Processes of Social Change in India
Short Questions
1. What is industrialisation?
Answer: Industrialisation is the process of transforming a society from a pre-industrial to an industrial state using heavy machinery for mass production.
2. How does mechanisation impact workers in industrialisation?
Answer: Mechanisation replaces workers with machines, leading to alienation from the production process.
3. What is urbanisation according to Anderson?
Answer: Urbanisation involves movement from villages to cities and a shift from agriculture to business, trade, and services.
4. What is urbanism as described by Louis Wirth?
Answer: Urbanism is a way of life characterized by distant, rational, and less traditional social relations in urban areas.
5. Who coined the term modernisation?
Answer: The term modernisation was coined by Daniel Lerner.
6. What is a key characteristic of modernisation?
Answer: A key characteristic of modernisation is the development of a scientific temperament.
7. When did globalisation gain impetus in India?
Answer: Globalisation gained impetus in India in 1991 with the New Economic Policy (LPG Policy).
8. What does ‘laissez-faire’ mean in the context of globalisation?
Answer: Laissez-faire refers to free trade and competition with minimal government interference in the economy.
9. What is digitalisation?
Answer: Digitalisation is the integration of digital technologies into everyday life for improved performance and reach.
10. How does digitalisation enhance efficiency?
Answer: Digitalisation escalates process speed and accuracy, aiding efficiency in sectors like governance and banking.
11. What is one negative effect of urbanisation?
Answer: Urbanisation can lead to social isolation, described as being “lonely in a crowd.”
12. How does industrialisation affect family structures?
Answer: Industrialisation leads to the breakdown of joint families and the rise of nuclear families.
13. What is one impact of globalisation on Indian society?
Answer: Globalisation integrates India into the global economy, fostering interdependence and knowledge sharing.
14. How does digitalisation affect consumer behaviour?
Answer: Digitalisation increases consumerism by providing more options through large-scale marketisation.
15. What is a consequence of modernisation on traditional beliefs?
Answer: Modernisation diminishes the hold of obsolete notions and superstitions through scientific education.
Long Questions
1. Explain the role of mechanisation in the process of industrialisation.
Answer: Mechanisation is central to industrialisation as it shifts production from manual labour to machine-based processes, enabling mass production. It introduces precision techniques, reducing costs but often alienating workers from the production process. This shift also fosters the growth of factories, replacing traditional guild systems.
2. How does urbanisation lead to heterogeneity in society?
Answer: Urbanisation attracts diverse groups to cities for employment, resulting in a mix of genders, castes, and cultures. This heterogeneity breaks down traditional barriers, valuing individual contributions over social distinctions. Over time, urban areas become melting pots of varied identities and lifestyles.
3. Discuss the impact of industrialisation on the growth of cities in India.
Answer: Industrialisation drives the establishment of factories, prompting migration from rural areas to factory sites, which develop into towns and cities. This migration leads to population growth and the transformation of cities into metropolises like Mumbai and Pune. However, it also causes challenges like overpopulation and spatial segregation.
4. What are the key characteristics of modernisation as a social process?
Answer: Modernisation involves a scientific temperament, rational outlook, and openness to new ideas, driven by technological advancements. It encourages critical thinking and shifts societies from spiritual to secular values. This process transforms social, economic, and cultural aspects of life, fostering innovation.
5. How does globalisation promote interdependence among nations?
Answer: Globalisation fosters interdependence by enabling the free flow of capital, resources, and knowledge across borders. For instance, products are manufactured in one country and assembled in another, as seen in outsourcing practices. This interconnectedness enhances global economic and technical collaboration.
6. Describe the role of digitalisation in transforming business models.
Answer: Digitalisation revolutionizes business models by integrating digital technologies, enhancing efficiency through automation and data management. It drives frequent changes in operations, as seen in AI applications in manufacturing and services. This transformation provides new revenue opportunities and improves customer experiences.
7. What are the negative effects of urbanisation on social relationships?
Answer: Urbanisation weakens traditional social bonds, leading to impersonal and distant relationships in cities. The fast-paced urban lifestyle fosters individualism, reducing the influence of family and community ties. This can result in social isolation, despite living in densely populated areas.
8. How has globalisation affected consumerism in India?
Answer: Globalisation has increased consumerism in India by opening markets to a variety of products, enhancing marketisation. Large-scale markets offer diverse options, encouraging materialistic lifestyles. This shift has made consumers more brand-conscious but also raised concerns about overconsumption.
9. Explain the impact of digitalisation on education in India.
Answer: Digitalisation has transformed education in India through e-learning platforms and digital tools, enhancing accessibility and interactivity. It enables innovative teaching methods, like virtual simulations, but also creates challenges like the digital divide. Overall, it aligns education with 21st-century technological demands.
10. Discuss the positive and negative impacts of globalisation on Indian society.
Answer: Globalisation integrates India into the global economy, promoting knowledge exchange and economic growth through free trade. However, it also increases competition, potentially marginalizing small businesses and fostering profiteering. This dual impact shapes India’s economic and social landscape significantly.
Leave a Reply