General Studies and Communication Skills

Write an essay on any of the following statements.

1. Advantages of religious pluralism are much greater than its disadvantages in a society.

2. Political pluralism promotes democracy in a society.

3. Discuss chosen pluralism as a way of helping students develop a pluralistic perspective.

Pluralism is crucial in promoting development. It facilitates this through a variety of ways. The main ones include the following:

Pluralism brings about respect for diversity. This allows all people to make an effort for the well being of the whole community. By making a collective effort, despite their underlying differences, people are able to contribute to the common socio-political and economic development.

John Hick was a professor of philosophy of religion. He held a pluralistic outlook towards religion. He wrote an essay, ‘God and the universe of faith’. He argued that each major religion has a different interpretation of the same ultimate reality, that is, the same salvation. He explained this using a story of four visually challenged men who had never encountered an elephant before. One man felt the elephant’s leg and described it as a living pillar. The second man felt the elephant’s trunk and described it as a big snake. The third man felt the elephant’s tusks and described it as a sharp plough share. Th e fourth man felt the elephant’s body and described it as a big wall. They argued about who was right. Each claimed his description was right and the others had false accounts of what they felt. Each description was true because each man was referring to one aspect of the total reality. Therefore, their arguments were imperfect as they did not see from each other’s perspective.

1. Discuss lessons you can learn from the above story.

2. Do you agree or disagree that promotion of diversity enriches communities.

Through pluralism, people should be united despite their differences. When people are united, they are able to achieve their set objectives. Diversity provides multi-talents which enable individuals to work with ease and finesse. This brings about development in a society.

          

Peaceful coexistence requires tolerance, recognition of other people’s rights and respect for differences. Tolerance requires knowledge of our differences. A tolerant society will undertake developmental ventures and reduce cases of violence.

1. Analyse how diversity shapes the need for tolerance and creates a pluralistic society.

2. Discuss whether we should be tolerant to those who do not tolerate us. Give reasons for your answer.

3. Role-play acts that show the need for tolerance and those that show problems that occur with being intolerant in a society.

Societies that develop always pursue harmonious relationships within and without. Pluralism therefore, promotes harmonious living in the society. Th is is usually instrumental in promoting socio-political and economic development.

Many forms of pluralism give rise to healthy competition among many players in our society. Pluralism creates a level playing field where competition is possible. For example, where many political parties are involved, each will do its best to attract as many followers as possible. This will make them come up with better policies that ultimately bring people to them. Healthy competition usually facilitates development in society.

In a pluralistic society, all people are considered equal. In situations where some sections of the society are disadvantaged, attempts are made to bring them at par with the advantaged groups.

1. Research how the Rwandan government has promoted equity and equality in the society today.

2. Assess how pluralism has enabled the creation of healthy competition and harmony among the Rwandan people.

People are given an opportunity to operate to their fullest potential in a pluralistic society. Attention is also paid to the observance of Human Rights. Consequently, members of the society are able to develop their socio-political and economic dimensions.

A pluralistic society involves equal participation of all citizens in their socio-political and economic life. Through it, citizens are able to express their cultural, linguistic, religious and other identities within a framework of shared citizenship. Consequently, its ethics and practices foster equitable and peaceful human development. Fairness and respect are the cornerstones of a pluralistic society.

1. Giving examples from your immediate environment, discuss how pluralism has promoted development in your society.

2. Appreciate the role of pluralism in promoting development.

People have often misunderstood the importance of pluralism and have taken it for granted. Consequently, societies have experienced untold suffering. In the modern world, there are numerous examples of societies that have borne the consequences of this misunderstanding. Some of the consequences that have arisen from the misunderstanding of pluralism include the following:

• Inter-ethnic conflicts

• Religious conflicts

• Political conflicts and instability

• Domestic violence

• Gender inequality

• Genocide and mass killings

• Intolerance

• Underdevelopment

• Racial disharmony or discrimination

• Mistrust in the society

• Displacement of persons

                                      

1. Referring to relevant examples, write an essay on the consequences that have arisen from the misunderstanding of pluralism in the society.

2. Using the examples referred to in question (1) above, explain how people can address the consequences arising from the misunderstanding of the importance of pluralism.

1. a) What do you understand by the term pluralism?

    b) Explain the concept of pluralism using various examples.

2. Analyse how each form of pluralism contributes to fostering development in the world through daily life scenarios.

3. Describe the relationship between pluralism and development in the modern world.

4. Discuss the consequences that have arisen from people’s misunderstanding of the importance of pluralism.

5. Appreciate the role of pluralism in promoting development in a country.

6. ‘Diversity is both God-given and human sought’. Comment on this statement.

1. Write an essay on the role of pluralism in promoting development in the world.

2. Analyse scenarios that may arise from peoples’ misunderstanding of the importance of pluralism. Make a presentation in class.