Grade-10-Civics-Chapter-1Power Sharing
1. What is the ethnic composition of Sri Lanka?
The Sinhala speakers are 74% and Tamil speakers are 18% and among Tamils, there are two
subgroups – Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils.
2. “Sharing of powers makes a country more powerful and united.” Do you agree with this
statement and why? (Or) “Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy.” Justify this statement
with three suitable points.
Power sharing keeps up with the ‘Spirit’ of Democracy as:
Power sharing ensures that all people have a stake in government.
Power sharing ensures maximum participation. It upholds the concept of people’s rule. It
always brings better outcomes in democracy. It ensures that people are consulted on how they
are to be governed.
Power sharing accommodates diverse groups. It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict
between social groups.
3. Explain any three consequences of the majoritarian policies adopted by the Sri Lankan
government.
Consequences of majoritarian policies adopted by the Sri Lankan Government:
Tamils felt the government was not sensitive to the Tamil language and culture.
Tamils felt discriminated against in jobs and education.
Tamils felt the government was practicing religious discrimination.
Relations between Tamils and Sinhalese became strained.
Several political organizations were formed demanding an independent Tamil Eelam (state) in
the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.
The distrust between the two communities turned into a civil war, in which, thousands of
people from both communities were killed.
It caused a terrible setback to the social, cultural, and economic life of the country.
4. Differentiate between the horizontal and vertical division of powers. (Or) Describe
horizontal and vertical power sharing in modern democracies.
Horizontal Division of Power Vertical Division of Power
1. Horizontal Division of Power is a power- 1. In the vertical division of power, power is
sharing arrangement in which power is shared shared among governments at different levels
among different organs of government such as like union, state, and local levels of government
the executive, legislative, and judiciary. i.e., it involves higher and lower levels of
government.
2. In the horizontal division of power, different 2. In the vertical division of power, the
organs of government exercise different powers. constitution clearly lays down the power of
different levels of government.
3. Horizontal distribution specifies the concept 3. There is no concept of checks and balances
of checks and balances in order to check the because powers are clearly given by the
exercise of unlimited powers of the organs. constitution from the higher level to the lower
level.
5. What is power sharing? Give reasons why power sharing is desirable.(or) What is power
sharing? Why power sharing is desirable? Explain by giving prudential and moral reasons.
When the power does not rest with any one organ of the state rather it is shared among
different levels/organs of the government it is called power sharing.
Power sharing is desirable in democracy because:
Prudential reasons:
It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.
Reducing conflict between social groups ensures the stability of political order.
It promotes the unity of the nation.
Moral reasons:
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 effect.
People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.
Power sharing helps in producing a legitimate government where citizens through
participation acquire a stake in the system.
6. Bring out any two sharp contrasts between Belgium and Sri Lankan democracies.
Sri Lanka and Belgium are both democratic countries yet have very diverse social setups. Both
countries have adopted very different approaches when it comes to power-sharing.
Belgium adopted the policy of accommodation of social and ethnic divisions. On the other hand,
Sri Lanka also adopted a democratic system but followed majoritarian policies.
Under the Belgium model of democracy, power was shared among two ethnic groups. Sri Lanka
favored the interests of the majority Sinhala community.
In Belgium, both groups had an equal share in the working of government but in Sri Lanka, the
minority community was isolated.
To maintain political stability and unity, equal representation was provided to both groups.
Apart from that, the community government of both ethnic groups also existed at the local
level. Sri Lanka, however, had no such arrangement.
Belgium's constitution was amended four times before arriving at a final draft to prevent civil
strife. In Sri Lanka, majoritarianism led to civil war for twenty long years.
7. What are the advantages of horizontal power-sharing? Explain with an example.
The advantages of horizontal power-sharing are:
The power is shared among different organs of government equally.
Horizontal power-sharing places all the organs of the government i.e., legislature, executive,
and judiciary at the same level.
Under this kind of power-sharing no organ can exercise unlimited powers.
That is why this system is also known as the system of checks and balances.
Example: in India, 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 they can check the functioning of the executive or laws made by the
legislatures.
8. Describe any three majoritarian measures adopted by the Sri Lankan Government to
establish Sinhala supremacy.(or) Describe any three provisions of the Act which was passed in
Sri Lanka in 1956 to establish Sinhala supremacy.
Sri Lankan Tamils felt alienated because:
The government adopted majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy. In 1956, an
Act was passed to recognize Sinhala as the only official language thus disregarding Tamil.
The government followed preferential politics that favored Sinhala applicants for university
positions and government jobs.
A new Constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.
9. Describe the power-sharing arrangement made by Belgium.(or)Explain any three elements
of the Belgium model of power sharing.
Some of the elements of the Belgium model are:
The number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government.
Some special laws required the support of the majority of members from each linguistic group.
The state governments are not subordinate to the central government.
Brussels has a separate government in which both communities have equal representation.
Apart from the central and state government, there is a third kind of government called
‘community government’. Community government is elected by people belonging to one
language community – Dutch, French, and German-speaking.
10. Explain the major forms of power sharing in modern democracies.
The major forms of power sharing in modern democracies are:
Power sharing among the different organs of government. (Horizontal power sharing).
Power sharing among governments at different levels.
Power sharing among different social groups.
Power sharing among political parties, pressure groups, and movements.
In a democracy, we find interest groups such as businessmen, farmers, and industrial workers.
11. What makes power sharing a good idea? Provide two arguments in favour of the assertion.
Prevents Conflict: Power-sharing ensures that all groups, including minorities, have a role in
governance. This inclusion helps to prevent conflicts and grievances that arise when one group
dominates and others feel excluded or marginalised. By distributing power, societies can
maintain stability and peace.
Promotes Inclusivity and Democracy: It reflects the principles of democracy and fairness,
where every group's interests and rights are considered. This inclusivity fosters a sense of
belonging and participation among all citizens, leading to more balanced and representative
decision-making.
12. Why is there a need to give space to diverse social groups in the administration of a
democratic country? Give any one reason.
It is necessary to give space to diverse social groups in the administration of a country to avoid
majoritarianism, accumulation of power in the hands of a particular social group which would
lead to social conflicts.
13. How did the idea of power-sharing emerge? Explain different forms that have common
arrangements of power-sharing.
The idea of power-sharing has emerged contrary to the notions of undivided political power. Earlier, it
was believed that all powers of a government must reside in one person or group located in one place.
It was felt that if the power to decide was dispersed, it would not be possible to make quick decisions
and enforce them. However, these notions have changed with the emergence of democracy.
Different forms that have common arrangements of Power Sharing:
Horizontal power-sharing: This involves distributing power among different branches of
government, such as the legislature, executive, and judiciary. Each branch checks the others,
preventing any one branch from having unlimited power and ensuring a balance among
institutions.
Vertical power-sharing: This refers to the division of power between different levels of
government, such as the central government and state governments. In India, the constitution
defines the powers of each level, ensuring clarity in governance.
Empowering social groups: Power can also be shared among various social groups, including
religious and linguistic minorities. An example of this is the system of reserved constituencies
in assemblies and Parliament, which aims to give minority communities a fair representation.
Political parties and pressure groups: Power-sharing is evident in how political parties,
pressure groups, and social movements influence those in power. This competition helps
prevent power from being concentrated in a single entity, allowing for diverse representation
of ideologies and social interests.
14. What does 'the system of checks and balances' ensure in power-sharing?
The system of checks and balances ensures that:
No single individual or institution can hold unlimited power.
It prevents the abuse of power by distributing authority.
It protects the rights and interests of various groups within society.
15. Explain community government.
A community government is one in which different social groups are given the power to handle
the affairs related to their communities. This community government has powers related to the
different culture, education, and language issues of the people they are expected to work jointly
for the benefit of the common masses without impairing any one community.
Belgium is the best example of community government. The concept of community government
in Belgium refers to the fact that one person is elected from a specific religion or caste to
represent the community.
The ‘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.
16. Why is horizontal power sharing also called a system of checks and balances?
Each organ of the government checks the other. This results in a balance of power among
various institutions.
In it Ministers are responsible to the Parliament or state assemblies and judges are appointed
by executive but can check the functioning of executive or laws made by legislatures.
