Three factors that determine the outcomes of social divisions are as follows:
(i) Singular or multiple identities : (a) If people think that they have only one identity on the basis of state or- a language group or a social or religious community, their differences cannot be reconciled’ They become hardliners and think excursively about their interests. For example’ people in Northern Ireland considered themselves as only catholic or protestant. As such their differences could not be reconciled.
(b) On the other hand if people think that their identities are multiple i.e., national identity as well as identity on the basis of state, language etc., it becomes easier to reconcile their differences. For example in Belgium, people think of multiple identities. They feel that they are Belgian as well as Dutch-speaking. This helps them to stay together. In India too we have multiple identities as an Indian as well as on the basis of state, a language or a social or religious community.
(ii) Raising of demands of any community by the leaders: Leaders can raise the demands of various communities within the constitutional framework or against the constitution. If demands are within the constitutional framework and not at the cost of another community’ they can be easily accepted otherwise demands may not be accepted and may lead to violent struggle or division of the country. In Sri Lanka, the demand for ‘only Sinhala, was at the cost of the interest and identity of the Tamil community. So it led to serious consequences. Similarly, the demands of various ethnic communities in Yugoslavia could not be accepted with in a single country.
(iii) Policy and reaction of the government towards demands of various communities: The outcome of politics of social divisions depends on the policy of the government towards demands of various communities. If policy of accommodation towards the demands of minorities is followed, social divisions become less dangerous’ For example, as it happened in Belgium. On the other hand, if policy of suppression is followed, it leads to dangerous consequence as it happened in Sri Lanka. Such policy may lead to disintegration of the country’ Thus the assertion of social diversities in a country need not be seen as a source of danger’ In a democracy, political expression of social divisions is very normal and can be healthy.