CHAPTER 1
Power
Sharing
OVERVIEW
This chapter emphasizes on importance of Power Sharing, i.e.
sharing of power of decision makings, policy makings etc., between
different authorities, in Democratic system of Governance.
Various types of power sharing is observed in a Democratic system.
Power sharing between state governments and central government,
power sharing between judiciary, legislature, and executive are
examples of power sharing.
Power sharing is also observed between different linguistic groups
in order to make peace between them.
In this chapter, power sharing and its importance is observed via real
time examples of Sri Lanka and Belgium.
SRI LANKA
Geographical position
• A smaller island in Asia, off the Southern coast of
Tamil Nadu.
Population
• About two crore (same as Haryana)
CASE of SRI LANKA
The linguistic structure of Sri Lanka, based on language is as Following
Majority : Sinhala
Minority: Tamil Speaking
Speaking
Sri Lankan
Indian Tamils
Tamils
Buddhists
(Religion Christians Hindu Muslims
followed by
majority of
Sinhalas)
Majoritarianism Policy
Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948.
Sri Lanka attained policy of Majoritarianism, i.e. the
majority Sinhala speaking group made policies, that were
beneficial for development of their culture but neglected
minority Tamilians.
In 1956, an Act was passed to recognize Sinhala as the
only official language, thus disregarding Tamil.
A new constitution stated that the state shall protect and
foster Buddhism.
Sinhalas were preferred for universities and government
jobs.
Consequences
Tamils felt discrimination, opposed the policy of majoritarianism.
Conflict arose between both Tamils and Sinhala community, demand of
New independent Tamil state Tamil Elam arose.
Tamil militants group were formed, for example LTTE( Liberation Tigers
of Tamil Elam).
This was followed by civil war.
This conflict caused loss of lives, properties.
It created hindrance in development of Sri Lanka.
Many families were forced to leave the country as refugees and many
Answer these questions
What is the linguistic structure of Sri Lanka?
Which policy is adopted in Sri Lanka for power
sharing?
Why did the Tamils in opposition of the majoritarian
policy?
CASE OF BELIGIUM
Ethnic Composition of Belgium
French: 40%
Dutch: 59% Wallonia Region German: 1%
Flemish Region Comparatively lesser in
number but richest
community
Ethnic Composition of Brussels: Capital City of Belgium
Dutch 20% French 80%
French Minority were richer community. The Dutch was larger in number. There
was conflict between two communities in 1950-60s. The problem was more acute
in Capital as French were in majority in Capital but minority in country.
Accommodation policy
The path taken by Belgium was different from Sri Lankan
Majoritarian Policy.
Between 1970 and 1993, their constitution amended four
times to enable everyone to live together within the same
country.
A power Sharing arrangement was established for
establishment of peace in the country.
The number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers made
equal in the central government.
No single community can make decisions unilaterally.
Powers were given to state governments. The state
governments not subordinate to the Central
Government.
Brussels has a separate government in which both the
communities have equal representation.
Apart from the Central and the State Government, there
is a third kind of government- ‘community government’ -
elected by people belonging to one language community
– Dutch, French and German-speaking
Consequences
A Complicated Constitution was framed.
Peace was established between all linguist groups of
Belgium, leading stability and a path opened for
development of Country.
A potential division of country was avoided.
When many countries of Europe came together to form
the European Union, Brussels was chosen as its
headquarters.
Comparing both cases
• Majoritarian Policy in Sri • Accommodation Policy led to
Lanka led to conflict peace in Belgium
• Majoritarian Policy in Sri • Accommodation policy made
Lanka led to demand of all linguistic community to
separate state for a particular live together in same country.
linguistic group
• Despite of complex
• Political instability was there constitution political stability
in Sri Lanka was obtained in Belgium.
• Belgium became one of the
• Development was hindered important places in Europe
in Sri Lanka and get HQ of European
Union.
Advantages of Power Sharing
Prudential Moral
• Power sharing is the very spirit of
democracy.
Bring out better outcomes • A democratic rule involves sharing
power with those affected by its
• Reduces Social Conflict exercise, and who have to live with
• its effects.
Reduces chances of division
• People have a right to be consulted
• Political Stability on how they are to be governed.
• Open Path ways of • A legitimate government is one
development where citizens, through
participation, acquire a support in
the system.
Types of Power Sharing
Power sharing
Power Sharing
between
between
different
government of
organs of
different levels:
Government: Power Sharing
Federal Power Sharing
Power Sharing between
Government: between
between different social
Power sharing Political
legislature, Groups:
between Central Parties, social
executive and Example of
and state Groups etc.
judiciary : Belgium
Governments :
Also Known as
Power sharing of
Horizontal
Gram Panchayat
distribution
is similar example.
1. Different organs of government
Horizontal distribution of power-
Legislature, Executive, Judiciary
Different organs placed at same level.
None can exercise unlimited power.
Each organ check the other.
Also called a system of checks and balances
2. Governments at different levels
Vertical division of power
Called Federal government
Govt. at different levels – Provincial govt.
Regional govt.
In India- Central govt.
State govt.
Local govt.
Referred to as Federal division of power
3. Power shared among social
groups
Regional groups Social groups
Eg.- Community govt. in Belgium
Through this arrangement socially weaker sections and women
are represented in the legislatures and administration.
It give space to diverse social groups in the govt. and
administration.
4. Political parties, pressure
groups and movements
Competition between the parties for gaining power.
It ensures power not being in one hand.
Power shared among political parties through coalition
government.
Interest groups such as those of traders, businessmen,
industrialists, farmers and industrial workers also influence
working of government and decision making.
Refer the link for the video of the chapter-
https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj2j7N1Atq4&list=PLNz
32RYOjBeofq8srL7tkfSwHND9gcazz&index=8&t=0s
