SAI International School

QUESTION BANK
SESSION-2022-23
CLASS-X
POL.SC- CHAPTER-1 TOPIC- POWER SHARING

SL.N SUB-TOPIC / QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS MARK/S PG.NO

O (1,3,5)
Belgium and Sri Lanka
1. Name any two countries with which Belgium has borders. 1 2
Ans. Netherland, France & Germany.
2. Capital of Belgium – Brussels 1 2
3. Define the term ethnic. 1 2
Ans. A social division based on shared culture. People belonging to the
same ethnic group believe in their common descent because of
similarities of physical type or of culture or both.
4. Does an ethnic population have the same religion or nationality? No 1 2
5. Correct the statement 1 2
a. Germany, Holland, Netherland and Luxemburg are the
neighbouring countries of Belgium.
6. 1 2

a. In which part of Belgium the Dutch people live in?

b. In which part of Belgium the French people live in?
c. In which part of Belgium the German people live in?
7. Name the different communities of Belgium on the basis of their 3 2
regions.
Ans. Wallonia region – French communities
Flemish region – Dutch communities
German border region - Germans
Brussels capital region – Both French and Dutch communities.
8. ‘The ethnic composition of Belgium is very complex’. Explain the 3 2
statement.
Ans.
i. 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
1 per cent of the Belgians speak German.
 ii. In the capital city Brussels, 80 per cent people speak French
while 20 per cent are Dutch-speaking.
iii. The minority French-speaking community was relatively rich and
powerful. This was resented by the Dutch-speaking community.
9. Describe the tension that existed between the Dutch and the French 2+1 3
speaking people in Belgium in 1950s and 1960s. Why was this tension
more acute in Brussels?
Ans.
i. Dutch speaking community is minority in the capital but majority
in the country while French speaking community is majority in
the capital but minority in the country.
ii. The minority French-speaking community was relatively rich and
powerful. This was resented by the Dutch-speaking community
who got the benefit of economic development and education
much later. This led to tensions between the Dutch-speaking
and French-speaking communities during the 1950s and 1960s.
iii. The tension between the two communities was more acute in
Brussels as the French-speaking community was relatively rich
and powerful. This was resented by the Dutch-speaking
community.
Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka
10. Which are the two social groups in Sri Lanka? 1 3
Tamil and Sinhalas
11. Briefly describe about the ethnic composition of Sri Lanka before its 3 3
independence.
Ans. Sri Lanka has a diverse population.
i. The major social groups are the Sinhala-speakers (74 per cent)
and the Tamil-speakers (18 per cent).
ii. Among Tamils there are two subgroups. 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’.
iii. Most of the Sinhala-speaking people are Buddhist, while most
of the Tamils are Hindus or Muslims. There are about 7 per cent
Christians, who are both Tamil and Sinhala.
12. In which year Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country? - 1948 1 3
13. Define the term majoritarianism. 1 3
Ans. Majoritarianism is 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.
14. What were the series of majoritarian measures adopted in Sri Lanka? / 3 3
Explain three measures taken by Sri Lanka, according to an Act passed
in 1956.
 Ans.
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 stipulated that the state shall protect and
foster Buddhism.
15. Explain any three consequences of the majoritarian policies adopted by 3/5 3,4
the Sri Lankan government.
Ans.
i. The majoritarian policies adopted by the Sri Lankan government
in 1956 gradually increased the feeling of alienation among the
Sri Lankan Tamils.
ii. They felt Buddhist Sinhala leaders are not sensitive to their
language and culture.
iii. 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.
iv. 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. (Which three demands of the Sri Lankan Tamils accepted
and met with, could have settled the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka
for good? Explain.)
v. When their demands were ignored, this strained relations
between the Sinhala and Tamil communities over time and
turned into a Civil War. Civil war caused a terrible setback to the
social, cultural and economic life of the country.
16. The relations between the Sinhala and Tamil communities strained over 5 3&5
time. Why? ( measure & effects)
I. All these government measures, coming one after the other,
gradually increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan
Tamils.
II. They felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist
Sinhala leaders were sensitive to their language and culture.
III. 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.
IV. As a result, the relations between the Sinhala and Tamil
communities strained over time.
17. In which parts of Sri Lankan Tamils demanded an independent Tamil 1 4
Eelam (state)?
Ans. In the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.
 18. What do you understand by the term Civil war? 1 4
Civil war is a violent conflict between opposing groups within a country
that becomes so intense that it appears like a war.
Accommodation in Belgium
19. State the main elements of power sharing model evolved in Belgium. 5 6
What was the significance of this type of accommodation?
Ans. Elements of the Belgian Model of power sharing :
They recognised the existence of regional differences and cultural
diversities.
1. Amendment of Constitution-Between 1970 and 1993, they
amended their constitution four times so as to work out an
arrangement that would enable everyone to live together within
the same country.
2. Equal distribution of seats in the central government-
Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-
speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government. No
single community can make decisions unilaterally.
3. Concept of Federal government-State govt.-It involves transfer
of power from the centre to the state govt. Many powers of the
central government have been given to state governments of
the two regions of the country. State governments are not
subordinate to the central govt.
4. Equal presentation in capital – Brussels, the capital city of
Belgium has a separate government- having equal
representation for both Dutch and French speakers.
5. Community 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-
wherever they live. This govt. has power regarding cultural,
educational and language-related issues.
Result:
1. This arrangement helped to avoid civic strife between the two major
communities and a possible division of the country on linguistic lines.
2. Brussels was chosen as headquarters of European Union.
20. 1 4

What do you observe from this street address in Belgium?

21. Ref. to page 6-text book----What do you know about Germany’s grand 1 6
 Coalition govt.?
Ans. The Germany’s grand coalition government that include the two
major parties of the country, namely the Christian Democratic Union
and the Social Democratic Party. The two parties are historically rivals
to each other. They have to form a coalition government because
neither of them got clear majority of seats on their own in the 2005
elections. They take divergent positions on several policy matters, but
still jointly run the government.
22. Which city has the headquarters of European Union? - Brussels 1 5
23. 1 5

What does this picture represents?

24. Why Brussels was selected for European Union Parliament? 1 5
Ans. Because of Belgium’s unique model of power sharing especially the
provision of community government. This helped to avoid civic strife
between the two major communities French and Dutch and a possible
division of the country on linguistic lines.
25. ‘Sharing of powers makes a country more powerful and united’. Do you 3 4
agree with this statement and why? Explain with examples. / “Both
Belgium and Sri Lanka are democracies but they follow different
systems of power – sharing”. Support the statement by giving three
points of difference.
Ans. Yes, sharing of powers makes a country more powerful and united.
Case studies of Belgium and Sri Lanka show that both are democracies
and have ethnic and linguistic diversities. But they followed different
systems of power sharing.
 Belgian leaders followed an accommodative policy by amending
Constitution, going for mutually acceptable arrangements of
seats among Dutch and French-speaking communities and
introducing a ‘community government’ belonging to one
language community - Dutch, French and German-speaking.
 Sri Lankan political leaders supported the majoritarian policy
and discriminated against the Tamils. 1956 Act recognised
Sinhala as the only official language, thus disregarding Tamil.
The governments followed preferential policies that favoured
Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.
 A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and
foster Buddhism. Dominance of majority Sinhalese increased the
feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils which
undermined the unity of the country.
 Belgian arrangements helped to avoid civic strife between the
two major communities and a possible division of the country on
linguistic lines. Sri Lanka faced a civil war.
26. What values did you learn from the case studies of Belgium and Sri 3 5
Lanka?
Ans. Unity of the country is possible only by respecting interests of
different communities.
A mutually acceptable agreement for sharing power is a democratic
concept.
The policy of majoritarianism undermines the unity of the country.
27. Ref. to text book page no.7—Why there was a civil war in Lebanon? 3 7
Why does not Khalil like the way Lebanon has solved its ethnic
problem? Under which set you will put Lebanon’s selection of leaders of
the govt.? Why?
Why power sharing is desirable?
28. “Power Sharing is the very spirit of democracy”. Justify this statement 3 6
with examples from the Indian context. / Why is power sharing
desirable? Explain giving any three prudential and moral reasons.
Ans. Two different sets of reasons can be given in favour of power
sharing, prudential and moral.
Prudential Moral
It is based on careful calculation It is based on moral. (good/bad-
of gains and losses. consideration).
1. It reduces conflicts among 1. It is the very spirit of
social groups by accommodating democracy.
social diversity. It involves sharing power with
citizens- those affected by its
exercise, and who have to live
with its effects.
2. It ensures political stability, 2. It ensures a legitimate
through competition among government, where citizens,
various political parties. through participation, acquire a
stake in the system.
3. It stress that power sharing will 3. It emphasises the very act of
bring out better outcomes. It is power sharing as valuable.
desirable for the promotion of People have the right to be
national unity and integrity. consulted for governing practices.
Example: Reserved Example: Decentralization of
constituencies for minorities and power. (India)
 women in Assemblies and
Parliament. (India)
29. What does this cartoon represents? 1 6

a. Grand coalition government in Germany.

b. Grand coalition government in Belgium.
c. A brand-new car
d. Both a and b
Forms of power sharing
30. ‘In a democracy political power should be distributed among as many 3 8
citizens as possible’. Why? / Why in a democracy should political power
be distributed?
Ans. In a democracy political power should be distributed among as
many citizens as possible because:
 People are the source of all power.
 People rule themselves through institutions of self governance.
 Due respect is given to diverse groups and views.
 All have a voice in shaping public policies.
31. ------------------------ form of power sharing is also known as checks and 1 8
balance among various institutions.
32. ------------------------- and --------------------- are the two major political 1 6
parties, who formed the grand coalition government in Germany in
2006.
33. 1 8
 What does this cartoon represents?
a. Relationship between democracy and concentration of power.
b. Visit of US President to Russia
c. Both Head of the state drive democracy by their own
d. Making rules to facilitate democracy.
34. Analyse why power sharing among different organs of government is 3 8
called horizontal distribution of power.
- Exercise different power at same level.
35. Why is horizontal distribution of power often referred to as a system of 3 8
“checks and balances”? Explain with three reasons. / Explain any three
forms of power sharing among different organs of government in
India. / What is horizontal distribution of power? Mention its any two
advantages.
Ans.
i. Power is shared horizontally among different organs of
government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary.
ii. It is called horizontal because different organs of government
placed at the same level to exercise different powers. (adv)
iii. This type of distribution advocates a separation of power which
ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited power.
(adv)
iv. Each organ checks the others. (adv)
For example, 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.
v. This results in a balance of power among various institutions.
(adv)
36. Differentiate between Horizontal division of powers and vertical 3 9
division of power .
Ans.
Horizontal Form of power sharing Vertical Form of power sharing
1. Power is distributed among 1. Power is distributed at
different organs of the different levels of the govt. such
government such as the as central level, state level and
legislature, executive and lower level like the municipality
judiciary. and panchayat.
2. Division of power placed 2. Division of power involves
different organs at the same level. different tiers i.e. higher and
lower levels of govt.
3. Each organ checks the other in 3. There is no such concept of
order to check the unlimited check and balances, because
 power of the organs. each tier has their separate
jurisdiction as mentioned in the
constitution.
37. What is a coalition government? 1 9
38. How does democracy accommodate different social groups? And why? 2+1 9
Ans.
i. Power is shared among different social groups, such as the
religious and linguistic groups.
Example_ ‘Community government’ in Belgium
ii. There are constitutional and legal arrangements whereby
socially weaker sections and women are represented in the
legislatures and administration.
Example- ‘Reserved constituencies’ in assemblies and the parliament of
our country.
Why-This type of arrangement is meant to give space in the
government and administration to diverse social groups who otherwise
would feel alienated from the government.
This method is used to give minority communities a fair share in power.
39. What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies? 4 9
Give an example of each of these. ( exercise qs-1)
i. Ans. Power is shared horizontally among different organs of
government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary.
ii. Power is distributed at different levels of the govt. such as
central level, state level and lower level like the municipality and
panchayat. This is called vertical division of powersharing.
iii. Power is shared among different social groups, such as the
religious and linguistic groups and socially weaker sections and
women.
iv. Power is shared among different political parties, pressure
groups and movements.
40. Which form of government is a good example of power sharing among 1 9
different social groups? – Democracy
41. How can power sharing arrangements be seen in the way political 3 9
parties, pressure groups and movements?
Ans.
Direct participation in politics- In contemporary democracies different
political parties contest election. Citizens have freedom to choose
among various contenders for power. Such competition ensures that
power does not remain in one hand. In the long run power is shared
among different political parties that represent different ideologies and
social groups. Sometimes two or more parties form an alliance to
contest elections. If their alliance is elected, they form a coalition
government and thus share power.
 Indirect participation by putting pressure on the government- In a
democracy, we find interest groups such as those of traders,
businessmen, industrialists, farmers and industrial workers share in
governmental power, either through participation in governmental
committees or bringing influence on the decision making process by
lobbying, advertisement, drawing media attention and also through
demonstration.
42. Different arguments are usually put forth in favour of and against power sharing. Identify 1 11
those which are in favour of power sharing and select the answer using the codes given
below? Power sharing:
A. reduces conflict among different communities
B. decreases the possibility of arbitrariness
C. delays decision making process
D. accommodates diversities
E. increases instability and divisiveness
F. promotes people’s participation in government
G. undermines the unity of a country