CLASS 10 POLITICAL SCIENCE CHAPTER-1 POWER SHARING

  

Power Sharing

Story of Belgium

Belgium is a small country in Europe with a population of over 1 crore, which is about half the population of Haryana.

The country has three main language communities:

Dutch-speaking: 59%

French-speaking: 40%

German-speaking: 1%

Social Tensions

The French-speaking minority was economically more powerful and well-educated.

This created tensions between the Dutch-speaking majority and the French-speaking minority during the 1950s and 1960s.

Accommodation in Belgium

Belgium handled the situation through constitutional arrangements, known as the Belgium Model, made between 1970 and 1993, during which the constitution was amended four times.

Key Features of the Belgium Model

1. Equal number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers in the Central Government.

2. Some special laws require approval from both linguistic groups.

3. No single community can make decisions unilaterally.

4. State governments are not subordinate to the Central Government.

5. Brussels, the capital, has a separate government with equal representation from both communities.

6. In addition to Central and State Governments, there is a third kind of government:

A Community Government elected by people from one linguistic group (Dutch, French, or German), regardless of where they live.

It has powers related to cultural, educational, and language-related issues.

 Note: - Though the Belgium model is complex, it successfully avoided civic strife between the major communities.

Story of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island nation with a population of 2 crores, roughly equal to Haryana’s.

The country has a diverse population, mainly:

Sinhala-speakers: 74%

Tamil-speakers: 18%

Among Tamils:

Sri Lankan Tamils

Indian Tamils (descendants of Indian plantation workers)

Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka

Gained independence in 1948.

The Sinhala majority formed the government and imposed its dominance on others.

The government adopted majoritarian policies, such as:

1. Preferential treatment to Sinhala applicants in government jobs and universities.

2. Declaring Sinhala as the only official language.

These steps led to alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils, who felt:

Denied equal political rights

Discriminated in jobs and education

Their interests ignored

Civil War

Tamils launched political struggles for:

Recognition of Tamil as an official language

Regional autonomy

Equality of opportunity

But the government repeatedly denied their demands.

This led to a civil war, causing:

Thousands of deaths

Displacement of families

Economic and social damage

The civil war ended in 2009, but the consequences were devastating.

Lessons from Belgium and Sri Lanka

1. Both are democracies, but they handled power sharing differently.

2. Belgium ensured unity by respecting diversity and making mutual arrangements for power sharing.

3. Sri Lanka ignored the interests of the minority, leading to conflict and division.

Conclusion: For national unity, it is essential to share power among all communities and respect their interests.

Why is Power Sharing Desirable?

1. Reduces the chances of conflict between social groups.

2. Promotes stability and unity in a democracy.

3. Democratic rule requires that people affected by decisions should be consulted.

4. It ensures inclusive governance where everyone’s voice matters.

Forms of Power Sharing

1. Among different levels of government

(e.g., Central, State, and Local governments – Vertical division of power)

2. Among different social groups

(e.g., religious or linguistic communities)

3. Among political parties, pressure groups, and movements

(e.g., through coalition governments)

4. Among different organs of government

(e.g., Legislature, Executive, Judiciary – Horizontal division of power)

CBSE BOARD EXAMINATION 

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. Which language was recognized as the only official language of Sri Lanka in 1956?

Answer: Sinhala

Q2. Apart from the Central and State Governments, what is the third type of government in Belgium?

Answer: Community Government

Q3. Define majoritarianism.

Answer: Majoritarianism is a belief where the majority community rules by disregarding the interests and needs of the minority community.

Q4. What measures were adopted by the Sri Lankan government to establish Sinhala supremacy?

Answer:

In 1956, an Act was passed making Sinhala the only official language.

Preferential policies were adopted favoring Sinhala applicants in universities and government jobs.

Q5. What language is spoken in the Wallonia region of Belgium?

Answer: French

Q6. What is meant by the system of ‘checks and balances’?

Answer: It is the horizontal distribution of power among various government organs (legislature, executive, judiciary), ensuring no organ has absolute power and each checks the others.

Q7. After independence, which community established supremacy in Sri Lanka?

Answer: The Sinhala community

Q8. Define ‘Ethnic’.

Answer: Ethnic refers to a social division based on shared culture, language, or ancestry. Ethnic groups may have different religions or nationalities.

Q9. What is vertical division of power?

Answer: It refers to power sharing among different levels of government.

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.

Belgium:

1. Belgian leaders realised that respecting the feelings and interests of different communities was essential for national unity.

2. The Constitution ensures equal representation of Dutch and French-speaking people in the Central Government.

3. Power is shared equally at the Centre. Additionally, a third type of government called the Community Government was introduced. It takes decisions on cultural, educational, and linguistic matters for each community.

Sri Lanka:

1. Sri Lanka has two major communities — Sinhalese (74%) and Tamils (18%).

2. The Sinhalese majority imposed its dominance, refusing to share power with Tamils, leading to tension and discrimination in political, educational, economic, and cultural fields.

3. In 1956, the government passed an act declaring Sinhala as the only official language, ignoring Tamil completely, which led to civil unrest.

Question 2:

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

Answer:

Yes, I completely agree. Power sharing is essential for democracy because:

1. It helps reduce conflicts between social groups, ensuring political stability and unity.

2. Imposing the majority's will over minorities can weaken the nation and lead to discontent.

3. In a democracy, people must be consulted and have a role in governance.

4. Power sharing brings better outcomes (prudential reason) and is morally right because it respects all citizens equally.

5. A legitimate government is one in which citizens have a stake through participation.

Question 3:

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

Answer:

1. The Sinhalese-majority government passed laws promoting Sinhala language and Buddhism, marginalising Tamil culture and rights.

2. Tamils were denied equal political rights and job opportunities, creating feelings of alienation.

3. Tamils launched struggles demanding equal rights, language recognition, and regional autonomy.

4. Distrust grew between both communities, eventually leading to a prolonged Civil War.

5. Thousands died, many fled as refugees, and the country suffered economically and socially.

Question 4:

Why is the ethnic composition of Belgium complex?

Answer:

1. Belgium has a population of just over one crore.

2. 59% of people live in the Flemish region and speak Dutch.

3. 40% live in Wallonia and speak French, while 1% speak German.

4. In Brussels (the capital), 80% speak French and 20% speak Dutch, making it highly diverse and linguistically divided.

Question 5:

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 prevent conflict and division of the country on linguistic lines?

Answer:

Belgium's power-sharing model is unique and innovative. To manage regional and cultural differences, the Belgian Constitution was amended four times (1970–1993). 

Key features include:

1. Equal representation of Dutch and French-speaking ministers in the Central Government. No single community can make unilateral decisions.

2. State Governments are independent and not subordinate to the Central Government.

3. Brussels has a separate government with equal representation of both communities.

4. A Community Government exists for Dutch, French, and German speakers to handle cultural, educational, and language matters, irrespective of region.

This model helped avoid division and maintained unity in a linguistically diverse nation.

Question 6:

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

Answer:

Majoritarianism is the belief that the majority community should have the power to rule the country as it wants, ignoring the interests and rights of minorities.

Yes, it is wrong, because:

1. Democracy thrives on inclusive governance and equal respect for all communities.

2. Power concentrated in one group leads to marginalisation and discontent.

3. It weakens national unity and can result in conflict, as seen in Sri Lanka.

4. Power sharing promotes balance, cooperation, and stability in diverse societies.

Long Answer Questions

Question 1:

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

Or

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

Answer:

After independence in 1948, Sri Lanka's elected government adopted majoritarian policies:

1. The 1956 Act made Sinhala the only official language, excluding Tamil.

2. Preferential policies were introduced favouring Sinhalese in government jobs and university admissions.

3. The Constitution supported Buddhism, sidelining other religions.

4. Tamil concerns about their language, culture, and identity were ignored.

As a result:

Sri Lankan Tamils felt alienated and denied equal rights.

They demanded recognition of Tamil and regional autonomy.

Conflict between communities led to a Civil War, with mass suffering, deaths, and displacement.

Question 2:

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

Answer:

1. Power sharing allows people affected by government actions to have a say in governance.

2. It respects each citizen’s voice through elected representatives.

3. It builds a spirit of cooperation and unity in a diverse society.

4. It prevents domination by one group and reduces chances of conflict.

5. It ensures stable, inclusive, and participatory political order — the very heart of democracy.

Question 3:

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

Answer:

1. Vertical Power Sharing:

Power is divided among different levels of government — Central, State, and Local (Panchayats and Municipalities).

This is a federal structure where each level has its own responsibilities.

2. Horizontal Power Sharing:

Power is shared among different organs of the government — Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.

All organs are at the same level but have separate powers.

This system of checks and balances ensures no organ becomes too powerful.

Example:

The Judiciary in India is independent.

The Parliament makes laws, the Executive implements them, and the Judiciary interprets them.

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