Answer:
There
are three factors that determine the outcome of politics of social divisions People's
Perception If people see their identities in singular and exclusive terms, it
will lead to social division and even violence. 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 Belgium nationals or citizens as they
are Dutch or French and German speaking. This feeling binds them together.
Though India is a multi-cultural country, the feeling of nationalism binds us
together.
(ii) Role of Community and Culture The outcome 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. For
instance, the demand for 'only Sinhala was at the cost of the interest and
identity of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka.
(iii) The Role of Political Party and Government In
another way the political outcome of social divisions depends on how the
government reacts to demands of different groups. This is observed in Belgium
and Sri Lanka. If the rulers are willing to share power and accommodate the
reasonable demands of the 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, the political expression of social divisions is normal and can be healthy.
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