How do social divisions affect politics? Give two examples.

Social divisions affect politics both in negative as well as positive way. These are:

Negative Impact: In a democratic country like India there is competition between various political parties and this competition sometimes tends to divide different social groups and society.

e.g.: Northern Ireland of the United Kingdom have been for many years, the site of a violent and bitter ethno-political conflict. Its population is divided into two major sections of Christianity- 53% Protestants and 44% Catholics. Catholics were represented by the Nationalist parties who demanded Northern Ireland to be unified with the Republic of the Unionist who wanted to remain with UK, which is predominantly protestant. Hundreds of civilians and militants were killed in the fight between Unionists and Nationalists.

Positive Impact: In politics every decision does not have its negative impact. In democracy it is only natural that political parties would talk about social divisions, make different promises to different communities, look after due representation of various communities and policies to redress the grievances of disadvantaged communities