NCERT Solutions for Chapter 3 Democracy and Diversity Class 10 Civics
Book Solutions1
Discuss three factors that determine the outcomes of politics of social divisions.
Answer
The three factors that determine the outcomes of politics of social divisions:
(i) How people perceive 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 to national identity.
(ii) Depends on how political leaders raise the demand of any committee: It is easier to accommodate 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) Depends on how the govt, 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 became less threatening for the country.
Exercises
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2
When does a social difference become a social division?
Answer
A social difference becomes a social division when it overlaps with some other social difference. For example, in the USA, the Whites were rich and powerful and the Blacks were poor and homeless and discriminated against. When one kind of social difference becomes more important than the other and people start feeling that they belong to different communities. then it leads to division.
Exercises
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3
How do social divisions affect politics? Give two examples.
Answer
In a democracy, different politics parties compete for power. If these political parties use this competition in support of some social divisions, it can lead to political divisions. This can lead to conflict, violence or even disintegration of a country. Two examples are:• In the case of Northern Ireland, Roman Catholics (44 percent) demanded that Northern Ireland be unified with the Republic of Ireland, a catholic country. The Protestants (53 per cent) and their party Unionists wanted to remain with the UK which is predominantly protestant. This led to violence and fight. It was only in 1998 that the UK government and the Nationalists (Catholics) reached a peace treaty.
• In the case of Yugoslavia where the political parties refused to accommodate each other. Each ethno-religious group wanted to dominate the other. This resulted in the disintegration of Yugoslavia into seven independent countries.
Exercises
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4
________________ social differences create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions. ___________________ social differences do not usually lead to conflicts.
Answer
Overlapping, Cross-cutting
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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 basis of social divisions.
Answer
(d) Democracy always leads to disintegration of society on the basis of social divisions.
Exercises
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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
Answer
(b) A and B
Exercises
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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
Answer
(a) D, B, C, A
Exercises
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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
Answer
(c) Yugoslavia
Exercises
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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’.”
Answer
• Social Division: In this passage, Martin Luther King Jr. is talking about racism in the USA. He is referring to the segregation policies adopted by the Whites towards Black people.• His aspirations are for his children and citizens of America to live in a country which is truly free of prejudices of colour and race, religion, gender and class, where everyone is equal. He does not want his people or his children to be judged because of colour of their skin.
• Relationship: The two Black Americans (Tommie Smith and John Carlos) who protested at the Mexico Olympics were doing the same which is asking for equality, respect and same opportunities. They were awaring the world about the condition of the Blacks in USA, the injustice done to them and their struggle for freedom from racial prejudice.
Exercises
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