DemocracyandDiversity
Civil Rights Movement
It refers to
a set of eventsand reform movementsaimed at abolishing legalracial
discriminationagainst African-Americans. It was led by Martin LutherKing Jr.,
this movementpracticed non-violentmethods of civildisobedience againstracially
discriminatorylaws and practices.
The Black Power
It was an
anti-racist movement advocating violence to end racism in the USA
Social Differences
Social differences are
social identities based on caste, religion, race, ethnicity, economic status,
etc. Every country has social differences and social differences do not lead to
any danger.
Social divisions
Social divisions are
conflicts based on social inequalitiessuch as caste, religion, race, ethnicity,
economic status, etc. This may lead to disaster and disintegration of a
country.
Origins of social
differences
1.
These social differences are mostlybased on accident of birth.
2.
Some ofthe social differences are based on ourchoices.
Every social difference does notlead to social division.
Socialdifferences divide similar people fromone another, but they also unite
verydifferent people.
1.
People belonging todifferent social groups
sharedifferences and similarities cuttingacross the boundaries of their groups.
2.
In the instance above, Carlos and Smith were
similar in one way and different from Norman. But they were also all similar
inother ways – they were all athletes whostood against racial discrimination.
3.
It is also possible forpeople from different
religions to havethe same caste and feel close to eachother.
Explain Overlapping and
cross-cuttingdifferences with Examples
1.
Social division takes place when somesocial
difference overlaps with otherdifferences.
2.
If social differences cross cut oneanother, it is
difficult to pit one groupof people against the other.
3.
InNorthern Ireland, class and religionoverlap with
each other. If you areCatholic, you are minority and also more likely to
bepoor, and you may have suffered ahistory of discrimination.
4.
In theNetherlands, class and religion tend tocut
across each other. If you areCatholic, you are minority but more likely to be
rich, and you may not have suffered ahistory of discrimination.
5.
The result
is thatCatholics and Protestants have hadconflicts in Northern Ireland,
whilethey do not do so in the Netherlands.
Homogeneous society:
A society
that has similarkinds of people without caste,
religion, race, economic ethnicdifferences.
Heterogeneous Society
A society which has
different kinds of people such as many caste, religion, race, ethnicity,
economic status
How do these social divisions affectpolitics? OR
What does politics do to thesesocial divisions? OR How is combination of
politicsand social divisions very dangerousand explosive?OR Why do politics and
social divisions must not be allowed to mix?
1. Northern Ireland region ofthe United Kingdom
has been for manyyears the site of a violent and bitterethno-political
conflict. Its populationis divided into 53 % Protestants and 44% Roman
Catholics.
2. The Catholics
wererepresented by Nationalist parties whodemanded that Northern Ireland
beunified with the Republic of Ireland. Protestants were represented
byUnionists who wanted to remain with the UK.
3. Hundreds of
civilians,militants and security forces were killedin the fight between Unionists
andNationalists and between the securityforces of the UK and the Nationalists.
4. Yugoslavia
had six ethnic groups and all the six ethnic groups were represented by six
different political parties.
5. In
Yugoslavia, the story did not have ahappy ending. Political competitionalong
religious ending ethnic lines ledto the disintegration of Yugoslaviainto six
independent countries.
Expressionof social divisions in politics does
notlead to such disasters.
1.
In ademocracy it is only natural thatpolitical
parties would talk about social divisions.
2.
Political Parties make different promises to
different communities.
3.
Political Parties look after duerepresentation of
various communitiesand make policies to redress thegrievances of the
disadvantagedcommunities.
4.
Social divisions affectvoting in most countries.
People fromone community tend to prefer some other party.
5.
In
manycountries there are parties that focusonly on one community. Yet all
thisdoes not lead to disintegration of thecountry.
Three factors that determine outcome of politics of
socialdivisions.
1.
First outcomedepends on how people perceive
theiridentities. If people see their identitiesin singular and exclusive terms,
itbecomes very difficult toaccommodate. If the people see that their identities
are multiple and arecomplementary with the nationalidentity.
2.
Second outcomedepends on howpolitical leaders raise
the demands ofany community. It is easier toaccommodate demands that are
withinthe constitutional framework and arenot at the cost of another community.
3. Thirdoutcomedepends
on how thegovernment reacts to demands ofdifferent groups. If the rulers are
willing to share powerand accommodate the reasonabledemands of minority
community,social divisions become lessthreatening for the country.
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