{Relevant for Civil Service Examination}
Paper-1 ,Unit-1 : Sociology- The Discipline
Revolutionizing Europe: From Scientific Enlightenment to Societal Revolution
The Scientific Revolution and Modernity and Social Changes In Europe
- In the period of the fourteenth to sixteenth century A.D., Europe underwent a “scientific revolution” during the Renaissance. The profound impact of this scientific revolution extended beyond altering material life, influencing people’s perceptions of Nature and Society.
- Science, far from developing independently, responds to human needs. Vaccines, for instance, were not arbitrary creations but responses to the imperative to cure diseases.
- Beyond its effects on the physical aspects of society, science is intricately linked with ideas. The prevailing intellectual atmosphere in society shapes scientific development and, conversely, new scientific developments can reshape attitudes and beliefs in various domains.
- The emergence of sociology in Europe owes much to the ideas and discoveries contributed by science.
Science in the Medieval and Renaissance Periods:
- The medieval period was dominated by the feudal system, with the Church at the center of power and learning. Scientific development was limited mainly to improvements in production techniques.
- The Renaissance marked the onset of the Scientific Revolution, challenging old authority and fostering a scientific approach to Nature and the human body. Fields like medicine, anatomy, physiology, pathology, chemistry, navigation, and astronomy experienced significant advancements.
- Nicholas Copernicus’s heliocentric theory, challenging the geocentric belief, was a revolutionary break from ancient thought. Science in the Renaissance showcased a new attitude toward man and nature, with natural objects becoming subjects of close observation and experiment.
- Post-Renaissance developments, driven by figures like Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler, and Isaac Newton, revolutionized science, emphasizing the experimental method. Dissection of the human body and discoveries such as William Harvey’s circulation of blood impacted social thought.
- Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, outlined in “The Origin of Species” in 1859, stirred controversy but gained acceptance. Evolutionary thinking extended to societies, with Herbert Spencer proposing the idea of constant evolution from a lower to a higher stage.
The French Revolution and Modernity and Social Changes In Europe: The French Revolution of 1789 marked a pivotal moment in the struggle for freedom and equality, ending the era of feudalism and reshaping societies across Europe and beyond.
Social Aspects of French Society: Division into Feudal Estates
- French society, divided into feudal estates, comprised the clergy, nobility, and the rest (Third Estate). The clergy and nobility, constituting only two percent of the population, owned a disproportionate 35 percent of the land.
- The Third Estate, including peasants, merchants, and artisans, faced economic hardship, heavy taxes, and a lack of political power. The bourgeoisie, part of the Third Estate, controlled trade and industries but lacked social prestige.
Political Aspects of French Society:
- Absolute monarchy prevailed in France, with the Divine Right of Kings theory dominating. The Bourbon dynasty ruled for about 200 years, resulting in a lack of personal rights for ordinary people.
- Economic troubles, costly wars, and financial mismanagement by kings like Louis XIV and Louis XV led to bankruptcy and unrest. Louis XVI inherited a bankrupt government.
Intellectual Developments in France:
- Enlightenment ideas influenced France, with philosophers like Montesquieu, Locke, Voltaire, and Rousseau advocating for separation of powers, individual rights, religious tolerance, and the right to choose a sovereign.
- The French middle class embraced ideas of liberty and equality, which intensified after their involvement in the American War of Independence.
Major Changes after the French Revolution:
- The French Revolution transformed the political structure, replacing feudalism with democracy and giving rise to the bourgeoisie as a new class of power holders.
- Significant themes emerged, including the transformation of property, social disorder due to political changes, and the impact on economic structures. The emergence of the bourgeoisie became a crucial aspect of societal evolution. To delve deeper into these themes, understanding the details of the Industrial Revolution is essential.
Reference: Statistics
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Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Question: Define the term “ethnic movement” and provide an example from India.
Answer: An ethnic movement refers to a collective effort by a group sharing common cultural, linguistic, or religious traits, seeking to assert their identity and rights; an example from India is the Khalistan Movement in Punjab.
2. Question: Identify the main objectives behind the Gorkhaland ethnic movement.
Answer: The Gorkhaland ethnic movement primarily seeks to establish a separate state for India’s Nepali-speaking population in the Darjeeling region, advocating for linguistic and cultural recognition and political autonomy.
3. Question: What was the Operation Blue Star, and which ethnic movement was it related to?
Answer: Operation Blue Star was a military action in 1984, aiming to remove Sikh militants hiding in the Golden Temple in Amritsar; it is related to the Khalistan movement, which sought a separate Sikh country.
4. Question: Mention a critical factor that triggered the emergence of ethnic movements in India, as discussed by Dipankar Gupta.
Answer: Dipankar Gupta emphasized that ethnicity is fundamentally a political process, wherein caste and religion, the key components of identity formation, are politicized by leaders for vested interests.
5. Question: What were the primary reasons for the Assam Ethnicity conflicts involving Bodo tribals and Bengali Muslim settlers?
Answer: The Assam Ethnicity conflicts primarily stemmed from issues related to immigration, land rights, and resource allocation, leading to clashes, riots, and evolving relationships among indigenous communities to address challenges.
6. Question: Briefly describe the role of the Dravidian Movement in terms of caste and societal structure.
Answer: The Dravidian Movement, led notably by E.V. Ramasamy, aimed to establish an egalitarian society, focusing on anti-Brahmanism and advocating for equal rights for backward castes, while also introducing reforms like self-respect marriages.
7. Question: Name the prominent ethnic movements in North-East India and specify one common objective.
Answer: Prominent ethnic movements in North-East India include the Nagas’ and Mizos’ struggles; a common objective was to gain autonomy and recognition for their distinct tribal identities and cultural uniqueness.
8. Question: What is the key argument of Gail Omveldt regarding traditional Indian society and multiculturalism?
Answer: Gail Omveldt opposed romanticizing traditional Indian society, arguing that hierarchy has always dominated it and dismissing the notion that multiculturalism is an intrinsic feature of Indian society as a myth.
9. Question: Briefly explain the social hierarchy factor as a contributing element to ethnic movements as suggested by Olzak.
Answer: Olzak suggests that the construction of hierarchies among ethnic communities, which often leads to the suppression of one group by another, is a key factor that can instigate social and ethnic movements.
10. Question: Identify one consequence of the unequal economic development factor within the context of ethnic movements in India.
Answer: One consequence of unequal economic development is the marginalization and underdevelopment of certain groups, leading to feelings of alienation and sometimes initiating ethnic movements as these groups strive for equality and recognition.
GS Related Practices Questions…
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