Power-sharing (Class 10): Notes और MCQ Practice

आसान भाषा में:

Power-sharing का सीधा मतलब है सरकार की शक्तियों को अलग-अलग organs और levels में बाँटना। जैसे घर में जिम्मेदारियाँ बाँटने से कलह नहीं होती, वैसे ही देश में Power-sharing करने से अलग-अलग communities के बीच झगड़े नहीं होते और Democracy की आत्मा (spirit) सुरक्षित रहती है।

Important Points to Remember:

1. Belgium Model (Accommodation): Dutch (59%) और French (40%) भाषाई तनाव को सुलझाने के लिए Center में बराबर Ministers रखे और cultural/educational मुद्दों के लिए Community Government बनाई।
2. Sri Lanka Model (Majoritarianism): 1956 में Sinhala language को एकमात्र official language बनाया और Buddhism को बढ़ावा दिया। Tamils की उपेक्षा के कारण भयानक Civil War हुआ।
3. Why Power Sharing is Desirable?

• Prudential Reason: Conflicts और political instability को रोकता है (Practical/दिमागी फायदा)।
• Moral Reason: यह Democracy की मूल आत्मा (Spirit) है—जनता का शासन जनता की हिस्सेदारी से ही चलता है।

1. Forms of Power Sharing:

• Horizontal: Organs के बीच (Legislature, Executive, Judiciary) – इसे System of Checks and Balances कहते हैं।
• Vertical: Government के levels के बीच (Central, State, Local Govt)।
• Social Groups: Linguistic/religious groups (जैसे Belgium की Community Govt, भारत में Reserved Constituencies)।
• Political Parties & Pressure Groups: Coalitions और alliances के ज़रिए।

💡 2 Memory Tricks:

1. "P vs M" Formula: Prudential = Practical फायदा (dange-fasad रोकना), Moral = Mool mantra (Democracy की spirit)।
2. Horizontal vs Vertical: Horizon सीधा लेटा होता है = सेम level वाले organs (L-E-J: Legislature, Executive, Judiciary)। Vertical खंभा जैसा खड़ा होता है = Top to Bottom levels (Center ➔ State ➔ Local)।

⚠️ 2 Common Board Mistakes:

1. Horizontal और Vertical में Confusion: बच्चे Organs (LEJ) को Vertical लिख देते हैं। याद रखें, Organs = Horizontal, Levels = Vertical।
2. Sri Lanka के 1956 Act के प्रभाव: सिर्फ Tamils नाराज हुए इतना लिखना काफी नहीं है; Mention करें कि Sinhala को 'sole official language' का दर्जा और Buddhism को state protection दिया गया था।

Power-sharing (Class 10 Political Science)

1. Chapter in Short

This chapter explains why sharing power is the very soul of democracy. It does so by comparing the real-life stories of two small nations:

• Belgium: Successfully handled ethnic diversity by sharing power equally among different communities, leading to peace and stability.
• Sri Lanka: Followed a policy of Majoritarianism, giving all dominance to the Sinhala majority while ignoring the Tamil minority, which led to a violent civil war.

The chapter concludes by explaining why power-sharing is desirable (Prudential and Moral reasons) and outlines the four major forms of power-sharing in modern democracies.

2. Key Concepts Explained Simply

A. The Two Stories

1. Belgium (Accommodation)

• The Situation: Belgium has a population split by language: 59% speak Dutch (live in Flemish region), 40% speak French (live in Wallonia region), and 1% speak German. In the capital city, Brussels, the situation was reversed: 80% French and 20% Dutch.
• The Conflict: During the 1950s and 1960s, tensions arose because the French minority was relatively rich and powerful, while the Dutch majority got the benefits of education and economic development much later.
• The Solution (The Belgian Model): Between 1970 and 1993, Belgium amended its constitution 4 times to work out an arrangement:

1. Equal number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers in the Central Government.
2. Many powers of the Central Government were given to State Governments (State is not subordinate to the Centre).
3. Brussels got a separate government where both communities have equal representation.
4. A third tier called Community Government was elected by people belonging to one language group (Dutch, French, or German) to decide on culture, education, and language issues.

• Everyday Example: Think of two siblings sharing a room. Instead of the older one taking over the entire space, they draw an agreed line, share the study table equally, and decide rules together so no one feels cheated.

2. Sri Lanka (Majoritarianism)

• The Situation: Gained independence in 1948. Population: 74% Sinhala speakers (mostly Buddhist) and 18% Tamil speakers (Hindus and Muslims; divided into Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils).
• The Problem (Majoritarian Measures): In 1956, an Act was passed recognizing Sinhala as the only official language. Preference was given to Sinhala applicants for university jobs and government posts, and Buddhism was given state protection.
• The Result: Tamils felt alienated. Their demands for autonomy and official recognition of the Tamil language were repeatedly denied. This distrust turned into a long, bloody Civil War that severely damaged Sri Lanka's economy and social fabric.

B. Why is Power-Sharing Desirable?

1. Prudential Reasons (Based on careful calculation of gains and losses):

• It reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups.
• Social conflict leads to violence and political instability; power-sharing ensures the stability of political order.
• Everyday Example: Wearing a helmet while riding a bike. You do it because it practically prevents severe injury.

1. Moral Reasons (Based on values and principles):

• Power-sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise.
• People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.
• Everyday Example: Telling the truth because it is the right thing to do.

C. Forms of Power-Sharing in Modern Democracies

1. Horizontal Distribution of Power:

• Power is shared among different organs of government: Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary placed at the same level.
• Each organ checks the other, creating a system of checks and balances.

1. Vertical Distribution of Power (Federal Government):

• Power is shared among governments at different levels: a general government for the entire country (Central/Union Government) and governments at the regional/state level (State Governments), and further down to local bodies (Panchayats/Municipalities).

1. Among Different Social Groups:

• Power shared among religious and linguistic groups.
• Examples: 'Community Government' in Belgium; 'Reserved Constituencies' in assemblies and parliament in India for socially weaker sections and women.

1. Among Political Parties, Pressure Groups, and Movements:

• Multiple political parties compete for power. When no single party gets a majority, they form a Coalition Government where power is shared.
• Interest groups (traders, farmers, workers) influence government decisions.

3. Important Definitions, Facts, and Dates

• Majoritarianism: A belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it wants, by disregarding the wishes and needs of the minority.
• Civil War: A violent conflict between opposing groups within a country that becomes so intense that it looks like a war.
• Prudential: Based on prudence, or on careful calculation of gains and losses.
• Checks and Balances: A system where each organ of government checks the other, ensuring that none of the organs can exercise unlimited power.
• Key Figures & Dates:
• 1948: Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country.
• 1956: Sri Lankan Act passed to make Sinhala the sole official language.
• 1970 to 1993: Belgian Constitution amended 4 times to accommodate diversity.
• Belgium Population Split: 59% Dutch (Flemish), 40% French (Wallonia), 1% German.
• Brussels Split: 80% French, 20% Dutch.
• Sri Lanka Population Split: 74% Sinhala, 18% Tamil (13% Sri Lankan Tamils + 5% Indian Tamils), 7% Christian (both Sinhala and Tamil), 1% Others.
• Headquarters of the European Union (EU): Brussels, Belgium (chosen because of its orderly power-sharing success).

4. Solved Board-Exam Style Questions

Q1. Differentiate between the Horizontal and Vertical distribution of power. (3 Marks)

Answer:

Feature — Horizontal Distribution of Power — Vertical Distribution of Power

Level — Power is shared among different organs of government at the same level. — Power is shared among governments at different levels (higher to lower).

Organs / Tiers — Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary. — Central Government, State Government, and Local Government.

Function — It establishes a system of checks and balances; no organ has unlimited power. — Higher levels usually have broad national powers, while lower levels look after regional/local administration.

Q2. Describe the majoritarian measures adopted by the Sri Lankan government to establish Sinhala supremacy. (3 Marks)

Answer:

After gaining independence in 1948, the democratically elected government of Sri Lanka adopted a series of majoritarian measures:

1. Language Policy (1956 Act): Recognized Sinhala as the only official language, completely disregarding Tamil.
2. Preferential Policies: Preferential treatment was given to Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.
3. Religious Preference: A new constitution stipulated that the state should foster and protect Buddhism.

These measures caused deep alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils and led to a prolonged civil war.

Q3. Explain the four key elements of the Belgian Model of power-sharing. (5 Marks)

Answer:

The leaders of Belgium recognized the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities. The key elements of their model are:

1. Equal Representation in Central Government: The constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the Central Government. Special laws require the support of the majority of members from each linguistic group.
2. Devolution of Powers: Many powers of the Central Government have been given to State Governments of the two regions. The State Governments are not subordinate to the Central Government.
3. Equal Representation in Brussels: Brussels has a separate government in which both the French and Dutch communities have equal representation.
4. Community Government: A third kind of government called the 'Community Government' is elected by people belonging to one language group (Dutch, French, and German-speaking), regardless of where they live. It handles cultural, educational, and language-related issues.

Q4. "Power-sharing is the very spirit of democracy." Justify this statement with moral and prudential arguments. (3 Marks)

Answer:

• Moral Argument: Democracy implies that people who are affected by governance policies have the fundamental right to participate in making those decisions. A legitimate government is one where citizens acquire a stake in the system through participation.
• Prudential Argument: Power-sharing is a practical necessity because it prevents social conflict between different groups. Since social conflicts often lead to political violence and instability, power-sharing maintains national unity and peace.

5. Common Mistakes and Quick Revision Points

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Mistake: Confusing the language distribution of Belgium overall with that of Brussels.
• Correction: In Belgium as a whole, Dutch is the majority (59%) and French is the minority (40%). In Brussels, French is the majority (80%) and Dutch is the minority (20%).
• Mistake: Labeling the Community Government in Belgium as a form of "Vertical Power Sharing".
• Correction: Community Government is an example of power-sharing among different social groups (linguistic groups), not vertical distribution.
• Mistake: Mixing up Prudential reasons and Moral reasons.
• Correction: Prudential = Practical benefits (avoids violence, ensures stability). Moral = Core values of democracy (people's right to be consulted).

Quick 2-Minute Revision Points:

• Belgium: Compromise, unity, 4 constitutional amendments, equality at Centre & Brussels, Community Government.
• Sri Lanka: Majoritarianism, Sinhala dominance (1956 Act), alienation of Tamils, civil war.
• Horizontal: Legislature + Executive + Judiciary = Checks and balances.
• Vertical: Centre + State + Local = Federalism.
• Coalition Government: An example of power-sharing among political parties.