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CBSE Class 10 Power Sharing Notes
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
Accommodation in Belgium (Belgian Model of Power-Sharing)
- 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
Belgian Model of Power-Sharing
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
Why power sharing is desirable?
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
Forms of Power Sharing
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.
Examples for each forms of Power Sharing
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.