Social Science (087) — CBSE Class 10 board question

Democracy accommodates social diversity better than dictatorship — Justification:

1. Provides mechanisms to handle differences: Democracies develop procedures to conduct competition among groups, reducing the possibility of tensions becoming explosive or violent.

1. Respects social differences: Non-democratic regimes often suppress or turn a blind eye to internal social differences, whereas democracy evolves mechanisms to negotiate them.

1. Majority works with minority: Democracy ensures the majority always works with the minority so that government represents the general view. Majority and minority opinions are not permanent.

1. Prevents permanent exclusion: Rule by majority does not become rule by a majority community based on religion, race or language. Every citizen has a chance of being in the majority at some point.

1. Example — Belgium: Belgium successfully negotiated differences among ethnic populations through democratic means, showing democracy's strength in accommodating diversity.

1. Political expression of social differences is possible and sometimes desirable in a democracy, unlike in dictatorships.

Source: Democratic Politics – II, Chapter 5 (Accommodation of Social Diversity) & Chapter 3 (Overview)

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Examiners look for at least 4–5 distinct points directly addressing social diversity, not general democracy merits. The key distinction is: dictatorships suppress differences; democracies negotiate them. Always mention the two conditions (majority-minority cooperation; majority not becoming a permanent community majority) — these are explicitly stated in the textbook and fetch marks. The Belgium example adds factual support. Avoid drifting into economic outcomes for this specific question.