Three factors which determine the outcomes of politics of social divisions:
→ The people's perception of their identities: When this is singular, the accommodation of other identities becomes difficult.
→ Representation of a community by political leaders: While representing a community, if politicians raise demands that are constitutional, then it is easier to accommodate those demands.
→ The government's reaction: If the reasonable demands of a community are suppressed by the government, then it leads to social divisions, which in turn threaten the integrity of the country.

A social difference becomes a social division when it overlaps with some other social difference. For example, the Whites were rich and powerful and the Blacks were poor and homeless and discriminated against. When one kind of social difference becomes more important than the other, then it leads to division.

In politics, there is competition between political parties. If these political parties use this
competition in support of some social divisions, it can lead to political divisions. This can lead
to conflict, violence or even disintegration of a country.
→ One example is of Northern Ireland where religious divisions led to ethno-political conflict. Two major sects of Christianity : 53% Protestants and 44% Catholics dominate the country. The Catholics wanted Northern Ireland to join the Republic of Ireland and the Protestants wanted to remain with UK. This led to years of violence where thousands were killed. Only in 1998, peace returned when the UK government and the Nationalists reached a peace treaty and stopped all violence.
→  The second example is of Yugoslavia where the political parties refused to accommodate each other. Each ethno-religious group wanted to dominate the other. Result – disintegration of Yugoslavia into seven independent countries.

Overlapping social differences create possibilities of deep social divisions and tensions.
Cross cutting social differences do not usually lead to conflicts.

In dealing with social divisions which one of the following statements is NOT correct about democracy?
(a) Due to political competition in a democracy, social divisions get reflected in politics.
(b) In a democracy it is possible for communities to voice their grievances in a peaceful manner.
(c) Democracy is the best way to accommodate social diversity.
(d) Democracy always leads to disintegration of society on the basis of social divisions.

Ans

(d) Democracy always leads to disintegration of society on the basis of social divisions.