Class X:Political Science [Ch-1 Power Sharing]

BELGIUM. It is a small country in Europe bordered by Luxembourg ,Germany and the Netherlands. 

Ethnic composition of Belgium:

59 % - speak Dutch language

40 %- speaks French language

1% - speaks German language. 

In the capital city, Brussels 

French speakers -80%

Dutch speaking - 20% 

SRI LANKA is an island nation a few kilometres away from the Southern coast of India, of Tamilnadu. 

Composition of Sri lanka 

Sinhala speakers-74 %

Tamils - 18% 

They are of 2 types- 

• Indian Tamils-13%

• Srilankan Tamils - 5 % 

• Rest 1 % were Christians’ Hindus or Muslim 

Tamils felt alienated because 

● They felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders was sensitive to their language and culture. 

● The constitution and government policies denied them equal political rights. 

● They also discriminated against them in getting jobs and other opportunities 

Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka 

1. In 1956 an Act was passed, declaring Sinhala as the only Official Language.

2. Preference was given to Sinhala speakers for university speakers and government jobs.

3. A new constitution stipulated that a state should protect and promote Buddhism. 

Accommodation in Belgium 

1. between 1970 -93 ,4 times the constitution was amended.

2. equal number of ministers to be appointed from Dutch and French.

3. more powers to be given to the state government.

4. The state government was not under the control of the Central Government.

5. apart from this community government was also formed. 

- It was elected by the people belonging to the 1 language community. 

The Belgian model is considered the best model of democracy. 

Power sharing is Desirable Because-

1. It helps to reduce the possibility of conflicts between social groups. It provides political stability. It is called prudential reason as it brings results 

2. It is the spirit of Democracy. A democracy involves power sharing. This is called moral reason as people have the right to be consulted on how they are to be governed. 

Reasons for power sharing are- Prudential/Moral 

Forms of Power Sharing are- 

1. Among different organs of the government--- legislature , executive and judiciary. Also called the Horizontal division of powers. They are placed at the same levels to exercise different powers. Example India.

2. Among different levels of the government-----central or union, state and local. Also called the Vertical division of powers. It is also called the federal division of power.

3. Among different social groups-- it is divided among various linguistic groups. In some countries these are reserved constituencies for Women and other minorities. 

4. Among Political parties, Pressure groups and Movements. Power is shared among different political parties that represent different ideologies and social groups. Sometimes one or more political parties form a group and contest elections called coalition government example India. 

IMPORTANT TERMS

1. ETHNIC- a social division based on shared culture.

2. MAJORITARIANISM- a belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it wants.

3. CIVIL WAR - a violent conflict b/w opposing groups within a country.

4. PRUDENTIAL- based on careful calculations of gains and losses.