CHAPTER 1

Power
Sharing
 OVERVIEW
This chapter emphasizes on importance of Power Sharing, i.e.
sharing of power of decision makings, policy makings etc., between
different authorities, in Democratic system of Governance.

Various types of power sharing is observed in a Democratic system.

Power sharing between state governments and central government,

power sharing between judiciary, legislature, and executive are
examples of power sharing.

Power sharing is also observed between different linguistic groups

in order to make peace between them.

In this chapter, power sharing and its importance is observed via real
time examples of Sri Lanka and Belgium.
 SRI LANKA

Geographical position
• A smaller island in Asia, off the Southern coast of
Tamil Nadu.
Population
• About two crore (same as Haryana)
 CASE of SRI LANKA
The linguistic structure of Sri Lanka, based on language is as Following

Majority : Sinhala
Minority: Tamil Speaking
Speaking

Sri Lankan
Indian Tamils
Tamils

Buddhists
(Religion Christians Hindu Muslims
followed by
majority of
Sinhalas)
 Majoritarianism Policy
 Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948.
 Sri Lanka attained policy of Majoritarianism, i.e. the
majority Sinhala speaking group made policies, that were
beneficial for development of their culture but neglected
minority Tamilians.
 In 1956, an Act was passed to recognize Sinhala as the
only official language, thus disregarding Tamil.
 A new constitution stated that the state shall protect and
foster Buddhism.
 Sinhalas were preferred for universities and government
jobs.
 Consequences
Tamils felt discrimination, opposed the policy of majoritarianism.

 Conflict arose between both Tamils and Sinhala community, demand of

New independent Tamil state Tamil Elam arose.

Tamil militants group were formed, for example LTTE( Liberation Tigers
of Tamil Elam).

 This was followed by civil war.

This conflict caused loss of lives, properties.

It created hindrance in development of Sri Lanka.

Many families were forced to leave the country as refugees and many
Answer these questions
What is the linguistic structure of Sri Lanka?
Which policy is adopted in Sri Lanka for power
sharing?
Why did the Tamils in opposition of the majoritarian
policy?
CASE OF BELIGIUM
Ethnic Composition of Belgium
French: 40%
Dutch: 59% Wallonia Region German: 1%
Flemish Region Comparatively lesser in
number but richest
community

Ethnic Composition of Brussels: Capital City of Belgium

Dutch 20% French 80%

French Minority were richer community. The Dutch was larger in number. There
was conflict between two communities in 1950-60s. The problem was more acute
in Capital as French were in majority in Capital but minority in country.
 Accommodation policy
The path taken by Belgium was different from Sri Lankan

Majoritarian Policy.
Between 1970 and 1993, their constitution amended four

times to enable everyone to live together within the same

country.
A power Sharing arrangement was established for

establishment of peace in the country.

The number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers made

equal in the central government.

No single community can make decisions unilaterally.
 Powers were given to state governments. The state
governments not subordinate to the Central
Government.

 Brussels has a separate government in which both the

communities have equal representation.

Apart from the Central and the State Government, there

is a third kind of government- ‘community government’ -
elected by people belonging to one language community
– Dutch, French and German-speaking
Consequences
A Complicated Constitution was framed.

Peace was established between all linguist groups of

Belgium, leading stability and a path opened for

development of Country.
A potential division of country was avoided.

 When many countries of Europe came together to form

the European Union, Brussels was chosen as its

headquarters.
 Comparing both cases
• Majoritarian Policy in Sri • Accommodation Policy led to
Lanka led to conflict peace in Belgium

• Majoritarian Policy in Sri • Accommodation policy made

Lanka led to demand of all linguistic community to
separate state for a particular live together in same country.
linguistic group
• Despite of complex
• Political instability was there constitution political stability
in Sri Lanka was obtained in Belgium.

• Belgium became one of the

• Development was hindered important places in Europe
in Sri Lanka and get HQ of European
Union.
 Advantages of Power Sharing

Prudential Moral

• Power sharing is the very spirit of

Bring out better outcomes
• Reduces Social Conflict
• its effects.
Reduces chances of division
• Political Stability
• Open Path ways of
development
democracy.
• A democratic rule involves sharing
power with those affected by its
exercise, and who have to live with
• 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 support in
the system.
 Types of Power Sharing

Power sharing
Power Sharing
between
between
different
government of
organs of
different levels:
Government: Power Sharing
Federal Power Sharing
Power Sharing between
Government: between
between different social
Power sharing Political
legislature, Groups:
between Central Parties, social
executive and Example of
and state Groups etc.
judiciary : Belgium
Governments :
Also Known as
Power sharing of
Horizontal
Gram Panchayat
distribution
is similar example.
1. Different organs of government
Horizontal distribution of power-
Legislature, Executive, Judiciary

Different organs placed at same level.

None can exercise unlimited power.
Each organ check the other.

Also called a system of checks and balances

2. Governments at different levels
Vertical division of power
Called Federal government
Govt. at different levels – Provincial govt.
Regional govt.

In India- Central govt.

State govt.
Local govt.

Referred to as Federal division of power

 3. Power shared among social
groups

Regional groups Social groups

Eg.- Community govt. in Belgium


 Through this arrangement socially weaker sections and women
are represented in the legislatures and administration.

 It give space to diverse social groups in the govt. and

administration.
 4. Political parties, pressure
groups and movements
Competition between the parties for gaining power.

It ensures power not being in one hand.

Power shared among political parties through coalition

government.
Interest groups such as those of traders, businessmen,

industrialists, farmers and industrial workers also influence

working of government and decision making.
Refer the link for the video of the chapter-
https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj2j7N1Atq4&list=PLNz
32RYOjBeofq8srL7tkfSwHND9gcazz&index=8&t=0s