POWER SHARING

Question 1: Describe the ethnic composition of Belgium.

Answer: The ethnic composition of Belgium is very complex. Ethnic

composition refers to a group of people sharing similarities in
culture, language, physical characteristics, history, or society.

The ethnic composition of Belgium can be broken down as follows:

1. 59% of the country's total population lives in the Flemish region

and speaks Dutch.
2. 40% of the population lives in the Walloon region and speaks
French.
3. 1% of the population speaks German.
4. In the capital city Brussels, 80% of people speak French, while 20%
speak Dutch.

Interestingly, while the majority of the country's population speaks

Dutch, in the capital city Brussels, the majority speaks French.

Question 2: What led to the ethnic tensions in Belgium? Why was it

more acute in Brussels?

OR

Describe the tension/conflict that existed between the Dutch and

French-speaking people in Belgium.

Answer: The following reasons led to ethnic tensions in Belgium:

1. The minority French-speaking community was richer and more

powerful than the Dutch-speaking community.
2. The Dutch-speaking community did not benefit equally from
economic development and education, unlike the French-speaking
community, which made the Dutch-speaking people angry.

This led to tensions between the Dutch and French-speaking

communities. The tension was more acute in Brussels because,
despite being a majority in the country, the Dutch-speaking people
were a minority in the capital city.

Question 3: Give an account of the ethnic composition of Sri Lanka.

Answer: Sri Lanka has a diverse population consisting of Sinhala and

Tamil speakers. Among the Tamils, there are two subgroups:

1. Sri Lankan Tamils (13%): Native Tamils of the country.

2. Indian Tamils: Descendants of Indian workers brought to Sri Lanka
during the British colonial period.

Other key aspects of Sri Lanka's ethnic composition include:

- Geographic distribution: Sri Lankan Tamils predominantly live in the

north and east of the country.
- Religious affiliations:
- Most Sinhala-speaking people are Buddhists.
- Most Tamil-speaking people are Hindus, Muslims, or Christians.

This diversity has contributed to the country's complex social and

political landscape.

Question 4: What were the reasons for the alienation of Sri Lankan
Tamils? What was the effect of this on Sri Lankan Tamils?
Or
What were the majoritarian measures taken in Sri Lanka to establish
supremacy?
Or
Describe the provisions of the Act passed in Sri Lanka in 1956 to
establish supremacy.
Or
What were the causes for deterioration of relations between
Sinhalese and Tamils in Sri Lanka?

Answer: The Sinhalese majority in Sri Lanka wanted to dominate the

government, leading to a series of majoritarian measures to establish
supremacy. This meant prioritizing the majority community's
interests while ignoring the needs and wishes of the minority.

The majoritarian measures included:

1. Official Language Act (1956): Sinhala was recognized as the only

official language, disregarding Tamil.
2. Preferential policies: The government favored Sinhalese applicants
for jobs and university positions.
3. New Constitution: The state was mandated to protect and foster
Buddhism.

These measures led to feelings of alienation among Sri Lankan

Tamils, who felt that:

1. Their language and culture were being ignored.

2. The constitution and relationships between Sinhalese and Tamil
communities had deteriorated over time.

This situation contributed to strained relations between the two

communities.

Question 5: Why did the civil war break out in Sri Lanka? What was
its impact on the country?

Answer: The civil war in Sri Lanka broke out due to the following
reasons:
1. Majoritarian measures: The government's policies created a
feeling of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils, who demanded
regional autonomy, equality of opportunity in education and jobs,
and recognition of Tamil as an official language.
2. Rejection of demands: The Tamils' demands for freedom and
equality were rejected, leading to growing discontent.
3. Formation of political organizations: By the 1980s, several
organizations demanded an independent Tamil state (Eelam) in
northern and eastern Sri Lanka.
4. Escalation into civil war: The distrust between the two
communities turned into widespread conflict, eventually escalating
into a full-blown civil war.

Impact of the Civil War:

The civil war had a devastating impact on Sri Lanka:

1. Loss of life: Thousands of people from both communities were

killed.
2. Displacement and refugees: Many families were forced to leave
the country as refugees, and many lost their livelihoods.
3. Social, cultural, and economic setback: The civil war caused
significant damage to the country's social, cultural, and economic
life, ultimately ending in 2009.

Question 6: Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. Justify the

statement with suitable points.

OR

Explain two sets of reasons why power sharing is desirable.

Or
State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power sharing
with an example from the Indian context.
Answer: Prudential Reasons:

Power sharing is desirable for the following reasons:

1. Reduces conflict: Power sharing helps reduce the possibility of

conflict between social groups.
2. Ensures stability: Power sharing ensures the stability of political
order by preventing social conflict and violence.
3. Promotes national unity: Imposing the will of the majority
community over others may seem attractive in the short term, but it
undermines national unity in the long run.

Example from India: Reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and

Scheduled Tribes in government institutions is based on prudential
reasons, promoting representation and inclusivity.

Moral Reasons:

1. Spirit of democracy: Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy,

ensuring citizens' participation and representation.
2. Right to be consulted: People have the right to be consulted on
how they are governed.
3. Legitimate government: A legitimate government is one where
citizens acquire a stake in the system through participation.

Example from India: Decentralization of power, transferring powers

from the central government to local governments, fulfills the moral
reason for power sharing, promoting citizen participation and
representation.

Question 7: Describe the elements of the Belgium model for

accommodating diversities.

OR
Highlight the measures adopted by the Belgium government to
accommodate regional and cultural diversities.

Answer: The Belgium model for accommodating diversities includes

the following elements:

1. Equal representation in central government: The constitution

ensures equal numbers of Dutch and French-speaking ministers in
the central government. Special laws require support from both
language groups, preventing unilateral decision-making.
2. Decentralization of power: Many powers have been transferred
from the central government to the state governments of the two
regions, making them autonomous and no longer subordinate to the
centre.
3. Special arrangement for Brussels: Brussels has a separate
government with equal representation for both Dutch and French-
speaking communities. This arrangement was accepted by both
communities as part of a broader compromise, ensuring
representation in both the central government and the capital's
government.
4. Community government: There is a third kind of government, the
community government, elected by people belonging to one
language community (Dutch, French, or German-speaking),
regardless of where they live. This government has powers regarding
cultural, educational, and language-related issues.

These measures have helped accommodate regional and cultural

diversities in Belgium.

Question 8: Differentiate between horizontal and vertical power

sharing in modern democracies.

Answer: Horizontal Division of Power:

1. Power sharing among organs: Power is shared among different
organs of government, such as the legislative, executive, and
judiciary.
2. Distinct powers: Each organ exercises different powers, ensuring
no single organ is more powerful than others.
3. System of checks and balances: Each organ checks the others,
resulting in a balance of power among institutions.

Vertical Division of Power:

1. Power sharing among levels: Power is shared among governments

at different levels, such as central, state, and local governments (e.g.,
municipalities and panchayats).
2. Hierarchical structure: Higher and lower levels of government
exist, with varying levels of power.
3. Clear division of powers: The constitution clearly lays down the
powers of different levels of government, eliminating the need for a
system of checks and balances.

This distinction highlights the different approaches to power sharing

in modern democracies.

Question 9: How is power shared among different political parties

and pressure groups?

Answer: Power sharing among different political parties and pressure

groups occurs in the following ways:

1. Competition and influence: Political parties, pressure groups, and

movements control or influence those in power through competition
and advocacy.
2. Multi-party system: In a democracy, competition among different
parties ensures that power does not remain in one hand.
3. Representation of diverse ideologies: Power is shared among
parties representing different ideologies and social groups.
4. Coalition governments: When multiple parties form an alliance
and are elected, they share power in a coalition government.
5. Interest group participation: Interest groups, such as trade unions,
business associations, farmers' organizations, and industrial workers,
also have a share in governmental power.
6. Influence on decision-making: These interest and pressure groups
influence decision-making either through participation in
government committees or by shaping policy discussions.

This complex web of power sharing reflects the diverse interests and
voices in a democratic system.

Question 10: Both Belgium and Sri Lanka are democracies, but they
follow different systems of power sharing. Support the statement.

OR

Bring out the contrast between Belgium and Sri Lankan democracy.

Answer: Both Belgium and Sri Lanka are democracies, but they differ
in their approach to power sharing:

1. Accommodation vs. Majoritarianism: Belgium accommodates

social and ethnic divisions, while Sri Lanka follows majoritarian
policies that favor the majority community.
2. Power sharing: Belgium shares power between Dutch and French-
speaking communities, whereas Sri Lanka prioritizes the interests of
the majority Sinhalese community.
3. Representation and community government: Belgium provides
equal representation to both communities and has community
governments that oversee cultural, educational, and language-
related issues. In contrast, Sri Lanka lacks such arrangements and
denies basic rights to minority communities.
4. Approach to national unity: Belgium's leaders recognize that unity
requires respecting diverse communities' feelings and interests. In
contrast, Sri Lanka's experience shows that majority domination and
refusal to share power can threaten national unity.

These differences highlight distinct approaches to power sharing and

democracy in Belgium and Sri Lanka.