CBSE Class 10 Social Science Civics Democracy and Diversity Assignment

INTRODUCTION

Apart from language and region, people have distinct identity in the form of physical appearance, class, religion, gender, caste, tribe, etc. In this chapter, we are going to understand how democracy responds to social differences, divisions and inequalities.

15.1 PUBLIC EXPRESSION OF SOCIAL DIVISION

(a) A Story from Mexico Olympics :
Two men Tommie Smith and John Carlos (African-Americans) won a gold medal and a bronze medal, respectively, in the 200m race at the 1968 Olympics held at Mexico city. At the time of the medal ceremony, as the American flag rose, the two closed their eyes, bowed their heads, and began their protest. Smith raised his right, black-glove-covered fist in the air to represent black power in America while Carlos’ left, black-covered fist represented unity in black America. The black scarf around Smith’s neck stood for black pride and their black socks (and no shoes) represented black poverty in racist America. The silver medallist, white Australian athlete, Peter Norman, wore a human rights badge on his shirt during the ceremony to show his support to the two Americans.
The actions of these three men were met with outrage. It was thought that such act brought political statements with it to the Olympics Games. Medals of Carlos and Smith were taken back. Back home, they were subjected to a lot of criticism. Norman too suffered for his action and was not included in the Australian team for the next Olympic.
The motive behind this action of the three men was to draw the world’s attention to the racial discrimination practised against Africans in America. They thought that the protest would bring attention to the fact that America’s civil rights movement had not gone far enough to eliminate the injustices that the black Americans were facing.

(b) Civil Rights Movement in America :
Civil Rights Movement in the USA (1954-1968) refers to a set of events and reform movements aimed at abolishing legal racial discrimination against African-Americans. Led by Martin Luther King JR., this movement practised non-violent methods of civil disobedience against racially discriminatory laws and practices. African-American, Afro-American, or Black American, or Black are the terms used to refer mainly to the descendants of Africans who were brought into America as slaves between the 17th century and early 19th century..

(c) Black Power :
The Black Power movement emerged in 1966 and lasted till 1975, which was a more militant antiracist movement, advocating even violence if necessary to end racism in the US. Differences, similarities, divisions The Athletes in the Mexican example were responding to social divisions and social inequalities.
The examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka show both regional and social divisions. In the case of Belgium we noted that people who live in different regions speak different languages. In Sri Lanka, we noted linguistic as well as religious differences. Thus social diversity can take different forms in different societies.

Origins of Social differences
Social differences based on accident of Birth - Differences which we have not choosen, its by birth. People around us are male or female, they are tall and short, have different kinds of complexions, or have different physical abilities or disabilities.
Social differences based on Choices - These differences are not based on acciddent of birth. For example some people are atheists. Some people choose to follow a religion other than one in which they were born. Most of us choose what to study, which occupation to take up and which games or cultural activities to take part in. All these lead to fomation of social groups that are based on our choices.
Every social differences does not lead to social divisions. In the Mexico Olympics example, Carlos and Smith were similar (Black, African-Americans) and were different from Norman (White, Australian). But they were also all similar in other ways - they were all atheletes who stood against racial discrimination.
It is fairly common for people belonging to the same religion to feel that they do not belong to the same community, because their caste or sect is verty different. Rich and poor persons from the same family often do not keep close relations with each other for they feel they are very different.

15.2 SOCIAL DIVISION AND SOCIAL DIFFERENCE

A social difference means the difference in a group of people due to their race, religion, language or culture. It becomes a social division when some social differences are joined by another set of social differences. In other words, when two or more social differences join together, it turns into a social division. 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, say, the income factor is also seen. The Blacks tend to be poor, homeless and the Whites tend to be rich and educated. This creates a divide in the people, making them feel that they belong to different communities.

(a) Reasons of social difference :
(i) Birth : Birth is the most important factor which is responsible for social differences. A person in India is considered of a low caste because of his birth in the lower class family. A black is discriminated from white because of his colour which is once again controlled by birth.
(ii) Differences based on choice : Some of the differences are based on our choices. For example, some people are atheists. They don’t believe in God or any religion. Differences also occur because of choice of occupation. Differences occur among the people because of different professions and economic activities also.
(iii) Differences based on religion : Sometimes religion can be one of the causes of social differences. It is fairly common for people belonging to the same religion to feel that they do not belong to the same community because their caste or sect is very different.
(iv) Differences based on economic status : Economic status can also be responsible for social differences. Rich and poor people belonging to same community or religion or sect often do not keep close relations with each other as they feel that they are very different.

(b) Overlapping and Cross–Cutting Differences :
If social differences cross cut one another, it is difficult to pit one group of people against the other. It means that groups that share a common interest on one issue are likely to be in different sides on a different issue.
In Northern Ireland, class and religion overlap with each other. If you are catholic, you are most likely to be poor and you may have suffered a history of discrimination. In the Netherlands, class and religion tend to cut across each other. Catholics and Protestants are about equally likely to be poor or rich. Catholics and Protestants have had conflicts in Northern Ireland, while they do not do so in the Netherlands.
Overlapping differences happen when one type of social difference is joined and further reinforced by another set of social differences. It leads to further division in the society due to multiple social differences.
Overlapping social differences are difficult to handle as they create deep social divisions and tensions. The probability of a social conflict is, thus, higher in case of overlapping social differences than in cross-cutting social differences.

(c) Social divisions of one kind or another exist in most countries :
Social divisions of one kind or another exist in most countries today. It does not matter whether the country is small or big. India is a vast country with many communities. Belgium is a small country with many communities. Even those countries such as Germany and Sweden, that were once highly homogeneous, are undergoing rapid changes with influx of people from other parts of the world.
Migrants bring with them their own culture and tend to form a different social community.

15.3 POLITICS OF SOCIAL DIVISIONS

Denmocracy 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 division into political divisions and lead to conflict, violence or even disintegration of a country.

(a) Combination of politics and social divisions is very dangerous and explosive :
Population of Northern Ireland is divided into two major sects of Christianity : 53 per cent are Protestants, while 44 per cent are Roman Catholics. The Catholics, represented by Nationalist parties demanded that Northern Ireland be unified with the Republic of Ireland. Protestants represented by Unionists, wanted to remain with the UK. This difference led to an intense conflict.
Hundreds of civilians, militants and security forces were killed in the fight. It was only in 1998, that the UK government and the Nationalists reached a peace treaty after which the later suspended their armed struggle. But in Yugoslavia, the story did not have a happy end. Political competition along religious and ethnic lines led to the disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent countries

(b) Every expression of social division in politics does not lead to disasters:
Social divisions of one kind or another exist in most countries of the world. Wherever they exist, these divisions are reflected in politics. In a democracy it is only natural that political parties would talk about these divisions, make different promises to different communities, look after due representation of various communities and make policies to redress the grievances of the disadvantaged communities. Social divisions affect voting in most countries. People from one community tend to prefer some party more than others. In many countries there are parties that focus only on one community. Yet all this does not lead to disintegration of the country.

(c) Factors crucial in deciding the outcome of politics of social divisions:
(i) First of all the outcome depends on how people precise their identities. If people see their identities in singular and exclusive terms, it becomes very difficult to accommodate. It is much easier if the people see that their identities are multiple and are complementary with the national identity. This helps them to stay together. This is how most people in our country see their identity: they think of themselves as Indian as well as belonging to a state or a language group or a social or religious community.
(ii) Second, 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.
(iii) Third, it depends on how the government reacts to 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 in the name of national unity, the end result is often quite the opposite. Such attempts at forced integration often sow the seeds of disintegration.
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, often results in their canceling one another out and thus reducing their intensity. This leads to strengthening of a democracy.
People who feel marginalised, deprived and discriminated have to fight against the injustices. Such a fight often takes the democratic path, voicing their demands in a peaceful manner and seeking a fair position through elections. The struggle against such inequalities sometimes takes the path of violence and defiance of state power.

Question : Highlight the case of Northern Ireland in reference to cross cutting of social differences. 
Answer :  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.

Question : "We have different identities in different contexts." Support the statement with three facts. 
Answer :  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.

Question : Explain overlapping and cross-cutting social differences with three examples. 
Answer :  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.

Question : What is a homogenous society? 
Answer :  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.

Question : Who was the leader of the Civil Rights Movement? Describe the importance of this movement. 
Answer :  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.

Question : How do social divisions affect politics? Give two examples. 
Answer :  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.

Long Answer Type Questions :

Question. What do you mean by social differences? How do social differences create social division in society?
Answer: Social differences simply refer to born or biological and socially created inequalities in the society. This mainly based on race, caste, religion, language, culture etc.
(1) When some social differences overlap with other differences. For example the difference between black and white becomes a social division in the US because the Blacks tend to be poor.
(2) If social differences cross cut one another, it is difficult to pit one group of people against other. It means that group sharing a common interest on one issue are likely to be on different side on different issues.
For example both Northern Island and the Netherlands are predominantly Christian but are divided into Catholics and Protestants.
(3) The overlapping social differences create possibilities of deep social division and tensions while cross cutting differences are easier to accommodate.

Question. Differentiate between direct and indirect democracies.
Answer: 

Question. Social division can take different forms in societies. Explain.
Answer: (1) The racial form of social division, that is social differences on the basis of colour is widely prevalent in societies.
(2) The varna and caste based division of society is found in India. Here Brahmins are considered as the highest varna while the Shudras are the lowest.
(3) Linguist division is another major form of social division found in all societies. There are more than 1000 languages spoken in the world.
(4) The social division is also manifested by the cultural and sub cultural divisions of society.

Question. Explain two advantages and two disadvantages of social divisions in democracy.
Answer: Advantages
(1) Political expressions of social divisions is very normal and can be healthy. This allows various disadvantages and marginal social groups to express their grievances and get the government to attend to these.
(2) Expression of various kinds of social divisions in politics often results in their canceling one another out and thus reducing their intensity.
Disadvantages
(1) In a democracy the different social groups organize themselves to bring equality, social justice and other vested interests. Sometimes their protest results into violence or conflicts.
(2) For the society which has high social divisions, becomes very difficult to ensure integrity and unity.

Question. Why is democracy considered the best form of government ? Give Four points.
Answer: (1) The government is formed by the elected representatives of the people.
(2) People have the opportunity to express their thoughts and beliefs. People have the right to change the government. It prevents the government from working arbitrarily.
(3) It provides all its citizens the opportunity to participate in the government and administration, without any discrimination.