Chapter 1 – Power-sharing

1. What are the different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies? Give an

example of each of these.
Answer. There are different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies. These are given
below:

a. Horizontal distribution of power – Power is shared among different organs of

government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. Example – India
b. The federal division of power – 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)
c. Community government – Power may also be shared among different social groups such
as the religious and linguistic groups. Example – Belgium
d. Power-sharing between political parties, pressure groups and movements – 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.

2. State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power-sharing with an example
from the Indian context.
Answer. While prudential reasons stress that power-sharing will bring out better outcomes. In
India, the power is shared horizontally among various organs of government. The Legislature,
Executive and Judiciary are responsible for administering India. Reservation is applicable in
India, where various sections are given benefits over others to avoid conflicts.
Moral reasons emphasise the very act of power-sharing as valuable. In India, citizens are
conferred with fundamental rights and directive principles of state policies are implied on the
government.
3. Describe the geographical and ethnic composition of Belgium.
Answer: The geographical and ethnic composition of Belgium is given below :
(1) Geographical composition :

1. Belgium is a small country in Europe. It is smaller in area than the State of Haryana in
India.
2. It has borders with Netherlands, France and Germany.
3. Its population is little over one crore. It is half of the population of Haryana state.

(2) Ethnic composition :

1. 59 per cent of the population lives in the Flemish region. They speak Dutch language.
2. 40 per cent people live in the Wallonia region. They speak French.
3. Remaining one per cent speak German.
 4. Brussels is the capital of Belgium. Here, 80 per cent people speak French and 20 per cent
speak Dutch.
Thus, Belgium is a country of diversities based on languages. Dutch-speaking people are
in majority in the country, but a minority in the capital city of Brussels.

4. How was majoritarianism practiced in Sri Lanka ?

Answer:(1) Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948. The Sinhala

community was majority community. Their leaders sought to secure dominance over
government. Thus the democratically elected government adopted the following
majoritarian measures :

1. In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language thus
disregarding Tamil.
2. The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for
university positions and government jobs.
3. A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.

(2) Effects : The above measures gradually increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri
Lankan Tamils.

1. They felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders were
sensitive to their language and culture.
2. They felt that the constitution and government policies denied them equal political rights.
3. They also felt that they were being discriminated in getting jobs and other opportunities.
Thus the relations between the Sinhala and Tamil communities strained and a feeling of
alienation grew among the Sri Lankan Tamils.

5. What were the effects of feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils ?
Answer:The effects of the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils were as
mentioned below :

1. The Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil as an
official language.
2. They demanded regional autonomy.
3. They also demanded equality of opportunity in securing education and jobs.
4. Their demand for regional autonomy was repeatedly denied.
5. By 1980s several political organisations were formed and they demanded an s independent
Tamil Eelam (state) in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.
6. The distrust and alienation turned into widespread conflict between the two communities.
It soon turned into a civil war.
7. In the civil war, thousands of people of both the communities were killed. Many
8. families were forced to leave the country as refugees. Many lost their livelihoods. Thus
although Sri Lanka had excellent record of economic development, education and health,
 but the civil war has caused a terrible setback to the social, cultural and economic life of
the country.

6. Describe the path of accommodation adopted in Belgium. What were its consequences
Answer: The Belgian leaders recognised the existence of regional differences and cultural
diversities. So they adopted a path of accommodation. Its features were as mentioned
below :

1. Between 1970 and 1993, the constitution was amended four times so as to work out an
arrangement that would enable everyone to live together within same country.
2. The constitution prescribes that the Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in
the Central Government.
3. Some special laws require the support of majority of members from each linguistic group.
No single community not even majority community (Dutch-speaking) can make decisions
unilaterally.
4. The State Governments are not subordinate to the Central Government. Many powers of
the Central Government have been given to State Governments.
5. There is a separate government in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. Both the communities
i.e., French-speaking and Dutch-speaking, have equal representation in the Brussels
government. The French-speaking people accepted equal representation in Brussels
because the Dutch-speaking community has accepted equal representation in the central
government.
6. A third government which is called “community government” is elected by people
belonging to one language community – Dutch, French and German-speaking – no matter
where they live. The community government has power regarding cultural, educational
and language-related issues. The above model is complicated but it has worked so well
that there is no civil strife between the two communities. There is no danger of division of
the country on the linguistic basis.