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.


 

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