SBP DAV CENTENARY PUBLIC SCHOOL, FATEHABAD

Ch. 1(Power Sharing)Questions/Answers

1. Explain three measures taken by Sri Lanka, according to an Act passed in 1956?
Ans:- (i) An Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language thus disregarding the
Tamils.
(ii) The government followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for
University position and government Jobs.
(iii) The new Constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.
2. Which three demands of the Sri Lankan Tamils accepted and met with, can settle the
ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka for good ? Explain.
Ans:- (i) Recognition of Tamil as an official language.
(ii) Provincial autonomy on Tamil dominated provinces
(iii) Equal opportunities for Tamils in jobs and education
(iv) Instead provincial autonomy, demand for a separate Tamil State.

3. Mention any three elements of power sharing model evolved in Belgium.

Ans:- - Many powers of the central government have been given to state government
- Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal
representation.
- Apart from the central and the state government there is a third kind of government
“Community government”.

4. What were the consequences of the ‘Majoritarian’ policies adopted by the Sri Lanka
government? Mention any three.
Ans:- Consequences of majoritarian policies adopted by Sri Lankan Government.
(i) Tamils felt the govt. was not sensitive about Tamil language and culture.
(ii) Tamils felt discriminated against in jobs and education.
(iii) Tamils felt the govt. was practising religious discrimination.
(iv) Relations between Tamils and Sinhalese became strained.

5. Describe the tension that existed between the Dutch and the French Speaking people
in Belgium.
Ans:- (i) Minority French speaking community was rich and powerful.
(ii) Dutch community got the benefit of economic development and education much later
which led to tensions.
(iii) Tensions were acute in Brussels, the capital, where Dutch were in minority.

6. Compare the different ways in which the Belgians and the Sri Lankans have dealt with
the problem of cultural diversity.
Ans:- The Belgian leaders recognised the existence of regional and cultural diversities.
(i) They amended their constitution four times so as to work out an innovative arrangement
that would enable everyone to live together in peace and harmony i.e. there was sharing of
power between the Dutch and the French both in the central govt and state govt, and
community. Govt. They followed a policy of accommodation
(ii) This helped to avoid civic strife and division of the country on linguistic lines.
(iii) On the other hand the Sinhalese who were in majority in SriLanka as compared to the Tamils
followed a policy of majoritarianism and dropped a series of measures to establish Sinhala
supremacy by passing an Act of 1956.
These measures alienated the Tamils leading to civic strife between the two communities.
7. Describe the three unique features of the government in Belgium.
Ans:- Unique features of the Government in Belgium –
(i) The constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French speaking ministers in the
central government shall be equal.
(ii) Brussels has a separate government with equal representation of both communities – Dutch
and French.
(iii) There is a special government called „community government‟ which looks after cultural,
educational and language related issues.

8. Describe any three forms of power sharing in modern democracies with examples.
Ans:- Three forms of power sharing in modern democracies with e.g. are :
(i) Power shared among different organs of the govt. e.g. legislative, executive and judiciary.
(ii) Power shared among governments at different levels eg. – union govt. and state govt.
(iii) Different social groups eg. Community government in Belgium.
(iv) Political parties, pressure groups and movement of coalition government

9. Explain the vertical division of power giving example from India.

Ans:- Vertical division of power means Sharing of power among governments at different levels. In
India there are three levels of the government.
(i) For entire country – central Government/Union Government.
(ii) At the provincial level/state Governments
(iii) At the local level i.e. rural and urban local self governments like panchayats and municipal
councils.

10. Why power sharing is desirable? Explain giving any three prudential reasons.
Ans:- Prudential Reasons:
(a) It helps to reduce conflicts between social groups
(b) Ensures better security for the country
(c) There is better political stability
(d) Creates conditions for better progress and development.

11. Why is power sharing desirable? Explain moral reasons in this regard.
Ans:- Moral reasons are as follows :
(i) Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A democratic rule involves sharing power
with those who are going to be affected by its exercise.
(ii) People have the right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.
(iii) A legitimate government is one where citizens become a part of the government through
participation.

12. Why is horizontal distribution of power often referred to as a system of ‘check and
balances’? Explain three reasons.
Ans:- Power is shared between different organs of the government such as Legislature, Executive
and Judiciary. This system of power sharing is referred to as a system of ‘checks and
balances’ because:
(i) All three organs are placed at the same level of power.
(ii) The power distribution ensures that no organ enjoys unlimited powers.
(iii) Each organ exercises a check on the others. Thus there is balance of power.

13. ‘Sharing of powers makes a country more powerful and united’. Do you agree with
this statement and why?
Ans:- (i) Power sharing respects feelings and interests of all communities.
(ii) Power sharing keeps the country united by minimizing conflicts.
 (iii) Ensures progress and development.
14. “Power Sharing is the very spirit of democracy. Justify this statement with three
suitable points.
Ans:- - It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups
- True spirit of democracy
- It always brings better outcomes in democracy.
- It ensures the political stability in democracy

15. What is horizontal distribution of power? Mention it’s any two advantages.
Ans:- Horizontal Power sharing- Under this form of power sharing.
• Power is shared among the three organs of the government: Legislature, executive and
judiciary.
(i) It allows different organs placed at the same level to exercise different powers.
(ii) It ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited power.
(iii) Each organ checks the other so, there is balance of power among the organs.