D E M O C R AT I C P O L I T I C S

CLASS X

CHAPTER1

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 Beligium.
 CASE OF SRI LANKA
The linguistic structure of Sri Lanka, based on language is as Following

Majority :Sinhala
Minority: Tamil Speaking
Speaking

Indian Tamil Sri Lanka Tamil

Buddhists (Religion
followed by majority of Christians Hindu Muslims
Sinhalas)
 MAJORITARIANISM POLICY
• Sri Lanka attained policy of Majoritarianism, i.e. the majority Sinhala speaking
group made policies, that were beneficiary for development of their culture
and neglected minority Tamilians.
• In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language,
thus disregarding Tamil.
• A new constitution stipulated 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 more lost their
livelihoods.
CASE OF BELIGIUM
Ethnic Composition of Belgium
French: 40%
Dutch: 59% Wallonia Region Germen: 1%
Flemith 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, they amended their constitution four times so as to work out an arrangement that
would enable everyone to live together within the same country.
• A power Sharing Arrangement was established for establishment of peace in the country.
• Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central
government. Some special laws require the support of majority of members from each linguistic group.
• No single community can make decisions unilaterally.
• Many powers of the central government have been given to state governments of the two regions of the
country. The state governments are not subordinate to the Central Government.
• Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal representation. The French
speaking people accepted equal representation in Brussels because the Dutch-speaking community has
accepted equal representation in the Central Government.
• Apart from the Central and the State Government, there is a third kind of government. This ‘community
government’ is elected by people belonging to one language community – Dutch, French and German-speaking
– no matter where they live. This government has the power regarding cultural, educational and language-
related issues.
 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 Lanka led to conflict while accommodation Policy led to peace in
Belgium.
• Majoritarian Policy in Sri Lanka led to demand of separate state for a particular linguistic group
while accommodation policy made all linguistic community to leave together in same country.
• Political instability was their in Sri Lanka, but despite of complex constitution Political stability
was obtained in Belgium.
• Development was hindered in Sri Lanka, While Belgium became one of the important places in
Europe and get HQ of European Union.
• BY these two examples, it can be concluded that Power Sharing is a sustainable model for
Governance, stability, peace and development.
 Advantages of Power Sharing

Analytical Moral

•Power sharing is the very spirit of

democracy.
• A democratic rule involves sharing
power with those affected by its
• Reduces Social Conflict
exercise, and who have to live with its
• Reduces chances of division
effects.
• Political Stability
• People have a right to be consulted
• Open Path ways of development
on how they are to be governed.
• A legitimate government is one where
citizens, through participation, acquire
a stake in the system.
 Types of Power Sharing

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