CBSE Class 10 Social Science HOTs Popular Struggles and Movements

Very Short Questions for Class 10 Social Science Popular Struggles and Movements

Question : Which party supported the movement led by FEDECOR?
Answer : The movement led by FEDECOR was supported by the socialist party.

Question : Who formed a Seven Party Alliance (S.P.A.) in Nepal?
Answer : The political parties formed Seven Party Alliance. It was a coalition of seven Nepali political parties seeking to end autocratic rule in the country. They spearheaded the Loktantra Andolan. 

Question : How do pressure groups form?
Answer : Pressure groups are formed when people with common occupation, interest, aspirations, or opinions come together in order to achieve a common objective, at times forcing government to fulfil their wishes.

Question : What was the main role of the 'FEDECOR' organisation in Bolivia?
Answer : The protest against water privatization in Bolivia was led by FEDECOR and it made the government concede to all the demands of the protesters.

Question : What was the main aim of the popular movement of April 2006, in Nepal?
Answer : The main aim of the popular movement of April 2006 in Nepal was restoring democracy.

Question : What is BAMCEF?
Answer : BAMCEF (Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation) is an organisation largely made up of government employees that campaigns against caste discrimination.

Question : What was the immediate step taken by the company?
Answer : The company immediately increased the price of water by four times.

Question : Give an example of the issue specific – movement.
Answer : Narmada Bachao Andolan is a good example of an the issue–specific movement.

Question : How is democratic conflict resolved?
Answer : Democratic conflict is resolved through mass mobilisation.

Question : Give an example of 'pressure group' of India which functions as a branch of political party.
Answer : Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad functions as a branch of political party Bhartiya Janta Party.

Question : Which organisation led the protest against water privatisation in Bolivia?
Answer : The protest against water privatization in Bolivia was led by FEDECOR. This organization was comprised of local professionals, including engineers and environmentalists.

Question :  Describe the three major demands put forward by the Seven Party Alliance in Nepal.
Answer : People demanded restoration of parliament, power to an all-party government a new constituent assembly and removal of all the restrictions that were imposed on them.

Question : Who dissolved the popularly elected parliament in February 2005, in Nepal?
Answer : In February 2005, the king dismissed the then Prime Minister and dissolved the popularly elected Parliament. King Gyanendra, the new king of Nepal, was not prepared to accept democratic rule. 

Short Questions for Class 10 Social Science Popular Struggles and Movements

Question : Differentiate between Nepal's Movement and Bolivia's popular struggle.
Answer : (A) The movement in Nepal was a claim of an elected democratic government to restore itself; whereas in Bolivia it was against a particular issue of huge price rise for water, an essential commodity.
(B) The movement in Nepal was against the king whereas it was against the government in Bolivia. Both these are instances of political conflict led to popular struggles.
(i) In both cases, the struggle involved mass mobilizations and public demonstration of mass support that solved the dispute.
(ii) Both instances involved the critical role of political organization. 

Question : Analyse the role of popular struggles in the development of democracy.
Answer : A number of factors contribute to the smooth functioning of the democracy. It includes public participation, and pressure groups participation also. The struggles in Nepal and Bolivia were aimed at different causes; but they were popular struggles which caught the attention of the people. 1. The Nepalese struggle was carried out by the people in restoring democracy while the struggle in Bolivia was against privatization and subsequent increase in prices of water after the government sold the rights to an MNC. 2. Both these instances involved political conflict that led to popular struggles. In both the cases, the struggle involved mass mobilization and public protests and demonstrations. 3. These two instances reflect the values that democracy upholds. The power of popular struggles and the urge to bring about a change is its most important element. Public participation, mass mobilization and the political organizations are the important elements through which democratic movements take place. 

Question : How are popular struggles integral to the working of democracy? Explain with an example of Bolivia's struggle against privatisation of water.
Answer : People’s successful struggle against privatization of water in Bolivia reminds us that popular struggles are integral to the working of democracy. Bolivia is a poor country in Latin America. The World Bank pressurized the government to give up its control of municipal water supply. The water distribution was handed over to an MNC. The company immediately increased the price of water by four times. This led to spontaneous popular protests as the water cost began to make a dent in the household budget of the people. An alliance of labor, human rights and community leaders organized a four day strike which was called off after the government agreed to negotiate. It was due to such protests by the people that the MNC contract was cancelled and the municipal water supply was restored at old rates.  

Question : Write a short note on promotional groups.
Answer : Public interest groups are also called promotional groups. These are the groups that promote collective and not selective good. They represent some common or general interest that needs to be defended. The members of the organisation may not benefit from the cause that the organisation represents. They aim to help groups other than their own members. In some cases the members of a public interest group may undertake activity that benefits them as well as others too. For example, in Nepal Human Rights Organisations, and in Bolivia FEDECOR. In India also we have BAMCEF (Backward and Minorities Community Employees Federation) which is an organisation that campaigns against caste discrimination. It addresses the problem of its members who suffer discrimination but its principal concern is with social justice and social equality for the entire society. 

Question : How is a democratic conflict resolved?
Answer : A democratic conflict is resolved through mass mobilisation. Sometimes it is possible that the conflict is resolved by using the existing institutions like the parliament or the judiciary. But when there is a deep dispute, very often these institutions themselves get involved in the dispute. In such a situation the resolution comes from outside, from the people. 

Question : Distinguish between ‘pressure groups’ and ‘movement groups’ with examples.
Answer :

Question : What are the differences between the ‘pressure groups’ and ‘political parties’?
Answer :

Question : "The struggle of the Nepali people is a source of inspiration to democrats all over the world." Support the statement.
Answer : Nepal witnessed an extraordinary popular movement in April 2006, which aimed at restoring democracy. This struggle is a source of inspiration to democrats all over the world. All major political parties in the Parliament formed a Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and called for a four day strike in Kathmandu, the country’s capital. This protest soon turned into an indefinite strike in which Maoist insurgents and various organizations joined hands. People defied curfew and took to the streets. They demanded restoration of parliament, power to an all-party government and a new constituent assembly. As a result, on 24 April 2006, that is, the last day of the ultimatum, the king was forced to concede all the demands of people and democracy was restored.

Question : "The popular struggles are integral to the development of democracy." Analyse the statement.
Answer : (i) Popular movements deepen democracy as they ensure greater participation of people through meetings and processions, making people more aware and vigilant.
(ii) They help in the due representation and accommodation of diverse interests.
(iii) They put pressure on the government, making it more accountable and responsive to the needs of the people.
(iv) They raise the democratic consciousness of the people to fight in the spirit of democracy. For example, the movement in Nepal was to establish democracy, while the struggle in Bolivia involved claims on an elected, democratic government. Both these are instances of political conflict that led to popular struggles. In both cases the struggle involved mass mobilization.

Question : How has the struggle of the Nepali people become a source of inspiration to democrats all over the world? Explain.
Answer : Nepal witnessed an extraordinary popular movement in April 2006, which aimed at restoring democracy. This struggle is a source of inspiration to democrats all over the world. All major political parties in the Parliament formed a Seven Party Alliance (SPA) and called for a four day strike in Kathmandu, the country’s capital. This protest soon turned into an indefinite strike in which Maoist insurgents and various organizations joined hands. People defied curfew and took to the streets. They demanded restoration of parliament, power to an all-party government and a new constituent assembly. As a result, on 24 April 2006, that is, the last day of the ultimatum, the king was forced to concede all the demands of people and democracy was restored.

Question : Explain one difference between pressure group and a political party.
Answer : A political party refers to a voluntary organized group of dedicated individuals with similar political ideology. They nominate the candidate, contest elections and become part of the government. Pressure groups are a collection of like-minded people, who come together to promote or defend a common cause, by continuously striving to influence the decision of the government.

Question : What are pressure groups? Why are they formed?
Answer : Pressure groups are organisations that attempt to influence government policies. They do not directly control or share political power.
These organisations are formed when people with common occupation, interest, aspirations and opinions come together in order to achieve a common objective. In some cases, the government’s opinion might be biased by a small group of rich and powerful people. It is here that pressure groups step in and force the government to make policies which will benefit certain other sections of society as well.

Question : Write a short note on Bolivia’s water war.
Answer : Bolivia is a small and poor country in Latin America. The World Bank pressurised the government to give up its control of municipal water supply. The government sold these rights to an MNC. The company immediately increased the price of water four times. This led to a spontaneous popular protest. In January, 2000 a new alliance of labour, human rights and community leaders organised a successful strike for four days in the city and the government agreed to negotiate but nothing happened. Police resorted to brutal repression when the agitation was started again in Feburary. Another strike was there in April and government imposed martial law. But the power of people forced the officials of MNC to leave their city and made government to grant all demands of the protesters. The contract with MNC was cancelled and water supply was resorted to municipality at old rates. This is known as Bolivia’s water war.

Question : Which groups were involved in Bolivian Water War?
Answer : (i) The dissent against water privatisation in Bolivia was not guided by any political party but by an organisation named FEDECOR though Socialist party supported it.
(ii) That organisation consisted of local professionals, including engineers and environmentalists.
(iii) They got support from federation of farmers, the confederation of factory worker’s unions, students of university of Cochabamba and city’s homeless street children.

Question : Write the full form of NAPM. What do you know about it?
Answer : The National Alliance for Peoples’ Movements (NAPM) is an organisation of organisations. Various movement groups struggling on specific issues are constituents of this loose organisation which coordinates the activities of a large number of peoples’ movements in our country.

Long Questions for Class 10 Social Science Popular Struggles and Movements

Question : What inspiration do we get from Bolivia's popular struggle? Explain any three values that we can learn from it.
Answer : Bolivia is a poor country in Latin America where government had sold the rights of water supply for the city of Cochabamba to a multinational company. The company immediately increased the price of water four times. This led to a spontaneous protest from the people and ultimately made the government concede to all the demands of the protesters. This success of the popular struggle reminded us about power of the people. From this movement we get inspiration that unity of common men can overcome the big problems in our life. Three values related with this popular struggle are
(i) Democratic right to form association
(ii) Unity of voice against unjust policies
(iii) Achieve collective goal.

Question : Pressure groups and movements exert influence on politics in a variety of ways? Explain any four ways.
Answer : Pressure groups and movements exert influence on politics in a variety of ways.
(i) They try to gain public support and sympathy for their cause by carrying out information campaigns, organizing meetings, filing petitions, etc.
(ii) By organizing strikes and disruptions, they seek to make the government take note of their demands.
(iii) They also influence decision-making by lobbying.
(iv) The issues raised by them often influence the policies of political parties.

Question : Why did the people of Bolivia protest in 2000?
Answer : Bolivia is a small and poor country in Latin America. The World Bank pressurised the government to give up its control of municipal water supply. The government sold these rights to an MNC. The company immediately increased the price of water four times. This led to a spontaneous popular protest. In January, 2000 a new alliance of labour, human rights and community leaders organised a successful strike for four days in the city and the government agreed to negotiate but nothing happened. Police resorted to brutal repression when the agitation was started again in Feburary. Another strike was there in April and government imposed martial law. But the power of people forced the officials of MNC to leave their city and made government to grant all demands of the protesters. The contract with MNC was cancelled and water supply was resorted to municipality at old rates. This is known as Bolivia’s water war. 

Question : Describe the movement for democracy in Nepal, April 2006.
Answer : (i) Nepal witnessed an extraordinary popular movement in April 2006. The movement was aimed at restoring democracy.
(ii) In February 2005, the king of Nepal dismissed the then prime minister and dissolved the popularly elected parliament.
(iii) The movement of April 2006 was aimed at regaining popular control over the government from the king.
(iv) All the political parties in the Parliament formed an alliance—Seven Party Alliance (SPA)—and called for four day strike in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.
(v) The protests turned into indefinite strike in which Maoist and various organisations also joined hands.
(vi) People defied curfew and came to streets. More than lakhs of people gathered almost every day to demand restoration of democracy.
(vii) On 21 April, they served an ultimatum to the king and the leaders of the movement rejected the half-hearted concessions given by the king and stuck to their demand for restoration of parliament, power to all party government and a new constituent assembly.
(viii) 24th April 2006 was the last day of the ultimatum; the king was forced to grant all the demands.

Question : “Pressure groups and movement exert influence on polities in a variety of ways.” Explain any four ways.
Answer : Pressure groups and movements exert influence in a variety of ways.
(i) They try to win public support and sympathy for their goals and activities by carrying out information campaigns, organising meetings, filing petitions etc. They also make use of media.
(ii) They often organise protest activities like strikes or disrupting government programmes. Workers ‘organisations, employees’ associations etc. often resort to these tactics in order to force the government to take note of their demands.
(iii) Business groups often employ professional lobbyists or sponsor expensive advertisements. Some persons from pressure groups or movement groups may participate in official bodies and communities that offer advice to the government.
(iv) Sometimes political parties grow out of movements. For example, when the Assam movement led by students against the ‘Foreignness’ came to an end, it led to the formation of the Asom Gana Parishad. The roots of the parties like the DMK and the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu can be traced to a long drawn social reform movement during the 1930s and 1940s.

Question : Describe the popular struggle of Bolivia.
Answer : (a) People’s struggle against privatization of water in Bolivia proves that struggles are integral part of Democracy.
(b) The World Bank pressurized the government to give up its control of municipal water supply. The government sold these rights to a multinational company which increased the price of water by four times. Many people received monthly water bill of rupee 1000/- in a country where average incomes are around 5000/- a month.
(c) In January 2000, a new alliance of labor human rights and community leaders organized a successful four day strike.
(d) The government agreed to negotiate and the strike was called off, however no action was taken.
(e) The police resorted to brutal repression when the agitation started in February. In April the government imposed martial law because of the agitation.
(f) But the protests forced the officials of the MNC to flee the city and made the government concede to all the demands of the protesters.
(g) The contract with MNC was cancelled and the water supply was restored with the Municipality at old rates. This popular struggle came to be known as ”Bolivia’s Water War.”

Question : How do pressure groups and movements exert pressure on politics? Explain with an example.
Answer : Pressure groups and movements exert influence in a variety of ways.
(i) They try to win public support and sympathy for their goals and activities by carrying out information campaigns, organising meetings, filing petitions etc. They also make use of media.
(ii) They often organise protest activities like strikes or disrupting government programmes. Workers ‘organisations, employees’ associations etc. often resort to these tactics in order to force the government to take note of their demands.
(iii) Business groups often employ professional lobbyists or sponsor expensive advertisements. Some persons from pressure groups or movement groups may participate in official bodies and communities that offer advice to the government.
(iv) Sometimes political parties grow out of movements. For example, when the Assam movement led by students against the ‘Foreignness’ came to an end, it led to the formation of the Asom Gana Parishad. The roots of the parties like the DMK and the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu can be traced to a long drawn social reform movement during the 1930s and 1940s.