Course Content
Democratic Politics – II | NCERT | Class 10 Polity | Notes + Quiz (Copy 1)
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1. Democracy and Social Harmony 🌍🀝

  • Democracies are expected to foster a peaceful and harmonious social life. πŸ€”
  • One of the key expectations from democracies is their ability to accommodate various social divisions, creating a more inclusive society. 🌎
  • Democracies, by their nature, encourage dialogue and peaceful negotiation of differences, contributing to social cohesion. πŸ—£οΈ
  • In democracies, there is often a process for managing competition between groups, which helps prevent conflicts from escalating into violence. βš–οΈ

2. Democracy’s Approach to Social Divisions and Conflicts βš–οΈβœŒοΈ

  • No society can completely eliminate conflicts among different groups, but democracies provide a platform to respect and address these differences. πŸ›οΈ
  • Mechanisms within democracies allow citizens to engage in negotiation and compromise, ensuring that conflicts are handled peacefully. πŸ’¬
  • The example of Belgium highlights how democratic processes have successfully managed ethnic divisions and tensions. πŸ‡§πŸ‡ͺ
  • Democracies encourage open dialogue on divisive issues, making it easier to find lasting solutions and maintain stability. πŸ—£οΈ

3. Non-Democracies and Social Conflict 🚫⚑

  • Non-democratic regimes often ignore or suppress internal social differences, which can lead to unresolved tensions and potential violence. ❌
  • Unlike democracies, non-democracies typically lack systems of peaceful negotiation for resolving social conflicts. πŸ›‘
  • In such regimes, social differences are frequently repressed, resulting in simmering discontent and instability. ⚑
  • The lack of social accommodation in non-democratic systems often leads to the alienation of certain groups, further deepening social divides. πŸ”₯
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4. Democracy and the Role of Majority and Minority πŸ€βš–οΈ

  • Democracy is not just rule by majority opinion; it must ensure that the majority works with the minority to represent the broader public interest. πŸ›οΈ
  • A healthy democracy requires that majority and minority opinions are fluid, allowing for shifts in who holds power. πŸ”„
  • It is essential for the majority to recognize that their views may not always dominate, ensuring inclusivity and equal representation for all. πŸ€”

5. Avoiding Rule by a Single Majority Group πŸš«πŸ”΄

  • Majority rule should not translate into rule by a specific community, such as a dominant religion, race, or linguistic group. 🌍
  • Democracy must ensure that no group is permanently excluded from the majority based on characteristics like religion or ethnicity. βœ‹
  • Every citizen must have the opportunity to be part of the majority at some point, preserving inclusivity and fairness. βš–οΈ

6. The Sri Lanka Example and the Need for Inclusive Democracy πŸ‡±πŸ‡°πŸ’¬

  • The situation in Sri Lanka demonstrates that democracy requires both majority and minority cooperation for peace and stability. πŸ”„
  • Exclusion of minority groups from the democratic process undermines the very principles of democracy, leading to conflict and division. ⚠️
  • Democracy is truly democratic only when it provides opportunities for all citizens, regardless of their background, to participate and influence governance. ✨