FA 2 ACTIVITY

MADE BY : - VISHVJEET YADAV CLASS :- 10TH

SECTION :- B ROLL NO. :- 24

SUBJECT :- S.ST. TEACHER :- MRS. SUMAN MAM

STAREX INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL (BINOLA)

DEMOCRACY AND DIVERSITY

Democracy is "a system of government in which all the people of a state or polity ... are involved in making decisions about its affairs, typically by voting to elect representatives to a parliament or similar assembly .Democracy is further defined as (a:) "government by the people; especially : rule of the majority (b:) " a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections……

****DEMOCRACY*****

According to political scientist LARRY Diamond, it consists of four key elements: "1. A political system for choosing and replacing the government through free and fair elections. 2. The active participation of the people, as citizens, in politics and civic life. 3. Protection of the human rights of all citizens. 4. A rule of law, in which the laws and procedures apply equally to all citizens”.

The term originates from the Greek δημοκρατία (dēmokratía) "rule of the people “ which was found from δῆμος (dêmos) "people" and κράτος (krátos) "power" or "rule", in the 5th century BC to denote the political system then existing in  Greek city-states, notably Athens; the term is an antonym to ἀριστοκρατία (aristokratía) "rule of an elite". While theoretically these definitions are in opposition, in practice the distinction has been blurred historically . The political system of Classical Athens, for example, granted democratic citizenship to an elite class of free men and excluded slaves and women from political participation.

Democracy contrasts with forms of government where power is either held by an individual, as in an  absolute monarchy, or where power is held by a small number of individuals, as in an oligarchy. Nevertheless, these oppositions, inherited from Greek philosophy are now ambiguous because contemporary governments have mixed democratic, oligarchic, and monarchic elements. Karl Popper defined democracy in contrast to dictatorship or tyranny, thus focusing on opportunities for the people to control their leaders and to oust them without the need for a revolution.

No consensus exists on how to define democracy, but legal equality, political freedom and rule of law have been identified as important characteristics . These principles are reflected in all eligible citizens being equal before the law and having equal access to legislative processes. For example, in a representative democracy, every vote has equal weight, no unreasonable restrictions can apply to anyone seeking to become a representative[according to whom?], and the freedom of its eligible citizens is secured by legitimised rights and liberties which are typically protected by a constitution

**** CHARACTERSTICS****

One theory holds that democracy requires three fundamental principles: 1) upward control, i.e. sovereignty residing at the lowest levels of authority, 2) political equality, and 3) social norms by which individuals and institutions only consider acceptable acts that reflect the first two principles of upward control and political equality.

The term "democracy" is sometimes used as shorthand for liberal democracy, which is a variant of representative democracy that may include elements such as political pluralism; equality before the law; the right to petition elected officials for redress of grievances; due process; civil liberties; human rights; and elements of civil society outside the government.[citation needed] Roger Scruto  argues that democracy alone cannot provide personal and political freedom unless the institutions of civil society are also present.

In some countries, notably in the United Kingdom which originated the Westminster system, the dominant principle is that ofparliamentary sovereignty, while maintaining judicial independence . In the United States, separation of powers is often cited as a central attribute. In India parliamentary sovereignty is subject to a constitution which includes judicial review.Other uses of "democracy" include that of direct democracy. Though the term "democracy" is typically used in the context of a political state, the principles also are applicable to private organisations.

In 1968, Olympics held at Mexico city, in the medal ceremony of 200m race, where gold and bronze medals were won by the AFRICAN –AMERICANS & the silver was bagged by the white.In the ceremony Tommie Smith & John Carlos (African- Americans)stood on the dice with clenched fists upraised & heads bowed while the American anthem was played. They received their medals wearing black socks & no shoes to represent ‘BLACK POVERTY.’ The silver medalist, white Australian athelete, Peter Norman, wore human rights badge on his shirt to show his support to the two Americans.

STORY OF MEXICO OLYMPICS

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The combination of politics & social divisions is very explosive and dangerous.a) democracy involves competition among various political parties. Their competitions tend to divide society.b) if they start competing in terms of some existing social divisions , they can make social divisions into political divisions and lead to conflict , violence or even disintegration of a country.c)social divisions affect voting in most countries, people from one community tend to prefer one party more than others.d)in many countries there are parties which focus only on one community.--yet all this does not always lead to disintegration.

Social division:- Division of the society on the basis of language, region, caste, colour or race and sex. It signifies linguistic and regional diversity. Social differences:- Social differences are the situations where the people are discriminated against on the basis of social, economic and racial inequality. It gives way to social diversity which is different from society to society. The black power: It was a movement started by black people in 1966 against racialism and the practice of apartheid. It was a militant movement advocating even violence if necessary to end racism in the US. Overlapping differences: Social differences which overlap other differences are known as overlapping differences e.g., difference between the blacks and whites became a social division in US because the Blacks tend to be poor homeless and discriminated against.

********SUMMARY********

Cross-Cutting Differences: If social differences cross cut one another, it is known as cross cutting differences. In another way in this situation groups that share a common interest on one issue are likely to be in different sides on a different issue.

Homogenous Society:- Homogenous society signifies absence of significant ethnic differences. It is a society that has similar kinds of people or inhabitants. Migrants: Anybody who shifts from one region or country to another region within a country or to another country for the purpose of work or other economic opportunities. Minority: It refers to community who are less than half of the total population of the country. The idea of minority at national level is totally different from what it is at state level.

THE BLACK POWER :- movement emerged in 1966 and lasted till 1975 , which was a more militant anti racist movement advocating even violence in necessary to end racism in the US…

HOMOGENEOUS SOCIETY :- A society that has similar kind of people especially where there are no significant ethnic differences….

*******GLOSSARY*******