Power Sharing

Introduction

Power sharing is a vital concept in modern democracies. This article will explore how power sharing is implemented and why it’s essential, with specific references to Belgium and Sri Lanka, as covered in the NCERT Class 10 Social Science curriculum.

Belgium and Sri Lanka: A Comparative Study

Belgium and Sri Lanka provide contrasting examples of how nations manage ethnic and cultural diversity.

Belgium

• Background: A small European country with a diverse population.
• Ethnic Composition: Mainly Flemish (Dutch-speaking), Walloons (French-speaking), and a small German-speaking community.
• Power Sharing Model: Belgium has adopted a complex power-sharing model.
• Vertical Division of Power: Powers are divided between the central government and state governments.
• Community Government: A separate government for each linguistic community.
• Success of the Model: This model has been successful in maintaining political stability.

Sri Lanka

• Background: An island nation in South Asia.
• Ethnic Composition: Major ethnic groups include the Sinhalese (majority) and Tamils (minority).
• Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka: The government policies favored Sinhalese, leading to the alienation of Tamils.
• Language Policy: In 1956, an act was passed to recognize Sinhala as the only official language, disregarding Tamil.
• Resulting Tensions: These policies led to prolonged conflict and civil war.

Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka

• Definition: Majoritarianism is a belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it wants.
• Impact in Sri Lanka: Led to ethnic conflict and civil unrest.

Accommodation in Belgium

• Approach: Belgium adopted an accommodation approach that diffused ethnic tensions effectively.
• Key Strategies:
• Equal Representation: Equal representation in the central government.
• State Autonomy: Considerable autonomy to state governments.

Why Power Sharing is Desirable

• Reduces Conflict: Helps in reducing the possibility of conflict between different social groups.
• Stability and Unity: Leads to a more stable and unified country.
• Democracy and Peace: Essential for sustaining democracy and ensuring peace.

Forms of Power Sharing

Power sharing can take multiple forms:

Horizontal Distribution of Power

• Separation of Powers: Among different organs of the government – legislature, executive, and judiciary.
• Checks and Balances: Prevents the dominance of any one branch of government.

Vertical Division of Power

• Federalism: Sharing power between different levels of government – central, state, and local.

Power Sharing Among Different Social Groups

• Community Government: In countries like Belgium, where different social groups have their own governments.

Power Sharing Among Political Parties, Pressure Groups, and Movements

• Coalition Governments: Power sharing among different political parties through coalition governments.

Conclusion

The chapter on “Power Sharing” in NCERT Class 10 Social Science provides insights into the importance of power-sharing mechanisms in diverse societies. It highlights the complexities and necessities of accommodating different groups in a country, ensuring peace, stability, and democracy. The cases of Belgium and Sri Lanka offer contrasting examples of the outcomes of power-sharing practices, underscoring the significance of an inclusive approach in governance.

Here are 25 questions and answers covering the topic of “Power Sharing” for Class 10 Social Science:

1. Q: What is power sharing?
   A: Power sharing is the distribution of power among various organs of government and different levels of society to ensure stability and harmony.
2. Q: Why is power sharing important?
   A: It helps prevent conflicts, maintains political stability, and upholds the spirit of democracy.
3. Q: How is power shared in Belgium?
   A: Power in Belgium is shared among different linguistic communities and at different government levels – central, regional, and community governments.
4. Q: What led to the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka?
   A: The majoritarian policies favoring the Sinhalese majority over the Tamil minority led to ethnic conflict.
5. Q: What is majoritarianism?
   A: Majoritarianism is a belief that the majority community should be able to rule in a way that ignores the wishes and needs of the minority.
6. Q: How did Belgium solve its ethnic problem?
   A: Belgium adopted a power-sharing model, which included equal representation and autonomy for different linguistic groups.
7. Q: What is the horizontal distribution of power?
   A: It refers to the sharing of power among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive, and judiciary.
8. Q: What is vertical division of power?
   A: It involves dividing power among different levels of government, like the central, state, and local governments.
9. Q: What are community governments?
   A: Community governments in countries like Belgium represent different linguistic groups and have the power over cultural, educational, and language-related issues.
10. Q: What are some forms of power sharing?
    A: Forms include sharing power among different organs of government, levels of government, political parties, and social groups.
11. Q: Why did Sri Lanka face civil war?
    A: The civil war in Sri Lanka was primarily due to the majoritarian policies and the resulting grievances of the Tamil minority.
12. Q: How does power sharing contribute to democracy?
    A: It ensures all groups have a voice in governance, upholding democratic values and principles.
13. Q: What role do coalition governments play in power sharing?
    A: Coalition governments, formed by multiple political parties, share power and ensure broader representation in decision-making.
14. Q: Why is federalism considered a form of power sharing?
    A: Federalism involves distributing authority between central and regional governments, sharing power across different levels.
15. Q: What is the significance of the judiciary in power sharing?
    A: An independent judiciary plays a crucial role in balancing power among different branches of government.
16. Q: How can power sharing reduce conflicts?
    A: By ensuring all groups are represented and have their interests protected, power sharing can reduce tensions and conflicts.
17. Q: Can power sharing lead to a more stable government?
    A: Yes, by accommodating diverse groups, power sharing can lead to more stable and effective governance.
18. Q: What challenges can arise in a power-sharing system?
    A: Challenges include potential deadlock in decision-making and complexity in governance structures.
19. Q: How does power sharing benefit minority groups?
    A: It ensures their representation and participation in the political process, safeguarding their rights and interests.
20. Q: What was the language policy in Sri Lanka?
    A: In 1956, the Sri Lankan government made Sinhala the sole official language, marginalizing the Tamil-speaking minority.
21. Q: How can power sharing promote peace?
    A: By ensuring fair representation and addressing grievances, power sharing can foster harmony and peace.
22. Q: What is a coalition government, and how does it function?
    A: A coalition government is formed by multiple political parties who come together to govern, sharing responsibilities and decision-making.
23. Q: Why is separation of powers important in a democracy?
    A: It prevents the concentration of power in one branch and ensures checks and balances in the system.
24. Q: How does power sharing affect policy-making?
    A: It can lead to more inclusive and representative policies that consider diverse perspectives.
25. Q: What can be learned from the power-sharing model of Belgium?
    A: The Belgian model shows how accommodating diverse groups through power sharing can lead to political stability and harmony.