Which one of the following is NOT an element of rural community?

Question

UnlockIAS · Accepted Answer

Correct — B, Cultural diversity. Cultural diversity (heterogeneity) is a mark of URBAN, not rural, life; a rural community is characterised by cultural HOMOGENEITY — shared customs, language, caste patterns and way of life. So cultural diversity is NOT an element of a rural community. The other three are genuine elements: 'we-feeling' is the community sentiment that binds members, 'territory' is the definite locality every community occupies, and 'self-sufficiency' is the classic economic hallmark of the traditional village. Hence the odd one out is cultural diversity.

Why the other options are wrong — (a) This IS an element — 'we-feeling' is the core of community sentiment (the sense of belonging that makes a group a community). It is present in a rural community, so it is not the answer.  (c) This IS an element — territory (a definite locality/geographical area) is, along with community sentiment, one of the two basic elements of any community. A rural community occupies a village territory, so it is not the answer.  (d) This IS an element — self-sufficiency (the village meeting most of its own needs) is a recognised characteristic of the traditional rural community. Being a feature of rural life, it is not the odd one out.

Concept: In sociology, a community is a group of people living in a definite locality with a shared sense of belonging. Following MacIver & Page, the two essential elements of any community are (1) locality/territory and (2) community sentiment (the 'we-feeling', with role-feeling and dependency-feeling). A rural community additionally shows self-sufficiency, cultural homogeneity, dominance of agriculture, primary (face-to-face) relations and informal social control. Cultural diversity/heterogeneity is characteristic of urban communities, not rural ones.

State PCS 2021 Q80 — Geography PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2021 Q80 — Geography PYQ with Answer