UGC NET Paper 2 Sociology Mock Test - 4 - UGC NET MCQ

Radcliffe Brown consider sociology as a science of human society. Alf red Reginald Radcliff fe-Brown (January 17, 1881 – October 24, 1955) was a British social anthropologist who developed the theory of “structural-functionalism, Although Radcliff fe-Brown’s theories perse was rejected by later anthropologists, his work influenced many researchers and has led to advances in the understanding of human societies worldwide.

Bureaucratic theories and politics are discussed, democratic theories and politics are analyzed, and the argument in favour of reconciling bureaucracy and democracy is analyzed with implications for democratic theory and public administration. Democratization, the process through which a political regime becomes democratic. The explosive spread of democracy around the world beginning in the mid-20th century radically transformed the international political landscape from one in which democracies were the exception to one in which they were the rule. 

Urbanism is one aspect of created environment brought about by spread of Industrialism. Urbanism is the study of how inhabitants of urban areas, such as towns and cities, interact with the built environment.

Urbanism is the way of living or characteristics of lifestyle of people living in urban areas. Urbanization and Urbanism used as synonym but they are different terms, Urbanization is a process of development of urban areas while Urbanism is the way of living of the inhabitants of urban area.

The peasant movements, revolts, riots, struggles, etc. in 19th century, India remained mainly localised because they grew out of local grievances.Key Points

• The peasant movements, revolts, riots, struggles, etc. in 19th century, India remained mainly localised because they grew out of local grievances.
• Some of the reasons for this include:
  • ​Lack of communication and transportation: 
    • India is a vast and diverse country, and in the 19th century, there was no easy way for peasants from different regions to communicate and coordinate with each other.
    • This made it difficult to build a nationwide peasant movement.
  • Regional differences: 
    • The peasants in different regions of India faced different problems and had different grievances.
    • For example, the indigo peasants in Bengal were forced to grow indigo instead of food crops, while the Deccan peasants were suffering from high land revenue and the exploitation of moneylenders.
    • These regional differences made it difficult to unite the peasants in a common struggle.
  • British suppression: 
    • The British colonial government was quick to suppress any signs of peasant unrest.
    • They used their military and police forces to crush peasant movements, and they also enacted laws that made it difficult for peasants to organize and protest.
• Despite these challenges, there were a number of important peasant movements in 19th-century India.
• Some of the most notable examples include the Indigo Rebellion (1859-62), the Pabna Movement (1870s-1880s), and the Deccan Riots (1875).
• These movements forced the British government to make some concessions, such as reducing land revenue and regulating the activities of moneylenders.
• However, these peasant movements were unable to achieve their ultimate goal of overthrowing British rule.
• This was due in part to the factors mentioned above, as well as the lack of a strong leadership and a clear ideology.
• Nevertheless, the peasant movements of the 19th century played an important role in the Indian independence movement, and they helped to raise awareness of the plight of the Indian peasantry.

The correct matching is (A) - 2, (B) - 3, (C) - 4, (D) - 1.Key Points

​The following is the correct match between List I (Concepts) and List II (Authors):

• (A) Militant and Industrial Society - 2. H Spencer
• (B) Little Community - 3. R Redfield
• (C) Mechanical and Organic Solidarity - 4. E Durkheim
• (D) Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft - 1. Tonnies

Here is a brief explanation of each concept and its author:

• Militant and Industrial Society is a concept developed by Herbert Spencer, a 19th-century English philosopher and sociologist.
  • Spencer argued that societies evolve from a state of military organization to a state of industrial organization.
  • In a militant society, the focus is on war and conquest, and the individual is subordinated to the state.
  • In an industrial society, the focus is on production and trade, and the individual is free to pursue his or her own interests.
• Little Community is a concept developed by Robert Redfield, an American anthropologist.
  • Redfield argued that a little community is a small, isolated, and self-sufficient community in which people have a strong sense of belonging and identity.
  • Little communities are often characterized by face-to-face interactions, a shared sense of values, and a strong sense of tradition.
• Mechanical and Organic Solidarity is a concept developed by Émile Durkheim, a French sociologist.
  • Durkheim argued that there are two types of solidarity: mechanical solidarity and organic solidarity.
  • Mechanical solidarity is based on shared beliefs and values, and is found in small, homogeneous societies.
  • Organic solidarity is based on interdependence and specialization, and is found in large, heterogeneous societies.
• Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft is a concept developed by Ferdinand Tönnies, a German sociologist.
  • Tönnies argued that there are two types of social relationships: Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft.
  • Gemeinschaft relationships are based on kinship, friendship, and neighborhood, and are characterized by a strong sense of community and belonging.
  • Gesellschaft relationships are based on contract, and are characterized by a sense of individualism and competition.

The Muria of Chattisgarh are unique for thier ghotul ( youth dormitory) institution which segregates them from the rest of the tribal population.

Important Points Ghotul ( Youth Dormitory):

• The Ghotul is a social institution of youth education among the Muria tribes of Chattisgarh and central India, particularly among the Gonds and the Madias.
• Typically, a ghotul is a dormitory or community space that functions as an educational center. The ghotul serves as a cultural space for the transmission of oral history, customs, rituals, folklore, and other traditional knowledge.
• In Ghotuls, unmarried boys and girls cohabit to learn traditional culture and where premarital mingling of the sexes is accepted and even encouraged under the supervision of the elderly. Strict moral codes are maintained, and unethical behaviors are highly discouraged.

Muria of Chattisgarh :

• The Muria are an indigenous tribe from Chhattisgarh in central India, mostly inhabiting Bastar's Narayanpur district.
• They have a rich cultural heritage, follow a clan-based social structure, and primarily engage in agriculture, alongside traditional handicrafts.
• Notably, the Muria have a unique dormitory system known as the 'Ghotul.'This setup forms a fundamental part of their socio-cultural life, preparing them for future societal roles.

Additional Information Santal/ Santhal :

• The Santal (or Santhal) is one of the most populous tribal groups in India, with their principal habitats in eastern part of India specially in the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam. They also have a notable presence in neighboring nations such as Nepal and Bangladesh.
• In Bihar, the Santal are concentrated mainly in northeastern regions, chiefly in the districts of Santhal Parganas which derive their name from this tribe. They primarily speak Santali, a language belonging to the Austroasiatic family.
• The Santhal community is structured into 12 main clans, each further fractioned into numerous subgroups. These divisions are organized based on patrilineal descent.
• One of the crucial cultural aspects of the Santal community is their traditional assembly known as "Manjhi Than", which is an important platform for decision-making at the village level.

Angami Naga :

• The Angami Naga, the largest naga tribe are a significant tribal community predominantly found in the northeastern Indian state of Nagaland, particularly in the Southern Kohima. They are one of the major ethnic groups among the various Naga tribes.
• Traditionally, Angami society is organized into units known as 'khels' or groups, each self-governed by its own administrative, judicial, and socio-economic systems. Their villages are typically strongly fortified and located on hills.
• Their society is matrilocal, where after marriage a man resides in his wife's parents' home, and their kinship system is patrilineal, tracing descent and inheritance through male lineage.

Jarwa :

• The Jarwa, also known as Jarawa, are a tribal community indigenous to the Andaman Islands in India. They are considered one of the oldest living tribes in the world and are protected under the Indian law, with entry into their territories being heavily restricted.
• Currently, the nomadic Jarawa tribe, which consists of about 400 individuals, resides in small groups of 40-50 people in 'chaddhas,' their term for homes. Much like other indigenous tribes sustainably living off their ancestral lands, the Jarawa stay resilient and continue to prosper, with their population gradually increasing.

The correct answer is a caste not of a very low rank in the caste hierarchy and enjoying a modicum of land resources and numerical strength. Key Points

• M.N. Srinivas, an eminent Indian sociologist, introduced the concept of "dominant caste" in his work on social stratification in rural India. He conducted extensive fieldwork in the South Indian village of Rampura in the 1950s, and his findings led to the formulation of the concept.
• According to Srinivas, a dominant caste is not at the very top of the caste hierarchy, but it is also not at the bottom. It falls somewhere in the middle, occupying a position of relative privilege compared to lower castes.
• The dominant caste is characterized by a significant numerical strength within the local population. This large population ensures that the caste has a considerable influence in the local social and political spheres.
• Members of a dominant caste typically have a reasonable share of land resources. Landownership is a crucial factor in rural societies, as it often determines economic well-being and social status. The possession of land contributes to the dominance of a particular caste within the local community.

Additional Information

• Subaltern: The term "subaltern" refers to individuals or groups who are socially, politically, and economically marginalized. In the context of caste, subaltern groups may include those situated at the lower rungs of the caste hierarchy. The concept gained prominence through the work of postcolonial scholars, including Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak.
• Hierarchy and Inequality: The broader concepts of social hierarchy and inequality are fundamental to understanding the stratified nature of societies. In the context of caste, these concepts help analyze the unequal distribution of resources, opportunities, and privileges among different caste groups.
• Social Capital: Social capital refers to the networks, relationships, and social connections that individuals or groups possess. Dominant castes often have significant social capital, allowing them to exert influence and control over various aspects of social life.

Thus, According to Srinivas a dominant caste is a caste not of a very low rank in the caste hierarchy and enjoying a modicum of land resources and numerical strength.

The incorrect statement is Urbanities come into primary contact with each other.Key Points

• The statement "Urbanities come into primary contact with each other" is incorrect because urbanites do not necessarily come into primary contact with each other.
• In fact, urbanites often have diverse social networks that may include people from different socioeconomic backgrounds, cultures, and neighborhoods.
• Urbanites may also have contact with people from rural areas, suburban areas, or other cities.
• On the other hand, the other three statements are generally true:
• Urbanites are socially poor in midst of plenty:
• This statement suggests that urbanites may have access to many material resources, but they may lack social connections and support systems.
• This can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and alienation.
• Urban contacts are segmental:
• This statement means that urbanites may have social connections that are segmented or fragmented, rather than cohesive or integrated.
• Urbanites may belong to different social groups or networks that do not necessarily overlap.
• Many urbanites live in social vacuum:
• This statement suggests that urbanites may be disconnected from their local communities or have weak ties with their neighbors.

• This can make it difficult for them to form social bonds or participate in community activities.

Hence we can conclude that the incorrect statement is Urbanities come into primary contact with each other.

The correct answer is Agricultural sector.

Key Points

• Agricultural sector: This sector includes activities related to farming, cultivation of crops, and livestock. It is the primary sector of the economy and plays a crucial role in employing a significant portion of the rural population.
  • Crop Production: Cultivation of plants which includes food crops (like wheat, maize, rice), cash crops (like cotton, coffee, tea), and horticultural plants (fruits, vegetables, flowers).
  • Animal Farming: Raising animals for products such as milk, meat, eggs, and wool. This includes livestock farming (cattle, goats, sheep, pigs), poultry farming (chickens, ducks, geese), and aquaculture (fish, shellfish).
  • Forestry: Managing, growing, and harvesting trees for furniture, building materials, or wood pulp for paper production.
  • Other activities: This includes hunting and gathering, beekeeping, mushroom farming, production of maple syrup, wool production, and silk farming.
• The manufacturing sector involves the production of goods through the processing and transformation of raw materials into finished products. This sector includes activities such as the creation of machinery, equipment, chemicals, and other tangible products. It plays a crucial role in economic development and job creation.
• The services sector encompasses a wide range of economic activities that involve the provision of intangible goods or services. This sector includes industries such as healthcare, education, finance, hospitality, information technology, and various other service-oriented businesses. Unlike the manufacturing sector, which produces tangible goods, the services sector focuses on delivering intangible value through various professional, technical, and personal services. It is a significant contributor to economic growth and employment in many countries.
• Mining sector: involves the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth. This sector includes activities such as coal mining, metal ore mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction. Mining plays a crucial role in the production of raw materials used in various industries, such as construction, manufacturing, and energy production.

A.R. Desai has written about slums in India in his book titled "A Profile of an Indian Slum."

• In general, Slums are defined as those part of urban areas ususally located in the periphery which are characterised by poor living conditions, overcrowded, poor infrastructure and lack of basic amenities.

Key Points

• A.R. Desai
  • utilised Marxist perspective in his analysis.
  • He wrote a book on slum titled "A Profile of an Indian Slum" (1990).
  • His influential work is Social Background of Indian Nationalism (1948), India's Path of Development – A Marxist approach (1984) and Agrarian Struggles in India after Independence (1990) etc.

Additional Information

• Andre Beteille
  • utilised weberian analysis in his study.
  • Conducted field study in Sripuram, Tamilnadu.
  • His research interests were equality-inequality, civil society, Democracy, caste, class, power and agrarian social structure.
  • His major works include The Backward Classes in Contemporary India, The Idea of Natural Inequality, Studies in Agrarian Social Structure, Caste, Class and Power and Six Essays in Comparative Sociology etc.
• A.M. Shah
  • His research interests were primarly focused on family system and household in India.
  • He has done fieldwork in village of central Gujarat.
  • His influential works are The Household Dimension of the Family in India (1973), The Family in India: Critical Essays (1998) and Essays on the Family and the Elderly.
• Yogendra Singh
  • Belonged to civilisational perspective.
  • Proponent of integrated approach to study society.
  • He was in favour of employing theory within a context.
  • His famous work is "Modernisation of Indian Tradition (1973)" where he lists out heterogentic and orthogenetic forces of changes.

• According to census 2011, 31% of indian population lives in urban areas.
  • Out of that, 17% urban population (almost half) lives in slums.

A. R. Desai's main focus of study was rural social change in India.

Important Points

• A.R. Desai's contributions to the study of rural social change in India were multifaceted and comprehensive, encompassing various dimensions of rural life and development.
• One of the key areas of his research was the analysis of agrarian structures and land relations in rural societies.
• Desai examined the historical evolution of land tenure systems, patterns of land ownership, and the impact of agrarian reforms on rural communities.
• His studies provided valuable insights into the complexities of agrarian economies and the challenges faced by small and marginalized farmers in accessing land and resources.

Additional Information

• A.R. Desai (1915-2010) was an Indian sociologist, economist, and political scientist.
• He was a professor at the University of Bombay and the University of Delhi.
• He was also the director of the Indian Council of Social Science Research.
• Some of Desai's most important works include:
  • Rural Sociology in India (1961)
  • Agrarian Struggles in India (1979)
  • State and Society in India (1988)
  • Peasant Struggles in India (1996)
  • The Social Background of Indian Nationalism (1998)

The correct answer is Article 17. Key Points

• Article 17 of the Constitution of India, under the chapter on Fundamental Rights, provides for the abolition of untouchability and the forbidding of its practice in any form.
• This provision reflects the commitment of the framers of the Constitution to eradicate the inhumane and discriminatory practice of untouchability.
• Article 17 not only declares untouchability illegal but also provides a legal basis for the enforcement of laws.
• Specific laws such as the Protection of Civil Rights Act (1955) and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (1989) have been enacted.
• Article 216: Provided that the Judges so appointed shall at no time exceed in number such maximum number as the President may, from time to time, by order fix about that Court.

Additional Information

• Article 217 provides that every Judge of a High Court shall be appointed by the President by a warrant under his hand and seal after consultation with the Chief Justice of India, the Governor of the State.
• Article 164: The Chief Minister shall be appointed by the governor and other ministers shall be appointed by the governor on the advice of the Chief Minister. The ministers shall hold office at the pleasure of the governor.

Thus, Article 17 provides the abolition of untouchability and forbidding of its practice in any form.

The correct answer is Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.

Key Points

• India is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional form of government. Here, elections refer to the presidential and vice presidential elections, as well as elections for all state legislatures and union territories.
• The People Representative Act of 1950 established elections to select representatives from diverse constituencies and elect those with the authority to form the government and successfully administer the executive branch.
• India is an autonomous, democratic, secular, socialist nation. The principle of democracy as it is embodied in the Constitution is that through the electoral process, the people will be represented in both the federal government and state legislatures.
• India holds elections for the following positions: Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha members, members of the state legislative council, people who are elected to the state legislature, those who take part in local governing bodies and when the incumbent of a particular constituency dies, steps down or is deemed ineligible, a by-election is held.

The correct answer is 1, 2, and 4. Key Points

• According to the Weber bureaucratic model, bureaucracy is an organization that is highly formalized, impersonal, and organized.
• It states that bureaucratic organizations have evolved from traditional structures due to different changes.
• all organizations have some elements of bureaucracy within their structure:
  • division of labor and specialization,
  • rules and regulations creating Distinction between office and person,
  • the hierarchy of authority by technical competence,
  • impersonality in interpersonal relations,
  • career orientation

Additional Information

• Ideal type, also known as pure type, is a typological term most closely associated with sociologist Max Weber. For Weber, the conduct of social science depends upon the construction of abstract, hypothetical concepts.
• The four types of social action are instrumentally rational, value rational, traditional, and affectional.

Thus, the characteristics of the Bureaucratic model are the Distinction between office and person, the Legitimization of authority by technical competence, and the Encouragement of career and differentiated rewards.

The correct answer is The concept of political culture is pivotal in political science and sociology, providing insights into how individuals within a society perceive, interact with, and participate in political processes. It encompasses the attitudes, values, beliefs, and symbols that define and influence political behavior and expectations within a particular society. Understanding political culture is essential for analyzing the stability, effectiveness, and nature of political systems.

Key Points

• Definition and Nature of Political Culture: Political culture refers to the deeply-rooted, inherited pattern of specific individual attitudes and orientations towards politics within a particular society. It embodies the psychological and subjective dimensions of politics and serves as a framework through which individuals interpret their political world. This definition underscores the significance of political culture as a collective phenomenon that shapes political behavior and attitudes.
• Formation and Influences on Political Culture: Political culture is not static; it is shaped by both the collective historical experience of a country and the individual experiences of its citizens. Historical events, such as wars, revolutions, and major political shifts, along with socio-economic factors, contribute to the development of a society's political culture. Furthermore, personal experiences, education, and socialization processes significantly influence an individual's political orientation and attitudes, thereby contributing to the broader political culture.
• Components of Political Culture: Political culture consists of a system of empirical beliefs, expressive symbols, and values that define the context within which political action occurs. Empirical beliefs relate to the understanding and interpretations of how the political system operates and its efficacy. Expressive symbols, such as flags, anthems, and political rituals, embody the emotional and unifying aspects of political culture. Values refer to the deep-rooted norms and moral principles that guide political behavior and expectations about governance.
• Elite Political Culture: The term "elite political culture" refers to the specialized subset of political culture that pertains to the attitudes and beliefs of a country's political elite—those who have a disproportionate amount of political power or influence. However, stating that "all individuals are fully well aware of the structures and processes of the political system" as a definition for elite political culture is slightly off-target. While political elites are typically more aware and informed about political structures and processes, the statement inaccurately implies this level of awareness applies to all individuals within a society. Instead, elite political culture specifically refers to the political norms, values, and attitudes among the society's elites, distinct from the broader general political culture.

Additional Information

• Types of Political Culture: Almond and Verba, in their seminal work, identify three primary types of political culture: parochial, subject, and participant. These types range from cultures with minimal political participation and awareness (parochial) to those with high levels of engagement and information about the political system (participant). Elite political culture can be seen as part of the broader participant culture, though it specifically focuses on the attitudes of the political elite.
• Importance of Studying Political Culture: Analyzing political culture helps scholars and policymakers understand the stability of political systems, the effectiveness of governance, and the potential for political change. It also provides insights into the challenges and opportunities for democratic development, social cohesion, and conflict resolution within societies.

A temple (from the Latin word templum) is a structure reserved for religious or spiritual rituals and activities such as prayer and sacrifice. It is typically used for such buildings belonging to all faiths where a more specific term such as church, mosque or synagogue is not generally used in English. These include Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism among religions with many modern followers, as well as other ancient religions such as Ancient Egyptian religion.

The process by which an individual learns the culture of their society is known as socialisation.

• Socialization is the process of internalizing the norms and ideologies of society.
• Socialization encompasses both learning and teaching and is thus "the means by which social and cultural continuity are attained".
• Humans need social experiences to learn their culture and to survive. 

Maclver and Page defined culture is the "realm of styles, of values, of emotional attachment, of intellectual adventures".

• MacIver defines, “Culture is the expression of own nature in our modes of living and of thinking in our everyday intercourse in art, in literature, in religion, in recreation and enjoyments”. 
• Page also has given a similar definition of culture i.e culture is the "realm of styles, of values, of emotional attachment, of intellectual adventures".

Redfield has defined 'culture as a body of shared understandings'.

• Culture, according to Redfield, is "an organized body of customary understandings manifested in art and artifacts that characterizes a human group via tradition."
• The phrases "acquired by man" and "persisting via tradition" bring two fundamental aspects of culture into prominence.
• A human child, as he grows up, learns gradually from parents or from members of the group among whom he is born and among whom he lives.
• Learning reveals that culture cannot be acquired in isolation from society.

Karl Marx 5 May 1818 – 14 March 1883) was a German philosopher, economist, historian, sociologist, political theorist, journalist and socialist revolutionary.

Born in Trier, Germany, Marx studied law and philosophy at university. He married Jenny von Westphalen in 1843. Due to his political publications, Marx became stateless and lived in exile with his wife and children in London for decades, where he continued to develop his thought in collaboration with German thinker Friedrich Engels and publish his writings, researching in the reading room of the British Museum. His best-known titles are the 1848 pamphlet, The Communist Manifesto, and the three-volume Das Kapital. His political and philosophical thought had enormous influence on subsequent intellectual, economic and political history and his name has been used as an adjective, a noun and a school of social theory.

The theory of a “culture of poverty” was created by the anthropologist Oscar Lewis in his 1959 book. The culture of poverty theory states that living in conditions of pervasive poverty will lead to the development of a culture or subculture adapted to those conditions. This culture is characterized by pervasive feelings of helplessness, dependency, marginality, and powerlessness.

According to Malinowski, "Malinowski cannot be described as functionalist because he became obsessed with empirical reality" statement is not true.

Bronislaw Malinowski was an anthropologist whose writings on ethnography, social theory and field research had a lasting influence on the discipline of anthropology. He used the term ‘functionalism’ believing that humans had a set of physiological and psychological needs, and that customs developed to fulfill those needs. His form of functionalism mainly focused on the individual and satisfying the basic needs of human needs.

The Kerala State Aids Control Society (KSACS) announced to reserve a government job for HIV positive candidates. A vacancy has been reserved in the office of KSACS for HIV positive candidates for the post of coordinator. The reason behind is that the presence of such a person will improve coordination and communication with groups at risk and ensure effective prevention.

All the other answers help to explain why studies of political culture became more fashionable in the 1960s.

It complemented a more general trend towards 'behavioral' studies, it followed other works that promoted a rethinking of modern democracy and it could be used to show that liberal democracies were superior to their Communist rivals become more fashionable in the 1960s.

Indological perspective (G.S Ghurye): Indology literally means the study of Indian society and culture. The task of an Indologist is to study Indian society through religious text, ancient historical texts, and archaeological evidence. Culture is the central premise on which the understanding of Indian society is built.

Luis Dumont was born in Thessaloniki, in the Salonica Vilayet of the Ottoman Empire. He was an associate professor at Oxford University during the 1950s and director at the École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (EHESS) in Paris. A specialist in the cultures and societies of India, Dumont also studied western social philosophy and ideologies.

(ii) (i) (iv) (iii) respectively are correct.

A group (often termed as a community, e-group, or club) is a feature in many social networking services that allow users to create, post, comment to, and read from their own interest- and niche-specific forums, often within the realm of virtual communities. Groups, which may allow for open or closed access, invitation, and/or joining by other users outside the group, are formed to provide mini-networks within the larger, more diverse social network service. Much like electronic mailing lists, they are also owned and maintained by owners, moderators, or managers, who can editing posts to discussion threads and regulate member behavior within the group. However, unlike traditional Internet forums and mailing lists, groups in social networking services allow owners and moderators alike to share account credentials between groups without having to log into every group.

“Economic Planning is essentially a way of organizing and utilizing resources to maximum advantage in terms of defined social ends" is said by the Planning Commission of India.

Economic planning is the process through which we can make the decisions of what and how it is to be produced through controlling and managing the economic activity. It is an economic programme speculated for the development of the regional economic system.