Question
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Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions based on it:
When many cultures co-exist in a given geographical area, without one dominating the other, it is known as “cultural pluralism”. There is a common national culture in India, but at the same time the various communities have the freedom to maintain and develop their own cultural and religious traditions, so long as they are not detrimental to the unity and general welfare of the nation. This is cultural pluralism in the Indian context. Nehru (1946) described the “unity in diversity” within India when he said, “it is fascinating to find how the Bengalis, the Marathas, the Gujaratis, the Tamils, the Andhras, the Oriyas, the Assamese, the Canares, the Malayalis, the Sindhis, the Punjabis, the Pathans, the Kashmiris, the Rajputs and the great Central block of the Hindusthani speaking people, have retained their peculiar characteristics for hundreds of years.... have remained distinctively Indian. “Indian Culture is grand and unique and has fostered other cultures. We can call Gandhi the embodiment of Indian cultural Heritage. He was the one who highlighted India’s culture and spoke of its characteristics of magnanimity, flexibility and above all of its synthesis. The history of the country’s culture goes back to the ancient past or we can certainly line it up at least with the Dravidian era. Later on, many other cultures came in contact with the Indian Culture and easily merged themselves into it according to the circumstances and conditions that prevailed in India. In the same context, Gandhiji regarded the homogeneity of the Indian environment as the basis of this synthesis.
When the majority culture dominates in a society of multiple cultures, it is :
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is - Majoritarianism
Key Points
- Majoritarianism
- It refers to a situation where the majority culture or group in a society imposes its values, practices, and beliefs on the minority cultures.
- This concept often leads to the marginalization or suppression of the cultural practices of minority groups.
- Majoritarianism can result in social and political imbalances, often leading to conflicts and a lack of cultural diversity.
Additional Information
- Cultural pluralism
- Contrary to majoritarianism, cultural pluralism promotes the coexistence of diverse cultures within a society.
- It emphasizes mutual respect and the maintenance of distinct cultural identities.
- Cultural pluralism is often associated with inclusive policies that support minority rights and cultural diversity.
- Communism
- An ideology and socioeconomic system where property and resources are communally owned, and each person contributes and receives according to their ability and needs.
- It is not directly related to cultural dominance but rather focuses on economic and social equality.
- Sectarianism
- Involves conflict or discrimination arising from attachment to a particular sect or group, often within a religion.
- Unlike majoritarianism, which is about the dominance of a cultural majority, sectarianism deals with divisions within a larger community or religion.