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NCERT Class 11 Sociology Chapter 6 Social Structure, Stratification and Social Processes in Society
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Social Structure, Stratification and Social Processes in Society
Chapter: 6
| PART – (II) UNDERSTANDING SOCIETY |
| EXERCISES |
1. Discuss the different tasks that demand cooperation with reference to agricultural or industrial operations.
Ans: Difference between Agricultural Operations and Industrial Operations are:
| Basic of difference | Agricultural Operations | Industrial Operations |
| Meaning | Agriculture is the cultivation of land and breeding of animals and plants to provide food, fibre, medicinal plants, and other products to sustain and enhance life. Provides employment opportunities for rural people in underdeveloped and developing countries on a large scale. | Industrial societies are characterized by the use of large-scale production and mass-production techniques in order to make products. Some other characteristics include the use of power sources (such as coal, oil, and natural gas) and machines to produce goods, as well as that most people work in factories or offices. |
| Type of Workforce | Often employs manual labor, with minimal technical skills required. | Requires skilled labor, technical expertise, and mechanized processes. |
| Use of Technology | Limited use of advanced technology, though modernization is growing. | Extensive use of machinery, automation, and advanced systems. |
2. Is cooperation always voluntary or is it enforced? If enforced, is it sanctions or is the strength of norms that ensure cooperation? Discuss with examples.
Ans: In many situations, cooperation is voluntary, particularly when individuals or groups share common goals or interests. For instance, in a team working on a community project, cooperation is often based on mutual understanding, shared values, and personal motivation. Similarly, in voluntary associations or collaborative ventures, cooperation arises from the willingness to work together towards a common objective.
In other cases, cooperation is enforced, especially in structured environments like workplaces, factories, or agricultural cooperatives. In these settings, workers may be required to cooperate due to hierarchical structures, job requirements, or legal obligations. In order to understand how cooperation may entail conflict, and the difference between ‘enforced’ and ‘voluntary cooperation’ we can take example of women’s rights properly. Daughters, knowing their rights on the property mostly would not claim full or anv share of natal property, because they were afraid this would sour relations with their brothers. So this cooperation of daughters with the natal family members is not voluntary, it is basically enforced. Daughters have no option, if they want to maintain harmonious relationship with natal family members.
Sanctions: Social sanctions are the methods that we use to enforce social control. Think of these like the rewards and punishments society uses to make sure people obey our norms and laws. Sociologists believe that sanctions are external forms of social control, meaning they are exerted on us by some outside force.
(i) In Workplaces: Employees may face disciplinary actions such as warnings, demotions, or terminations if they refuse to cooperate with colleagues or ignore company policies.
(ii) In Legal Systems: Laws often require cooperation (e.g., paying taxes, following regulations). Failure to comply may result in fines or imprisonment.
Strength of Norms: Strong norms, which significantly influence behavior and are widely adopted, and stable norms, which endure over time, are essential for group coordination and addressing collective challenges.
(i) In Communities: In rural villages or tightly-knit groups, norms of helping one another (e.g., during harvest time) ensure cooperation. Those who refuse to cooperate may face social exclusion, gossip, or a tarnished reputation.
(ii) In Families: Family members often cooperate because of shared values, obligations, or traditions. While not legally enforced, the pressure to maintain family harmony and avoid conflict enforces cooperation.
For example, labor laws or company policies may mandate collaboration, and failure to cooperate could result in penalties or job termination. Similarly, in agricultural cooperatives, members are often bound by agreements that require them to work together to achieve collective benefits.
3. Can you find illustrative examples of conflict drawn from Indian society? Discuss the causes that led to conflict in each instance.
Ans: Here are a few illustrative examples of conflict in Indian society, highlighting the causes that led to them:
(i) Caste-Based Discrimination: The issue of caste-based discrimination, particularly against Dalits (formerly known as untouchables), has been a long-standing source of conflict in India. The rigid caste system often leads to social exclusion, economic inequality, and violence against Dalits. The caste system is a division of people into distinct groups based on occupation or lineage. Many times, this creates discriminatory practices. In many rural areas, Dalits face discrimination in education, employment, and access to basic services. Each level has its own rights and obligations. At the bottom of these systems, there is always the lowest caste that is considered untouchable to the rest of the population. The violence at Khairlanji (2006), where four members of a Dalit family were murdered, exemplifies such conflicts. The root cause is the deeply entrenched social hierarchy and prejudices that continue to marginalize lower-caste communities despite legal reforms.
(ii) Religious Conflicts: Hornby (2006) defines religious conflict as a situation in which religious adherents are involved in a serious disagreement or argument with one religious group and another. Communal tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities have resulted in frequent conflicts, particularly in states like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir. The Gujarat Riots of 2002, following the Godhra train burning incident, led to widespread violence. The conflict was fueled by historical grievances, religious intolerance, and political manipulation. In such cases, economic inequalities, competition for resources, and the mobilization of religious sentiments often escalate tensions. This is a situation in which there are opposition in ideas, opinions, feelings and wishes.
(iii) Language Conflicts: Linguistic conflict arises when languages interact and can occur at various levels. The Anti-Hindi Agitation in Tamil Nadu (1960s) was driven by opposition to the imposition of Hindi as the sole national language. Tamilians viewed this as a threat to their linguistic and cultural identity. The conflict was sparked by the central government’s push for Hindi, leading to mass protests and violence. There are several types of linguistic conflict including interlingual conflict within individuals and interethnic conflict between groups using language as a means. The cause was the perceived marginalization of regional languages and cultures in favor of a centralized, Hindi-dominated framework.
4. Write an essay based on examples to show how conflicts get resolved.
Ans: Conflicts in society, whether rooted in caste, religion, or language, can be resolved through a combination of legal, social, and political interventions. The resolution process often involves dialogue, policy changes, and active participation from various stakeholders. Conflicts are inevitable in any society. It is a dissociative social process. Since the focus is on system sustenances, competition and conflict is looked at with the understanding that in most cases they tend to get resolved without too much distress. The Tamil people strongly opposed the imposition of Hindi as the national language, fearing the erosion of their linguistic identity. The conflict was resolved when the central government agreed to allow Tamil to be used alongside Hindi in official matters, recognizing the importance of regional languages. This resolution was achieved through dialogue, public protests, and political negotiations.
In caste-based conflicts, legal measures such as the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 have been instrumental in protecting marginalized communities. Moreover, awareness campaigns and affirmative action programs aimed at improving access to education, employment, and social services contribute to reducing discrimination and fostering social harmony. Ethnic conflicts and insurgencies have also taken place in the North-Eastern part of India due to a combination of factors. When there is a movement regarding reservation by the backward classes, within the country, the government resolves the issues by making special provisions in the constitution.
5. Imagine a society where there is no competition. Is it possible? If not, why not?
Ans: No, we cannot imagine a society where there is no competition. People interact among themselves in different contexts. Behaviours in most social situations are characterised by either cooperation or competition. When groups work together to achieve the shared goals, we refer to it as cooperation. When members try to maximise their own benefits and work for the realisation of self interest, competition is likely to result. But all social interactions include cooperation and competition. A society without competition is unlikely to be feasible, as competition is an inherent part of human nature and social systems. Competition drives progress, innovation, and efficiency, as individuals and groups strive to improve themselves and their circumstances. In a world without competition, there would be little incentive for individuals to excel or for societies to evolve.
But we must remember that competitions which is a dissociative social process is integral part of the social structure. Therefore we cannot imagine a society without competition. It is integral and inevitable part of any society in the world. There may be less competitive society or highly competitive society but a society without competition can’t exist.
However, while total elimination of competition is unrealistic, it is possible to foster a society where competition is balanced with cooperation. This can create an environment where people work together for mutual benefit while still striving for personal and collective success. Thus, competition is not only natural but also essential for human progress.
6. Talk to your parents and elders, grandparents and their contemporaries and discuss whether modern society is really more competitive or conflict ridden than it used to be before. And if you think it is, how would you explain this sociologically?
Ans: After discussing with my elders, it seems that they believe modern society is indeed more competitive and conflict-ridden than before. They recall a time when communities were more tightly-knit, and people were less concerned with individual success. In contrast, today’s society is often driven by materialism, individualism, and technological advancements, which intensify competition in every aspect, from education to careers. Sociologically, this can be explained by social change and modernization theory, where urbanization, industrialization, and globalization lead to greater individualism, higher expectations, and resource competition. The shift from agrarian to capitalist economies fosters competition, leading to more conflicts.
