How do social division affect politics? …

“Social divisions” affect politics in both negative ways and positive ways.

Negative Impact

If we observe social division and politics together at first sight;

(i) Itwouldappearthatthecombinationofpoliticsand social divisions is very dangerous and explosive.

(ii) Democracy involves competition among various political units/parties. Their competition tends to divide the society.

In case political parties start competing in terms of some prevalent social differences it can further lead to social conflict and disintegration of society. For example, Yugoslavia and Northern Ireland.

• In Northern Ireland there has been a violent and bitter ethnopolitical conflict for many years.

• In the same way political competition along religious and ethnic lines lead to the disintegration of Yugoslavia into six independent countries.

Positive Impact

(i) At the same time every expression of social divisions in politics does not lead to such disasters because wherever social divisions exist, they are reflected in politics.

(ii) In democracy it is only natural that political parties

=> would talk about these divisions.

=>make different promises to different communities.

=> look after due representation of various communities.

=> make policies to redress the grievances of the disadvantaged communities.

(iii) Social divisions also affect voting in most countries. People from one community tend to prefer some party more than others.  

(iv) In many countries there are parties that focus only on one community, e.g., DMK, AIADMK, BSP in India.

(v) Thus, it would be best if there are no social divisions in any country.

Hence, all this does not lead to disintegration of the country.