POWER SHARING

1Q.Describe the ethnic composition of Belgium.

A. The ethnic composition of Belgium is very complex.
1. The country is linguistically divided into three groups, I, e Dutch, French and Germany.
2. 59% live in Flemish region and speak Dutch, another 40% speak French while they live in
Wallonia region. Remaining 1% speak German.
3. In the capital 80% people speak French 20% are Dutch speaking.
2Q. what are the demands of Sri Lankan Tamils?
1. Sri Lankan Tamils demanded for the recognition of Tamil as an official language.
2. Equality in opportunity in securing education and jobs
3. They demanded regional autonomy.
4. Later they demanded an independent Tamil Elam (state).
3Q. what is horizontal distribution of power sharing?
1. When power is shared among different organs of government, such as legislature,
executive and Judiciary, placed at the same level.
2. This type of distribution of power ensures that none of the organs exercise unlimited
power.
3. Each organ checks the other hence this is called a system of checks and balances.
4Q. Power sharing is the true spirit of democracy. Justify the statement.
What are the prudential reasons of power sharing?
Why is power sharing is desirable?
1. It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.
2. It always brings better outcomes in democracy.
3. It ensures political stability in democracy
5Q. Describe the measures taken by the government in Sri Lanka to secure majoritarianism.
Write the measures adopted by the government to establish Sinhala supremacy.
1. According to new constitution state shall protect and foster Buddhism.
2. Preference is given to Sinhala people in higher education and jobs.
3. In 1956 an act was passed under which Sinhala language declared as official language.
6Q. Write ethnic composition of Sri Lanka.
Write a brief note of population of Sri Lanka.
1.74% are Sinhala speakers
2. 18% are Tamil speakers (13% are Sri Lankan Tamils rest Indian Tamils).
3. 7% constitute Christians.( both Sinhala and Tamil)
7Q. what led tension between the Dutch speaking and French speaking communities during 1950s
and 1960s.
 What was the basic reason for the conflict between French and Dutch speaking
communities in Belgium?
1. The majority French speaking community was relatively rich and powerful.
2. This was resented by the Dutch speaking community who got the benefit of economic
development and education much later.
3. This led to tension between between Dutch and French speaking communities.
8Q. what are the moral reasons of power sharing?
1. Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy.
2. People have a right to be consulted
3. It involves people’s participations in democratic practices.
9Q. Compare the power sharing mechanism of Belgium and Sri Lanka.
1. Both Belgium and Sri Lanka are democracies, yet they have dealt it differently.
2. Belgium leaders realised that for the unity of the country it is important to respect the
feelings and interests of different communities
3. The Belgian model of power sharing between the centre, states and community
governments has led to unification of the country.
4. In Sri Lanka the majority community Sinhala established their dominance over minority.
5. Sri Lankan government followed preferential policies disregarding the interests of Tamils
that eventually led to civil war.
10Q. In modern democracies power sharing can takes different forms. Discuss.
1. Horizontal Power sharing: It refers to power sharing among different organs of government.
Example: Legislature, Executive and Judiciary.
2. Vertical power sharing: In this type of power sharing, power is shared among different levels
of governments.
Example: Central, state and Local governments.
3. Social Groups: Power is shared among different social groups of language and religion.
Example: reservations
4. Political parties and Pressure Groups: Different political parties come together to form
government when no party gets clear majority.
5. Different pressure groups, interest groups and movements al
6. so directly and indirectly influence decision making process of the government.
11Q. How did the Belgian government solve its ethnic problem?
What are the interesting elements ( features) of Belgian government?
Describe the steps taken by the Belgian government to solve ethnic problem.
Write the main features of power sharing arrangements made in Belgium.
1. Equal number of ministers for both groups Dutch and French in the central government
2. Many of the powers of the central government have been given to the states governments
of the two regions of the country. The state governments are no longer subordinate to the
central governments
3. Brussels has a separate government in which both communities have equal representation.
4. There is a third type of government called the community government. This government is
elected by the people belonging to one language.
5. This government has the power relating to culture, education and language issues.