Power Sharing Notes
Uploaded by
PTPPower Sharing Notes
Uploaded by
PTPPOWER
SHARING
Made By PTP
POWER SHARING
Ethnic Groups- A social division based on shared culture. This may
be based on same language, religion or nationality.
Two Cases of Belgium and Sri Lanka
BELGIUM
1. Belgium is a small country in Europe with almost one crore
population and shared borders with France, Germany,
Luxembourg, Netherlands.
2. 59 % lives in the Flemish region and speaks Dutch language.
3. 40 % people live in Wallonia and speaks French.
4. Remaining 1% of the Belgians speaks German.
5. In the capital city Brussels, 80% people speaks French while
20% speak Dutch. BELGIUM BRUSSELS
1% 20%
40%
59%
80%
French Dutch Germans French Dutch
Result:- Tension
between the two
groups.
Accommodation in Belgium
The Belgium recognized the existence of regional differences
and cultural diversities.
Between 1970 and 1993, the Belgian constitution was
amended four times so as to ensure everyone to live
together peacefully.
Some elements of Belgian model are:-
1. Number of Dutch and French speaking ministers are
equal in the central government. No single community can
make decisions unilaterally.
2. Many powers of the central govt. are given to state
governments. The state government are not subordinate
to the central government.
3. Brussels has a separate govt. in which both the
communities have equal representation.
4. Apart from the central and state governments, there is
also a community govt. It is elected by people belonging
to one language community.
This govt. has power regarding cultural, educational and
language related issues.
Belgian model is complex but accommodating. It has helped
to avoid civic strife between the two major communities and
a possible division of the country on linguistic lines.
SRI LANKA
1. Sri Lanka is an island nation with a population
about two crores.
2. The major social groups are the Sinhala-
speakers (74%) and the Tamil – speakers (18%).
3.Tamils are divided into two groups:- Sri Lankan
Tamils(13%) and Indian Tamils(5%).
4. Most of the Sinhala- speaking people are
Buddhists, while most of the Tamils are Hindus
and Muslims.
5.There are about 7% Christians, who are both
Tamil and Sinhala.
SRI LANKA
8%
18%
74%
SINHALESE TAMILS Others
Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka
1. Majority group of Sinhala speakers sought to secure
dominance over govt. by virtue of their majority. Thus, they
adopted Majoritarianism measures to establish Sinhala
supremacy.
2. Sinhala was made the only official language in 1956.
3. Government also favored Sinhala applicants for university
position and govt. jobs.
4. Government protected Buddhism.
Result:- Increased the feeling of alienation among Sri Lankan
Tamils.
They felt the constitution and govt. policies denied them equal
political rights, discriminated against them in getting jobs and
other opportunities and ignored their interests.
Result:- Gap between Tamils and Sinhaleses.
The 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.
By 1980s several political organizations were formed demanding
an independent Tamil state (Eelam) in Northern and Eastern parts
of Sri Lanka.
But their demands were repeatedly denied.
It soon turned into a CIVIL WAR.
BELGIUM & SRI LANKA
A COMPARISION
BELGIUM SRI LANKA
Policy of power sharing. Policy of Majoritarianism.
Equal powers to both More power to majority.
ethnicities.
Provision of community No such provision.
government.
Equal representation of Only Sinhaleses were
both ethnic groups. represented.
State govt. are not No distribution of power
subordinate to central between central and
govt. state govt.
No official religion. Buddhism was declared
as official religion.
Policies led better Policies led to Civil War.
accommodation in
Belgium.
Why power sharing is desirable?
Prudential reason:-
Power sharing reduces the possibility of conflict
between social groups.
Power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability
of political order.
Also, imposing the will of majority communities over
others undermines the unity of the nation.
Moral reason:-
Power sharing is the spirit of democracy.
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.
PRUDENTIAL REASON STRESS POWER SHARING WILL
BRING OUT BETTER OUTCOMES.
MORAL REASONS EMPHASIS THE ACT OF POWER
SHARING AS VALUABLE.
Forms of Power-Sharing
For a long time it was believed that all powers must
reside in one person or group of persons to take
quick decisions and to enforce them.
But in democracy, people are the source of all
political power.
Principles of democracy
• People have power.
• People rule themselves.
• Due respect is given to diverse groups and views.
In a democracy, political power should be distributed
among as many citizens as possible.
Power sharing arrangements:-
1. Power is shared among different organs of govt.
POWER
Legislature Executive Judiciary
Horizontal distribution
Different organs of govt. are placed at same level to exercise
different powers. Each organ checks others.
Result;- Balance of power CHECKS AND BALANCES
2. Power is shared among govt. at different levels.
Federal govt. [for the entire country]
In India, Central/Union govt.
POWER Provincial / Regional govt.
In India, State govt.
Vertical distribution
Local govt.
Municipality and Panchayat
Not all democracies have federal structure.
India has 3 levels in federal govt.
Unlike Sri Lanka, Belgium follows Federalism.
3. Power may also be shared among different social groups.
Example:- Community govt. in Belgium
Also, in some countries there are constitutional and legal
arrangements whereby socially weaker sections and women
are represented in the legislatures and administration.
To give space in govt. and administration to diverse
social groups who otherwise would feel alienated from
the govt.
To give minority communities a fair share.
4. Power is also shared by political parties, pressure groups
and movements.
In contemporary democracies, the division of power takes the
form of competition among different parties.
Powers are shared by political parties that represent
different ideologies and social groups.
Some times, parties form alliances and if they are elected
they form a coalition govt.
Different communities also share power, either through
participation in governmental committees or bringing
influence on the decision making process.