Q20 of 25 Page 1

Would it be appropriate to say that democratic values and institutions are purely western? Comment in the context of the values of Indian democracy.

Britishers brought many cultural and structural changes in Indian society intentionally but some changes happened as unplanned. They didn’t want to introduce them for example – they bought western education in India with the view to educate Indian middle class so that it would become easier for them to rule but instead the western educated section of Indians challenged the colonial rule and used western ideas of democracy, social justice and nationalism. They didn’t emerge as the support to the British rule. Thus, it would not be appropriate to say that democratic values and institutions are purely western. For example – our ancient epics, folktales includes dialogues, discussions and contrasting positions which mentions different viewpoints of the society.

Democratic values and institutions are not purely western but the combination of Indian and western ideas. Social reformers used modern ideas of equality and focused on traditional ideas of justice. The undemocratic and unjust practice of the administrative system of India during the British rule differed from the idea of freedom but western theories of democracy supported such an idea. The western educated section of society read about it and questioned the social discrimination and inequality.


More from this chapter

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18

Describe the working and division of labour in the brickyards of South Gujarat.

OR


Do industrialisation and the shift to services and knowledge-based work like IT lead to greater skills or de-skilling? Elaborate.

 19

“What marked these 19th-century social reform attempts was the modern context and mix of ideas.” Interpret the given statement.

OR


Marginalised caste groups may have gained some pride and self-confidence but otherwise, remain excluded and discriminated. Elaborate.

 21

“Encouraging or at least allowing cultural diversity is good policy from both the practical and the principled point of view.” Justify the statement using India’s case as a ‘state-nation’.

 22

Do you think that with the growth of TV and internet in India, the print media has been sidelined? Give your comments.

OR


The beginning of the printing press led to the growth of the idea of a ‘Nation’ as an ‘imagined community’. Comment as suggested by Benedict Anderson.