Important Questions for Chapter 3 Democracy and Diversity Class 10 Political Science
Important Questions1
What do you mean by ‘Civil Rights Movement in the USA’?
Answer
Civil Rights Movement in the USA refers to a set of events and reform movements aimed at abolishing legal racial discrimination against African-Americans.
VSAQ
2
Tommie Smith and John Carlos belong to which ethnic group of America?
Answer
African-American.
VSAQ
3
Which event in the USA is referred as the Black Power Movement (1966-73)?
Answer
Movement to end racism.
VSAQ
4
Which University has recently installed the statues of Tommie Smith and John Carlos in its campus?
Answer
The San Jose State University.
VSAQ
5
Name the Australian athlete who showed sympathy and support to the two American athletes who tried to draw international attention to racial discrimination in the USA.
Answer
Peter Norman.
VSAQ
6
Name the leader of the Civil Rights Movement in USA.
Answer
Martin Luther King Junior.
VSAQ
7
Social difference arises due to which differences?
Answer
Most social differences are based on accident of birth.
VSAQ
8
What do you mean by social division?
Answer
When one kind of social difference becomes more important than any other and people start feeling that they belong to different communities, there is social division.
VSAQ
9
When do overlapping differences happen?
Answer
Overlapping differences happen when one kind of social difference becomes more important than the other and people start feeling that they belong to different communities.
VSAQ
10
Name the prominent religious group in Northern Ireland and the Netherlands.
Answer
The prominent religious group in Northern Ireland and the Netherlands is Christianity.
VSAQ
11
Define 'homogeneous' society.
Answer
A society that has similar kinds of people, especially where there are no significant ethnic differences.
VSAQ
12
Name a country in which society was fairly homogeneous.
Answer
Germany had a society which was fairly homogeneous.
VSAQ
13
Name a European country in the recent times that has been worst affected by division.
Answer
Yugoslavia.
VSAQ
14
Which two differences are responsible for social diversity?
Answer
Cultural and linguistic differences arc responsible for social diversity.
VSAQ
15
When did the Nationalists and the UK government arrive at an agreement?
Answer
1998.
VSAQ
16
Which of the communities in India was in a more or less similar position as that of Blacksin USA?
Answer
Dalits.
VSAQ
17
Which division is unique to India?
Answer
Caste division is unique to India.
VSAQ
1
What was ‘Civil Rights Movement’ in United States?
Answer
• 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 Jr.
• This movement practiced non-violent methods of civil disobedience against racially discriminatory laws and practices.
SAQ
2
Which type of social difference is more dangerous and why?
Answer
• Overlapping difference happens when some social differences overlap other differences.
• When one kind of social difference becomes more important than the other and people starts feeling that they belongs to different communities.
• Thus they creates possibilities of deep social division sand tensions. For example- Black and white differences in US becomes a social division because the blacks tends to be poor and landless, and often face injustice and discrimination.
SAQ
3
How far do the emergence of social differences lead to social division? Explain by giving a suitable example.
Answer
• If social differences cross cut one another, it is difficult to avoid clashes between the groups that hold different views.
• If means that groups that share a common interest on one issue are likely to be in different sides of a different issue.
• For example, in Northern Ireland class and religion tend to cut across each other leading to social tensions.
SAQ
4
“Social division takes place when some social differences overlap with other differences.” Justify the statement.
Answer
• The difference between the Blacks and Whites becomes a social division in the US because the Blacks tend to be poor, homeless and discriminated against.
• In our country Dalits tend to be poor and landless. They often face discrimination and injustice.
• One kind of social difference becomes more important when other people start feeling that they belong to different communities.
SAQ
5
What are the three factors that determine the outcome of social divisions in politics? Explain.
Answer
• The people's perception of their identities: When this is singular, the accommodation of other identities becomes difficult.
• Representation of a community by political leaders: While representing a community, if politicians raise demands that are constitutional, then it is easier to accommodate those demands.
• The government's reaction: If the reasonable demands of a community are suppressed by the government, then it leads to social divisions, which in turn threaten the integrity of the country.
SAQ
6
Explain with example different forms of social differences.
Answer
• Social differences are based on accident of birth. Example: People around us are male and female, they are tall and short, have different kind of complexions, or have different physical abilities or disabilities.
• Some differences are based on choices. Example: Some people are atheists. They don’t believe in God or any religion. Some people choose to follow a religion other than the one in which they were born.
SAQ
7
“Social divisions exist in most of the countries.” Explain.
Answer
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
SAQ
8
How is political expression of social division in democracy beneficial?
Answer
• The various disadvantaged groups express their grievances before the government.
• Expression of various kinds of social divisions in politics often result in their cancelling one another out and thus reducing their intensity.
• Fight against injustice often takes a democratic path voicing their demands in a peaceful and constitutional manner and seeking a fair position through elections.
SAQ
9
Explain with example the role of political leaders to determine the outcome of politics of social divisions.
Answer
It 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.
• In Sri Lanka, the demand for Sinhala supremacy was at the cost of the interest and identity of the Tamil community.
• 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.
SAQ
10
“We have different identities in different contexts.” Support the statement with three facts.
Answer
• It is fairly common for people belonging to the same religions to feel that they do not belong to the same community because their caste is different.
• It is also possible for people from different religions to have the same caste and feel close to each other.
• Rich and poor persons from same family often do not keep close relations with each other for they feel they are different.
SAQ
11
How did the African-American athletes in Mexico Olympics 1968 try to draw international attention to racial discrimination in the United States?
Answer
• They received their models wearing black socks and no shoes to represent Black poverty.
• When American national anthem was played, these two African-American athletes stood with clenched fists upraised and heads bowed.
• The black gloved and raised clenched fists were meant to symbolize Black power.
SAQ
12
“Attempts at forced integration often sow the seeds of disintegration.” Support the statement with suitable arguments.
Answer
• We can justify this statement by taking examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka. 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 suppress such a demand in the name of national unity, the end result is often quite the opposite. Thus with such attempts at forced integration often saw the seeds of integration.
SAQ
13
Taking the example of Carlos, Smith and Norman, explain how social differences divide similar people from one another but also unite very different people.
Answer
People belonging to different social groups share differences and similarities cutting across the boundaries of their groups. People belonging to the same religion may feel different. Also, people from different religions may have similar views.
• For example, Carlos and Smith were similar in one way because both were African-Americans and were different from Norman as he was white.
• But they were all similar in other way that they were all athletes who stood against racial discrimination.
SAQ
14
What action was taken by the International Olympic Association against each of the three Olympians, Carlos, Smith and Peter Norman?
Answer
• Carlos and Smith were found guilty of violating the Olympic spirit because they made a political statement.
• Medals awarded to Carlos and Smith were taken back.
• When they returned to their native country, i.e., America, they were subjected to a lot of criticism.
• Norman was not included in the Australian team for the next Olympics game.
SAQ
15
How did the African-American athletes in Mexico Olympics 1968 try to draw international attention to racial discrimination in the United States?
Answer
• They received their models wearing black socks and no shoes to represent Black poverty.
• When American national anthem was played, these two African-American athletes stood with clenched fists upraised and heads bowed.
• The black gloved and raised clenched fists were meant to symbolize Black power.
SAQ
16
What was the Black Power Movement? Explain.
Answer
(i) The Black Power Movement was emerged in USA between 1966 and lasted till 1975.
(ii) It was more militant and an anti-racist movement.
(iii) The main aim of this movement was to end racism in the U.S.
SAQ
17
What are the features of a homogeneous society ? Mention the name of any one country having such society?
Answer
Features of a homogeneous society:
(i) A society has similar kinds of people.
(ii) There are no significant ethnic differences.
Sweden is a example of homogenous societies.
SAQ
1
Politics and social divisions must not be allowed to mix. Substantiate this statement, with five arguments.
Answer
• 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 make social division into political division and lead to conflict, violence or even disintegration of a country.
• Hundreds of civilians, militants and security forces were killed in the fight between Unionists and Nationalists and between the security forces of the UK and the Nationalists. It was only in 1998, that the UK government and the Nationalists reached a peace treaty after which the nationalists suspended their armed struggle.
• Political competition along religious and ethnic lines led to the disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent countries.
• 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 and make policies to redress the grievances of the disadvantaged communities.
• 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.
LAQ
2
Name five countries of the world which have already faced or are facing the problems of social divisions. Explain in brief the causes of social divisions.
Answer
• UK faced the problem based on religious divisions between Protestants and Catholics in Ireland.
• Sri Lanka is still facing the problem of language, cultural and religious diversities.
• India is facing the problems of social divisions based on caste, religion, gender, etc.
• Belgium faced the problem of linguistic diversities. The problem has been resolved with the formation of community government.
• USA faced the problem of racial discrimination.
LAQ
3
Describe the problems faced by a democracy to accommodate social diversities.
Answer
• A positive attitude towards diversity and a willingness to accommodate it do not come about easily.
• People who feel marginalized, deprived and discriminated have to fight against the injustice.
• Such a fight often takes the democratic path, voicing their demands in a peaceful and constitutional manner and seeking a fair position through elections.
• Sometimes social differences can take the form of unacceptable level of social inequality and injustice.
• The struggle against such inequalities sometimes takes the path of violence and difference of state power.
LAQ
4
How is political expression of social divisions in democracy beneficial?
Answer
• In democracy, political expression of social divisions is normal and can be healthy. In case of India and Belgium, it has been observed that social diversities can be accommodated in a very positive manner. But a positive attitude towards diversity and a willingness to accommodate it do not come about easily.
• People who feel marginalised, deprived and discriminated against have to fight against injustices. Such a fight often takes the democratic path, voicing their demands in a peaceful and constitutional manner and seeking a fair position through elections.
• Sometimes social differences can take the form of unacceptable level of social inequality and injustice. The struggle against such inequalities sometimes takes the path of violence and defiance of state power.
However, history shows that democracy is the best way to fight for recognition and also to accommodate diversity.
LAQ
5
Explain overlapping differences and cross-cutting differences. What is the main difference between them?
Answer
Overlapping difference
• Overlapping difference occurs when one kind of social difference becomes more important than the other.
• There is a chance of conflict among two social groups because they hardly share common interest.
• Example: In US black tends to poor, white tends to rich. So, besides social difference based on caste, there is a related social difference based on economic condition which overlaps the previous one.
Cross cutting differences
• Cross cutting differences means that groups that share a common interest on one issue are likely to be in different sides on a different issue.
• It is difficult to have conflict as people of different social group share some common interest.
• Example: Catholics and Protestants of the Netherlands who are both rich and poor. So, the social difference of religion is weakened by another set of social difference of wealth.
LAQ
1
Discuss the role of political parties in the determination of the outcomes of social division.
Answer
• The outcome depends on how leaders of political parties raise the demands of any community.
• It is easier to accommodate demands that are within the constitutional framework.
• They are not at the cost of another community.
• For example, the demand for ‘only Sinhala’ was at the cost of the interest and identify of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka.
• 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.
HOTS
1
Do you think that social divisions are always dangerous? Explain.
Answer
No, we do not think that social divisions are always dangerous because:
• In a democracy, political expression of social divisions is normal and can be healthy.
• It 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 division in politics often results in their cancelling one another out.
VBQ
2
What are the three determinants to accommodate social divisions in politics?
Answer
• Outcome depends on how people perceive their identities. If people see their identities in singular and exclusive terms, it becomes very difficult to accommodate.
• The outcome 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.
• In another way political outcome of social divisions depends on how the government reacts to demands of different groups. This is very much observed in Belgium and Sri Lanka. If the rulers are willing to share power and accommodate the reasonable demands of minority community, social divisions becomes less threatening for the country.
VBQ