> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.upscprep.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Sociology Daily Answer Writing (21-12-2022) - URL: https://www.upscprep.com/sociology-daily-answer-writing-21-12-2022/ - Published: 2022-12-21T02:30:52.000Z - Updated: 2022-12-21T02:30:51.000Z - Author: UPSCprep.com - Tags: Socio Daily Writing ### Questions 1. Critically examine the role of civil society in democracy. 20 2. Is Religion antithetical to Science? Comment. 10 --- ### Want to get your daily answers evaluated? [Daily Answer Writing Course](https://www.upscprep.com/daily-answer-writing-courses/) --- ### Model Solutions **Q1\. Critically examine the role of civil society in democracy. 20** **Model Framework** **Introduction** - Civil societies are a combination of social groups such as NGOs , labor organisations and other institutions that propagate the interests of the community members. - They act as a link between citizens, government and businesses. **Main Body** - Mertonian perspective on FUNCTIONS of Civil Society: (Give examples for each function) - Civil societies have been active in India in attracting the attention of govt and businesses towards developmental needs of regions, section of people. - It has at the same time mobilized resources to oppose any developmental activities that potentially hurt the public interests - AGIL PARSON. - Numerous instances in the contemporary time are present like opposition to the POSCO and Vedanta in Odisha, movement against narmada projects. - Not just economic development but civil societies have been active in the political and social development as well as was seen during the Lokpal and Anti Corruption movement etc - CONFORMITY TO DEMOCRATIC NORMS - MERTON. - Question the non-addressed issues - It tends to limit the state power. - Civil society is an attempt to mobilize people to solve their problems. - Civil society also helps in resolving inter group differences and nurture an attitude of tolerance. - It is a conclusive platform for recruiting and training leaders to participate in civil society. - Various policies of the state can be implemented effectively by civil society. - Civil society can suggest policy inputs because they understand people’s attitudes for felt need. - Civil society can check electoral malpractices. - Civil society can ensure effectiveness and inclusiveness of state and state legitimacy can be enhanced through education, public awareness and transparency in government working. - In the context of globalization, global civil society is indispensable - Wherever civil society is not successful, then that indicates failure of democracy (Manual Castells) - Criticism (Dysfunctions) - - Marxian analysis of civil society works for capitalists. - Gramsci analysis of civil society - Marx sees civil society as an extension of Bourgeoisie, but Gramsci considers civil society as a terrain where the state, people and the market interact and where people wage war against the hegemony of market and state - Deviant subculture - MERTON - Funding of NGOs- many receiving foreign funds. It is alleged that such foreign funds may be blackmoney. - Dysfunctional Role - Excessive protests without considering the other side of the picture hampers national interests. Example- Posco and vedanta protests in Odissa, Kundankulam protests - Problem of AGIL - PARSONS- NGOs tend to mis-inform people with regard to consequences of projects leading to protests and oppositions. - Class struggle - promote class inequality - anonymous empires - MARXIST - Activities of certain civil societies may threaten democracy, E.g. Al Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Taiba which exists outside the state and hinders democracy. - Civil society may encroach upon the state as to generate consciousness against the state, E.g. Kashmiri civil society **Conclusion** - Civil society can rightly act as facilitator, enabler and constructive challenger to the government and businesses for the larger good of nation and its citizens --- **Q2\. Is Religion antithetical to Science? Comment. 10** **Model Structure:** **Introduction** - Definition of Religion and Society **Main Body** - First show how they are not compatible to each other by mentioning the point of Differences - Along with thinkers - - Durkhiem's study of Religion - Application of Scientificism to Religion negates the preconceived notions. - Weber's theory - Rationality vs religion debate ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/92/07/9207d054-5e99-4b26-b8c8-424994497a07/content/images/2022/12/Screenshot-2022-12-18-at-11.50.10-AM.png) Figure: Extract from Nitin Sangwan's Essential Sociology book Then mention point of Compatibility : - Malinowski's theory of necessity of Religion when Scientific Rationality overrides human consciousness - Religion as an agent to reduce Alienation. **Conclusion** - Religion and Science behave like two wheels of a cart. Human society can progress by the compatible relationship between spiritualism and materialism. --- ### Check out best sociology test series for UPSC CSE [Click here](https://courses.upscprep.com/sociology-test-series-8-tests/?ref=upscprep.com)