CBSE Class 10 Social Science Democracy And Diversity Notes

• Social Division

Division of the society on the basis of language, region, caste, colour, race or sex. It signifies linguistic and regional diversity.

• Civil Rights Movement in the USA(1954-1968)

A series of events and reform movements with the aim of abolishing legal, racial discrimination against African-Americans. Martin Luther King Jr. started the movement in 1954.This movement practiced non-violent methods of civil disobedience against racially discriminatory laws and practices.

• African-Americans

Afro-American, Black American or Black are the terms used to refer mainly to the descendants of Africans who were brought into America as slaves between early 17th and 19th century.

• The Black power.

It was a movement started by black people in 1966(1966-1975) against racism and the practice of apartheid. It was a militant movement advocating even violence if necessary to end racism in the US .

• Migrants

Anybody who shifts from one region or country to another region within a country or to another country for the purpose of work or other economic opportunities to another country for the purpose of work or other economic opportunities.

• Minority

It refers to communities who are less than half of the total population of the country.The idea of minority at national level is totally different from what it is at state level.

• Homogenous Society.

Homogenous Society signifies absence of significant ethnic differences. It is a society that has similar kinds of people or inhabitants.

• Multi- Cultural Community

Social community formed on the basis of different cultures is known as theMulticultural community. This happens mostly due to the practice of migration when people bring with them their own culture.

(The athletes in the example above were responding to social divisions and inequalities)

Three determinants (factors) for the outcome of politics of social divisions –
• How people perceive their identities- eg-to be an Indian though belonging to different state
• How political leaders raise the demands of any community- eg- The demand for ‘only Sinhala’ in Srilanka brought distrust among Tamils.
• How the govt. react to different groups- eg –Willing to share power and be accommodative like in Belgium

Advantage of social division in democracy-
• Can express their grievances and the govt. attend to it
• Intensity of social division is reduced by canceling one another out, through their expressions(being accommodative)
• Raise their issues in a peaceful manner for seeking votes

ANSWER THE FOLLOWING -
Q1. Mention three similarities between Tommie Smith and John Carlos.
• Both were African – Americans.
• Both won medals at the Mexico Olympic Games in 1968.
• Stood against racial discrimination which was practiced against the Africans in America.

Q2. Who was Peter Norman? Why did he support Carlos and Smith? What punishment did he get for this?
• Peter Norman was an Australian Athlete.
• Norman wore a human rights badge on his shirt during the ceremony to show his support to the dissent of two American athletes.
• Norman was not included in the Australian team for the next Olympic.

Q 3. How do class and religion overlap with each other in Northern Ireland?
• In Northern Ireland the population is divided into two major sects of Christianity – 53% are Protestants and 44% are Roman Catholics. The Catholics are more likely to be poor
and suffered a history of discrimination. On the other hand, the Protestants are rich.
This resulted in conflicts between the two.

Q4. Explain two advantages and two disadvantages of social divisions in democracy.
Advantages
• Political expressions 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.
• Expression of various kinds of social divisions in politics often results in their canceling one another out and thus reducing their intensity.
Disadvantages
• 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.
• For the society which has high social divisions, becomes very difficult to ensure integrity and unity.

Q.5- What do you know about origins of social differences?
• Social differences are mostly based on accident of birth. Some of the differences are based on our choices.
• By Birth- Normally we do not choose to belong to our community, we belong to it simply because we are born into it.
• By choices- Some people are atheists-they do not believe in God or any religion,
some choose to follow religion other than in which they were born.

LONG ANSWERS QUESTIONS : [5 MARKS]
1. ‘Overlapping social differences create deep social divisions and Cross-cutting differences are easier to accommodate’- Justify the given statement.
• Social divisions take place when some social difference overlaps with other differences.
• The difference between Blacks and Whites becomes a social division in US because the Blacks tend to be poor, homeless and discriminated against.
• When one kind of social difference become more important than the other, this produces social divisions. In Northern Ireland, class and religion overlap with each other.
• If social differences cross cut one another, it is difficult to pit one group of people against the other. In Netherlands class and religion tend to cut across each other.
2. Explain the three determinants in deciding the outcome of politics with examples.
• How people perceive their identities.
• How Political leaders raise the demands of any community.
• How the government reacts to demands of different groups. (To explain)

QUESTION BANK-
1. How can social divisions be normal and can be healthy in a democracy?
2. How do Migrants play a role in bringing social divisions in a country?
3. Every social division does not lead to social differences – Explain.
4. How is political expression of social divisions in democracy beneficial?
5. Taking the example of Carlos, Smith and Norman explain how social differences divide similar people from one another but also unite very different people.

Important Questions NCERT Class 10 Social Science Chapter 3 Democracy and Diversity

Question. Which event in the USA is referred as the Black Power Movement (1966-73)?

Ans. The movement to end racism.

Question. What steps should be taken according to you to promote the unity among the people of India?

Ans. 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.

Question. Explain with example the role of political leaders to determine the outcome of politics of social division.

Ans. 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.

Question. "Social divisions exist in most of the countries." Explain.

Ans. 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.

Question. Politics and social divisions must not be allowed to mix. Substantiate this statement, with five arguments.

Ans. (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.

Question. Describe the consequences of Smith and Carlos reaction to the racial discrimination.

Ans. (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.

Ques.-1 Mention the origins of social differences?

Ans.-1 a) By virtue of birth-We all experience social differences based on accident of birth in our everyday lives. People around us are male or female, they are tall and short, have different kinds of complexions, or have different physical abilities or disabilities.

b) By virtue of 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. Some people choose to follow a religion other than one in which they are 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 formation of social groups that are based on our choices.

Ques.-2 Mention the two types of social differences?

Ans.-2 a) Overlapping social differences: It creates conflicts.

Example-Northern Ireland

b) Crossing cutting: It may not create conflicts.

Example-Netherlands

Ques.-3 When do social division takes place? Explain with example.

Ans.-3 Social division takes place when social differences overlap with other differences (economic differences).

For example:

a) USA- The differences between the blacks and whites becomes a social division in the US because the blacks tend to be poor, homeless and discriminated against by the whites.

b) In India, Dalits tend to be poor and landless. They often face discrimination and injustice.

c) Northern Ireland- In this country, class and religions differences overlap with each other. Christians are broadly divided into Catholics (are poor and have suffered a history of discrimination), Protestants (who are  ffluent).The Catholics and the protestants have constant- conflicts with one another.

Ques.-4 What are the effects of social division on politics? Explain with examples.

Ans.-4 Democracy involves competition among various political parties which in turn divides a society. In fact social diversities can turn into political divisions thereby, leading to conflict, violence and disintegration of society (country). This has happened in many countries. For example: 1). Northern Ireland- This region of UK has been for many years the site of violent and bitter ethno political conflict. Its population is divided into 2 major groups of Christianity- 53% of its population was Protestants (represented by unionists who wanted to remain in UK which is predominantly Protestants) and 44% of Ireland population is Roman Catholic (represented by nationalist party who demanded that the Northern Ireland should be unified with the republic of Ireland which is predominantly Catholic country).Hundreds of civilians, militants, and security forces were killed in the fight between the nationalists and unionists and between the security forces of the UK and Nationalists. It was only in 1998, that the UK government and the Nationalists reached a peace treaty after which the latter suspended their armed struggle. 2).Yugoslavia- Political competition along religious ending ethnic lines led to the disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent countries. 3).India- 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.

Ques.-5 What are the factors which decide the outcome of politics on social divisions?
OR
What are the three determinants which are crucial in deciding the outcomes of politics of social divisions?
Ans.-5
1.) People’s perception- If people see their identities in singular and exclusive terms, it becomes very difficult to accommodate. As long as people in Ireland saw themselves only
as Catholics or Protestants, their differences were difficult to reconsult. It is much easier if people see their identities as multiple and complimentary with the national identity.
Example- A majority of Belgians now feel that they are as much Belgian as they are Dutch or German speaking. This helps them to stay together.

2.) Raising of demands by political leaders-It is easier to accommodate demands that are within the constitutional framework, and are not at the cost of another community.
Example- The demand for only Sinhala was at the cost of the interest and identity of the Tamil community.

3.) Reaction of the government to the demands of different groups- If the rulers are willing to share the power to accommodate the reasonable demands of the minority
community, then the social divisions become less threatening for the country.
Example- Belgium

Ques.-6 Define the following terms.
1.) Civil Rights Movement in the USA (1954-1968)- It refers to a set of events and reform movements aimed at abolishing legal racial discrimination against Africans-
Americans. Led by Martin Luther King Jr., this movement practiced non- violent methods of civil disobedience against racially discriminatory laws and practices.

2.) African- American – Afro- American, 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.

3.) The Black Power- Movement emerged in 1966 and lasted till 1975, which was a more militant anti- racist movement, advocating even violence if necessary to end racism in
the US.

4.) Homogeneous society- A society that has similar kinds of people, especially where there are no significant ethnic differences.

5.) Migrant- Anybody who shifts from one region or country to another region within a country or to another country, usually for work or other economic opportunities.

Important Questions NCERT Class 10 Social Science Chapter 3 Democracy and Diversity

Question. Explain the three factors that are essential in deciding the outcome of politics of local decisions.

Ans. (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.

Question. "In a democracy, every expression of social divisions in politics is not disastrous. "Establish the truth of the statement with the help of an example.

Ans. (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.

Question. How is overlapping differences different from cross-cutting differences?

Ans. (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.

Question. Why do some people think that it's not correct to politicize social divisions? Give three reasons.

Ans. 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.

Question. Taking the example of Carlos, Smith and Norman, explain how social differences divide similar people from one another but also unite very different people.

Ans. (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.

Question. Describe the problems faced by a democracy to accommodate social diversities.

Ans. 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.

Summary

Differences, Similarities and Divisions

Origins of Social Differences

(a) On the basis of birth

(b) on the basis of colour

 Politics of Social Divisions

Democracy involves competition among various political parties.Their competitions 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.

- It would be best if there are no social divisions in any country. If social divisions do exist in a country, they must never be expressed in politics.

- Social divisions affect voting in most countries.

- In a democracy, political expression of social divisions is very normal and can be healthy.

- Expression of various kinds of social divisions in politics after results in their canceling one an other out and thus reducing their intensity.

Questions :

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

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

3. How does social division & politics interrelate each other explain it?

4. How does social divisions make democracy stronger?

5. Discuss three factors are crucial in deciding the outcome of politics of social divisions?

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