Class: X Subject: Democratic Politics II

Topic: Power Sharing In-text Answer Key

1. Belgium is a small country in Europe. It shares borders with the Netherlands, France,
Luxembourg, and Germany.

2. A social division based on shared culture. People belonging to the same ethnic group believe in
their common descent because of similarities of physical type or of culture or both. They need
not always have the same religion or nationality.

3. Ethnic Composition of Belgium –

Belgium (Nation)
59% 40% 01%
Flemish Region Wallonia Region Belgians
Dutch Speakers French Speakers German Speakers

Brussels (Capital City)

80% 20%
French Dutch
Relatively Rich and Powerful Got Economic Development and Education much later

4. Ethnic Composition of Sri Lanka –

Sri Lanka

74% 18%
Sinhala Speakers Tamil Speakers
(In Minority)
(In Majority) 13% 5%
Sri Lankan Tamils Indian Tamils
Buddhist Hindu & Muslims
7% Christians

5. The major tension between two communities Belgium –

The Dutch-speaking people constituted a majority in the country, but a minority in the capital.

6. ‘Majoritarianism – 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.
7. The aims of the Act of 1956, in Sri Lanka –
o The State shall foster and protect Buddhism,
o For jobs in Government and University position, the policies framed were in favour of
Sinhala applicants.

8. The circumstances have gradually increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan
Tamils –
o In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus
disregarding Tamil.
o The governments followed preferential policies.
o None of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders was sensitive to
their language and culture.

9. The circumstances that led a civil war in Sri Lanka –

o The majoritarian measures and policies implemented by Sinhala community increased
the feeling of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils.
o They felt that the constitution and government policies denied them equal political
rights, Discriminated against them in getting jobs and other opportunities and ignored
their interests.
o As a result, the relations between Sinhala and Tamil communities got strained over time.
o The Sri Lankan launched parties and struggles, by 1980, several political organizations
were formed.
o They demanded an independent Tamil Eelam (state).
o These demands were repeatedly denied by Sinhala Government.
o The distrust between two communities turned into widespread conflict, later into civil
war.

10. Belgium is a model for accommodative politics in Europe.

o The constitution allows for equal representation of Dutch and French-speaking
ministers in the central government.
o Brussels has a separate government where both the French and the Dutch have equal
representation.
o The state government in Belgium is not subordinate to the central government.
o Community governments also engage common people in governance.

11. Community government is a government for each ethnic community. These community
governments are elected by people belonging to one language community – Dutch, French and
German speaking – no matter where they live. This government has the power to take decisions
regarding matters relating to culture, education and language-related issues. This system of
government helped to avoid civic strife between the two major communities of Belgium.

12. The headquarters of European Union situated in Brussels.

13. Belgium and Sri Lanka have handled the demands of Power Sharing in following ways –
o 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. Such a
realisation resulted in mutually acceptable arrangements for sharing power.
o Sri Lanka shows us a contrasting example. It shows us 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.
14. Two different sets of reasons can be given in favour of power sharing –
o Prudential Reasons – i) power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility
of conflict between social groups.
ii) Power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order.
o Moral Reasons – i) Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy.
ii) A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise, and who
have to live with its effects
o The prudential reasons stress that power sharing will bring out better outcomes, moral
reasons emphasise the very act of power sharing as valuable.

15. In modern democracies, power sharing arrangements can take many forms.
o Among different organs of government – Power is shared among different organs of
government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary.
This horizontal distribution of power allows different organs of government placed
at the same level to exercise different powers. Also known as the system of ‘checks and
balances’.
o Among governments at different levels – Power can be shared among governments at
different levels – a general government for the entire country and governments at the
provincial or regional level. This is called federal division of power.
o Among different social groups – Power may also be shared among different social
groups, such as the religious and linguistic groups. ‘Community government’ in Belgium
is a good example of this arrangement.
o Political parties, pressure groups and movements – Power sharing arrangements can
also be seen in the way political parties, pressure groups and movements control or
influence those in power.