Power Sharing

Topics in the Chapter

• Story of Belgium
• Story of Sri Lanka
• Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka
• Accommodation in Belgium
• Why power sharing is desirable?
• Forms of power-sharing

Story of Belgium

• Belgium is a small country in Europe which has a population of a little over one crore.

• The ethnic composition of this small country is very complex.

• Out of the total population of the country, 59 percent lives in the Flemish region and
speaks Dutch
language. Another 40 percent people live in the Wallonia region and speak French.
Remaining one percent of the Belgians speak German.
• In Belgium's capital, Brussels, 80 percent people speak French while 20 percent are Dutch
speaking.
• The minority French-speaking community was relatively rich and powerful.
→ This made Dutch-speaking community angry as they the benefit of economic
development and education much later.

• During the 1950s and 1960s, tensions between the Dutch-speaking and French-speaking
communities created due to these differences.

Story of Sri Lanka

• Sri Lanka is an island nation, south of India having diverse population of about two crore
people.

• The major social groups are the Sinhala-speakers (74 percent) and the Tamil-speakers
(18 percent).

• Tamils are divided into two groups:

→ Sri Lankan Tamils (13 percent) - Tamil natives of the country
→ Indian Tamils (5 percent) - came from India during colonial period as plantation
workers.

• Most of the Sinhala-speaking people are Buddhists, while most of the Tamils are Hindus
or Muslims.

• There are about 7 percent Christians, who are both Tamil and Sinhala.

Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka

• The democratically elected government adopted a series of Majoritarian policy measures

to establish Sinhala supremacy. These are:
→ Sinhala as the only official language.
→ The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for
university positions and government jobs.

• These decisions gradually increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils.

• The Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil as an
official language, for regional autonomy and equality of opportunity in securing education
and jobs.

• By 1980s several political organisations were formed demanding an independent Tamil

Eelam (state) in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.
• It soon turned into Civil War.

Accommodation in Belgium

• Between 1970 and 1993, Belgian's constitution amended four times to work out an
arrangement that would make everyone to live together.

• The elements of the Belgian model:

→ Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall
be equal in the central government.

→ Many powers of the central government have been given to state governments of the two
regions of the country.

→ Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal
representation.

→ There is also provision of 'community government’ elected by people belonging to one

language
community which has the power regarding cultural, educational and language-related
issues.

Why power sharing is desirable?

• Power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social
groups.

• Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy.

→ A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise, and who
have to live with its effects.

Forms of power-sharing

• In modern democracies, power sharing arrangements can take many forms.

→ Horizontal distribution of power: Power is shared among different organs of

government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. Example: India.

→ Federal Government (Vertical distribution of power): Power can be shared among

governments at different levels – a general government for the entire country and
governments at the provincial or regional level. Example: USA.

→ Power may also be shared among different social groups such as the religious and
linguistic groups. Example: ‘Community government’ in Belgium.

→ Power sharing arrangements can also be seen in the way political parties, pressure
groups and movements control or influence those in power.

Very Short Answer Questions (VSAQs):

1. What is the state religion of Sri Lanka?

Answer
Buddhism is the state religion of Sri Lanka.
2. Which measure adopted by the democratically elected government to establish Sinhala
supremacy?
Answer
Majoritarian measure was adopted by the democratically elected government to establish
Sinhala supremacy.
3. What is meant by ‘vertical division of power’?
Answer
The division of powers between higher and lower levels of government is called vertical
division of power.

4. Which community was rich in Belgium?

Answer
The minority French-speaking community was rich in Belgium.

5. Which system of power sharing called, ‘Checks and Balances’?

Answer
Horizontal distribution of power sharing is called system of ‘Checks and Balances’.

6. Who elects the community government in Belgium?

Answer
The ‘community government’ is elected by people belonging to one language community –
Dutch, French and German-speaking – no matter where they live.

Short Answer Questions (SAQs):

1. Power sharing is the true spirit of democracy. Justify this statement.

Answer

Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy:

• A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise, and who
have to live with its effects.
• People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed. A legitimate
government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.
• It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.
2. Describe any three forms of power sharing in modern democracies.

Answer

Three forms of power sharing with examples:

• Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive
and judiciary.
• Power can be shared among governments at different levels – a general government for
the entire country and governments at the provincial or regional level.
• Power may also be shared among different social groups such as the religious and
linguistic groups. ‘Community government’ in Belgium is a good example of this
arrangement.
3. ‘Both Belgium and Sri Lanka are democracies but they follow different systems of power
sharing’. Support the statement by giving three points of difference.

Answer

• In Belgium, communities have equal share in the government while in Sri Lanka leaders of
the Sinhala community sought to secure dominance over government by virtue of their
majority.
• In Belgium, there is provision of special government called ‘Community government’ to
look after cultural, educational and language-related issues while In Sri Lanka, none of the
major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders was sensitive to language and
culture of Tamils.
• In Belgium, there is no discrimination between various religions while In Sri Lanka,
Buddhism is the official religion of the country.

4. Write one prudential and one moral reason for power sharing.

Answer
• Prudential reason for power sharing: Power sharing reduces social conflicts among social
groups with different interests and aspirations. Social conflicts lead to violence and
instability. Power sharing ensures the stability of political order.
• Moral reason for power sharing: Power sharing is the very spirit and essence of
democracy. Democracy involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise, and who
have to live with its effects. People have the right to be consulted on how they are to be
governed.

Long Answer Questions (LAQs):

1. What is majoritarianism? How has it increased the feelings of alienation among Sri
Lankan Tamils? Explain with examples.

Answer

‘Majoritarianism’ refers to the policy of domination over minority, just by the virtue of
being in majority.
In Sri Lanka, it has led to the feelings of alienation among the Tamils. They feel that none of
the major political parties, led by Buddhist Sinhala leaders are sensitive to their language
and culture. According to them, the Constitution and the government policies have denied
them equal political rights and discriminated against them in getting jobs and other
opportunities and ignored their interests.
This alienation among the Tamils is due to the following reasons:
• In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus
disregarding Tamil.
• The government framed policies favouring Sinhala people for government jobs.
• The new Constitution specified that the state.

Why did the Dutch-speaking people resent in Belgium?

Answer:
Because the minority French-speaking community of Belgium was relatively rich and
powerful.
Why was the conflict more acute in Brussels?
Answer:
The conflict between the two communities was more acute in Brussels because the
Dutch-speaking people constituted a majority in the country, but a minority in the capital.
Who are the majority and minority social groups of Sri Lanka?
Answer:
Sinhla speaking people 74% Tamils 18% are Christians – 7%.
Define majoritarianism.
Answer:
A belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it
wants, by disregarding the wishes and needs of the minority.

When was the demand for an independent Tamil state raised?

Answer:
By 1980s several political organizations were formed demanding an independent Tamil
Eelam in north-eastern Sri Lanka.

Why was the Belgium Constitution amended four times?

Answer:
Between 1970 -1993, the constitution of Belgium was amended four times so as to work
out an arrangement that would enable everyone to live together within the same country.

What do you mean by “Community government”?

Answer:

The “Community government” in Belgium is elected by people belonging to one language

community Dutch, French and German-speaking no matter where they live.
This government has the power regarding cultural, educational and language-related
issues.
What is civil war?
Answer:
A violent conflict between opposing groups within a country that becomes so intense that it
appears like a war.

What is the main difference between prudential reasons and moral reasons?
Answer:
While prudential reasons stress its beneficial consequences, moral reasons emphasize the
intrinsic worth of power-sharing.

Which government can be called legitimate?

Answer:
A legitimate government is one where groups, through participation, acquire a stake in the
system.

What do you mean by prudential?

Answer:
Prudential means based on prudence or on careful calculation contrasted with those
decisions based purely on moral considerations

Define ‘horizontal distribution of power’.

Answer:
When power is shared among different organs of government, such as legislature, executive
and judiciary, this is called horizontal distribution of power because it allows different
organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers.

What do you understand about the federal government?

Answer:
When power is shared among governments at different levels, for example, a general
government for the entire country and governments at the provincial, sub-national or
regional level. Such a general government for the whole country is called federal
government.

Describe ‘federal division of power’.

Answer:
In those countries where there are different levels of governments, the constitution clearly
lays down the powers of different levels of governments. This is called federal division of
power.

Explain ‘Vertical division of power’.

Answer:
The federal division of power can be extended to levels of government lower than he state
government such as the municipality and panchayat. All such divisions involving higher and
lower levels of government are called “vertical division of power”.

Why has the provision of “reserved constituencies” been made in our country?
Answer:
Arrangements such as provision of reserved constituencies in and the parliament of our
country is meant to give space in the government and administration to diverse social
groups who otherwise feel alienated from the government.
Describe the ethnic composition of Belgium.
Answer:
The ethnic composition of Belgium, a small country in Europe is very complex. Of the
country’s total population, 59 per cent live in the Flemish region and speak Dutch language.

Another 40 per cent live in the Wallonia region and speak French. Remaining I per cent of
the Belgians speak German. In the capital city Brussels, 80 per cent people speak French
while 20 percent are Dutch-speaking.

What was the main reason for tension between the Dutch and the French-speaking people
of Belgium?
Answer:

The minority French-speaking community of Belgium was relatively rich and powerful,
This was resented by the Dutch-speaking community who got the benefit of economic
development and education much later.
This led to tensions between the Dutch and the french speaking communities during the
1950s and 1960s.
Class 10 Social Science Civics Chapter 1 Extra Questions and Answers Power Sharing

Class 10th Civics Chapter 1 Extra Questions Question 19.

How was the majoritarian dominance established in Sri Lanka?
Answer:

Sri Lanka got independence in 1948. The leaders of the Sinhala community wished to
secure dominance over the government by virtue of their majority.
The democratically elected government adopted a series of majoritarian measures to
establish Sinhala supremacy in Sri Lanka.
In 1956, an Act was passed to recognize Sinhala as the only official language, thus
disregarding Tamil
The Sinhala speaking people were given preference in university position and government
jobs.
Extra Questions Of Civics Class 10 Chapter 1 Question 20.
Explain the outcomes of the Belgian model of governance?
Answer:

The Belgian model is very complicated even for the Belgian people. But these arrangements
have so far worked well, They helped avoid civic strife between the two major communities
and a possible division of the country on linguistic lines.
When many countries of Europe came together to form the European Union, Brussels chose
it as its headquarters.
Question 21.
“Belgium and Sri Lanka both are democracies, yet they dealt with the question of
power-sharing differently.” Justify.
Answer:

Belgium and Sri Lanka, both are democratic Yet they dealt with the question of
power-sharing differently
In Belgium, the leaders have realized that the unity of the country is possible only by
respecting the feelings and interests of different communities and regions.
Such a realization resulted in mutually acceptable arrangements for sharing power.
Sri Lanka shows us a contrasting example. It shows us that if a majority community wants
to force its dominance over others and refuses to share power, it can undermine the unity of
the country.
Question 22.
Write a short note on checks and balances.
Answer:
Power-sharing among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and
judiciary allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise
different power. Such a separation ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited
power.

Each organ checks the others. This results in balance of power among various institutions.
For example, even though the ministers and government officials exercise power, they are
responsible to the parliament or state legislatures. Similarly, although the judges are
appointed by the executive, but they can check the functioning of executive or laws made by
legislatures. This arrangement is also called a system of checks and balances.

Question 23.
What do you mean by Pressure groups or interest groups?
Answer:
Pressure groups or interest groups are those organized groups which influence the
government decisions. They demonstrate the demands of the industrialists, traders,
farmers, working-class and other professional people.
They use various methods with a view to influencing public opinion.

They organize big demonstrations and rallies and get newspapers columns written by
prominent people to arouse public opinion for or against a particular Bill or Law. Makenzie
defined it as, “the organized groups possessing both formal structure and real common
interests, in so far as they influence the decisions of public bodies.”

Question 24.
Analyze the results of majoritarian dominance in Sri Lanka.
Answer:

In 1956, the Government of Sri Lanka passed an Act to recognize Sinhala as official
language. The state declared to protect and foster Buddhism. The governments followed
preferential policies that favored Sinhla applicants for university positions and government
jobs. All these government measures, coming after one another, gradually increased the
feeling of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils.
They felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhalese were
sensitive to their language and culture.
They fell that the constitution and government policies denied them equal political rights,
discriminated against them in getting jobs and other opportunities and ignored their
interests,
It resulted in strained relations between the Sinhalese and Tamil communities.
The Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and started struggling for the recognition of Tamil
as an official language, for regional autonomy and equality of opportunity in securing
education and jobs.
Their demand for more autonomy to provinces with more Tamil populations was
repeatedly denied. By 1980s, several political organizations were formed demanding an
independent Tamil Eelam in north-eastern Sri Lanka.
Question 25.
How did the Belgian leaders solve the problems of regional differences and cultural
diversities?
Answer:

The Belgian leaders recognized the existence of regional differences and cultural
diversities.
They amended their constitution four times between 1970 to 1993, so as to work out an
arrangement that would enable everyone to live together within the same country.
The arrangement is very innovative. Some important elements of the Belgian model is a
follows:

(a) Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall
be equal in the central government. Some special laws require the support of majority of
members from each linguistic group. Thus, no single community can make decisions
unilaterally.
(b) Many powers of the central government have been given to state governments for the
two regions of the country. The state governments are not subordinate to the central
government.

(c) Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal
representation. The French-speaking people accepted equal representation in Brussels
because the Dutch-speaking community has accepted equal representation in the central
government.

(d) Apart from the central and the state government there is a third kind of government.
This ‘community government is elected by people belonging to one language community
Dutch, French and German-speaking- no matter where they live. This government has the
power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues.

Question 26.
Why is power sharing desirable for democracy?
Answer:
(a) Prudential Reasons: Two different sets of reasons can be given in favour of
power-sharing. Firstly, power-sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of
conflict between social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and political
instability, power-sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order.

Imposing the will of the majority community over others may look like an attractive option
in the short run, but in the long run it undermines the unity of the nation. Tyranny of the
majority is not just oppressive for the minority; it often brings rum to the majority as well.

(b) Moral Reasons: There is a second, deeper, reason why power sharing is good for
democracies. Power-sharing is the very spirit of democracy, A democratic rule involves
sharing power with those affected by its exercise, and who have to live with its effects.

People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed. A legitimate

government is one where groups, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.
While prudential reasons stress its beneficial consequences, moral reasons emphasise the
intrinsic worth of power-sharing.

Question 27.
“The idea of power-sharing had emerged in opposition to the notions of undivided political
power.” Justify.
Answer:
The idea of power-sharing has emerged in opposition to the notions of undivided, political
power.
For a long time it was believed that all power of a government must reside in one person or
group of persons located in one place.
It was felt that if power to decide is dispersed, it would not be possible to take quick
decisions and to enforce them.
But these notions have changed with the emergence of democracy. One basic principle of
democracy is that people are the source of all political power.
In a democracy, people rule themselves through institutions of self-governance.
In a good democratic government, due respect is given to diverse groups and views that
exist in a society and everyone has a voice in the shaping of public policies. Therefore it
follows that in a democracy political power should be distributed among as many citizens
as possible.
Question 28.
“Power can be shared among governments at different levels.” How?
Answer:

Power can be shared among governments at different levels: for example, a general
government for the entire country and governments at the provincial, sub-national or
regional level. Such a general government for the entire country is usually called federal
government.
In India, we refer to it as the Central government. The governments at the provincial or
regional level are called by different names in different countries. In India, we call them
State governments.
This system is not followed in all the countries. There are many countries where there are
no provincial or state governments.
But in those countries, where there are different levels of governments, the constitution
clearly lays down the powers of different levels of government. This is what they did in
Belgium, but was refused in Sri Lanka. This is called federal division of power.
The same principle can be extended to levels of government lower than the State
government, such as the municipality and panchayat. All such divisions of power involving
higher and lower levels of government are called vertical division of power.
Question 29.
How can we share power among different social groups?
Answer:
Power can be shared among governments at different levels, such as the religious and
groups. ‘Community government in Belgium is a good example of this arrangement. In
some countries, there are constitutional and legal arrangements whereby socially weaker
sections and women are represented in the legislatures and administration. There is a
system of ‘reserved constituencies’ in assemblies and the parliament of our country.

This type of arrangement is meant to give space in the government and administration to
diverse social groups who otherwise would feel alienated from the government. This
method is used to give minority communities a fair share of power.

Objective Type Questions

Four Choices are given to the following questions.

Choose the correct option as your answer.

Question 1.
When the power is shared among different organs of government this is called:
(a) Vertical distribution of power
(b) Horizontal distribution of power
(c) Triangular distribution of power
(d) None of these.
Answer:
(b) Horizontal distribution of power

Question 2.
Although the judges are appointed by the executive, but they can check the functioning
executive laws made by the legislatures This arrangement is also called:
(a) A system checks
(b) A system of balances
(c) A system of checks and balances
(d) None of these.
Answer:
(c) A system of checks and balances

Question 3.
What is the population of Belgium
(a) 35 lakh
(b) 58 lakh
(c) 80 lakh
(d) more than 1 crore
Answer:
(d) more than 1 crore
Question 4.
How many people speak Dutch in Belgium:
(a) 59
(b) 40
(c) 8
(d) 10
Answer:
(a) 59

Class 10 Social Science Civics Chapter 1 Extra Questions and Answers Power Sharing

Questions 5.
What is the percentage of people living in Waillona region and speaking French?
(a) 59
(b) 20
(c) 40
(d) 10
Answer:
(c) 40

Question 6.
Which community is relatively rich and powerful in Belgium?
(a) Dutch
(b) French
(c) Danish
(d) Spanish
Answer:
(b) French

Question 7.
Who constituted a majority in Belgium :
(a) The French
(b) The Dutch
(c) The Spanish
(d) Anglo-Indians
Answer:
(c) The Spanish

Questions 8.
What is the percentage of Sinhla speakers in Sri Lanka:
(a) 74%
(b) 18%
(c) 7%
(d) 55%.
Answer:
(a) 74%

Questions 9.
Tamil natives of Sri Lanka in:
(a) Indian Tamils
(b) Anglo Tamils
(c) Muslim Tamils
(d) Sri Lanka Tamils.
Answer:
(d) Sri Lanka Tamils.

Questions 10.
How many people in Sri Lanka speak Tamil:
(a) 18%
(b) 74%
(c) 55%
(d) 7%.
Answer:
(a) 18%

Question 11.
What is the official language of Sri Lanka:
(a) Tamil
(b) Sinhla
(c) Hindi
(d) English
Answer:
(b) Sinhla

Class 10 Social Science Civics Chapter 1 Extra Questions and Answers Power Sharing

Question 12.
Which community in Sri Lanka is in majority:
(a) Tamil
(b) Christian
(c) Sinhla
(d) Indians
Answer:
(c) Sinhla

Question 13.
In which year several political organization were formed demanding an independent Tamil:
(a) 1980s
(b) 1990s
(c) 1970s
(d) 1950s
Answer:
(a) 1980s

Question 14.
How many times was the Belgian constitution ainended between 1970¬1991 :
(a) Three times
(b) Eight times
(c) Ten times
(d) four times
Answer:
(d) four times

Question 15.
Both Belgium and Sri Lanka are
(a) Democracies
(b) Autocracies
(c) Monarchies
(d) None of these
Answer:
(a) Democracies.