Class 10 Civics Question Answers - Democracy and Diversity (Old Syllabus)

Q.1. What could be the two possible outcomes of politics of social divisions?

Ans. The two outcomes are :
(i) Political divisions could lead to violence and disintegration of a country. Example : Yugoslavia.
(ii) They could be amicably settled in a democracy where rulers share power, and people think of themselves as nationalists and then as belonging to a religious or ethnic or linguistic group. Example : India.

Q.2. When does a social difference become a social division?

Ans. Social division takes place when some social differences overlap with other differences. For example, the difference between the Blacks and Whites becomes a social division in the USm because the Blacks tend to be poor, homeless and discriminated against. Similarly, in our country, Dalits tend to be poor and landless.

Q.3. Is the combination of social division with politics always explosive? Substantiate with examples from India. [HOTS]

Ans. The combination of social division with politics is not always explosive. Rather in a democracy, political expression of social divisions is very normal and healthy. This allows various disadvantaged and marginal social groups to express their grievances and get the government to attend to these. This leads to the strengthening of democracy.

Q.4. Discuss the ways is which social divisions are reflected in a democracy.

Ans.

(i) In a democracy, it is natural that political parties talk about the social divisions and make different promises to different communities.
(ii) They look after the representation of various communities and make policies to redress the grievances of the disadvantaged communities.
(iii) Social divisions affect voting in most countries. People from one community tend to prefer some party more than others.