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Power Sharing Long Question

The document discusses the importance of power-sharing in democracies, highlighting both prudential and moral reasons for its implementation, such as reducing social conflict and embodying democratic values. It contrasts the power-sharing systems in Belgium and Sri Lanka, noting that Belgium promotes equality among communities while Sri Lanka has faced issues of dominance by the Sinhala majority. Additionally, it outlines various forms of power-sharing, including distribution among government branches and levels, as well as among social groups.

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11 views4 pages

Power Sharing Long Question

The document discusses the importance of power-sharing in democracies, highlighting both prudential and moral reasons for its implementation, such as reducing social conflict and embodying democratic values. It contrasts the power-sharing systems in Belgium and Sri Lanka, noting that Belgium promotes equality among communities while Sri Lanka has faced issues of dominance by the Sinhala majority. Additionally, it outlines various forms of power-sharing, including distribution among government branches and levels, as well as among social groups.

Uploaded by

swamoasikick9002
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Q1.

State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power-sharing with an example from
the Indian context.
Answer 2:
While prudential reasons stress that power-sharing will bring out better outcomes. In India, the
power is shared horizontally among various organs of government. The Legislature, Executive
and Judiciary are responsible for administering India. Reservation is applicable in India, where
various sections are given benefits over others to avoid conflicts.
Moral reasons emphasise the very act of power-sharing as valuable. In India, citizens are
conferred with fundamental rights and directive principles of state policies are implied on the
government.
Q2. Power sharing is the true spirit of democracy. Justify this statement.
Answer

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 effects.
• People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed. A legitimate government
is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.
• It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.

Q3. Describe any three forms of power sharing in modern democracies.


Answer

Three forms of power sharing with examples:


• Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and
judiciary.
• Power can be shared among governments at different levels – a general government for the
entire country and governments at the provincial or regional level.
• 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.

Q4. Both Belgium and Sri Lanka are democracies but they follow different systems of
power sharing’. Support the statement by giving three points of difference.
Answer

• In Belgium, communities have equal share in the government while in Sri Lanka leaders of the
Sinhala community sought to secure dominance over government by virtue of their majority.
• In Belgium, there is provision of special government called ‘Community government’ to look
after cultural, educational and language-related issues while In Sri Lanka, none of the major
political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders was sensitive to language and culture of
Tamils.
• In Belgium, there is no discrimination between various religions while In Sri Lanka, Buddhism is
the official religion of the country.

Q5. Write one prudential and one moral reason for power sharing.

Answer
• Prudential reason for power sharing: Power sharing reduces social conflicts among social
groups with different interests and aspirations. Social conflicts lead to violence and instability.
Power sharing ensures the stability of political order.
• Moral reason for power sharing: Power sharing is the very spirit and essence of democracy.
Democracy involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise, and who have to live with
its effects. People have the right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.
Q6. What is meant by the system of ‘checks and balances’? (2015)
Answer:
The horizontal distribution of power ensures that 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. The
horizontal distribution of power is also called a system of checks and balances. This
system ensures that none of these organs can exercise unlimited power. Each organ
checks the other.
Q7. Describe any three forms of power sharing in modern democracies.

Answer

Three forms of power sharing with examples:

• Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the


legislature, executive and judiciary.

• Power can be shared among governments at different levels – a general


government for the entire country and governments at the provincial or
regional level.

• 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.

Q8. ASSERTION REASON QUESTIONS


DIRECTION : Mark the option which is most suitable :
(a) If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of
assertion.
(b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of
assertion.
(c) If assertion is true but reason is false.
(d) If both assertion and reason are false.
1. Assertion : Tyranny of majority is highly desirable.
Reason : It helps in making the political order more stable.
2. Assertion(A):Power sharing is good for democracy.
Reason(R):It leads to ethical tension
3. Assertion : In Belgium, the leaders realized that the unity of the country is
possible by respecting the feelings and interest of different countries.
Reason : Belgium favoured Dutch speaking community.
4. Assertion(A): The minority French –speaking community was relatively rich
and powerful in Belgium.
Reason(R): Paris is the capital city of France
5. Assertion : The French speaking community in Belgium was rich and
powerful.
Reason : Belgian Government favoured French speaking community.
6. Assertion : Power should reside with one person and group located at one
place in a democracy.
Reason : If the power is dispersed, it will not be possible to take decision quickly and
enforce it.
7. Assertion : In a democracy, everyone has a voice in the shaping of public
policies.
Reason : India has a federal system.
8. Assertion : Sinhala was recognized as the only official language of Sri Lanka.
Reason : The government of Sri Lanka wanted to establish the supremacy of the
Sinhala community.
9. Assertion : Community government in Belgium is elected by one language
community.
Reason : Community government helped in resolving conflict between different
linguistic groups.
10. Assertion : Power Sharing is good.
Reason : It leads to ethical tension.

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