POLITICALO SCIENCE

CHAPTER 1
 KEY WORDS AND TERMS.
1. POWER SHARING: An arrangement in which the power of a country or a region is distributed
amongst the different parts or organs of any particular government such as the judiciary, executive, and
legislature etc.
2. MAJORITARIANISM: A belief that the majority community should be able to rule a
country inwhichever way it wants, by disregarding the wishes and needs of the minority.
3. ETHNIC: A social division based on shared culture. People belonging to the same ethnic
group believe in their common decent because of similarities of physical type or of culture of
both They neednot always have the same religion or nationality.
4. MINORITY: The smaller number or part, especially a number or part
representingless than half of the whole.
5. COALITION GOVERNMENT: A government formed by the union of two or more political parties
6. NATIVE: A person born in a specified place or associated with a place by birth, whether
subsequentlyresident there or not.
7. COMMUNITY: A group of people living in the same place or having a particular
characteristic incommon.
8. ACCOMMODATION: A convenient arrangement; a settlement or compromise.
9. CIVIL WAR: A violent conflict between opposing groups within a country that becomes so
intense that itappears like a war.
10. PRUDENTIAL: Based on prudence, or on careful calculation of gains and losses.
Prudentialdecisions are usually contrasted with decision based purely on moral
considerations.
11 COMMUNITY GOVERNMENT: A third kind of government in Belgium elected by
people
belonging to one language community – Dutch, French and German-speaking – no matter
where they live.
12 PRESSURE GROUPS: A group that tries to influence public policy in the interest of a
particularcause,

BELGIUM

• A SMALL EUROPEAN COUNTRY with Brussels as its capital.

• The people speak three languages: Dutch (59%), French (40%) and German (1%)
• It has boarders with FRANCE, the NETHERLANDS, GERMANY, and LUXEMBOURG
• The minority French speaking community was relatively rich and powerful.
• BRUSSELS: 80% French speaking and 20% Dutch speaking.
• The minority French-speaking community was relatively rich and powerful
• The Dutch-speaking community got the benefit of economic development and education much
later
• This led to the tensions between these two communities during the 1950s and 1960s.
• From 1970, the government of Belgium adopted a series of power sharing measures that enabled
everyone to live together peacefully within the same country.
 SRI LANKA

MAJORIARIANISM IN SRI LANKA

• Sri Lanka was independent in 1948.

• Sinhala community dominate the government.
• 1956 act recognise Sinhala as the only official language.
• The state shall protect and foster Buddhism.
• Political organisation formed – (Tamil Eelam)
 ACCOMMODATION IN BELGIUM
• Between 1970 and 1993, the constitution of Belgium was amended four times.
Power Sharing Reason
Prudential:
• Reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.
• Ensure stability of Political order.
Moral:
• The spirit of democracy.
• A Legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire stake in the system.
POWER SHARING

4. Identify the picture

 A. European Union parliament in Belgium
B. Indian Parliament
C. Parliament of Sri Lanka
D. None of these

5 Which one of the following countries adopted majoritarianism in their Constitution?

A. Belgium
B. India
C. Germany
D. Sri Lanka

6 Consider the following statements on power sharing and select the answer using the codes given below:
I. It is the very spirit of democracy.
II. II. It reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups
III. III. It brings transparency in the governance.
IV. IV. It brings socio-political competition among parties.
Options:
A. I, II & III
B. II, III & IV
C. I, III & IV
D. I, II & IV

7 Match list I with list II and select the correct answer using the codes below in the lists

List 1 List 2
1 Sri Lanka as an Independent nation a.1950s and 1960s
2 Belgium constitution amended b.1948
3 Tension between Dutch speaking and French c.1970-1993
speaking communities
4 Sinhala as the only official language d.1956

A. 1.b, 2.c, 3. d ,4. a

B. 1.c, 2.b, 3. d ,4. a
C. 1.c, 2.a, 3. b ,4. d
D. 1.b,2.c, 3. a ,4. D
5 Look at the given Sri Lanka map and mention the colour of the region where Sri-Lankan Tamils lived?

A. Orange colour region

B. Yellow colour region
C. Dark brown colour region
D. Dotted region

6. An intelligent sharing of power among legislature, executive and judiciary is very important to the design
of
A. Democracy
B. Political parties
C. Ethnic groups
D. Majoritarianism

7 The population of Sri Lanka is divided into .

E. Sinhala 59 % and Tamil 40%.
F. Sinhala 68 % and Tamil 28%.
G. Sinhala 74 % and Tamil 18%.
H. Sinhala 80 % and Tamil 20%

8 Which one of the following communities is not related to Sri Lanka?

E. Indian Tamil
F. Sri Lankan Tamils
G. Sinhalese
H. German
10 Match the following items given in Column A with those in Column B

Column A Column B

I. Ethnic 1 Power shared among

different organs of Government

II Vertical division of powers. 2. Power shared among different

levels of Government

III. Community government 3.A social division based shared culture

IV.Horizontal distribution of powers. 4. Power shared by different

social groups

Choose the correct answer from the option given below:

A. I-3, II-2, III-4, IV-1
B. I-3, II-4, III-1, IV-2
C. I-4, II-1, III-3, IV-2
D. I-4, II-2, III-1, IV-3

11 Belgium has borders with the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg and--------

A. Sri Lanka
B. Rome
C. Germany
D. Lebanon

12 Which one of the following systems of power sharing is called checks and
balances?
A. Horizontal distribution of powers
B. Federal division of powers
C. Vertical power sharing
D. Power shared among different levels of government

13 In which continent is Belgium located?

14 The term Eelam stands for

14

1%

DUCH SPEARKERS IN FLEMISH

40%
59% REGION
FRENCH SPEAKERS IN

WALLONIA

GERMAN SPEASKERS

The above pie chart shows the ethnic composition of Belgium. Analyse the pie chart and state the correct
statement.
(a) Majority of the Belgians are German speakers
(b) The majority community in Belgium were Dutch speakers with more power
(c) The majority Dutch speakers were less powerful than the minority French speakers
(d) None of these
15 In Sri Lanka most of the Sinhala speaking people are _, while most of the Tamils are or
A. Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims
B. Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims
C. Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus
D. Hindus, Muslims, Buddhist

16 What does the given picture represent? Choose the correct one.

A. It refers to German Engineering

B. It refers to problems of running a coalition government of Germany.
 C. It refers to problems of education
D. It refers to problems of ordinary people

17 When European countries came together to form the European Union ...............was chosen as the
headquarters.
A. Belgium
B. Germany
C. Netherlands
D. Brussels
18 The people whose forefathers came from India to Sri Lanka as plantation workers during the colonial
period are called…….

A. Sri Lankan Tamils

B. Indian Tamils
C. Tamil Indians
D. Indian Sri Lankans

19
In Belgium……

A. The State Governments are not subordinate to the Central Government

B. The State Governments are subordinate to the Central Government
C. The State Governments have no say before the central Government
D. The Central Government is subordinate to the State Governments.

20 Identify the two languages written below (Notice that place names and
directions iintwo languages)

A. French and German

B French and Dutch
C. French and Sinhala
D. None of these
 ASSERTION AND REASONING

Two statements are given in the question below as Assertion (A) and Reasoning (R). Read the statements
and choose the appropriate option.

Options
E. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
F. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
G. A is true but R is false.
H. A is false but R is true

1 Assertion(A): Power sharing is good for

democracy.Reason (R): It leads to ethical tension
2 Assertion(A): The minority French –speaking community was relatively rich and powerful in Belgium.
Reason(R): Paris is the capital city of France

3 Assertion(A): In 1956 an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language of Sri
Lanka.Reason(R): The government of Sri Lanka wanted to establish the supremacy of Sinhala
community.

4 Assertion(A): In Belgium, the leaders realized that the unity of the country is possible by respecting the
feelings and interest of Sri-Lankan people.
Reason(R): The social disparity led to tensions between Dutch and French speaking communities during
1950’s and 1960’s.

5 Assertion(A): Power sharing among different organs of government such as the legislature executive
andjudiciary is known as horizontal distribution of power.
Reason(R): It allows different organs of government placed at the same level
to exercise different powers.

CASE BASED QUESTIONS

1. In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus disregarding
Tamil. The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for
university positionsand government jobs. A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect
and foster Buddhism. Allthese government measures, coming one after the other, gradually
increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils. They felt that none of the major
political parties led by the Buddhist
 Sinhala leaders was sensitive to their language and culture. 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. As a result, the relations between the Sinhala and Tamil
communities strained over time. 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 in
northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.
1.Why did the feeling of alienation creep in to the minds of Sri Lankan Tamils? 1
2.What is the official religion of Sri Lanka 1
3.Explain any two consequences of the majoritarian policies adopted by the Sri Lankan government. 2

2 “In the city of Beirut there lived a man called Khalil. His parents came from different communities. His
father was an Orthodox Christian and mother a Sunni Muslim. This was not so uncommon in this
modern, cosmopolitan city. People from various communities that lived in Lebanon came to live in its
capital, Beirut. They lived together, intermingled, yet fought a bitter civil war among themselves.
One of Khalil’s uncles was killed in that war. At the end of this civil war, Lebanon’s leaders came
together and agreed to some basic rules for power sharing among different communities. As per
these rules, the country’s President must belong to the Maronite sect of Catholic Christians. The
Prime Minister must be from the Sunni Muslim community. The post of Deputy Prime Minister is
fixed forOrthodox Christian sect and that of the Speaker for Shi’a Muslims. Under this pact, the
Christians agreed not to seek French protection and the Muslims agreed not to seek unification with
the neigh bouring state of Syria. When the Christians and Muslims came to this agreement, they
were nearly equal in population. Both sides have continued to respect this agreement though now the
Muslims are in clear majority.
Khalil does not like this system one bit. He is a popular man with political ambition. But under the
present system the top position is out of his reach. He does not practise either his father’s or his mother’s
religion and does not wish to be known by either. He cannot understand why Lebanon can’t be like any
other ‘normal’ democracy. “Just hold an election, allow everyone to contest and whoever wins
maximum votes become the president, no matter which community he comes from. Why can’t we do
that, like in other democracies of the world?” he asks. His elders, who have seen the bloodshed of the
civil war, tell him that the present system is the best guarantee for peace…”

1. As per the agreed basic rule the President of the country must belong to which community?
2. What is the capital city of Lebanon?
3. Why did Khalil dis agree with the system of power sharing in Lebenon?
 ”.

3 The Belgian leaders took a different path. They recognized the existence of regional differences and
cultural diversities. Between 1970 and 1993, they amended their constitution four times to work out an
arrangement that would enable everyone to live together within the same country. The arrangement they
worked out is different from any other country and is very innovative. • Constitution prescribes that the
number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government. Some special
laws require the support of majority of members from each linguistic group. Thus, no single community
can make decisions unilaterally. • Many powers of the central government have been given to state
governments of the two regions of the country. The state governments are not subordinate to the Central
Government. • Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal
representation. The French speaking people accepted equal representation in Brussels because the Dutch-
speaking community has accepted equal representation in the Central Government. • Apart from the
Central and the State Government, there is a third kind of government. This ‘community government’ is
elected by people belonging to one language community – Dutch, French and German-speaking – no
matter where they live. This government has the power regarding cultural, educational, and language-
related issues.

1. How many times did the Belgian Government amend their constitution during the period 1970-1993?

2.Who elects the community government in Belgium?

3.Write any two features of Belgium model of power sharing.

223
 4 Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary.
Let us call this horizontal distribution of power because it allows different organs of government
placed at the same level to exercise different powers. Such a separation ensures that none of the organs
can exercise unlimited power. Each organ checks the others. This results in a balance of power among
various institutions. Last year, we studied that in a democracy, even though ministers and government
officials exercise power, they are responsible to the Parliament or State Assemblies. Similarly, although
judges are appointed by the executive, they can check the functioning of executive or laws made by the
legislatures. This arrangement is called a system of checks and balances. Power can be shared among
governments at different levels – a general government for the entire country and governments at the
provincial or regional level. Such a general government for the entire country is usually called federal
government. In India, we refer to it as the Central or Union Government. The governments at the
provincial or regional level are called by different names in different countries.

1.A general government for the entire country in India is called.

2. What is meant by the system of checks and balance?
3. Give one example for Federal Country.

3
3 MARKS

How Belgian government solved its ethnic Problem?

The Path of accommodation adopted in Belgium.
d). Dutch and French speaking ministers shall be equal in the central govt.
e). Many Powers of the central government have been given to state government. The state government
are not subordinate to the central government.
f). Brussels has a separate government t in which both the communities have equal representation.
g). There is a third kind of government called community government elected by the people belonging
to Dutch, French and German no matter where they live
2 2. Describe three demands of Sri Lankan Tamils. How did they struggle for their independence?
a).Recognition of Tamil as an official language.
b). Regional autonomy
c). Equal opportunity in securing jobs and education.
They formed several political organizations, but when the government tried to suppress their activities by
force, this led to civil war

3 Describe the diverse composition of Sri Lanka.

The Sinhala community forms the majority of population 74% with Tamils who are mostly 18%
concentrated in the north and east of the country.
a). Tamil natives of the country are called Sri Lankan Tamil are 13%.
b). Tamils who are brought as indentured labourers from India by British colonists to work in estate
plantation are called Indian Tamils 5%.
c). There are about 7% percent Christians, who are both Tamils and Sinhala.

4 Give reason for which power sharing is desirable?

a). Power sharing is desirable because it reduce the possibility of conflict.
b). It ensures the stability of political order.
c). It strengthens the unity of the country
5 What is meant by a system of “Checks and Balances”?

The Horizontal division of power is referred to as a system of “checks and balances”. Under this,
power is shared among different organs of government—the legislature, executive and judiciary.
It allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers. This
system ensures that a check is maintained on the other organs that exist and there remains a balance
when power is shared
6 Why has the idea of power sharing emerged?

The idea of power sharing has emerged in opposition to the notions of undivided political power. For a
long time, it was believed that all powers of a government must reside in one person or group of persons
located at one place. It was felt that if the power to decide is dispersed, it would not be possible to take
quick decisions and to enforce them. But these notions have changed with the emergence of democracy.

7 Why was the minority French speaking community relatively rich and powerful?

(a) French speakers got the benefit of economic development.

(b)They were well-qualified and educated.
© Because of their qualifications and education, they were well-settled and thus, rich and powerful

8 Define the term Ethnic and brief about the ethnic composition of Belgium.

Ethnic means a social division based on shared culture and common descent. People belonging to an
ethnic group may not necessarily share the same religion or nationality.

Belgium is a small country in Europe, having a population of a little over one crore. Its ethnic

composition is as follows-

• 59 percent of the country’s total population lives in the Flemish region and speak Dutch
• language.
• Another 40 percent of people live in the Wallonia region and speak French.The remaining one
percent of the Belgians speak German.
• In the Belgian capital, Brussels, 80 percent of the population is French-speaking and 20
• percent is Dutch-speaking.

9 “Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy.” Justify the statement with suitable points.

Power sharing helps to reduce the possibilities of conflicts between various ethnic groups living in a
society.
It helps in ensuring political stability, since a country can be run by all the communities
without giving preference to any majority community.
It also reduces violence and linguistic problems. In India, there is diversity in language but
our constitution gives equal weightage to all the languages.
Power sharing is actually being called the true spirit of democracy. It helps in bringing
political, economic, social and cultural stability to the nation.
10 What measures were adopted by the democratically elected government of Sri Lanka toestablish
Sinhala Supremacy?

(i) In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise ‘Sinhala’ as the only official language; thus
disregarding Tamil.
(ii) The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university
positions and government jobs.
(iii) A new constitution specified that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism

5 MARKS
1 What is majoritarianism? How has it increased the feelings of alienation among Sri Lankan
Tamils? Explain with examples.

Majoritarianism is a concept which signifies a belief that the majority community should be able to
rule a country in whichever way it wants. In this type of rule, the majority community disregards the
wishes and needs of the minority community.
The majoritarian concept has increased the strong feelings of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils
after a series of majoritarian measures adopted by the democratically-elected government in Sri
Lanka after its independence in 1948 to establish Sinhala Supremacy.
• In 1956, an act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus
disregarding Tamil.
• The Government followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for
university positions and government jobs.
• A new constitution advocated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.

2 What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of
each of these.
1. Power shared among different organs of the government:

(i) In it power is shared among legislature, executive and Judiciary.

(ii) It is also called horizontal distribution of power because all these organs are placed at the
same level.
(iii) Such a separation ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited powers.
(iv) Each organs checks the offers, which results in the balance of power among various
institution.
2.Power shared among Governments at different levels.
(i) There is a government for the entire country, such a government is called federal Government
(ii) In India we refer to it as Central or Union Government
(iii) The Government at provincial or regional level is called state Government in India.
(iv) In India Government is divided at the central level, state level and local level.
(v) It is called vertical division of power as power is divided among higher and lower levels of
Governments.
3.Power shared among different social groups:
(i) This type of arrangement is made to give space in the Government and administration

to diverse social groups who otherwise feel alienated from the Government.
(ii) This method is used to give minority communities a fair share in power.
(iii) In India, we have the system of reserved constituencies in the assemblies and the Parliament
of one country.
(iv) Community Government in Belgium is a good example.
4.Power shared among political parties, pressure groups and moments
(i) In a democracy, the citizen must have freedom to choose among various contenders for
power.
(ii) When there is competition, it ensures that power does not remain in one hand.
(iii) In the long run, power is shared among different political parties that represent different
ideologies and social groups. This type of Government is called ‘Coalition Government’.
(iv) Many interest groups like traders, businessmen, farmers, industrial workers, also have
a share in governmental power either way, through participation and influencing decision making
process
3 Explain the main reasons why power sharing is important in a democracy.
(i) Prudential Reasons: These lay emphasis on better outcomes of power sharing.
(a) Power sharing helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between the social groups. Thus, it
ensures the stability of political order.
(b) Its absence results into imposition of will by majority community, which undermines the
unity of the nation.
(ii) Moral Reasons: These stress on power sharing as a valuable act because
(a) It is the very spirit of democracy.
(b) A democratic rule involves it with those affected by its exercise and who have to live with its
effects.
(c) A legitimate government is the one where citizens acquire a role in the system through
Participation
4 Bring out main sharp contrasts between Belgium and Sri Lankan democracies.

Sri Lanka and Belgium are both democratic countries yet have a very diverse social set-up. Both the
countries have adopted very different approaches when it comes to power sharing.

(a) Belgium produced an ideal example of democratic system. It adopted the policy of
accommodation
(b) of social and ethnic divisions. On the other hand, Sri Lanka also adopted a democratic system
but followed majoritarian policies.
(b)Under the Belgium model of democracy, power was shared among two ethnic groups. Sri Lanka
favored the interests of the majority Sinhala community.

©In Belgium, both the groups had equal share in working of government but in Sri Lanka the
minority community was isolated.

(d) To maintain political stability and unity, equal representation was provided to both the groups.
Apart from that, community government of both the ethnic groups also existed at the local level. Sri
Lanka, however, had no such arrangement.

(e) Belgium constitution was amended four times before arriving at a final draft to prevent civil
strife. In Sri Lanka, majoritarianism led to civil war for twenty long years

5 Explain the power sharing arrangement among the different political parties, pressure groups
and movements.
(a). In a democracy power is also shared among the different political parties, pressure groups and
movements.
(b). Democracy provides the citizens a choice to choose their rulers. This choice is provided by
the various political parties, who contest elections to win. Such competition ensures that power does
not remain in one
(c). In the long run power is shared among different political parties that represent different
ideologies and social groups.
(d). Sometimes this kind of sharing can be direct, when two or more parties from an alliance to
contest elections. If their alliance is elected, they form a coalition government and thus share power.
(e). In a democracy, various pressure groups and movements also remain active. They will also
have a share in governmental power, either through participation in governmental committees or
bringing influence on the decision-making process.
 ANSWER KEY OF POWER SHARING
1 A. European Union parliament in Belgium

2 D. Sri Lanka

3 A. I, II & III

4 D1.b,2.c, 3. a ,4. D

5 A. Orange colour region

6 A. Democracy
7 C. Sinhala 74 % and Tamil 18%.

8 D. German

9 A. I-3, II-2, III-4, IV-1

10 C. Germany

11 A. Horizontal distribution of powers

12 Europe

13 State

14 C The majority Dutch speakers were less powerful than the minority French
speakers

15 A. Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims

16 B It refers to problems of running a coalition government of Germany

17 D. Brussels

18 B. Indian Tamils

19 A. The State Governments are not subordinate to the Central Government

20 B French and Dutch

 Assertion and Reason
1 Ans. C
2 Ans. B
3 Ans. A

4 Ans. D
5 Ans. A

Case studies
1 3. In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official
language.
The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala
applicants for university positions and government jobs.
4. Buddhism
5. Increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils. The Sri
Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil
as an official language
2 1. Maronite sect of Catholic Christians
2. Beirut
3 Khalil does not like this
system because under the
present system the top position
is out of his reach. He does not
practice either his father’s or his
mother’sreligion and does not
wish to be known by either
3
1. Four times
2. People belonging to one language community
3. . • Many powers of the central government have been given to state
governments of the two regions of the country. The state governments are
not subordinate to the Central Government. • Brussels has a separate
government in which both the communities have equal representation.

4 1 Central government 1

2 The Horizontal division of power is referred to as a system of “checks and 2

balances”. Such a separation ensures that none of the organs can exercise
unlimited power 1
3.India