CLASS 10 POLITICAL SCIENCE CHAPTER-1 POWER SHARING

Power Sharing

STORY OF BELGIUM

1. Belgium is a small country in Europe

2. Its  population of over 1 crore.

3. Its population half the population of Haryana.

4. Dutch speaking population- 59%

5. French speaking population- 40%

6. German speaking population- 1% 

 1. The minority French-speaking community was rich and powerful, so they got the benefit of economic development and education.

2. This created tensions between the Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities during the 1950s and 1960s.

ACCOMMODATION IN BELGIUM

 In Belgium, 

1.The government handled the community difference very well.

2. During the year between  1970 to 1993,

3. Belgian leaders amended their constitution four times.

 It is known as Belgium Model 

1.The Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the Central Government.

 2.Some special laws require the support of the majority of members from each linguistic group.

3.  No single community can make decisions unilaterally.

4.The state governments are not subordinate to the Central Government.

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

6..Apart from the Central and the State Government, there is a third kind of government.

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

 8.This government has the power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues.

NOTE- The Belgium model was very complicated but it helped to avoid civic strife between the two major communities.

STORY OF SRI LANKA 

 Sri Lanka, It is an island nation having a population of 2 crores.

Its population same like Haryana. 

Sri Lanka has a diverse population.

 The major social groups are -----

1. The Sinhala-speakers  (74%) and

 2. The Tamil-speakers (18%).

 Among Tamils, there are two subgroups-

 1. Sri Lankan Tamils

2. Indian Tamils (fore father belongs to India)

NOTE-In Sri Lanka, the Sinhala community enjoyed the bigger majority and imposed its will on the entire country.

MAJORITARIANISM IN SRI LANKA

1. Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948.

2. The Sinhala community was in the majority so they had formed the government. 

3. They also followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs. 

4.These measures taken by the government gradually increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils.

5. Sri Lankan Tamils felt that constitution and government policies denied them equal political rights, discriminated against them in getting jobs and other opportunities and ignored their interests.

6. Due to this, the relationship between the Sinhala and Tamil communities become poor. 

7.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.

8. But their demand was repeatedly denied by the government. 

9.The distrust between the two communities turned into widespread conflict and turned into a CIVIL WAR.

 As a result,

1. thousands of people of both the communities have been killed.

2. Many families were forced to leave the country as refugees and many more lost their livelihoods.

3. The civil war ended in 2009 and caused a terrible setback to the social, cultural and economic life of the country.

What have you learned from the Stories of Belgium and Sri Lanka?

1. Both countries are democracies but they dealt differently with the concept of power sharing.

2. In Belgium, the leaders have realised that the unity of the country is possible only by respecting the feelings and interests of different communities and regions.

3. This resulted in mutually acceptable arrangements for sharing power.

Sri Lanka shows 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.

Why is power sharing desirable?

1. Power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.
2. 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.

Form of Power Sharing

1.Power can be shared among governments at different levels.(Vertical division of power) 

2.Power may also be shared among different social groups.

3.Power sharing arrangements can also be seen in the way political parties, pressure groups and movements .

4. Power can be shared among different organ government.(Horizontal division of power) 

PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTION WITH ANSWER

Question 1.

Which language was recognized as the only official language of Sri Lanka in 1956? (2012)

Answer:

Sinhala

Question 2.

Apart from the Central and the State governments, which is the third type of government practised in Belgium? (2012)

Answer:

Community government

 

Question 3.

Define majoritarianism.

Answer:

Majoritarianism is rule by majority community by disregarding the needs and wishes of the minority community.

Question 4.

What measure was adopted by the democratically elected government of Sri Lanka to establish Sinhala Supremacy? 

Answer:

In 1956, an Act was passed to make Sinhala the official language.

The government followed preferential policies favouring Sinhala applicants for University positions and government jobs.

Question 5.

What is the language spoken by the people residing in the Wallonia region of Belgium? 

Answer:

People residing in Wallonia region of Belgium speak French.

Question 6.

What is meant by the system of ‘checks and balances’? 

Answer:

The horizontal distribution of power ensures that power is shared among different organs of government—the legislature, executive and judiciary. It allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers. The horizontal distribution of power is also called a system of checks and balances. This system ensures that none of these organs can exercise unlimited power. Each organ checks the other.

 

Question 7.

After independence, Sri Lanka witnessed the supremacy of which community? 

Answer:

Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948 and the democratically elected government adopted a series of measures to establish Sinhala supremacy.

Question 8.

Define the term ‘Ethnic’.

Answer:

Ethnic means a social division based on shared culture and common descent. People belonging to an ethnic group need not have the same religion or nationality.

 

Question 9.

What is vertical division of power?

Answer:

When power is shared among governments at different levels, i.e., the Union or the Central Government, the State Government and the Municipality and Panchayat at the lower level. This division of power involving higher and lower levels of government is called the vertical division of power.

Short Answer Questions 

Question 1.

Compare the different ways in which the Belgians and the Sri Lankans have dealt with the problem of cultural diversity. 

Answer:

Belgium:

1. Leaders realised that for the unity of the country it is important to respect the feelings and interests of different communities. 

2. The Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French speaking people shall be equal in the Central Government.

3. Both Dutch and French communities share power on an equal basis at the Centre. Along with the State Government, both communities have a third kind of Government called ‘Community Government’ which decides on cultural, education and language related issues.

Sri Lanka:

1. In Sri Lanka, there are two major communities, the Sinhalese speaking (74%) and Tamil speaking (18%). 

2. The majority community, the Sinhalese have forced their domination over Tamils, refusing to share power.

Both communities have lived in tension as the Sinhalese have denied political, educational, religious, employment and economic rights to the Tamils leading to Civil War.

3. In 1956, the Government passed an Act to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus disregarding Tamil.

Question 2.

How far do you agree with the statement that power sharing is keeping with the spirit of democracy? 

Answer:

Power sharing is desirable in democracy because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Conflict between social groups leads to violence and political instability. Power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order.

Imposing the will of majority community over others, in the long run may undermine the unity of the nation. Tyranny of the majority is not just oppressive for the minority, it often brings ruin to the majority as well.

 

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. Prudential reasons stress that power sharing brings out better outcomes whereas moral reasons emphasize the act of power sharing as valuable.

Question 3.

Explain any three consequences of the majoritarian policies adopted by the Sri Lankan government.

Answer:

1. Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948. The democratically elected government adopted a series of majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala Supremacy. Consequences of these majoritarian policies:

2. The Sri Lankan Tamils felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders were sensitive to their language and culture and the government policies denied them equal political rights which led to increased feeling of alienation among them.

3. The Sri Lankan Tamils felt that the constitution denied them equal rights in politics, in getting jobs and ignored their interests. The relation between the Tamil and Sinhala communities became extremely strained as a result.

4. The Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil, for regional autonomy and equality of opportunity in every field.

5. Therefore, the measures adopted by the government to establish Sinhala supremacy led to distrust between the two communities which turned the widespread conflict into a Civil War. 

6. As a result, thousands of people of both communities were killed and many families were forced to leave the country as refugees and lost their livelihoods.

Question 4.

Why is the ethnic composition of Belgium complex?

Answer:

1. Belgium is a small country in Europe, having a population of a little over one crore.

2.  59 per cent of the country’s total population lives in the Flemish region and speak Dutch language.

3. Another 40 per cent people live in Wallonia region and speak French. Remaining one per cent of the Belgians speak German.

4. Whereas in the Belgian capital, Brussels, 80 per cent of the population is French-speaking and 20 per cent is Dutch-speaking.

Question 05

How is Belgium’s power-sharing path different from any other country?

Or, 

Explain the four elements in the Belgian power-sharing model.

Or,

 Why do we find the Belgian model very complicated? How has it helped to prevent conflict and division of the country on linguistic lines?

Answer:

The power-sharing arrangements made by the Belgian leaders were different and more innovative than any other country. To recognise the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities, they amended their Constitution four times between 1970 and 1993.

The major elements of the Belgian Model are:

Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the Central Government. No single community can take decisions unilaterally.

The State Governments are not subordinate to the Central Government.

Brussels, the capital, has a separate government where both the communities have equal representation.

A third kind of government, ‘Community Government’, is elected by people belonging to one language community — Dutch, French and German speaking —no matter where they live. This government can decide on cultural, educational and language related issues.

Question 06

What is majoritarianism? Is it wrong if a majority community in a country rules? Give reasons to justify your answer.

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 is majoritarianism.

Yes, it is wrong if a majority community in a country rules.

The very idea of power-sharing has emerged in opposition to the notions of undivided political power.

A positive attitude towards diversity and willingness to accommodate it, is good for democracy.

Power in the hands of one community will make the other community feel marginalised, deprived and discriminated.

The struggle against such inequalities sometimes takes the path of conflict and defiance of State power as in Sri Lanka.

Long Answer Questions 

Question 01

Analyse how majoritarianism has increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils? 

Or

Mention the measures adopted by the government to establish Sinhala supremacy.

Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948. The democratically elected government adopted a series of measures to establish Sinhala supremacy:

In 1956, an Act was passed to make Sinhala the official language.

The government followed preferential policies favouring Sinhala applicants for University positions and government jobs.

The Constitution provided for State protection and fostering of Buddhism.

The Sri Lankan Tamils felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders were sensitive to their language and culture and the government policies denied them equal political rights which led to increased feeling of alienation among them.

The Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil, for regional autonomy and equality of opportunity in every field.

 

Therefore, the measures adopted by the government to establish Sinhala supremacy led to distrust between the two communities which turned the widespread conflict into a Civil War.

Question 02.

“Power Sharing is the very spirit of democracy”. Justify the statement. 

Answer:

1. A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise. Power sharing ensures that people have the right to be consulted and have equal participation in the government.

2. In a democracy, each individual has a say in governance through their elected representatives. This is the essence of power sharing that grants equal rights to each citizen.

3. Sharing of power ensures that respect for diversity and desire for living together becomes a shared ideal amongst different communities in a country. It actually makes the country united and the administration easier.

4. Prudential reasons stress that power sharing would bring out better outcomes by helping to reduce the possibility of any conflict between the social groups.

5. Power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order through unity of the nation.

Question 03.

Describe the vertical and horizontal forms of power sharing exercised in India.

Answer:

1. Vertical distribution of power. Power can be shared among governments at different levels —a general government for the entire country and governments at provincial or regional level. This is the federal form of government.

2. When power is shared among governments at different levels, i.e., the Union or the Central Government, the State Government and the Municipality and Panchayat at the lower level. This division of power involving higher and lower levels of government is called the vertical division of power.

3. Horizontal distribution of power. Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. This is horizontal distribution of power. It ensures that power is shared among different organs of government—the legislature, executive and judiciary. It allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers.

4. The horizontal distribution of power is also called a system of checks and balances.

5. This system ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited power. Each organ checks the other. This results in a balance of power among various institutions.

 

Example: In India the judiciary has an independent status. The Supreme Court is the apex court of justice. The Parliament is the legislative body where the laws to be made.

SOURCES

1. CLASS 10 NCERT BOOK

2. INTERNET DATABASE

PREPARED BY

DR. SANTOSH ANAND MISHRA

D A V PUBLIC SCHOOL

MANPUR 

GAYA

MY FIRST BOOK LINK