Maharashtra Board Class 10 Political Science Chapter 4 Social and Political Movements PDF Download

Social And Political Movements

Read out the news in a local newspaper. Labourers, businessmen, women, youth, and senior citizens.

Why Movements?

All the people in the society cannot participate in political parties and contribute to social welfare. Some people focus on a particular issue and pursue it. They organise people and try to pressurise the government to resolve that issue. They constantly follow up on the issue, build public opinion about it and thereby put a pressure on political parties and the government. This type of organised activity is called a movement. Organised activity is the essence of any movement.

Such movements are very important in a democracy. Different social problems come under discussion through these movements. The government then has to pay attention to such problems. Leaders and activists of the movement provide necessary information about those issues to the government. This information is very useful for the government while making policies.

Some movements aim at opposing a particular decision or policy of the government. The right to protest is considered an important right in democracy. However this right needs to be used patiently and responsibly.

In the above newspaper item different movements are included. Can you explain their meaning?

This news deals with different subjects. Are movements related to only one issue?

If different movements cooperate with each other will they be more effective?

In the last chapter we got information about the national and regional parties. Political parties compete for political power. They win elections and try to resolve the problems of the common men. Political parties generally adopt a comprehensive perspective. They cannot concentrate on just one particular issue. From public cleanliness to space research, they have to take into consideration all matters from national perspective and take decisions. Political parties are expected to have a programme for the problems of all sections of the society. Political parties adopt policies taking into consideration the interests of all - farmers, labourers, businessmen, women, youth, and senior citizens.

Movement against child marriage has been successful to a great extent and the extent of child marriages have reduced by 50%. The workers in this movement worked very consciously. Workers from the movement against dowry also helped them. Now there is a need to start a drive against malnutrition, because poverty and malnutrition are two important problems to be taken on priority basis.

Which movements in India are actively working for rehabilitation of the displaced and to secure their livelihood?

Teacher's Note

Movements help people focus on one big problem. For example, the Save the Girl Child movement in India helps people work together to stop child marriage.

Exam Trick

Remember: Movement = organized people working for one goal. Like a group of students starting a cleanliness drive in their school.

Points To Remember

Movements are organized activities where people work together.
Movements focus on one particular issue or problem.
Movements are very important in a democracy.
Movements help put pressure on the government to make changes.
Different movements can work together to be more effective.

What Is A Movement?

A Movement is a collective action. People's active participation is expected in the movement.

A Movement can be formed when people come together in the interest of a particular issue, for eg. Pollution can be a single issue for which a movement can be created.

A movement has a particular social objective or a focussed problem. For eg. Movement against corruption aims at ending corruption.

Movements have a leadership. Leadership keeps the movement active. Objectives of the movement, programme of action, strategy of agitation are decided by its leaders. A strong leadership makes movement effective.

Movements have organisations.

Without an organisation, it becomes difficult to follow up the issues. For eg. Farmer's organisation works for farmer's movement.

Any movement requires public support. People should feel connected to the issue that is undertaken by the movement. Movements have a programme of action which help them to shape public opinion.

Generally the movements are devoted to one particular issue but have an ideology behind them. For example movements against child marriage, dowry believe in values of democracy, women empowerment and social equality. Sometimes some movements gradually get transformed into political parties.

Teacher's Note

A movement needs strong leadership and organization to succeed. The Save Bandhan Tiger Movement in India shows how organized effort can protect endangered animals.

Exam Trick

Remember five things about movements: Collective action, one issue, social goal, leadership, and organization. These are like the five fingers of a hand.

Points To Remember

A movement is when people work together for one goal.
Movements have a leader who guides them.
Movements need an organization to keep working.
Movements need support from common people.
All movements have a plan of action to reach their goal.

Read the following dialogue and write a paragraph on it.

If the human rights movement becomes influential worldwide, there is no need for other movements.

But the problems in developing countries are of different nature. Different social, economic and cultural conditions may give rise to different movements.

Movements were suppressed during the British period. But in democratic system existence of movements is an indicator of healthy democratic system.

It's true. Otherwise we would not have said – 'save girls'.

We can get an experience of movement here itself. Can we start a movement to make the school surrounding safe for girls?

Teacher's Note

Students can start small movements in their own schools and communities. For example, a movement to keep the school clean or to stop bullying shows real-life democracy.

Exam Trick

Remember: A healthy democracy has many movements. It means people are free to speak and act. This is like a tree with many branches - it shows the tree is strong.

Points To Remember

Different countries have different problems and different movements.
Movements are a sign of a healthy and free democracy.
Suppression of movements shows a weak or unfree government.
Students can start their own small movements in schools.
Every movement starts with people who care about a problem.

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