CHAPTER 3 DEMOCRACY &DIVERSITY IMPORTANT TERMS :

1) CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT (U.S.A. 1954-68)- These movement aimed at abolishing racial discrimination against African-Americans . It was led by Martin Luther King Junior . This movement believed in non-violent methods of civil disobedience . 2) AFRICAN-AMERICAN Black Americans who were descendants of Africans brought into America as slaves between 17th& 19th century . 3) THE BLACK POWER (1966-75) This movement was more militant (violent) anti racial discrimination movement in USA . 4) HOMOGENOUS SOCIETY A society that has similar kinds of people with no significant ethnic differences . 5) MIGRANT Anybody who shifts from one place to another for work or other economic opportunities .

QUESTIONS
Q1 What is social diversity ? Ans 1 In a society differences based on race , religion , language , caste, creed, colour , sex , wealth , etc., are social diversities . Eg : In Belgium people who live in different regions speak different languages . In Sri Lanka there are linguistic as well as religious difference . Q2 Explain the two basis or origins of social differences . Ans2 (a) SOCIAL DIFFERENCES BASED ON ACCIDENT OF BIRTH There are certain things we cant choose but we belong to it simply because we were born into it . Eg : People are male or female , tall or short , have different complexion , etc. (b) SOCIAL DIFFERENCES BASED ON CHOICE Some people dont believe in God or religion . Most of us choose what to study , which occupation to take up etc.

Q3 How can we say that every social difference will not lead to social division ? Explain with example . Ans3 Social differences can divide similar people and can even unite different people. Eg : When U.S. athletes T.Smith & Carlos (AfricanAmericans) won medals in the 1968 Olympics , with their gestures they tried to draw international attention to racial discrimination in USA . Australian athlete Norman (white) supported their cause . Thus , thought they were from different racial background they got united against racial discrimination Q4 Name the two kinds of Social Differences ? When does a social difference become a social division ? Ans4 They are Overlapping & Cross-Cutting social differences . Overlapping lead to social division . Q5 Explain overlapping difference with example . Ans5 It happens when some social differences overlaps with other differences . Situations of this kind produce social divisions , conflicts & tensions. Eg : The difference between the Blacks & Whites becomes a social division in the US because the Blacks tend to be poor , homeless & discriminated . In such cases people start feeling that they belong to different communities . Eg : In N.Ireland Christians are divided between catholics & protestants . There class and religion overlap with each other . If you are catholic you are more likely to be poor and suffered a history of discriminated against . So we see conflicts in N.Ireland [overlapping difference] So , overlapping social differences create the possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions . Q6 Explain Cross Cutting difference with example . Ans6 It means that group that share a common interest on one issue are likely to be in different sides on a different issue . Egin Netherland , class & religion tend to cut across each other . Catholics & Protestant are equally

likely to be poor or rich . So there are no conflicts there . As cross cutting social differences are easier to accommodate . Q7 How can you say that social divisions of one kind or another exist in most countries ? Ans7 Social divisions exist in most countries whether big or small . It is found in India (a vast country) with many communities. Belgium is a small country with many communities . The countries like Germany & Sweden which were homogeneous are now changing as migrants bring with them their own culture . Somost countries of the world are becoming multiculture . Q8 How do social divisions affect politics ? give examples . Ans8 Democracy involves competition among various political parties . It divides the society . If they start competing in terms of some social divisions , it can make social divisions into political division and leads to conflict and violence . EG : In Yugoslavia the political competition along religious and ethenic lines lead to disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent countries . But every expression of social divisions in politics does not lead to disaster . Eg : In Northern Ireland 53% are protestants , while 44% are Roman Catholics . The catholics were represented by the nationalist party who want Northern Ireland to be unified with the republic of Ireland ( a catholic country ) . The protestants were represented by the unionists who wanted to remain with the UK . Hundreds of people , militant and security forces have been killed in this conflict . But in 1998 the UK government and nationalists reached a peace agreement and they suspended the armed struggle . Q9 Discuss the three factors that determine the outcomes of politics os social divisions . Ans9 (a) The outcome depends on how people perceive their identities . if they see their identities in singular and exclusive terms then it becomes difficult to accommodate . As long as people in Northern Ireland saw

themselves as Catholics or protestant , their differences were difficult to reconcile . It is better if people see their identities as multiple and are complementary with the national identity . Eg : A majority of Belgians feel that they are as much Belgians as they are dutch or german speaking . This helps them to stay together . (b)It depends on how political leaders raise the demands of any community . It should be within the constitutional framework and not at the cost of another community . Eg : In Sri Lanka the demand for only Sinhala was at the cost of the interest and identity of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka . (c) It depends on how the government reacts to demands of different group . If the rulers are wiling to share power and accommodate the reasonable demands of the minority community social divisions are less threatening for the country , like in Belgium , the rulers should be wiling to share power with minority communities . Any attempt at forced integration often sow the seeds of disintegration . Q10 How can we say that social diversity is not a source of danger in a democracy ? Ans 10 (a) In democracy allows various disadvantaged and marginalized social groups to express their grievances and make the government attend to these . (b) People who feel discriminated , marginalized and deprived can voice their demands in a peaceful & constitutional manners and seek a fair position through elections .