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Contents, Foreword, A Letter for You, , iii, v, , Unit I, Chapter 1, , Power sharing, , 1, , Chapter 2, , Federalism, , 13, , Unit II, Chapter 3, , Democracy and Diversity, , 29, , Chapter 4, , Gender, Religion and Caste, , 39, , Unit III, Chapter 5, , Popular Struggles and Movements, , 57, , Chapter 6, , Political Parties, , 71, , Unit IV, Chapter 7, , Outcomes of Democracy, , 89, , Chapter 8, , Challenges to Democracy, , 101

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❖✎❡✏✎✑❡✒, ❲✓✔✕ ✔✕✓s ✖✕✗✘✔✙✚ ✛✙ ✚✙s✜✢✙ ✔✕✙ ✔✣✜✚ ✣✤ ✥✙✢✣✖✚✗✖❛ ✔✕✗✔ ✛✙ s✔✗✚✔✙✥, ❧✗s✔ ❛✙✗✚✳ ❲✙ ✦✣✔✙✥ ❧✗s✔ ❛✙✗✚ ✔✕✗✔ ✓✦ ✗ ✥✙✢✣✖✚✗✖❛ ✗❧❧ ✘✣✛✙✚ ✥✣✙s ✦✣✔, ✚✙s✔ ✛✓✔✕ ✗✦❛ ✣✦✙ ✣✚❣✗✦ ✣✤ ✔✕✙ s✔✗✔✙✳ ✧✦ ✓✦✔✙❧❧✓❣✙✦✔ s✕✗✚✓✦❣ ✣✤ ✘✣✛✙✚, ✗✢✣✦❣ ❧✙❣✓s❧✗✔✜✚✙★ ✙✩✙✖✜✔✓✪✙ ✗✦✥ ✫✜✥✓✖✓✗✚❛ ✓s ✪✙✚❛ ✓✢✘✣✚✔✗✦✔ ✔✣ ✔✕✙, ✥✙s✓❣✦ ✣✤ ✗ ✥✙✢✣✖✚✗✖❛✳ ✬✦ ✔✕✓s ✗✦✥ ✔✕✙ ✦✙✩✔ ✔✛✣ ✖✕✗✘✔✙✚s ✛✙ ✖✗✚✚❛, ✔✕✓s ✓✥✙✗ ✣✤ ✘✣✛✙✚ s✕✗✚✓✦❣ ✤✣✚✛✗✚✥✳ ❲✙ s✔✗✚✔ ✛✓✔✕ ✔✛✣ s✔✣✚✓✙s ✤✚✣✢, ❇✙❧❣✓✜✢ ✗✦✥ ✭✚✓ ✮✗✦✯✗✳ ❇✣✔✕ ✔✕✙s✙ s✔✣✚✓✙s ✗✚✙ ✗✰✣✜✔ ✕✣✛ ✥✙✢✣✖✚✗✖✓✙s, ✕✗✦✥❧✙ ✥✙✢✗✦✥s ✤✣✚ ✘✣✛✙✚ s✕✗✚✓✦❣✳✱✕✙ s✔✣✚✓✙s ❛✓✙❧✥ s✣✢✙ ❣✙✦✙✚✗❧, ✖✣✦✖❧✜s✓✣✦s ✗✰✣✜✔ ✔✕✙ ✦✙✙✥ ✤✣✚ ✘✣✛✙✚ s✕✗✚✓✦❣ ✓✦ ✥✙✢✣✖✚✗✖❛✳ ✱✕✓s, ✗❧❧✣✛s ✜s ✔✣ ✥✓s✖✜ss ✪✗✚✓✣✜s ✤✣✚✢s ✣✤ ✘✣✛✙✚ s✕✗✚✓✦❣ ✔✕✗✔ ✛✓❧❧ ✰✙ ✔✗✯✙✦, ✜✘ ✓✦ ✔✕✙ ✤✣❧❧✣✛✓✦❣ ✔✛✣ ✖✕✗✘✔✙✚s✳, ✍, ✌, ☞, ☛, ✡, ✠, ✟, ❈, , ✞, ✝✆, ✂, ☎, ❤✄, ✂, ✁, ♦, P, 1

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❇✠✡☛☞✌✍ ✎✏✑ ✒✓☞ ✔✎✏✕✎, , I have a simple, equation in mind., Sharing power =, dividing power =, weakening the, country. Why do we, start by talking of, this?, , Belgium is a small country in Europe,, smaller in area than the state of, Haryana. It has borders with, Netherlands, France and Germany. It, has a population of a little over one, crore, about half the population of, Haryana. The ETHNIC composition of, this small country is very complex. Of, the country’s total population, 59 per, cent lives in the Flemish region and, speaks Dutch language. Another 40 per, cent people live in the Wallonia region, and speak French. Remaining 1 per cent, of the Belgians speak German. In the, capital city Brussels, 80 per cent people, speak French while 20 per cent are, Dutch-speaking., The minority French-speaking, community was relatively rich and, powerful. This was resented by the, Dutch-speaking community who got, the benefit of economic development, , and education much later. This led to, tensions between the Dutch-speaking, and French-speaking communities, during the 1950s and 1960s. The, tension between the two communities, was more acute in Brussels. Brussels, presented a special problem: the, Dutch-speaking people constituted a, majority in the country, but a minority, in the capital., Let us compare this to the situation, in another country. Sri Lanka is an, island nation, just a few kilometres off, the southern coast of Tamil Nadu. It, has about 2 crore people, about the, same as in Haryana. Like other nations, in the South Asia region, Sri Lanka has, a diverse population. The major social, groups are the Sinhala-speakers (74 per, cent) and the Tamil-speakers (18 per, cent). Among Tamils there are two subgroups. Tamil natives of the country, , ✟✄, ✝✆, ✝♦, ✂✞, ✄✝, ✆❛, ☎✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, 2, , Ethnic: A social, division based on, shared culture. People, belonging to the same, ethnic group believe in, their common descent, because of similarities, of physical type or of, culture or both. They, need not always have, the same religion or, nationality., , © Wikipedia, , Communities, and, regions of, Belgium, , Brussels-Capital Region, Walloon (French-speaking), Flemish (Dutch-speaking), German-speaking, , Look at the maps of Belgium and Sri Lanka. In which, region do you find concentration of different, communities?

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are called ‘Sri Lankan Tamils’ (13 per, cent). The rest, whose forefathers came, from India as plantation workers during, colonial period, are called ‘Indian, Tamils’. As you can see from the map,, Sri Lankan Tamils are concentrated in, the north and east of the country. Most, of the Sinhala-speaking people are, Buddhist, while most of the Tamils are, Hindus or Muslims. There are about 7, per cent Christians, who are both Tamil, and Sinhala., Just imagine what could happen, in situations like this. In Belgium, the, , Dutch community could take, advantage of its numeric majority and, force its will on the French and, German-speaking population. This, would push the conflict among, communities further. This could lead, to a very messy partition of the, country; both the sides would claim, control over Brussels. In Sri Lanka, the, Sinhala community enjoyed an even, bigger majority and could impose its, will on the entire country. Now, let us, look at what happened in both these, countries., , ▼✟✠✡☛☞✌✟☛☞✟✍☞✎✏ ☞✍ ✑☛☞ ✒✟✍✓✟, Sri Lanka emerged as an independent, country in 1948. The leaders of the, Sinhala community sought to secure, dominance over government by virtue, of their majority. As a result, the, democratically elected government, adopted a series of MAJORITARIAN, measures to establish Sinhala supremacy., In 1956, an Act was passed to, recognise Sinhala as the only official, language, thus disregarding Tamil. The, governments followed preferential, policies that favoured Sinhala, applicants for university positions and, government jobs. A new constitution, stipulated that the state shall protect, and foster Buddhism., All these government measures,, coming one after the other, gradually, increased the feeling of alienation, among the Sri Lankan Tamils. They felt, that none of the major political parties, led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders, were sensitive to their language and, culture. They felt that the constitution, , and government policies denied them, equal political rights, discriminated, against them in getting jobs and other, opportunities and ignored their, interests. As a result, the relations, , Ethnic Communities, of Sri Lanka, Sinhalese, Sri Lankan Tamil, Indian Tamil, Muslim, , Majoritarianism: A, belief that the majority, community should be, able to rule a country in, whichever way it wants,, by disregarding the, wishes and needs of the, minority., , ✞✝, ✆✂, ☎❤, ✄, ✂✁, ♦P, 3

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What ’s wrong if, t he m aj orit y, com m unit y, rules? I f Sinhalas, don’t rule in Sri, Lanka, where, else will t hey, rule?, , between the Sinhala and Tamil, communities strained over time., The Sri Lankan Tamils launched, parties and struggles for the recognition, of Tamil as an official language, for, regional autonomy and equality of, opportunity in securing education and, jobs. But their demand for more, autonomy to provinces populated by, the Tamils was repeatedly denied. By, 1980s several political organisations, were formed demanding an, independent Tamil Eelam (state) in, northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka., , The distrust between the two, communities turned into widespread, conflict. It soon turned into a CIVIL WAR., As a result thousands of people of both, the communities have been killed. Many, families were forced to leave the country, as refugees and many more lost their, livelihoods. You have read (Chapter 1, of Economics textbook, Class X) about, Sri Lanka’s excellent record of economic, development, education and health. But, the civil war has caused a terrible setback, to the social, cultural and economic life, of the country., , ❆✡✡☛☞☞☛✌✍✎✏☛✑ ✏✑ ✒✓✔✕✏✖☞, , Civil war: A violent, conflict between, opposing groups within, a country that becomes, so intense that it appears, like a war., , ✟✄, ✝✆, , The Belgian leaders took a different, path. They recognised the existence of, regional differences and cultural, diversities. Between 1970 and 1993,, they amended their constitution four, times so as to work out an arrangement, that would enable everyone to live, together within the same country. The, arrangement they worked out is, different from any other country and, is very innovative. Here are some of, the elements of the Belgian model:, , ✠, , Constitution prescribes that the, number of Dutch and French-speaking, ministers shall be equal in the central, government. Some special laws require, the support of majority of members, from each linguistic group. Thus, no, , single community can make decisions, unilaterally., , ✠, , Many powers of the central, government have been given to state, governments of the two regions of the, country. The state governments are not, subordinate to the Central Government., , ✠, , Brussels has a separate government, in which both the communities have, equal representation. The Frenchspeaking people accepted equal, representation in Brussels because the, Dutch-speaking community has, accepted equal representation in the, Central Government., , ✝♦, ✂, ✄✝, ✆, ❛☎, ✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, 4, , What kind of a solut ion is, t his? I am glad our, Const it ut ion does not say, which m inist er will com e from, which com m unit y., , © Wikipedia, , ✞, The photograph here is of a street, address in Belgium. You will notice that, place names and directions in two, languages – French and Dutch.

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Apart from the Central and, the State Government, there is a, third kind of government. This, ‘community government’ is elected by, people belonging to one language, community – Dutch, French and, German-speaking – no matter where, they live. This government has the, power regarding cultural, educational, and language-related issues., You might find the Belgian model, very complicated. It indeed is very, complicated, even for people living in, Belgium. But these arrangements have, worked well so far. They helped to, avoid civic strife between the two, major communities and a possible, division of the country on linguistic, lines. When many countries of Europe, came together to form the European, , ✟, ✟, ✟, , European Union Parliament in Belgium, , Union, Brussels was chosen as its, headquarters., , Read any newspaper for one week and m ake clippings of, news relat ed t o ongoing conflict s or wars. A group of five, st udent s could pool t heir clippings t oget her and do t he following:, Classify t hese conflict s by t heir locat ion ( your st at e, I ndia,, out side I ndia) ., Find out t he cause of each of t hese conflict s. How m any of, t hese are relat ed t o power sharing disput es?, Which of t hese conflict s could be resolved by working out power, sharing arrangem ent s?, , What do we learn from these two stories, of Belgium and Sri Lanka? Both are, democracies. Yet, they dealt with the, question of power sharing differently., In Belgium, the leaders have realised, that the unity of the country is possible, only by respecting the feelings and, interests of different communities and, , regions. Such a realisation resulted in, mutually acceptable arrangements for, sharing power. Sri Lanka shows us a, contrasting example. It shows us that, if a majority community wants to force, its dominance over others and refuses, to share power, it can undermine the, unity of the country., , So you are, saying t hat, sharing of power, m akes us m ore, powerful. Sounds, odd! Let m e, t hink., , ✞, ✝✆, ✂, ☎, ❤✄, ✂✁, ♦, P, 5

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© Tab - The Calgary Sun, Cagle Cartoons Inc., , Why power sharing is desirable?, Thus, two different sets of reasons can, be given in favour of power sharing., Firstly, power sharing is good because, it helps to reduce the possibility of, conflict between social groups. Since, social conflict often leads to violence, and political instability, power sharing, is a good way to ensure the stability of, political order. Imposing the will of, majority community over others may, look like an attractive option in the, short run, but in the long run it, undermines the unity of the nation., , The cartoon at the left refers to the, problems of running the Germany’s grand, coalition government that include the two, major parties of the country, namely the, Christian Democratic Union and the, Social Democratic Party. The two parties, are historically rivals to each other. They, have to form a coalition government, because neither of them got clear majority, of seats on their own in the 2005, elections. They take divergent positions, on several policy matters, but still jointly, run the government., , Tyranny of the majority is not just, oppressive for the minority; it often, brings ruin to the majority as well., There is a second, deeper reason, why power sharing is good for, democracies. Power sharing is the very, spirit of democracy. A democratic rule, involves sharing power with those, affected by its exercise, and who have, to live with its effects. People have a, right to be consulted on how they are, to be governed. A legitimate, government is one where citizens,, through participation, acquire a stake, in the system., Let us call the first set of reasons, PRUDENTIAL and the second moral. While, prudential reasons stress that power, sharing will bring out better outcomes,, moral reasons emphasises the very act, of power sharing as valuable., , ✟, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ✝, , ♦, , ✂, , Prudential: Based on, prudence, or on careful, calculation of gains and, losses. Prudential decisions, are usually contrasted with, those decisions based, purely on moral, considerations., ✞, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ❛, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ❉, , 6, , Annet t e st udies in a Dut ch m edium school in t he, nort hern region of Belgium . Many French- speaking st udent s in, her school want t he m edium of inst ruct ion t o be French. Selvi, st udies in a school in t he nort hern region of Sri Lanka. All t he, st udent s in her school are Tam il- speaking and t hey want t he, m edium of inst ruct ion t o be Tam il., I f t he parent s of Annet t e and Selvi were t o approach, respect ive governm ent s t o realise t he desire of t he child, who is m ore likely t o succeed? And why?

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Khalil’s, dilemma, , As usual, Vikram ’s was driving t he m ot orbike under a vow, of silence and Vet al was t he pillion rider. As usual, Vet al, st art ed t elling Vikram a st ory t o keep him awake while, driving. This t im e t he st ory went as follows:, , “ I n t he cit y of Beir ut t her e lived a m an called Khalil. His par ent s, cam e fr om differ ent com m unit ies. His fat her was an Or t hodox Chr ist ian and m ot her a, Sunni Muslim . This was not so uncom m on in t his m oder n, cosm opolit an cit y. People, fr om var ious com m unit ies t hat lived in Lebanon cam e t o live in it s capit al, Beir ut . They, lived t oget her, int er m ingled, yet fought a bit t er civ il war am ong t hem selves. One of, Khalil’s uncles w as k illed in t hat war., At t he end of t his civil war, Lebanon’s leaders cam e t oget her and agreed t o som e basic, rules for power sharing am ong different com m unit ies. As per t hese rules t he count ry’s, President m ust belong t o t he Maronit e sect of Cat holic Christ ians. The Prim e Minist er, m ust be from t he Sunni Muslim com m unit y. The post of Deput y Prim e Minist er is fixed for, Ort hodox Christ ian sect and t hat of t he Speaker for Shi’a Muslim . Under t his pact , t he, Christ ians agreed not t o seek French prot ect ion and t he Muslim agreed not t o seek, unificat ion wit h t he neighbouring st at e of Syria.When t he Christ ians and Muslim s cam e t o, t his agreem ent , t hey were nearly equal in populat ion. Bot h sides have cont inued t o, respect t his agreem ent t hough now t he Muslim s are in clear m aj orit y., Khalil does not like t his sy st em one bit . He is a popular m an w it h polit ical am bit ion. But, under t he pr esent sy st em t he t op posit ion is out of his r each bar r ed fr om him . He does, not pract ice eit her his fat her ’s or his m ot her ’s r eligion and does not w ish t o be k now n, by eit her. He cannot under st and w hy Lebanon can’t be like any ot her ‘nor m al’, dem ocracy. “ Just hold an elect ion, allow ever yone t o cont est and w hoever w ins, m ax im um vot es becom es t he pr esident , no m at t er w hich com m unit y he com es fr om ., Why can’t w e do t hat , like in ot her dem ocracies of t he w or ld?” he ask s. His elder s, w ho, have seen t he bloodshed of t he civ il war, t ell him t hat t he pr esent sy st em is t he best, guarant ee for peace…”, The st ory was not finished, but t hey had reached t he TV, t ower where t hey st opped every day. Vet al, wrapped up quickly and posed his, cust om ary quest ion t o Vikram : “ I f you had, t he power t o rewrit e t he rules in Lebanon,, what would you do? Would you adopt t he, ‘regular ’ rules followed everywhere, as Khalil, suggest s? Or st ick t o t he old rules? Or do, ✞, , som et hing else?” Vet al did not forget t o, ✝, , ✆, , rem ind Vikram of t heir basic pact : “ I f you, ✂, , ☎, , have an answer in m ind and yet do not speak, ❤, , ✄, , up, your m obike will freeze, and so, ✂, , will you!”, Ca n you h e lp poor Vik r a m in a n sw e r in g Ve t a l?, , ✁, , ♦, , P, , 7

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❋✠✡☛☞ ✠✌ ✍✠✎✏✡ ☞✑✒✡✓✔✕, The idea of power sharing has, emerged in opposition to the notions, of undivided political power. For a, long time it was believed that all power, of a government must reside in one, person or group of persons located, at one place. It was felt that if the, power to decide is dispersed, it would, not be possible to take quick decisions, and to enforce them. But these, notions have changed with the, emergence of democracy. One basic, principle of democracy is that people, are the source of all political power., In a democracy, people rule, themselves through institutions of, self-governance. In a good democratic, government, due respect is given to, diverse groups and views that exist in, a society. Everyone has a voice in the, shaping of public policies. Therefore,, it follows that in a democracy political, , ✟✄, , © Olle Johansson - Sweden, Cagle Cartoons Inc., , Reigning Reins, , ✝✆, ✝♦, ✂✞, ✄✝, ✆❛, ☎✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, 8, , Recently some new laws were made in Russia giving more powers to, its president. During the same time the US president visited Russia., What, according to this cartoon, is the relationship between democracy, and concentration of power? Can you think of some other examples to, illustrate the point being made here?, , power should be distributed among, as many citizens as possible., In modern democracies, power, sharing arrangements can take many, forms. Let us look at some of the most, common arrangements that we have, or will come across., 1 Power is shared among different, organs of government, such as the, legislature, executive and judiciary. Let, us call this horizontal distribution of, power because it allows different organs, of government placed at the same level, to exercise different powers. Such a, separation ensures that none of the, organs can exercise unlimited power., Each organ checks the others. This, results in a balance of power among, various institutions. Last year we studied, that in a democracy, even though, ministers and government officials, exercise power, they are responsible to, the Parliament or State Assemblies., Similarly, although judges are appointed, by the executive, they can check the, functioning of executive or laws made, by the legislatures. This arrangement is, called a system of checks and balances., 2 Power can be shared among, governments at different levels – a, general government for the entire, country and governments at the, provincial or regional level. Such a, general government for the entire, country is usually called federal, government. In India, we refer to it, as the Central or Union Government., The governments at the provincial or, regional level are called by different, names in different countries. In India,

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we call them State Governments. This, system is not followed in all countries., There are many countries where there, are no provincial or state, governments. But in those countries, like ours, where there are different, levels of gover nments, the, constitution clearly lays down the, powers of different levels of, government. This is what they did in, Belgium, but was refused in Sri Lanka., This is called federal division of, power. The same principle can be, extended to levels of government, lower than the State government, such, as the municipality and panchayat. Let, us call division of powers involving, higher and lower levels of, government vertical division of, power. We shall study these at some, length in the next chapter., 3 Power may also be shared among, different social groups, such as the, religious and linguistic groups., ‘Community government’ in Belgium, is a good example of this arrangement., In some countries there are, constitutional and legal arrangements, whereby socially weaker sections and, women are represented in the, legislatures and administration. Last, year we studied the system of ‘reserved, constituencies’ in assemblies and the, parliament of our country. This type, of arrangement is meant to give space, in the government and administration, to diverse social groups who otherwise, , would feel alienated from the, government. This method is used to, give minority communities a fair share, in power. In Chapter 3, we shall look, at various ways of accommodating, social diversities., 4 Power sharing arrangements can, also be seen in the way political, parties, pressure groups and, movements control or influence those, in power. In a democracy, the citizens, must have freedom to choose among, various contenders for power. In, contemporary democracies this takes, the form of competition among, different parties. Such competition, ensures that power does not remain in, one hand. In the long run power is, shared among different political parties, that represent different ideologies and, social groups. Sometimes this kind of, sharing can be direct, when two or, more parties form an alliance to, contest elections. If their alliance is, elected, they for m a coalition, government and thus share power. In, a democracy, we find interest groups, such as those of traders, businessmen,, industrialists, farmers and industrial, workers. They also will have a share in, governmental power, either through, participation in governmental, committees or bringing influence on, the decision making process. In, Chapter 4, we shall study the working, of political parties, pressure groups and, social movements., , I n m y school, t he, class m onit or, changes every, m ont h. I s t hat, what you call a, power sharing, arrangem ent ?, ✞, , ✝, , ✆, , ✂, , ☎, , ❤, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ♦, , P, , 9

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✠, ✠, ✠, ✠, , Here are som e exam ples of power sharing. Which of t he four t ypes of power, sharing do t hese represent ? Who is sharing power wit h whom ?, The Bom bay High Court ordered t he Maharasht ra st at e governm ent t o im m ediat ely, t ake act ion and im prove living condit ions for t he 2,000- odd children at seven, children’s hom es in Mum bai., The governm ent of Ont ario st at e in Canada has agreed t o a land claim set t lem ent wit h, t he aboriginal com m unit y. The Minist er responsible for Nat ive Affairs announced t hat, t he governm ent will work wit h aboriginal people in a spirit of m ut ual respect and, co- operat ion., Russia’s t wo influent ial polit ical part ies, t he Union of Right Forces and t he Liberal, Yabloko Movem ent , agreed t o unit e t heir organisat ions int o a st rong right- wing, coalit ion. They propose t o have a com m on list of candidat es in t he next, parliam ent ary elect ions., The finance m inist ers of various st at es in Nigeria got t oget her and dem anded t hat, t he federal governm ent declare it s sources of incom e. They also want ed t o know t he, form ula by which t he revenue is dist ribut ed t o various st at e governm ent s., , 1., , What are t he different form s of power sharing in m odern, dem ocracies? Give an exam ple of each of t hese., , 2., , St at e one prudent ial reason and one m oral reason for power, sharing wit h an exam ple from t he I ndian cont ext ., , 3., , Aft er reading t his chapt er, t hree st udent s drew different, conclusions. Which of t hese do you agree wit h and why? Give, your reasons in about 50 words., Thom m an - Power sharing is necessary only in societ ies which, have religiousm , linguist ic or et hnic divisions., Mat hayi – Power sharing is suit able only for big count ries t hat, have regional divisions., Ouseph – Every societ y needs som e form of power sharing even, if it is sm all or does not have social divisions., , 4., , The Mayor of Mercht em , a t own near Brussels in Belgium , has, defended a ban on speaking French in t he t own’s schools. He, said t hat t he ban would help all non- Dut ch speakers int egrat e, in t his Flem ish t own. Do you t hink t hat t his m easure is in, keeping wit h t he spirit of Belgium ’s power sharing, arrangem ent s? Give your reasons in about 50 words., , ✟✄, ✝✆, ✝♦, ✂, ✞, ✄✝, ✆, ❛☎, ✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, 10

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8., , Match List I ( form s of power sharing) with List I I ( form s of governm ent), and select t he correct answer using t he codes given below in t he list s:, , 1., , List I, , List I I, , Power shared am ong different, organs of governm ent, , A. Com m unit y governm ent, , 2., , Power shared am ong governm ent s, at different levels, B. Separat ion of powers, , 3., , Power shared by different social, groups, , C. Coalit ion governm ent, , Power shared by t wo or m ore, polit ical part ies, , D. Federal governm ent, , 4., , ( a), ( b), ( c), ( d), 9., , 1, D, B, B, C, , 2, A, C, D, D, , 3, B, D, A, A, , 4, C, A, C, B, , Consider t he following t wo st at em ent s on power sharing and, select t he answer using t he codes given below:, A. Power sharing is good for dem ocracy., B. I t helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups., Which of t hese st at em ent s are t rue and false?, ( a), ( b), ( c), ( d), , ✟, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ✝, , ♦, , ✂, , ✞, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ❛, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ❉, , 12, , A is t rue but B is false, Bot h A and B are t rue, Bot h A and B are false, A is false but B is t rue

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❖☛☞✌☛✍☞✎, ■✏ ✑✒✓ ✔✕✓✖✗✘✙✚ ✛✒✜✔✑✓✕✱ ✢✓ ✏✘✑✓✣ ✑✒✜✑ ✖✓✕✑✗✛✜✤ ✣✗✖✗✚✗✘✏ ✘✥ ✔✘✢✓✕ ✜✦✘✏✧, ✣✗✥✥✓✕✓✏✑ ✤✓✖✓✤✚ ✘✥ ✧✘✖✓✕✏✦✓✏✑✚ ✗✚ ✘✏✓ ✘✥ ✑✒✓ ✦✜★✘✕ ✥✘✕✦✚ ✘✥ ✔✘✢✓✕, ✚✒✜✕✗✏✧ ✗✏ ✦✘✣✓✕✏ ✣✓✦✘✛✕✜✛✗✓✚✳ ■✏ ✑✒✗✚ ✛✒✜✔✑✓✕✱ ✢✓ ✥✘✛✙✚ ✘✏ ✑✒✗✚ ✥✘✕✦, ✘✥ ✔✘✢✓✕ ✚✒✜✕✗✏✧✳ ■✑ ✗✚ ✦✘✚✑ ✛✘✦✦✘✏✤✩ ✕✓✥✓✕✕✓✣ ✑✘ ✜✚ ✥✓✣✓✕✜✤✗✚✦✳ ✪✓, ❜✓✧✗✏ ❜✩ ✣✓✚✛✕✗❜✗✏✧ ✥✓✣✓✕✜✤✗✚✦ ✗✏ ✧✓✏✓✕✜✤ ✑✓✕✦✚✳ ✫✒✓ ✕✓✚✑ ✘✥ ✑✒✓ ✛✒✜✔✑✓✕, ✑✕✗✓✚ ✑✘ ✙✏✣✓✕✚✑✜✏✣ ✑✒✓ ✑✒✓✘✕✩ ✜✏✣ ✔✕✜✛✑✗✛✓ ✘✥ ✥✓✣✓✕✜✤✗✚✦ ✗✏ ■✏✣✗✜✳ ✬, ✣✗✚✛✙✚✚✗✘✏ ✘✥ ✑✒✓ ✥✓✣✓✕✜✤ ✛✘✏✚✑✗✑✙✑✗✘✏✜✤ ✔✕✘✖✗✚✗✘✏✚ ✗✚ ✥✘✤✤✘✢✓✣ ❜✩ ✜✏, ✜✏✜✤✩✚✗✚ ✘✥ ✑✒✓ ✔✘✤✗✛✗✓✚ ✜✏✣ ✔✘✤✗✑✗✛✚ ✑✒✜✑ ✒✜✚ ✚✑✕✓✏✧✑✒✓✏✓✣ ✥✓✣✓✕✜✤✗✚✦ ✗✏, ✔✕✜✛✑✗✛✓✳ ✫✘✢✜✕✣✚ ✑✒✓ ✓✏✣ ✘✥ ✑✒✓ ✛✒✜✔✑✓✕✱ ✢✓ ✑✙✕✏ ✑✘ ✑✒✓ ✤✘✛✜✤, ✧✘✖✓✕✏✦✓✏✑✱ ✜ ✏✓✢ ✜✏✣ ✑✒✗✕✣ ✑✗✓✕ ✘✥ ■✏✣✗✜✏ ✥✓✣✓✕✜✤✗✚✦✳, , ✡, ✠, ✟, ✞, ✝, ✆, ☎, ❈, , ♠s, ✄✂, ❛✁, ❡, ❡, ❋, 13

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❲✠✡☛ ☞✌ ✍✎✏✎✑✡✒☞✌✓✔, Let us get back to the contrast between, Belgium and Sri Lanka that we saw in, the last chapter. You would recall that, one of the key changes made in the, Constitution of Belgium was to reduce, the power of the Central Government, and to give these powers to the regional, governments. Regional governments, existed in Belgium even earlier. They, had their roles and powers. But all these, powers were given to these, governments and could be withdrawn, by the Central Government. The, change that took place in 1993 was that, the regional governments were given, constitutional powers that were no, longer dependent on the central, government. Thus, Belgium shifted, from a unitary to a federal form of, government. Sri Lanka continues to be,, , I am confused., What do we call, t he I ndian, governm ent ? I s, it Union, Federal, or Cent ral?, , for all practical purposes, a unitary, system where the national government, has all the powers. Tamil leaders want, Sri Lanka to become a federal system., Federalism is a system of, government in which the power is, divided between a central authority and, various constituent units of the, country. Usually, a federation has two, levels of government. One is the, government for the entire country that, is usually responsible for a few subjects, of common national interest. The, others are governments at the level of, provinces or states that look after, much of the day-to-day administering, of their state. Both these levels of, governments enjoy their power, independent of the other., , Federal, political systems, , Russia, Germany, , Canada, , Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, , United States, of America, St. Kitts, and Nevis, , Mexico, , ✝✆, ✝♦, , PACIFIC OCEAN, , ✂✞, , Ethiopia, ATLANTIC, OCEAN, , Argentina, , ✆❛, ☎✄, , India, , PACIFIC OCEAN, , United, Arab, Emirates, Malaysia, Comoros, INDIAN, OCEAN, Australia, , Micronesia, , ✄✝, , South Africa, , Source: Montreal and Kingston, Handbook of Federal Countries: 2002, McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2002., , ✂, ✁, ❉, 14, , Brazil, , Bosnia and Pakistan, Herzegovina, , Nigeria, , Venezuela, , ✟✄, , Austria, , Though only 25 of the world’s 192 countries have federal political systems, their citizens make up 40 per cent of, the world’s population. Most of the large countries of the world are federations. Can you notice an exception to this, rule in this map?

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In this sense, federations are, contrasted with unitary governments., Under the unitary system, either there, is only one level of government or the, sub-units are subordinate to the central, government. The central government, can pass on orders to the provincial or, the local government. But in a federal, system, the central government cannot, order the state government to do, something. State government has, powers of its own for which it is not, answerable to the central government., Both these governments are separately, answerable to the people., Let us look at some of the key, features of federalism :, 1 There are two or more levels (or, tiers) of government., 2 Different tiers of government, govern the same citizens, but each tier, has its own JURISDICTION in specific, matters of legislation, taxation and, administration., 3 The jurisdictions of the respective, levels or tiers of government are, specified in the constitution. So the, existence and authority of each tier of, government is constitutionally, guaranteed., 4 The fundamental provisions of, the constitution cannot be unilaterally, changed by one level of government., Such changes require the consent of, both the levels of government., 5 Courts have the power to interpret, the constitution and the powers of, different levels of government. The, highest court acts as an umpire if, disputes arise between different levels, of government in the exercise of their, respective powers., 6 Sources of revenue for each level, of government are clearly specified to, ensure its financial autonomy., , 7 The federal system thus has dual, objectives: to safeguard and promote, unity of the country, while at the same, time accommodate regional diversity., Therefore, two aspects are crucial for, the institutions and practice of, federalism. Governments at different, levels should agree to some rules of, power sharing. They should also trust, that each would abide by its part of, the agreement. An ideal federal system, has both aspects : mutual trust and, agreement to live together., , I f federalism, works only in big, count ries, why, did Belgium, adopt it ?, , The exact balance of power, between the central and the state, government varies from one federation, to another. This balance depends, mainly on the historical context in which, the federation was formed. There are, two kinds of routes through which, federations have been formed. The first, route involves independent States, coming together on their own to form, a bigger unit, so that by pooling, sovereignity and retaining identity they, can increase their security. This type of, ‘coming together’ federations include, the USA, Switzerland and Australia. In, this first category of federations, all the, constituent States usually have equal, power and are strong vis-à-vis the, federal government., The second route is where a large, country decides to divide its power, between the constituent States and the, national government. India, Spain and, Belgium are examples of this kind of, ‘holding together’ federations. In, this second category, the central, government tends to be more powerful, vis-à-vis the States. Very often different, constituent units of the federation have, unequal powers. Some units are, granted special powers., , Jurisdiction: The area, over which someone, has legal authority. The, area may be defined in, terms of geographical, boundaries or in terms, of certain kinds of, subjects., ♠, , s, , ✄, , ✂, , ❛, , ✁, , ❡, , ❡, , ❋, , 15

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Som e Nepalese cit izens were discussing t he proposals on t he adopt ion, of federalism in t heir new const it ut ion. This is what som e of t hem said:, Khag Raj : I don’t like federalism . I t would lead t o reservat ion of seat s for, different cast e groups as in I ndia., Sarit a: Ours in not a very big count ry. We don’t need federalism ., Babu Lal: I am hopeful t hat t he Terai areas will get m ore aut onom y if t hey get, t heir own st at e governm ent ., Ram Ganesh: I like federalism because it will m ean t hat powers t hat were earlier, enj oyed by t he king will now be exercised by our elect ed represent at ives., I f you were part icipat ing in t his conversat ion what would be your response t o each, of t hese? Which of t hese reflect a wrong underst anding of what federalism is?, What m akes I ndia a federal count ry?, , ❲✡☛☞ ✌☛✍✎✏ ✑✒✓✔☛ ☛ ✕✎✓✎✖☛✗ ✘✙✚✒☞✖✛✜, We have earlier seen how small, countries like Belgium and Sri Lanka, face so many problems of managing, diversity. What about a vast country like, India, with so many languages, religions, and regions? What are the power, sharing arrangements in our country?, , ✟✄, , I sn’t t hat, st range? Did our, const it ut ion, m akers not know, about, federalism ? Or, did t hey wish t o, avoid t alking, about it ?, , ✝✆, ✝♦, ✂, ✞, ✄✝, ✆, ❛☎, ✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, 16, , Let us begin with the Constitution., India had emerged as an independent, nation after a painful and bloody, partition. Soon after Independence,, several princely states became a part of, the country. The Constitution declared, India as a Union of States. Although it, did not use the word federation, the, Indian Union is based on the principles, of federalism., Let us go back to the seven features, of federalism mentioned above. We can, see that all these features apply to the, provisions of the Indian Constitution., The Constitution originally provided, for a two-tier system of government,, the Union Government or what we call, the Central Government, representing, , the Union of India and the State, governments. Later, a third tier of, federalism was added in the form of, Panchayats and Municipalities. As in, any federation, these different tiers, enjoy separate jurisdiction. The, Constitution clearly provided a threefold distribution of legislative powers, between the Union Government and, the State Governments. Thus, it, contains three lists:, , ✠, , Union List includes subjects of, national importance such as defence, of the country, foreign affairs, banking,, communications and currency. They, are included in this list because we need, a uniform policy on these matters, throughout the country. The Union, Government alone can make laws, relating to the subjects mentioned in, the Union List., , ✠, , State List contains subjects of, State and local importance such as, police, trade, commerce, agriculture, and irrigation. The State Governments

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alone can make laws relating to the, subjects mentioned in the State List., ☎ Concurrent List includes subjects, of common interest to both the Union, Government as well as the State, Governments, such as education, forest,, trade unions, marriage, adoption and, succession. Both the Union as well as, the State Governments can make laws, on the subjects mentioned in this list., If their laws conflict with each other,, the law made by the Union, Government will prevail., What about subjects that do not, fall in any of the three lists? Or subjects, like computer software that came up, after the constitution was made?, According to our constitution, the, Union Government has the power to, legislate on these ‘residuary’ subjects., We noted above that most, federations that are formed by ‘holding, together’ do not give equal power to, its constituent units. Thus, all States in, the Indian Union do not have identical, powers. Some States enjoy a special, status. Jammu and Kashmir has its own, Constitution. Many provisions of the, Indian Constitution are not applicable, to this State without the approval of, the State Assembly. Indians who are, not permanent residents of this State, cannot buy land or house here. Similar, special provisions exist for some other, States of India as well., , There are some units of the Indian, Union which enjoy very little power., These are areas which are too small to, become an independent State but, which could not be merged with any, of the existing States. These areas, like, Chandigarh, or Lakshadweep or the, capital city of Delhi, are called Union, Territories. These territories do not, have the powers of a State. The Central, Government has special powers in, running these areas., This sharing of power between the, Union Government and the State, governments is basic to the structure, of the Constitution. It is not easy to, make changes to this power sharing, arrangement. The Parliament cannot, on its own change this arrangement., Any change to it has to be first passed, by both the Houses of Parliament with, at least two-thirds majority. Then it has, to be ratified by the legislatures of at, least half of the total States., , I f agricult ure and, com m erce are, st at e subj ect s,, why do we have, m inist ers of, agricult ure and, com m erce in t he, Union cabinet ?, , The judiciary plays an important, role in overseeing the implementation, of constitutional provisions and, procedures. In case of any dispute about, the division of powers, the High Courts, and the Supreme Court make a decision., The Union and State governments, have the power to raise resources by, levying taxes in order to carry on the, government and the responsibilities, assigned to each of them., , List en t o one nat ional and one regional news bullet in broadcast by All I ndia, Radio daily for one week. Make a list of news it em s relat ed t o governm ent policies or, decisions by classifying t hese int o t he following cat egories:, News it em s t hat relat e only t o t he Cent ral Governm ent ,, News it em s t hat relat e only t o your or any ot her St at e Governm ent ,, News it em s about t he relat ionship bet ween t he Cent ral and St at e Governm ent s., , ✆, ✆, ✆, , ♠s, ✄✂, ❛✁, ❡, ❡, ❋, 17

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❍✆✝ ✞✟ ✠✡☛✡☞✌✍✞✟✎ ✏☞✌✑✒✞✑✡☛✓, Constitutional provisions are necessary, for the success of federalism but these, are not sufficient. If the federal, experiment has succeeded in India, it, is not merely because of the clearly laid, out constitutional provisions. The real, success of federalism in India can be, attributed to the nature of democratic, politics in our country. This ensured, that the spirit of federalism, respect, for diversity and desire for living, together became a shared ideal in our, country. Let us look at some of the, major ways in which this happened., , Linguistic States, The creation of Linguistic States was, the first and a major test for democratic, politics in our country. If you look at, , the political map of India when it, began its journey as a democracy in, 1947 and that of 2006, you will be, surprised by the extent of the changes., Many old States have vanished and, many new States have been created., Areas, boundaries and names of the, States have been changed., In 1947, the boundaries of several, old States of India were changed in, order to create new States. This was, done to ensure that people who spoke, the same language lived in the same, State. Some States were created not on, the basis of language but to recognise, differences based on culture, ethnicity, or geography. These include States like, Nagaland, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand., , ✷✔✔✕, , ☎, , ☎, ☎, , Has your village or town, remained under the same State, since Independence? If not,, what was the name of the, earlier State?, Can you identify three State, names in 1947 that have, changed later?, Identify any three States which, have been carved out of a, bigger State., , ♠, s✄, ✂, ❛✁, ❡, ❡, ❋, 19

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When the demand for the, formation of States on the basis of, language was raised, some national, leaders feared that it would lead to the, disintegration of the country. The, Central Government resisted linguistic, States for some time. But the, experience has shown that the, formation of linguistic States has, actually made the country, more united., It has also made administration easier., , ✟, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ✝, , ♦, , Coalition government:, A government formed, by the coming together, of at least two political, parties. Usually partners, in a coalition form a, political alliance and, adopt a common, programme., ✂, , ✞, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ❛, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ❉, , 20, , Centre-State relations, , A second test for Indian federation is, the language policy. Our Constitution, did not give the status of national, language to any one language. Hindi was, identified as the official language. But, Hindi is the mother tongue of only, about 40 per cent of Indians. Therefore,, there were many safeguards to protect, other languages. Besides Hindi, there are, 21 other languages recognised as, Scheduled Languages by the, Constitution. A candidate in an, examination conducted for the Central, Government positions may opt to take, the examination in any of these, languages. States too have their own, official languages. Much of the, government work takes place in the, official language of the concerned State., , Restructuring the Centre-State, relations is one more way in which, federalism has been strengthened in, practice. How the constitutional, arrangements for sharing power work, in reality depends to a large extent on, how the ruling parties and leaders, follow these arrangements. For a long, time, the same party ruled both at the, Centre and in most of the States. This, meant that the State governments did, not exercise their rights as autonomous, federal units. As and when the ruling, party at the State level was different,, the parties that ruled at the Centre tried, to undermine the power of the States., In those days, the Central Government, would often misuse the Constitution, to dismiss the State governments that, were controlled by rival parties. This, undermined the spirit of federalism., , Unlike Sri Lanka, the leaders of our, country adopted a very cautious, attitude in spreading the use of Hindi., According to the Constitution, the use, of English for official purposes was to, stop in 1965. However, many nonHindi speaking States demanded that, the use of English continue. In Tamil, Nadu, this movement took a violent, form. The Central Government, responded by agreeing to continue the, use of English along with Hindi for, official purposes. Many critics think, that this solution favoured the Englishspeaking elite. Promotion of Hindi, , All this changed significantly, after 1990. This period saw the rise, of regional political parties in many, States of the country. This was also, the beginning of the era of, C OA L I T I O N G OV E R N M E N T S at the, Centre. Since no single party got a, clear majority in the Lok Sabha, the, major national parties had to enter, into an alliance with many parties, including several regional parties to, form a government at the Centre., This led to a new culture of power, sharing and respect for the autonomy, of State Governments. This trend was, , Language policy, , Why Hindi?, Why not, Bangla or, Telugu?, , continues to be the official policy of, the Government of India. Promotion, does not mean that the Central, Government can impose Hindi on, States where people speak a different, language. The flexibility shown by, Indian political leaders helped our, country avoid the kind of situation that, Sri Lanka finds itself in.

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© Kutty - Laughing with Kutty, , The States Plead for More Powers, , © Ajith Ninan - India Today Book of Cartoons, , Perils of Running a Coalition Government, , Here are two cartoons showing the relationship between Centre and States. Should the, State go to the Centre with a begging bowl? How can the leader of a coalition keep the, partners of government satisfied?, , supported by a major judgement of, the Supreme Court that made it, difficult for the Central Government, to dismiss state governments in an, , arbitrary manner. Thus, federal, power sharing is more effective today, than it was in the early years after, the Constitution came into force., , Are you, suggest ing t hat, regionalism is, good for our, dem ocracy? Are, you serious?, ♠, , s, , ✄, , ✂, , ❛, , ✁, , ❡, , ❡, , ❋, , 21

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+, , ▲ ✠ ✐ ✐ ✡✡✐✈❡✏s✐✍②, ✈❡ s✐ ② ✑✒ ✥✠✡✐☛, ✥✠ ☛, ▲✐✠☞✌✐s✍✐✎, How m any languages do we have, in I ndia? The answer depends on, how one count s it . The lat est, inform at ion t hat we have is from, t he Census of I ndia held in 1991., This census recorded m ore t han, 1500 dist inct languages which, people m ent ioned as t heir m ot her, t ongues. These languages were, grouped t oget her under som e, m aj or languages. For exam ple, languages like Bhoj puri, Magadhi,, Bundelkhandi, Chhat t isgarhi,, Raj ast hani, Bhili and m any ot hers, were grouped t oget her under, ‘Hindi’. Even aft er t his grouping,, t he Census found 114 m aj or, languages. Of t hese 22 languages, are now included in t he Eight h, Schedule of t he I ndian Const it ut ion, and are t herefore called ‘Scheduled, Languages’. Ot hers are called ‘nonScheduled Languages’. I n t erm s of, languages, I ndia is perhaps t he, m ost diverse count ry in t he world., , Make a bar or pie chart on, t he basis of t his inform at ion., ✓ Prepare a m ap of linguist ic, diversity of I ndia by shading t he, region where each of t hese, languages is spoken on t he m ap, of I ndia., ✓ Find out about t hree, languages t hat are spoken in, I ndia but are not included in t his, t able., , Scheduled Languages of India, Language, , Assamese, Bangla, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, A look at t he enclosed t able, Maithili, m akes it clear t hat no one, Malayalam, language is t he m ot her t ongue of, Manipuri, t he m aj orit y of our populat ion. The, Marathi, largest language, Hindi, is t he, Nepali, m ot her t ongue of only about 40, Oriya, per cent I ndians. I f we add t o t hat, Punjabi, all t hose who knew Hindi as t heir, Sanskrit, second or t hird language, t he t ot al, Santhali, num ber was st ill less t han 50 per, Sindhi, cent in 1991. As for English, only, Tamil, 0.02 per cent I ndians recorded it as, Telugu, t heir m ot her t ongue. Anot her 11, Urdu, per cent knew it as a second or, , ✟, ✄✝, ✆✝, ♦, ✂, ✞, ✄✝, ✆, ❛☎, , t hird language., , ✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, 22, , ✓, , Read t his t able carefully, but, you do not need t o m em orise it ., Just do t he following:, , Proportion of, speakers (%), 1.6, 8.3, 0.1, 0.2, 4.9, 40.2, 3.9, 0.5, 0.2, 0.9, 3.6, 0.2, 7.5, 0.3, 3.4, 2.8, 0.01, 0.6, 0.3, 6.3, 7.9, 5.2, , Note: The first column in this table lists all the languages, currently included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian, Constitution. The second column gives the proportion of the, speakers of each of these languages as per cent of the total, population of India. These figures are based on the Census of, India, 1991. The figures for Kashmiri and Dogri are based on, estimates, as the Census was not conducted in Jammu and, Kashmir in 1991.

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Read t he following excerpt s from an art icle by not ed hist orian,, Ram achandra Guha, t hat appeared in t he Tim es of I ndia on Novem ber 1,, 2006:, , ♠, , s, , ✄, , ✂, , ❛, , Take t he exam ple of your own st at e or any ot her st at e t hat was affect ed by, linguist ic reorganisat ion. Writ e a short not e for or against t he argum ent given by, t he aut hor here on t he basis of t hat exam ple., ✁, , ❡, , ❡, , ❋, , 23

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✡☛☞☛✌✍✎✏✑✒✓✏✍✒✔✌ ✒✌ ✕✌✖✒✏, , So, we are like a, t hree- t ier coach, in a t rain! I, always prefer t he, lower bert h!, , When power is taken away from, Central and State governments and given, to local government, it is called, decentralisation. The basic idea behind, decentralisation is that there are a large, number of problems and issues which, are best settled at the local level. People, have better knowledge of problems in, their localities. They also have better ideas, on where to spend money and how to, manage things more efficiently. Besides,, at the local level it is possible for the, people to directly participate in decision, making. This helps to inculcate a habit, of democratic participation. Local, government is the best way to realise one, important principle of democracy,, namely local self-government., , ✟✄, ✝✆, ✝♦, ✂, ✞, ✄✝, ✆, ❛☎, ✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, 24, , We noted above that federal, governments have two or more tiers, of governments. We have so far, discussed the two-tiers of government, in our country. But a vast country like, India cannot be run only through these, two-tiers. States in India are as large as, independent countries of Europe. In, terms of population, Uttar Pradesh is, bigger than Russia, Maharashtra is, about as big as Germany. Many of, these States are internally very diverse., There is thus a need for power sharing, within these States. Federal power, sharing in India needs another tier of, government, below that of the State, governments. This is the rationale for, decentralisation of power. Thus,, resulted a third-tier of government,, called local government., , The need for decentralisation was, recognised in our Constitution. Since, then, there have been several attempts, to decentralise power to the level of, villages and towns. Panchayats in, , villages and municipalities in urban, areas were set up in all the States. But, these were directly under the control, of state governments. Elections to, these local governments were not held, regularly. Local governments did not, have any powers or resources of their, own. Thus, there was very little, decentralisation in effective terms., A major step towards decentralisation was taken in 1992. The, Constitution was amended to make the, third-tier of democracy more powerful, and effective., , ✠, , Now it is constitutionally, mandatory to hold regular elections to, local government bodies., , ✠, , Seats are reserved in the elected, bodies and the executive heads of, these institutions for the Scheduled, Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other, Backward Classes., , ✠, , At least one-third of all positions, are reserved for women., , ✠, , An independent institution called, the State Election Commission has, been created in each State to conduct, panchayat and municipal elections., , ✠, , The State governments are required, to share some powers and revenue with, local government bodies. The nature of, sharing varies from State to State., Rural local government is, popularly known by the name, panchayati raj. Each village, or a group, of villages in some States, has a gram, panchayat. This is a council consisting, of several ward members, often called, panch, and a president or sarpanch., They are directly elected by all the, adult population living in that ward

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or village. It is the decision-making, body for the entire village. The, panchayat works under the overall, supervision of the gram sabha. All the, voters in the village are its members., It has to meet at least twice or thrice, in a year to approve the annual budget, of the gram panchayat and to review, the perfor mance of the gram, panchayat., The local government structure, goes right up to the district level. A, few gram panchayats are grouped, together to form what is usually called, a panchayat samiti or block or mandal., The members of this representative, body are elected by all the panchyat, members in that area. All the panchayat, samitis or mandals in a district together, , constitute the zilla (district) parishad., Most members of the zilla parishad are, elected. Members of the Lok Sabha, and MLAs of that district and some, other officials of other district level, bodies are also its members. Zilla, parishad chairperson is the political, head of the zilla parishad., Similarly, local government bodies, exist for urban areas as well., Municipalities are set up in towns. Big, cities are constituted into municipal, corporations. Both municipalities and, municipal corporations are controlled, by elected bodies consisting of people’s, representatives. Municipal chairperson, is the political head of the municipality., In a municipal corporation such an, officer is called the mayor., , Prim e Minist er runs, t he count ry. Chief, Minist er runs t he, st at e. Logically,, t hen, t he, chairperson of Zilla, Parishad should, run t he dist rict ., Why does t he D.M., or Collect or, adm inist er t he, dist rict ?, , ♠, , s, , ✄, , ✂, , ❛, , ✁, , ❡, , ❡, , What do these newspaper clippings have to say about efforts of decentralisation in India?, ❋, , 25

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+, , An e x pe r im e nt in Br a zil, A cit y called Port o Alegre in Brazil has carried out an ext raordinary experim ent, in com bining decent ralisat ion wit h part icipat ive dem ocracy. The cit y has set up a, parallel organisat ion operat ing alongside t he m unicipal council, enabling local, inhabit ant s t o t ake real decisions for t heir cit y. The nearly 13 lakh people in t his, cit y get t o part icipat e in m aking t he budget for t heir own cit y. The cit y is divided, int o m any sect ors or what we call wards. Each sect or has a m eet ing, like t hat of, t he gram sabha, in which anyone living in t hat area can part icipat e. There are, som e m eet ings t o discuss issues t hat affect t he ent ire cit y. Any cit izen of t he cit y, can part icipat e in t hose m eet ings. The budget of t he cit y is discussed in t hese, m eet ings. The proposals are put t o t he m unicipalit y t hat t akes a final decision, about it ., About 20,000 people part icipat e in t his decision m aking exercise every year., This m et hod has ensured t hat t he m oney cannot be spent only for t he benefit of, t he colonies where rich people live. Buses now run t o t he poor colonies and, builders cannot evict slum - dwellers wit hout reset t ling t hem ., I n our own count ry, a sim ilar experim ent has t aken place in som e areas in, Kerala. Ordinary people have part icipat ed in m aking a plan for t he developm ent, of t heir localit y., , This new system of local, government is the largest experiment, in democracy conducted anywhere in, the world. There are now about 36 lakh, elected representatives in the, panchayats and municipalities etc., all, over the country. This number is bigger, than the population of many countries, in the world. Constitutional status for, local government has helped to deepen, democracy in our country. It has also, , increased women’s representation and, voice in our democracy. At the same, time, there are many difficulties. While, elections are held regularly and, enthusiastically, gram sabhas are not, held regularly. Most state governments, have not transferred significant powers, to the local governments. Nor have, they given adequate resources. We are, thus still a long way from realising the, ideal of self-government., , ✟, , ✄, , ✝, , Find out about t he local governm ent in t he village or t own you live in., ✆, , ✝, , ♦, , I f you live in a village, find out t he nam es of t he following: your panch or ward, m em ber, your sarpanch, your panchayat sam it i, t he chairperson of your zilla, parishad. Also find out when did t he last m eet ing of t he gram sabha t ake place and, how m any people t ook part in t hat ., ✂, , ✞, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ❛, , ☎, , I f you live in urban areas, find out t he nam e of your m unicipal councillor, and t he, m unicipal chairperson or m ayor. Also find out about t he budget of your m unicipal, corporat ion, m unicipalit y and t he m aj or it em s on which m oney was spent ., ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ❉, , 26

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10. Exam ine t he following pairs t hat give t he level of governm ent in, I ndia and t he powers of t he governm ent at t hat level t o m ake laws, on t he subj ect s m ent ioned against each. Which of t he following pairs, is not correct ly m at ched?, ( a), ( b), ( c), ( d), , St at e governm ent, Cent ral governm ent, Cent ral and St at e governm ent s, Local governm ent s, , St at e List, Union List, Concurrent List, Residuary powers, , 11. Mat ch List I wit h List I I and select t he correct answer using, t he codes given below t he list s:, List I, 1. Union of I ndia, 2. St at e, 3. Municipal Corporat ion, 4. Gram Panchayat, , ( a), ( b), ( c), ( d), , 1, D, B, A, C, , 2, A, C, C, D, , 3, B, D, D, A, , List I I, A. Prim e Minist er, B. Sarpanch, C. Governor, D. Mayor, , 4, C, A, B, B, , 12. Consider t he following t wo st at em ent s., A. I n a federat ion t he powers of t he federal and provincial, governm ent s are clearly dem arcat ed., B. I ndia is a federat ion because t he powers of t he Union and St at e, Governm ent s are specified in t he Const it ut ion and t hey have, exclusive j urisdict ion on t heir respect ive subj ect s., C. Sri Lanka is a federat ion because t he count ry is divided int o, provinces., D. I ndia is no longer a federat ion because som e powers of t he St at es, have been devolved t o t he local governm ent bodies., Which of t he st at em ent s given above are correct ?, ( a) A, B and C ( b) A, C and D ( c) A and B only ( d) B and C only, ✟, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ✝, , ♦, , ✂, , ✞, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ❛, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ❉, , 28

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❖✑❡✒✑✓❡✔, ■✕ ✖✗✘ ✙✚✛✖ ✜✗✚✢✖✘✣✱ ✤✘ ✛✚✤ ✗✦✤ ✢✦✤✘✣ ✜✚✕ ✧✘ ★✩✛✖✣✩✧✪✖✘★ ✖✦, ✚✜✜✦✫✫✦★✚✖✘ ✙✩✕✬✪✩✛✖✩✜ ✚✕★ ✣✘✬✩✦✕✚✙ ★✩✭✘✣✛✩✖✩✘✛✳ ✮✪✖ ✙✚✕✬✪✚✬✘ ✚✕★, ✣✘✬✩✦✕ ✚✣✘ ✕✦✖ ✖✗✘ ✦✕✙✯ ✰✘✚✖✪✣✘✛ ✖✗✚✖ ✬✩✭✘ ✚ ★✩✛✖✩✕✜✖ ✩★✘✕✖✩✖✯ ✖✦, ✢✘✦✢✙✘✳ ♣✦✫✘✖✩✫✘✛✱ ✢✘✦✢✙✘ ✚✙✛✦ ✩★✘✕✖✩✰✯ ✖✗✘✫✛✘✙✭✘✛ ✚✕★ ✣✘✙✚✖✘ ✤✩✖✗, ✦✖✗✘✣✛ ✦✕ ✖✗✘ ✧✚✛✩✛ ✦✰ ✖✗✘✩✣ ✢✗✯✛✩✜✚✙ ✚✢✢✘✚✣✚✕✜✘✱ ✜✙✚✛✛✱ ✣✘✙✩✬✩✦✕✱, ✬✘✕★✘✣✱ ✜✚✛✖✘✱ ✖✣✩✧✘✱ ✘✖✜✳ ■✕ ✖✗✩✛ ✜✗✚✢✖✘✣✱ ✤✘ ✛✖✪★✯ ✗✦✤ ★✘✫✦✜✣✚✜✯, ✣✘✛✢✦✕★✛ ✖✦ ✛✦✜✩✚✙ ★✩✰✰✘✣✘✕✜✘✛✱ ★✩✭✩✛✩✦✕✛ ✚✕★ ✩✕✘✲✪✚✙✩✖✩✘✛✳ ✴✘ ✧✘✬✩✕, ✤✩✖✗ ✚✕ ✘✇✚✫✢✙✘ ✦✰ ✢✪✧✙✩✜ ✘✇✢✣✘✛✛✩✦✕ ✦✰ ✛✦✜✩✚✙ ★✩✭✩✛✩✦✕✛✳ ✴✘ ✖✗✘✕, ★✣✚✤ ✛✦✫✘ ✬✘✕✘✣✚✙ ✙✘✛✛✦✕✛ ✚✧✦✪✖ ✗✦✤ ✛✦✜✩✚✙ ★✩✰✰✘✣✘✕✜✘✛ ✜✚✕ ✖✚✵✘, ✭✚✣✩✦✪✛ ✰✦✣✫✛✳ ✴✘ ✖✗✘✕ ✖✪✣✕ ✖✦ ✗✦✤ ★✘✫✦✜✣✚✖✩✜ ✢✦✙✩✖✩✜✛ ✚✰✰✘✜✖✛ ✚✕★, ✩✛ ✚✰✰✘✜✖✘★ ✧✯ ✖✗✘✛✘ ✛✦✜✩✚✙ ★✩✭✘✣✛✩✖✩✘✛✳, , ✏, ✎, ✍, ✌, ☞, ☛, ✡, ❈, ✆✠, ✥s, ☎, ✟✥, ❉, ✞, ✝❛, ✆✄, ❛☎, ✄✂, ✁, ❉, 29

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❆ ✠✡☛☞✌ ✍☞☛✎ ✏✑✒✓✔☛ ✕✖✌✎✗✓✔✘, , ✟✄, ✝✆, ✝♦, ✂✞, ✄✝, ✆❛, ☎✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, 30, , Civil Rights Movement, in the USA (1954-1968), refers to a set of events, and reform movements, aimed at abolishing legal, racial discrimination, against African-Americans., Led by Martin Luther, King Jr., this movement, practiced non-violent, methods of civil, disobedience against, racially discriminatory, laws and practices., African-American,, Afro-American, Black, American, or Black are the, terms used to refer mainly, to the descendants of, Africans who were, brought into America as, slaves between the 17th, century and early 19th, century., The Black Power, movement emerged in, 1966 and lasted till 1975,, which was a more militant, anti-racist movement,, advocating even violence, if necessary to end racism, in the US., , 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., Do you think that Carlos and, Smith should have raised an internal, matter of American society in an, international forum? Would you say, that what they did was political? Why, do you think Peter Norman, who was, neither Black nor American, joined in, the gesture of protest? If you were in, Norman’s place what would you do?, , © wikipedia & photo flickr.com Kevin, , My salut e t o, Carlos and, Sm it h! Will I ever, have t he courage, t o do what t hey, did?, , The pictures on this, page, depict, an, important landmark in, the history of the CIVIL, RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN, THE U NITED S TATES ., These represent the medal ceremony, of the 200 metres race in the 1968, Olympics held at Mexico City. The two, men standing with clenched fists, upraised and heads bowed, while the, American national anthem was, played, are the US athletes, Tommie, Smith and John Carlos. They are, AFRICAN-AMERICANS. They had won the, gold and bronze medals respectively., They received their medals wearing, black socks and no shoes to represent, Black poverty. With this gesture, they, , In 2005, the San Jose State University installed a 20-foot high sculpture representing the, protest by Tommie Smith and John Carlos. A photograph of the original medal ceremony, in 1968 is on the top.

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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. Recently, the San Jose, (pronounced ‘Saan Hoze’) State, University, of which they were former, students, honoured them and installed, their statue in the University campus., When Norman died in 2006, Smith and, Carlos were pallbearers at his funeral., , Som e Dalit groups decided t o part icipat e in t he UN Conference, Against Racism in Durban in 2001, dem anding t he inclusion of cast e, in t he agenda of t his conference. Here are t hree react ions t o t his m ove:, Am andeep Kaur ( a gov er nm ent official) : Our Const it ut ion declar es, cast e discr im inat ion t o be illegal. I f som e cast e discr im inat ion, cont inues, it is an int er nal m at t er. I am opposed t o t his being raised in, an int er nat ional for um ., Oinam ( a sociologist ) : I am opposed t o t his because cast e and race ar e, not sim ilar div isions. Cast e is a social div ision, w hile race is a biological, one. Raising cast e in t his confer ence on racism w ould m ean equat ing, t he t w o., Ashok ( a Dalit act ivist ) : The argum ent about int ernal m at t er is a, way of prevent ing open discussion of oppression and, I m et t his group, discrim inat ion. Race is not purely biological. I t is as m uch a legal, of girls from, and sociological cat egory as cast e. Cast e discrim inat ion m ust be, Pakist an and felt, raised in t his conference., t hat I had m ore, in com m on wit h, Which of t he t hree opinions do you agree wit h m ost and why?, t hem t han m any, girls from ot her, part s of m y own, count ry. I s t his, ant i- nat ional t o, feel so?, , ✆✠✥, , ✡☛☞☞✌✍✌✎✏✌✑✱ ✑☛✒☛✓✔✍☛✕☛✌✑✱ ✖☛✗☛✑☛✘✎✑, The athletes in the example above were, responding to social divisions and, social inequalities. But does that, happen only in societies which have, racial divisions? In the previous two, chapters we have already noted some, other forms of 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 for ms in different, societies., , s☎, ✟✥, ❉, ✞✝, ❛, ✆✄, ❛☎✄, ✂✁, ❉, 31

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Origins of social differences, These social differences are mostly, based on accident of birth. Normally, we don’t choose to belong to our, community. We belong to it simply, because we were born into it. We all, experience social differences based on, accident of birth in our everyday lives., People around us are male or female,, they are tall and short, have different, kinds of complexions, or have different, physical abilities or disabilities. But all, kinds of social differences are not, based on accident of birth. Some of, the differences are based on our, choices. For example, some people are, atheists. They don’t believe in God or, any religion. Some people choose to, , Every social difference does not, lead to social division. Social, differences divide similar people from, one another, but they also unite very, different people. People belonging to, different social groups share, differences and similarities cutting, across the boundaries of their groups., In the instance above, Carlos and, Smith were similar in one way (both, were African-American) and thus, different from Norman who was, white. But they were also all similar in, other ways – they were all athletes who, stood against racial discrimination., It is fairly common for people, belonging to the same religion to feel, that they do not belong to the same, community, because their caste or sect, is very different. It is also possible for, people from different religions to have, the same caste and feel close to each, other. Rich and poor persons from the, same family often do not keep close, relations with each other for they feel, they are very different. Thus, we all, have more than one identity and can, belong to more than one social group., We have different identities in different, contexts., , ✟, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ✝, , ✂, , ✞, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ❛, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ❉, , © Ares - Cagle Cartoons Inc., , ♦, , 32, , follow a religion other than the one in, which they were born. Most of us, choose what to study, which, occupation to take up and which, games or cultural activities to take part, in. All these lead to formation of social, groups that are based on our choices., , A cartoon like this can be read by different, people to mean different things. What does, this cartoon mean to you? How do other, students in your class read this?

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Overlapping and cross-cutting, differences, Social division takes place when some, social difference overlaps with other, differences. The difference between, the Blacks and Whites becomes a social, division in the US because the Blacks, tend to be poor, homeless and, discriminated against. In our country, Dalits tend to be poor and landless., They often face discrimination and, injustice. Situations of this kind, produce social divisions, when one, kind of social difference becomes, more important than the other and, people start feeling that they belong to, different communities., If social differences cross cut one, another, it is difficult to pit one group, of people against the other. It means, that groups that share a common, interest on one issue are likely to be in, different sides on a different issue., Consider the cases of Northern, Ireland and the Netherlands. Both are, predominantly Christian but divided, between Catholics and Protestants. In, Northern Ireland, class and religion, overlap with each other. If you are, Catholic, you are also more likely to be, poor, and you may have suffered a, history of discrimination. In the, Netherlands, class and religion tend to, cut across each other. Catholics and, Protestants are about equally likely to, be poor or rich. The result is that, Catholics and Protestants have had, conflicts in Northern Ireland, while, they do not do so in the Netherlands., Overlapping social differences create, possibilities of deep social divisions, and tensions. Cross-cutting social, differences are easier to accommodate., , Read these two poems by Dalit writers. Why do you think the, poster is titled ‘Hidden Apartheid’ ?, , Social divisions of one kind or, another exist in most countries. It does, not matter whether the country is small, or big. India is a vast country with many, communities. Belgium is a small country, with many communities. Even those, countries such as Germany and Sweden,, that were once highly HOMOGENEOUS, are, undergoing rapid change with influx of, people from other parts of the world., MIGRANTS bring with them their own, culture and tend to form a different, social community. In this sense most, countries of the world are multi-cultural., , Homeogenous society:, A society that has similar, kinds of people,, especially where there, are no significant ethnic, differences., Migrant: Anybody who, shifts from one region, or country to another, region within a country, or to another country,, usually for work or other, economic opportunities., ✆, , ✠, , ✥, , s, , ☎, , ✟, , ✥, , ❉, , ✞, , ✝, , ❛, , ✆, , ✄, , ❛, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ❉, , 33

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I m rana is a st udent of Class X, sect ion B. She and all her classm at es are, planning t o help st udent s of Class XI in giving a farewell part y t o t he, st udent s of Class XI I . Last m ont h she played for sect ion t eam in a gam e of, kho- kho against t he t eam of Class X, sect ion A. She goes back hom e in a bus, and j oins all t he st udent s from various classes. They all com e from t ransYam una area in Delhi. Back hom e, she oft en j oins her elder sist er, Naim a, in, com plaining against her brot her who does no work at hom e, while t he sist ers, are asked t o help t heir m ot her. Her fat her is looking for a good m at ch for her, elder sist er, from a Muslim fam ily wit h a sim ilar econom ic st at us from t heir, own ‘biradari’., Can you list t he various kinds of ident it ies I m rana has?, At hom e, she is, a girl, I n t erm s of religion, she is, …………., I n t he school, she is, …………., ……………, she is, …………, ……………., she is, …………., , P✠✡☛☞☛✌✍ ✠✎ ✍✠✌☛✏✡ ✑☛✒☛✍☛✠✓✍, , ✟✄, , How do these social divisions affect, politics? What does politics do to these, social divisions? At first sight, it would, appear that the combination of politics, and social divisions is very dangerous, and explosive. 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. This has, happened in many countries., , ✝✆, ✝♦, ✂✞, ✄✝, ✆❛, ☎✄, ✂, , Range of outcomes, , ✁, ❉, 34, , Take the case of Northern Ireland that, we referred to above. 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

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Bulgaria,, ulg, ulg ria,, ria,, Ro, ania, Romania, orr, o, , Ganesh had com e back from his t rip and was t alking t o Mahashwet a, about t he Rom a people who live in m any count ries of East ern, Europe. He m et Yordanka who works as a nurse in Bulgaria. This is, what she has t o say about Rom a people:, , “ Being a nurse you can’t refuse t o look aft er som e people, but, t hese Rom a people are very dirt y. Even when som et hing sm all, happens t o any one in t heir fam ily, all t he fam ily and even t he, neighbours j ust m arch t o our hospit al. And once t hey are in t he hospit al, t hey don’t know how t o keep quiet . They t alk aloud, sm oke and drop ashes all, over and spit on t he wall! They have no pat ience, and t hey j ust st art pest ering our, doct ors! And when t hey are j ust hanging out like t hat any way t hey look so, aggressive. Aft er all t hese dark skinned people don’t look like us. They have a, st range sense of colour. Look at t heir dress, why can’t t hey t ry t o look like, everyone else in t he count ry? And we all know t hey are t hieves. I have heard, people say t hat t hese Rom a people live by selling t heir blood. None of t hem can, afford t he hospit al fees. But when t hey are ill t hey j ust rush t o hospit al at t he cost, of good Bulgarians who pay t heir t axes!”, , India?, India?, , “ That sounds fam iliar ’ said Mahashwet a., Ganesh went on t o t alk about Modruzeni, a Rom ani who lives in Rom ania. When, she was eight een years old, she went t o t he hospit al, t o give birt h t o her first, child. She had no m oney t o pay t o t he doct or or nurse. Though she was in t he, hospit al, nobody bot hered t o com e and t ake care of her. Finally t he sweeper, who, was also a Rom ani, helped her give birt h t o a boy. And t hen t he nurse appeared on, t he scene and said, “ Here we have anot her crim inal”. Talking about how t he Rom a, people are t reat ed in public hospit als, she says: “ These doct ors keep us wait ing, out side t heir cabins. On one occasion one doct or asked m e t o t ake a bat h if I, needed t o be exam ined! Of course, I sm elled. During t he pregnancy I at e, from t he garbage cont ainers, because I was so hungry all t he t im e. My, husband had left m e. I had t wo children, and I was pregnant wit h t he, t hird., The social worker refused m y request for food assist ance. My neighbour, helped m e t o deliver t he baby. I oft en feel it is bet t er not t o visit t hese, hospit als.”, Mahashwet a heard him out and said, “ Ganesh, why do you have t o t ravel, halfway across t he world t o find t his out ? This is not a st ory about Rom ania, and Bulgaria or about t he Rom a people. This is as m uch a st ory about our, own count ry and about our people who are branded as crim inals by our, syst em .”, , ✆✠, ✥s, ☎, ✟✥, , ✡, , ❉, , Do you t hink Mahashwet a is right ? Do you know of som e com m unit y, in your area t hat is t reat ed like t he Rom as?, ✡ Have you heard people say t hings sim ilar t o what Yordanka or, Modruzeni say here? I f yes, t ry t o t hink of what t he st ory would sound like if, you heard it from t he ot her side?, , ✞, ✝, ❛, ✆✄, ❛☎, ✄, , D o you t h in k t h e Bu lga r ia n gove r n m e n t sh ou ld t r y t o e n su r e t h a t t h e, Rom a pe ople dr e ss a n d be h a ve lik e ot h e r pe ople fr om Bu lga r ia ?, , ✂, ✁, ❉, 35

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reached a peace treaty after which the, latter suspended their armed struggle., In Yugoslavia, the story did not have a, happy end. Political competition along, religious and ethnic lines led to the, disintegration of Yugoslavia into six, independent countries., So, it happens all, over t he world,, even in Europe!, I t hought it was, only in count ries, like I ndia t hat we, have social, divisions., , Such examples lead some people, to conclude that politics and social, divisions must not be allowed to mix., They think that it would be best if there, are no social divisions in any country., If social divisions do exist in a country,, they must never be expressed in politics., , ✟, , © Orion / Juska Rantanen flickr.com, , At the same time every expression, of social divisions in politics does not, lead to such disasters. We have already, seen that 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, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ✝, , ♦, , ✂, , ✞, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , In some societies of Northern Ireland, the colonies of Protestant and, Catholic communities are divided by walls. These walls are sometimes, filled with graffiti as you can see here. The Irish Republican Army and, British Government signed an agreement in 2005. What does the graffiti, here tell about the conflict in the society?, ❛, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ❉, , 36, , 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, Three factors are crucial in deciding, the outcome of politics of social, divisions. 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, accommodate. As long as people in, northern Ireland saw themselves as, only Catholic or Protestant, their, differences were difficult to reconcile., 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. This, is how most people in our country see, their identity: they think of themselves, as Indian as well as belonging to a state, or a language group or a social or, religious community., 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.

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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. This, allows various disadvantaged and, marginal social groups to express their, grievances and get the government to, attend to these. Expression of various, kinds of social divisions in politics, often results in their cancelling one, another out and thus reducing their, , © Dario Castillejos - Cagle Cartoons Inc., , The demand for ‘only Sinhala’ was at, the cost of the interest and identity of, the Tamil community in Sri Lanka. In, Yugoslavia, the leaders of different, ethnic communities presented their, demands in such a way that these could, not be accommodated within a single, country., , Draw or collect some, images of social divisions, in different aspects of life., Can you think of some, examples of social, division or discrimination, in the field of sports?, , intensity. This leads to strengthening, of a democracy., But a positive attitude towards, diversity and a willingness to, accommodate it do not come about, easily. 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., , So, you are, saying t hat t oo, m any sm all, divisions are, bet t er t han a, single big, division? Are you, also saying t hat, polit ics is a force, of unit y?, , ✍, , ❡, , ✍, , ✌, , ☞, , ✆, , ☛, , ✠, , ✥, , s, , ☎, , ❡, , ✟, , ✥, , ✡, , ❉, , 1., , Discuss t hree fact ors t hat det erm ine t he out com es of polit ics of, social divisions., , ✞, , ❊, , ✝, , ❛, , 2., , When does a social difference becom e a social division?, , 3., , How do social divisions affect polit ics? Give t wo exam ples., , 4., , ________________ social differences creat e possibilit ies of deep, social divisions and t ensions. ___________________ social, differences do not usually lead t o conflict s., , ✆, , ✄, , ❛, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ❉, , 37

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5., , I n dealing wit h social divisions which one of t he following st at em ent s, is NOT correct about dem ocracy?, ( a) Due t o polit ical com pet it ion in a dem ocracy, social divisions get, reflect ed in polit ics., ( b) I n a dem ocracy it is possible for com m unit ies t o voice t heir, grievances in a peaceful m anner., ( c) Dem ocracy is t he best way t o accom m odat e social diversit y., ( d) Dem ocracy always leads t o disint egrat ion of societ y on t he basis, of social divisions., , 6. Consider t he following t hree st at em ent s., A. Social divisions t ake place when social differences overlap., B. I t is possible t hat a person can have m ult iple ident it ies., C. Social divisions exist in only big count ries like I ndia., Which of t he st at em ent s is/ are correct ?, ( a) A, B and C, ( b) A and B, ( c) B and C, , ( d) Only C, , 7. Arrange t he following st at em ent s in a logical sequence and select, t he right answers by using t he code given below., A. But all polit ical expression of social divisions need not be always, dangerous., B. Social divisions of one kind or t he ot her exist in m ost count ries., C. Part ies t ry t o win polit ical support by appealing t o social, divisions., D. Som e social differences m ay result in social divisions., ( a) D, B, C, A, , ( b) D, B, A, C, , ( c) D, A, C, B, , ( d) A, B, C, D, , 8. Am ong t he following, which count ry suffered disint egrat ion due t o, polit ical fight s on t he basis of religious and et hnic ident it ies?, ( a) Belgium, 9., , ( c) Yugoslavia, , ( d) Net herlands, , Read t he following passage from a fam ous speech by Mart in Lut her, King Jr. in 1963. Which social division is he t alking about ? What are, his aspirat ions and anxiet ies? Do you see a relat ionship bet ween t his, speech and t he incident in Mexico Olym pics m ent ioned in t his, chapt er?, “ I have a dream t hat m y four lit t le children will one day live in a, nat ion where t hey will not be j udged by t he colour of t heir skin, but by t he cont ent of t heir charact er. Let freedom ring. And when, t his happens, and when we allow freedom ring—when we let it, ring from every village and every ham let , from every st at e and, every cit y, we will be able t o speed up t hat day when all of God’s, children—black m en and whit e m en, Jews and Gent iles,, Prot est ant s and Cat holics—will be able t o j oin hands and sing in, t he words of t he old Negro spirit ual: ‘Free at last ! Free at last !, Thank God Alm ight y, we are free at last ! ’ I have a dream t hat, one day t his nat ion will rise up and live out t he t rue m eaning of, it s creed: ‘We hold t hese t rut hs t o be self- evident : t hat all m en, are creat ed equal’.”, , ✟, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ✝, , ♦, , ✂, , ✞, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ❛, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ❉, , 38, , ( b) I ndia

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❖✔✕✖✔✗✕✘, ■✙ ✚✛✜ ✢✣✜✤✥✦✧★ ✩✛✪✢✚✜✣ ✫✜ ✙✦✚✜✬ ✚✛✪✚ ✚✛✜ ✜✭✥★✚✜✙✩✜ ✦✮ ★✦✩✥✪✯ ✬✥✤✜✣★✥✚✰, ✬✦✜★ ✙✦✚ ✚✛✣✜✪✚✜✙ ✬✜❡✦✩✣✪✩✰✳ ✲✦✯✥✚✥✩✪✯ ✜✭✢✣✜★★✥✦✙ ✦✮ ★✦✩✥✪✯ ✬✥✮✮✜✣✜✙✩✜★, ✥★ ✢✦★★✥✐✯✜ ✪✙✬ ★✦❡✜✚✥❡✜★ ✴✧✥✚✜ ✬✜★✥✣✪✐✯✜ ✥✙ ✪ ✬✜❡✦✩✣✪✚✥✩ ★✰★✚✜❡✳ ■✙, ✚✛✥★ ✩✛✪✢✚✜✣ ✫✜ ✪✢✢✯✰ ✚✛✜★✜ ✥✬✜✪★ ✚✦ ✚✛✜ ✢✣✪✩✚✥✩✜ ✦✮ ✬✜❡✦✩✣✪✩✰ ✥✙, ■✙✬✥✪✳ ✵✜ ✯✦✦✶ ✪✚ ✚✛✣✜✜ ✶✥✙✬★ ✦✮ ★✦✩✥✪✯ ✬✥✮✮✜✣✜✙✩✜★ ✚✛✪✚ ✩✪✙ ✚✪✶✜ ✚✛✜, ✮✦✣❡ ✦✮ ★✦✩✥✪✯ ✬✥✤✥★✥✦✙★ ✪✙✬ ✥✙✜✴✧✪✯✥✚✥✜★✳ ❢✛✜★✜ ✪✣✜ ★✦✩✥✪✯ ✬✥✮✮✜✣✜✙✩✜★, ✐✪★✜✬ ✦✙ ❜✜✙✬✜✣✷ ✣✜✯✥❜✥✦✙ ✪✙✬ ✩✪★✚✜✳ ■✙ ✜✪✩✛ ✩✪★✜ ✫✜ ✯✦✦✶ ✪✚ ✚✛✜, ✙✪✚✧✣✜ ✦✮ ✚✛✥★ ✬✥✤✥★✥✦✙ ✥✙ ■✙✬✥✪ ✪✙✬ ✛✦✫ ✥✚ ❜✜✚★ ✜✭✢✣✜★★✜✬ ✥✙ ✢✦✯✥✚✥✩★✳, ✵✜ ✪✯★✦ ✪★✶ ✫✛✜✚✛✜✣ ✬✥✮✮✜✣✜✙✚ ✜✭✢✣✜★★✥✦✙★ ✐✪★✜✬ ✦✙ ✚✛✜★✜ ✬✥✮✮✜✣✜✙✩✜★, ✪✣✜ ✛✜✪✯✚✛✰ ✦✣ ✦✚✛✜✣✫✥★✜ ✥✙ ✪ ✬✜❡✦✩✣✪✩✰✳, , ✓, ✒, ✑, ✏, ✎, ✍, ✌, ☞☛, ❈, ✠, ✡, ✂, ✁, ✠, ✁, ✟✝, ✞✝, ✆, ☎, ✱✄, ✂, ✁, ●, 39

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●✠✡☛✠☞ ✌✡☛ ✍✎✏✑✒✑✓✔, , © Zuban, , Public/private division, , A poster from Bengal affirming women’s, strength., , Sexual division of labour:, A system in which all work, inside the home is either, done by the women of the, family, or organised by, them through the, domestic helpers., , Let us begin with gender division. This, is a form of hierarchical social division, seen everywhere, but is rarely recognised, in the study of politics. The gender, division tends to be understood as natural, and unchangeable. However, it is not, based on biolog y but on social, expectations and stereotypes., , ✟✄, ✝✆, ✝♦, ✂, ✞, ✄✝, ✆❛, ☎✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, 40, , Why are we, discussing t hings, like household, work in t his, t ext book on, Polit ical Science?, I s t his polit ics?, , Why not ? I f, polit ics is about, power, t hen, surely m ale, dom inance in t he, household should, be considered, polit ical., , 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. It is not, that men cannot do housework; they, simply think that it is for women to, attend to these things. When these jobs, are paid for, men are ready to take up, these works. Most tailors or cooks in, hotels are men. Similarly, it is not that, women do not work outside their home., In villages, women fetch water, collect, fuel and work in the fields. In urban, areas, poor women work as domestic, helper in middle class homes, while, middle class women work in offices. In, fact the majority of women do some, sort of paid work in addition to, domestic labour. But their work is not, valued and does not get recognition., 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. Earlier, only men were allowed, to participate in public affairs, vote and, contest for public offices. Gradually the, gender issue was raised in politics., Women in different parts of the world, organised and agitated for equal rights., 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

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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., Political expression of gender, division and political mobilisation on this, , question helped to improve women’s, role in public life. We now find women, working as scientists, doctors, engineers,, lawyers, managers and college and, university teachers which were earlier not, considered suitable for women. In some, parts of the world, for example in, , ☞, , ☛, , ✠, , ✡, , ✂, , ✁, , ✠, , ✁, , ✟, , ✝, , ✞, , ✝, , © Zuban, , ✆, , Discuss all these perceptions of an ideal woman that prevail in our society. Do you, agree with any of these? If not, what is your image of an ideal woman?, , Feminist: A woman, or a man who, believes in equal rights, and opportunities for, women and men., ☎, , ✱, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ●, , 41

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Scandinavian countries such as Sweden,, Norway and Finland, the participation, of women in public life is very high., In our country, women still lag much, behind men despite some improvement, since Independence. Ours is still a male-, , dominated, PATRIARCHAL society. Women, face disadvantage, discrimination and, oppression in various ways:, , ✠, , The literacy rate among women is, only 54 per cent compared with 76 per, cent among men. Similarly, a smaller, , +, , A ‘t im e use survey’ was conduct ed in six st at es of our count ry. I t, shows t hat an average wom an works every day for a lit t le over, seven and half hours while an average m an works for six and a, half hours. Yet t he work done by m en is m ore visible because, m ost of t heir work leads t o generat ion of incom e. Wom en also do, a lot of direct incom e generat ing work, but t he bulk of t heir work, is household relat ed. This work rem ains unpaid and invisible., , Daily time use (hours: minutes), Activities, , Men, , Women, , Income generating work, , 6:00, , 2:40, , Household and related work, , 0:30, , 5:00, , Talking, Gossip, , 1:25, , 1:20, , No work/ Leisure, , 3:40, , 3:50, , 12:25, , 11:10, , Sleep, self-care, reading etc., , Source: Government of India, Time Use Survey, 1998-99., , ✟✄, ✝✆, ✝♦, ✂, ✞, ✄✝, ✆, ❛☎, ✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, 42, , Patriarchy: Literally,, rule by father, this, concept is used to refer, to a system that values, men more and gives, them power over, women., , You can conduct a sim ilar t im e use survey in your own household., Observe all t he adult m ale and fem ale m em bers of your fam ily for, one week. Every day not e down t he num ber of hours each of, t hem spends on t he following act ivit ies: incom e generat ing, act ivit y ( working at t he office or shop or fact ory or field, et c.) ,, household relat ed act ivit y ( cooking, cleaning, washing, fet ching, wat er, looking aft er children or elders, et c.) , reading and, recreat ion, t alking/ gossiping, self- care, t aking rest or sleeping. I f, necessary m ake new categories. Add up the tim e taken on each, activity for a week and calculate the daily average for each activity, for each m em ber. Do wom en work m ore in your fam ily as well?

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proportion of girl students go for higher, studies. When we look at school results,, girls perform as well as boys, if not, better in some places. But they drop out, because parents prefer to spend their, resources for their boys’ education rather, than spending equally on their sons and, daughters., , ✌, , No wonder the proportion of, women among the highly paid and, valued jobs is still very small. 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., , ✌, , 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., , ✌ In many parts of India parents, prefer to have sons and find ways to, have the girl child aborted before she is, born. Such sex-selective abortion led to, a decline in child sex ratio (number of, girl children per thousand boys) in the, , Mum m y always, says t o out siders:, “ I don’t work. I, am a housewife.”, But I see her, working non- st op, all t he t im e. I f, what she does is, not work, what, else is work?, , Can you identify your district on this map?, What is the child sex ratio in it? How is it, different from others with a different colour?, Identify the States where most districts have, child sex ratio below 850., Compare this map with the poster on the next, page. How do the two of them tell us about the, same issue?, , ☞☛, ✠, ✡, , CHILD SEX RATIO, DELHI, , ✂, , BELOW 800, 800-849, 850-899, 900-949, 950 AND ABOVE, DATA NOT AVA LABLE, , ✁, ✠, ✁, ✟✝, ✞✝, , NATIONAL AVERAGE 927, , Source: UNFP, , ✆, ☎, ✱✄, ✂, ✁, , Map not to scale, , ●, 43

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They are not safe even within their own, home from beating, harrassment and, other forms of domestic violence., , Women’s political, representation, , © Oxfam GB, , All this is well known. Yet issues related, to women’s well being or otherwise are, not given adequate attention. This has led, many feminists and women’s movements, to the conclusion 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., , country to merely 927. As the map, shows, this ratio has fallen below 850 or, even 800 in some places., There are reports of various kinds, of harassment, exploitation and violence, against women. Urban areas have, become particularly unsafe for women., , 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. In this, respect, India is among the bottom, group of nations in the world (see the, graph below). India is behind the, , Women in national parliaments in different, regions of the world (in%), 40, 40, , World, Average, 16.8, ✟, , ✄, , ✝, , 20.2, ✆, , 19.6, , ✝, , 16 5, , ♦, , Could you think of some, reasons why women’s, representation is so low, in India? Do you think, America’s and Europe, have achieved a, satisfactory level of, women’s representation?, ✂, , ✞, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ❛, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ❉, , 44, , 16 3, 12 3, , 11.7, 83, , 0, , Nordic Americas E urope SubAsia, countries, Saharan Africa, , Pacific, , South, Asia, , India, , 82, , Arab, States, , Region, Note: Figures are for the per cent of women in the directly elected chambers of parliament in 2006, Source: http://www ipu org/wmn-e/world htm

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averages for several developing countries, of Africa and Latin America. In the, government, cabinets are largely all-male, even when a woman becomes the Chief, Minister or the Prime Minister., One way to solve this problem is to, make it legally binding to have a fair, proportion of women in the elected, bodies. This is what the Panchayati Raj, has done in India. 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 org anisations and, activists have been demanding a similar, , reservation of at least one-third of, seats in the Lok Sabha and State, Assemblies for women. A bill with this, proposal has been pending before the, Parliament for more than a decade. But, there is no consensus over this among, all the political parties. The bill has not, been passed., Gender division is an example that, some form of social division needs to, be expressed in politics. This also shows, that disadvantaged groups do benefit, when social divisions become a political, issue. Do you think that women could, have made the gains we noted above if, their unequal treatment was not raised, in the political domain?, , I f cast eism and, com m unalism are, bad, what m akes, fem inism a good, t hing? Why don’t, we oppose all, t hose who divide, t he societ y on, any lines – cast e,, religion or, gender?, , ☞, , ☛, , ✠, , ✡, , ✂, , ✁, , © Surender - The Hindu, , ✠, , ✁, , ✟, , ✝, , ✞, , ✝, , ✆, , ☎, , ✱, , ✄, , ✂, , This cartoon offers an understanding of why the Women’s Reservation Bill has not been passed in the, Parliament. Do you agree with this reading?, ✁, , ●, , 45

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❘✠✡☛☞☛✌✍✎ ✏✌✑✑✒✍✓✡☛✔✑ ✓✍✕ ✖✌✡☛✗☛✏✔, , ✟✄, ✝✆, ✝♦, ✂, ✞, ✄✝, ✆❛, ☎✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, 46, , I am not religious., Why should I, bot her about, com m unalism and, secularism ?, , Let us now turn to a very different kind, of social division, the division based on, religious differences. This division is not, as universal as gender, but religious, diversity is fairly widespread in the world, today. Many countries including India, have in their population, followers of, different religions. As we noticed in the, case of Northern Ireland, even when, most of the people belong to the same, religion, there can be serious differences, about the way people practice that, religion. Unlike gender differences, the, religious differences are often expressed, in the field of politics., Consider the following:, , ✘, , Gandhiji used to say that religion can, never be separated from politics. What, he meant by religion was not any, , particular religion like Hinduism or Islam, but moral values that inform all religions., He believed that politics must be guided, by ethics drawn from religion., , ✘, , Human rights groups in our country, have argued that 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., , ✘, , 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., All these instances involve a, relationship between religion and politics.

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But they do not seem very wrong or, dangerous. Ideas, ideals and values, drawn from different religions can and, perhaps should play a role in politics., People should be able to express in, politics their needs, interests and demands, as a member of a religious community., Those who hold political power should, sometimes be able to regulate the, practice of religion so as to prevent, discrimination and oppression. 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. The example, of Northern Ireland in Chapter 3 shows, the dangers of such an approach to, nationalism. 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,, 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. Communalism, involves thinking along the following, lines. 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., 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. 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., , I oft en crack, j okes about, people from one, religion. Does, t hat m ake m e, communal?, , 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., Communalism can take various, forms in politics:, , ✌, , 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. This, is so common that we often fail to notice, it, even when we believe in it., , ☞☛, ✠, ✡, , ✌, , 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 for m of majoritarian, dominance. For those belonging to the, minority community, it can take the, form of a desire to form a separate, political unit., , ✌, , Political mobilisation on religious, lines is another frequent form of, , ✂, ✁, Family laws: Those, laws that deal with, family related matters, such as marriage,, divorce, adoption,, inheritance, etc. In our, country, different family, laws apply to followers, of different religions., , ✠, ✁, ✟✝, ✞✝, ✆, ☎, ✱✄, ✂, ✁, ●, 47

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We remain strangers, Even after so many meetings, Blood stains remain, Even after so many rains, ‘Faiz’, , ✟✄, , 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. In electoral, politics this often involves special appeal, to the interests or emotions of voters, of one religion in preference to others., , ✝✆, ✝♦, ✂, ✞, , ✠, ✄✝, ✆, ❛☎, ✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, , 48, , Sometimes communalism takes its, most ugly form of communal violence,, riots and massacre. India and Pakistan, suffered some of the worst communal, riots at the time of the Partition. The, post-Independence period has also seen, large scale communal violence., , Secular state, Communalism was and continues to, be one of the major challenges to, democracy in our country. The makers, of our Constitution were aware of this, challenge. That is why they chose the, model of a secular state. This choice was, reflected in several constitutional, provisions that we studied last year:, , ✠, , 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.

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✌, , The Constitution provides to all, individuals and communities freedom to, profess, practice and propagate any, religion, or not to follow any., , ✌, , The Constitution prohibits, discrimination on grounds of religion., , ✌, , Understood in this sense, secularism, is not just an ideology of some parties, or persons. This idea constitutes one of, the foundations of our country., Communalism should not be seen as a, threat to some people in India. It, threatens the very idea of India. That is, why communalism needs to be, combated. A secular Constitution like, ours is necessary but not sufficient to, combat communalism. Communal, prejudices and propaganda needs to be, , © Ajith Ninan - The Times of India, , 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., , countered in every day life and religion, based mobilisation needs to be, countered in the arena of politics., , ❈✍✎✏✑ ✍✒✓ ✔✕✖✗✏✗✘✎, , Caste inequalities, , this system, hereditary occupational, division was sanctioned by rituals., Members of the same caste group were, supposed to form a social community, that practiced the same or similar, occupation, married within the caste, group and did not eat with members, from other caste groups., , Unlike gender and religion, caste division, is special to India. All societies have some, kind of social inequality and some form, of division of labour. In most societies,, occupations are passed on from one, generation to another. Caste system is an, extreme form of this. What makes it, different from other societies is that in, , Caste system was based on exclusion, of and discrimination against the, ‘outcaste’ groups. They were subjected, to the inhuman practice of untouchability, about which you have studied in Class, IX. That is why political leaders and social, reformers like Jotiba Phule, Gandhiji,, B.R. Ambedkar and Periyar Ramaswami, , We have seen two instances of the, expression of social divisions in the arena, of politics, one largely positive and the, other largely negative. Let us turn to our, final case, that of caste and politics, that, has both positive and the negative aspects., , ☞☛, ✠, ✡, ✂, ✁, ✠, ✁, ✟✝, ✞✝, ✆, ☎, ✱✄, ✂, ✁, ●, 49

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Social and Religious Diversit y of I ndia, The Census of I ndia records t he religion of each and every I ndian aft er every t en, years. The person who fills t he Census form visit s every household and records t he, religion of each m em ber of t hat household exact ly t he way each person describes it ., I f som eone says she has ‘no religion’ or t hat he is an ‘at heist ’, t his is exact ly how it is, recorded. Thus we have reliable inform at ion on t he proport ion of different religious, com m unit ies in t he count ry and how it has changed over t he years. The pie chart, below present s t he populat ion proport ion of six m aj or religious groups in t he count ry., Since I ndependence, t he t ot al populat ion of each group has increased subst ant ially, but t heir proport ion in t he count ry’s populat ion has not changed m uch. I n percent age, t erm s, t he populat ion of t he Hindus, Jains and Christ ians has declined m arginally since, 1961. The proport ion of Muslim , Sikh and Buddhist populat ion has increased slight ly., There is a com m on but m ist aken im pression t hat t he proport ion of t he Muslim s in t he, count ry’s populat ion is going t o overt ake ot her religious groups. Expert est im at es done, for t he Prim e Minist er’s High Level Com m it t ee ( popularly known as Sachar Com m it t ee), show t hat t he proport ion of t he Muslim s is expect ed t o go up a lit t le, by about 3 t o 4, per cent , in t he next 50 years. I t proves t hat in overall t erm s, t he populat ion balance, of different religious groups is not likely t o change in a big way., The sam e is t rue of t he m aj or cast e groups. The Census of I ndia count s t wo social, groups: t he Scheduled Cast es and t he Scheduled Tribes. Bot h t hese broad groups, include hundreds of cast es or t ribes whose nam es are list ed in an official Schedule., Hence t he prefix ‘Scheduled’ in t heir nam e. The Scheduled Cast es, com m only known, as Dalit s, include t hose t hat were previously regarded as ‘out cast e’ in t he Hindu social, order and were subj ect ed t o exclusion and unt ouchabilit y. The Scheduled Tribes, oft en, referred t o as Adivasis, include t hose com m unit ies t hat led a secluded life usually in, hills and forest s and did not int eract m uch wit h t he rest of societ y. I n 2001, t he, Scheduled Cast es were 16.2 per, cent and t he Scheduled Tribes were, Population of different religious, 8.2 per cent of t he count ry’s, group in India, 2001, population., , ✟, , The Census does not yet count t he, Ot her Backward Classes, t he group, we discussed in class I X. Hence, t here are som e differences about, t heir proport ion in t he count ry’s, populat ion. The Nat ional Sam ple, Survey of 2004- 05 est im at es t heir, populat ion t o be around 41 per, cent . Thus t he SC, ST and t he, OBC t oget her account for about, t wo- t hirds of t he count ry’s, populat ion and about t hree- fourt hs, of t he Hindu populat ion., ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ✝, , ♦, , ✂, , ✞, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ❛, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ❉, , 50, , Hindu, 80.5%, , Muslim, 13.4%, , Others 1.9%, Others include Buddhist 0.8% Jain 0.4%, All other religions 0.6% No religion 0.1%, Source: Census of India, 2001, , Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%

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Naicker advocated and worked to, establish a society in which caste, inequalities are absent., Partly due to their efforts and partly, due to other socio-economic changes,, castes and caste system in modern India, have undergone great changes. With, economic development, large scale, URBANISATION, growth of literacy and, education, OCCUPATIONAL MOBILITY and, the weakening of the position of, landlords in the villages, the old notions, of CASTE HIERARCHY are breaking down., Now, most of the times, in urban areas, it does not matter much who is walking, along next to us on a street or eating at, the next table in a restaurant. The, Constitution of India prohibited any, caste-based discrimination and laid the, foundations of policies to reverse the, injustices of the caste system. If a person, who lived a century ago were to return, to India, she would be greatly surprised, at the change that has come about in, the country., Yet caste has not disappeared from, contemporary India. Some of the older, aspects of caste have persisted. Even, now most people marry within their, own caste or tribe. Untouchability has, not ended completely, despite, constitutional prohibition. Effects of, centuries of advantages and, disadvantages continue to be felt today., The caste groups that had access to, education under the old system have, done very well in acquiring modern, education as well. Those groups that did, not have access to education or were, prohibited from acquiring it have naturally, lagged behind. That is why there is a, disproportionately large presence of, ‘upper caste’ among the urban middle, classes in our country. Caste continues to, , I don’t care what, m y cast e is. Why, are we discussing, all t his in t he, t ext book? Are we, not prom ot ing, cast eism by, t alking about, cast e?, , Now you don’t like, it ! Didn’t you t ell, m e t hat wherever, t here is dom inat ion,, we should discuss it, in Polit ical Science?, Will cast e disappear, if we keep m um, about it ?, , be closely linked to economic status., (See Plus Box on Page 52.), , Caste in politics, As in the case of communalism, casteism, is rooted in the belief that caste is the, sole basis of social community., According to this way of thinking,, people belonging to the same caste, belong to a natural social community and, have the same interests which they do, not share with anyone from another caste., As we saw in the case of communalism,, such a belief is not borne out by our, experience. Caste is one aspect of our, experience but it is not the only relevant, or the most important aspect., Caste can take various forms in politics:, , ✌, , When parties choose candidates in, elections, they keep in mind the caste, composition of the electorate and, nominate candidates from different, castes so as to muster necessary support, to win elections. When governments are, formed, political parties usually take care, that representatives of different castes and, tribes find a place in it., , Urbanisation: Shift of, population from rural, areas to urban areas, Occupational, mobility: Shift from, one occupation to, another, usually when a, new generation takes up, occupations other than, those practiced by their, ancestors., Caste hierarchy: A, ladder like formation in, which all the caste, groups are placed from, the ‘highest’ to the, ‘lowest’ castes., , ☞☛, ✠, ✡, ✂, ✁, ✠, ✁, ✟✝, ✞✝, ✆, ☎, ✱✄, ✂, ✁, ●, 51

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Cast e inequalit y t oday, Cast e is an im port ant source of econom ic inequalit y because it regulat es access, t o resources of various kinds. For exam ple, in t he past , t he so- called, ‘unt ouchable’ cast es were denied t he right t o own land, while only t he so- called, ‘t wice born’ cast es had t he right t o educat ion. Alt hough t his kind of explicit and, form alised inequalit y based on cast e is now out lawed, t he effect s of cent uries of, accum ulat ed advant ages and disadvant ages cont inue t o be felt . Moreover, new, kinds of inequalit ies have also developed., The relat ionship bet ween cast e and econom ic st at us has cert ainly changed a lot ., Today, it is possible t o find very rich and very poor people in every cast e,, whet her ‘low’ or ‘high’. This was not t rue even t went y or t hirt y years ago – it, was very rare indeed t o find rich people am ong t he ‘lowest ’ cast es. However, as, t his evidence from t he Nat ional Sam ple Survey shows, cast e cont inues t o be very, st rongly linked t o econom ic st at us in m any im port ant ways:, , ✠, , The average econom ic st at us ( m easured by crit eria like m ont hly consum pt ion, expendit ure) of cast e groups st ill follows t he old hierarchy – t he ‘upper’ cast es, are best off, t he Dalit s and Adivasis are worst off, and t he backward classes are, in bet ween., , ✠, , Alt hough every cast e has som e poor m em bers, t he proport ion living in, ext rem e povert y ( below t he official ‘povert y line’) is m uch higher for t he lowest, cast es and m uch lower for t he upper cast es, wit h t he backward classes once, again in bet ween., , ✠, , Alt hough every cast e has som e m em bers who are rich, t he upper cast es are, heavily over- represent ed am ong t he rich while t he lower cast es are severely, under- represent ed., , Percentage of poulation living below the poverty line, 1999-2000, Rural, , Urban, , Scheduled Tribes, , 45.8, , 35.6, , Scheduled Castes, , 35.9, , 38.3, , Other Backward Classes, , 27.0, , 29.5, , Muslim Upper Castes, , 26.8, , 34.2, , Hindu Upper Castes, , 11.7, , 9.9, , ✂, , ✆✝, , ✄✝, , ✟, , Christian Upper Castes, , 9.6, , 5.4, , ✄✝, , Sikh Upper Castes, , 0.0, , 4.9, , Other Upper Castes, , 16.0, , 2.7, , All Groups, , 27.0, , 23.4, , ♦, , Caste and Community groups, , ✞, ✆, ❛☎, ✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, 52, , Note: ‘Upper Caste’ here means those who are not from SC, ST, or OBC. Below the poverty line, means those who spent Rs 327 or less per person per month in rural and Rs 454 or less per, person per month in urban areas., Source: National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO), Government of India, 55th Round, 1999-2000

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✌, , Political parties and candidates in, elections make appeals to caste sentiment, to muster support. Some political parties, are known to favour some castes and, are seen as their representatives., , ✌, , Universal adult franchise and the, principle of one-person-one-vote, compelled political leaders to gear up, to the task of mobilising and securing, political support. It also brought new, consciousness among the people of, castes that were hitherto treated as, inferior and low., The focus on caste in politics can, sometimes give an impression that, elections are all about caste and nothing, else. That is far from true. Just consider, these:, , ✌, , No parliamentary constituency in, the country has a clear majority of one, single caste. So, every candidate and party, needs to win the confidence of more, than one caste and community to win, elections., , Clearly, while caste matters in, electoral politics, so do many other, factors. The voters have strong, attachment to political parties which is, often stronger than their attachment to, their caste or community. People within, the same caste or community have, different interests depending on their, economic condition. Rich and poor or, men and women from the same caste, often vote very differently. People’s, assessment of the performance of the, government and the popularity rating of, the leaders matter and are often decisive, in elections., , Politics in caste, We have so far looked at what caste does, to politics. But it does not mean that there, is only a one-way relation between caste, and politics. Politics too influences the, caste system and caste identities by, bringing them into the political arena., , ✌, , No party wins the votes of all the, voters of a caste or community. When, people say that a caste is a ‘vote bank’, of one party, it usually means that a large, proportion of the voters from that caste, vote for that party., Many political parties may put up, candidates from the same caste (if that, caste is believed to dominate the, electorate in a particular constituency)., Some voters have more than one, candidate from their caste while many, voters have no candidate from their, caste., , ✌, , The ruling party and the sitting MP, or MLA frequently lose elections in our, country. That could not have happened, if all castes and communities were, frozen in their political preferences., , ☞☛, , © Ajith Ninan - India Today Book of Cartoons, , ✌, , Do you think that political leaders are right to treat people belonging, to a caste as ‘vote banks’?, , ✠, ✡, ✂, ✁, ✠, ✁, ✟✝, ✞✝, ✆, ☎, ✱✄, ✂, ✁, ●, 53

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Thus, it is not politics that gets casteridden, it is the caste that gets politicised., This takes several forms:, , ✠, , Each caste group tries to become, bigger by incorporating within it, neighbouring castes or sub-castes which, were earlier excluded from it., , ✠, , Various caste groups are required to, enter into a coalition with other castes or, communities and thus enter into a, dialogue and negotiation., , ✠, , New kinds of caste groups have, come up in the political arena like, ‘backward’ and ‘forward’ caste groups., , Thus, caste plays different kinds of, roles in politics. In some situations,, expression of caste differences in politics, gives many disadvantaged communities, the space to demand their share of, power. In this sense-caste politics has, helped people from Dalits and OBC, castes to gain better access to decision, making. Several political and non-political, organisations have been demanding and, agitating for an end to discrimination, against particular castes, for more dignity, and more access to land, resources and, opportunities., , ✟✄, , At the same time exclusive attention, to caste can produce negative results as, well. As in the case of religion, politics, based on caste identity alone is not very, healthy in a democracy. It can divert, attention from other pressing issues like, poverty, development and corruption. In, some cases caste division leads to, tensions, conflict and even violence., , ✝✆, ✝♦, ✂, ✞, ✄✝, ✆, ❛☎, ✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, 54

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1., , Ment ion different aspect s of life in which wom en are discrim inat ed, or disadvant aged in I ndia., , 2., , St at e different form s of com m unal polit ics wit h one exam ple each., , 3., , St at e how cast e inequalit ies are st ill cont inuing in I ndia., , 4., , St at e t w o reasons t o say t hat cast e alone cannot det erm ine, elect ion result s in I ndia., , 5., , What is t he st at us of wom en’s represent at ion in I ndia’s legislat ive, bodies?, , 6., , Ment ion any t wo const it ut ional provisions t hat m ake I ndia a, secular st at e., , 7., , When we speak of gender divisions, we usually refer t o:, ( a) Biological difference bet ween m en and wom en, ( b) Unequal roles assigned by t he societ y t o m en and wom en, ( c) Unequal child sex rat io, ( d) Absence of vot ing right s for wom en in dem ocracies, , 8 . I n I ndia seat s are reserved for wom en in, ( a) Lok Sabha, ( b) St at e legislat ive assem blies, ( c) Cabinet s, ( d) Panchayat i Raj bodies, 9 . Consider t he following st at em ent s on t he m eaning of com m unal, polit ics. Com m unal polit ics is based on t he belief t hat :, A. One religion is superior t o t hat of ot hers., B. People belonging t o different religions can live t oget her happily, as equal cit izens., C. Followers of a part icular religion const it ut e one com m unit y., D. St at e power cannot be used t o est ablish t he dom inat ion of, one religious group over ot hers., Which of t he st at em ent s is/ ar e cor r ect ?, ( a) A, B, C, and D ( b) A, B, and D ( c) A and C, , ☞, , ☛, , ( d) B and D, ✠, , ✡, , 10. Which am ong t he following st at em ent s about I ndia’s Const it ut ion, is wrong? I t, ( a) prohibit s discrim inat ion on grounds of religion., ( b) gives official st at us t o one religion., ( c) provides t o all individuals freedom t o profess any religion., ( d) ensures equalit y of cit izens wit hin religious com m unit ies., ✂, , ✁, , ✠, , ✁, , ✟, , ✝, , ✞, , ✝, , 11. Social divisions based on _________ are peculiar t o I ndia., ✆, , ☎, , ✱, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ●, , 55

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12. Mat ch List I wit h List I I and select t he correct answer using t he, codes given below t he List s:, List I, 1., 2., 3., 4., , ( a), ( b), ( c), ( d), , ✟, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ✝, , ♦, , ✂, , ✞, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ❛, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ❉, , 56, , List I I, , A person who believes in equal right s, and opport unit ies for wom en and m en, A person who says t hat religion is t he, principal basis of com m unit y, , B. Fem inist, , A person who t hinks t hat cast e is t he, principal basis of com m unit y, , C. Secular ist, , A person who does not discrim inat e, ot hers on t he basis of religious beliefs, , D. Cast iest, , 1, B, B, D, C, , 2, C, A, C, A, , 3, A, D, A, B, , 4, D, C, B, D, , A. Com m unalist

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❖✒✓✔✒✕✓✖, ■✗ ✘✙✚ ✚✛✜✢✣✚✜ ✤✙✛✥✘✚✜✦ ✧✚ ★✣✦✤✩✦✦✚★ ✧✙✪ ✥✫✧✚✜ ✦✙✛✜✣✗✬ ✣✦ ✣✭✥✫✜✘✛✗✘, ✣✗ ✛ ★✚✭✫✤✜✛✤✪ ✛✗★ ✙✫✧ ★✣✐✐✚✜✚✗✘ ✘✣✚✜✦ ✫✐ ✬✫✮✚✜✗✭✚✗✘ ✛✗★ ✮✛✜✣✫✩✦, ✦✫✤✣✛✢ ✬✜✫✩✥✦ ✦✙✛✜✚ ✥✫✧✚✜✳ ■✗ ✘✙✣✦ ✤✙✛✥✘✚✜ ✧✚ ✧✣✢✢ ✤✛✜✜✪ ✘✙✣✦ ★✣✦✤✩✦✦✣✫✗, ✐✩✜✘✙✚✜ ✛✗★ ✦✚✚ ✙✫✧ ✘✙✫✦✚ ✧✙✫ ✚❢✚✜✤✣✦✚ ✥✫✧✚✜ ✛✜✚ ✤✫✗✦✘✜✛✣✗✚★ ✯✪ ✘✙✚, ✣✗✐✢✩✚✗✤✚ ✛✗★ ✥✜✚✦✦✩✜✚ ✚❢✚✜✘✚★ ✫✗ ✘✙✚✭✳ ✰✚✭✫✤✜✛✤✪ ✛✢✭✫✦✘ ✣✗✮✛✜✣✛✯✢✪, ✣✗✮✫✢✮✚✦ ✤✫✗✐✢✣✤✘ ✫✐ ✣✗✘✚✜✚✦✘✦ ✛✗★ ✮✣✚✧✥✫✣✗✘✦✳ ✱✙✚✦✚ ★✣✐✐✚✜✚✗✤✚✦ ✛✜✚, ✫✐✘✚✗ ✚❢✥✜✚✦✦✚★ ✣✗ ✫✜✬✛✗✣✦✚★ ✧✛✪✦✳ ✱✙✫✦✚ ✧✙✫ ✛✜✚ ✣✗ ✥✫✧✚✜ ✛✜✚ ✜✚✲✩✣✜✚★, ✘✫ ✯✛✢✛✗✤✚ ✘✙✚✦✚ ✤✫✗✐✢✣✤✘✣✗✬ ★✚✭✛✗★✦ ✛✗★ ✥✜✚✦✦✩✜✚✦✳ ✴✚ ✯✚✬✣✗ ✘✙✣✦, ✤✙✛✥✘✚✜ ✧✣✘✙ ✛ ★✣✦✤✩✦✦✣✫✗ ✫✐ ✙✫✧ ✦✘✜✩✬✬✢✚✦ ✛✜✫✩✗★ ✤✫✗✐✢✣✤✘✣✗✬ ★✚✭✛✗★✦, ✛✗★ ✥✜✚✦✦✩✜✚✦ ✦✙✛✥✚ ★✚✭✫✤✜✛✤✪✳ ✱✙✣✦ ✢✚✛★✦ ✘✫ ✛✗ ✛✗✛✢✪✦✣✦ ✫✐ ✘✙✚, ★✣✐✐✚✜✚✗✘ ✧✛✪✦ ✛✗★ ✫✜✬✛✗✣✦✛✘✣✫✗✦ ✘✙✜✫✩✬✙ ✧✙✣✤✙ ✫✜★✣✗✛✜✪ ✤✣✘✣❞✚✗ ✤✛✗, ✥✢✛✪ ✛ ✜✫✢✚ ✣✗ ★✚✭✫✤✜✛✤✪✳ ■✗ ✘✙✣✦ ✤✙✛✥✘✚✜✵ ✧✚ ✢✫✫✶ ✛✘ ✘✙✚ ✣✗★✣✜✚✤✘ ✧✛✪✦, ✫✐ ✣✗✐✢✩✚✗✤✣✗✬ ✥✫✢✣✘✣✤✦✵ ✘✙✜✫✩✬✙ ✥✜✚✦✦✩✜✚ ✬✜✫✩✥✦ ✛✗★ ✭✫✮✚✭✚✗✘✦✳, ✱✙✣✦ ✢✚✛★✦ ✩✦ ✣✗ ✘✙✚ ✗✚❢✘ ✤✙✛✥✘✚✜ ✘✫ ✘✙✚ ★✣✜✚✤✘ ✧✛✪✦ ✫✐ ✤✫✗✘✜✫✢✢✣✗✬, ✥✫✢✣✘✣✤✛✢ ✥✫✧✚✜ ✣✗ ✘✙✚ ✐✫✜✭ ✫✐ ✥✫✢✣✘✣✤✛✢ ✥✛✜✘✣✚✦✳, ✑, ✏, , ✟t, ✍, , ❡, , ❛, ✞, ✎, ✞, ✈, ✌, ♦, ✡, ☞, ✠, ❛, ☛, ✄, ✟, ❈, ✞✂, ✝, ✝, ✁☎, t✆, ☎, ✄✂, ✁, ♦, P, 57

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P✠✡☛☞✌✍ ✎✏✍☛✑✑☞✒✎ ✓✔ ✕✒✡✌☞ ✌✔✖ ✗✠☞✓✘✓✌, Do you remember the story of the, triumph of democracy in Poland? We, studied it last year in the first chapter, of class IX. The story reminded us, about the role played by the people, in the making of democracy. Let us, read two recent stories of that kind, and see how power is exercised in, democracy., , Movement for democracy in, Nepal, Nepal witnessed an extraordinary, popular movement in April 2006. The, movement was aimed at restoring, democracy. Nepal, you might recall, was, one of the ‘third wave’ countries that had, won democracy in 1990. Although the, , ✟✄, ✝✆, ✝♦, ✂✞, ✄✝, ✆❛, ☎✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, 58, , king formally remained the head of the, state, the real power was exercised by, popularly elected representatives. King, Birendra, who has accepted this transition, from absolute monarchy to constitutional, monarchy, was killed in a mysterious, massacre of the royal family in 2001., King Gyanendra, the new king of Nepal,, was not prepared to accept democratic, rule. He took advantage of the weakness, and unpopularity of the democratically, elected government. In February 2005,, the king dismissed the then Prime Minister, and dissolved the popularly elected, Parliament. The movement of April, 2006 was aimed at regaining popular, control over the government from, the king.

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© Min Bajarachya, , Political parties and people of Nepal in a rally demanding restoration of democracy in their country, , All the major political parties in the, parliament formed a Seven Party, Alliance (SPA) and called for a four day, strike in Kathmandu, the country’s capital., This protest soon turned into an, indefinite strike in which M AOIST, insurgents and various other, organisations joined hands. People defied, curfew and took to the streets. The, security forces found themselves unable, to take on more than a lakh people who, gathered almost every day to demand, restoration of democracy. The number, of protesters reached between three to, five lakhs on 21 April and they served, an ultimatum to the king. The leaders, of the movement rejected the halfhearted concessions made by the king., They stuck to their demand for, , restoration of parliament, power to, an all-party government and a new, constituent assembly., On 24 April 2004, the last day of, the ultimatum, the king was forced to, concede all the three demands. The SPA, chose Girija Prasad Koirala as the new, Prime Minister of the interim, government. The restored parliament, met and passed laws taking away most, of the powers of the king. The SPA and, the Maoists came to an understanding, about how the new Constituent, Assembly was going to be elected. This, struggle came to be known as Nepal’s, second movement for democracy. The, struggle of the Nepali people is a source, of inspiration to democrats all over, the world., , ✟, , t, , ❛, , ✞, , ❡, , ✞, , ✈, , ♦, , ✡, , ✠, , ❛, , ✄, , ✟, , Maoists: Those, communists who believe, in the ideology of Mao, the, leader of the Chinese, revolution. They seek to, overthrow the government, through an armed, revolution so as to, establish the rule of the, peasants and workers., ✞, , ✂, , ✝, , ✝, , ✁, , ☎, , t, , ✆, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ♦, , P, , 59

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Bolivia’s Water War, The story of Poland and that of Nepal, apply to the struggle for establishing or, restoring democracy. But the role of, popular struggles does not come to an, end with the establishment of democracy., People’s successful struggle against, privatisation of water in Bolivia reminds, us that popular struggles are integral to, the working of democracy., Bolivia is a poor country in Latin, America. The World Bank pressurised the, government to give up its control of, municipal water supply. The government, sold these rights for the city of, Cochabamba to a multi-national, company (MNC). The company, immediately increased the price of water, by four times. Many people received, monthly water bill of Rs 1000 in a, country where average income is around, Rs 5000 a month. This led to a, spontaneous popular protest., , ✟✄, ✝✆, ✝♦, ✂, ✞, ✄✝, ✆, ❛☎, ✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, 60, , Are you, suggest ing t hat, st rike, dharna,, bandh and, dem onstration, are a good t hing?, I t hought it, happened only in, our count ry,, because we are, not a m at ure, dem ocracy yet ., , In January 2000, a new alliance of, labour, human rights and community, leaders organised a successful four-day, general strike in the city. The government, agreed to negotiate and the strike was, called off. Yet nothing happened. The, police resorted to brutal repression when, the agitation was started again in February., Another strike followed in April and the, government imposed martial law. But the, power of the people forced the officials, of the MNC to flee the city and made, the government concede to all the, demands of the protesters. The contract, with the MNC was cancelled and water, supply was restored to the municipality, at old rates. This came to be known as, Bolivia’s water war., , Democracy and popular, struggles, These two stories are from very different, contexts. The movement in Nepal was, to establish democracy, while the struggle, in Bolivia involved claims on an elected,, democratic government. The popular, struggle in Bolivia was about one specific, policy, while the struggle in Nepal was, about the foundations of the country’s, politics. Both these struggles were, successful but their impact was at, different levels., Despite these differences, both the, stories share some elements which are, relevant to the study of the past and, future of democracies. Both these are, instances of political conflict that led to, popular struggles. In both cases the, struggle involved mass mobilisation., Public demonstration of mass support, clinched the dispute. Finally, both, instances involved critical role of political, organisations. If you recall the first, chapter of class IX textbook, this is how, democracy has evolved all over the, world. We can therefore draw a few, conclusions from these examples:, , ✠, , Democracy evolves through, popular struggles. It is possible that some, significant decisions may take place, through consensus and may not involve, any conflict at all. But that would be an, exception. Defining moments of, democracy usually involve conflict, between those groups who have, exercised power and those who aspire, for a share in power. These moments, come when the country is going through, transition to democracy, expansion of, democracy or deepening of democracy., , ✠, , Democratic conflict is resolved, through mass mobilisation. Sometimes

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it is possible that the conflict is resolved, by using the existing institutions like the, parliament or the judiciary. But when, there is a deep dispute, very often these, institutions themselves get involved in the, dispute. The resolution has to come, from outside, from the people., , ☛, , These conflicts and mobilisations are, , based on new political organisations., True, there is an element of spontaneity, in all such historic moments. But the, spontaneous public participation, becomes effective with the help of, organised politics. There can be many, agencies of organised politics. These, include political parties, pressure groups, and movement groups., , Does it m ean t hat, whichever side, m anages t o, m obilise a bigger, crowd get s away, wit h what ever it, want s? Are we, saying t hat ‘Might, is Right ’ in a, dem ocracy?, , I n 1984, t he Karnat aka governm ent set up a com pany called Karnat aka Pulpwood, Lim it ed. About 30,000 hect ares of land was given virt ually free t o t his com pany for 40, years. Much of t his land was used by local farm ers as grazing land for t heir cat t le., However t he com pany began t o plant eucalypt us t rees on t his land, which could be used, for m aking paper pulp. I n 1987, a m ovem ent called Kit t iko- Hachchiko ( m eaning, pluck and, plant ) st art ed a non- violent prot est , where people plucked t he eucalypt us plant s and, plant ed saplings of t rees t hat were useful t o t he people., Suppose you belong t o any of t he following groups, what argum ent s would you put, forward t o defend your side: a local farm er, an environm ent al act ivist , a governm ent, official working in t his com pany or j ust a consum er of paper., , ✟t, ❛✞, ❡✞, , ▼☞✌✍✎✍✏✑✒✍☞✓ ✑✓✔ ☞✕✖✑✓✍✏✑✒✍☞✓✏, Let us go back to our two examples and, look at the organisations that made these, struggles successful. We noted that the, call for indefinite strike was given by the, SPA or the Seven Party Alliance in Nepal., This alliance included some big parties, that had some members in the, Parliament. But the SPA was not the only, organisation behind this mass upsurge., The protest was joined by the Nepalese, Communist Party (Maoist) which did not, believe in parliamentary democracy. This, , ✈, ♦, ✡, , party was involved in an armed struggle, against the Nepali government and had, established its control over large parts, of Nepal., The strug gle involved many, organisations other than political parties., All the major labour unions and their, federations joined this movement. Many, other organisations like the organisation, of the indigenous people, teachers,, lawyers and human rights groups, extended support to the movement., , ✠, ❛✄, ✟✞, ✂, ✝, ✝, ✁☎, t✆, ☎✄, ✂, ✁, ♦, P, 61

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The protest against water, privatisation in Bolivia was not led by, any political party. It was led by an, organisation called FEDECOR. This, organisation comprised of local, professionals, including engineers and, environmentalists. They were supported, by a federation of farmers who relied, on irrigation, the confederation of, factory workers’ unions, middle class, students from the the University of, Cochabamba and the city’s growing, population of homeless street children., The movement was supported by the, Socialist Party. In 2006, this party came, to power in Bolivia., , I don’t like t his, word, ‘m obilisation’., Makes it feel as if, people are like, sheep., , From both these examples we can, see that in a democracy several different, kinds of organisations work behind any, big struggle. These organisations play, , their role in two ways. One obvious way, of influencing the decisions in a, democracy is direct participation in, competitive politics. This is done by, creating parties, contesting elections and, forming governments. But every citizen, does not participate so directly. They, may not have the desire, the need or, the skills to take part in direct political, activity other than voting., There are many indirect ways in, which people can get governments to, listen to their demands or their point of, view. They could do so by forming an, organisation and undertaking activities to, promote their interest or their viewpoint., These are called interest groups or, pressure groups. Sometimes people, decide to act together without forming, organisations., , ✟, , ✄, , ✝, , ✝, , © Keshav - The Hindu, , ✆, , ♦, , ✂, , ✞, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ❛, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , Governments initiate schemes and programme to alleviate the suffering of the poor, and meet their basic needs. But poverty remains in the country? What could be the, reasons for such a situation?, ✁, , ❉, , 62

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☛☞✌✍✍✎☞✌ ✏☞✑✎✒✍ ✓✔✕ ✖✑✗✌✖✌✔✘✍, Pressure groups are organisations that, attempt to influence government, policies. But unlike political parties,, pressure groups do not aim to directly, control or share political power. These, organisations are formed when people, with common occupation, interest,, aspirations or opinions come together, in order to achieve a common objective., In the course of the discussion, above we came across entities that are, not quite an organisation. The struggle, in Nepal was called a movement for, democracy. We often hear the word, , people’s movement to describe many, forms of collective action: Narmada, Bachao Andolan, Movement for Right, to Information, Anti-liquor Movement,, Women’s Movement, Environmental, Movement. Like an interest group, a, movement also attempts to influence, politics rather than directly take part in, electoral competition. But unlike the, interest groups, movements have a, loose organisation. Their decision, making is more informal and flexible., They depend much more on, spontaneous mass participation than an, interest group., , ✟t, , Can you identify the, pressure groups, functioning in the news, clippings given here?, What demand are they, making?, , ❛✞, ❡✞, ✈♦, ✡, ✠❛, ✄, ✟✞, ✂✝, ✝✁, ☎t, ✆, ☎✄, ✂✁, ♦P, 63

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Sectional interest groups and, public interest groups, Usually interest groups seek to promote, the interests of a particular section or, group of society. Trade unions, business, associations and professional (lawyers,, doctors, teachers, etc.) bodies are some, examples of this type. They are sectional, because they represent a section of, society: workers, employees, businesspersons, industrialists, followers of a, religion, caste group, etc. Their principal, concern is the betterment and well being, of their members, not society in general., Sometimes these organisations are, not about representing the interest of one, section of society. They represent some, common or general interest that needs, to be defended. The members of the, organisation may not benefit from the, cause that the organisation represents. The, Bolivian organisation FEDECOR is an, example of that kind of an organisation., In the context of Nepal, we noted the, participation of human rights, organisations. We read about these, organisations in class IX., , ✟, , ✄, , ✆, , © w kipedia.com, , ✝, , ✝, , ♦, , ✂, , ✞, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , Land rights protest: farmers of West Java, Indonesia. On June 2004,, about 15,000 landless farmers from West Java, travelled to Jakarta,, the capital city. They came with their families to demand land reform, to, insist on the return of their farms. Demonstrators chanted, “No land, No, vote” declaring that they would boycott Indonesia’s first presidential, election if no candidate backed land reform., ❛, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ❉, , 64, , These second type of groups are, called promotional groups or public, interest groups. They promote collective, rather than selective good. They aim to, help groups other than their own, members. For example, a group fighting, against bonded labour fights not for itself, but for those who are suffering under, such bondage. In some instances the, members of a public interest group may, undertake activity that benefits them as, well as others too. For example,, BAMCEF (Backward and Minorities, Community Employees Federation) is an, organisation largely made up of, government employees that campaigns, against caste discrimination. It addresses

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the problems of its members who suffer, discrimination. But its principal concern, is with social justice and social equality, for the entire society., , Movement groups, As in the case of interest groups, the, groups involved with movements also, include a very wide variety. The various, examples mentioned above already, indicate a simple distinction. Most of, the movements are issue specific, movements that seek to achieve a single, objective within a limited time frame., Others are more general or generic, movements that seek to achieve a broad, goal in the very long term., The Nepalese movement for, democracy arose with the specific, objective of reversing the king’s orders, that led to suspension of democracy. In, India, Narmada Bachao Andolan is a, good example of this kind of, movement. The movement started with, , the specific issue of the people displaced, by the creation of Sardar Sarovar, dam on the Narmada river. Its objective, was to stop the dam from being, constructed. Gradually it became a, wider movement that questioned all, such big dams and the model of, development that required such dams., Movements of this kind tend to have a, clear leadership and some organisation., But their active life is usually short., These single-issue movements can, be contrasted with movements that are, long term and involve more than one, issue. The environmental movement and, the women’s movement are examples, of such movements. There is no single, organisation that controls or guides such, movements. Environmental movement, is a label for a large number of, organisations and issue-specific, movements. All of these have separate, organisation, independent leadership, and often different views on policy, , Social movements and, pressure groups try to, mobilise citizens in, many ways. The collage, here show some of, them., , ✟, , t, , ❛, , ✞, , ❡, , ✞, , ✈, , ♦, , ✡, , ✠, , ❛, , ✄, , ✟, , ✞, , ✂, , ✝, , ✝, , ✁, , ☎, , t, , ✆, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ♦, , P, , 65

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© Surendera - The Hindu, , National Alliance for Peoples’, Movements (NAPM) is an organisation, of organisations. Various movement, groups struggling on specific issues are, constituents of this loose organisation, which coordinates the activities of a, large number of peoples’ movements, in our country., How do they influence politics?, Pressure groups and movements exert, influence on politics in a variety of ways:, , ✠, The Right to Information, Act is one of the recent, legislations passed by, Parliament? Who is, shown as obstructing the, implementation of the, legislation?, , related matters. Yet all of these share a, broad objective and have a similar, approach. That is why they are called a, movement. Sometimes these broad, movements have a loose umbrella, organisation as well. For example, the, , They try to gain public support and, sympathy for their goals and their activity, by carrying out information campaigns,, organising meetings, file petitions, etc., Most of these groups try to influence, the media into giving more attention to, these issues., , ✠, , They often organise protest activity, like strikes or disrupting government, , ✟✄, ✝✆, ✝♦, ✂, ✞, ✄✝, ✆, ❛☎, ✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, 66, , What are the social movements listed in these news clippings? What efforts are they, making? Which sections are they trying to mobilise?

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programmes. Workers’ organisations,, employees’ associations and most of the, movement groups often resort to these, tactics in order to force the government, to take note of their demand., , ☛, , Business groups often employ, professional lobbyists or sponsor, expensive advertisements. Some persons, from pressure groups or movement, groups may participate in official bodies, and committees that offer advice to the, government., While interest groups and movements, do not directly engage in party politics,, they seek to exert influence on political, parties. Most of the movement groups, take a political stance without being a party., They have political ideology and political, position on major issues. The relationship, between political parties and pressure, groups can take different forms, some, direct and others very indirect:, , ☛, , In some instances the pressure, groups are either formed or led by the, leaders of political parties or act as, extended arms of political parties. For, example, most trade unions and students’, organisations in India are either, established by or affiliated to one or the, other major political party. Most of the, leaders of such pressure groups are, usually activists and leaders of party., , ☛, , Sometimes political parties grow out, of movements. For example, when the, Assam movement led by students against, the ‘foreigners’ came to an end, it led to, the formation of the Asom Gana, Parishad. The roots of parties like the, DMK and the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, can be traced to a long drawn social, reform movement during the 1930 and, 1940s., , ☛, , In most cases the relationship, between parties and interest or, movement groups is not so direct. They, often take positions that are opposed to, each other. Yet they are in dialogue and, negotiation. Movement groups have, raised new issues that have been taken, up by political parties. Most of the new, leadership of political parties comes, from interest or movement groups., , Is their influence healthy?, It may initially appear that it is not healthy, for groups that promote interest of one, section to have influence in democracy., A democracy must look after the interest, of all, not just one section. Also, it may, seem that these groups wield power, without responsibility. Political parties, have to face the people in elections, but, these groups are not accountable to the, people. Pressure groups and movements, may not get their funds and support, , ✟t, ❛✞, ❡✞, ✈, ♦, ✡, ✠, ❛✄, ✟✞, ✂, ✝, ✝, ✁☎, , Follow t he news on any news TV channel for one week. Make a not e of news relat ed, t o pressure groups or m ovem ent s represent ing t he following sect ors or sect ions: farm ers,, t raders, labour, indust ry, environm ent and wom en. Which of t hese are m ent ioned m ost on, t elevision news? Which sect ions or int erest s get m ent ioned t he least ? You m ay follow a, newspaper if you don’t have TV at hom e., , t✆, ☎✄, ✂, ✁, ♦, P, 67

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The Green Belt Movem ent has plant ed 30 m illion t rees across Kenya. I t s, leader Wangari Maat hai is very disappoint ed wit h t he response of governm ent, officials and polit icians:, “ I n t he 1970s and 1980s, as I was encouraging farm ers t o plant t rees on t heir, land, I also discovered t hat corrupt governm ent agent s were responsible for m uch, of t he deforest at ion by illegally selling off land and t rees t o, well- connect ed developers. I n t he early 1990’s, t he, livelihoods, t he right s and even t he lives of m any Kenyans in, t he Rift Valley were lost when elem ent s of President Daniel, Arap Moi’s governm ent encouraged et hnic com m unit ies t o, at t ack one anot her over land. Support ers of t he ruling part y, got t he land, while t hose in t he pro- dem ocracy m ovem ent, were displaced. This was one of t he governm ent ’s ways of, ret aining power; if com m unit ies were kept busy fight ing over, land, t hey would have less opport unit y t o dem and dem ocracy.”, , © Alen Lauzan Falcon - Cagle Cartoons Inc., , I n t he above passage what relat ionship do you see bet ween, dem ocracy and social m ovem ent s? How should t his m ovem ent, respond t o t he governm ent ?, , ✟, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ✝, , ♦, , ✂, , ✞, , ✄, , from the people. Sometimes, pressure, groups with small public support but lots, of money can highjack public discussion, in favour of their narrow agenda., On balance, however, pressure, groups and movements have deepened, democracy. Putting pressure on the rulers, is not an unhealthy activity in a democracy, as long as everyone gets this opportunity., Governments can often come under, undue pressure from a small group of, rich and powerful people. Public, interest groups and movements, perform a useful role of countering, this undue influence and reminding, , ✝, , ✆, , ❛, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ❉, , 68, , This cartoon is called ‘News-no-news’., Who is most often visible in the media?, Whom are we most likely to hear about, in newspapers?, , the government of the needs and, concerns of ordinary citizens., Even the sectional interest groups, play a valuable role. Where different, groups function actively, no one single, group can achieve dominance over, society. If one group brings pressure on, government to make policies in its, favour, another will bring counter, pressure not to make policies in the way, the first group desires. The government, gets to hear about what different sections, of the population want. This leads to a, rough balance of power and, accommodation of conflicting interests.

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❖✍✎✏✍✑✎✒, ■✓ ✔✕✖✗ ✔✘✙✚ ✘✛ ✜✢✣✘✤✚✥✤✦ ✧✢ ✕✥★✢ ✤✘✣✢ ✥✤✚✘✗✗ ✩✘✪✖✔✖✤✥✪ ✩✥✚✔✖✢✗ ✗✢★✢✚✥✪, ✔✖✣✢✗t ■✓ ✫✪✥✗✗ ■✬✭ ✧✢ ✓✘✔✖✤✢✜ ✔✕✢ ✚✘✪✢ ✘✛ ✩✘✪✖✔✖✤✥✪ ✩✥✚✔✖✢✗ ✖✓ ✔✕✢ ✚✖✗✢ ✘✛, ✜✢✣✘✤✚✥✤✖✢✗✭ ✖✓ ✔✕✢ ✛✘✚✣✥✔✖✘✓ ✘✛ ✤✘✓✗✔✖✔✙✔✖✘✓✥✪ ✜✢✗✖❞✓✗✭ ✖✓ ✢✪✢✤✔✘✚✥✪, ✩✘✪✖✔✖✤✗ ✥✓✜ ✖✓ ✔✕✢ ✣✥♣✖✓❞ ✥✓✜ ✧✘✚♣✖✓❞ ✘✛ ❞✘★✢✚✓✣✢✓✔✗t ■✓ ✔✕✖✗, ✔✢✮✔✯✘✘♣✭ ✧✢ ✕✥★✢ ❞✪✥✓✤✢✜ ✥✔ ✩✘✪✖✔✖✤✥✪ ✩✥✚✔✖✢✗ ✥✗ ★✢✕✖✤✪✢✗ ✘✛ ✛✢✜✢✚✥✪, ✗✕✥✚✖✓❞ ✘✛ ✩✘✪✖✔✖✤✥✪ ✩✘✧✢✚ ✥✓✜ ✥✗ ✓✢❞✘✔✖✥✔✘✚ ✘✛ ✗✘✤✖✥✪ ✜✖★✖✗✖✘✓✗ ✖✓ ✔✕✢, ✥✚✢✓✥ ✘✛ ✜✢✣✘✤✚✥✔✖✤ ✩✘✪✖✔✖✤✗t ✳✢✛✘✚✢ ✤✘✓✤✪✙✜✖✓❞ ✔✕✖✗ ✔✘✙✚✭ ✪✢✔ ✙✗ ✔✥♣✢, ✥ ✤✪✘✗✢ ✪✘✘♣ ✥✔ ✔✕✢ ✓✥✔✙✚✢ ✥✓✜ ✧✘✚♣✖✓❞ ✘✛ ✩✘✪✖✔✖✤✥✪ ✩✥✚✔✖✢✗✭ ✢✗✩✢✤✖✥✪✪✦, ✖✓ ✘✙✚ ✤✘✙✓✔✚✦t ✰✢ ✯✢❞✖✓ ✯✦ ✥✗♣✖✓❞ ✔✧✘ ✤✘✣✣✘✓ ❦✙✢✗✔✖✘✓✗s ✰✕✦ ✜✘, ✧✢ ✓✢✢✜ ✩✥✚✔✖✢✗✇ ✱✘✧ ✣✥✓✦ ✩✥✚✔✖✢✗ ✥✚✢ ❞✘✘✜ ✛✘✚ ✥ ✜✢✣✘✤✚✥✤✦✇ ■✓ ✔✕✢, ✪✖❞✕✔ ✘✛ ✔✕✢✗✢ ✧✢ ✖✓✔✚✘✜✙✤✢ ✔✕✢ ✓✥✔✖✘✓✥✪ ✥✓✜ ✚✢❞✖✘✓✥✪ ✩✘✪✖✔✖✤✥✪ ✩✥✚✔✖✢✗, ✖✓ ✔✘✜✥✦✐✗ ■✓✜✖✥ ✥✓✜ ✔✕✢✓ ✪✘✘♣ ✥✔ ✧✕✥✔ ✖✗ ✧✚✘✓❞ ✧✖✔✕ ✩✘✪✖✔✖✤✥✪ ✩✥✚✔✖✢✗, ✥✓✜ ✧✕✥✔ ✤✥✓ ✯✢ ✜✘✓✢ ✥✯✘✙✔ ✖✔t, ✌, ☞, ☛, ✡, ✠, ✟, ✞, ❈, ✝, ✆✁, ✂❛, ☎, P, ☎✄, ✁✂, ✁, ♦, P, 71

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❲✠✡ ☛☞ ✌✍ ✎✍✍☛ ✏☞✑✒✓✒✔✕✑ ✏✕✖✓✒✍✗✘, So, you agree, wit h m e. Part ies, are part ial,, part isan and lead, t o part it ions., Part ies do, not hing but, divide people., That is t heir real, funct ion!, , Political parties are easily one of the most, visible institutions in a democracy. For, most ordinary citizens, democracy is equal, to political parties. If you travel to remote, parts of our country and speak to the, less educated citizens, you could come, across people who may not know, anything about our Constitution or about, the nature of our government. But, chances are that they would know, something about our political parties. At, the same time this visibility does not mean, popularity. Most people tend to be very, critical of political parties. They tend to, , blame parties for all that is wrong with, our democracy and our political life., Parties have become identified with, social and political divisions., Therefore, it is natural to ask – do, we need political parties at all? About, hundred years ago there were few, countries of the world that had any, political party. Now there are few that, do not have parties. Why did political, parties become so omnipresent in, democracies all over the world? Let us, first answer what political parties are and, what they do, before we say why we need, them., , ✟✄, , © (1) M Govarthan (2) A Muralidharan (3) M Moorthy (4) T Singaravelou, The Hindu, , Meaning, , ✝✆, ✝♦, ✂✞, ✄✝, ✆❛, , (1), , (3), , (2), , ☎✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, 72, , A political party is a group of people, who come together to contest elections, and hold power in the government. They, agree on some policies and programmes, for the society with a view to promote, the collective good. Since there can be, different views on what is good for all,, , Election Commission has officially banned wall, writing by parties during election times. Most, political parties argue that was the cheapest way for, their campaign. These election times used to, create amazing graffiti on the walls. Here are some, examples from Tamil Nadu., , (4)

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© RK Laxman - Brushing up the years, , parties try to persuade people why their, policies are better than others. They seek, to implement these policies by winning, popular support through elections., Thus, parties reflect fundamental, political divisions in a society. Parties are, about a part of the society and thus, involve PARTISANSHIP. Thus a party is, known by which part it stands for, which, policies it supports and whose interests, it upholds. A political party has three, components:, ✞ the leaders,, ✞ the active members and, ✞ the followers, , Functions, What does a political party do? Basically,, political parties fill political offices and, exercise political power. Parties do so, by performing a series of functions:, 1 Parties contest elections. In most, democracies, elections are fought mainly, , among the candidates put up by political, parties. Parties select their candidates in, different ways. In some countries, such, as the USA, members and supporters, of a party choose its candidates. Now, more and more countries are following, this method. In other countries like India,, top party leaders choose candidates for, contesting elections., 2 Parties put forward different, policies and programmes and the, voters choose from them. Each of us, may have different opinions and views, on what policies are suitable for the, society. But no government can handle, such a large variety of views. In a, democracy, a large number of similar, opinions have to be grouped together, to provide a direction in which policies, can be formulated by the governments., This is what the parties do. A party, reduces a vast multitude of opinions into, , Partisan: A person, who is strongly, committed to a party,, group or faction., Partisanship is marked, by a tendency to take a, side and inability to take, a balanced view on an, issue., , ✝✆, ✁✂, ❛, ☎, P, ☎✄, ✁✂, ✁, ♦, P, 73

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a few basic positions which it supports., A government is expected to base, its policies on the line taken by the, RULING PARTY., 3 Parties play a decisive role in making, laws for a country. Formally, laws are, debated and passed in the legislature. But, since most of the members belong to a, party, they go by the direction of the, party leadership, irrespective of their, personal opinions., 4 Parties form and run governments., As we noted last year, the big policy, decisions are taken by political executive, that comes from the political parties., Parties recruit leaders, trains them and, then make them ministers to run the, government in the way they want., , Okay, grant ed, t hat we can’t live, wit hout polit ical, part ies. But t ell, m e how do we, live wit h t he kind, of polit ical part ies, we have?, , ✟, , ✄, , ✝, , 5 Those parties that lose in the elections, play the role of opposition to the parties, in power, by voicing different views and, criticising government for its failures or, wrong policies. Opposition parties also, mobilise opposition to the government., 6 Parties shape public opinion. They, raise and highlight issues. Parties have, lakhs of members and activists spread, all over the country. Many of the pressure, groups are the extensions of political, parties among different sections of, society. Parties sometimes also launch, movements for the resolution of, problems faced by people. Often, opinions in the society crystallise on the, lines parties take., , ✆, , ✝, , ♦, , ✂, , ✞, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ❛, , ☎, , Ruling Party: Political, party that runs, government., ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ❉, , 74, , 7 Parties provide people access to, government machinery and welfare, schemes implemented by governments., For an ordinary citizen it is easy to, approach a local party leader than a, government officer. That is why they feel, close to parties even when they do not, fully trust them. Parties have to be, , responsive to people’s needs and, demands. Otherwise people can reject, those parties in the next elections., , Necessity, This list of functions in a sense answers, the question asked above: we need, political parties because they perform all, these functions. But we still need to ask, why modern democracies cannot exist, without political parties. We can, understand the necessity of political, parties by imagining a situation without, parties. Every candidate in the elections, will be independent. So no one will be, able to make any promises to the people, about any major policy changes. The, government may be formed, but its, utility will remain ever uncertain. Elected, representative will be accountable to their, constituency for what they do in the, locality. But no one will be responsible, for how the country run., We can also think about it by looking, at the non-party based elections to the, panchayat in many states. Although, the, parties do not contest formally, it is, generally noticed that the village gets split, into more than one faction, each of, which puts up a ‘panel’ of its candidates., This is exactly what the party does. That, is the reason we find political parties in, almost all countries of the world,, whether these countries are big or small,, old or new, developed or developing., The rise of political parties is directly, linked to the emergence of, representative democracies. As we have, seen, large scale societies need, representative democracy. As societies, became large and complex, they also, needed some agency to gather different, views on various issues and to present, these to the government. They needed

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some way to bring various, representatives together so that a, responsible government could be, formed. They needed a mechanism to, support or restrain the government,, , make policies, justify or oppose them., Political parties fulfill these needs that, every representative government has., We can say that parties are a necessary, condition for a democracy., , © (1) C V Subrahmanyan (2) K Gopinathan, (3) A Chakrabarty, The Hindu, , Cat egorise t hese phot ographs by t he funct ions of polit ical part ies t hey, illust rat e. Find one phot ograph or news clipping from your own area for, each of t he funct ions list ed above., , 2, , 1, , 3, , 1: Activists of BJP Mahila Morcha demonstrating against hike in prices of onions and LPG in, Visakhapatnam, 2: Minister distributes Rs One lakh cheque to the hooch victims family at their houses., 3: Activists of CPI (M), CPI, OGP and JD (S) take out a rally in Bhubaneswar to protest against, POSCO, the Korean steel company for being permitted by the State Government to export iron, ore from Orissa to feed steel plants in China and Korea, , ❍✞✟ ✠✡☛☞ ✌✡✍✎✏✑✒ ✒✓✞✔✕✖ ✟✑ ✓✡✗✑✘, In a democracy any group of citizens is, free to form a political party. In this, formal sense there are a large number, of political parties in each country. More, than 750 parties are registered with the, Election Commission of India. But not, all these parties are serious contenders in, the elections. Usually only a handful of, , ✝✆, , parties are effectively in the race to win, elections and form the government. So, the question then is: how many major, or effective parties are good for a, democracy?, In some countries only one party is, allowed to control and run the government., These are called one-party systems., , ✁✂, ❛☎, P, ☎✄, ✁✂, ✁, ♦P, 75

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In Class IX, we noted that in China, only, the Communist Party is allowed to rule., Although, legally speaking, people are, free to form political parties, it does not, happen because the electoral system does, not permit free competition for power., We cannot consider one party system as, a good option because this is not a, democratic option. Any democratic, system must allow at least two parties, to compete in elections and provide a, fair chance for the competing parties to, come to power., In some countries, power usually, changes between two main parties., Several other parties may exist, contest, elections and win a few seats in the, national legislatures. But only the two, main parties have a serious chance of, winning majority of seats to form, government. Such a party system is called, two-party system. The United States of, America and the United Kingdom are, examples of two-party system., If several parties compete for, power, and more than two parties, have a reasonable chance of coming, to power either on their own strength, or in alliance with others, we call it a, multi-party system. Thus in India, we, have a multi-party system. In this, system, the government is formed by, various parties coming together in a, , coalition. When several parties in a, multi-party system join hands for the, purpose of contesting elections and, winning power, it is called an alliance, or a front. For example, in India there, were three such major alliances in 2004, parliamentary elections– the National, Democratic Alliance, the United, Progressive Alliance and the Left Front., The multi-party system often appears, very messy and leads to political, instability. At the same time, this system, allows a variety of interests and, opinions to enjoy political, representation., So, which of these is better? Perhaps, the best answer to this very common, question is that this is not a very good, question. Party system is not something, any country can choose. It evolves over, a long time, depending on the nature of, society, its social and regional divisions,, its history of politics and its system of, elections. These cannot be changed very, quickly. Each country develops a party, system that is conditioned by its special, circumstances. For example, if India has, evolved a multi-party system, it is, because the social and geographical, diversity in such a large country is not, easily absorbed by two or even three, parties. No system is ideal for all countries, and all situations., , I don’t like so, m any part ies. I t ’s, such a m ess. I, wonder how t he, polit icians, m anage t hese, coalit ions. I can’t, even rem em ber, t he nam es of all, t he part ies., , ✝, ✆✁, Let us apply what we have learnt about part y syst em s t o t he various, st at es wit hin I ndia. Here are t hree m aj or t ypes of part y syst em s t hat, exist at t he St at e level. Can you find t he nam es of at least t wo St at es for each, of t hese t ypes?, ✞ Two- part y syst em, ✞ Mult i- part y syst em wit h t wo alliances, ✞ Mult i- part y syst em, , ✂❛, ☎, P, ☎, ✄✁, ✂✁, ♦, P, 77

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© Tab - The Calgary Sun, Cagle Cartoons Inc., , Crunching Numbers, , Does the cartoonist reflect the data graphics shown in the, previous page?, , ◆✞✟✠✡☛✞☞ ✌✡☞✠✟✠✍✞☞ ✌✞✎✟✠✏✑, Democracies that follow a federal system, all over the world tend to have two kinds, of political parties: parties that are present, in only one of the federal units and, parties that are present in several or all, units of the federation. This is the case in, India as well. There are some countrywide parties, which are called ‘national, parties’. These parties have their units in, various states. But by and large all these, units follow the same policies,, programmes and strategy that is decided, at the national level., Every party in the country has to, register with the Election Commission., While the Commission treats all parties, equally, it offers some special facilities to, large and established parties. These, parties are given a unique symbol – only, the official candidates of that party can, use that election symbol. Parties that get, this privilege and some other special, , facilities are ‘recognised’ by the Election, Commission for this purpose. That is, why these parties are called, ‘recognised, political parties’. The Election, Commission has laid down detailed, criteria of the proportion of votes and, seats that a party must get in order to be, a recognised party. A party that secures, at least 6 per cent of the total votes in an, election to the Legislative Assembly of a, State and wins at least two seats is, recognised as a State party. A party that, secures at least six per cent of total votes, in Lok Sabha elections or Assembly, elections in four States and wins at least, four seats in the Lok Sabha is recognised, as a national party., According to this classification, there, were six national recognised parties in, the country in 2006. Let us learn, something about each of these parties., , ✝✆, ✁✂, ❛☎, P, ☎✄, ✁✂, ✁, ♦P, 79

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Indian National Congress, (INC): Popularly known as, the Congress Party. One of, the oldest parties of the, world. Founded in 1885 and has, experienced many splits. Played a, dominant role in Indian politics at the, national and state level for several decades, after India’s Independence. Under the, leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, the party, sought to build a modern secular, democratic republic in India. Ruling, party at the centre till 1977 and then from, 1980 to 1989. After 1989, its support, declined, but it continues to be present, throughout the country, cutting across, social divisions. A centrist party (neither, rightist nor leftist) in its ideological, orientation, the party espouses, secularism and welfare of weaker, sections and minorities. Supports new, economic reforms but with a human, face. Emerged as the largest party with, 145 members in the Lok Sabha elections, held in 2004. Currently leads the ruling, United Progressive Alliance coalition, government at the Centre., , ✟, , Bharatiya Janata Party, (BJP): Founded in 1980 by, reviving the erstwhile, Bharatiya Jana Sangh., Wants to build a strong and modern, India by drawing inspiration from India’s, ancient culture and values. Cultural, nationalism (or ‘Hindutva’) is an, important element in its conception of, Indian nationhood and politics. Wants, full territorial and political integration of, Jammu and Kashmir with India, a, uniform civil code for all people living, in the country irrespective of religion,, and ban on religious conversions. Its, support base increased substantially in, the 1990s. Earlier limited to north and, ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ✝, , ♦, , ✂, , ✞, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ❛, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ❉, , 80, , west and to urban areas, the party, expanded its support in the south, east,, the north-east and to rural areas. Came, to power in 1998 as the leader of the, National Democratic Alliance including, several state and regional parties. Lost, elections in 2004 and is the principal, opposition party in the Lok Sabha., Bahujan Samaj, Party (BSP): Formed, in 1984 under the, leadership of Kanshi, Ram. Seeks to represent and secure, power for the bahujan samaj which, includes the dalits, adivasis, OBCs and, religious minorities. Draws inspiration, from the ideas and teachings of Sahu, Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Periyar, Ramaswami Naicker and Babasaheb, Ambedkar. Stands for the cause of, securing the interests and welfare of the, dalits and oppressed people. It has its, main base in the state of Uttar Pradesh, and substantial presence in neighbouring, states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Punjab. Formed, government in Uttar Pradesh several, times by taking the support of different, parties at different times. In the Lok, Sabha elections held in 2004, it polled, about 5 per cent votes and secured 19, seats in the Lok Sabha., Communist Party of, India - Marxist (CPI-M):, Founded in 1964., Believes in MarxismLeninism. Supports socialism, secularism, and democracy and opposes imperialism, and communalism. Accepts democratic, elections as a useful and helpful means, for securing the objective of socioeconomic justice in India. Enjoys strong, support in West Bengal, Kerala and, Tripura, especially among the poor,

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factory workers, farmers, agricultural, labourers and the intelligentsia. Critical, of the new economic policies that allow, free flow of foreign capital and goods, into the country. Has been in power in, West Bengal without a break for 30 years., In 2004 elections, it won about 6 per, cent of votes and 43 seats in the Lok, Sabha. Currently supports the UPA, government from outside, without, joining the government., Communist Party of, India (CPI): Formed, in 1925. Believes in, Marxism-Leninism,, secularism and democracy. Opposed to, the forces of secessionism and, communalism. Accepts parliamentary, democracy as a means of promoting, the interests of the working class, farmers, and the poor. Became weak after the, split in the party in 1964 that led to the, formation of the CPI(M). Significant, presence in the states of Kerala, West, , Bengal, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh and, Tamil Nadu. Its support base had, gradually declined over the years. It, secured about 1.4 per cent votes and 10, seats in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections., Advocates the coming together of all left, parties to build a strong left front., Currently supports UPA government, from outside., Nationalist Congress, Party (NCP): Formed in, 1999 following a split in the, Congress party. Espouses, democracy, Gandhian secularism, equity,, social justice and federalism. Wants that, high offices in government be confined, to natural born citizens of the country., A major party in Maharashtra and has a, significant presence in Meghalaya,, Manipur and Assam. A coalition partner, in the state of Maharashtra in alliance, with the Congress. Since 2004, a member, of the United Progressive Alliance., , ❙✞✟✞✠ ✡✟☛✞☞✠✌, Other than these six parties, most of the, major parties of the country are classified, by the Election Commission as ‘State, parties’. These are commonly referred, to as regional parties. Yet these parties, need not be regional in their ideology, or outlook. Some of these parties are, all India parties that happen to have, succeeded only in some states. Parties like, the Samajwadi Party, Samata Party and, Rashtriya Janata Dal have national level, political organisation with units in several, states. Some of these parties like Biju, Janata Dal, Sikkim Democratic Front, and Mizo National Front are conscious, about their State identity., , Over the last three decades, the, number and strength of these parties has, expanded. This made the Parliament of, India politically more and more diverse., No one national party is able to secure, on its own a majority in Lok Sabha. As, a result, the national parties are compelled, to form alliances with State parties. Since, 1996, nearly every one of the State, parties has got an opportunity to be a, part of one or the other national level, coalition government. This has, contributed to the strengthening of, federalism and democracy in our, country. (See the map on the next page, for details of these parties)., , ✝, ✆✁, ✂❛, ☎, P, ☎, ✄✁, ✂✁, ♦, P, 81

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✟, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ✝, , ♦, , ✂, , ✞, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ❛, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ❉, , 82

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❈✞✟✠✠✡☛☞✡✌ ✍✎ ✏✎✠✑✍✑✒✟✠ ✏✟✓✍✑✡✌, We have seen how crucial political parties, are for the working of democracy. Since, parties are the most visible face of, democracy, it is natural that people blame, parties for whatever is wrong with the, working of democracy. All over the, world, people express strong, dissatisfaction with the failure of political, parties to perform their functions well., This is the case in our country too., Popular dissatisfaction and criticism has, focussed on four problem areas in the, , © Riber Hansson - Svenska Dagbladet, Cagle Cartoons Inc., , Berlusconi Puppet Theatre, , working of political parties. Political, parties need to face and overcome these, challenges in order to remain effective, instruments of democracy., The first challenge is lack of, internal democracy within parties. All, over the world there is a tendency in, political parties towards the, concentration of power in one or few, leaders at the top. Parties do not keep, membership registers, do not hold, organisational meetings, and do not, conduct internal elections regularly., Ordinary members of the party do not, get sufficient information on what, happens inside the party. They do not, have the means or, the connections, needed to influence, the decisions. As a, result the leaders, assume greater, power to make, decisions in the, name of the party., Since one or few, leaders exercise, paramount power, in the party, those, who disagree with, the leadership find it, , Berlusconi was the Prime, Minister of Italy. He is also, one of the top business man, in Italy. He is the leader of the, Forza Italia founded in 1993., His company owns TV, channels, the most important, publishing company, a foot, ball club (AC Milan) and a, bank. This cartoon was, made during the last, elections., , Why don’t part ies, give enough, t icket s t o, wom en? I s t hat, also due t o lack, of int ernal, dem ocracy?, , ✝✆, ✁✂, ❛☎, P, ☎✄, ✁✂, ✁, ♦P, 83

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difficult to continue in the party. More, than loyalty to party principles and, policies, personal loyalty to the leader, becomes more important., The second challenge of dynastic, succession is related to the first one. Since, most political parties do not practice, open and transparent procedures for, their functioning, there are very few ways, for an ordinary worker to rise to the top, in a party. Those who happen to be the, leaders are in a position of unfair, advantage to favour people close to, them or even their family members. In, many parties, the top positions are always, controlled by members of one family., This is unfair to other members of that, party. This is also bad for democracy,, since people who do not have adequate, experience or popular support come to, occupy positions of power. This, tendency is present in some measure all, over the world, including in some of, the older democracies., , ✟, , ✄, , ✆, , © Huffaker - Cagle Cartoons Inc., , ✝, , ✝, , ♦, , ✂, , ✞, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ❛, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ❉, , 84, , The third challenge is about the, growing role of money and muscle, power in parties, especially during, elections. Since parties are focussed only, on winning elections, they tend to use, short-cuts to win elections. They tend to, nominate those candidates who have or, can raise lots of money. Rich people and, companies who give funds to the parties, tend to have influence on the policies and, decisions of the party. In some cases,, parties support criminals who can win, elections. Democrats all over the world, are worried about the increasing role of, rich people and big companies in, democratic politics., The fourth challenge is that very, often parties do not seem to offer a, meaningful choice to the voters. In, order to offer meaningful choice, parties, must be significantly different. In recent, years there has been a decline in the, ideological differences among parties in, most parts of the world. For example,, the difference between the Labour Party, and the Conservative Party in Britain is, very little. They agree on more, fundamental aspects but differ, only in details on how policies, are to be framed and, implemented. In our country, too, the differences among all the, major parties on the economic, policies have reduced. Those, who want really different policies, have no option available to them., Sometimes people cannot even, elect very different leaders either,, because the same set of leaders, keep shifting from one party to, another.

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© Manjul - DNA, , Most cart oons caricat ure polit icians. From t he cart oons ( on page 83 t o 85) , can, you ident ify which of t he challenges described in t his sect ion is being highlight ed, in t hese cart oons. They relat e t o I t aly, US and I ndia., , ❍✞✟ ✠✡☛ ☞✡✌✍✎✏✑ ✒✏ ✌✏✓✞✌✔✏✕✖, In order to face these challenges, political, parties need to be reformed. The, question is: Are political parties willing, to reform? If they are willing, what has, prevented them from reforming so far?, If they are not willing, is it possible to, force them to reform? Citizens all over, the world face this question. This is not, a simple question to answer. In a, democracy, the final decision is made by, leaders who represent political parties., People can replace them, but only by, another set of party leaders. If all of, , them do not wish to reform, how can, anyone force them to change?, Let us look at some of the recent, efforts and suggestions in our country, to reform political parties and its leaders:, , ✗, , The Constitution was amended to, prevent elected MLAs and MPs from, changing parties. This was done because, many elected representatives were, indulging in DEFECTION in order to, become ministers or for cash rewards., Now the law says that if any MLA or, , ✝✆, Defection: Changing, party allegiance from, the party on which a, person got elected (to a, legislative body) to a, different party., , ✁✂, ❛☎, P, ☎✄, ✁✂, ✁, ♦P, 85

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clear if this step has led to greater internal, democracy in political parties., Besides these, many suggestions are, often made to reform political parties:, , ✠, , © Keshav - The Hindu, , A law should be made to regulate, the internal affairs of political parties. It, should be made compulsory for political, parties to maintain a register of its, members, to follow its own constitution,, to have an independent authority, to act, as a judge in case of party disputes, to, hold open elections to the highest posts., , ✠, , Do you agree that this form of reforming political parties will be, acceptable to them?, , MP changes parties, he or she will lose, the seat in the legislature. This new law, has helped bring defection down. At the, same time this has made any dissent even, more difficult. MPs and MLAs have to, accept whatever the party leaders decide., , ✠, , The Supreme Court passed an order, to reduce the influence of money and, criminals. Now, it is mandatory for every, candidate who contests elections to file, an AFFIDAVIT giving details of his property, and criminal cases pending against him., The new system has made a lot of, information available to the public. But, there is no system of check if the, information given by the candidates is, true. As yet we do not know if it has led, to decline in the influence of the rich and, the criminals., , ✟✄, ✝✆, ✝♦, ✂, ✞, ✄✝, ✆, ❛☎, ✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, 86, , Affidavit: A signed, document submitted to, an officer, where a, person makes a sworn, statement regarding her, personal information., , ✠, , The Election Commission passed an, order making it necessary for political, parties to hold their organisational, elections and file their income tax returns., The parties have started doing so but, sometimes it is mere formality. It is not, , It should be made mandatory for, political parties to give a minimum, number of tickets, about one-third, to, women candidates. Similarly, there should, be a quota for women in the decision, making bodies of the party., , ✠, , There should be state funding of, elections. The government should give, parties money to support their election, expenses. This support could be given in, kind: petrol, paper, telephone etc. Or it, could be given in cash on the basis of, the votes secured by the party in the last, election., These suggestions have not yet been, accepted by political parties. If and when, these are accepted these could lead to, some improvement. But we must be, very careful about legal solutions to, political problems. Over-regulation of, political parties can be counterproductive. This would force all parties, to find ways to cheat the law. Besides,, political parties will not agree to pass a, law that they do not like., There are two other ways in which, political parties can be reformed. One,, people can put pressure on political, parties. This can be done through, petitions, publicity and agitations.

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The quality of democracy depends on, the degree of public participation. It is, difficult to reform politics if ordinary, citizens do not take part in it and simply, criticise it from the outside. The problem, of bad politics can be solved by more, and better politics. We shall return to this, theme in the final chapter., , Ordinary citizens, pressure groups and, movements and the media can play an, important role in this. If political parties, feel that they would lose public support, by not taking up reforms, they would, become more serious about reforms., Two, political parties can improve if, those who want this join political parties., 1., , St at e t he various funct ions polit ical part ies perform in a, dem ocr acy., , 2., , What are t he various challenges faced by polit ical part ies?, , 3., , Suggest som e reform s t o st rengt hen part ies so t hat t hey perform, t heir funct ions well?, , 4., , What is a polit ical part y?, , 5., , What are t he charact erist ics of a polit ical part y?, , 6., , A group of people who com e t oget her t o cont est elect ions and, hold power in t he governm ent is called a _____________________., , 7., , Mat ch List I ( organisat ions and st ruggles) wit h List I I and select, t he correct answer using t he codes given below t he list s:, List I, , List I I, , 1., , Congr ess Par t y, , A. Nat ional Dem ocrat ic, Alliance, , 2., , Bhar at iya Janat a Par t y, , B. St at e par t y, , 3., , Com m unist Part y of I ndia, ( Mar x ist ), , C. Unit ed Progressive, Alliance, , 4., , Telugu Desam Part y, , D. Left Front, , ( a), ( b), ( c), ( d), , 1, C, C, C, D, , 2, A, D, A, C, , 3, B, A, D, A, , 4, D, B, B, B, , 8. Who am ong t he following is t he founder of t he Bahuj an Sam aj Part y?, A. Kanshi Ram, B. Sahu Maharaj, C. B.R. Am bedker, D. Jot iba Phule, 9. What is t he guiding philosophy of t he Bharat iya Janat a Part y?, A. Bahujan Sam aj, B. Revolut ionary dem ocracy, C. I ntegral hum anism, D. Modernit y, , ✝, , ✆, , ✁, , ✂, , ❛, , ☎, , P, , ☎, , ✄, , ✁, , ✂, , ✁, , ♦, , P, , 87

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✓✔✕✖✔✗✕✘, ❆✙ ✚✛ ✜✛✢✣✤ ✥✦ ✚✣✤✧ ★✩ ✦★✪ ✥✦★✪ ✦✫ ✧✛✬✦✭✪❛✭✮✱ ✣✥ ✣✙ ✥✣✬✛ ✥✦ ✬✦✈✛, ✜✛✮✦✤✧ ✦★✪ ✧✣✙✭★✙✙✣✦✤ ✦✫ ✙✩✛✭✣✫✣✭ ✥❜✛✬✛✙ ❛✤✧ ❛✙✯ ❛ ✢✛✤✛✪❛✰ ✙✛✥ ✦✫, q★✛✙✥✣✦✤✙s ✲❜❛✥ ✧✦✛✙ ✧✛✬✦✭✪❛✭✮ ✧✦✳ ✴✪✱ ✚❜❛✥ ✦★✥✭✦✬✛✙ ✭❛✤ ✚✛, ✪✛❛✙✦✤❛✜✰✮ ✛r✩✛✭✥ ✦✫ ✧✛✬✦✭✪❛✭✮✳ ❆✰✙✦✱ ✧✦✛✙ ✧✛✬✦✭✪❛✭✮ ✫★✰✫✣✰ ✥❜✛✙✛, ✛r✩✛✭✥❛✥✣✦✤✙ ✣✤ ✪✛❛✰ ✰✣✫✛✳ ✲✛ ✜✛✢✣✤ ✜✮ ✥❜✣✤✯✣✤✢ ❛✜✦★✥ ❜✦✚ ✥✦ ❛✙✙✛✙✙, ✥❜✛ ✦★✥✭✦✬✛✙ ✦✫ ✧✛✬✦✭✪❛✭✮✵ ❆✫✥✛✪ ✙✦✬✛ ✭✰❛✪✣✥✮ ✦✤ ❜✦✚ ✥✦ ✥❜✣✤✯ ✦✤, ✥❜✣✙ ✙★✜t✛✭✥✱ ✚✛ ✩✪✦✭✛✛✧ ✥✦ ✰✦✦✯ ❛✥ ✥❜✛ ✛r✩✛✭✥✛✧ ❛✤✧ ❛✭✥★❛✰ ✦★✥✭✦✬✛✙, ✦✫ ✧✛✬✦✭✪❛✭✮ ✣✤ ✈❛✪✣✦★✙ ✪✛✙✩✛✭✥✙s q★❛✰✣✥✮ ✦✫ ✢✦✈✛✪✤✬✛✤✥✱ ✛✭✦✤✦✬✣✭, ✚✛✰✰✇✜✛✣✤✢✱ ✣✤✛q★❛✰✣✥✮✱ ✙✦✭✣❛✰ ✧✣✫✫✛✪✛✤✭✛✙ ❛✤✧ ✭✦✤✫✰✣✭✥ ❛✤✧ ✫✣✤❛✰✰✮, ✫✪✛✛✧✦✬ ❛✤✧ ✧✣✢✤✣✥✮✵ ✴★✪ ✫✣✤❛✰ ✈✛✪✧✣✭✥ ❞ ✩✦✙✣✥✣✈✛ ✜★✥ q★❛✰✣✫✣✛✧ ❞, ✰✛❛✧✙ ★✙ ✥✦ ✥❜✣✤✯ ❛✜✦★✥ ✥❜✛ ✭❜❛✰✰✛✤✢✛✙ ✥✦ ✧✛✬✦✭✪❛✭✮ ✣✤ ✥❜✛ ✤✛r✥, ❛✤✧ ✫✣✤❛✰ ✭❜❛✩✥✛✪✵, ✒, ✑, ✏, ✎, ✍, ✌, ☞, ❈, , ☛✂, ✡✠✂, ✄☎, ✆✟, ✞✄, ✝✆, ☎✄, ✂✁, ❖, 89

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❍✠✡ ☛✠ ✡☞ ✌✍✍☞✍✍ ☛☞✎✠✏✑✌✏✒✓✍ ✠s✔✏✠✎☞✍✕, , Did we reach, t hese, conclusions in, Madam Lyngdoh’s, class? I loved, t hat class, because, st udent s were, not being, dict at ed any, conclusions., , Do you remember how students in, Madam Lyngdoh’s class argued about, democracy? This was in Chapter 2 of, Class IX textbook. It emerged from that, conversation that democracy is a better, form of government when compared, with dictatorship or any other alternative., We felt that democracy was better, because it:, Promotes equality among citizens;, Enhances the dignity of the, individual;, Improves the quality of decisionmaking;, Provides a method to resolve, conflicts; and, Allows room to correct mistakes., , ✖, ✖, ✖, ✖, ✖, , ✟✝✄, ✆✝♦, ✂✞, ✄✝✆, ❛☎✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, 90, , © RK Laxman - Brushing up the years, , Are these expectations realised under, democracies? When we talk to people, around us, most of them support, democracy against other alternatives,, such as rule by a monarch or military or, religious leaders. But not so many of, them would be satisfied with the, democracy in practice. So we face a, dilemma: democracy is seen to be good, , in principle, but felt to be not so good in, its practice. This dilemma invites us to, think hard about the outcomes of, democracy. Do we prefer democracy, only for moral reasons? Or are there, some prudential reasons to support, democracy too?, Over a hundred countries of the, world today claim and practice some, kind of democratic politics: they have, formal constitutions, they hold elections,, they have parties and they guarantee rights, of citizens. While these features are, common to most of them, these, democracies are very much different, from each other in terms of their social, situations, their economic achievements, and their cultures. Clearly, what may be, achieved or not achieved under each of, these democracies will be very different., But is there something that we can expect, from every democracy, just because it is, democracy?, Our interest in and fascination for, democracy often pushes us into taking a, position that democracy can address all, socio-economic and political problems., If some of our expectations are not met,, we start blaming the idea of democracy., Or, we start doubting if we are living in, a democracy. The first step towards, thinking carefully about the outcomes, of democracy is to recognise that, democracy is just a form of government., It can only create conditions for achieving, something. The citizens have to take, advantage of those conditions and, achieve those goals. Let us examine some, of the things we can reasonably expect, from democracy and examine the record, of democracy.

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❆☞☞✌✍✎✏✑✒✓✔✕ ✖✔✗✘✌✎✗✙✚✔ ✑✎✛ ✓✔✜✙✏✙✢✑✏✔ ✜✌✚✔✖✎✢✔✎✏, , Before we go into this question, we, face another common question: Is the, democratic government efficient? Is it, effective? Some people think that, democracy produces less effective, government. It is, of course, true that, non-democratic rulers do not have to, bother about deliberation in assemblies or, worry about majorities and public opinion., So, they can be very quick and efficient in, decision making and implementation., Democracy is based on the idea of, deliberation and negotiation. So, some delay, is bound to take place. Does that make, democratic government inefficient?, Let us think in terms of costs., Imagine a government that may take, decisions very fast. But it may take, decisions that are not accepted by the, people and may therefore face problems., In contrast, the democratic government, will take more time to follow, procedures before arriving at a decision., But because it has followed procedures,, its decisions may be both more, acceptable to the people and more, effective. So, the cost of time that, democracy pays is perhaps worth it., , Governmental Secrecy, , © Mike Keefe - Cagle Cartoons Inc., , There are some things that democracy, must provide. In a democracy, we are, most concerned with ensuring that, people will have the right to choose their, rulers and people will have control over, the rulers. Whenever possible and, necessary, citizens should be able to, participate in decision making, that affects, them all. Therefore, the most basic, outcome of democracy should be that, it produces a government that is, accountable to the citizens, and, responsive to the needs and expectations, of the citizens., , Now look at the other side –, democracy ensures that decision making, will be based on norms and procedures., So, a citizen who wants to know if a, decision was taken through the correct, procedures can find this out. She has the, right and the means to examine the, process of decision making. This is, known as transparency. This factor is, often missing from a non-democratic, government. Therefore, when we are, trying to find out the outcomes of, democracy, it is right to expect, democracy to produce a government, that follows procedures and is, accountable to the people. We can also, expect that the democratic government, develops mechanisms for citizens to hold, the government accountable and, mechanisms for citizens to take part in, decision making whenever they think fit., If you wanted to measure, democracies on the basis of this, expected outcome, you would look for, the following practices and institutions:, regular, free and fair elections; open, public debate on major policies and, , Can you think of what, and how the, government knows, about you and your, family (for example, ration cards and, voter identity cards)?, What are the sources, of information for you, about the, government?, , ☛✂, ✡✠, ✂✄, ☎✆, ✟, ✞✄, ✝✆, ☎✄, ✂✁, ❖, 91

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legislations; and citizens’ right to, information about the government and, its functioning. The actual performance, of democracies shows a mixed record, on this. Democracies have had greater, success in setting up regular and free, elections and in setting up conditions for, open public debate. But most, democracies fall short of elections that, provide a fair chance to everyone and in, subjecting every decision to public debate., Democratic governments do not have a, very good record when it comes to, sharing information with citizens. All one, can say in favour of democratic regimes, is that they are much better than any, non-democratic regime in these respects., , So, t he best, out com e of, dem ocracy is, t hat it is a, dem ocracy! That, is what we have, discovered aft er, all t his m ent al, gym nast ics?, , In substantive terms it may be, reasonable to expect from democracy a, government that is attentive to the needs, and demands of the people and is largely, free of corruption. The record of, democracies is not impressive on these, two counts. Democracies often frustrate, the needs of the people and often ignore, the demands of a majority of its, , South Asia, , 28, , Democracy is preferred, over dictatorship, everywhere except, Pakistan, , population. The routine tales of, corruption are enough to convince us that, democracy is not free of this evil. At the, same time, there is nothing to show that, non-democracies are less corrupt or, more sensitive to the people., There is one respect in which, democratic government is certainly, better than its alternatives: democratic, government is legitimate government., It may be slow, less efficient, not always, very responsive or clean. But a, democratic government is people’s own, government. That is why there is an, overwhelming support for the idea of, democracy all over the world. As the, accompanying evidence from South, Asia shows, the support exists in, countries with democratic regimes as, well as countries without democratic, regimes. People wish to be ruled by, representatives elected by them. They, also believe that democracy is suitable, for their country. Democracy’s ability, to generate its own support is itself an, outcome that cannot be ignored., , Very few doubt the suitability of democracy, for their own country, How suitable is democracy for your country?, , Very suitable, , Suitable, , South Asia, Those who agree with one of, , 10, , the statements, , 62, , 88, , Bangladesh, , 93, , Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Nepal, , 92, 92, 84, 79, 0, , Bangladesh India Nepal Pakistan Sri Lanka, ✟, , Democracy is, preferable, 69, Sometimes dictatorship, is better, 6, Doesn’t, matter to me, 25, ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ✝, , ♦, , ✂, , ✞, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ❛, , ☎, , ✄, , 50, , Those who agree with the rule of leaders elected by the people, , Strongly agree, , 70, , 62, , 37, , 71, , 9, , 10, , 14, , 11, , 21, , 28, , 49, , 18, , 100, , Overwhelming support for democracy, Agree, , South Asia, , 94, , Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, , 98, 96, 95, 94, 81, , ✂, , 0, ✁, , Source: SDSA Team, State of Democracy in South Asia, Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2007, ❉, , 92, , 50, , 100

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❊☞✌✍✌✎✏☞ ✑✒✌✓✔✕ ✖✍✗ ✗✘✙✘✚✌✛✎✘✍✔, If democracies are expected to produce, good governments, then is it not fair to, expect that they would also produce, development? Evidence shows that in, practice many democracies did not fulfil, this expectation., If you consider all democracies and, all dictatorships for the fifty years between, 1950 and 2000, dictatorships have slightly, higher rate of economic growth. The, inability of democracy to achieve higher, economic development worries us. But, this alone cannot be reason to reject, democracy. As you have already studied, in economics, economic development, depends on several factors: country’s, population size, global situation,, , © RJ Matson - Cagle Cartoons Inc., , The Rich Get Buff, , cooperation from other countries,, economic priorities adopted by the, country, etc. However, the difference in, the rates of economic development, between less developed countries with, dictatorships and democracies is, negligible. Overall, we cannot say that, democracy is a guarantee of economic, development. But we can expect, democracy not to lag behind, dictatorships in this respect., When we find such significant, difference in the rates of economic, growth between countries under, dictatorship and democracy, it is better, to prefer democracy as it has several, other positive outcomes., , Cartoon on this page, and next three pages tell, us about the disparities, between the rich and, poor. Should the gains, of economic growth be, evenly distributed? How, can the poor get a voice, for a better share in a, nation? What can the, poor countries do to, receive a greater share, in the world’s wealth?, , ☛✂, ✡✠, ✂✄, ☎✆, ✟, ✞✄, ✝✆, ☎✄, ✂✁, ❖, 93

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Economic outcomes, ofdemocracy, , © Jimmy Margulies - Cagle Cartoons Inc., , Argum ent s about dem ocracy t end t o Poor Kids, be very passionat e. This is how it, should be, for dem ocracy appeals t o, som e of our deep values. These, debat es cannot be resolved in a, sim ple m anner. But som e debates, about dem ocracy can and should be, resolved by referring t o som e fact s, and figures. The debat e about t he, econom ic out com es of dem ocracy is, one such debat e. Over t he years, m any st udent s of dem ocracy have, gat hered careful evidence t o see, what t he relat ionship of dem ocracy, wit h econom ic growt h and econom ic, inequalit ies is. The t ables and t he, cart oon here present som e of t he evidences:, , ✠, , Table 1 shows t hat on an average dict at orial regim es have had a slight ly bet t er record, of econom ic growt h. But when we com pare t heir record only in poor count ries, t here is, virt ually no difference., , ✠, , Table 2 shows t hat wit hin dem ocracies t here can be very high degree of inequalit ies. I n, dem ocrat ic count ries like Sout h Africa and Brazil, t he t op 20 per cent people t ake away, m ore t han 60 per cent of t he nat ional incom e, leaving less t han 3 per cent for t he bot t om, 20 per cent populat ion. Count ries like Denm ark and Hungary are m uch bet t er in t his respect ., , ✠, , You can see in t he cart oon, t here is oft en inequalit y of opport unit ies available t o t he, poorer sect ions., W hat w ould be your verdict on dem ocracy if you had t o base it purely on econom ic, perform ance of dem ocrat ic regim es in t erm s of grow t h and equal dist ribut ion?, , Table 2, Inequality of income in selected countries, , Table 1, , ✟✄, , Rates of economic growth for different countries,, 1950-2000, , ✝✆, , Type of regimes and countries, All democratic regimes, All dictatorial regimes, Poor countries under dictatorship, Poor countries under democracy, , ✝♦, ✂✞, ✄✝, ✆❛, ☎✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, 94, , Growth Rate, 3.95, 4.42, 4.34, 4.28, , Source: A Przeworski, M E Alvarez, J A Cheibub and F Limongi, Democracy and, Development: Political Institutions and Well-Being in the World, 1950-1990., Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2000., , Name of the, Countries, , % share of national, income, Top 20 % Bottom 20 %, South Africa, 64.8, 2.9, Brazil, 63.0, 2.6, Russia, 53.7, 4.4, USA, 50.0, 4.0, United Kingdom 45.0, 6.0, Denmark, 34.5, 9.6, Hungary, 34.4, 10.0

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❘☞✌✍✎✏✑✒✓ ✒✔ ✑✓☞✕✍✖✗✑✏✘ ✖✓✌ ✙✒✚☞✛✏✘, Perhaps more than development, it is, reasonable to expect democracies to, reduce economic disparities. Even when, a country achieves economic growth, will, wealth be distributed in such a way that, all citizens of the country will have a, share and lead a better life? Is economic, growth in democracies accompanied by, increased inequalities among the people?, Or do democracies lead to a just, distribution of goods and opportunities?, , © Ares - Best of Latin America, Cagle Cartoons Inc., , Voice of the Poor, , Democracies are based on political, equality. All individuals have equal weight, in electing representatives. Parallel to the, process of bringing individuals into the, political arena on an equal footing, we, find growing economic inequalities. A, small number of ultra-rich enjoy a highly, disproportionate share of wealth and, incomes. Not only that, their share in the, total income of the country has been, increasing. Those at the bottom of the, society have very little to depend upon., Their incomes have been declining., Sometimes they find it difficult to meet, their basic needs of life, such as food,, clothing, house, education and health., , Dem ocracy is a, rule of t he, m aj orit y. The, poor are in, m aj orit y. So, dem ocracy m ust, be a rule of t he, poor. How can, t his not be t he, case?, , In actual life, democracies do not, appear to be very successful in reducing, economic inequalities. In Class IX, Economics textbook, you have already, studied about poverty in India. The, poor constitute a large proportion, of our voters and no party will, like to lose their votes. Yet, democratically elected, governments do not, appear to be as keen to, address the question of, poverty as you would, expect them to. The, situation is much worse in, some other countries. In, Bangladesh, more than, half of its population lives, in poverty. People in, several poor countries are, now dependent on the rich, countries even for food, supplies., , ☛✂, ✡✠, ✂✄, ☎✆, ✟, ✞✄, ✝✆, ☎✄, ✂✁, ❖, 95

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© Manny Francisco - The Phillippines, Cagle Cartoons Inc., , World’s Wealth Owned by a Few, , ❆✠✠✡☛☛✡☞✌✍✎✡✏ ✡✑ ✒✡✠✎✌✓ ☞✎✔✕✖✒✎✍✗, , ✟✄, , All you are saying, is t hat, dem ocracy, ensures t hat, people do not, break each, ot her’s head., This is not, harm ony. Should, we be happy, about it ?, , ✝✆✝, ♦✂, ✞, ✄✝✆, ❛☎, ✄✂, ✁, ❉, 96, , Do democracies lead to peaceful and, harmonious life among citizens? It will, be a fair expectation that democracy, should produce a harmonious social life., We have seen in the earlier chapters how, democracies accommodate various social, divisions. We saw in the first chapter how, Belgium has successfully negotiated, differences among ethnic populations., Democracies usually develop a procedure, to conduct their competition. This reduces, the possibility of these tensions becoming, explosive or violent., No society can fully and permanently, resolve conflicts among different groups., But we can certainly learn to respect these, differences and we can also evolve, mechanisms to negotiate the differences., Democracy is best suited to produce this, outcome. Non-democratic regimes often, turn a blind eye to or suppress internal, , social differences. Ability to handle social, differences, divisions and conflicts is thus, a definite plus point of democratic, regimes. But the example of Sri Lanka, reminds us that a democracy must fulfil, two conditions in order to achieve this, outcome:, , ✘, , It is necessary to understand that, democracy is not simply rule by majority, opinion. The majority always needs to, work with the minority so that, governments function to represent the, general view. Majority and minority, opinions are not permanent., , ✘, , It is also necessary that rule by, majority does not become rule by, majority community in terms of religion, or race or linguistic group, etc. Rule by, majority means that in case of every, decision or in case of every election,, different persons and groups may and

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can form a majority. Democracy remains, democracy only as long as every citizen, has a chance of being in majority at some, point of time. If someone is barred, , from being in majority on the basis of, birth, then the democratic rule ceases, to be accommodative for that person, or group., , Greeting, , The two images depict two different kinds of, effects democratic politics can have on social, divisions. Take one example for each image, and write a paragraph each on the outcome, of democratic politics in both situations., , © Ares - Best of Latin America, Cagle Cartoons Inc., , Enemies, , ❉☞✌✍☞✎✏ ✑✍✒ ✓✔✕✕✒✖✗ ✖✓ ✎✘✕ ✙☞✎☞✚✕✍✛, , Democracy stands much superior to any, other for m of government in, promoting dignity and freedom of the, individual. Every individual wants to, receive respect from fellow beings., Often conflicts arise among individuals, because some feel that they are not, treated with due respect. The passion for, respect and freedom are the basis of, democracy. Democracies throughout the, world have recognised this, at least in, , principle. This has been achieved in, various degrees in various democracies., For societies which have been built for, long on the basis of subordination and, domination, it is not a simple matter to, recognize that all individuals are equal., Take the case of dignity of women., Most societies across the world were, historically male dominated societies., Long struggles by women have created, some sensitivity today that respect to and, , ☛, ✂, ✡✠, ✂, ✄, ☎, ✆, ✟, ✞, ✄, ✝, ✆, ☎, ✄, ✂✁, ❖, , 97

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I am anxious, about m y board, exam s. But, dem ocracy has, so m any exam s., And m illions of, examiners!, , equal treatment of women are necessary, ingredients of a democratic society. That, does not mean that women are actually, always treated with respect. But once the, principle is recognised, it becomes easier, for women to wage a struggle against, what is now unacceptable legally and, morally. In a non-democratic set up, this, unacceptability would not have legal basis, because the principle of individual, freedom and dignity would not have the, legal and moral force there. The same is, true of caste inequalities. Democracy in, India has strengthened the claims of the, disadvantaged and discriminated castes, for equal status and equal opportunity., There are instances still of caste-based, inequalities and atrocities, but these lack, the moral and legal foundations. Perhaps, it is the recognition that makes ordinary, citizens value their democratic rights., Expectations from democracy also, function as the criteria for judging any, democratic country. What is most, , distinctive about democracy is that its, examination never gets over. As, democracy passes one test, it produces, another test. As people get some benefits, of democracy, they ask for more and, want to make democracy even better., That is why when we ask people about, the way democracy functions, they will, always come up with more expectations,, and many complaints. The fact that, people are complaining is itself a, testimony to the success of democracy:, it shows that people have developed, awareness and the ability to expect and, to look critically at power holders and, the high and the mighty. A public, expression of dissatisfaction with, democracy shows the success of the, democratic project: it transforms people, from the status of a subject into that of, a citizen. Most individuals today believe, that their vote makes a difference to the, way the government is run and to their, own self-interest., , Rosa Still Inspires, , Belief in the efficacy of vote is placed above the, calculus of utility, , ✟, , © Pat Bagley - Cagle Cartoons Inc., , Those who say that their vote makes a difference..., , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ✝, , ♦, , ✂, , ✞, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ❛, , ☎, , ❉, , 98, , Bangladesh, , 66, , India, , 67, 75, , Pakistan, , 50, , Sri Lanka, , 65, 0, , The above cartoon and graph. Illustrates a point made in this section, (Dignity and freedom of the citizens). Underline the sentences from, this section which connect to the cartoon or graph., ✁, , 65, , Nepal, , ✄, , ✂, , South Asia, , Source: SDSA Team, State of Democracy in South, Asia, Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2007., , 80

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8., , Read t he passage below:, Nannu is a daily wage earner. He lives in Welcom e Mazdoor, Colony, a slum habit at ion in East Delhi. He lost his rat ion, card and applied for a duplicat e one in January 2004. He, m ade several rounds t o t he local Food & Civil Supplies office, for t he next t hree m ont hs. But t he clerks and officials would, not even look at him , leave alone do his j ob or bot her t o t ell, him t he st at us of his applicat ion. Ult im at ely, he filed an, applicat ion under t he Right t o I nform at ion Act asking for t he, daily progress m ade on his applicat ion, nam es of t he, officials, who were supposed t o act on his applicat ion and, what act ion would be t aken against t hese officials for t heir, inact ion. Wit hin a week of filing applicat ion under t he Right t o, I nform at ion Act , he was visit ed by an inspect or from t he, Food Depart m ent , who inform ed him t hat t he card had been, m ade and he could collect it from t he office. When Nannu, went t o collect his card next day, he was given a very warm, t reat m ent by t he Food & Supply Officer ( FSO) , who is t he, head of a Circle. The FSO offered him t ea and request ed him, t o wit hdraw his applicat ion under t he Right t o I nform at ion,, since his work had already been done., What does Nannu’s exam ple show? What im pact did Nannu’s, act ion have on officials? Ask your parent s t heir experiences, when t hey approach governm ent officials t o at t end t o t heir, problem s., , ✟, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ✝, , ♦, , ✂, , ✞, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ❛, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ❉, , 100

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❖✖✗✘✖✙✗✚, ❚✛✜✢ ✣✤✥✣✦✧★✜✥✩ ✣✛✪✫✬✭✮ ★✮✪✯✢ ✧✫✤✥ ✪✦✦ ✬✛✪✬ ✰✤✧ ✛✪✱✭ ✦✭✪✮✥✬ ✜✥ ✬✛✭, ✦✪✢✬ ✬✯✤ ✰✭✪✮✢ ✢✤ ✪✢ ✬✤ ✪★★✮✭✢✢ ✬✛✭ ❧✧✥★✪✲✭✥✬✪✦ ✳✧✭✢✬✜✤✥✢ ✤❧, ★✭✲✤✣✮✪✬✜✣ ✫✤✦✜✬✜✣✢ ✿ ✴✛✪✬ ✪✮✭ ✬✛✭ ✣✛✪✦✦✭✥✩✭✢ ✬✛✪✬ ★✭✲✤✣✮✪✣✰ ❧✪✣✭✢, ✜✥ ✤✧✮ ✣✤✧✥✬✮✰ ✪✥★ ✭✦✢✭✯✛✭✮✭✐ ✴✛✪✬ ✣✪✥ ✵✭ ★✤✥✭ ✬✤ ✮✭❧✤✮✲ ★✭✲✤✣✮✪✬✜✣, ✫✤✦✜✬✜✣✢✐ ♣✤✯ ✣✪✥ ✤✧✮ ★✭✲✤✣✮✪✣✰ ✵✭✣✤✲✭ ✲✤✮✭ ★✭✲✤✣✮✪✬✜✣ ✜✥ ✜✬✢, ✫✮✪✣✬✜✣✭ ✪✥★ ✤✧✬✣✤✲✭✢✐ ❚✛✜✢ ✣✛✪✫✬✭✮ ★✤✭✢ ✥✤✬ ✪✥✢✯✭✮ ✬✛✭✢✭, ✳✧✭✢✬✜✤✥✢q ✶✬ ✤✥✦✰ ✲✪✷✭✢ ✢✤✲✭ ✢✧✩✩✭✢✬✜✤✥✢ ✪✵✤✧✬ ✬✛✭ ✯✪✰ ✜✥ ✯✛✜✣✛, ✯✭ ✣✪✥ ✪✫✫✮✤✪✣✛ ✬✛✭ ✳✧✭✢✬✜✤✥✢ ✤❧ ✣✛✪✦✦✭✥✩✭✢ ✪✥★ ✮✭❧✤✮✲✢q ✶✬ ✜✥✱✜✬✭✢, ✰✤✧ ✬✤ ✬✛✜✥✷ ✤✥ ✰✤✧✮ ✤✯✥ ✪✥★ ✣✤✲✭ ✧✫ ✯✜✬✛ ✰✤✧✮ ✤✯✥ ✮✭✪★✜✥✩ ✤❧, ✬✛✭ ✣✛✪✦✦✭✥✩✭✢t ✰✤✧✮ ✮✭✣✜✫✭ ✤❧ ✛✤✯ ✬✤ ✤✱✭✮✣✤✲✭ ✬✛✭✢✭ ✪✥★ ✰✤✧✮ ✤✯✥, ★✭❧✜✥✜✬✜✤✥ ✤❧ ★✭✲✤✣✮✪✣✰q, , ✕, ✔, ✓, ✒, ✑, ✏, ✎, ✍, ✌☛, ✁☞, ☛, ✟, ✡✄, ✠, ✟✞, ✝✄, ✆, ☎✄, ✂✂, ✁, ❈, 101

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❚✠✡☛☞✡☛✌ ✍✎✏✑✒ ✓✠✍✔✔✕☛✌✕✖, Do you remember the first chapter of your Political, Science textbook of Class IX? There we tracked the, expansion of democracy all over the world in the last, hundred years. Our reading thereafter has confirmed, our initial impression: democracy is the dominant form, of government in the contemporary world. It does, not face a serious challenger or rival. Yet our exploration, of the various dimensions of democratic politics has, shown us something else as well. The promise of, democracy is far from realised anywhere in the world., Democracy does not have a challenger, but that does, not mean that it does not face any challenges., At different points in this tour of democracy, we, have noted the serious challenges that democracy faces, all over the world. A challenge is not just any problem., We usually call only those difficulties a ‘challenge’ which, are significant and which can be overcome. A challenge, is a difficulty that carries within it an opportunity for, progress. Once we overcome a challenge we go up to, a higher level than before., Different countries face different kinds of, challenges. Can you recall the map of democratic, governments in the year 2000 that was included in your, textbook? At least one fourth of the globe is still not, under democratic government. The challenge for, democracy in these parts of the world is very stark., , ✟✝✄, ✆✝♦, ✂✞, ✄✝✆, ❛☎✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, 102, , These countries face the foundational challenge of, making the transition to democracy and then instituting, democratic government. This involves bringing down, the existing non-democratic regime, keeping military, away from controlling government and establishing a, sovereign and functional state., Most of the established democracies face the, challenge of expansion. This involves applying the, basic principle of democratic government across all, the regions, different social groups and various, institutions. Ensuring greater power to local, governments, extension of federal principle to all the, units of the federation, inclusion of women and, minority groups, etc., falls under this challenge. This, also means that less and less decisions should remain, outside the arena of democratic control. Most, countries including India and other democracies like, the US face this challenge., The third challenge of deepening of democracy, is faced by every democracy in one form or another., This involves strengthening of the institutions and, practices of democracy. This should happen in such a, way that people can realise their expectations of, democracy. But ordinary people have different, expectations from democracy in different societies., Therefore, this challenge takes different meanings and, paths in different parts of the world. In general terms,, it usually means strengthening those institutions, that help people’s participation and control., This requires an attempt to bring down the, control and influence of the rich and, powerful people in making governmental, decision., We have noted or hinted at these, challenges in all the various examples and, stories that we studied in our textbook of, Class IX and in the earlier chapters of this, book. Let us go back to all the major stops, in our tour of democracy, refresh our, memory and note down the challenges, that democracy faces in each of these.

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❉✍✎✎✏✑✏✒✓ ✔✕✒✓✏✖✓✗✱ ✘✍✎✎✏✑✏✒✓ ✔✙✚✛✛✏✒✜✏✗, , Each of these cartoons represents a challenge to democracy. Please describe what that challenge is. Also place it, in one of the three categories mentioned in the first section., Seeing the democracy, , Liberal Gender Equality, , Campaign Money, , © Ares - Cagle Cartoons Inc., © Ares - Best Latin America, Cagle Cartoons Inc., , © Tab - The Calgary Sun, Cagle Cartoons Inc., , © Patrick Chappatte - Cagle Cartoons Inc., , Mubarak Re-elected, , ✌, ☛, ✁, ☞, ☛, ✟, ✡, ✄, ✠, ✟, ✞, ✝, ✄, ✆, ☎, ✄✂, ✂, ✁, ❈, , 103

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✠✡☛☛☞✌☞✍✎ ✎✏✑☞✒ ✓☛ ✔✕✖✗✗☞✍✘☞✒, Now that you have noted down all these challenges, let us group these together into some broad categories., Given below are some spheres or sites of democratic politics. You may place against each of these the specific, challenges that you noted for one or more countries or cartoons in the previous section. In addition to that write, one item for India for each of these spheres. In case you find that some challenges do not fit into any of the, categories given below, you can create new categories and put some items under that., , Const it ut ional, design, , Dem ocrat ic, rights, , Working of, inst it ut ions, , Elect ions, , Federalism ,, decent ralisat ion, , Accom m odation, of diversit y, , Polit ical, organisat ions, , ✟✝✄, ✆✝♦, , Any other category, , ✂✞, ✄✝✆, ❛☎✄, ✂✁, , Any other category, , ❉, 106

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Let us group these again, this time by the nature of these challenges as per the classification suggested in the first, section. For each of these categories, find at least one example from India as well., Foundat ional, challenge, , Challenge of, expansion, , Challenge of, deepening, , Now let us think only about India. Think of all the challenges that democracy faces in contemporary India. List, those five that should be addressed first of all. The listing should be in order of priority, i.e, the challenge you, find most important or pressing should be mentioned at number 1, and so on. Give one example of that, challenge and your reasons for assigning it the priority., Priority Challenges t o, dem ocracy, , Example, , Reasons for preference, , 1., , 2., , 3., ✌, , ☛, , ✁, , ☞, , ☛, , 4., ✟, , ✡, , ✄, , ✠, , ✟, , ✞, , 5., ✝, , ✄, , ✆, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✂, , ✁, , ❈, , 107

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❚✠✡☛☞✡☛✌ ✍✎✏✑✒ ✓✏✔✡✒✡✕✍✔ ✖✗✘✏✖✙✚, Each of these challenges is linked to the possibility, of reforms. As mentioned above, we discuss, challenges only because we think these can be, overcome. Generally all the suggestions or proposals, about overcoming various challenges to democracy, are called ‘democracy reform’ or ‘political reform’., We are not going to give here a list of desirable, political reforms, for there cannot be any such list. If, all the countries do not have the same challenges, it, follows that everyone cannot follow the same recipe, of political reforms. We cannot prescribe a procedure, for car repair without knowing which model the car, is, what the defect is and what tools are available,, where the car has broken down, etc., Can we at least have a list of such reforms for our, country in today’s context? We can develop some, proposals for reforms at the national level. But the, real challenge of reforms may not lie at the national, level. Some of the crucial questions need to be thought, at the State or local level. Besides, such a list may, become irrelevant after some time. So, instead of that, let us think of some broad guidelines that can be kept, in mind while devising ways and means for political, reforms in India:, , ✛, , It is very tempting to think of legal ways of, reforming politics, to think of new laws to ban, undesirable things. But this temptation needs to be, resisted. No doubt, law has an important role to play, in political reform. Carefully devised changes in law, can help to discourage wrong political practices and, encourage good ones. But legal-constitutional changes, by themselves cannot overcome challenges to, democracy. This is like the rules of cricket. A change, in rules for LBW decisions helped to reduce negative, batting tactics. But no one would ever think that the, quality of cricket could be improved mainly through, changes in the rules. This is to be done mainly by the, players, coaches and administrators. Similarly,, democratic reforms are to be carried out mainly by, , ✟✝✄, ✆✝♦, ✂✞, ✄✝✆, ❛☎✄, ✂, ✁, ❉, 108, , political activists, parties, movements and politically, conscious citizens., , ✛, , Any legal change must carefully look at what results, it will have on politics. Sometimes the results may be, counter-productive. For example, many states have, banned people who have more than two children, from contesting panchayat elections. This has resulted, in denial of democratic opportunity to many poor, and women, which was not intended. Generally, laws, that seek to ban something are not very successful in, politics. Laws that give political actors incentives to do, good things have more chances of working. The best, laws are those which empower people to carry out, democratic reforms. The Right to Information Act is, a good example of a law that empowers the people, to find out what is happening in government and act, as watchdogs of democracy. Such a law helps to, control corruption and supplements the existing laws, that banned corruption and imposed strict penalties., , ✛, , Democratic reforms are to be brought about, principally through political practice. Therefore, the, main focus of political reforms should be on ways to, strengthen democratic practice. As we discussed in the, chapter on political parties, the most important concern, should be to increase and improve the quality of, political participation by ordinary citizens., , ✛, , Any proposal for political reforms should think not, only about what is a good solution but also about who, will implement it and how. It is not very wise to think, that the legislatures will pass legislations that go against, the interest of all the political parties and MPs. But, measures that rely on democratic movements, citizens’, organisations and the media are likely to succeed., Let us keep these general guidelines in mind and, look at some specific instances of challenges to, democracy that require some measure of reform. Let, us try to come up with some concrete proposals of, reform.

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Here are some challenges that require political reforms. Discuss these challenges in detail study the reform, options offered here and give your preferred solution with reasons. Remember that none of the options, offered here is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. You can opt for a mix of more than one options, or come up with something, that is not offered here. But you must give your solution in details and offer reasons for your choice., Doctors’ absenteeism, Challenge:, , Political funding, Challenge:, , Uttar Pradesh government got a survey done and, found out that most of the doctors posted in the rural, primary health centres are simply not there. They live, in a town, carry out private practice and visit the village, where they are posted only once or twice in the entire, month. Villagers have to travel to towns and pay very, high fee to private doctors even for common ailments., , On an average, every candidate who contested the, last Lok Sabha elections owned a property of more, than Rs one crore. There is a fear that only wealthy, people or those with their support can afford to, fight elections. Most of the political parties are, dependent on money given by big business houses., The worry is that the role of money in politics will, reduce whatever little voice the poor have in our, democracy., , Reform proposals:, , ✍, , The government should make it compulsory, for the doctors to live in the village where they are, posted, otherwise their service should be terminated., , ✍, , District administration and police should carry, out surprise raids to check the attendance of the, doctors., , ✍, , Village panchayat should be given the power to, write the annual report of the doctor which should, be read out in the gram sabha meeting., , ✍, , ✍, ✍, ✍, , Problems like this can be solved only if Uttar, Pradesh is split into several smaller states which can, be administered more efficiently., , Reform proposals:, The financial accounts of every political party, should be made public. These accounts should be, examined by government auditors., There should be state funding of elections., Parties should be given some money by the, government to meet their election expenditure., , Citizens should be encouraged to give more, donations to parties and to political workers., Such donations should be exempt from income, tax., , Any other problem of your choice, , ✌☛, , Challenge:, , ✁☞, ☛✟, ✡✄, , Reform proposals:, , ✠, ✟✞, , ✍, ✝✄, ✆☎, , ✍, ✍, , ✄✂, ✂✁, ❈, 109

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Refo r ing, Reforming, p, o l i ns Rose m anaged t o cat ch Madam Lyngdoh out side t he, politicians, pol, classroom ,, som et hing she had been, planning t o do for som e t im e. “ Ma’am ! I, really liked t hat Canadian cart oon”. Rose, needed som et hing t o open t he, conversat ion. “ Which one?” Madam, Lyngdoh could not recall. “ Ma’am , t he one, which says 98% Canadians want all t he, polit icians t o be locked in t he t runk of a, car and t hrown int o Niagara falls. I was, t hinking of our polit icians. We would need a, bigger vehicle and a river as m ight y as, Brahm aputra!”, Lyngdoh Ma’am sm iled at Rose. Like m ost, I ndians, she is also very m uch unhappy, wit h t he way polit icians of t he count ry have been behaving and running t he part ies and, governm ent s. But she want ed Rose t o appreciat e t he com plexit y of t he problem : “ Do you, t hink our problem s will be solved if we get rid of our polit icians?,” she asked., “ Yes, Ma’am . Aren’t t hese m ean polit icians responsible for all t he problem s in our count ry?, I m ean corrupt ion, defect ion, cast eism , com m unal violence, crim inalit y… everyt hing.”, Lyngdoh Madam : “ So, all we need is t o get rid of t he current lot . Are you sure t hat t hose, who replace t hem will not do t hese t hings?”, Rose: “ Well, I had not t hought of it , but m ay be not . May be we will get leaders of bet t er, charact er ”., Lyngdoh Madam : “ I agree wit h you t hat t he sit uat ion will change if people show m ore care, and alert ness t o rej ect corrupt and bad polit icians and elect t he right ones. And, m aybe,, all polit icians are not corrupt …”, “ How can you say t hat Ma’am ” int errupt ed Rose., Lyngdoh Madam : “ I did not say t hat polit icians are not corrupt . Maybe when you t hink of, polit icians you t hink of t hese big people whose phot os appear in newspapers. I t hink of, polit ical leaders t hat I have known. I don’t t hink t hat t he polit ical leaders I know are m ore, corrupt t han m y own colleagues, governm ent officials, cont ract ors or ot her m iddle class, professionals t hat I know. The corrupt ion of t he polit ician is m ore visible and we get t he, im pression t hat all polit icians are corrupt . Som e of t hem are and som e of t hem are not .”, Rose did not give up. “ Ma’am , what I m eant is t hat t here should be st rict laws t o curb, corrupt ion and wrong pract ices like appeals t o cast e and com m unit y., ✟, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ✝, , ♦, , Lyngdoh Madam : “ I am not sure Rose. For one t hing t here is already a law banning any, appeal t o cast e and religion in polit ics. Polit icians find a way t o bypass t hat . Laws can, have lit t le im pact unless people resist at t em pt s t o m islead and divide people in t he nam e, of cast e and religion. You cannot have dem ocracy in a real sense unless people and, polit icians overcom e t he barriers of cast e and religion., ✂, , ✞, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ❛, , ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ❉, , 110

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❘✍✎✍✏✑✒✑✒✓ ✎✍✔✕✖✗✘✖✙, We began this tour of democracy last year with a, minimal definition of democracy. Do you remember, that? This is what Chapter 2 of your textbook said last, year: democracy is a form of government in which, the rulers are elected by the people. We then looked at, many cases and expanded the definition slightly to add, some qualifications:, , ✚, , the rulers elected by the people must take all the, major decisions;, , ✚, , elections must offer a choice and fair opportunity, to the people to change the current rulers;, , ✚, , this choice and opportunity should be available to, all the people on an equal basis; and, , ✚, , the exercise of this choice must lead to a, government limited by basic rules of the constitution, and citizens’ rights., , You may have felt disappointed that the definition, did not refer to any high ideals that we associate with, democracy. But in operational terms, we deliberately, started with a minimalist but clear definition of, democracy. It allowed us to make a clear distinction, between democratic and non-democratic regimes., , ✚, , Our discussion of democracy has gone beyond, the government and its activities. We discussed how, eliminating discrimination based on caste, religion and, gender is important in a democracy., , ✚, , Finally, we have had some discussion about some, outcomes that one can expect from a democracy., In doing so, we have not gone against the definition, of democracy offered last year. We began then with a, definition of what is the minimum a country must, have to be called a democracy. In the course of our, discussion we moved to the set of desirable conditions, that a democracy should have. We have moved from, the definition of democracy to the description of a, good democracy., How do we define a good democracy? What are, its features? Which are the features a democracy must, have to be called a good democracy? And what must, not take place in a democracy if it is a good democracy?, You decide that., Reading between the Lines, , ✚, , We discussed democratic rights at length and noted, that these rights are not limited to the right to vote,, stand in elections and form political organisations. We, discussed some social and economic rights that a, democracy should offer to its citizens., , ✚, , We have taken up power sharing as the spirit of, democracy and discussed how power sharing between, governments and social groups is necessary in, a democracy., , ✚, , We saw how democracy cannot be the brute rule, of majority and how a respect for minority voice is, necessary for democracy., , © Ares - Best Latin America, Cagle Cartoons Inc., , You may have noticed that in the course of our, discussions of various aspects of democratic, government and politics, we have gone beyond that, definition:, , ✌☛, ✁☞, ☛✟, ✡✄, ✠, ✟✞, ✝✄, ✆☎, ✄✂, ✂✁, ❈, 111

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Here is your space for writing your own definition of good democracy., , ( Write your nam e here) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ ’s definit ion of good, de m ocr a cy ( not m ore t han 50 words) :, , Fe a t u r e s ( use only as m any point s as you want . Try t o com press it in as few point s as, possible), 1., , 2., , 3., , 4., , 5., , 6., , 7., , ✟, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , How did you like this exercise? Was it enjoyable? Very demanding? A little frustrating? And a little scary? Are, you a little resentful that the textbook did not help you in this crucial task? Are you worried that your definition, may not be ‘correct’?, ✝, , ♦, , ✂, , ✞, , ✄, , ✝, , ✆, , ❛, , Here then is your last lesson in thinking about democracy: there is no fixed definition of good democracy., A good democracy is what we think it is and what we wish to make it. This may sound strange. Yet, think of it:, is it democratic for someone to dictate to us what a good democracy is?, ☎, , ✄, , ✂, , ✁, , ❉, , 112