Democratic Politics Ii Chapter 3 Democracy And Diversity

Factors that determine the outcomes of politics of social divisions are:

(i)It depends on how people perceive their identities.
(ii) It depends on how political leaders raise the demands of any community.
(iii)It depends on how the goverment reacts to demands of different groups.

It becomes:

(a)When some social difference overlaps — with many other differences. 

(b) When one kind of social difference becomes more important than other and people start feeling that they belong to different communities.

It turs social division into political division and lead to conflict violence and even disintegration of a country.

Northern Ireland:This region of United Kingdom has been for many year site of violence and bitter ethnic political conflict. It was only in 1998, that the UK Government and the Nationalists reached a peace treaty after which the latter suspended their armed struggle.

In Yugoslavia: The story did not have a happy end. Political competition along religious and ethnic lines led to the disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent countries.

Cross-cutting

D.

B.

A and B

A.

D, B, C, A

C.

Yugoslavia

(a) Social division: Social division based on colour and racial differences in Afro-American Society of USA is being talked about in this passage.

(b) Aspirations and anxieties of Martin: The aspirations and anxieties of Martin Luther King Jr. are that he has a dream that his four little children will one day will live in a nation where they would not be judged by the colour of skin but by the content of their character.

(c) Incident of Mexico Olympics and Martin's speech: No we don’t see any relationship between this speech and the incident that took place in Mexico Olympics. 

B.

A.

B.

A.

Abolishing legal racial discrimination against African-Americans

A.

1968

B.

D.

A.

Black power

B.

C.

B.

To represent Black Poverty

C.

B.

A.

Birth

D.

D.

Protestants

D.

D.

all of these

D.

A.

D.

C.

A.

C.

Migrant

The two social group of United States of America are :
(i) African-Americans.
(ii)Red indian American .

Afro- American is the term used to refer mainly to the descendents of Africans who were brought into America as slaves between the 17th and early 19th century.

(a) Homogeneous society: A society that has similar kinds of people, especially where there are no significant ethnic differences

(b) A Coalition Government: An agreement or common programme entered by several political parties, diverse in their objectives and aims; to run the government in state of no single party won majority seats in general or assembly elections.

The formal mechanism of expression of dissent constitutes the the Parliament and the state legislatures.

(i) Homogeneous.
(ii) (a) Both were African-American (b) Both were athletes.

In a democracy:
(i) the support for any opinion is tested through the principle of majority
(ii) only if a view carries a majority, it can become a policy
(iii) minority view does not necessarily mean that it is a wrong and misconceived view 

I. Civil Rights Movement in USA: It refers a set of events and reforms movement aimed at abolishing legal racial discrimination against Afro- American led by Martin Luther King Jr. This movement practiced non violent methods of civil disobedience against racially discriminatory laws and practices.

II. The Black Power Movement: It emerged in 1966 and lasted till 1975, which was a more militant anti- racist movent, advocating even violence if necessary to  end racism in the US.

The countries are:
(i) United Kingdom
(ii) Belgium 
(iii) Sri Lanka

Democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people.
Forms of Democracy:(i) Direct Democracy and (ii) Indirect Democracy.

Three elements of unity in India are :
(i) Cultural 
(ii) Languages
(iii)Religions 

(i) The International Olympic Association held Carlos and Smith guilty of violating the Olympic spirit by making a political statement. Their medals were taken back. Back home, they were subjected to a lot of criticism.
(ii) (a) Peter Norman wore a human rights badge on his shirt during the ceremony to show his support to the two Americans.
(b) Norman was not included in the Australian team for the next Olympics.

The reasons are:
(a) Prevalence of Poverty: 
(b) Racial Discrimination: 

(i) It depends, first of all, on how people perceive their identities. If people see them singular and exclusive terms, it become very difficult to-accommodate. 
(ii) It depends on how pollitical leaders raise the demands of any community.
(iii)It depends on how the Government's reaction to the demands of different groups.

(i) Overlapping differences: Some social differences overlap other differences. For example the differences between the Black and the Whites of United States of America. In America due to these circumstances, Blacks to be poor, homeless and generally discriminated against.
We can take second example from India. In our country Dalits tend to be poor and landless. They generally face social injustice and discrimination.

(ii) Cross-cutting social differences: If social differences cross-cut one another, it is difficult to compete one group of people against the other. It means the groups that show a common interest on one issue are slightly to be on different sides on a different issue. Hence, leading to a social division.
For example: Northern Ireland and Netherlands are dominantly Christian countries but divided between Catholics and Protestants. In Northern Irelands, class and religion overlap each other.

(i) 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.
(ii) Such a fight often takes the democratic path voicing their demands in a peaceful and constitutional manner.
(iii) Seeking a fair position through elections.
(iv) People who feel marginalised, deprived and discriminated have to fight against the injustices.

However, history shows that democracy is the best way to fight for recognition and also to accommodate diversity.

Social divisions in a country are reflected in politics in the many ways:
(i) Political parties make different promises to different communities during election for votes.

(ii) In elections, people tend to vote on the basis of social divisions. They vote for the candidate of their own community in the hope that he will look after their interest in a better way than the candidate belonging to other community.

Democracy is the best way to accommodate diversity because in democracy people can voice their demands in a peaceful and constitutional way. They are in better position to elect their representative through universal adult franchise, who would raise their issue for readdressal in the legislature.

2.1966, 1975

1. Birth

2. No

4.The Association held them guilty of violating the Olympic spirit by making apolitical statement

2.Linguistic and religious

4.The San Jose State University

3.Regional

4.All the above mentioned ways

2.Abolish legal racial discrimination

They received their medals wearing black socks and no shoes to represent Black poverty. With this gesture, they tried to draw international attention to racial discrimination. The black glowed and raised clenched fists were meant to symbolise BLACK-POWER.

Their action succeeded in gaining international attention for the Civil Rights Movement in the US. Recently, the San Jose (pronounced 'Saan Hoze') state university, of which they were former students, honoured them and installed their statue in the university campus.

(a) In the context of the cartoon given, my opinion is the problem of apartheid in South Africa.

(b) Theoretically the problem does not exist now-a-days in the world. Infact before coming to the power of Nelson Mandela, the problem of apartheid was in South Africa. 

Northern Ireland

Six

Casteist

Secular

(i) Civil Rights Movement in the USA (1954-1968) refer to a set of events and reform movements aimed at abolishing legal, racial discrimination against African-Americans. Led by Martin Luther King Jr. this movement practiced non-violent methods of civil disobedience against racially discriminatory laws and practices.

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

(iii) 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 on the U.S.

Social discriminations have been felt in Belgium and Sri Lanka. There are examples of small countries while different types of social divisions and discriminations are found in a big country like India. In India after independence there was demand to create states on the basis of language.

There are twenty two official languages and more than two hundred twenty dialects. India has declared itself as a secular country and religious freedom and cultural diversity has been given full recognition and protection by the Constitution of India.
There was an opposition to equality between females and males but constitution has granted equal status, all fundamental rights and even some special reservation and protection at local level governments to women.

C.

They have political parties

Democracy is based on the idea of delibration and negotiation. It allows people to participate and vote in election without any discrimination.

'Challenge' is a call or summon to engage in any contest, as of skill, strength, etc.

Right to Information Act is used to extract information about the functions of any government department.

The following could be some of the reasons why a democracy is a better form of government.

1. Freedom of expression granted in a democratic nation. For example, the role of media, it allows people to form groups, indulge in peaceful protests to vent their grievances.
2. It ensures transparency in its functioning. example the recent introduction of the Right to Information.
3. It enhances dignity of the individual. Democracies ensures rights to the individuals which allows them to develop to the fullest. Example Fundamental Rights.

1. Laws and policies such as right to equality provides everybody the same respect and opportunity.

2. Democratic govt. usually curbs such activities which discriminates the person or any group. for e.g, abolition of untouchability.

3. Judiciary provides everybody a equal right to put forward their complaints when they are discriminated.

Transparency means that every individual belonging to a particular democratic country has the right(RTI) to examine or instigate that whether the laws, plans, action, policies or decisions taken by the government are correct or not and whether they are beneficial to them or not. 

All the major decisions are taken by the candidates elected by people. For instance, in India all the decisions of the country are taken by the government.

Opposition parties play an important role in democracies. They play both positive and negative role.
Positive role:
1. They ensures political party in power does not misuse or abuse its power.
2. It exposes the weaknesses of the ruling party
3. It keeps a close vigil on the bills and expenditure of the government
Negative role:

Democracy is considered to be the best form of government these days. Most of the countries in the world have adopted it. The following arguments have been given in favour of Democracy:

(i) Safeguards the interests of the people:

Chief merit of democracy lies in that it safeguards the interests of the people. Real power lies in the hands of the people who exercise it by the representatives elected by them and who are responsible to them. It is said that social, economic and political interests of the individuals are served better under this system.

(ii) Based on the principle of equality:

Democracy is based on the principle of equality. All members of the State are equal in the eyes of law. All enjoy equal social, political and economic rights and state cannot discriminate among citizens on the basis of caste, religion, sex, or property. All have equal right to choose their government.

(iii) Stable government:

Democracy is based on public will. It conducts state business with public support. It is, therefore, more stable than other forms of Government.

(iv) Helps in making people good citizens:

Success of democracy lies on its good citizens. Democracy creates proper environment for the development of personality and cultivating good habits. D. Tacquville is of opinion that 'Democracy is the first school of good citizenship. Citizens learn their rights and duties from birth till death in it.'
(v) Little chance of revolution:

Since democracy is based on public will, there is no chance of public revolt. Representatives elected by the people conduct the affairs of the state with public support. If they don't work efficiently or don't come up to the expectations of their masters i.e., the public, they are thrown in the dustbin of history when elections are held again. Gilchrist opines that democracy or popular governments always function with consensus and therefore question of revolt or revolution does not arise.

Democracy today has emerged as the most popular form of government. Democratic form of government has been questioned on various fronts that it leads to instability, it is about competition and power, etc. It has done so by the following measures:-

• By extending legal and political equality to women, to the weaker sections of society and to the marginalized.
• By guaranteeing fundamental rights to all.
• Giving adequate representation to the minorities and protection through various safeguards.
• This will give political voice to the marginalized and will increase their democratic consciousness.
• This will enable women, lower casts and other disadvantaged groups to wage their struggle for justice, fairness with a legal backing.

(d) – All the above

Democracy is better than any other form of Government because

i. Democracy tends to promote equality among citizens.

ii. It enhances the dignity of the individual. It supports the dignity of women and strengthens the claims of the disadvantaged sections of society.

iii. Democracy is supposed to be transparent in nature and is supposed to improve the quality of the decision-making process in the country.

The foundational challenge of democracy involves making the transition to democracy and then establishing democratic Government. It involves establishing a sovereign and functional State. The challenge also involves bringing down the existing non-democratic regime, keeping military away from the centre of power and establishing civilian control over all institutions by holding democratic elections.

In a country such as Myanmar, a political leader like Suu Kyi was kept under house arrest for more than 20 years. Thus, in this case, the foundational challenge recognises the need to release political prisoners of the State or recall them if exiled and hold multi-party elections.

It is seen that on an average, dictatorial regimes have had a slightly better record of economic growth, i.e. 4.34%. However, if this record is compared with that in the poor countries, there is almost no difference. It is 4.28%. Within democracies, there can be very high levels of economic inequality. In countries such as South Africa and Brazil, the top 20% people appropriate more than 60% of the national income, whereas less than 3% remains for the bottom 20%. However, as research shows, economic development and economic equality often depend on several factors such as country’s size, global situation, cooperation from other countries and economic priorities. While countries such as Sweden and Norway have achieved greater levels of economic equality, countries with more complex problems like India have so far been slow in achieving this goal.