CBSE Class 10 Political Science Chapter 3 Democracy and Diversity notes | NCERT Solutions online

 CBSE Class 10 Political Science Chapter 3 Democracy and Diversity notes English medium

 

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Class 10 Political Science

Chapter 3 Democracy and Diversity

HOTS, Important terms and key points of the Chapter Democracy and Diversity

African-Americans:

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

The Civil Rights Movement (1954-1968)

Civil Rights movement in the USA refers to a set of events and reform movements aimed at abolishing legal racial discrimination against African-Americans. It was Led by Martin Luther King, this movement practised non-violent methods of civil disobedience against racially discriminatory laws and practices.

Democracy

Democracy is a form of government in which the ruling power is vested in the hands of the people and the government is answerable to the people who can change it through constitutional means.

The Black Power Movement

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 United States.

Homogeneous Society

A society that has similar kinds of people, especially where there are no significant ethnic differences. For example, Germany and Sweden

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.

Tommie Smith and John Carlos (200 metres)

Tommie Smith (Gold Medal) and John Carlos (Bronze Medal) received their medals during Mexico Olympics (1968) wearing black socks and no shoes to represent black poverty and to draw international attention to racial discrimination in the United States.

Peter Norman

Peter Norman (Silver medalist- Mexico Olympic 1968) wore a human rights badge on his shirt during the medal ceremony to support to the African-Americans who tried to draw international attention to racial discrimination in the United States. As result, Norman was not included in the Australian team for the next Olympics.

Factors responsible for origin of social differences

Most on the accident of Birth, choice (to be atheists or not), economic status and religion.

Overlapping Social Differences

When one social difference overlaps another difference, it is known as overlapping social differences. For example the blacks and white in US and Dalits in India.

Cross-cutting social differences

When one social issue cross-cut another social issue, it is known as cross-cutting social differences. For example status of Catholics and Protestants in Netherlands.

Ethnic composition of Northern Netherlands

(i) Protestants - 53% (ii) Roman Catholics - 44%

 

Q 1 How are the social divisions reflected in politics? Explain.

Ans.

(i) Political parties talk about social 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.

(ii) Social division affect voting in most countries people from one community tend to prefer a party more than others. In many countries there are parties that focus only on one particular community

Q 2 Explain the Civil Rights Movement in the USA.

Ans. (1) 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.

(2) Led by Martin Luther King Jr., this movement practised non-violent methods of civil disobedience against racially discriminatory laws and practices.

(3) The movement inspired many nationalist to raise the issue of racial discrimination at international level. Inspired by the movement, Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised the issue of racial discrimination in the Mexican Olympics.

Q 3 What was Black Power Movement? How was it different from the Civil Rights Movement?

Ans. The Black Power Movement was an anti-racist movement launched in Africa led by Martin Luther King Jr.

Differences:

(i) The Black Power Movement emerged in 1966 and lasted till 1975. Whereas Civil Rights Movement emerged in 1954 and lasted till 1968.

(ii) The Civil Rights Movement was a non-violent movement. Whereas the Black Power Movement was a militant anti-racist movement, advocating even violence if necessary to end racism in the US.

 

Q 4 “All kinds of social differences are not based on accident of birth". Discuss.

Ans. (i) Many of our differences are based on our choices. For example, some people are atheists (those who don't believe in God) whereas other choose to follow a religion.

(ii) Many differences are based on the occupation we take up.

(iii) Some differences are also based on ideology. For example, in India there are many political parties based on different ideologies.

 

Q5 “Social divisions of one kind or another exist in most countries.” Explain.

Or

When does a social difference become a social division? Explain any three situations.

Ans.

(i) Most of the countries of the world are heterogeneous or multi-cultural. India is a vast country with many religions and communities living side by side.

(ii) Belgium, a small country is also a multi-cultural country.

(iii) Even those countries such as Germany and Sweden, that were once highly homogeneous, are undergoing rapid change with the influx of people from other parts of the world. Migrants bring with them their own culture and tend to form a different social community.

 

Q6 Explain the reasons of social differences. Or Why do social differences emerge in a society? Or Explain with examples the two bases for the origin of social differences.

Ans.

(1) Differences based on 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.

(2) 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.

(3) Differences based 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 section is very different.

(4) Differences based on economic status:

Economic status can also be responsible for social differences. Rich and poor people belonging to the same community or religion or section often do not keep close relations with each other as they feel that they are very different.

(5) Differences based on caste/colour:

In many regions of the world, people are differentiated on the basis of caste or colour. For example, in United States and South Africa Blacks were discriminated because of their skin colour.

 

Q7 Distinguish between overlapping and cross-cutting differences.

Ans.

Overlapping	Cross-cutting
(1) Under this, a social difference overlaps another difference.	Under this, a social difference cross-cuts another difference.
(2) Under this, people start feeling that they belong to different communities.	Under this, the group can share a common interest on one issue but are likely to be in different sides on different issues.
(3) These create possibilities of deep social divisions.	These are easier to accommodate.
(4) For example, difference between Blacks and the Whites in USA is an over-lapping difference because the Blacks tend to be poor, homeless and discriminated.	In Netherlands class and religion tend to cut across each other as Catholics and Protestants are about equally likely to be poor or rich.

 

Q8 Distinguish between Civil Rights Movement (1954-1968) and The Black Power Movement (1966-1975) in the USA.

 Ans.

Civil Rights Movement	Black Power Movement
1. This movement emerged in 1954 and lasted till 1968.	This movement emerged in 1966 and lasted till 1975.
2. It was a non-violent movement.	It believed in violence.
3. This movement was led by Martin Luther King (junior).	This movement had no leader.
4. It was, in fact, a reform movement.	This movement resorted to violence to end racism.
5. It was a civil disobedience movement against racially discriminatory laws and practices.	It was an unorganized, more militant and anti-racist.

 

Federalism NCERT exercise solutions

 

NCERT solutions of EXERCISE QUESTIONS

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

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.

It is much easier if the people see that their identities are multiple and are complementary with the national identity. A majority of Belgians now feel that they are as much Belgian nationalist or citizens 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.

 

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

Ans.

(i) Most of the countries of the world are heterogeneous or multi-cultural. India is a vast country with many religions and communities living side by side.

(ii) Belgium, a small country is also a multi-cultural country.

(iii) Even those countries such as Germany and Sweden, that were once highly homogeneous, are undergoing rapid change with the influx of people from other parts of the world. Migrants bring with them their own culture and tend to form a different social community.

 

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

Ans. Social division may have a direct impact on politics. We can explain this statement with following examples

(i) In Northern Ireland social division lead to ethno-political conflict.

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

(iii) In Yugoslavia political competition along religions ending ethnic lines led to the disintegration of the country.

(iv) Social division of one kind or another exist in most countries of the world and wherever they exist there divisions are reflected in politics. For example, many political parties in India seems to represent one community or the other. These parties make policies to readdress the grievances of the disadvantaged communities.

4 Fill in the blanks-

______________(i) social differences create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions. _________________(ii) differences do not usually lead to conflicts.

Ans. (i) Overlapping (ii) Cross-cutting

 

5 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 of social divisions.

Ans. (d)

 

6. 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

Ans. (b)

7. 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

Ans. (a)

8. 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

Ans. (c)

 9. Read the following passage from a famous speech by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1963. Which social division is he talking about? What are his aspirations and anxieties? Do you see a relationship between this speech and the incident in Mexico Olympics mentioned in this chapter?

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character. Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring-when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children-black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics-will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: 'Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!' I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal’."

Ans.

Social division-

In this passage, Martin Luther King Jr.  is talking about social division based on colour and racial differences in Afro-Americans Society of USA.

Aspirations and anxieties-

The aspirations and anxieties of Martin Luther King junior are that he was a dream that his 4 little children will one day live in a nation where they would not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.

Relationship between this speech and the incident in Mexico Olympics-

There is no relationship between this speech and the incident in the Mexico Olympics.

 

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