Social Science (087) — CBSE Class 10 board question

Outcomes of Democracy in the Social Sector:

1. Accommodation of Social Differences: Democracy is best suited to handle social differences, divisions and conflicts. It develops procedures to conduct competition among groups, reducing the possibility of tensions becoming explosive or violent.

1. Majority-Minority Cooperation: Democracy ensures the majority works with the minority so that governments represent the general view. Majority and minority opinions are not permanent — every citizen has a chance of being in the majority at some point.

1. Prevention of Domination: Rule by majority must not become rule by a majority community based on religion, race or language. If any group is barred on the basis of birth, democracy ceases to be accommodative.

1. Negotiation of Conflicts: No society can fully resolve conflicts, but democracy evolves mechanisms to negotiate differences and helps citizens respect them. Non-democratic regimes suppress or ignore social differences.

1. Limitation: Democracy does not guarantee perfect social harmony; it ensures people manage differences peacefully, not that conflicts disappear entirely.

Source: Chapter 5, Accommodation of Social Diversity

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• Examiners expect 4–5 distinct points covering: accommodation of diversity, majority-minority balance, prevention of community domination, conflict negotiation, and an honest limitation.
• Always use the textbook examples (Belgium, Sri Lanka) as supporting references — they signal you have read the chapter.
• The two conditions for democracy to handle social diversity (majority not becoming permanent, no rule by majority community) are frequently asked; state them clearly.
• Avoid copying entire paragraphs; rephrase in your own words while keeping the key terms intact.