[PDF] Class 10 Power Sharing Notes and Solution

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Overview:

Power is shared to ensure a stable and fair democracy.

Belgium and Sri Lanka

Challenges of Ethnic Diversity Shows Importance of Power-Sharing in Democracies

that you can understand with the examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka because both have Different Contexts, and Similar Tensions

Ethnic Composition of Belgium:

Belgium, a small European nation, has a ethnic diversity centered around language:

Flemish (Dutch) – 59% (North)
Walloon (French) – 40% (South)
German – 1%
Capital Brussels (Bilingual):
- Tensions (French 80% / Dutch 20%)

It Challenges for:

Majority Imposing Will on Minority
Risk of Internal Conflict/Partition

This language distribution reflects the underlying ethnic composition of Belgium.

Ethnic Composition of Sri Lanka:

Sri Lanka, a island nation, has a ethnic diversity centered around language:

Sinhalese (Buddhist) – 74% (South)
Tamils (North & East): (Hindu or Muslim) – 18%
- Sri Lankan Tamils (13%)
- Indian Tamils (5%)
Christians – 7%

It Challenges for:

Majority Imposing Will on Minority
Risk of Internal Conflict/Partition

This language distribution reflects the underlying ethnic composition of Belgium.

Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka

1948 Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country. Sinhala Community (majority) Seek Dominance:

Majoritarian Measures

Language Policy (1956): Sinhala Only (Tamil Marginalized)
Preferential Policies: Favoring Sinhalese in Jobs and Education
Constitutional Changes: Buddhism favoured, Other Religions Downplayed

Impact on Sri Lankan Tamils

Alienation and Exclusion
Political Discrimination: Denied Rights and Opportunities
Strained Relations: Sinhala-Tamil Divide Widens

Tamil Response

Political Activism: Parties and Movements Emerge
Demands: Language Rights, Autonomy, Equal Opportunities
Separatist Movement: Calls for Independent Tamil Eelam (state)

Escalation of Conflict

Distrust and Tension
Civil War: Eruption of Violence and Casualties (1983-2009)
Humanitarian Crisis: Thousands Killed, Displaced, and Refugees

Belgium noticed Need for Accommodation: Changes to Include Diverse Communities
They changed their constitution four times between 1970 and 1993.
They came up unique solution with 4 Key Element

Equal Representation

Central Government:

Equal Number of Dutch & French Ministers

Special Laws:

Require Support from majority
of members of each Linguistic Groups

Decentralization

Transfer of Power from Central to Regional State Governments

State Governments Independent of Central Government

Brussels Governance

Separate Government with Equal Representation for
Dutch & French

Concession by French Community (as majority) for Dutch Representation in
Central Government

Community Government

Third Level:

Elected by Language Communities (Dutch, French, German)

Authority Over Culture, Education, and Language Issues

Here are reason why power sharing is desirable

Reduces Conflict:

Prevents Violence and Political Instability
Promotes Social Harmony and Stability

Long-Term Unity:

Fosters Lasting Cohesion Within Nations
Avoids Short-Term Unity at the Cost of Long-Term Division

Prevents Tyranny of the Majority:

Protects Minority Rights
Ensures Long-Term Stability for All

Democratic Imperative:

Power Sharing Reflects the Spirit of Democracy
Citizens Have a Right to Participate in Governance

Legitimate Government:

Citizen Participation Creates a Stake in the System
Enhances Legitimacy of Government Institutions

Two Approaches:

Prudential: Focuses on Better Outcomes Achieved Through Power Sharing
Moral: Emphasizes the Intrinsic Value of Power Sharing as a Just System

Old Ideas (Authoritarian Rule):

Concentration of Power
One ruler or small group holds all power.
Benefit: Quick decisions (perceived).
Drawback: Unrepresentative, potential for abuse.

Modern Ideas (Democracy):

Power-Sharing
People have a say through government institutions.
Everyone can participate in decision-making (laws, rules).
Benefits:
- More representative government.
- Reduces risk of abuse.
- Builds a sense of ownership among citizens.

Forms of Power Sharing

Horizontal Division of Power

Shares power among government organs at the same level

Legislature (Makes laws)
Executive (Implements laws)
Judiciary (Interprets laws)

Benefit:

Creates checks and balances
to prevent abuse of power.

Vertical Division of Power

Shares power between different levels of government

Central Government (National focus)
State/Provincial Governments (Regional focus)
Local Governments (Community focus)

Benefit:

Allows for addressing national and local needs effectively.

Division of Power among Social Groups

Shares power based on social identities

Power-sharing agreements (e.g., Belgium’s community government)
Reservations for disadvantaged groups

Benefit:

Promotes inclusion and reduces social tensions.

Division of Power among Political Parties & Pressure Groups

Shares power through competition and influence

Competition between parties representing different ideologies
Pressure groups influencing policy decisions

Benefit:

Ensures power doesn’t concentrate in one group and reflects diverse viewpoints.

Horizontal Division:

Legislature: Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) makes laws.
Executive: President, Prime Minister, and Council of Ministers implement laws.
Judiciary: Supreme Court and High Courts interpret laws and ensure they are constitutional.

Vertical Division:

Central Government: Handles national issues like defense, foreign policy, currency.
State Governments: Manage regional issues like education, healthcare, agriculture.
Local Governments (Panchayati Raj): Address local needs like sanitation, water supply, primary education.

Social Group Division:

Reservations in government jobs and education for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.
Religious and Linguistic Minority Rights: Protected by the Constitution.

Political Parties & Pressure Groups:

Multi-party system: Different parties (BJP, Congress, etc.) compete in elections, representing diverse ideologies.
Pressure groups: NGOs, trade unions, social movements influence policy through protests and lobbying.