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IGNOU MPSE-007 Previous Year Solved Question Paper in Hindi

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Q1. Explain the objectives and impact of social movements.

Ans. Social movements are collective actions aimed at bringing about or resisting change in the social or political order. Their objectives and impacts are multi-faceted and profound. Objectives: The primary objectives of social movements are to address perceived injustices, inequalities, or problems within society. These objectives can be categorized as follows:

• Social Change: Many movements challenge existing social norms, values, and structures. For instance, the anti-caste movement in India aims to dismantle caste-based discrimination and hierarchy.
• Policy and Political Change: Movements often aim to change or create specific laws or government policies. The women’s movement in India was instrumental in getting legislations like the Domestic Violence Act and the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act passed.
• Raising Awareness: Movements often draw public attention to issues that are ignored or suppressed. The environmental movement in India has successfully raised awareness about issues like deforestation and pollution.
• Building Identity and Empowerment: Movements provide a platform for marginalized groups to forge a collective identity and empower them to assert their rights. The Dalit movement is a prime example of this.

Impact:

Social movements can have a deep and lasting impact on society and politics:

• Political Impact: They can pressure the government to create or change policies. The Right to Information (RTI) Act was a direct outcome of a civil society movement. They can also lead to the rise of new political parties.
• Social Impact: Movements can bring about shifts in social attitudes and behaviours. The movement for LGBTQ+ rights has challenged traditional views on sexuality and increased acceptance in India.
• Cultural Impact: They generate new symbols, language, and cultural expressions that change the discourse of a society.
• Economic Impact: Movements like farmers’ protests can influence agricultural policies and market structures, thereby directly affecting the economic conditions of farmers.

In essence, social movements are powerful catalysts for change, influencing not just policies but also reshaping the very way a society thinks and functions.

Q2. Describe new social movements.

Ans. New Social Movements (NSMs) is a theoretical framework that explains the wave of movements that emerged in Western societies post the 1960s. These movements are considered distinct from the traditional, class-based ‘old’ movements (like the labour movement). The main characteristics of New Social Movements are as follows:

1. Post-Materialist Values: While traditional movements were primarily focused on economic and material issues like wages and working conditions, NSMs focus on post-materialist values such as quality of life , identity , autonomy , and self-expression . Examples include the environmental movement, peace movement, feminist movement, and LGBTQ+ rights movement.
2. Participants and Organisation: These movements often involve the middle class, educated youth, and professionals. Their organizational structure is not hierarchical like traditional political parties or trade unions, but is often decentralized , network-based, and informal.
3. Field of Action: NSMs operate primarily in the realm of civil society rather than just targeting the state. They seek to change lifestyles, cultural practices, and social norms. They use direct action, protests, and media campaigns to influence the political system, but their ultimate goal is a broader social transformation.
4. Global Perspective: Many NSMs have a global or transnational outlook. Issues like human rights, environmental protection, and peace transcend national boundaries, and these movements often work through international networks and alliances.
5. New Tactics: These movements make extensive use of information and communication technology. The internet and social media have enabled them to disseminate ideas, mobilize supporters, and coordinate actions on a global scale.

In the Indian context, movements like the Chipko movement and the Narmada Bachao Andolan exhibit many characteristics of NSMs. They address not only economic issues (like livelihood) but also raise broader issues of environmental conservation, autonomy of local communities, and alternative models of development. Thus, NSMs reflect the changing nature of collective action in contemporary society.

Q3. Has Indian society become democratized?

Ans. The question of whether Indian society has become democratized is complex, with an answer that is both ‘yes’ and ‘no’. India has made significant strides in procedural democracy, but the achievement of substantive democracy remains a challenge. Arguments for Democratization:

• Regular Elections and Political Participation: India has established a strong tradition of regular, free, and fair elections. Over the past few decades, there has been a remarkable increase in the political participation of marginalized groups like Dalits, Adivasis, and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
• Affirmative Action Policies: Policies like reservation have provided opportunities in education, employment, and political representation to historically disadvantaged groups, enabling their entry into power structures.
• Decentralization: The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and municipalities, increasing people’s participation in governance at the local level.
• Active Civil Society and Social Movements: India has a vibrant civil society. Social movements have successfully fought for rights, such as the Right to Information (RTI) movement, which has increased transparency and accountability in governance.
• Independent Judiciary and Media: An independent judiciary and a (mostly) free press have played a crucial role in protecting citizens’ rights and holding the government accountable.

Arguments Against/Limits to Democratization:

• Deep Social Inequalities: Discrimination based on caste, gender, and religion remains deeply entrenched in Indian society. Because of these social hierarchies, equal opportunity and dignity for all citizens remain a distant reality.
• Economic Inequality: Growing economic inequality distorts the political process. The influence of money is evident in elections and policy-making, which weakens the voice of the common citizen.
• Violence and Insecurity: Violence against Dalits, Adivasis, women, and religious minorities continues, which limits their democratic freedoms.
• Institutional Erosion: In recent years, questions have been raised about the autonomy of certain institutions, and there are concerns about the shrinking space for dissent.

In conclusion, a process of

“democratization from below”

is underway in Indian society, where marginalized groups are asserting their rights. However, deeply entrenched inequalities in the social and economic spheres are major impediments to the creation of a fully democratized society. Democratization is an ongoing process, not a destination.

Q4. Explain Indian state’s efforts to enhance status of tribals.

Ans. Since India’s independence, the Indian state has undertaken various constitutional, legal, and policy measures to improve the socio-economic status of Scheduled Tribes (Adivasis) and protect their unique cultural identities. These efforts aim to integrate them into the nation’s mainstream while protecting them from exploitation. Constitutional Provisions:

• Fifth and Sixth Schedules: The Fifth Schedule of the Constitution provides for the administration and control of “Scheduled Areas” in tribal-dominated regions. The Sixth Schedule provides for the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram through Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), giving them greater control over their land, forests, and social customs.
• Reservations: Seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies under Articles 330 and 332. Similarly, Article 335 provides for reservation in government jobs and public sector undertakings.

Legal Measures:

• Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA): This is a landmark legislation that recognizes the individual and community forest rights of tribal communities who have traditionally lived in and depended on forests. It aims to correct the “historical injustice” done to them.
• PESA Act, 1996 (PESA): The Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, empowers the Gram Sabha as a unit of local self-governance. It gives the Gram Sabha the power to preserve their traditions, cultural identity, community resources, and customary modes of dispute resolution.
• The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989: This act is designed to prevent atrocities and crimes against these communities and provide justice to the victims.

Policy and Developmental Programmes:

• Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP): Under this strategy, state and central ministries are required to allocate a certain portion of their plan budget specifically for the development of tribals.
• Educational and Economic Support: The government runs scholarships, hostels, Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), and vocational training centres for tribals. Institutions like TRIFED help in marketing their forest produce.

Despite these comprehensive efforts, there are significant challenges in implementation. Displacement due to development projects, land alienation, corruption, and slow implementation of laws remain major problems. Therefore, sustained and more effective efforts are needed to improve the status of tribals.

Q5. Why does India lag behind in achieving equality in social and economic spheres?

Ans. More than 75 years after independence, India remains far from its constitutional goal of achieving equality in social and economic spheres. There are deep-seated historical, structural, and policy reasons behind this failure. Reasons for Inequality in the Social Sphere:

1. Persistence of the Caste System: The caste system is the most enduring form of social stratification in India. Despite constitutional prohibitions and laws, caste-based discrimination remains widespread, especially in rural areas. It limits access to education, employment, and social dignity.
2. Patriarchal Society: Indian society is deeply patriarchal. Women face discrimination in education, health, property rights, and decision-making processes. Problems like female foeticide, domestic violence, and lack of safety in public spaces are major hurdles to their equality.
3. Religious and Ethnic Tensions: Periodic communal and ethnic conflicts weaken the social fabric and create a sense of insecurity among minorities, hindering their full social participation.

Reasons for Inequality in the Economic Sphere:

1. Unequal Asset and Land Distribution: The distribution of land and other productive assets is highly unequal. The failure of land reforms has resulted in a large landless class in rural India, which is vulnerable to poverty and exploitation.
2. Jobless Growth: India’s economic growth has often been driven by the service sector, which has limited capacity for large-scale job creation. Neglect of agriculture and slow growth in the manufacturing sector have failed to generate a sufficient number of good quality jobs.
3. Unequal Access to Education and Health: Access to quality education and healthcare is heavily dependent on one’s economic and social background. This perpetuates the inequality of opportunity from one generation to the next.
4. Dominance of the Informal Sector: About 90% of India’s workforce is employed in the informal sector, where they have no social security, minimum wages, or job security.

Interlinkage of Social and Economic Spheres:

These two spheres are deeply intertwined. Social discrimination (like caste or gender) often leads to economic deprivation. For example, a Dalit or a woman may face more hurdles in getting a job or a loan. Similarly, economic weakness reinforces social marginalization. Until these structural barriers are addressed simultaneously, achieving true social and economic equality will remain a distant dream for India.

Q6. What is the impact of environment movement in India? Give reasons.

Ans. The environmental movement in India, which rose to prominence in the 1970s, has had a significant and lasting impact on the country’s politics, policy, and society. This impact can be seen at multiple levels. Impacts:

1. Policy and Legal Impact: The most tangible impact has been the creation of a robust legal and institutional framework for environmental protection. Movements like the Chipko Movement pressured the government, leading to laws like the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. After the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 was passed. The Narmada Bachao Andolan brought the issue of displacement and rehabilitation from large dams to the national forefront, influencing rehabilitation policies.
2. Spurring Judicial Activism: These movements drew the attention of the judiciary through Public Interest Litigations (PILs). The judiciary delivered several landmark judgments, such as making the environment a part of the Right to Life (Article 21). The establishment of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) is also a significant step in this direction.
3. Shift in Political and Developmental Discourse: Environmental movements have challenged the conventional notion of “development.” They have questioned whether large dams, mines, and industries are always synonymous with progress, especially when the costs are borne by local communities and the environment. This has brought concepts of sustainable development and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to the center of policy debates.
4. Increase in Public Awareness: By successfully using the media, these movements have created widespread public awareness about issues like deforestation, pollution, loss of biodiversity, and climate change. Today, the environment is an important public and political issue.

Reasons for Impact:

• Grassroots Mobilization: The strength of these movements often lies in the strong participation of local communities, especially tribals and farmers, whose livelihoods are directly dependent on the environment.
• Moral Authority: The use of Gandhian methods (non-violent protest, satyagraha) gave these movements a high moral ground, as seen in the Chipko and Narmada Bachao movements.
• Support from Media and Intelligentsia: Media coverage and support from urban middle-class intellectuals, scientists, and lawyers helped to amplify these local struggles to national and international levels.
• Role of the Judiciary: The Indian judiciary provided a powerful ally to these movements by playing an activist role in favour of environmental protection.

In conclusion, the environmental movement in India has not been limited to just saving trees or rivers but has raised fundamental questions about development, human rights, and social justice, thereby leaving a deep impact on Indian democracy and governance.

Q7. Describe Gandhian approach to the study of social movements.

Ans. The Gandhian approach to the study of social movements is based on the philosophy and strategies developed by Mahatma Gandhi during the Indian freedom struggle. This approach is not just an academic framework but also a moral and practical guide for social change. Its main features are as follows: 1. Truth and Non-violence (Satyagraha): The core of the Gandhian approach is Satyagraha , which means “insistence on truth” or “truth force.” It is based on the belief that truth will ultimately prevail. The means to achieve this truth is Ahimsa (non-violence). For Gandhi, ahimsa was not just the absence of physical violence, but a complete absence of hatred or ill-will in thought, word, and deed. Social movements, while resisting injustice, must maintain love and respect for their opponent. The aim is not to destroy the opponent but to bring about a “change of heart.” 2. Purity of Ends and Means: In Gandhian philosophy, the means are as important as the ends. A good goal (like social justice) cannot be achieved through bad or violent methods. If a movement uses unjust means, it loses its moral authority and ultimately corrupts its own goal. Therefore, the methods of protest must be ethical and pure. 3. Constructive Programme: The Gandhian approach does not only involve protest and civil disobedience but also includes the Constructive Programme as an essential part. This means working for self-reliance, social reform, and economic empowerment within the community. It included programs like promoting Khadi, village sanitation, removal of untouchability, and communal harmony. Gandhi believed that positive, constructive work to build a better society is as important as protesting the evils of the existing system. 4. Sarvodaya and Antyodaya: The goal of a Gandhian movement is Sarvodaya (“welfare of all”), not just the welfare of the majority. It also includes the principle of Antyodaya , meaning the “rise of the last person.” The measure of a society’s progress should be how it affects the life of its weakest and most marginalized member. 5. Decentralization and Gram Swaraj: Gandhi was a strong advocate of decentralization of power and Gram Swaraj (village self-rule). He believed that real democracy and power should lie in the hands of the people, i.e., in self-sufficient villages. Many social movements in India, such as Jayaprakash Narayan’s Total Revolution, Medha Patkar’s Narmada Bachao Andolan, and Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement, have drawn inspiration from Gandhian principles and strategies. This approach remains relevant for social activists and movements around the world today.

Q8. Explain the differences between political movement and social movement.

Ans. Both political movements and social movements are forms of collective action aimed at bringing about change, but they differ significantly in their goals, scope, methods, and focus. However, it is important to note that the lines between the two can often be blurry. Goals:

• Political Movement: Its primary and direct goal is to influence or capture state power . This can include changing the government, winning elections, overthrowing a regime, or forming a specific political party. Example: The Indian independence movement aimed to end British rule and gain political power.
• Social Movement: Its main goal is to bring about change in social norms, values, relationships, and consciousness within society. It may seek to change specific laws or policies, but its ultimate objective is a broader social or cultural transformation. Example: The feminist movement in India aims not just to change laws, but to challenge patriarchal social structures and mindsets.

Scope:

• Political Movement: Its scope is often narrower and focused on the political system. It primarily engages with political institutions—parliament, the executive, and the bureaucracy.
• Social Movement: Its scope is broader and operates within civil society . It targets areas such as culture, lifestyle, education, and individual behaviour.

Tactics and Methods:

• Political Movement: It predominantly uses political tactics such as contesting elections, lobbying, forming alliances, or revolution.
• Social Movement: It uses a diverse range of tactics, including protests, marches, awareness campaigns, cultural resistance, building alternative communities, and grassroots mobilization.

Relationship and Overlap:

The distinction is not always clear-cut. Many movements exhibit features of both:

• Politicization of Social Movements: A social movement can become political. For example, the Assam Movement started as a socio-cultural movement but later gave birth to a political party, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP). Similarly, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) emerged from the Dalit social movement.
• Social Base of Political Movements: Successful political movements often have strong social bases and goals. They mobilize support by addressing social grievances and aspirations.

In summary, the key difference is that political movements are focused on the question of “who rules?”, while social movements focus on the broader question of “how do we live together?”.

Q9. What is social stratification? Describe.

Ans. Social stratification is a sociological concept that refers to the system by which a society ranks categories of people in a hierarchy. It is not simply a reflection of individual differences, but a characteristic of society itself that persists over generations. It shows how valuable resources like wealth, property, power, and prestige are distributed unequally in a society. Basic Principles of Social Stratification:

1. It is a trait of society, not just of individual differences: Stratification is built into the structure of society. Poverty or wealth is not just a result of individual talent or effort but also a consequence of a system that gives some people more opportunities than others.
2. It persists over generations: Parents pass on their social position to their children. Although social mobility is possible, most people remain in the same social level they were born into.
3. It is universal but variable: Stratification exists in every society, but its nature and extent vary across different societies. Some may have stratification based on income and wealth, while others may have it based on caste or race.
4. It involves not just inequality but also beliefs: Every stratification system includes some ideology or beliefs that “justify” the existing inequalities as “fair” or “natural.” For example, the traditional caste system was justified by notions of karma and dharma.

Systems of Stratification:

• Slavery: An extreme form in which some people are legally owned by others.
• Caste: This is a closed system where social position is determined by birth (ascribed status) and is nearly impossible to change. India’s traditional caste system is the most prominent example, based on notions of purity and pollution.
• Class: This is a more open system based primarily on economic position (wealth, income, occupation). It allows for social mobility and places more emphasis on achieved status.

The Indian Context:

In Indian society,

caste

has been the most significant and enduring form of stratification. However, with modernization, urbanization, and economic development, the importance of

class

-based stratification has also increased. Often, caste and class are intertwined, with higher castes historically having more wealth and power, and lower castes facing economic deprivation. Thus, stratification in Indian society is a complex and multi-dimensional phenomenon.

Q10. What are the objectives and limitations of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)? Discuss.

Ans. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is a major political party in India that emerged from the Dalit socio-political movement in the 1980s. It was founded by Kanshi Ram and later led by Mayawati. Its objectives and limitations reflect its journey in Indian politics. Objectives:

1. Empowerment of the ‘Bahujan Samaj’: The main objective of the BSP is to secure political power for the ‘Bahujan Samaj’. As defined by Kanshi Ram, the Bahujans (majority people) include the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and religious minorities, who constitute about 85% of India’s population.
2. Transformation of the Social Order: The party aims to dismantle the ‘Manuvadi’ social order, which is based on Brahmanical hierarchy and caste-based discrimination. It draws inspiration from the ideology of Phule, Shahu Maharaj, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
3. Capture of Political Power: The BSP believes that social justice and economic equality can only be achieved by capturing political power. Their slogan, “Jiski jitni sankhya bhari, uski utni hissedari” (The greater a group’s numbers, the larger its share), reflects the idea that representation in power should be proportional to population.
4. Social Brotherhood: In later years, especially under Mayawati’s leadership, the BSP adopted the slogan of ‘Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay’ (welfare and happiness for all) to broaden its base. This was an attempt to include upper castes, particularly Brahmins, into the party’s fold.

Limitations:

1. Ideological Dilution: The shift towards ‘Sarvajan’ politics was seen by many analysts as an ideological dilution of the BSP’s core Dalit-Bahujan agenda. This caused the party to lose its revolutionary edge and created confusion among its core supporters.
2. Highly Centralized and Personality-Centric: The party’s organization is highly centralized and completely dependent on the personality of Mayawati. There is a lack of internal democracy, which has prevented the rise of second-generation leaders.
3. Electoral Decline: The BSP’s performance in recent elections has been consistently poor. It has failed to counter the inroads made by parties like the BJP into Dalit and OBC communities and to understand changing political aspirations.
4. Corruption Charges: Allegations of corruption and ostentatious displays of wealth during the BSP’s tenure in power have tarnished its image as a party of the poor and oppressed.
5. Difficulty in Forging Alliances: The party’s leadership-centric and inflexible nature has often made it fail in forming effective and lasting pre-poll alliances.

In conclusion, the BSP has played a historic role in giving Dalits a powerful political voice and enhancing their self-respect in Indian politics. However, due to its internal organizational weaknesses and failure to adapt to changing political realities, it is currently facing serious challenges.