*UPDATED* For 2022-23 Boards Exam

SHOBHIT NIRWAN's
DESIGNED

POWER SHARING
NOTES
 Belgium
- Tension between the French and Dutch
communities
-
Accommodation in Belgium

Sri Lanka
majoritarianism in Sri Lanka
-

Struggles of Sri Lankan Tamils and its Result

Need of Power sharing

Power Sharing
-
Prudential
- Moral

forms of Power sharing

µ÷÷ :ani t a:::::::*::: ::*:ii. vision .

Community Government
-

Coalition Government
 ②

Power sharing among the three organs of state

-

Legislature ,
Executive and
Judiciary is very important for the
proper functioning of thedemocracy . .

Belgium p@ ethnicdivision based

re
social Corto
.

A
°
It is a federal state in Western Europe .
shared
on
°
Capital -

Brussels ( Headquarter of European Union)

°
Neighbours France Germany
-

, ,
Netherland and Luxemburg .

°
Ethnic composition :

59% Dutch speakers who live in Flemish region (North Belgium) .

→
40% French speakers who live in Wallonia ( South Belgium)
region .

d. To her man
→

speakers .

→
But in Brussels 80% French speakers and 20% Dutch speakers .

# Tension between the French and Dutch communities -

° The minority French community was relatively rich and powerful This
speaking .

made the Dutch speaking community angry who got the benefit of economic
-

development and education much later .

Special problem in capital Brussels was that the Dutch was in

community
°

majority in the whole country but minority in the capital .

# Accommodation in :
Belgium
The leaders recognised
the regional differences and cultural diversity The constitution .

was amended four times between 1970 to 1993 to ensure that different
communities can live in the same nation .

Is The constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French ministers
speaking
shall be equal in numbers in central government .

dig some special laws require the support of

No single
of members from each majority linguistic
group .

community can take decisions unilaterally .

Many oftwothe powers ofthecentral government was given to the state

government
of the regions of country The state was not subordinate
.

government
to the central government .

Ey Brussels has a separate government which has an equal representation of both the
communities The French community accepted the equal representation in the
.

Brussels as the Dutch community accepted the equal representation in central

government .

central and state

is Apart from government there is a third kind of government It is .

elected
by the people belonging to one language French Dutch and Germany , ,
no

matter where they live This has power based cultural , educational
.

government on
and language related issues .
 ②

Sri Lanka
° Sri lanka is an island nation in the Indian Ocean , few kilometres away from
southern coast of Tamil Nadu .

° Ethnic composition :
→
74% Sinhala speakers Most of the Sinhala speakers are Buddhists
.
.

→
18
to Tamil speakers Most of the Tamil speakers are Hindu or Muslim
.
.

-
Tamil speakers , have have subgroups One the native Tamils of the country
.

Sri lankan Tamils other whose for fathers came from India as plantation
,

workers during colonial period called Indian Tamils .

→
There are Ito Christians who are both Sinhala and Tamil .

¥i¥at the majority community should rule the country in whichever way it
wants disregarding the needs and wishes of minority
#
Majoritarianism in Sgp Lanka :
.

Sri Lanka emerged as an independent nation in 1948 The Sinhala leaders sought .

their dominance virtue of their majority They

to secure over
government by .

took majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy .

In 1956 an Act was

passed to
recognise Sinhala as the only official language
°
,

of Sri Lanka .

The
government followedandpreferential policies that foroured Sinhala applicants
°

for university positions government jobs

.

° A new constitution stipulated that the state government shall protect and foster
Buddhism .

All these
government increased the among Tamils
feeling of alienation
°
measures .

°
They felt that none of major political party led by the Buddhist Sinhala
leaders sensitive to
was their language and culture .

°
They felt that constitution and government denied from equal rights discriminated ,

against them in getting jobs and opportunities and ignored their interests .

of Sri Lankan Tamils and its Result

#
Struggles :
°
Tamils launched parties and struggles for recognition of Tamil as an official
language for regional
, autonomy and equality of opportunity in securing
jobs and education .

°
Their demands for more regional autonomy to provinces populated by Tamils
denied
were
repeatedly .

°
By 1980 s, several political organisations were formed demanding a separate
independent Tamil Eelam (state) in the northern and eastern part of the
country
° The distrust between both the communities turned into a civil war As a .

result , thousand of of both the communities were killed , many families

people
were forced to leave the nation as refugees and many lost their livelihood .

° The civil war caused a terrible set back to the social , economic and cultural life
of the country .
 ③

Reasons I Need for Power

sharing
# PRUDENTIAL :
firstly , power sharing is good because it reduces the possibilities of conflict
between social groups Social conflict often leads to violence and political instability
.

Power sharing is a good way to ensure stability of political order .

# Moral :

secondly power sharing is the very spirit of democracy A democratic rule

,
.

involves sharing power with citizens affected its exercise or who will live
with its effects A legitimate
by
government is one where citizens through
.

stake in the
participation acquires system .

Forms / Types of Power sharing

4) Horizontal Sharing of Power : I close 20161
It means sharing of power with different bodies of government placed at some
level which are executive , legislature and judiciary It ensures that no
organ .

exercises unlimited and check the This

power
is also called system of checks and balances
of each other
working
system .
.

III) vertical Division of Power :

It means division of power between different governments placed at different

levels constitution lays down the power of different
, government at different
levels This is also called federal division of power
. .

The same principal can be extended to lower levels of

government like the
Municipality and Panchayat .

HII Community Government :

Power social
can be shared
among different groups like
religiousandandadministration
linguistic
groups This arrangement
. is meant to give space
in government
to diverse social groups and minorities who otherwise would feel alienated from
governmentare .

and reservation
Examples community government in Belgium system in India for
weaker sections of society .

(E) Coalition Government :

power also be seen in a way , political parties ,

sharing arrangement can

pressure groups and movements control or influence these in powers .

A
government formed by the coming of at least two parties together
is called coalition government .
 -- PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS --
1 MARK QUESTIONS
Q1. Define Majoritarianism. [1M, 2021 Sample Paper]
A1. 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.

Q2. Define Ethnicity [1M. 2021 Sample Paper]

A2. A social division based on shared culture/ people belonging to same ethnic group believes in
their common descent.

Q3. Correct the following statement and rewrite: “In Sri Lanka, an Act was passed in 1956 to
recognise Tamil as the only official language, disregarding Sinhala.” [1M, 2020]
A3. In Sri Lanka, an Act was passed in 1956 to recognise Sinhala as the only official language,
disregarding Tamil.

Q4. Correct the following statement and rewrite:

Belgium is a small country in Europe and share borders with France, Italy, Germany and
Luxembourg. [1M, 2020]
A4. Belgium is a small country in Europe and share borders with France, the Netherlands, Germany
and Luxembourg.

Q5. Recognize the form of power sharing which is represented by the Community Government in
Belgium. [1M, 2019]
A5. Power sharing among different social groups like the religious and linguistic groups

Q6. How did the feeling of alienation develop among the Sri Lankan Tamils? [1M, 2019]
A6. The measures of the act of 1956 introduced by Sinhalese Government made the Sri Lankan
Tamils feel alienated. They felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist
Sinhalese were sensitive towards their language and culture. They also felt that the constitution
and policies of the government denied them equal political rights, discriminated against them in
terms of jobs and other opportunities by ignoring their interests.

Q7. After independence, Sri Lanka witnessed the supremacy of which community? [1M, 2015]
A7. Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948 and the democratically elected
government adopted a series of measures to establish Sinhala supremacy.

Q8 What is meant by the system of 'checks and balances'? [1M, 2015]

A8. 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.

Q9. What measure was adopted by the democratically elected government of Sri Lanka to
establish Sinhala Supremacy? [1M, 2014]
A9. • In 1956, an Act was passed to make Sinhala the official language.
• The government followed preferential policies favouring Sinhala applicants for University
positions and government jobs.

Q10. What is the language spoken by the people residing in the in Wallonia region of Belgium? \
[1M, 2014]
A10. People residing in Wallonia region of Belgium speak French.

3 MARKS QUESTIONS
Q11. What is majoritarianism? Is it wrong if a majority community in a country rules? Give reasons to
justify your answer. [3M, 2018]
A11. 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 is majoritarianism.
Yes, it is wrong if a majority community in a country rules.
• The very idea power-sharing has emerged in opposition to the notions of undivided political
power.
• A positive attitude towards diversity and willingness to accommodate it, is good for
democracy.
• Power in the hands of one community will make he other community feel marginalised,
deprived and discriminated.

Q12. Explain any three consequences of the majoritarian policies adopted by the Sri Lankan
government. [3M, 2013]
A12. Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948. The democratically elected government
adopted a series of majoritarian measures o establish Sinhala Supremacy.
Consequences of these majoritarian policies:
1. The Sri Lankan Tamils felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala
leaders were sensitive to their language and culture and the government policies denied them
equal political rights which led to increased feeling of alienation among them.
2. The Sri Lankan Tamils felt that the constitution denied them equal rights in politics, getting jobs
and ignored their interests. The relation between the Tamil and Sinhala communities became
extremely strained as a result.
3. The Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil, for regional
autonomy and equality of opportunity in every field.

Q13. How far do you agree with the statement that power sharing is keeping with the spirit of
democracy? [3M, 2012]
A13.
• Power sharing is desirable in democracy because it helps to reduce the possibility of
conflict between social groups. Conflict between social groups leads to violence and
political instability. Power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order.
• Imposing the will of majority community over others, in the long may undermine the unity of
the nation. Tyranny of the majority is not just oppressive for the minority, it often brings ruin
to the majority as well.
• 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. Prudential reasons stress that power sharing brings out better outcomes whereas
moral reasons emphasize the act of power sharing act as valuable.

Q14. Compare the different ways in which the Belgians and the Sri Lankans have dealt with the
problem of cultural diversity. [3M, 2012]
A14. Both Belgium and Sri Lanka are democracies, yet they have dealt with the problem of cultural
diversity very differently.
Belgium:
1. Leaders realised that for the unity of the country it is important to respect the feelings and
interests of different communities. The Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and
French speaking people shall be equal in the Central Government.
2. Both Dutch and French communities share power on an equal basis at the Centre. Along with
the State Government, both communities have a third kind of Government called 'Community
Government' which decides on cultural, education and language related issues.
3. Between, 1970 and 1993, the Constitution was amended four times to enable all linguistic groups
to live together within the same country.
Sri Lanka:
1. In Sri Lanka, there are two major communities, the Sinhalese speaking (74%) and Tamil speaking
(18%). The majority community, the Sinhalese have forced their domination over Tamils, refusing to
share power.
2. Both communities have lived in tension as the Sinhalese have denied political, educational,
religious, employment and economic rights to the Tamils leading to Civil War.
3. In 1956, the Government passed an Act to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus
disregarding Tamil.

5 MARKS QUESTIONS
Q15. 'Power sharing is the essence of a democratic government.' Examine the statement.
[5M, 2021 Sample Paper]
A15. (i) Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive
and judiciary also called as Horizontal power sharing. Example: India
(ii) Power can be shared among governments at different levels a general government for the
entire country and governments at the provincial or regional level. Example: India (Union
Government & State Government)
(iii) Community government Power may also be shared among different social groups such as the
religious and linguistic groups. Example: Belgium
(iv) Power-sharing between political parties, pressure groups and movements Such competition
ensures that power does not remain hand.
(v) In the long run, power i shared among different political parties that represent different
ideologies and social groups.

Q16. Explain with examples the accommodative experience of Belgium for peace and harmony
[5M, 2020]
A16.
i. Dutch and French speaking ministers got equal in the central govt.
ii. Many Powers of the central government have been given to state government
iii. The state Government was not subordinate to the Central Govt.
iv. Brussels has a separate Govt. in which both the communities have equal representation.
v. There is a third kind of Govt. called community Govt. elected by the people belonging to Dutch,
French and German no matter where they live.

Q17. 'Democracy is based on the idea of deliberation and negotiation'. Examine the statement.
[5M, 2020]
A17. i. Democracy gives importance to deliberation & public opinion.
ii. The democratic government will take more time to follow procedures before arriving at a
decision.
iii. Its decisions may be both more acceptable to the people and more effective.
iv. Democracy ensures that decision making will be based on norms and procedures.
v. Transparency as Persons have the right and the means to= examine the process of decision
making.
vi. It follows procedures and is accountable to the people.

Q18. 'Respect and equal treatment of women are necessary ingredients of a democratic society'.
Examine the statement. [5M, 2020]
A18. i. Economic independence or access to an inherited or self generated income is considered to
be the major means of empowering women.
Ii. Equal political and civil rights as men
iii. Ways of autonomy and freedom.
iv. Distributive justice to reduce inequalities in resources and power.
v. Love, universal brotherhood, sincerity, honesty and integrity of character, firm attitude of
rendering help
vi. Removing social evils including violence, torture, humiliation etc.

Q19. Compare the situation of Belgium and Sri Lanka considering their location, size and cultural
aspects. [5M, 2019]
A19.

Q20. How does the idea of power-sharing emerge? Explain different forms that have common
arrangements of power-sharing. [5M, 2019]
A20. Power-sharing has emerged as strong substitute to the idea of undivided political power,
which believed in giving power to one person or group of people located in one place. The core
principle of power sharing is that people are the source of all political powers. Common forms of
power sharing are:
• Vertical division of power: The sharing of power can be done at the different levels of the
govt. a central govt, for the entire country and governments at the provincial or regional
level. This type is usually called the federal government.
• Horizontal division of power: In this form, the power is divided among different organs of
govt, such as the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. It places different organs of
the government at the same level
• Power also shared among different social groups such as religious and linguistic groups eg:
community govt.
• Various power-sharing arrangement can also be seen in the way political parties, pressure
groups and movements control influence those in power.

Q21. "Power Sharing is the very spirit of democracy". Justify the statement. [5M, 2015]
A21. 1. A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise. Power sharing
ensures that people have the right to be consulted and have equal participation in the
government.
2. In a democracy, each individual has a say governance through their elected representatives.
This is the essence of power sharing that grants equal rights to each citizen.
3. Sharing of power ensures that respect for diversity and desire for living together becomes
shared ideal amongst different communities in a country. It actually makes the country united and
the administration easier.
4. Prudential reasons stress that power sharing would bring out better outcomes t helping reduce
the possibility of any conflict between the social groups.
5. Power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order through unity of the nation.

Q22. Analyse how majoritarianism has increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan
Tamils? [5M, 2014]
A22. Sri Lanka emerged as independent country in 1948. The democratically elected government
adopted a series of measures to establish Sinhala supremacy:
1. In an 1956, an Act was passed to make Sinhala the official language.
2. The government followed preferential policies favouring Sinhala applicants for University
positions and government jobs.
3. The Constitution provided for State protection and fostering of Buddhism.
• The Sri Lankan Tamils felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala
leaders were sensitive to their language and culture and the government policies denied
them equal political rights which led to increased feeling of alienation among them.
• The Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil, for
regional autonomy and equality of opportunity in every field.
• Therefore, the measures adopted by the government to establish Sinhala supremacy led to
distrust between the two communities which turned the widespread conflict into a Civil
War.