Chapter 2: Federalism

INTRODUCTION 
In most of the countries of the world we find different social norms in different parts of the countries. Democracy is such a form of government which have the capabilities to assimilate the differences which are found among the different cultural groups. In this topic we study how democracy responds to social diffrences, divisons and  inequalities. It also deals with various forms of social differences and how the democratic politics affects and is affected by these social diversities. It is an attempt to understand the working of democracy admist various social differences.

Important Terms
   Homogenous society : A society with similar kinds of people.
   Migrant : Anybody who shifts from one region or country to another region within a country or to a another country, usually for work or other economic       opportunities.
   Civil Rights Movement : It was a non-violent movement initiated by Martin Luther King Jr. 
    to fight against racial discrimination practised in the US against African-Americans who were Blacks.
    frican-American : An African-American is a person in the United States whose ancestors, 
    fathers and forefathers, were born in Sub-Sahara Africa.
    Black power : The Black Power movement came into existence in 1966 and lasted till 1975. 
    It was a militant and racist movement advocating even violence to end racism in the US.
    Overlapping differences : When some social differencdes overlap other differences.
    Cross-cutting differences : When some social differences cross-cut one another.

democracy and diversity    
Tommy Smith and John Carlos US Athletes were Afro - Americans had won gold and Bronze medals respectively.
They received their medals wearing Black socks and no shoes to represent Black poverty. With this gesture, they tried to draw international attention to racial discrimination in the United States. The black-gloved and raised clenched fists were meant to symbolise Black Power.
The silver medallist, white Australian athlete, Peter Norman, wore a human rights badge on his shirt during the ceremony to show his support to the two Americans.
The International Olympic Association held Carlos and Smith guilty of violating the Olympic spirit by making a political statement. Their medals were taken back. Back home, they were subjected to a lot of criticism. 
Norman too suffered for his action and was not included in the Australian team for the next Olympic. But their action succeeded in gaining international attention for the Civil Rights Movement in the US.

difference, similarities, divisions
The athletes in the example above were responding to social divisions and social divisions
The examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka show both regional and social divisions. In the case of Belgium we noted that people who live in different regions speak different languages. In Sri Lanka, we noted linguistic as well as religious differences. Thus social diversity can take different forms in different societies.

Illustration 1
    Who were Tommie Smith and John Carlos?
Solution
    The were African-Americans, who won gold and Bronze medals in Mexico olympics drew attention of world community towards racial discrimination.

Illustration 2
    Who was Martin Luther king Junior?
Solution
    He led civil rights movement in USA against racial discrimination against African American.

Illustration 3
    Who were African-Americans?
Solution
    Blacks Americans the descendants of African who were brought into America as slaves between the 17th to 19th century.

Illustration 4
    What was Black power?
Solution
    It was movement between 1966 to 1975 which advocated even voilence if necessary to end racism in U.S.

Illustration 5
    What was the reaction of Peter Norman  towards the other two winning athlete?
Solution
    Peter Norman an Australian wore a human rights badge on his shirt during the prize ceremony to show his support to the two Americans.

INTRODUCTION 
In most of the countries of the world we find different social norms in different parts of the countries. Democracy is such a form of government which have the capabilities to assimilate the differences which are found among the different cultural groups. In this topic we study how democracy responds to social diffrences, divisons and  inequalities. It also deals with various forms of social differences and how the democratic politics affects and is affected by these social diversities. It is an attempt to understand the working of democracy admist various social differences.

Important Terms
   Homogenous society : A society with similar kinds of people.
   Migrant : Anybody who shifts from one region or country to another region within a country or to a another country, usually for work or other economic       opportunities.
   Civil Rights Movement : It was a non-violent movement initiated by Martin Luther King Jr. 
    to fight against racial discrimination practised in the US against African-Americans who were Blacks.
    frican-American : An African-American is a person in the United States whose ancestors, 
    fathers and forefathers, were born in Sub-Sahara Africa.
    Black power : The Black Power movement came into existence in 1966 and lasted till 1975. 
    It was a militant and racist movement advocating even violence to end racism in the US.
    Overlapping differences : When some social differencdes overlap other differences.
    Cross-cutting differences : When some social differences cross-cut one another.

democracy and diversity    
Tommy Smith and John Carlos US Athletes were Afro - Americans had won gold and Bronze medals respectively.
They received their medals wearing Black socks and no shoes to represent Black poverty. With this gesture, they tried to draw international attention to racial discrimination in the United States. The black-gloved and raised clenched fists were meant to symbolise Black Power.
The silver medallist, white Australian athlete, Peter Norman, wore a human rights badge on his shirt during the ceremony to show his support to the two Americans.
The International Olympic Association held Carlos and Smith guilty of violating the Olympic spirit by making a political statement. Their medals were taken back. Back home, they were subjected to a lot of criticism. 
Norman too suffered for his action and was not included in the Australian team for the next Olympic. But their action succeeded in gaining international attention for the Civil Rights Movement in the US.

difference, similarities, divisions
The athletes in the example above were responding to social divisions and social divisions
The examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka show both regional and social divisions. In the case of Belgium we noted that people who live in different regions speak different languages. In Sri Lanka, we noted linguistic as well as religious differences. Thus social diversity can take different forms in different societies.

Illustration 1
    Who were Tommie Smith and John Carlos?
Solution
    The were African-Americans, who won gold and Bronze medals in Mexico olympics drew attention of world community towards racial discrimination.

Illustration 2
    Who was Martin Luther king Junior?
Solution
    He led civil rights movement in USA against racial discrimination against African American.

Illustration 3
    Who were African-Americans?
Solution
    Blacks Americans the descendants of African who were brought into America as slaves between the 17th to 19th century.

Illustration 4
    What was Black power?
Solution
    It was movement between 1966 to 1975 which advocated even voilence if necessary to end racism in U.S.

Illustration 5
    What was the reaction of Peter Norman  towards the other two winning athlete?
Solution
    Peter Norman an Australian wore a human rights badge on his shirt during the prize ceremony to show his support to the two Americans.

INTRODUCTION 
In most of the countries of the world we find different social norms in different parts of the countries. Democracy is such a form of government which have the capabilities to assimilate the differences which are found among the different cultural groups. In this topic we study how democracy responds to social diffrences, divisons and  inequalities. It also deals with various forms of social differences and how the democratic politics affects and is affected by these social diversities. It is an attempt to understand the working of democracy admist various social differences.

Important Terms
   Homogenous society : A society with similar kinds of people.
   Migrant : Anybody who shifts from one region or country to another region within a country or to a another country, usually for work or other economic       opportunities.
   Civil Rights Movement : It was a non-violent movement initiated by Martin Luther King Jr. 
    to fight against racial discrimination practised in the US against African-Americans who were Blacks.
    frican-American : An African-American is a person in the United States whose ancestors, 
    fathers and forefathers, were born in Sub-Sahara Africa.
    Black power : The Black Power movement came into existence in 1966 and lasted till 1975. 
    It was a militant and racist movement advocating even violence to end racism in the US.
    Overlapping differences : When some social differencdes overlap other differences.
    Cross-cutting differences : When some social differences cross-cut one another.

democracy and diversity    
Tommy Smith and John Carlos US Athletes were Afro - Americans had won gold and Bronze medals respectively.
They received their medals wearing Black socks and no shoes to represent Black poverty. With this gesture, they tried to draw international attention to racial discrimination in the United States. The black-gloved and raised clenched fists were meant to symbolise Black Power.
The silver medallist, white Australian athlete, Peter Norman, wore a human rights badge on his shirt during the ceremony to show his support to the two Americans.
The International Olympic Association held Carlos and Smith guilty of violating the Olympic spirit by making a political statement. Their medals were taken back. Back home, they were subjected to a lot of criticism. 
Norman too suffered for his action and was not included in the Australian team for the next Olympic. But their action succeeded in gaining international attention for the Civil Rights Movement in the US.

difference, similarities, divisions
The athletes in the example above were responding to social divisions and social divisions
The examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka show both regional and social divisions. In the case of Belgium we noted that people who live in different regions speak different languages. In Sri Lanka, we noted linguistic as well as religious differences. Thus social diversity can take different forms in different societies.

Illustration 1
    Who were Tommie Smith and John Carlos?
Solution
    The were African-Americans, who won gold and Bronze medals in Mexico olympics drew attention of world community towards racial discrimination.

Illustration 2
    Who was Martin Luther king Junior?
Solution
    He led civil rights movement in USA against racial discrimination against African American.

Illustration 3
    Who were African-Americans?
Solution
    Blacks Americans the descendants of African who were brought into America as slaves between the 17th to 19th century.

Illustration 4
    What was Black power?
Solution
    It was movement between 1966 to 1975 which advocated even voilence if necessary to end racism in U.S.

Illustration 5
    What was the reaction of Peter Norman  towards the other two winning athlete?
Solution
    Peter Norman an Australian wore a human rights badge on his shirt during the prize ceremony to show his support to the two Americans.

INTRODUCTION 
In most of the countries of the world we find different social norms in different parts of the countries. Democracy is such a form of government which have the capabilities to assimilate the differences which are found among the different cultural groups. In this topic we study how democracy responds to social diffrences, divisons and  inequalities. It also deals with various forms of social differences and how the democratic politics affects and is affected by these social diversities. It is an attempt to understand the working of democracy admist various social differences.

Important Terms
   Homogenous society : A society with similar kinds of people.
   Migrant : Anybody who shifts from one region or country to another region within a country or to a another country, usually for work or other economic       opportunities.
   Civil Rights Movement : It was a non-violent movement initiated by Martin Luther King Jr. 
    to fight against racial discrimination practised in the US against African-Americans who were Blacks.
    frican-American : An African-American is a person in the United States whose ancestors, 
    fathers and forefathers, were born in Sub-Sahara Africa.
    Black power : The Black Power movement came into existence in 1966 and lasted till 1975. 
    It was a militant and racist movement advocating even violence to end racism in the US.
    Overlapping differences : When some social differencdes overlap other differences.
    Cross-cutting differences : When some social differences cross-cut one another.

democracy and diversity    
Tommy Smith and John Carlos US Athletes were Afro - Americans had won gold and Bronze medals respectively.
They received their medals wearing Black socks and no shoes to represent Black poverty. With this gesture, they tried to draw international attention to racial discrimination in the United States. The black-gloved and raised clenched fists were meant to symbolise Black Power.
The silver medallist, white Australian athlete, Peter Norman, wore a human rights badge on his shirt during the ceremony to show his support to the two Americans.
The International Olympic Association held Carlos and Smith guilty of violating the Olympic spirit by making a political statement. Their medals were taken back. Back home, they were subjected to a lot of criticism. 
Norman too suffered for his action and was not included in the Australian team for the next Olympic. But their action succeeded in gaining international attention for the Civil Rights Movement in the US.

difference, similarities, divisions
The athletes in the example above were responding to social divisions and social divisions
The examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka show both regional and social divisions. In the case of Belgium we noted that people who live in different regions speak different languages. In Sri Lanka, we noted linguistic as well as religious differences. Thus social diversity can take different forms in different societies.

Illustration 1
    Who were Tommie Smith and John Carlos?
Solution
    The were African-Americans, who won gold and Bronze medals in Mexico olympics drew attention of world community towards racial discrimination.

Illustration 2
    Who was Martin Luther king Junior?
Solution
    He led civil rights movement in USA against racial discrimination against African American.

Illustration 3
    Who were African-Americans?
Solution
    Blacks Americans the descendants of African who were brought into America as slaves between the 17th to 19th century.

Illustration 4
    What was Black power?
Solution
    It was movement between 1966 to 1975 which advocated even voilence if necessary to end racism in U.S.

Illustration 5
    What was the reaction of Peter Norman  towards the other two winning athlete?
Solution
    Peter Norman an Australian wore a human rights badge on his shirt during the prize ceremony to show his support to the two Americans.

INTRODUCTION 
In most of the countries of the world we find different social norms in different parts of the countries. Democracy is such a form of government which have the capabilities to assimilate the differences which are found among the different cultural groups. In this topic we study how democracy responds to social diffrences, divisons and  inequalities. It also deals with various forms of social differences and how the democratic politics affects and is affected by these social diversities. It is an attempt to understand the working of democracy admist various social differences.

Important Terms
   Homogenous society : A society with similar kinds of people.
   Migrant : Anybody who shifts from one region or country to another region within a country or to a another country, usually for work or other economic       opportunities.
   Civil Rights Movement : It was a non-violent movement initiated by Martin Luther King Jr. 
    to fight against racial discrimination practised in the US against African-Americans who were Blacks.
    frican-American : An African-American is a person in the United States whose ancestors, 
    fathers and forefathers, were born in Sub-Sahara Africa.
    Black power : The Black Power movement came into existence in 1966 and lasted till 1975. 
    It was a militant and racist movement advocating even violence to end racism in the US.
    Overlapping differences : When some social differencdes overlap other differences.
    Cross-cutting differences : When some social differences cross-cut one another.

democracy and diversity    
Tommy Smith and John Carlos US Athletes were Afro - Americans had won gold and Bronze medals respectively.
They received their medals wearing Black socks and no shoes to represent Black poverty. With this gesture, they tried to draw international attention to racial discrimination in the United States. The black-gloved and raised clenched fists were meant to symbolise Black Power.
The silver medallist, white Australian athlete, Peter Norman, wore a human rights badge on his shirt during the ceremony to show his support to the two Americans.
The International Olympic Association held Carlos and Smith guilty of violating the Olympic spirit by making a political statement. Their medals were taken back. Back home, they were subjected to a lot of criticism. 
Norman too suffered for his action and was not included in the Australian team for the next Olympic. But their action succeeded in gaining international attention for the Civil Rights Movement in the US.

difference, similarities, divisions
The athletes in the example above were responding to social divisions and social divisions
The examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka show both regional and social divisions. In the case of Belgium we noted that people who live in different regions speak different languages. In Sri Lanka, we noted linguistic as well as religious differences. Thus social diversity can take different forms in different societies.

Illustration 1
    Who were Tommie Smith and John Carlos?
Solution
    The were African-Americans, who won gold and Bronze medals in Mexico olympics drew attention of world community towards racial discrimination.

Illustration 2
    Who was Martin Luther king Junior?
Solution
    He led civil rights movement in USA against racial discrimination against African American.

Illustration 3
    Who were African-Americans?
Solution
    Blacks Americans the descendants of African who were brought into America as slaves between the 17th to 19th century.

Illustration 4
    What was Black power?
Solution
    It was movement between 1966 to 1975 which advocated even voilence if necessary to end racism in U.S.

Illustration 5
    What was the reaction of Peter Norman  towards the other two winning athlete?
Solution
    Peter Norman an Australian wore a human rights badge on his shirt during the prize ceremony to show his support to the two Americans.

INTRODUCTION 
In most of the countries of the world we find different social norms in different parts of the countries. Democracy is such a form of government which have the capabilities to assimilate the differences which are found among the different cultural groups. In this topic we study how democracy responds to social diffrences, divisons and  inequalities. It also deals with various forms of social differences and how the democratic politics affects and is affected by these social diversities. It is an attempt to understand the working of democracy admist various social differences.

Important Terms
   Homogenous society : A society with similar kinds of people.
   Migrant : Anybody who shifts from one region or country to another region within a country or to a another country, usually for work or other economic       opportunities.
   Civil Rights Movement : It was a non-violent movement initiated by Martin Luther King Jr. 
    to fight against racial discrimination practised in the US against African-Americans who were Blacks.
    frican-American : An African-American is a person in the United States whose ancestors, 
    fathers and forefathers, were born in Sub-Sahara Africa.
    Black power : The Black Power movement came into existence in 1966 and lasted till 1975. 
    It was a militant and racist movement advocating even violence to end racism in the US.
    Overlapping differences : When some social differencdes overlap other differences.
    Cross-cutting differences : When some social differences cross-cut one another.

democracy and diversity    
Tommy Smith and John Carlos US Athletes were Afro - Americans had won gold and Bronze medals respectively.
They received their medals wearing Black socks and no shoes to represent Black poverty. With this gesture, they tried to draw international attention to racial discrimination in the United States. The black-gloved and raised clenched fists were meant to symbolise Black Power.
The silver medallist, white Australian athlete, Peter Norman, wore a human rights badge on his shirt during the ceremony to show his support to the two Americans.
The International Olympic Association held Carlos and Smith guilty of violating the Olympic spirit by making a political statement. Their medals were taken back. Back home, they were subjected to a lot of criticism. 
Norman too suffered for his action and was not included in the Australian team for the next Olympic. But their action succeeded in gaining international attention for the Civil Rights Movement in the US.

difference, similarities, divisions
The athletes in the example above were responding to social divisions and social divisions
The examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka show both regional and social divisions. In the case of Belgium we noted that people who live in different regions speak different languages. In Sri Lanka, we noted linguistic as well as religious differences. Thus social diversity can take different forms in different societies.

Illustration 1
    Who were Tommie Smith and John Carlos?
Solution
    The were African-Americans, who won gold and Bronze medals in Mexico olympics drew attention of world community towards racial discrimination.

Illustration 2
    Who was Martin Luther king Junior?
Solution
    He led civil rights movement in USA against racial discrimination against African American.

Illustration 3
    Who were African-Americans?
Solution
    Blacks Americans the descendants of African who were brought into America as slaves between the 17th to 19th century.

Illustration 4
    What was Black power?
Solution
    It was movement between 1966 to 1975 which advocated even voilence if necessary to end racism in U.S.

Illustration 5
    What was the reaction of Peter Norman  towards the other two winning athlete?
Solution
    Peter Norman an Australian wore a human rights badge on his shirt during the prize ceremony to show his support to the two Americans.

INTRODUCTION 
In most of the countries of the world we find different social norms in different parts of the countries. Democracy is such a form of government which have the capabilities to assimilate the differences which are found among the different cultural groups. In this topic we study how democracy responds to social diffrences, divisons and  inequalities. It also deals with various forms of social differences and how the democratic politics affects and is affected by these social diversities. It is an attempt to understand the working of democracy admist various social differences.

Important Terms
   Homogenous society : A society with similar kinds of people.
   Migrant : Anybody who shifts from one region or country to another region within a country or to a another country, usually for work or other economic       opportunities.
   Civil Rights Movement : It was a non-violent movement initiated by Martin Luther King Jr. 
    to fight against racial discrimination practised in the US against African-Americans who were Blacks.
    frican-American : An African-American is a person in the United States whose ancestors, 
    fathers and forefathers, were born in Sub-Sahara Africa.
    Black power : The Black Power movement came into existence in 1966 and lasted till 1975. 
    It was a militant and racist movement advocating even violence to end racism in the US.
    Overlapping differences : When some social differencdes overlap other differences.
    Cross-cutting differences : When some social differences cross-cut one another.

democracy and diversity    
Tommy Smith and John Carlos US Athletes were Afro - Americans had won gold and Bronze medals respectively.
They received their medals wearing Black socks and no shoes to represent Black poverty. With this gesture, they tried to draw international attention to racial discrimination in the United States. The black-gloved and raised clenched fists were meant to symbolise Black Power.
The silver medallist, white Australian athlete, Peter Norman, wore a human rights badge on his shirt during the ceremony to show his support to the two Americans.
The International Olympic Association held Carlos and Smith guilty of violating the Olympic spirit by making a political statement. Their medals were taken back. Back home, they were subjected to a lot of criticism. 
Norman too suffered for his action and was not included in the Australian team for the next Olympic. But their action succeeded in gaining international attention for the Civil Rights Movement in the US.

difference, similarities, divisions
The athletes in the example above were responding to social divisions and social divisions
The examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka show both regional and social divisions. In the case of Belgium we noted that people who live in different regions speak different languages. In Sri Lanka, we noted linguistic as well as religious differences. Thus social diversity can take different forms in different societies.

Illustration 1
    Who were Tommie Smith and John Carlos?
Solution
    The were African-Americans, who won gold and Bronze medals in Mexico olympics drew attention of world community towards racial discrimination.

Illustration 2
    Who was Martin Luther king Junior?
Solution
    He led civil rights movement in USA against racial discrimination against African American.

Illustration 3
    Who were African-Americans?
Solution
    Blacks Americans the descendants of African who were brought into America as slaves between the 17th to 19th century.

Illustration 4
    What was Black power?
Solution
    It was movement between 1966 to 1975 which advocated even voilence if necessary to end racism in U.S.

Illustration 5
    What was the reaction of Peter Norman  towards the other two winning athlete?
Solution
    Peter Norman an Australian wore a human rights badge on his shirt during the prize ceremony to show his support to the two Americans.

politics of social divisions
    Democracy involves competition among various political parties. Their competition tends to divide any society. If they start competing in terms of some existing social divisions, it can make social divisions into political divisions and lead to conflict, violence or even disintegration of a country. 

range of outcomes
This region of the United Kingdom has been for many years the site of a violent and bitter ethno-political conflict Its population is divided into two major sects of Christianity : 53 per cent are Protestants, while 44 per cent are Roman Catholics. The Catholics were represented by Nationalist parties who demanded that Northern Ireland be unified with the Republic of Ireland, a predominantly Catholic country. 

The Protestants were represented by Unionists who wanted to remain with the UK, which is predominantly protestant. Hundreds of civilians, militants and security forces were killed in the fight between Unionists and Nationalists and between the security forces of the UK and the Nationalists. It was only in 1998, that the UK government and the Nationalists reached a peace treaty after which the latter suspended, their armed struggle.
Political competition along religious and ethnic lines led to the disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent countries.
Some people too conclude that politics and social divisions must not be allowed to mix. If social divisions do exist in a country, they must never be expressed in politics.
Social divisions of one kind or another exist in most countries of the world. Wherever they exist, these divisions are reflected in politics. In a democracy it is only natural that political parties would talk about these divisions, make different promises to different communities, look after due representation of various communities and make policies to redress the grievances of the disadvantaged communities. Social divisions affect voting in most countries. People from one community tend to prefer some party more than others. In many countries there are parties that focus only on one community. Yet all this does not lead to disintegration of the country.

Three determinants
1.    First of all the outcome depends on how people perceive their identities. If people see their identities in singular and exclusive terms, it becomes very difficult to accommodated.
        It is much easier if the people see that their identities are multiple and are complementary with the national identity. A majority of Belgians now feel that they are as much Belgian as they are Dutch or German-speaking. This helps them to stay together.
2.    Second, it depends on how political leaders raise the demands of any community. It is easier to accommodate demands that are within the constitutional framework and are not at the cost of another community.
3.    Third, it depends on the how the government reacts to demands of different groups. As we saw in the examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka, if the rulers are willing to share power and accommodate the reasonable demands of minority community, social divisions become less threatening for         the country. But if they try to suppress such a demand in the name of national unity, the end result is often quite the opposite. Such attempts at forced integration often sow the seeds of disintegration.
       Thus the assertion of social diversities in a country need not be seen as a source of danger.
       In a democracy, political expression of social divisions is very normal and can be healthy. 

(i).    This allows various disadvantaged and marginal social groups to express their grievances and get the government to attend to these. 
(ii).    Expression of various kinds of social divisions in politics often results in their cancelling one another out and thus reducing 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 and constitutional manner and seeking a fair position through elections.
        Sometimes social differences can take the form of unacceptable level of social inequality and injustice. The struggle against such inequalities sometimes takes the path of violence and defiance of state power. However history shows that democracy is the best way to fight for recognition              and also to accommodate diversity.

Illustration 10
    What will happen if political parties start competing in terms of some existing social divisons?
Solution
    If this happens then it can make social divison into political divisons and lead to conflict voilence or even disintegrationof a country.

Illustration 11
    What happened in India which led to formation of Pakistan?
Solution
    Congress and Muslim league started competing in terms of existing social divisons in Hindus and Muslims which led to disintegation of country into India and Pakistan.

politics of social divisions
    Democracy involves competition among various political parties. Their competition tends to divide any society. If they start competing in terms of some existing social divisions, it can make social divisions into political divisions and lead to conflict, violence or even disintegration of a country. 

range of outcomes
This region of the United Kingdom has been for many years the site of a violent and bitter ethno-political conflict Its population is divided into two major sects of Christianity : 53 per cent are Protestants, while 44 per cent are Roman Catholics. The Catholics were represented by Nationalist parties who demanded that Northern Ireland be unified with the Republic of Ireland, a predominantly Catholic country. 

The Protestants were represented by Unionists who wanted to remain with the UK, which is predominantly protestant. Hundreds of civilians, militants and security forces were killed in the fight between Unionists and Nationalists and between the security forces of the UK and the Nationalists. It was only in 1998, that the UK government and the Nationalists reached a peace treaty after which the latter suspended, their armed struggle.
Political competition along religious and ethnic lines led to the disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent countries.
Some people too conclude that politics and social divisions must not be allowed to mix. If social divisions do exist in a country, they must never be expressed in politics.
Social divisions of one kind or another exist in most countries of the world. Wherever they exist, these divisions are reflected in politics. In a democracy it is only natural that political parties would talk about these divisions, make different promises to different communities, look after due representation of various communities and make policies to redress the grievances of the disadvantaged communities. Social divisions affect voting in most countries. People from one community tend to prefer some party more than others. In many countries there are parties that focus only on one community. Yet all this does not lead to disintegration of the country.

Three determinants
1.    First of all the outcome depends on how people perceive their identities. If people see their identities in singular and exclusive terms, it becomes very difficult to accommodated.
        It is much easier if the people see that their identities are multiple and are complementary with the national identity. A majority of Belgians now feel that they are as much Belgian as they are Dutch or German-speaking. This helps them to stay together.
2.    Second, it depends on how political leaders raise the demands of any community. It is easier to accommodate demands that are within the constitutional framework and are not at the cost of another community.
3.    Third, it depends on the how the government reacts to demands of different groups. As we saw in the examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka, if the rulers are willing to share power and accommodate the reasonable demands of minority community, social divisions become less threatening for         the country. But if they try to suppress such a demand in the name of national unity, the end result is often quite the opposite. Such attempts at forced integration often sow the seeds of disintegration.
       Thus the assertion of social diversities in a country need not be seen as a source of danger.
       In a democracy, political expression of social divisions is very normal and can be healthy. 

(i).    This allows various disadvantaged and marginal social groups to express their grievances and get the government to attend to these. 
(ii).    Expression of various kinds of social divisions in politics often results in their cancelling one another out and thus reducing 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 and constitutional manner and seeking a fair position through elections.
        Sometimes social differences can take the form of unacceptable level of social inequality and injustice. The struggle against such inequalities sometimes takes the path of violence and defiance of state power. However history shows that democracy is the best way to fight for recognition              and also to accommodate diversity.

Illustration 10
    What will happen if political parties start competing in terms of some existing social divisons?
Solution
    If this happens then it can make social divison into political divisons and lead to conflict voilence or even disintegrationof a country.

Illustration 11
    What happened in India which led to formation of Pakistan?
Solution
    Congress and Muslim league started competing in terms of existing social divisons in Hindus and Muslims which led to disintegation of country into India and Pakistan.

politics of social divisions
    Democracy involves competition among various political parties. Their competition tends to divide any society. If they start competing in terms of some existing social divisions, it can make social divisions into political divisions and lead to conflict, violence or even disintegration of a country. 

range of outcomes
This region of the United Kingdom has been for many years the site of a violent and bitter ethno-political conflict Its population is divided into two major sects of Christianity : 53 per cent are Protestants, while 44 per cent are Roman Catholics. The Catholics were represented by Nationalist parties who demanded that Northern Ireland be unified with the Republic of Ireland, a predominantly Catholic country. 

The Protestants were represented by Unionists who wanted to remain with the UK, which is predominantly protestant. Hundreds of civilians, militants and security forces were killed in the fight between Unionists and Nationalists and between the security forces of the UK and the Nationalists. It was only in 1998, that the UK government and the Nationalists reached a peace treaty after which the latter suspended, their armed struggle.
Political competition along religious and ethnic lines led to the disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent countries.
Some people too conclude that politics and social divisions must not be allowed to mix. If social divisions do exist in a country, they must never be expressed in politics.
Social divisions of one kind or another exist in most countries of the world. Wherever they exist, these divisions are reflected in politics. In a democracy it is only natural that political parties would talk about these divisions, make different promises to different communities, look after due representation of various communities and make policies to redress the grievances of the disadvantaged communities. Social divisions affect voting in most countries. People from one community tend to prefer some party more than others. In many countries there are parties that focus only on one community. Yet all this does not lead to disintegration of the country.

Three determinants
1.    First of all the outcome depends on how people perceive their identities. If people see their identities in singular and exclusive terms, it becomes very difficult to accommodated.
        It is much easier if the people see that their identities are multiple and are complementary with the national identity. A majority of Belgians now feel that they are as much Belgian as they are Dutch or German-speaking. This helps them to stay together.
2.    Second, it depends on how political leaders raise the demands of any community. It is easier to accommodate demands that are within the constitutional framework and are not at the cost of another community.
3.    Third, it depends on the how the government reacts to demands of different groups. As we saw in the examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka, if the rulers are willing to share power and accommodate the reasonable demands of minority community, social divisions become less threatening for         the country. But if they try to suppress such a demand in the name of national unity, the end result is often quite the opposite. Such attempts at forced integration often sow the seeds of disintegration.
       Thus the assertion of social diversities in a country need not be seen as a source of danger.
       In a democracy, political expression of social divisions is very normal and can be healthy. 

(i).    This allows various disadvantaged and marginal social groups to express their grievances and get the government to attend to these. 
(ii).    Expression of various kinds of social divisions in politics often results in their cancelling one another out and thus reducing 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 and constitutional manner and seeking a fair position through elections.
        Sometimes social differences can take the form of unacceptable level of social inequality and injustice. The struggle against such inequalities sometimes takes the path of violence and defiance of state power. However history shows that democracy is the best way to fight for recognition              and also to accommodate diversity.

Illustration 10
    What will happen if political parties start competing in terms of some existing social divisons?
Solution
    If this happens then it can make social divison into political divisons and lead to conflict voilence or even disintegrationof a country.

Illustration 11
    What happened in India which led to formation of Pakistan?
Solution
    Congress and Muslim league started competing in terms of existing social divisons in Hindus and Muslims which led to disintegation of country into India and Pakistan.

politics of social divisions
    Democracy involves competition among various political parties. Their competition tends to divide any society. If they start competing in terms of some existing social divisions, it can make social divisions into political divisions and lead to conflict, violence or even disintegration of a country. 

range of outcomes
This region of the United Kingdom has been for many years the site of a violent and bitter ethno-political conflict Its population is divided into two major sects of Christianity : 53 per cent are Protestants, while 44 per cent are Roman Catholics. The Catholics were represented by Nationalist parties who demanded that Northern Ireland be unified with the Republic of Ireland, a predominantly Catholic country. 

The Protestants were represented by Unionists who wanted to remain with the UK, which is predominantly protestant. Hundreds of civilians, militants and security forces were killed in the fight between Unionists and Nationalists and between the security forces of the UK and the Nationalists. It was only in 1998, that the UK government and the Nationalists reached a peace treaty after which the latter suspended, their armed struggle.
Political competition along religious and ethnic lines led to the disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent countries.
Some people too conclude that politics and social divisions must not be allowed to mix. If social divisions do exist in a country, they must never be expressed in politics.
Social divisions of one kind or another exist in most countries of the world. Wherever they exist, these divisions are reflected in politics. In a democracy it is only natural that political parties would talk about these divisions, make different promises to different communities, look after due representation of various communities and make policies to redress the grievances of the disadvantaged communities. Social divisions affect voting in most countries. People from one community tend to prefer some party more than others. In many countries there are parties that focus only on one community. Yet all this does not lead to disintegration of the country.

Three determinants
1.    First of all the outcome depends on how people perceive their identities. If people see their identities in singular and exclusive terms, it becomes very difficult to accommodated.
        It is much easier if the people see that their identities are multiple and are complementary with the national identity. A majority of Belgians now feel that they are as much Belgian as they are Dutch or German-speaking. This helps them to stay together.
2.    Second, it depends on how political leaders raise the demands of any community. It is easier to accommodate demands that are within the constitutional framework and are not at the cost of another community.
3.    Third, it depends on the how the government reacts to demands of different groups. As we saw in the examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka, if the rulers are willing to share power and accommodate the reasonable demands of minority community, social divisions become less threatening for         the country. But if they try to suppress such a demand in the name of national unity, the end result is often quite the opposite. Such attempts at forced integration often sow the seeds of disintegration.
       Thus the assertion of social diversities in a country need not be seen as a source of danger.
       In a democracy, political expression of social divisions is very normal and can be healthy. 

(i).    This allows various disadvantaged and marginal social groups to express their grievances and get the government to attend to these. 
(ii).    Expression of various kinds of social divisions in politics often results in their cancelling one another out and thus reducing 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 and constitutional manner and seeking a fair position through elections.
        Sometimes social differences can take the form of unacceptable level of social inequality and injustice. The struggle against such inequalities sometimes takes the path of violence and defiance of state power. However history shows that democracy is the best way to fight for recognition              and also to accommodate diversity.

Illustration 10
    What will happen if political parties start competing in terms of some existing social divisons?
Solution
    If this happens then it can make social divison into political divisons and lead to conflict voilence or even disintegrationof a country.

Illustration 11
    What happened in India which led to formation of Pakistan?
Solution
    Congress and Muslim league started competing in terms of existing social divisons in Hindus and Muslims which led to disintegation of country into India and Pakistan.

politics of social divisions
    Democracy involves competition among various political parties. Their competition tends to divide any society. If they start competing in terms of some existing social divisions, it can make social divisions into political divisions and lead to conflict, violence or even disintegration of a country. 

range of outcomes
This region of the United Kingdom has been for many years the site of a violent and bitter ethno-political conflict Its population is divided into two major sects of Christianity : 53 per cent are Protestants, while 44 per cent are Roman Catholics. The Catholics were represented by Nationalist parties who demanded that Northern Ireland be unified with the Republic of Ireland, a predominantly Catholic country. 

The Protestants were represented by Unionists who wanted to remain with the UK, which is predominantly protestant. Hundreds of civilians, militants and security forces were killed in the fight between Unionists and Nationalists and between the security forces of the UK and the Nationalists. It was only in 1998, that the UK government and the Nationalists reached a peace treaty after which the latter suspended, their armed struggle.
Political competition along religious and ethnic lines led to the disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent countries.
Some people too conclude that politics and social divisions must not be allowed to mix. If social divisions do exist in a country, they must never be expressed in politics.
Social divisions of one kind or another exist in most countries of the world. Wherever they exist, these divisions are reflected in politics. In a democracy it is only natural that political parties would talk about these divisions, make different promises to different communities, look after due representation of various communities and make policies to redress the grievances of the disadvantaged communities. Social divisions affect voting in most countries. People from one community tend to prefer some party more than others. In many countries there are parties that focus only on one community. Yet all this does not lead to disintegration of the country.

Three determinants
1.    First of all the outcome depends on how people perceive their identities. If people see their identities in singular and exclusive terms, it becomes very difficult to accommodated.
        It is much easier if the people see that their identities are multiple and are complementary with the national identity. A majority of Belgians now feel that they are as much Belgian as they are Dutch or German-speaking. This helps them to stay together.
2.    Second, it depends on how political leaders raise the demands of any community. It is easier to accommodate demands that are within the constitutional framework and are not at the cost of another community.
3.    Third, it depends on the how the government reacts to demands of different groups. As we saw in the examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka, if the rulers are willing to share power and accommodate the reasonable demands of minority community, social divisions become less threatening for         the country. But if they try to suppress such a demand in the name of national unity, the end result is often quite the opposite. Such attempts at forced integration often sow the seeds of disintegration.
       Thus the assertion of social diversities in a country need not be seen as a source of danger.
       In a democracy, political expression of social divisions is very normal and can be healthy. 

(i).    This allows various disadvantaged and marginal social groups to express their grievances and get the government to attend to these. 
(ii).    Expression of various kinds of social divisions in politics often results in their cancelling one another out and thus reducing 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 and constitutional manner and seeking a fair position through elections.
        Sometimes social differences can take the form of unacceptable level of social inequality and injustice. The struggle against such inequalities sometimes takes the path of violence and defiance of state power. However history shows that democracy is the best way to fight for recognition              and also to accommodate diversity.

Illustration 10
    What will happen if political parties start competing in terms of some existing social divisons?
Solution
    If this happens then it can make social divison into political divisons and lead to conflict voilence or even disintegrationof a country.

Illustration 11
    What happened in India which led to formation of Pakistan?
Solution
    Congress and Muslim league started competing in terms of existing social divisons in Hindus and Muslims which led to disintegation of country into India and Pakistan.

politics of social divisions
    Democracy involves competition among various political parties. Their competition tends to divide any society. If they start competing in terms of some existing social divisions, it can make social divisions into political divisions and lead to conflict, violence or even disintegration of a country. 

range of outcomes
This region of the United Kingdom has been for many years the site of a violent and bitter ethno-political conflict Its population is divided into two major sects of Christianity : 53 per cent are Protestants, while 44 per cent are Roman Catholics. The Catholics were represented by Nationalist parties who demanded that Northern Ireland be unified with the Republic of Ireland, a predominantly Catholic country. 

The Protestants were represented by Unionists who wanted to remain with the UK, which is predominantly protestant. Hundreds of civilians, militants and security forces were killed in the fight between Unionists and Nationalists and between the security forces of the UK and the Nationalists. It was only in 1998, that the UK government and the Nationalists reached a peace treaty after which the latter suspended, their armed struggle.
Political competition along religious and ethnic lines led to the disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent countries.
Some people too conclude that politics and social divisions must not be allowed to mix. If social divisions do exist in a country, they must never be expressed in politics.
Social divisions of one kind or another exist in most countries of the world. Wherever they exist, these divisions are reflected in politics. In a democracy it is only natural that political parties would talk about these divisions, make different promises to different communities, look after due representation of various communities and make policies to redress the grievances of the disadvantaged communities. Social divisions affect voting in most countries. People from one community tend to prefer some party more than others. In many countries there are parties that focus only on one community. Yet all this does not lead to disintegration of the country.

Three determinants
1.    First of all the outcome depends on how people perceive their identities. If people see their identities in singular and exclusive terms, it becomes very difficult to accommodated.
        It is much easier if the people see that their identities are multiple and are complementary with the national identity. A majority of Belgians now feel that they are as much Belgian as they are Dutch or German-speaking. This helps them to stay together.
2.    Second, it depends on how political leaders raise the demands of any community. It is easier to accommodate demands that are within the constitutional framework and are not at the cost of another community.
3.    Third, it depends on the how the government reacts to demands of different groups. As we saw in the examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka, if the rulers are willing to share power and accommodate the reasonable demands of minority community, social divisions become less threatening for         the country. But if they try to suppress such a demand in the name of national unity, the end result is often quite the opposite. Such attempts at forced integration often sow the seeds of disintegration.
       Thus the assertion of social diversities in a country need not be seen as a source of danger.
       In a democracy, political expression of social divisions is very normal and can be healthy. 

(i).    This allows various disadvantaged and marginal social groups to express their grievances and get the government to attend to these. 
(ii).    Expression of various kinds of social divisions in politics often results in their cancelling one another out and thus reducing 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 and constitutional manner and seeking a fair position through elections.
        Sometimes social differences can take the form of unacceptable level of social inequality and injustice. The struggle against such inequalities sometimes takes the path of violence and defiance of state power. However history shows that democracy is the best way to fight for recognition              and also to accommodate diversity.

Illustration 10
    What will happen if political parties start competing in terms of some existing social divisons?
Solution
    If this happens then it can make social divison into political divisons and lead to conflict voilence or even disintegrationof a country.

Illustration 11
    What happened in India which led to formation of Pakistan?
Solution
    Congress and Muslim league started competing in terms of existing social divisons in Hindus and Muslims which led to disintegation of country into India and Pakistan.

politics of social divisions
    Democracy involves competition among various political parties. Their competition tends to divide any society. If they start competing in terms of some existing social divisions, it can make social divisions into political divisions and lead to conflict, violence or even disintegration of a country. 

range of outcomes
This region of the United Kingdom has been for many years the site of a violent and bitter ethno-political conflict Its population is divided into two major sects of Christianity : 53 per cent are Protestants, while 44 per cent are Roman Catholics. The Catholics were represented by Nationalist parties who demanded that Northern Ireland be unified with the Republic of Ireland, a predominantly Catholic country. 

The Protestants were represented by Unionists who wanted to remain with the UK, which is predominantly protestant. Hundreds of civilians, militants and security forces were killed in the fight between Unionists and Nationalists and between the security forces of the UK and the Nationalists. It was only in 1998, that the UK government and the Nationalists reached a peace treaty after which the latter suspended, their armed struggle.
Political competition along religious and ethnic lines led to the disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent countries.
Some people too conclude that politics and social divisions must not be allowed to mix. If social divisions do exist in a country, they must never be expressed in politics.
Social divisions of one kind or another exist in most countries of the world. Wherever they exist, these divisions are reflected in politics. In a democracy it is only natural that political parties would talk about these divisions, make different promises to different communities, look after due representation of various communities and make policies to redress the grievances of the disadvantaged communities. Social divisions affect voting in most countries. People from one community tend to prefer some party more than others. In many countries there are parties that focus only on one community. Yet all this does not lead to disintegration of the country.

Three determinants
1.    First of all the outcome depends on how people perceive their identities. If people see their identities in singular and exclusive terms, it becomes very difficult to accommodated.
        It is much easier if the people see that their identities are multiple and are complementary with the national identity. A majority of Belgians now feel that they are as much Belgian as they are Dutch or German-speaking. This helps them to stay together.
2.    Second, it depends on how political leaders raise the demands of any community. It is easier to accommodate demands that are within the constitutional framework and are not at the cost of another community.
3.    Third, it depends on the how the government reacts to demands of different groups. As we saw in the examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka, if the rulers are willing to share power and accommodate the reasonable demands of minority community, social divisions become less threatening for         the country. But if they try to suppress such a demand in the name of national unity, the end result is often quite the opposite. Such attempts at forced integration often sow the seeds of disintegration.
       Thus the assertion of social diversities in a country need not be seen as a source of danger.
       In a democracy, political expression of social divisions is very normal and can be healthy. 

(i).    This allows various disadvantaged and marginal social groups to express their grievances and get the government to attend to these. 
(ii).    Expression of various kinds of social divisions in politics often results in their cancelling one another out and thus reducing 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 and constitutional manner and seeking a fair position through elections.
        Sometimes social differences can take the form of unacceptable level of social inequality and injustice. The struggle against such inequalities sometimes takes the path of violence and defiance of state power. However history shows that democracy is the best way to fight for recognition              and also to accommodate diversity.

Illustration 10
    What will happen if political parties start competing in terms of some existing social divisons?
Solution
    If this happens then it can make social divison into political divisons and lead to conflict voilence or even disintegrationof a country.

Illustration 11
    What happened in India which led to formation of Pakistan?
Solution
    Congress and Muslim league started competing in terms of existing social divisons in Hindus and Muslims which led to disintegation of country into India and Pakistan.

INTRODUCTION 
    Political expression of social differences is possible and sometime quite desirable in a democratic system. Gender, religion and caste are three kind of social differences that can take form of the social diffrences divisions and inequalities. In each case we look at the nature of this division in India and how it gets expressed in politics. We will also discuss that what is the role of these divisons in a democracy.

Gender and Politics
Public / Private division
Boys and girls are brought up to believe that the main responsibility of women is housework and bringing up children. This is reflected in a SEXUAL DIVISION OF LABOUR in most families:  women do all work inside the home such as cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, tailoring, looking after children, etc., and men do all the work outside the home.
The result of this division of labour is that although women constitute half of the humanity, their role in public life, especially politics, is minimal in most societies.
There were agitations in different countries for the extension of voting rights to women. These agitations demanded enhancing the political and legal status of women and improving their educational and career opportunities. More radical women’s movements aimed at equality in personal and family life as well. These movements are called FEMINIST movements.
1.  Political expression of gender division and political mobilisation on this question helped to improve women’s role in public life. 
2. We now find women working as scientists, doctors, engineers, lawyers, managers and college and university teachers which were earlier not considered suitable for women. 
3.  In some parts of the world, for example in Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, Norway and Finland, the participation of women in public life is very high.

Ours is still a male- dominated, PATRIARCHAL society. Women race disadvantage, discrimination and oppression in various ways.
1.The literacy rate among women is only 54 per cent compared with 76 per cent among men. Similarly, a smaller proportion of girl students go for higher studies. 
2.On an average an Indian woman works one hour more than an average man every day. Yet much of her work is not paid and therefore often not valued.
 3.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.
4.In many parts of India parents prefer to have sons and find ways to have the girl child aborted before she is born. 
5.There are reports of various kinds of harassment, exploitation and violence against women. Urban areas have become particularly unsafe for women.

Women’s Political Representation
Many feminists and women’s movements conclude that unless women control power, their problems will not get adequate attention. One way to ensure this is to have more women as elected representatives.
1.In India, the proportion of women in legislature has been very low. For example, the percentage of elected women members in Lok Sabha has never reached even 10 per cent of its total strength. Their share in the state assemblies is less than 5 per cent. 
2.In the government, cabinets are largely all-male even when a woman becomes the Chief Minister or the Prime Minister.
3.One-third of seats in local government bodies - in panchayats and municipalities — are now reserved for women. Now there are more than 10 lakh elected women representatives in rural and urban local bodies.
Women’s organisations and activists have been demanding a similar reservation of at least one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women. 

Illustration 1
    Which form of social divison is rarely recognised in the study of politics?
Solution
    Gender divison is a form of hierarchical social divison seen everywhere but is rarely recognised in the study of politics.
Illustration 2
    What are the base of gender divison?
Solution
    The gender divison is based on social expectations and stereotypes, it is not based on biology. 

INTRODUCTION 
    Political expression of social differences is possible and sometime quite desirable in a democratic system. Gender, religion and caste are three kind of social differences that can take form of the social diffrences divisions and inequalities. In each case we look at the nature of this division in India and how it gets expressed in politics. We will also discuss that what is the role of these divisons in a democracy.

Gender and Politics
Public / Private division
Boys and girls are brought up to believe that the main responsibility of women is housework and bringing up children. This is reflected in a SEXUAL DIVISION OF LABOUR in most families:  women do all work inside the home such as cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, tailoring, looking after children, etc., and men do all the work outside the home.
The result of this division of labour is that although women constitute half of the humanity, their role in public life, especially politics, is minimal in most societies.
There were agitations in different countries for the extension of voting rights to women. These agitations demanded enhancing the political and legal status of women and improving their educational and career opportunities. More radical women’s movements aimed at equality in personal and family life as well. These movements are called FEMINIST movements.
1.  Political expression of gender division and political mobilisation on this question helped to improve women’s role in public life. 
2. We now find women working as scientists, doctors, engineers, lawyers, managers and college and university teachers which were earlier not considered suitable for women. 
3.  In some parts of the world, for example in Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, Norway and Finland, the participation of women in public life is very high.

Ours is still a male- dominated, PATRIARCHAL society. Women race disadvantage, discrimination and oppression in various ways.
1.The literacy rate among women is only 54 per cent compared with 76 per cent among men. Similarly, a smaller proportion of girl students go for higher studies. 
2.On an average an Indian woman works one hour more than an average man every day. Yet much of her work is not paid and therefore often not valued.
 3.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.
4.In many parts of India parents prefer to have sons and find ways to have the girl child aborted before she is born. 
5.There are reports of various kinds of harassment, exploitation and violence against women. Urban areas have become particularly unsafe for women.

Women’s Political Representation
Many feminists and women’s movements conclude that unless women control power, their problems will not get adequate attention. One way to ensure this is to have more women as elected representatives.
1.In India, the proportion of women in legislature has been very low. For example, the percentage of elected women members in Lok Sabha has never reached even 10 per cent of its total strength. Their share in the state assemblies is less than 5 per cent. 
2.In the government, cabinets are largely all-male even when a woman becomes the Chief Minister or the Prime Minister.
3.One-third of seats in local government bodies - in panchayats and municipalities — are now reserved for women. Now there are more than 10 lakh elected women representatives in rural and urban local bodies.
Women’s organisations and activists have been demanding a similar reservation of at least one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women. 

Illustration 1
    Which form of social divison is rarely recognised in the study of politics?
Solution
    Gender divison is a form of hierarchical social divison seen everywhere but is rarely recognised in the study of politics.
Illustration 2
    What are the base of gender divison?
Solution
    The gender divison is based on social expectations and stereotypes, it is not based on biology. 

INTRODUCTION 
    Political expression of social differences is possible and sometime quite desirable in a democratic system. Gender, religion and caste are three kind of social differences that can take form of the social diffrences divisions and inequalities. In each case we look at the nature of this division in India and how it gets expressed in politics. We will also discuss that what is the role of these divisons in a democracy.

Gender and Politics
Public / Private division
Boys and girls are brought up to believe that the main responsibility of women is housework and bringing up children. This is reflected in a SEXUAL DIVISION OF LABOUR in most families:  women do all work inside the home such as cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, tailoring, looking after children, etc., and men do all the work outside the home.
The result of this division of labour is that although women constitute half of the humanity, their role in public life, especially politics, is minimal in most societies.
There were agitations in different countries for the extension of voting rights to women. These agitations demanded enhancing the political and legal status of women and improving their educational and career opportunities. More radical women’s movements aimed at equality in personal and family life as well. These movements are called FEMINIST movements.
1.  Political expression of gender division and political mobilisation on this question helped to improve women’s role in public life. 
2. We now find women working as scientists, doctors, engineers, lawyers, managers and college and university teachers which were earlier not considered suitable for women. 
3.  In some parts of the world, for example in Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, Norway and Finland, the participation of women in public life is very high.

Ours is still a male- dominated, PATRIARCHAL society. Women race disadvantage, discrimination and oppression in various ways.
1.The literacy rate among women is only 54 per cent compared with 76 per cent among men. Similarly, a smaller proportion of girl students go for higher studies. 
2.On an average an Indian woman works one hour more than an average man every day. Yet much of her work is not paid and therefore often not valued.
 3.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.
4.In many parts of India parents prefer to have sons and find ways to have the girl child aborted before she is born. 
5.There are reports of various kinds of harassment, exploitation and violence against women. Urban areas have become particularly unsafe for women.

Women’s Political Representation
Many feminists and women’s movements conclude that unless women control power, their problems will not get adequate attention. One way to ensure this is to have more women as elected representatives.
1.In India, the proportion of women in legislature has been very low. For example, the percentage of elected women members in Lok Sabha has never reached even 10 per cent of its total strength. Their share in the state assemblies is less than 5 per cent. 
2.In the government, cabinets are largely all-male even when a woman becomes the Chief Minister or the Prime Minister.
3.One-third of seats in local government bodies - in panchayats and municipalities — are now reserved for women. Now there are more than 10 lakh elected women representatives in rural and urban local bodies.
Women’s organisations and activists have been demanding a similar reservation of at least one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women. 

Illustration 1
    Which form of social divison is rarely recognised in the study of politics?
Solution
    Gender divison is a form of hierarchical social divison seen everywhere but is rarely recognised in the study of politics.
Illustration 2
    What are the base of gender divison?
Solution
    The gender divison is based on social expectations and stereotypes, it is not based on biology. 

INTRODUCTION 
    Political expression of social differences is possible and sometime quite desirable in a democratic system. Gender, religion and caste are three kind of social differences that can take form of the social diffrences divisions and inequalities. In each case we look at the nature of this division in India and how it gets expressed in politics. We will also discuss that what is the role of these divisons in a democracy.

Gender and Politics
Public / Private division
Boys and girls are brought up to believe that the main responsibility of women is housework and bringing up children. This is reflected in a SEXUAL DIVISION OF LABOUR in most families:  women do all work inside the home such as cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, tailoring, looking after children, etc., and men do all the work outside the home.
The result of this division of labour is that although women constitute half of the humanity, their role in public life, especially politics, is minimal in most societies.
There were agitations in different countries for the extension of voting rights to women. These agitations demanded enhancing the political and legal status of women and improving their educational and career opportunities. More radical women’s movements aimed at equality in personal and family life as well. These movements are called FEMINIST movements.
1.  Political expression of gender division and political mobilisation on this question helped to improve women’s role in public life. 
2. We now find women working as scientists, doctors, engineers, lawyers, managers and college and university teachers which were earlier not considered suitable for women. 
3.  In some parts of the world, for example in Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, Norway and Finland, the participation of women in public life is very high.

Ours is still a male- dominated, PATRIARCHAL society. Women race disadvantage, discrimination and oppression in various ways.
1.The literacy rate among women is only 54 per cent compared with 76 per cent among men. Similarly, a smaller proportion of girl students go for higher studies. 
2.On an average an Indian woman works one hour more than an average man every day. Yet much of her work is not paid and therefore often not valued.
 3.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.
4.In many parts of India parents prefer to have sons and find ways to have the girl child aborted before she is born. 
5.There are reports of various kinds of harassment, exploitation and violence against women. Urban areas have become particularly unsafe for women.

Women’s Political Representation
Many feminists and women’s movements conclude that unless women control power, their problems will not get adequate attention. One way to ensure this is to have more women as elected representatives.
1.In India, the proportion of women in legislature has been very low. For example, the percentage of elected women members in Lok Sabha has never reached even 10 per cent of its total strength. Their share in the state assemblies is less than 5 per cent. 
2.In the government, cabinets are largely all-male even when a woman becomes the Chief Minister or the Prime Minister.
3.One-third of seats in local government bodies - in panchayats and municipalities — are now reserved for women. Now there are more than 10 lakh elected women representatives in rural and urban local bodies.
Women’s organisations and activists have been demanding a similar reservation of at least one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women. 

Illustration 1
    Which form of social divison is rarely recognised in the study of politics?
Solution
    Gender divison is a form of hierarchical social divison seen everywhere but is rarely recognised in the study of politics.
Illustration 2
    What are the base of gender divison?
Solution
    The gender divison is based on social expectations and stereotypes, it is not based on biology. 

INTRODUCTION 
    Political expression of social differences is possible and sometime quite desirable in a democratic system. Gender, religion and caste are three kind of social differences that can take form of the social diffrences divisions and inequalities. In each case we look at the nature of this division in India and how it gets expressed in politics. We will also discuss that what is the role of these divisons in a democracy.

Gender and Politics
Public / Private division
Boys and girls are brought up to believe that the main responsibility of women is housework and bringing up children. This is reflected in a SEXUAL DIVISION OF LABOUR in most families:  women do all work inside the home such as cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, tailoring, looking after children, etc., and men do all the work outside the home.
The result of this division of labour is that although women constitute half of the humanity, their role in public life, especially politics, is minimal in most societies.
There were agitations in different countries for the extension of voting rights to women. These agitations demanded enhancing the political and legal status of women and improving their educational and career opportunities. More radical women’s movements aimed at equality in personal and family life as well. These movements are called FEMINIST movements.
1.  Political expression of gender division and political mobilisation on this question helped to improve women’s role in public life. 
2. We now find women working as scientists, doctors, engineers, lawyers, managers and college and university teachers which were earlier not considered suitable for women. 
3.  In some parts of the world, for example in Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, Norway and Finland, the participation of women in public life is very high.

Ours is still a male- dominated, PATRIARCHAL society. Women race disadvantage, discrimination and oppression in various ways.
1.The literacy rate among women is only 54 per cent compared with 76 per cent among men. Similarly, a smaller proportion of girl students go for higher studies. 
2.On an average an Indian woman works one hour more than an average man every day. Yet much of her work is not paid and therefore often not valued.
 3.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.
4.In many parts of India parents prefer to have sons and find ways to have the girl child aborted before she is born. 
5.There are reports of various kinds of harassment, exploitation and violence against women. Urban areas have become particularly unsafe for women.

Women’s Political Representation
Many feminists and women’s movements conclude that unless women control power, their problems will not get adequate attention. One way to ensure this is to have more women as elected representatives.
1.In India, the proportion of women in legislature has been very low. For example, the percentage of elected women members in Lok Sabha has never reached even 10 per cent of its total strength. Their share in the state assemblies is less than 5 per cent. 
2.In the government, cabinets are largely all-male even when a woman becomes the Chief Minister or the Prime Minister.
3.One-third of seats in local government bodies - in panchayats and municipalities — are now reserved for women. Now there are more than 10 lakh elected women representatives in rural and urban local bodies.
Women’s organisations and activists have been demanding a similar reservation of at least one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women. 

Illustration 1
    Which form of social divison is rarely recognised in the study of politics?
Solution
    Gender divison is a form of hierarchical social divison seen everywhere but is rarely recognised in the study of politics.
Illustration 2
    What are the base of gender divison?
Solution
    The gender divison is based on social expectations and stereotypes, it is not based on biology. 

INTRODUCTION 
    Political expression of social differences is possible and sometime quite desirable in a democratic system. Gender, religion and caste are three kind of social differences that can take form of the social diffrences divisions and inequalities. In each case we look at the nature of this division in India and how it gets expressed in politics. We will also discuss that what is the role of these divisons in a democracy.

Gender and Politics
Public / Private division
Boys and girls are brought up to believe that the main responsibility of women is housework and bringing up children. This is reflected in a SEXUAL DIVISION OF LABOUR in most families:  women do all work inside the home such as cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, tailoring, looking after children, etc., and men do all the work outside the home.
The result of this division of labour is that although women constitute half of the humanity, their role in public life, especially politics, is minimal in most societies.
There were agitations in different countries for the extension of voting rights to women. These agitations demanded enhancing the political and legal status of women and improving their educational and career opportunities. More radical women’s movements aimed at equality in personal and family life as well. These movements are called FEMINIST movements.
1.  Political expression of gender division and political mobilisation on this question helped to improve women’s role in public life. 
2. We now find women working as scientists, doctors, engineers, lawyers, managers and college and university teachers which were earlier not considered suitable for women. 
3.  In some parts of the world, for example in Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, Norway and Finland, the participation of women in public life is very high.

Ours is still a male- dominated, PATRIARCHAL society. Women race disadvantage, discrimination and oppression in various ways.
1.The literacy rate among women is only 54 per cent compared with 76 per cent among men. Similarly, a smaller proportion of girl students go for higher studies. 
2.On an average an Indian woman works one hour more than an average man every day. Yet much of her work is not paid and therefore often not valued.
 3.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.
4.In many parts of India parents prefer to have sons and find ways to have the girl child aborted before she is born. 
5.There are reports of various kinds of harassment, exploitation and violence against women. Urban areas have become particularly unsafe for women.

Women’s Political Representation
Many feminists and women’s movements conclude that unless women control power, their problems will not get adequate attention. One way to ensure this is to have more women as elected representatives.
1.In India, the proportion of women in legislature has been very low. For example, the percentage of elected women members in Lok Sabha has never reached even 10 per cent of its total strength. Their share in the state assemblies is less than 5 per cent. 
2.In the government, cabinets are largely all-male even when a woman becomes the Chief Minister or the Prime Minister.
3.One-third of seats in local government bodies - in panchayats and municipalities — are now reserved for women. Now there are more than 10 lakh elected women representatives in rural and urban local bodies.
Women’s organisations and activists have been demanding a similar reservation of at least one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women. 

Illustration 1
    Which form of social divison is rarely recognised in the study of politics?
Solution
    Gender divison is a form of hierarchical social divison seen everywhere but is rarely recognised in the study of politics.
Illustration 2
    What are the base of gender divison?
Solution
    The gender divison is based on social expectations and stereotypes, it is not based on biology. 

INTRODUCTION 
    Political expression of social differences is possible and sometime quite desirable in a democratic system. Gender, religion and caste are three kind of social differences that can take form of the social diffrences divisions and inequalities. In each case we look at the nature of this division in India and how it gets expressed in politics. We will also discuss that what is the role of these divisons in a democracy.

Gender and Politics
Public / Private division
Boys and girls are brought up to believe that the main responsibility of women is housework and bringing up children. This is reflected in a SEXUAL DIVISION OF LABOUR in most families:  women do all work inside the home such as cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, tailoring, looking after children, etc., and men do all the work outside the home.
The result of this division of labour is that although women constitute half of the humanity, their role in public life, especially politics, is minimal in most societies.
There were agitations in different countries for the extension of voting rights to women. These agitations demanded enhancing the political and legal status of women and improving their educational and career opportunities. More radical women’s movements aimed at equality in personal and family life as well. These movements are called FEMINIST movements.
1.  Political expression of gender division and political mobilisation on this question helped to improve women’s role in public life. 
2. We now find women working as scientists, doctors, engineers, lawyers, managers and college and university teachers which were earlier not considered suitable for women. 
3.  In some parts of the world, for example in Scandinavian countries such as Sweden, Norway and Finland, the participation of women in public life is very high.

Ours is still a male- dominated, PATRIARCHAL society. Women race disadvantage, discrimination and oppression in various ways.
1.The literacy rate among women is only 54 per cent compared with 76 per cent among men. Similarly, a smaller proportion of girl students go for higher studies. 
2.On an average an Indian woman works one hour more than an average man every day. Yet much of her work is not paid and therefore often not valued.
 3.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.
4.In many parts of India parents prefer to have sons and find ways to have the girl child aborted before she is born. 
5.There are reports of various kinds of harassment, exploitation and violence against women. Urban areas have become particularly unsafe for women.

Women’s Political Representation
Many feminists and women’s movements conclude that unless women control power, their problems will not get adequate attention. One way to ensure this is to have more women as elected representatives.
1.In India, the proportion of women in legislature has been very low. For example, the percentage of elected women members in Lok Sabha has never reached even 10 per cent of its total strength. Their share in the state assemblies is less than 5 per cent. 
2.In the government, cabinets are largely all-male even when a woman becomes the Chief Minister or the Prime Minister.
3.One-third of seats in local government bodies - in panchayats and municipalities — are now reserved for women. Now there are more than 10 lakh elected women representatives in rural and urban local bodies.
Women’s organisations and activists have been demanding a similar reservation of at least one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies for women. 

Illustration 1
    Which form of social divison is rarely recognised in the study of politics?
Solution
    Gender divison is a form of hierarchical social divison seen everywhere but is rarely recognised in the study of politics.
Illustration 2
    What are the base of gender divison?
Solution
    The gender divison is based on social expectations and stereotypes, it is not based on biology. 

Religion, communalism and politics
The division based on religious differences is not as universal as gender. Many countries including India have in their population, followers of different religions. 
Consider the following:
(i) Gandhi ji used to say that religion can never be separated from politics.He meant like Hinduism or I slam  moral values that inform all religions. He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from     religion.
(ii) Most of the victims of communal riots in our country are people from religious minorities. They have demanded that the government take special steps to protect religious minorities.
(iii)  Women’s movement has argued that FAMILY LAWS of all religions discriminate against women. So they have demanded that government should change these laws to make them more equitable.
1.    Ideas, ideals and values drawn from different religions can and perhaps should play a role in politics.
2.    People should be able to express in politics their needs, interests and demands as a member of a religious community. 
3.    Those who hold political power should sometimes be able to regulate the practice of religion so as to prevent discrimination and oppression.
4.    These political acts are not wrong as long as they treat every religion equally.
Communalism
The problem begins when religion is seen ‘ as the basis of the nation.
1. The problem becomes more acute when religion is expressed in politics in exclusive and partisan terms, when one religion and its followers are pitted against another. This happens when beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other religions.
2. When the demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another and when state power is used to establish domination of one religious group over the rest. 
This manner of using religion in politics is communal politics.
Communal politics is based on the idea that religion is the principal basis of social community. 

1. The followers of a particular religion must belong to one community. Their fundamental interests are the same. Any difference that they may have is irrelevant or trivial for community life.
2.It also follows that people who follow different religions cannot belong to the same social community. If the followers of different religion have some commonalities these are superficial and immaterial. 
3. Their interests are bound to be different and involve a conflict. In its extreme form communalism leads to the belief that people belonging to different religions cannot live as equal citizens within one nation. Either, one of them has to dominate the rest or they have to form different nations.
This belief is fundamentally flawed. People of one religion do not have the same interests and aspirations in every context. Everyone has several other roles, positions and identities. There are many voices inside every community. All these voices have a right to be heard. Therefore any attempt to bring all followers of one religion together in context other than religion is bound to suppress many voices within that community.

Various forms of Communalism
1. The most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs. These routinely involve religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities and belief in the superiority of one’s religion over other religions. 
2.A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of one’s own religious community. For those belonging to majority community, this takes the form of majoritarian dominance. For those belonging to the minority community, it can take the form of a desire to form a separate political unit.
3.Political mobilisation on religious lines is another frequent form of communalism. This involves the use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal and plain fear in order to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena. 
4.    Sometimes communalism takes its most fugitive form of communal violence, riots and massacre. India and Pakistan suffered some of the worst communal riots at the time of the Partition.

Secular State
1. There is no official religion for the Indian state. Unlike the status of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, that of Islam in Pakistan and that of Christianity in England, our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion.
2.    The Constitution provides to al! individuals and communities freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion, or not to follow any.
3.    The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. 
4.    At the same time the Constitution allows the state to intervene in the matters of religion in order to ensure equality within religious communities.: For example, it bans untouchability.
Secularism is not just an ideology of some parties or persons. This idea constitutes one of the foundations of our country.
A secular Constitution like ours is necessary but not sufficient to combat communalism. Communal prejudices and propaganda needs to be countered in every day life and religion based mobilisation needs to be countered in the arena of politics.

Illustration 4
    Which kind of diversity is most wide spread in the world which is often expressed in politics.
Solution
    Religious diversity is often expressed in politics.
Illustration 5
    Gandiji used to say that “religion can never be seperated from politics”. What does this means?
Solution
    He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from religion.
Illustration 6
    Which people are most of the victims of communal riots according to human rights group?
Solution
    Most of the victims of communal riots are people from religous minorities.

Religion, communalism and politics
The division based on religious differences is not as universal as gender. Many countries including India have in their population, followers of different religions. 
Consider the following:
(i) Gandhi ji used to say that religion can never be separated from politics.He meant like Hinduism or I slam  moral values that inform all religions. He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from     religion.
(ii) Most of the victims of communal riots in our country are people from religious minorities. They have demanded that the government take special steps to protect religious minorities.
(iii)  Women’s movement has argued that FAMILY LAWS of all religions discriminate against women. So they have demanded that government should change these laws to make them more equitable.
1.    Ideas, ideals and values drawn from different religions can and perhaps should play a role in politics.
2.    People should be able to express in politics their needs, interests and demands as a member of a religious community. 
3.    Those who hold political power should sometimes be able to regulate the practice of religion so as to prevent discrimination and oppression.
4.    These political acts are not wrong as long as they treat every religion equally.
Communalism
The problem begins when religion is seen ‘ as the basis of the nation.
1. The problem becomes more acute when religion is expressed in politics in exclusive and partisan terms, when one religion and its followers are pitted against another. This happens when beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other religions.
2. When the demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another and when state power is used to establish domination of one religious group over the rest. 
This manner of using religion in politics is communal politics.
Communal politics is based on the idea that religion is the principal basis of social community. 

1. The followers of a particular religion must belong to one community. Their fundamental interests are the same. Any difference that they may have is irrelevant or trivial for community life.
2.It also follows that people who follow different religions cannot belong to the same social community. If the followers of different religion have some commonalities these are superficial and immaterial. 
3. Their interests are bound to be different and involve a conflict. In its extreme form communalism leads to the belief that people belonging to different religions cannot live as equal citizens within one nation. Either, one of them has to dominate the rest or they have to form different nations.
This belief is fundamentally flawed. People of one religion do not have the same interests and aspirations in every context. Everyone has several other roles, positions and identities. There are many voices inside every community. All these voices have a right to be heard. Therefore any attempt to bring all followers of one religion together in context other than religion is bound to suppress many voices within that community.

Various forms of Communalism
1. The most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs. These routinely involve religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities and belief in the superiority of one’s religion over other religions. 
2.A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of one’s own religious community. For those belonging to majority community, this takes the form of majoritarian dominance. For those belonging to the minority community, it can take the form of a desire to form a separate political unit.
3.Political mobilisation on religious lines is another frequent form of communalism. This involves the use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal and plain fear in order to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena. 
4.    Sometimes communalism takes its most fugitive form of communal violence, riots and massacre. India and Pakistan suffered some of the worst communal riots at the time of the Partition.

Secular State
1. There is no official religion for the Indian state. Unlike the status of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, that of Islam in Pakistan and that of Christianity in England, our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion.
2.    The Constitution provides to al! individuals and communities freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion, or not to follow any.
3.    The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. 
4.    At the same time the Constitution allows the state to intervene in the matters of religion in order to ensure equality within religious communities.: For example, it bans untouchability.
Secularism is not just an ideology of some parties or persons. This idea constitutes one of the foundations of our country.
A secular Constitution like ours is necessary but not sufficient to combat communalism. Communal prejudices and propaganda needs to be countered in every day life and religion based mobilisation needs to be countered in the arena of politics.

Illustration 4
    Which kind of diversity is most wide spread in the world which is often expressed in politics.
Solution
    Religious diversity is often expressed in politics.
Illustration 5
    Gandiji used to say that “religion can never be seperated from politics”. What does this means?
Solution
    He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from religion.
Illustration 6
    Which people are most of the victims of communal riots according to human rights group?
Solution
    Most of the victims of communal riots are people from religous minorities.

Religion, communalism and politics
The division based on religious differences is not as universal as gender. Many countries including India have in their population, followers of different religions. 
Consider the following:
(i) Gandhi ji used to say that religion can never be separated from politics.He meant like Hinduism or I slam  moral values that inform all religions. He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from     religion.
(ii) Most of the victims of communal riots in our country are people from religious minorities. They have demanded that the government take special steps to protect religious minorities.
(iii)  Women’s movement has argued that FAMILY LAWS of all religions discriminate against women. So they have demanded that government should change these laws to make them more equitable.
1.    Ideas, ideals and values drawn from different religions can and perhaps should play a role in politics.
2.    People should be able to express in politics their needs, interests and demands as a member of a religious community. 
3.    Those who hold political power should sometimes be able to regulate the practice of religion so as to prevent discrimination and oppression.
4.    These political acts are not wrong as long as they treat every religion equally.
Communalism
The problem begins when religion is seen ‘ as the basis of the nation.
1. The problem becomes more acute when religion is expressed in politics in exclusive and partisan terms, when one religion and its followers are pitted against another. This happens when beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other religions.
2. When the demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another and when state power is used to establish domination of one religious group over the rest. 
This manner of using religion in politics is communal politics.
Communal politics is based on the idea that religion is the principal basis of social community. 

1. The followers of a particular religion must belong to one community. Their fundamental interests are the same. Any difference that they may have is irrelevant or trivial for community life.
2.It also follows that people who follow different religions cannot belong to the same social community. If the followers of different religion have some commonalities these are superficial and immaterial. 
3. Their interests are bound to be different and involve a conflict. In its extreme form communalism leads to the belief that people belonging to different religions cannot live as equal citizens within one nation. Either, one of them has to dominate the rest or they have to form different nations.
This belief is fundamentally flawed. People of one religion do not have the same interests and aspirations in every context. Everyone has several other roles, positions and identities. There are many voices inside every community. All these voices have a right to be heard. Therefore any attempt to bring all followers of one religion together in context other than religion is bound to suppress many voices within that community.

Various forms of Communalism
1. The most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs. These routinely involve religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities and belief in the superiority of one’s religion over other religions. 
2.A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of one’s own religious community. For those belonging to majority community, this takes the form of majoritarian dominance. For those belonging to the minority community, it can take the form of a desire to form a separate political unit.
3.Political mobilisation on religious lines is another frequent form of communalism. This involves the use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal and plain fear in order to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena. 
4.    Sometimes communalism takes its most fugitive form of communal violence, riots and massacre. India and Pakistan suffered some of the worst communal riots at the time of the Partition.

Secular State
1. There is no official religion for the Indian state. Unlike the status of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, that of Islam in Pakistan and that of Christianity in England, our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion.
2.    The Constitution provides to al! individuals and communities freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion, or not to follow any.
3.    The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. 
4.    At the same time the Constitution allows the state to intervene in the matters of religion in order to ensure equality within religious communities.: For example, it bans untouchability.
Secularism is not just an ideology of some parties or persons. This idea constitutes one of the foundations of our country.
A secular Constitution like ours is necessary but not sufficient to combat communalism. Communal prejudices and propaganda needs to be countered in every day life and religion based mobilisation needs to be countered in the arena of politics.

Illustration 4
    Which kind of diversity is most wide spread in the world which is often expressed in politics.
Solution
    Religious diversity is often expressed in politics.
Illustration 5
    Gandiji used to say that “religion can never be seperated from politics”. What does this means?
Solution
    He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from religion.
Illustration 6
    Which people are most of the victims of communal riots according to human rights group?
Solution
    Most of the victims of communal riots are people from religous minorities.

Religion, communalism and politics
The division based on religious differences is not as universal as gender. Many countries including India have in their population, followers of different religions. 
Consider the following:
(i) Gandhi ji used to say that religion can never be separated from politics.He meant like Hinduism or I slam  moral values that inform all religions. He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from     religion.
(ii) Most of the victims of communal riots in our country are people from religious minorities. They have demanded that the government take special steps to protect religious minorities.
(iii)  Women’s movement has argued that FAMILY LAWS of all religions discriminate against women. So they have demanded that government should change these laws to make them more equitable.
1.    Ideas, ideals and values drawn from different religions can and perhaps should play a role in politics.
2.    People should be able to express in politics their needs, interests and demands as a member of a religious community. 
3.    Those who hold political power should sometimes be able to regulate the practice of religion so as to prevent discrimination and oppression.
4.    These political acts are not wrong as long as they treat every religion equally.
Communalism
The problem begins when religion is seen ‘ as the basis of the nation.
1. The problem becomes more acute when religion is expressed in politics in exclusive and partisan terms, when one religion and its followers are pitted against another. This happens when beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other religions.
2. When the demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another and when state power is used to establish domination of one religious group over the rest. 
This manner of using religion in politics is communal politics.
Communal politics is based on the idea that religion is the principal basis of social community. 

1. The followers of a particular religion must belong to one community. Their fundamental interests are the same. Any difference that they may have is irrelevant or trivial for community life.
2.It also follows that people who follow different religions cannot belong to the same social community. If the followers of different religion have some commonalities these are superficial and immaterial. 
3. Their interests are bound to be different and involve a conflict. In its extreme form communalism leads to the belief that people belonging to different religions cannot live as equal citizens within one nation. Either, one of them has to dominate the rest or they have to form different nations.
This belief is fundamentally flawed. People of one religion do not have the same interests and aspirations in every context. Everyone has several other roles, positions and identities. There are many voices inside every community. All these voices have a right to be heard. Therefore any attempt to bring all followers of one religion together in context other than religion is bound to suppress many voices within that community.

Various forms of Communalism
1. The most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs. These routinely involve religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities and belief in the superiority of one’s religion over other religions. 
2.A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of one’s own religious community. For those belonging to majority community, this takes the form of majoritarian dominance. For those belonging to the minority community, it can take the form of a desire to form a separate political unit.
3.Political mobilisation on religious lines is another frequent form of communalism. This involves the use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal and plain fear in order to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena. 
4.    Sometimes communalism takes its most fugitive form of communal violence, riots and massacre. India and Pakistan suffered some of the worst communal riots at the time of the Partition.

Secular State
1. There is no official religion for the Indian state. Unlike the status of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, that of Islam in Pakistan and that of Christianity in England, our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion.
2.    The Constitution provides to al! individuals and communities freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion, or not to follow any.
3.    The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. 
4.    At the same time the Constitution allows the state to intervene in the matters of religion in order to ensure equality within religious communities.: For example, it bans untouchability.
Secularism is not just an ideology of some parties or persons. This idea constitutes one of the foundations of our country.
A secular Constitution like ours is necessary but not sufficient to combat communalism. Communal prejudices and propaganda needs to be countered in every day life and religion based mobilisation needs to be countered in the arena of politics.

Illustration 4
    Which kind of diversity is most wide spread in the world which is often expressed in politics.
Solution
    Religious diversity is often expressed in politics.
Illustration 5
    Gandiji used to say that “religion can never be seperated from politics”. What does this means?
Solution
    He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from religion.
Illustration 6
    Which people are most of the victims of communal riots according to human rights group?
Solution
    Most of the victims of communal riots are people from religous minorities.

Religion, communalism and politics
The division based on religious differences is not as universal as gender. Many countries including India have in their population, followers of different religions. 
Consider the following:
(i) Gandhi ji used to say that religion can never be separated from politics.He meant like Hinduism or I slam  moral values that inform all religions. He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from     religion.
(ii) Most of the victims of communal riots in our country are people from religious minorities. They have demanded that the government take special steps to protect religious minorities.
(iii)  Women’s movement has argued that FAMILY LAWS of all religions discriminate against women. So they have demanded that government should change these laws to make them more equitable.
1.    Ideas, ideals and values drawn from different religions can and perhaps should play a role in politics.
2.    People should be able to express in politics their needs, interests and demands as a member of a religious community. 
3.    Those who hold political power should sometimes be able to regulate the practice of religion so as to prevent discrimination and oppression.
4.    These political acts are not wrong as long as they treat every religion equally.
Communalism
The problem begins when religion is seen ‘ as the basis of the nation.
1. The problem becomes more acute when religion is expressed in politics in exclusive and partisan terms, when one religion and its followers are pitted against another. This happens when beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other religions.
2. When the demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another and when state power is used to establish domination of one religious group over the rest. 
This manner of using religion in politics is communal politics.
Communal politics is based on the idea that religion is the principal basis of social community. 

1. The followers of a particular religion must belong to one community. Their fundamental interests are the same. Any difference that they may have is irrelevant or trivial for community life.
2.It also follows that people who follow different religions cannot belong to the same social community. If the followers of different religion have some commonalities these are superficial and immaterial. 
3. Their interests are bound to be different and involve a conflict. In its extreme form communalism leads to the belief that people belonging to different religions cannot live as equal citizens within one nation. Either, one of them has to dominate the rest or they have to form different nations.
This belief is fundamentally flawed. People of one religion do not have the same interests and aspirations in every context. Everyone has several other roles, positions and identities. There are many voices inside every community. All these voices have a right to be heard. Therefore any attempt to bring all followers of one religion together in context other than religion is bound to suppress many voices within that community.

Various forms of Communalism
1. The most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs. These routinely involve religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities and belief in the superiority of one’s religion over other religions. 
2.A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of one’s own religious community. For those belonging to majority community, this takes the form of majoritarian dominance. For those belonging to the minority community, it can take the form of a desire to form a separate political unit.
3.Political mobilisation on religious lines is another frequent form of communalism. This involves the use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal and plain fear in order to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena. 
4.    Sometimes communalism takes its most fugitive form of communal violence, riots and massacre. India and Pakistan suffered some of the worst communal riots at the time of the Partition.

Secular State
1. There is no official religion for the Indian state. Unlike the status of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, that of Islam in Pakistan and that of Christianity in England, our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion.
2.    The Constitution provides to al! individuals and communities freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion, or not to follow any.
3.    The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. 
4.    At the same time the Constitution allows the state to intervene in the matters of religion in order to ensure equality within religious communities.: For example, it bans untouchability.
Secularism is not just an ideology of some parties or persons. This idea constitutes one of the foundations of our country.
A secular Constitution like ours is necessary but not sufficient to combat communalism. Communal prejudices and propaganda needs to be countered in every day life and religion based mobilisation needs to be countered in the arena of politics.

Illustration 4
    Which kind of diversity is most wide spread in the world which is often expressed in politics.
Solution
    Religious diversity is often expressed in politics.
Illustration 5
    Gandiji used to say that “religion can never be seperated from politics”. What does this means?
Solution
    He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from religion.
Illustration 6
    Which people are most of the victims of communal riots according to human rights group?
Solution
    Most of the victims of communal riots are people from religous minorities.

Religion, communalism and politics
The division based on religious differences is not as universal as gender. Many countries including India have in their population, followers of different religions. 
Consider the following:
(i) Gandhi ji used to say that religion can never be separated from politics.He meant like Hinduism or I slam  moral values that inform all religions. He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from     religion.
(ii) Most of the victims of communal riots in our country are people from religious minorities. They have demanded that the government take special steps to protect religious minorities.
(iii)  Women’s movement has argued that FAMILY LAWS of all religions discriminate against women. So they have demanded that government should change these laws to make them more equitable.
1.    Ideas, ideals and values drawn from different religions can and perhaps should play a role in politics.
2.    People should be able to express in politics their needs, interests and demands as a member of a religious community. 
3.    Those who hold political power should sometimes be able to regulate the practice of religion so as to prevent discrimination and oppression.
4.    These political acts are not wrong as long as they treat every religion equally.
Communalism
The problem begins when religion is seen ‘ as the basis of the nation.
1. The problem becomes more acute when religion is expressed in politics in exclusive and partisan terms, when one religion and its followers are pitted against another. This happens when beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other religions.
2. When the demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another and when state power is used to establish domination of one religious group over the rest. 
This manner of using religion in politics is communal politics.
Communal politics is based on the idea that religion is the principal basis of social community. 

1. The followers of a particular religion must belong to one community. Their fundamental interests are the same. Any difference that they may have is irrelevant or trivial for community life.
2.It also follows that people who follow different religions cannot belong to the same social community. If the followers of different religion have some commonalities these are superficial and immaterial. 
3. Their interests are bound to be different and involve a conflict. In its extreme form communalism leads to the belief that people belonging to different religions cannot live as equal citizens within one nation. Either, one of them has to dominate the rest or they have to form different nations.
This belief is fundamentally flawed. People of one religion do not have the same interests and aspirations in every context. Everyone has several other roles, positions and identities. There are many voices inside every community. All these voices have a right to be heard. Therefore any attempt to bring all followers of one religion together in context other than religion is bound to suppress many voices within that community.

Various forms of Communalism
1. The most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs. These routinely involve religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities and belief in the superiority of one’s religion over other religions. 
2.A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of one’s own religious community. For those belonging to majority community, this takes the form of majoritarian dominance. For those belonging to the minority community, it can take the form of a desire to form a separate political unit.
3.Political mobilisation on religious lines is another frequent form of communalism. This involves the use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal and plain fear in order to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena. 
4.    Sometimes communalism takes its most fugitive form of communal violence, riots and massacre. India and Pakistan suffered some of the worst communal riots at the time of the Partition.

Secular State
1. There is no official religion for the Indian state. Unlike the status of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, that of Islam in Pakistan and that of Christianity in England, our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion.
2.    The Constitution provides to al! individuals and communities freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion, or not to follow any.
3.    The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. 
4.    At the same time the Constitution allows the state to intervene in the matters of religion in order to ensure equality within religious communities.: For example, it bans untouchability.
Secularism is not just an ideology of some parties or persons. This idea constitutes one of the foundations of our country.
A secular Constitution like ours is necessary but not sufficient to combat communalism. Communal prejudices and propaganda needs to be countered in every day life and religion based mobilisation needs to be countered in the arena of politics.

Illustration 4
    Which kind of diversity is most wide spread in the world which is often expressed in politics.
Solution
    Religious diversity is often expressed in politics.
Illustration 5
    Gandiji used to say that “religion can never be seperated from politics”. What does this means?
Solution
    He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from religion.
Illustration 6
    Which people are most of the victims of communal riots according to human rights group?
Solution
    Most of the victims of communal riots are people from religous minorities.

Religion, communalism and politics
The division based on religious differences is not as universal as gender. Many countries including India have in their population, followers of different religions. 
Consider the following:
(i) Gandhi ji used to say that religion can never be separated from politics.He meant like Hinduism or I slam  moral values that inform all religions. He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from     religion.
(ii) Most of the victims of communal riots in our country are people from religious minorities. They have demanded that the government take special steps to protect religious minorities.
(iii)  Women’s movement has argued that FAMILY LAWS of all religions discriminate against women. So they have demanded that government should change these laws to make them more equitable.
1.    Ideas, ideals and values drawn from different religions can and perhaps should play a role in politics.
2.    People should be able to express in politics their needs, interests and demands as a member of a religious community. 
3.    Those who hold political power should sometimes be able to regulate the practice of religion so as to prevent discrimination and oppression.
4.    These political acts are not wrong as long as they treat every religion equally.
Communalism
The problem begins when religion is seen ‘ as the basis of the nation.
1. The problem becomes more acute when religion is expressed in politics in exclusive and partisan terms, when one religion and its followers are pitted against another. This happens when beliefs of one religion are presented as superior to those of other religions.
2. When the demands of one religious group are formed in opposition to another and when state power is used to establish domination of one religious group over the rest. 
This manner of using religion in politics is communal politics.
Communal politics is based on the idea that religion is the principal basis of social community. 

1. The followers of a particular religion must belong to one community. Their fundamental interests are the same. Any difference that they may have is irrelevant or trivial for community life.
2.It also follows that people who follow different religions cannot belong to the same social community. If the followers of different religion have some commonalities these are superficial and immaterial. 
3. Their interests are bound to be different and involve a conflict. In its extreme form communalism leads to the belief that people belonging to different religions cannot live as equal citizens within one nation. Either, one of them has to dominate the rest or they have to form different nations.
This belief is fundamentally flawed. People of one religion do not have the same interests and aspirations in every context. Everyone has several other roles, positions and identities. There are many voices inside every community. All these voices have a right to be heard. Therefore any attempt to bring all followers of one religion together in context other than religion is bound to suppress many voices within that community.

Various forms of Communalism
1. The most common expression of communalism is in everyday beliefs. These routinely involve religious prejudices, stereotypes of religious communities and belief in the superiority of one’s religion over other religions. 
2.A communal mind often leads to a quest for political dominance of one’s own religious community. For those belonging to majority community, this takes the form of majoritarian dominance. For those belonging to the minority community, it can take the form of a desire to form a separate political unit.
3.Political mobilisation on religious lines is another frequent form of communalism. This involves the use of sacred symbols, religious leaders, emotional appeal and plain fear in order to bring the followers of one religion together in the political arena. 
4.    Sometimes communalism takes its most fugitive form of communal violence, riots and massacre. India and Pakistan suffered some of the worst communal riots at the time of the Partition.

Secular State
1. There is no official religion for the Indian state. Unlike the status of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, that of Islam in Pakistan and that of Christianity in England, our Constitution does not give a special status to any religion.
2.    The Constitution provides to al! individuals and communities freedom to profess, practice and propagate any religion, or not to follow any.
3.    The Constitution prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion. 
4.    At the same time the Constitution allows the state to intervene in the matters of religion in order to ensure equality within religious communities.: For example, it bans untouchability.
Secularism is not just an ideology of some parties or persons. This idea constitutes one of the foundations of our country.
A secular Constitution like ours is necessary but not sufficient to combat communalism. Communal prejudices and propaganda needs to be countered in every day life and religion based mobilisation needs to be countered in the arena of politics.

Illustration 4
    Which kind of diversity is most wide spread in the world which is often expressed in politics.
Solution
    Religious diversity is often expressed in politics.
Illustration 5
    Gandiji used to say that “religion can never be seperated from politics”. What does this means?
Solution
    He believed that politics must be guided by ethics drawn from religion.
Illustration 6
    Which people are most of the victims of communal riots according to human rights group?
Solution
    Most of the victims of communal riots are people from religous minorities.