Duscuss three factors that determine the …

There are three factors that determine the outcome of the politics of social divisions:

1. People s perception:  If people see their identities in singular and exclusive terms, it will lead to social division and even violence. Social divisions may take place if people demand special recognition to their identities. If people see their identities in singular terms, it becomes very difficult to accommodate and avoid social divisions. 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 German-speaking. This feeling binds them together. Though India is a multi-cultural country, the feeling of nationalism binds us together.
2. The reaction of the government to demands of different groups: 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. If the government gives equal representation and equal share of power to all the major and minor groups in the society, the chances of social divisions minimise. If the government tries to suppress demand, it could create unrest, thereby paving the way for social divisions. For instance, the demand for only Sinhala’ was at the cost of the interest and identity of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka.
3. Role of a political party and government: In another way, the political outcome of social divisions depends on how the government reacts to the demands of different groups. The role played by political leaders and the leadership provided by them play an important role in creating or filling social divisions. 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 needs not to be seen as a source of danger. In a democracy, the political expression of social divisions is normal and can be healthy.