CBSE Political Science Subject Notes

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Political Science

Chapter 3 - Democracy And Diversity

Social division:- Division of the society on the basis of language, region, caste, colour or race and sex. It signifies linguistic and regional diversity. Social differences:- Social differences are the situations where the people are discriminated against on the basis of social, economic and racial inequality. It gives way to social diversity which is different from society to society. The black power: It was a movement started by black people in 1966 against racialism and the practice of apartheid. It was a militant movement advocating even violence if necessary to end racism in the US. Overlapping differences: Social differences which overlap other differences are known as overlapping differences e.g., difference between the blacks and whites became a social division in US because the Blacks tend to be poor homeless and discriminated against.
Cross-Cutting Differences: If social differences cross cut one another, it is known as cross cutting differences. In another way in this situation groups that share a common interest on one issue are likely to be in different sides on a different issue.
Homogenous Society:- Homogenous society signifies absence of significant ethnic differences. It is a society that has similar kinds of people or inhabitants. Migrants: Anybody who shifts from one region or country to another region within a country or to another country for the purpose of work or other economic opportunities. Minority: It refers to community who are less than half of the total population of the country. The idea of minority at national level is totally different from what it is at state level.

Q.1.  ‘Most of the social differences are based on accident of birth.’ Explain.

Ans. The social differences are mostly based on accident of birth. Normally, we don’t choose to belong to our community. We belong to it simply because we were born to it. We all experience social differences based on accident of birth in our everyday lives. People around us are male or female, they are tall and short, have different kinds of complexions, or have different physical abilities or disabilities.

Q.2.  What is a homogenous society? Give two examples.

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

Q.3.  Mention one impact of migration.

Ans. The process of migration is converting the homogeneous countries into heterogeneous countries because migrants bring with them their own culture, and tend to form a different social community.

Q. 4 How are the social divisions reflected in politics? Explain.

Ans.
1. 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.
2. Social divisions 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 community.

Q. 5. Name the two athletes who raised the issue of Civil Rights in the Mexico Olympics. What methods were used by them?

Ans. Tommie Smith and John Carlos
1. They received their medals without shoes, but with socks to represent Black poverty.
2. Smith wore a black scarf around his neck to represent Black pride.
3. Carlos wore a string of beads to commemorate Black People, who had been killed.

Q. 6.  ‘Overlapping social differences create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions.’ Explain.

Ans.
1. When one social difference overlaps another difference, it is known as overlapping social difference.
2. Overlapping social differences between Blacks and Whites became a social division in the United States. Overlapping social difference became the main factor for the Black Power Militant Movement.
3. Even in India, Dalits face discrimination and injustice. These kinds of situations produce social divisions which are harmful for democracy and weaken the basic foundation of democracy.