Power sharing (CLASS- 10)

Belgium

● Belgium is a small country in Europe, smaller in area than the Indian

state Of Haryana, and has a population of about one crore which is again
half of The population of Haryana.
● It shares its border with France, the Netherlands, Germany, and
Luxembourg.
● Ethnic diversity in this country is very complicated.
● The Dutch language is spoken by 59% of the country’s total population,
French is spoken by 40%, and German is spoken by the remaining 1%.
● In Brussels, Belgium’s capital, 80% of the population speak French, while
The remaining 20% speak Dutch.
● The rich and powerful minority French-speaking community benefited
From economic development and education.
● These indifferences created tensions between the Dutch-speaking and
French-speaking communities during the 1950s and 1960s.

Sri Lanka

● Sri Lanka has a diverse population like Belgium. It is an island nation

Having a population of 2 crores, about the same as in the Indian state of
Haryana.
● The largest social groups are the Sinhala-speakers which form 74% and the
Tamil-speakers who form 18% of the total population.
● There are two subgroups of Tamils: those who are native to the country
are Known as “Sri Lankan Tamils,” while those whose forefathers during the
Colonial period came from India as population workers are referred to as
“Indian Tamils.”
● A vast majority of Sinhala speakers are Buddhists, while a vast majority of
Tamils are Hindus or Muslims. There are approximately 7% of Christians
Who are both Tamil and Sinhala.

Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka became an independent country in 1948. The Sinhala leaders
sought to Secure dominance over the government through their majority.
● An Act was passed in 1956 to recognize Sinhala as the sole official
Language of the country.
● In addition, the government used preferential policies to favor Sinhala
Applicants for university positions and government jobs. The Sri Lankan
Tamils began to feel alienated as a result of the government’s actions.
● A slew of political organizations had emerged by the 1980s, calling for an
Independent Tamil Eelam (state) in the country’s east and north.
● The mutual distrust between the two communities escalated into
Widespread conflict. It rapidly devolved into civil war.

Accommodation in Belgium

The government of Belgium handled the community difference very well.

Belgian leaders amended their constitution four times between 1970
and 1993, Resulting in a new model for government administration. The
Belgian model Includes the following elements:

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 ● According to the Constitution, the number of Dutch and French-
speaking Ministers in the Central Government must be equal. Some
special laws Necessitate the approval of most of the members from each
linguistic Group. As a result, no single community can make decisions
unilaterally.
● The state governments are independent of the Central Government.
● Brussels has a separate government with equal representation for both
Communities.
● Community government is the third type of government, in addition to the
Central and state governments, that is elected by members of a particular
Language-speaking group. This government has authority over cultural,
Educational, and language-related issues.

Why is power sharing desirable?

Power-sharing is beneficial because it reduces the likelihood of conflict
between Social groups. Another reason is that a democratic rule implies
sharing power With those who are affected by it and who must live with its
consequences. People Have the right to be consulted about how they will be
governed.

Forms of Power Sharing

● When power is shared among the various components of government,

such As the executive, legislature, and judiciary, this is referred to the as
Horizontal distribution of power. India is one such example.
● Vertical distribution of power also known as the federal government, in
Which power is shared within the government but at different levels, such
as a central government for the country and a provincial government for
Each state. One such example is the United States.

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 ● Different social groups, such as religious and linguistic groups, may
share Power. The Belgian model of ‘community government’ is a good
example Of this.
● Power-sharing can also be seen in how political parties, pressure groups,
And movements control or influence those in power.

Important Question and Answers

1. What do you mean by a system of ‘checks and balances?

Ans: When power is distributed horizontally, it is shared among the

various Components of government, such as the executive, legislature,
and judiciary. Each Organ validates the other organs. As a result, there
seems to be a balance of power Among various institutions. This is
known as a ‘checks and balances system. It Ensures that none of the
organs have unrestricted power.

2. What is majoritarianism?

Ans: Majoritarianism is the belief that the majority community should be

able to Rule a country in whatever way it deems appropriate, regardless
of the wishes and Needs of the minority.

3. How is power-sharing the true spirit of democracy?

Ans: Power-sharing embodies the spirit of democracy because it is one of

the Fundamental principles underlying the concept of democratic rule.

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● In a democracy, citizens have the right to be consulted on how they
Should be governed, and all citizens generally have the same political And
legal rights.

● Each individual and community has a voice in governance through their

Elected representatives.
● Power-sharing ensures accommodation while also preventing any
Majority group from abusing its authority.
● It strengthens the minority’s voice and makes them feel as wanted as Any
other majority group in the country.

4. What do you mean by a vertical division of power?

Ans: A vertical division of power refers to the sharing of power between

different Levels of government, such as the Central and State
governments. Power is Divided between a higher and lower level of
government in this system.
5. Which community supremacy was witnessed in post-independence
Sri Lanka?

Ans: The dominant Sinhala community and the immigrant population of

Sri Lanka experienced supremacy after the country’s independence in
1948. Through Government favors, the Sinhalese were able to influence
the government and Spread their language and culture while demonizing
the Tamil language and Culture. They reduced government employment
and higher education Opportunities for Tamils.

6. State the three consequences of the majoritarian policies adopted by

the Post-independence Sri Lankan government.

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 Ans: Three consequences of the majoritarian policies adopted by the Sri
Lankan

Government are:

● The Buddhist Sinhala leaders were insensitive to Sri Lankan Tamils’

Culture and language, leaving them feeling neglected and upset. They
Felt that the government was practicing religious discrimination.

● Tamils experienced job and educational discrimination. They believed

That the constitution denied them equal rights and opportunities, which
Strained the relationship between the two communities even further.
● Sri Lankan Tamils formed political parties and began campaigns for Equal
rights, language recognition, and regional autonomy.

7. What are the principles of a good democracy?

Ans:

● One fundamental principle of democracy is that all political power lies

With the people. The power of any government should not be
Concentrated in the hands of a single person or group of people.
● There must be equal respect for all groups, and everyone should be able
To have a say in public policy.
● The government in power should prioritize the fulfillment of the People’s
rights and demands, and they should not act arbitrarily.

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