example, the income factor is also added to it. The Blacks tend to be poor and homeless, while the Whites tend to be rich and educated. This creates a division in the people, making them feel that they belong to different communities.

In India, Dalits tend to be poor and landless. They often face discrimination and injustice. Situations of this kind produce social division.

(b) Cross-cutting Social Differences :  Cross- cutting differences happen when one type of social difference is weakened by another set of social differences. Then, it becomes difficult to group people into a single category because they are going to have different opinions and views on different matters. On some matters, there might be agreement on a particular issue, but there might be disagreement on another issue. For example, people in the Netherlands are predominantly Christian, but divided between Catholics and Protestants. Here class and religion cross-cut each other. Catholics and Protestants are about equally likely to be poor or rich and they do not have conflict between them.