social science i

8/11/2019 Social Science I

1/38

Biyani's Think Tank

Concept based notes

Social Science I(Class X)

Dr. Binu SinghDeptt. of Arts

Biyani Girls College, Jaipur


2/38

2

Published by :

Think TanksBiyani Group of Colleges

Concept & Copyright :

Biyani Shikshan SamitiSector-3, Vidhyadhar Nagar,

Jaipur-302 023 (Rajasthan)

Ph : 0141-2338371, 2338591-95 Fax : 0141-2338007E-mail : [email protected]

Website :www.gurukpo.com; www.biyanicolleges.org

First Edition : 2011

Leaser Type Setted by :Biyani College Printing Department

While every effort is taken to avoid errors or omissions in this Publication, any

mistake or omission that may have crept in is not intentional. It may be taken note ofthat neither the publisher nor the author will be responsible for any damage or loss of

any kind arising to anyone in any manner on account of such errors and omissions.


3/38

Social Science 3

Preface

I am glad to present this book, especially designed to serve the needs ofthe students. The book has been written keeping in mind the general weaknessin understanding the fundamental concepts of the topics. The book is self-explanatory and adopts the Teach Yourself style. It is based on question-answer pattern. The language of book is quite easy and understandable basedon scientific approach.

Any further improvement in the contents of the book by making corrections,

omission and inclusion is keen to be achieved based on suggestions from thereaders for which the author shall be obliged.

I acknowledge special thanks to Mr. Rajeev Biyani, Chairman& Dr. SanjayBiyani, Director (Acad.) Biyani Group of Colleges, who are the backbones andmain concept provider and also have been constant source of motivationthroughout this Endeavour. They played an active role in coordinating the variousstages of this Endeavour and spearheaded the publishing work.

I look forward to receiving valuable suggestions from professors of variouseducational institutions, other faculty members and students for improvement ofthe quality of the book. The reader may feel free to send in their comments and

suggestions to the under mentioned address.

Author


4/38

4

Chapter 1

Power SharingQ. 1 What is the linguistic composition of Belgium?

Ans.

59% lives in Flemish region and speaks Dutch language

40 % lines in the Wallonia region and speak French

1% speak German

Q. 2 What is the representation of French and Dutch speaking people in the

government of Brussels?Ans.

The number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the centralgovernment.

Many powers of the central government have been given to state governments ofthe two regions of the country. The state governments are not subordinate to the

Central Government.

Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equalrepresentation. The French speaking people accepted equal representation inBrussels because the Dutch-speaking community has accepted equal representationin the central government

Q. 3 Name the different of government in a democracy?

Ans.

Community government having legislative, executive and judiciary.

Q. 4 Name the different levels of government in a democracy?

Ans.

Federal government for the administration at central level and communitygovernment at regional level

Q. 5 Which measures were taken in Sri Lanka in the 1956 Act?

Ans.

In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thusdisregarding Tamil. The governments followed preferential policies that favouredSinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs. A new constitutionstipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.


5/38

Social Science 5

Q. 6 What do you know about power sharing arrangement in Belgium?Ans.Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shallbe equal in the central government.Many powers of the central government have been given to state governments of thetwo regions of the country. The state governments are not subordinate to the CentralGovernment.Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equalrepresentation. The Frenchspeaking people accepted equal representation in Brusselsbecause the Dutch-speaking community has accepted equal representation

Q. 7 Describe the tension that existed between Dutch and French speaking people in

Belgium?Ans.

Belgium 59 % lives in the Flemish region and speaks Dutch language country.

Another 40 per cent people live in the Wallonia region and speak French.

Remaining 1 per cent of the Belgians speak German. In the capital city Brussels, 80 percent people speak French while 20 per cent are Dutch-speaking.

The minority French-speaking community was relatively rich and powerful.

This was resented by the Dutch-speaking community who got the benefit of economicdevelopmentThis led to tensions between the Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communitiesduring the 1950s and 1960s.

Q. 8 Describe the diverse population of Sri Lanka?Ans.

Sri Lanka is an island nation, just a few kilometres off the southern coast of TamilNadu.It has about 2 crore people, about the same as in Haryana. Like other nations in theSouth Asia region, Sri Lanka has a diverse population.

The major social groups are the Sinhala-speakers (74 per cent) and the Tamil-speakers(18 per cent).

Among Tamils there are two subgroups.

Tamil native of the country are called Sri Lankan Tamils (13 per cent). The rest,whose forefathers came from India as plantation workers during colonial period, are

called Indian Tamils.

Q. 9 What is the background of the Sri Lanka Tamils?

Ans.

Tamil native of the country are called Sri Lankan Tamils (13 per cent).


6/38

6

The rest, whose forefathers came from India as plantation workers during colonialperiod, are called Indian Tamils

Q. 10 What notions of power sharing existed prior to the emergence of democracy?

Ans.

Belgium and Sri Lanka dealt with the question of power sharing differently.

In Belgium, the leaders have realized that the unity of the country is possible only byrespecting the feelings and interests of different communities and regions. Such arealisation resulted in mutually acceptable arrangements for sharing power.Sri Lanka shows contrasting example. It shows that if a majority community wants toforce its dominance over others and refuses to share power, it can undermine the unityof the country.

Q. 11 Why power sharing is desirable? Explain?Ans.

Firstly, power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflictbetween social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and politicalinstability, power sharing right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.

There is a second, deeper reason why power sharing is good for democracies. Powersharing is the very spirit of democracy.

Thirdly it ensures the political stability

Q. 12 What were the advantage enjoyed by the Sinhala Community in Sri Lanka?

Describe the consequences.

Ans.Sri Lanka is an island nation, just a few kilometres off the southern coast of TamilNadu.

It has about 2 crore people, about the same as in Haryana.

The major social groups are the Sinhala-speakers (74 per cent) and the Tamil-speakers(18 per cent).

Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948. The leaders of the Sinhalacommunity sought to secure dominance over government by virtue of their majority.As a result, the democratically elected government adopted a series of MAJORITARIANmeasures to establish Sinhala supremacy.

A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.

Q. 13 Describe the Majoritarian measure adopted by the Sri Lanka government to

establish Supremacy?

Ans.


7/38

Social Science 7

In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus

disregarding Tamil.The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants foruniversity positions and government jobs.A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.

Q. 13 What measure were adopted by the Belgian government to accommodate

regional and cultural diversities?

Ans.Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shallbe equal in the central government.Many powers of the central government have been given to state governments of thetwo regions of the country. The state governments are not subordinate to the Central

Government.Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equalrepresentation. The Frenchspeaking people accepted equal representation in Brusselsbecause the Dutch-speaking community has accepted equal representation.It indeed is very complicated, even for people living in Belgium. But thesearrangements have worked well so far. They helped to avoid civic strife between thetwo major communities and a possible division of the country on linguistic lines.When many countries of Europe came together to form the European Union, Brusselswas chosen as its headquarters.

Q. 14 Compare the different ways in which the Belgians and the Sri Lanka have

dealt with the problem of cultural diversity?

Ans.

Both the countries are democratic. The leaders of Belgium have followed the path ofaccommodating cultural and regional differences in order to preserve the unity of thenation.

In Sri Lanka, the majority communities namely the Sinhalese want to keep all powerand prestige to themselves and refuse to share power. Unity of the country was

threatened.

Q. 15 Why is power sharing desirable?

Ans.

Firstly, power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflictbetween social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and politicalinstability, power sharing right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.

There is a second, deeper reason why power sharing is good for democracies. Powersharing is the very spirit of democracy.

Thirdly it ensures the political stability


8/38

8

Q. 16 Describe the different forms of power sharing in market democracies with

examples?

Ans.Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature,executive and judiciary

Power can be shared among governments at different levelsa general governmentfor the entire country and governments at the provincial or regional level. Such ageneral government for the entire country is usually called federal government.

Power may also be shared among different social groups, such as the religious andlinguistic groups. Community government in Belgium is a good example of thisarrangement.

Power sharing arrangements can also be seen in the way political parties, pressure

groups and movements control or influence those in power.

Q. 17 Explain the power sharing arrangement among government at different

levels?

Ans.

A general government for the entire country and governments at the provincial orregional level.

Such a general government for the entire country is usually called federal government. InIndia, we refer to it as the Central or Union Government.

The governments at the provincial or regional level are called by different names indifferent countries. In India, we call them State Governments.

There are constitutional and legal arrangements whereby socially weaker sections andwomen are represented in the legislatures and administration.

Power is shared among different political parties that represent different ideologies andsocial groups. Sometimes this kind of sharing can be direct, when two or more partiesform an alliance to contest elections.


9/38

Social Science 9

Chapter 2

Federalism

Q. 1 Mention two tiers of Indian federalism. Which is the third tier?

Ans.

Union Governmentat Central level

State Government- at state level

Panchayati Raj and Municipality corporation-at rural and city level

Q. 2 Who is given power to legislate on residuary subjects?

Ans.

Union Government

Q. 3 Why were the boundaries of several old states changed in 1947?

Ans.

In 1947, the boundaries of several old States of India were changed in order to createnew States.

This was done to ensure that people who spoke the same language lived in the sameState.

Some States were created not on the basis of language but to recognize differencesbased on culture, ethnicity or geography. These include States like Nagaland,Uttarakhand and Jharkhand.

Q. 4 Why did some national leaders fear when the demand for the formation of

states on language was raised?

Ans.

Some national leaders feared that it would lead to the disintegration of the country.

The Central Government resisted linguistic States for some time.But the experience has shown that the formation of linguistic States has actually madethe country, more united.

It has also made administration easier.

Q. 5 Why is the government not compelling states to adopt Hindi as the official

language?

Ans.


10/38

10

Our Constitution did not give the status of national language to any one language.Hindi was identified as the official language.

But Hindi is the mother tongue of only about 40 per cent of Indians. Therefore, therewere many safeguards to protect other languages.Besides Hindi, there are 21 other languages recognised as Scheduled Languages by theConstitution.A candidate in an examination conducted for the Central Government positions mayopt to take the examination in any of these languages.States too have their own official languages.Much of the government work takes place in the official language of the concernedState.

Q. 6 What are the measures adapted by Indian leaders to spread the use of Hindi

language?

Ans.

According to the Constitution, the of English for official purposes was stop in 1965.

However, many Hindi speaking States demanded the use of English continue.

In Tamil Nadu, this movement took a violent form.

The Central Government responded by agreeing to continue use of English along withHindi official purposes.

Many critics think that this solution favoured the English speaking elite.

Promotion of Hindi continues to be the official policy of the Government of India.

Promotion does not mean that the Central Government can impose Hindi on Stateswhere people speak a different language.

The flexibility shown by Indian political leaders helped our country avoid the kind ofsituation that Sri Lanka finds itself in.

Q. 7 What is meant by decentralized administration in the context on India?

Ans.

When power is taken away from Central and State governments and given to localgovernment, it is called decentralisation.

The basic idea behind decentralisation is that there are a large number of problems andissues which are best settled at the local level.

People have better knowledge of problems in their localities.

They also have better ideas on where to spend money and how to manage thingsmore efficiently.

Besides, at the local level it is possible for the people to directly participate in decisionmaking.

This helps to inculcate a habit of democratic participation.Local government is the best way to realise one important principle of democracy,namely local self-government.


11/38

Social Science 11

Q. 8 Who is a Mayor?Ans.Municipal chairperson is the political head of the municipality. In a municipalcorporation such an officer is called the mayor.

Q. 9 Who is a Sarpanch?

Ans.

Each village, or a group of villages in some States, has a gram panchayat.

This is a council consisting of several ward members, often called panch, and apresident or sarpanch.

They are directly elected by all the adult population living in that ward

Q. 10 What is the popular name for rural local self government?

Ans.

Rural local government is popularly known by the name panchayati raj.

Q. 11 What is Gram Panchayat?

Ans.

Each village, or a group of villages in some States, has a gram panchayat.This is a council consisting of several ward members, often called panch, and apresident or sarpanch.

They are directly elected by all the adult population in that ward

Q. 12 Which country does not have a federal political system?

Ans.

Britain, France, Nepal, Peoples Republic of China, Singapore, Indonesia etc

Q. 10 Which country does not have a federal political system?

Ans.

Britain, France, Nepal, Peoples Republic of China, Singapore, Indonesia etc

Q. 11 What do you know about the federal system?

Ans.

Federalism is a system of government in which the power is divided between a centralauthority and various constituent units of the country.

Usually, a federation has two levels of government. One is the government for the entirecountry that is usually responsible for a few subjects of common national interest.


12/38

12

The others are governments at the level of provinces or states that look after much ofthe day-to-day administering of their state. Both these levels of governments enjoy theirpower independent of the other.

Q. 12 What do you know about the unitary system?

Ans.

Under the unitary system, either there is only one level of government or the sub-unitsare subordinate to the central government.

The central government can pass on orders to the provincial or the local government.

But in a federal system, the central government cannot order the state government todo something.

State government has powers of its own for which it is not answerable to the centralgovernment.

Both these governments are separately answerable to the people.


13/38

Social Science 13

Chapter 3

WORK SHEET91

Q. 1 Which countries are counting together federations?

Ans.

U.S.A, Switzerland and Australia

Q. 2. What are holding together federations?

Ans.

The large country decides to divide its power between the constituent States and thenational government.

India, Spain and Belgium are examples of this kind of holding together

federations.

Q. 3. What counting together federations?

Ans.

The central government tends to be more powerful vis--vis the States.

Very often different constituent units of the federation have unequal powers.

Some units are granted special powers.

Eg. U.S.A, Australia

Q. 4 Which countries are holding together federations?

Ans.

India, Spain, Belgium

Q. 5 Which subjects are included in the Union List?

Ans.

Union List includes subjects of national importance such as defence of the country,foreign affairs, banking, communications and currency.

They are included in this list because we need a uniform policy on these mattersthroughout the country.

The Union Government alone can make laws relating to the subjects mentioned in theUnion List.

Q. 6 Which subjects are included in the State List?

Ans.


14/38

14

State List contains subjects of state and local importance such as police, trade,commerce, agriculture and irrigation.

The State Governments alone can make laws relating to the subjects mentioned in theState List.

Q. 7 Which state enjoys a special status in the Constitution and is allowed to have

its own Constitution?

Ans.

Jammu and Kashmir

Q. 8 In which year were new states created on a linguistic basis?

Ans.

In 1947, the boundaries of several old States of India were changed in order to createnew States

Q. 7 What is the condition for making any change in the basic structure of the

constitution?

Ans.

Any change in the basic structure of the constitution can be done only when thischange is first passed by both houses of Parliament with at least two-third majority.

Then it has to be ratified by the legislatures of at least half of the total states.

Q. 8 What fundamental change was brought about in the Belgian system of

government in 1993? Contrast it with that of Sri Lanka?

Ans.

One of the key changes made in the Constitution of Belgium was to reduce the powerof the Central Government and to give these powers to the regional governments.

Regional governments existed in Belgium even earlier.

They had their roles and powers.

But all these powers were given to these governments and could be withdrawn by theCentral Government.

The change that took place in 1993 was that the regional governments were givenconstitutional powers that were no longer dependent on the central government.

Thus, Belgium shifted from a unitary to a federal form of government.

Sri Lanka continues to be, for all practical purposes, a unitary system where thenational government has all the powers.

Tamil leaders want Sri Lanka to become a federal system.


15/38

Social Science 15

Q. 9 What is the federalism? Explain with examples.

Ans. Federalism is a system of government in which the power is divided between a centralauthority and various constituent units of the country.Usually, a federation has two levels of government.One is the government for the entire country that is usually responsible for a fewsubjects of common national interest.The others are governments at the level of provinces or states that look after much ofthe day-to-day administering of their state.Both these levels of governments enjoy their power independent of the other.Eg. U.S.A

Q. 10 Contrast a federal system of government with a unitary set up with

examples?Ans.

federations are contrasted with unitary governments.

Under the unitary system, either there is only one level of government or the sub-units are subordinate to the central government.

The central government can pass on orders to the provincial or the local government.

But in a federal system, the central government cannot order the state government todo something.

State government has powers of its own for which it is not answerable to the centralgovernment.

Both these governments are separately answerable to the people.

Q. 11 Give the dual objectives of the federal system?

Ans.

Federal system has dual objectives to safeguard and promote unity of the country andaccommodate regional diversity. The ideal federal system is based on mutual trust andagreement to live together.

Q. 12 Mention the two kinds of routes through which the federation was formed.

Give examples?

Ans.

The first route involves independent States coming together on their own to form a

bigger unit, so that by pooling sovereignity and retaining identity they can increasetheir security. This is coming together federations.

Eg USA, Switzerland and Australia

The second route is where a large country decides to divide its power between theconstituent


16/38

16

States and the national government.

India, Spain and Belgium are examples of this kind of holding together

federations.

Q. 13 In what ways is power sharing between central and state governments basic

to the structure of the Constitution? Explain.

Ans.

The union and state government powers are listed clearly in the constitution in theform of union, state and concurrent lists. The residuary subjects are looked after bythe union government. This power sharing is the basic to the structure of theconstitution.

Q. 1 4 With which process was the Indian federation formed? How is power

shared? Give examples.Ans.

The Constitution declared India as a Union of States.

Although it did not use the word federation, the Indian Union is based on theprinciples of federalism.

The Constitution originally provided for a two-tier system of government, the UnionGovernment or the Central Government, representing the Union of India and theState governments.

Later, a third tier of federalism was added in the form of Panchayats andMunicipalities.

As in any federation, these different tiers enjoy separate jurisdiction.

The Constitution clearly provided a threefold distribution of legislative powersbetween the Union Government and the State Governments.:

Q. 15 What is union list, state list and concurrent list the Indian context?

Ans.

Union List includes subjects of national importance such as defence of the country,foreign affairs, banking, communications and currency. They are included in this listbecause we need a uniform policy on these matters throughout the country. TheUnion Government alone can make laws relating to the subjects mentioned in theUnion List.

State List contains subjects of State and local importance such as police, trade,

commerce, agriculture and irrigation. The State Governments alone can make lawsrelating to the subjects mentioned in the State List.

Concurrent List includes subjects of common interest to both the UnionGovernment as well as the State Governments, such as education, forest, trade unions,marriage, adoption and succession. Both the Union as well as the State Governments


17/38

Social Science 17

can make laws on the subjects mentioned in this list. If their laws conflict with eachother, the law made by the Union Government will prevail.

Subjects like computer software that came up after the constitution. According to ourconstitution, the Union Government has the power to legislate on these residuarysubjects.

Q. 16 What is the real reason for the success of federalism in India?

Ans.

Provisions are laid our clearly

The nature of democratic politics ensures its success

There is respect for diversity

There is a desire to live together as a nation

Q. 17 What happened to the centrestate relations when different parties ruled at

the centre and state levels till 1990?

Ans.

All this changed significantly after 1990.

This period saw the rise of regional political parties in many States of the country.

This was also the beginning of the era of COALITION GOVERNMENTS at the Centre.

Since no single party got a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, the major national partieshad to enter into an alliance with many parties including several regional parties toform a government at the Centre.

This led to a new culture of power sharing and respect for the autonomy of State

governments.This trend was supported by a major judgement of the Supreme Court that made itdifficult for the Central Government to dismiss state governments in an arbitrarymanner.

Q. 18 How has the emergence of regional parties and coalition government

changed the centrestate relations?

Ans.

This was also the beginning of the era of COALITION GOVERNMENTS at the Centre.

Since no single party got a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, the major national partieshad to enter into an alliance with many parties including several regional parties to

form a government at the Centre.This led to a new culture of power sharing and respect for the autonomy of Stategovernments.

This trend was supported by a major judgment of the Supreme Court that made itdifficult for the Central Government to dismiss state governments in an arbitrarymanner.


18/38

18

Q. 19 What is the basic idea behind decentralization?

Ans.

When power is taken away from Central and State governments and given to localgovernment, it is called decentralisation.

The basic idea behind decentralisation is that there are a large number of problems andissues which are best settled at the local level.

People have better knowledge of problems in their localities.

They also have better ideas on where to spend money and how to manage thingsmore efficiently. Besides, at the local level it is possible for thepeople to directlyparticipate in decisionmaking.

This helps to inculcate a habit of democratic participation.

Local government is the best way to realise one important principle of democracy,namely local self-government. The need for decentralization

Q. 20 Explain the Panchayati Raj?

Ans.




They are directly elected by all the adult population living in that ward

The local government structure goes right up to the district level.

A few gram panchayats are grouped together to form what is usually called apanchayat samiti or block or mandal.

The members of this representative body are elected by all the panchyat members inthat area.

All the panchayat samitis or mandals in a district together constitute the zilla (district)parishad. Most members of the zilla parishad are elected.

Members of the Lok Sabha and MLAs of that district and some other officials ofother district level bodies are also its members.

Zilla parishad chairperson is the political head of the zilla parishad.


19/38

Social Science 19

Chapter 4

Work Sheet93

Q. 1 Describe the functions of a village panchayat?

Ans.




They are directly elected by all the adult population living in that ward.It makes the decision for the village

The Gram sabha meets and decides the budget and reviews the performance of thepanchayat.

Q. 2 How are bodies organized in cities? Explain.

Ans.

Similarly, local government bodies exist for urban areas as well. Municipalities are setup in towns.

Big cities are constituted into municipal corporations.

Both municipalities and municipal corporations are controlled by elected bodies

consisting of peoples representatives.Municipal chairperson is the political head of the municipality. In a municipalcorporation such an officer is called the mayor.

Q. 3 In what way is the Panchayati Raj experiment significant? Explain.

Ans

This new system of local government is the largest experiment in democracyconducted anywhere in the world.

There are now about 36 lakh elected representatives in the panchayats andmunicipalities etc., all over the country. This number is bigger than the population ofmany countries in the world.

Constitutional status for local government has helped to deepen democracy in ourcountry.

It has also increased womens representation and voice in our democracy.

At the same time, there are many difficulties.


20/38

20

While elections are held regularly and enthusiastically, gram sabhas are not heldregularly.

Most state governments have not transferred significant powers to the localgovernments. Nor have they given adequate resources.

Q. 4 Why was the need of decentralization recognized?

Ans.

The need for decentralisation was recognised in our Constitution.

Since then, there have been several attempts to decentralise power to the level ofvillages and towns.

Panchayats in villages and municipalities in urban areas were set up in all the States.

But these were directly under the control of state governments.

Elections to these local governments were not held regularly.Local governments did not have any powers or resources of their own. Thus, there

was very little decentralization in effective terms.

Q. 5 Give the key features of federalism?

Or

Q. Apply the seven basic features of federalism to the Indian Constitution and

explain the Indian federal setup?

Ans.

There are two or more levels (or tiers) of government.Different tiers of government govern the same citizens, but each tier has its own

JURISDICTION in specific matters of legislation, taxation and administration.

The jurisdictions of the respective levels or tiers of government are specified in theconstitution. So the existence and authority of each tier of government isconstitutionally guaranteed. The fundamental provisions of the constitution cannot beunilaterally changed by one level of government. Such changes require the consent ofboth the levels of government.

Courts have the power to interpret the constitution and the powers of different levelsof government. The highest court acts as an umpire if disputes arise between differentlevels of government in the exercise of their respective powers.

Sources of revenue for each level of government are clearly specified to ensure itsfinancial autonomy. The federal system thus has dual objectives: to safeguard andpromote unity of the country, while at the same time accommodate regional diversity.

Therefore, two aspects are crucial for the institutions and practice of federalism.

Governments at different levels should agree to some rules of power sharing.

They should also trust that each would abide by its part of the agreement.


21/38

Social Science 21

An ideal federal system has both aspects : mutual trust and agreement to live together.

Q. 6 What are the legislative distributed between state and central government?

Explain.

Ans.

The centre can legislate on defence, foreign affairs, banking, communication andcurrency. The states can make laws on police, trade, commerce, agriculture andirrigation. On the subjects listed in the concurrent like marriage, education, forests etc

both make laws and if they are conflicting the central government prevails .


22/38

22

Chapter 5

Democracy and Diversity

Q. 1 Name the AfricanAmerican athletes who represented USA at Mexico City?

Ans.

Tommie smith and John Carlos

Q. 2 When, by whom and with what aim was the Civil Rights Movement

organized?

Ans.

CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENTwas the event of U.S.A. which represents the medal ceremonyof the 200 metres race in the 1968 Olympics held at Mexico City.

The two men standing with clenched fists upraised and heads bowed, while theAmerican national anthem was Smith and John Carlos. They areAFRICAN-AMERICANS.

They had won the gold and bronze medals respectively.

They received their medals wearing black socks and no shoes to represent Blackpoverty.

Q. 3 Who are the people referred to as AfroAmericans?

Ans.

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

Q. 4 What was the aim Black Power Movement? Name the leaders.

Ans.The Black Power movement emerged in 1966 and lasted till 1975, which was a moremilitant anti-racist movement, advocating even violence if necessary to end racism inthe US.

Q. 5 What is Civil Rights Movement?

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


23/38

Social Science 23

Q. 6 Who are referred to as atheists?

Ans. Those who believe in existence of god are known as atheists.

Q. 7 Give examples of social difference based on the accident of birth?

Ans.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 ofcomplexions, or have different physical abilities or disabilities.

Q. 8 Give examples of social difference based on our choices?

Ans.Some of the differences are based on our choices. For example, some people are

atheists.They dont believe in God or any religion. Some people choose to follow a religionother than the one in which they were born.Most of us choose what to study, which occupation to take up and which games orcultural activities to take part in.All these lead to formation of social groups that are based on our choices.

Q. 9 Where were the 1968 Olympics held?

Mexico city

Q. 10 Write any one of the three determinants in deciding the outcomes of politics

of social divisions?

First of all the outcome depends on how people perceive their identities. If people seetheir identities in singular and exclusive terms, it becomes very difficult toaccommodate. As long as people in northern Ireland saw themselves as only Catholicor Protestant, their differences were difficult to reconcile. It is much easier if thepeople see that their identities are multiple and are complementary with the nationalidentity. A majority of Belgians now feel that they are as much Belgian as they areDutch or German-speaking. This helps them to stay together. This is how most peoplein our country see their identity:Second, it depends on how political leaders raise the demands of any community. It iseasier to accommodate demands that are within the constitutional framework and are

not at the cost of another community.Third, it depends on the how the government reacts to demands of different groups.In Belgium and Sri Lanka, if the rulers are willing to share power and accommodatethe reasonable demands of minority community, social divisions become lessthreatening for the country.


24/38

24

Q. 11 We all have more than one identity and can belong to more than one social

group. Support the statement?Ans.

It is fairly common for people belonging to the same religion to feel that they do notbelong to the same community, because their caste or sect is very different.It is also possible for people from different religions to have the same caste and feelclose to each other.Rich and poor persons from the same family often do not keep close relations witheach other for they feel they are very different.Thus, we all have more than one identity and can belong to more than one socialgroup.We have different identities in different context

Q. 12 The main problem in Northern Ireland is between whom?Ans.

The region of the United Kingdom has been for many ethno-political conflict. Itspopulation is divided into two major sects Christianity: 53 per cent Protestants, while44 per cent Roman Catholics.

The Catholics represented by Nationalist parties demanded that Northern Irelandunified with the Republic of Ireland, a predominantly Catholic country.

Protestants were represented Unionists who wanted to remain the UK, which ispredominantly protestant.

Hundreds of civilians, militants and security forces were in the fight betweenUnionists Nationalists and between the security forces of the UK and the Nationalists.

Q. 13 Diversity is a hindrance in the expansion of democracy and it should be

removed. Do you agree? Support your answer.

Ans.In a democracy, political expression of social divisions is very normal and can behealthy.This allows various disadvantaged and marginal social groups to express theirgrievances and get the government to attend to these. Expression of various kinds ofsocial divisions in politics often results in their cancelling one another out and thusreducing their intensity.This leads to strengthening of a democracy.People who feel marginalised, deprived and discriminated have to fight against the

injustices.Such a fight often takes the democratic path, voicing their demands in a peaceful andconstitutional manner and seeking a fair position through elections.

Q. 14 Explain with example different forms of social diversity?


25/38

Social Science 25

Ans.

Social divisions of one kind or another exist in most countries.It does not matter whether the country is small or big.India is a vast country with many communities.Belgium is a small country with many communities.Even those countries such as Germany and Sweden, that were once highlyHOMOGENEOUS, are undergoing rapid change with influx of people from other parts ofthe world.MIGRANTS bring with them their own culture and tend to form a different socialcommunity.In this sense most countries of the world are multi-cultural.

Q. 15 What is overlapping and cross cutting differences?

Ans.Social division takes place when some social difference overlaps with otherdifferences.The difference between the Blacks and Whites becomes a social division in the USbecause the Blacks tend to be poor, homeless and discriminated against.

In India Dalits tend to be poor and landless. They often face discrimination andinjustice.Situations of this kind produce social divisions, when one kind of social differencebecomes more important than the other and people start feeling that they belong todifferent communities.If social differences cross cut one another, it is difficult to pit one group of peopleagainst the other.

It means that groups that share a common interest on one issue are likely to be indifferent sides on a different issue. Consider the cases of Northern Ireland and theNetherlands.Both are predominantly Christian but divided between Catholics and Protestants. InNorthern Ireland, class and religion overlap with each other.If you are Catholic, you are also more likely to be poor, and you may have suffered ahistory of discrimination. In the Netherlands, class and religion tend to cut across eachother. Catholics and Protestants are about equally likely to be poor or rich.The result is that Catholics and Protestants have had conflicts in Northern Ireland,while they do not do so in the Netherlands.Overlapping social differences create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions.Cross-cutting social differences are easier to accommodate.

Q. 16 What is feminist movement?

Ans.

Radical womens movements aimed at equality in personal and family life as well.These movements are called FEMINIST movements.


26/38

26

Q. 17 Why is dropout among girls very high in India?

Ans.The literacy rate among women is only 54 per cent compared with 76 per cent amongmen. They drop out because parents prefer to spend their resources for their boyseducation rather than spending equally on their sons and daughters.

Q. 18 How is the equal wages act applied to women at work in India?

Ans.

The Equal Wages Act provides that equal wages should be paid to equal work.However in almost all areas of work, from sports and cinema, to factories and fields,women are paid less than men, even when both do exactly the same work.

Q. 19 Why did Gandhi ji say that religion can never be separated from politics?Ans.

Gandhiji used to say that religion can never be separated from politics.

What he meant by religion was not any particular religion like Hinduism or Islam butmoral values that inform all religions.

He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from religion.

Q. 20 Why do womens movement demand that laws should be equitable

irrespective of religion?

Ans.Womens movement has argued that FAMILY LAWS of all religions discriminate against

women. So they have demanded that government should change these laws to makethem more equitable.

Q. 21 Name the leaders who fought against untouchability?

Ans.

Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar

Q.22 How caste can take various forms in politics?

Ans.

When parties choose candidates in elections, they keep in mind the caste compositionof the electorate and nominate candidates from different castes so as to muster

necessary support to win elections. When governments are formed, political partiesusually take care that representatives of different castes and tribes find a place in it.

Political parties and candidates in elections make appeals to caste sentiment to mustersupport. Some political parties are known to favour some castes and are seen as theirrepresentatives.


27/38

Social Science 27

Universal adult franchise and the principle of one-person-one-vote compelled political

leaders to gear up to the task of mobilising and securing political support. It alsobrought new consciousness among the people of castes that were hitherto treated asinferior and low. The focus on caste in politics can sometimes give an impression thatelections are all about caste and nothing else.

No parliamentary constituency in the country has a clear majority of one single caste.So, every candidate and party needs to win the confidence of more than one caste andcommunity to win elections.

No party wins the votes of all the voters of a caste or community. When people saythat a caste is a vote bank of one party, it usually means that a large proportion ofthe voters from that caste vote for that party.

Many political parties may put up candidates from the same caste (if that caste isbelieved to dominate the electorate in a particular constituency). Some voters have

more than one candidate from their caste while many voters have no candidate fromtheir caste.The ruling party and the sitting MP or MLA frequently lose elections in our country.That could not have happened if all castes and communities were frozen in theirpolitical preferences.

Q. 23. It is not politics that gets caste ridden, it is the caste that gets politicized.

What do you understand by this statement

Ans.

Each caste group tries to become bigger by incorporating within it neighbouring castesor sub-castes which were earlier excluded from it.

Various caste groups are required to enter into a coalition with other castes orcommunities and thus enter into a dialogue and negotiation.

New kinds of caste groups have come up in the political arena like backward andforward caste groups.

Thus, caste plays different kinds of roles in politics. In some situations, expression ofcaste differences in politics gives many disadvantaged communities the space todemand their share of power. In this sense-caste politics has helped people from

Dalits and OBC castes to gain better access to decision making.

Several political and non-political organisations have been demanding and agitating foran end to discrimination against particular castes, for more dignity and more access toland, resources and opportunities.

Q. 24. How constitution of India fights against communalism?

Ans.

There is no official religion for the Indian state. Unlike the status of Buddhism in SriLanka, that of Islam in Pakistan and that of Christianity in England, our Constitutiondoes not give a special status to any religion.


28/38

28

The Constitution provides to all individuals and communities freedom to profess,practice and propagate any religion, or not to follow any.

The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. At the same time theConstitution allows the state to intervene in the matters of religion in order to ensureequality within religious communities. For example, it bans untouchability..


29/38

Social Science 29

Chapter 6

Popular Struggles and Movements

Q. 1 What are the role of Movements in democracy?

Ans.

Help in restoration in democracy.

Help in changing the government policies

Help in proper working in democracy

Q. 2 What organizations other than political parties participate in popular

struggles?Ans.

Labour Unions and Federations

Pressure groups

Trade unions

Q. 3 How the decision in a democracy can be influenced?

Ans.

One way of influencing the decisions in a democracy is direct participation incompetitive politics. This is done by creating parties, contesting elections and forminggovernments. But every citizen does not participate so directly. They may not have

the desire, the need or the skills to take part in direct political activity other thanvoting.There are many indirect ways in which people can get governments to listen to theirdemands or their point of view. They could do so by forming an organisation andundertaking activities to promote their interest or their viewpoint. These are calledinterest groups or pressure groups

Q. 4 What are pressure groups?

Ans.Pressure groups are organisations that attempt to influence government policies. But unlike political parties, pressure groups do not aim to directly control or sharepolitical power.These organisations are formed when people with common occupation, interest,aspirations or opinions come together in order to achieve a common objective.Eg. The struggle in Nepal was called a movement for democracy, Narmada BachaoAndolan, Movement for Right to Information, Anti-liquor Movement, WomensMovement, Environmental Movement.


30/38

30

Q. 5. What do you understand by sectional Interest group and Public Interest

group?

Ans.

Interest groups seek to promote the interests of a particular section or group ofsociety.

They are sectional because they represent a section of society: workers, employees,businesspersons, industrialists, followers of a religion, caste group, etc.

Their principal concern is the betterment and well being of their members, not societyin general. Sometimes these organisations are not about representing the interest ofone section of society.

The members of the organisation may not benefit from the cause that theorganisation represents.

Trade unions, business associations and professional (lawyers, doctors, teachers, etc.)bodies are some examples of this type. They represent some common or generalinterest that needs to be defended. The Bolivian organisation FEDECOR is anexample of that kind of an organisation. In the context of Nepal, we noted theparticipation of human rights organisations.

The promotional groups or public interest groups promote collective rather thanselective good.

They aim to help groups other than their own members.

For example, a group fighting against bonded labour fights not for itself but for thosewho are suffering under such bondage.

In some instances the members of a public interest group may undertake activity thatbenefits them as well as others too.

For example, BAMCEF (Backward and Minorities Community EmployeesFederation) is an organisation largely made up of government employees thatcampaign against caste discrimination.

Q. 6. What are short term movement and long term movement?

Ans.

Most of the movements are issue specific movements that seek to achieve a singleobjective within a limited time frame. that led to suspension of democracy.

In India, Narmada Bachao Andolan is a good example of this kind of movement. Themovement started with the specific issue of the people displaced by the creation ofSardar Sarovar dam on the Narmada river. Its objective was to stop the dam from

being constructed. Gradually it became a wider movement that questioned all such bigdams and the model of development that required such dams.

Movements of this kind tend to have a clear leadership and some organisation.

But their active life is usually short.


31/38

Social Science 31

These single-issue movements can be contrasted with movements that are long term

and involve more than one issue.The environmental movement and the womens movement are examples of suchmovements.

There is no single organisation that controls or guides such movements.

Environmental movement is a label for a large number of organisations and issue-specific movements.

All of these have separate organisation, independent leadership and often differentviews on policy

Q. 7 How do pressure groups and movements exert influence?

Ans.

They try to gain public support and sympathy for their goals and their activity bycarrying out information campaigns, organizing meetings, file petitions, etc. Most ofthese groups try to influence the media into giving more attention these issues.

They often organise protest activity like strikes or disrupting government programmes.Workers organisations, employees associations and most of the movement groupsoften resort to these tactics in order to force the government to take note of theirdemand.

Business groups often employ professional lobbyists or sponsor expensiveadvertisements. Some persons from pressure groups or movement groups mayparticipate in official bodies and committees that offer advice to the government.

In some instances the pressure groups are either formed or led by the leaders ofpolitical parties or act as extended arms of political parties. For example, most trade

unions and students organisations in India are either established by or affiliated to oneor the

Sometimes political parties grow out of movements. For example, when the Assammovement led by students against the foreigners came to an end, it led to theformation of the Asom Gana Parishad. The roots of parties like the DMK and theAIADMK in Tamil Nadu can be traced to a long drawn social reform movementduring the 1930 and 1940s.

In most cases the relationship between parties and interest or movement groups is notso direct. They often take positions that are opposed to each other. Yet they are indialogue and negotiation. Movement groups have raised new issues that have beentaken up by political parties. Most of the new leadership of political parties comes

from interest or movement groups.Q. 8 What is the influence of pressure groups on democracy

Ans.

Helps in deepening democracy

Even the sectional interest groups play a valuable role. Where different groupsfunction actively, no one single group can achieve dominance over society.


32/38

32

If one group brings pressure on government to make policies in its favour, anotherwill bring counter pressure not to make policies in the way the first group desires.

The government gets to hear about what different sections of the population want.

This leads to a rough balance of power and accommodation of conflicting interests.


33/38

Social Science 33

Chapter 7

Political Parties

Q. 1. What are the components of political parties?

Ans

A political party has three components:

The leaders,

The active members andThe followers

Q. 2. What are the functions of political parties?

AnsParties contest elections. In most democracies, elections are fought mainly among thecandidates put up by political parties. Parties select their candidates in different ways.In India, top party leaders choose candidates for contesting elections.

Parties put forward different policies and programmes and the voters choose fromthem. Each of us may have different opinions and views on what policies are suitablefor the A government is expected to base its policies on the line taken by the RULINGPARTY.

Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country. Formally, laws are debatedand passed in the legislature.

Parties form and run governments. Parties recruit leaders, trains them and then

make them ministers to run the government in the way they want.Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition to the parties inpower, by voicing different views and criticising government for its failures or wrongpolicies. Opposition parties also mobilise opposition to the government.

Parties shape public opinion. They raise and highlight issues. Parties have lakhs ofmembers and activists spread all over the country. Many of the pressure

Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemesimplemented by governments.

Q. 3. What is one party system ?

Ans.

In some countries only one party is allowed to control and run the government. Theseare called one-party systems.China

Q. 4 What is two party system?

Ans.


34/38

34

In some countries, power usually changes between two main parties.Several other parties may exist, contest elections and win a few seats in the nationallegislatures.

But only the two main parties have a serious chance of winning majority of seats toform government.

Such a party system is called two-party system.

The United States of America and the United Kingdom are examples of two-partysystem.

Q. 4 What is multi-party system?

Ans.

If several parties compete for power, and more than two parties have a reasonablechance of coming to power either on their own strength or in alliance with others, we

call it a multi-party system.In India, we have a multi-party system.

In this system, the government is formed by various parties coming together in acoalition

The multi-party system often appears very messy and leads to political instability.At the same time, this system allows a variety of interests and opinions to enjoypolitical representation.

Q. 5 What do you understand by alliance party?

Ans.

When several parties in a multi-party system join hands for the purpose of contesting

elections and winning power, it is called an alliance or a front.For example, in India there were three such major alliances in 2004 parliamentaryelectionsthe National Democratic Alliance, the United Progressive Alliance and theLeft Front.

Q.6. What are the challenges to political parties?

Ans.

The first challenge is lack of internal democracywithin parties. All over the worldthere is a tendency in political parties towards the concentration of power in one orfew leaders at the top. Parties do not keep membership registers, do not holdorganisational meetings, and do not conduct internal elections regularly.

The second challenge of dynastic succession is related to the first one. Since mostpolitical parties do not practice open and transparent procedures for their functioning,there are very few ways for an ordinary worker to rise to the top in a party. Those whohappen to be the leaders are in a position of unfair advantage to favour people close tothem or even their family members. In many parties, the top positions are alwayscontrolled by members of one family. This is unfair to other members of that party.


35/38

Social Science 35

This is also bad for democracy, since people who do not have adequate experience orpopular support come to occupy positions of power. This tendency is present in somemeasure all over the world, including in some of the older democracies.

The third challenge is about the growing role of money and muscle power in parties,especially during elections. Since parties are focussed only on winning elections, theytend to use short-cuts to win elections.

The fourth challenge is that very often parties do not seem to offer a meaningful

choice to the voters. In order to offer meaningful choice, parties must be significantlydifferent. In recent years there has been a decline in the ideological differences amongparties in most parts of the world.

Q. 7 How political parties can be reformed?

Ans.

The Constitution was amended to prevent elected MLAs and MPs from changingparties. This was done because many elected representatives were indulging inDEFECTION in order to become ministers or for cash rewards.The Supreme Court passed an order to reduce the influence of money and criminals.Now, it is mandatory for every candidate who contests elections to file an AFFIDAVITgiving details of his property and criminal cases pending against him.

The Election Commission passed an order making it necessary for political parties tohold their organizational elections and file their income tax returns. The parties havestarted doing so but sometimes it is mere formality. It is not

A law should be made to regulate the internal affairs of political parties. It should bemade compulsory for political parties to maintain a register of its members, to follow

its own constitution, to have an independent authority, to act as a judge in case ofparty disputes, to hold open elections to the highest posts.

It should be made mandatory for political parties to give a minimum number oftickets, about one-third, to women candidates. Similarly, there should be a quota forwomen in the decision making bodies of the party.

There should be state funding of elections. The government should give parties moneyto support their election expenses. This support could be given in kind: petrol, paper,telephone etc. Or it could be given in cash on the basis of the votes secured by theparty in the last election.

People can put pressure on political parties. This can be done through petitions,publicity and agitations.


36/38

36

Chapter 8

Outcome of Democracy

Q. 1 Why democracy is better than other form of government?

Ans.

Promotes equality among citizens;

Enhances the dignity of the individual;

Improves the quality of decision making;Provides a method to resolve conflicts; and Allows room to correct mistakes.

Q. 2. How democracy can be best suited to resolve the conflict?

Ans.

It is necessary to understand that democracy is not simply rule by majority opinion.The majority always needs to work with the minority so that governments function torepresent the general view. Majority and minority opinions are not permanent.It is also necessary that rule by majority does not become rule by majority communityin terms of religion or race or linguistic group, etc. Rule by majority means that in caseof every decision or in case of every election, different persons and groups may andcan form a majority. Democracy remains democracy only as long as every citizen has achance of being in majority at some point of time.


37/38

Social Science 37

Chapter 9

Challenges to Democracy

Q. 1 What do you understand by foundational challenges to democracy?

Ans.At least one fourth of the globe is still not under democratic government.The challenge for democracy in these parts of the world is very stark.

These countries face the foundational challenge of making the transition todemocracy and then instituting democratic government.This involves bringing down the existing non-democratic regime, keeping militaryaway from controlling government and establishing a sovereign and functional state.

Q. 2 What do you understand by expansion challenges to democracy?

Ans.

Most of the established democracies face the challenge of expansion.

This involves applying the basic principle of democratic government across all theregions, different social groups and various institutions.

Ensuring greater power to local governments, extension of federal principle to all theunits of the federation, inclusion of women and minority groups, etc., falls under thischallenge.

This also means that less and less decisions should remain outside the arena ofdemocratic control.

Most countries including India and other democracies like U.S.A face this challenge

Q. 3 What do you understand by expansion challenges to democracy?

Ans.The challenge of deepening of democracy is faced by every democracy in one formor another.This involves strengthening of the institutions and practices of democracy.This should happen in such a way that people can realise their expectations ofdemocracy.

But ordinary people have different expectations from democracy in different societies.Therefore, this challenge takes different meanings and paths in different parts of theworld.In general terms, it usually means strengthening those institutions that help peoplesparticipation and control.


38/38

38

This requires an attempt to bring down the control and influence of the rich andpowerful people in making governmental decision.

social science i

Documents