GRADE-X

POWER SHARING
Question 1:
What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies? Give an
example of each of these.
Answer:
Different forms of power sharing in modern democracies:
Horizontal division of power: It is the sharing of power among the different
organs of government. The division of government into the executive, the
legislature and the judiciary is called the horizontal division of power. In such a
power sharing arrangement, different organs of government, placed at the same
level, exercise different powers. This separation of powers ensures that no organ
exercises unlimited power. Each organ checks the others, thereby putting in place
a system of checks and balances. The division of power between the Council of
Ministers headed by the Indian Prime Minister, the Parliament of India and the
Indian Supreme Court is an example of this kind of power sharing.
Vertical division of power: It is the sharing of power among governments at
different levels — a general government for the entire country and governments
at the provincial or regional level. For example, in India, the Constitution defines
the way power is to be shared between the Central or Union government and the
various State governments. There are certain matters on which only the Central
government can take decisions, while there are others on which only an individual
state government has an exclusive right for decision making.
Division of power among social groups: Power can also be shared among
different groups which differ socially. The system of 'community government' in
Belgium is an example of this type of power division. This government is elected
by people belonging to one language community (Dutch, French and German-
speaking), and has the power to take decisions regarding cultural, educational and
language-related issues.
The system of reserved constituencies in India is another example.
Division of power between political parties, pressure groups and movements:
Political parties are the organisations which aim to control power by contesting
elections. In a democracy, citizens have the freedom to choose among the various
contenders for power (the different political parties or the different alliances
comprising political parties). Such a freedom of choice entails competition among
the different parties, which in turn ensures that power does not remain in one
hand, and is shared among different political parties representing different
ideologies and social groups.
Pressure groups and movements also share governmental power, either through
participation in governmental committees or by influencing the decision-making
process.

Question 2:
State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power sharing with an
example from the Indian context.
Answer:
A prudential reason for power sharing is that which leads to an avoidance of
conflict between social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and
political instability, power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political
order. In India, seats have been reserved in legislatures for the socially weaker
sections keeping in mind this prudential reason for power sharing.
A moral reason for power sharing is that it upholds the spirit of democracy. In a
truly democratic setup, the citizens too have a stake in governance. In India, the
citizens can come together to debate and criticise the policies and decisions of the
government. This in turn puts pressure on the government to rethink its policies
and reconsider its decisions. This active political participation is in keeping with
the moral reason for power sharing.

EXTRA QUESTIONS
Q1:- Explain the ethnic composition of Belgium .

Ans 1:- The ethnic composition of this small country is very complex. Of the
country’s total population, 59 per cent lives in the Flemish region and speaks
Dutch language. Another 40 per cent people live in the Wallonia region and speak
French. Remaining one per cent of the Belgians speak German. In the capital city
Brussels, 80 per cent people speak French while 20 per cent are Dutch- speaking.

Q2:- Write a note on the population composition of Srilanka.

Ans 2:- The major social groups are the Sinhala-speakers (74 per cent) and the
Tamil-speakers (18 per cent).Among Tamils there are two sub-
groups. Tamil natives of the country are called ‘Sri Lankan Tamils’ (13 per cent).
The rest, whose forefathers came from India as plantation workers during colonial
period, are called ‘Indian Tamils’.

Q3:- What were the demands of Tamils in srilanka?

Ans 3:- 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. But their demand for more autonomy to provinces
populated by the Tamils was repeatedly denied. By 1980s several political
organisations were formed demanding an independent Tamil Eelam (state) in
northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.

Q4:- What is power sharing? Give reasons why power sharing is desirable.
Or
What is power sharing? Why power sharing is desirable? Explain by giving
prudential and moral reasons.
Ans. When the power does not rest with any one organ/level of the state rather it is
shared among different levels/organs of the government it is called power sharing.
Power sharing is desirable in democracy because:
i. Prudential reasons:
 It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.
 Reducing conflict between social groups ensures the stability of political
order.
 It promotes the unity of the nation.
ii. Moral reasons:
  Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A democratic rule involves
sharing power with those affected by its exercise and who have to live with
its effect.
 People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.
 Power sharing helps in producing a legitimate government where citizens
through participation acquire a stake in the system.

Q5:- Describe any three majoritarian measures adopted by the Sri Lankan
Government to establish Sinhala supremacy.
Or
Describe any three provisions of the Act which was passed in Sri Lanka in
1956 to establish Sinhala supremacy.
Or
Why did Sri Lankan Tamils feel alienated?
Ans. Sri Lankan Tamils felt alienated because:
 The government adopted majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala
supremacy. In 1956, an Act was passed to recognize Sinhala as the only
official language thus disregarding Tamil.
 The government followed preferential politics that favored Sinhala
applicants for university positions and government jobs.
 A new Constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster
Buddhism.
Q6:- Describe the power-sharing arrangement made by Belgium.
Or
Explain any three elements of the Belgium model of power sharing.
Or
What changes were done in the constitution of Belgium to accommodate
French and dutch in the Belgian society?
Ans. Some of the elements of the Belgium model are:
 The number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the
central government.
 Some special laws required the support of the majority of members from
each linguistic group.
 The state governments are not subordinate to the central government.
 Brussels has a separate government in which both communities have equal
representation.
 Apart from the central and state government, there is a third kind of
government called ‘community government’. Community government is
elected by people belonging to one language community – Dutch, French,
and German-speaking.
Q7:- Write short note on:-

(a) Majoritarianism (b) Civil war (c ) Prudential

Ans 7:- (a) 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.

(b)Civil war: A violent conflict between opposing groups within a country that
becomes so intense that it appears like a war.

(c )Prudential :- Based on prudence,or on careful calculation of gains and losses.

Prudential decisions are usually contrasted with decisions based purely on moral
considerations.

Assignment questions

Q1:- Government decisions play a decisive role in maintaining and harmony in the
society.Justify this statement in context of Srilanka and Belgium.

Q2:- What were the factors responsible for civil war in srilanka?

Q3:- What do you understand by the system of check and balance ?