How do social divisions affect politics? | Class 10 Social Science - Democratic Politics Chapter Democracy and Diversity, Democracy and Diversity NCERT Solutions

________________ social differences create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions. ___________________ social differences do not usually lead to conflicts.

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

When does a social difference become a social division?

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.

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

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

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

State how caste inequalities are still continuing in India.

Give arguments to support or oppose the following assertions:
      *  Industrialised countries can afford democracy but the poor need dictatorship to become rich.
      *  Democracy can’t reduce inequality of incomes between different citizens.
      *  Government in poor countries should spend less on poverty reduction, health, education and spend more on industries and infrastructure.
      *  In democracy all citizens have one vote, which means that there is absence of any domination and conflict.

Read the following passage, and pick out any one of the prudential reasons for power sharing offered in this.

“We need to give more power to the panchayats to realise the dream of Mahatma Gandhi, and the hopes of the makers of our Constitution. The Panchayati Raj establishes true democracy. It restores power to the only place where power belongs in a democracy – in the hands of the people. Giving power to Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption, and increase administrative efficiency. When people participate in the planning and implementation of developmental schemes, they would naturally exercise greater control over these schemes. This would eliminate the corrupt middlemen. Thus the Panchayati Raj will strengthen the foundations of our democracy."

Point out one feature in the practice of federalism in India that is similar to and one feature that is different from that of Belgium.

State two reasons to say that caste alone cannot determine election results in India.

State different forms of communal politics with one example each.

Identify the challenges to democracy in the following descriptions. Also suggest policy/institutional mechanism to deepen democracy in the given situations:
    *  Following a High Court directive a temple in Orissa that had separate entry doors for dalits and non-dalits allowed entry for all from the same door.
    *  A large number of farmers are committing suicide in different states of India.
    *  Following allegation of killing of three civilians in Gandwara in a fake encounter by Jammu and Kashmir police, an enquiry has been ordered.

What are the various challenges faced by political parties?

What are the different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.

State the various functions political parties perform in a democracy.

Consider the following two statements on power-sharing and select the answer using codes given below:

A. Power sharing is good for democracy.
B. It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.

Which of the statements are true and false?

(a) A is true but B is false
(b) Both A and B are true
(c) Both A and B are false
(d) A is false but B is true

Consider the following statements about power sharing arrangements in Belgium and Sri Lanka :

A. In Belgium the Dutch-speaking majority people tried to impose their domination on the minority French speaking community.
B. In Sri Lanka the policies of the government ensured the dominance of the Sinhala speaking majority.
C. The Tamils in Sri Lanka demanded a federal arrangement of power sharingto protect their culture, language and equality of opportunity in education and jobs.
D. The transformation of Belgium from unitary government to a federal one prevented a possible division of the country on linguistic lines.

Which of the statements given are correct ?

(a) A, B, C and D
(b) A, B, and D
(c) C and D
(d) B, C and D

Different arguments are usually put forth in favour of and against power sharing. Identify those which are in favour of power sharing and select the answer using the codes given below? Power sharing:

A. reduces conflict among different communities
B. decreases the possibility of arbitrariness
C. delays decision making process
D. accommodates diversities
E. increases instability and divisiveness
F. promotes people’s participation in government
G. undermines the unity of a country

State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power-sharing with an example from the Indian context. [CBSE Sept. 2010]

What are the different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.

Consider the following statements on parties.
A. Political parties do not enjoy much trust among the people.
B. Parties are often rocked by scandals involving top party leaders.
C. Parties are not necessary to run governments.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

 Features of a democracy.​

Read the following passage, and pick out any one of the prudential reasons for power sharing offered in this.

“We need to give more power to the panchayats to realise the dream of Mahatma Gandhi, and the hopes of the makers of our Constitution. The Panchayati Raj establishes true democracy. It restores power to the only place where power belongs in a democracy – in the hands of the people. Giving power to Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption, and increase administrative efficiency. When people participate in the planning and implementation of developmental schemes, they would naturally exercise greater control over these schemes. This would eliminate the corrupt middlemen. Thus the Panchayati Raj will strengthen the foundations of our democracy."

The Mayor of Merchtem, a town near Brussels in Belgium, has defended a ban on speaking French in the town’s schools. He said that the ban would help all non¬Dutch speakers integrate in this Flemish town. Do you think that this measure is in keeping with the spirit of Belgium’s power sharing arrangements ? Give your reasons in about 50 words.

After reading this chapter, three students drew different conclusions. Which of these do you agree with and why ? Give your reasons in about 50 words.

Thomman – Power sharing is necessary only in societies which have religious, linguistic or ethnic divisions.
Mattai – Power sharing is suited only for big countries that have regional divisions.
Ousep – Every society needs some form of power sharing even if they are small or do not have social divisions.