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

State how caste inequalities are still continuing in India.

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."

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.

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.

When does a social difference become a social division?

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.

The distinguishing feature of a federal government is:
(a) National government gives some powers to the provincial governments.
(b) Power is distributed among the legislature, executive and judiciary.
(c) Elected officials exercise supreme power in the government.
(d) Governmental power is divided between different levels of government.

How do social divisions affect politics? Give two examples.

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.

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

Match List I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the Lists:

List I                                              List II

(i) A person who believes    A. Communalist in equal rights and opportunities for women and men.

(ii) A person who says that    B. Feminist religion is the principal basis of the community.

(iii) A person who thinks      C. Secularist that caste is the principal basis of community.

(iv) A person who does not    D. Castiest discriminate against others on the basis of religious beliefs.

(a) (i) – B; (ii) – C; (iii) – A; (iv) – D

(b) (i) – B; (ii) – A; (iii) – D (iv) – C

(c) (i) – D; (ii) – C; (iii) – A (iv) – B

(d) (i) – C; (ii) – A; (iii) – B (iv) – D

Match List I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: 

 List I                                              List II

(i) Pressure group              A. Narmada Bachao Andolan

(ii) Long-term movement    B. Asom Gana Parishad

(iii) Single issue movement    C. Women’s movement

(iv) Political party               D. Fertiliser dealers, association

 (a) D C A B

(b) B A D C

(c) C D B A

(d) B D C A

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

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.

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.

How do social divisions affect politics? Give two examples.

State different forms of communal politics with one example each.

What is a political party?

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

Mention any two constitutional provisions that make India a secular state.