Power Sharing

Ch-1 POWER SHARING
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1) Describe the different form of power sharing in modern democracies. Give an example of each of these.
Ans –The different forms of power sharing in modern democracies are-
 Horizontal Level of Power Sharing- Power is shared among different organs of government such as legislature,
executive and judiciary. Each organ checks the other hence it is also called as the system of checks and balance.
 Vertical Level of Power Sharing- It is the sharing of power among the different levels of government. In India we
refer to it as Central Government, State Government, municipality or gram panchayat.
 Power sharing among social groups- It is the sharing of power among the religious or linguistic groups.
Constitutional and legal arrangements are made where the weaker sections of woman are represented in the
legislature and administration. This is done to give space to the diverse social groups. This also give minorities a
fair share of power.
 Power sharing among political parties- Such power sharing among different parties ensures that power does not
remain in one hand and is shared among other different political parties. this kind of power sharing is also seen
in the formation of coalition government.
2) What do we learn from the story of Sri Lanka? Should India follow This model?
Ans- The distrust between two communities of Sri Lanka turned into widespread conflict.
It soon turned into a civil war in which thousands of people of both the communities were killed, thousands became
homeless and were forced to leave the country.
The story of Sri Lanka teaches us the lesson of power sharing among various communities, various prudential and
moral reasons for power sharing are desirable to ensure stability in the political order of a country.
The rule of majority in a country leads to conflict in society and eventually to bloody civil war.
India should not follow this model since in India there are many different communities and religions.
It would be very difficult if the power would concentrate in one hand thus is shared among other different
communities with equal rights to all people.
3) In what way was the Belgian method better?

 The Belgians gave equal importance to listen groups at the centre, there were both French and Dutch ministers
and their numbers were equal.
 The centre and the states had equal and independent powers, if new laws were made they had to pass with the
majority in both ethnic groups.
 A separate government was elected in the city of Brussels, a 3rd community government comprising Dutch,
French and German speaking people.
 This community looked after the language, culture and educational issues
 In short the Belgians tried to avoid all tensions and conflicts by accommodating the needs and wishes of all
ethnic groups but with extremely complicated manner.
4) What is majoritarianism? How has it increased the feelings of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils?
Explain with examples.
Ans- ‘Majoritarianism’ is a concept which signifies 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.
The majoritarian concept has increased the strong feelings of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils because of the
series of majoritarian measures adopted by Sinhala after independence in 1948
(i) In 1956 an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language thus disregarding Tamil.
(ii) The Government followed policies that favoured Sinhalas for university positions and government jobs.
5) Why is power sharing desirable?

Ans- Power sharing is desirable in democracy because:
(a) It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and
political instability.
(b) It is a good way to ensure the stability of political order.
(c) People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.
(d) In the long run it builds unity of the nation.
(e)Power sharing is the spirit of democracy.
6) Explain the significance of democracy in details?
Ans- Democracy is a system of government where citizens are allowed to participate in the proposal and election.
Democracy involves power-sharing and giving voice to people through their representatives. It has countless benefits
such as:
 It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Since social conflict often leads to
violence and political instability.
 It creates harmony and balance, and the government is for and by the people, who elect the government
and can remove it through their votes.
 Prevents abuse of power because if he do so the people will vote the elected ruler out if he tries to abuse
the power vested in him.
7) Compare the ways in which the Belgium and the Sri Lankan have dealt with cultural diversity?
Ans- Both Belgium and Sri Lanka are democracies, yet they have dealt with the problem of diversity very differently.
In Belgium:
1. They amended their constitution four times to work out an arrangement that would enable everyone to live
together within the same country.
2. Dutch and French communities have equal representation in the Central government thus many of the powers
of the central government have been given to the state governments.
3. In addition to these, both language communities have the third kind of Government called Community
Government which looked after language, cultural and educational issues.
In Sri Lanka:
1. An Act was passed in 1956 to recognize Sinhala as the only official language, thus disregarding Tamil and to
establish Sinhalas Supremacy
2. The Governments followed favoured policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and
government jobs.
3. Buddhism was declared as the official religion and the country would foster Buddhism.
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

1) Give three reasons for the civil war in Sri Lanka.
Ans- Three reasons for the civil war in Sri Lanka are-
 Sinhala was declared as the only official language disregarding Tamil.
 Sinhala applicants were favoured for government jobs and higher positions in military and bureaucracy.
 Buddhism was declared as the official religion.
2) Discuss the ethnic composition of Belgium

Ans- Ethnic composition of Belgium is as follows-
 Belgium, a small European country, has Dutch-, French- and German-speaking populations.
 59% of the total population of the country live in the Flemish region and speak Dutch.
 40% of the people live in the Wallonia region and speak French.
 In Brussels, the capital of Belgium, about 80% of the people speak French.
 The remaining 20% speak Dutch in Brussels.
3) Discuss the ethnic composition of Sri Lanka

 Ans- Sri Lanka is an island nation, just a few kilometres off the southern coast of Tamil Nadu. It has about two
crore people, about the same as in Haryana.
 Sri Lanka has a diverse population. The major social groups are the Sinhala-speakers (74%) and the Tamil-
speakers (18%).
 Among Tamils there are two subgroups. Tamil natives of the country are called ‘Sri Lankan Tamils’ (13%). The
rest are called ‘Indian Tamils (5%).

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Ch-1 POWER SHARING

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

3) In what way was the Belgian method better?

5) Why is power sharing desirable?

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

2) Discuss the ethnic composition of Belgium

3) Discuss the ethnic composition of Sri Lanka

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