CLASS XII (Political Science) Chapter: Globalisation

Q1. Cultural consequences of globalization:

I) The cultural effect of globalization leads to the fear that this process poses a threat to cultures in
the world. It does so, because globalization leads to the rise of a uniform culture or what is called
cultural homogenisation. The popularity of a burger or blue jeans, some argue, has a lot to do with
the powerful influence of the American way of life. This leads to the shrinking of the rich cultural
heritage of the entire globe.
II) But sometimes external influences simply enlarge our choices and sometimes they modify our
culture without overwhelming the traditional. Blue jeans, on the other hand, can go well with a
homespun khadi kurta.
III) While cultural homogenisation is an aspect of globalisation, the same process also generates
precisely the opposite effect. It leads to each culture becoming more different and distinctive. This
phenomenon is called cultural heterogenisation.

Political consequences of globalisation:

I) Political consequence of globalisation at the most simple level results in erosion of state capacity,
i.e. the ability of the government to do what they do.
II) All over the world, welfare state is now giving way to a more minimalist state that performs
certain core functions, such as, the maintenance of law and order and the security of its citizens.
III) One has to keep in mind that globalization does not always reduce state capacity. State will
remain a supreme organisation. Technology may rather enhance the capacity of the state.

Economic consequences of globalisation:

I) Economic globalisation involves greater economic flows among different countries of the world.
Economy flows in various forms like commodity, capital, people and ideas. It has involved greater
trade in commodities across the globe.
II) Economists argue that globalisation have also benefitted only a small section of the population
while impoverishing those who are dependent on the Govt. for jobs and welfare.
III) The restrictions on the imports and movement of capital has been reduced due to globalisation.

CHAPTER: REGIONAL ASPIRATIONS

Q1. Write about the role of AASU in the Assam Movement.

Ans: a) The All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), a students’ group not affiliated to any party, led an
anti-foreigner movement in 1979.
b) The movement was against illegal migrations, against domination of Bengalis and other outsiders,
and against faulty voters’ register that included the names of lakhs of immigrants.
c) The movement demanded that all outsiders who had entered the State after 1951 should be sent
back.
d) The agitation followed many novel methods and mobilised all sections of Assamese people,
drawing support across the State. It also involved many tragic and violent incidents leading to loss of
property and human lives.
e) The movement also tried to blockade the movement of trains and the supply of oil from Assam to
refineries in Bihar.

Q2. Write about Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.

Ans: a) Kashmir was given a special status by Article 370 in our Constitution.
b) Article 370 gives greater autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir compared to other States of India.
c) The State has its own Constitution. All provisions of the Indian Constitution are not applicable to
the State.
d) Laws passed by the Parliament apply to J&K only if the State agrees.
e) On 5 August 2019, Article 370 was abolished by the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019
and the state was constituted into two Union Territories, viz., Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Q3. What were the main areas of tension that existed in India after independence?
Ans: The independence of India was beset with problems like partition, displacement, integration of
princely states, reorganisation of states etc. Several problems cropped up in India after
independence. These are as follows:
a) After independence, the issue of Jammu & Kashmir cropped up as a source of tension between
India and Pakistan. More than the conflict it was the problem of realisation of political aspirations of
inhabitants of Kashmir valley.
b) In some parts of the north-east, there was no consensus about being a part of India. First
Nagaland and then Mizoram witnessed strong movements demanding separation from India.
c) In the south, some groups from the Dravidian movement briefly toyed with the idea of a separate
country.
d) Linguistic protests took place in many parts of South India especially Tamil Nadu. These states
opposed against imposition of Hindi as the official language.
e) From the late 1950s, people speaking the Punjabi language started agitating for a separate State
for themselves. This demand was finally accepted and the States of Punjab and Haryana were
created in 1966.

Q4. “Jammu and Kashmir is one of the living examples of plural society and politics”-Comment.
Ans I) Jammu and Kashmir comprises of three social and political regions: Jammu, Kashmir and
Ladakh. The heart of the Kashmir region is the Kashmir valley where the people are kashmiri
speaking and mostly Muslims with a small minority Kashmiri speaking Hindu minority. Jammu region
is a mix of foothills and plains of various language speaking Hindu, Muslim and Sikhs. The Ladakh
region is mountainous and has very little population comprising of Muslims and Buddhists.
II) In J&K there are a group of separatists who wants a separate Kashmir nation, independent of
India or Pakistan. However, there is a group in Kashmir who wants greater autonomy for the people
of the State within the Indian union. This idea of autonomy attracts the people of J&K and Ladakh
region in a different way as they complain of being neglected and being backward. Therefore, the
demand for Intra-State autonomy is as strong as the demand for the state autonomy.
III) The initial period of popular support to militancy has now given way to the urge for peace. The
Centre has started negotiations with various separatist groups. Instead of demanding a separate
nation, most of the separatists in dialogue are trying to re-negotiate relationship of the State with
India.
IV) Not only are there diversities of all kind like religious, cultural, linguistic, ethnic, tribal etc but
there are also divergent political aspirations. However, despite all these diversities and divergence
on the one hand, and the continued situation of conflict on the other, the plural and secular culture
of the State has remained largely intact.

Q5. Write about the secessionist movement that took place in Mizoram.
Ans: The secessionist movement in Mizoram can be traced back to after independence where the
Mizo hills area was made an autonomous district within Assam. Some Mizos believed that they were
never a part of British India and therefore did not belong to the Indian union.
II) But the movement for secession gained popular support after the Assam government failed to
respond adequately to the great famine f 1959 in Mizo hills. This angered the Mizos and led to the
formation of the Mizo National Front (MNF) under the leadership of Laldenga.
III) In 1966 the MNF started an armed campaign for independence where a two decade long battle
took place between Mizo insurgents and the Indian army. The MNF fought a guerrilla war, got
support from Pakistani government and secured shelter in the then East Pakistan.
IV) The Indian security forces also countered it with a series of repressive measures where at times
Air Force was also used and the common people were the victims. This led to more anger amongst
the people.
V) Finally after two decades of struggle the Mizoram Accord was signed between Rajiv Gandhi and
Laldenga in 1986 where Mizoram received full statehood and Laldenga became the 1 st Chief Minister
of the State. Prepared by: Daisy Bayan, (PGT Pol. Sc, KV NFR Maligaon)