Power Sharing Class-X Civics

Power Sharing explores how modern democracies distribute power to maintain social harmony, political stability, and administrative efficiency.

By comparing the contrasting real-world case studies of Belgium (which embraced ethnic diversity through power-sharing arrangements) and Sri Lanka (which suffered a destructive civil war due to majoritarian dominance), the chapter demonstrates why sharing power is essential in a democratic setup. The chapter concludes by outlining the core forms of power sharing—horizontal, vertical, social, and political—that form the bedrock of robust democratic governance.

Comparison of Power Sharing models in Belgium and Sri Lanka:

i. The People (Diversity)

Belgium: People speak three languages—Dutch (59%), French (40%), and German (1%).
Sri Lanka: People belong to two main language groups—Sinhala speakers (74%) and Tamil speakers (18%).

ii. The Problem

Belgium: Tension between Dutch-speakers (majority in the country) and French-speakers (richer and majority in the capital city, Brussels).
Sri Lanka: The Sinhala majority wanted total control and ignored the needs of the Tamil minority.

iii. The Government’s Action

Belgium (Accommodation):
- Changed its constitution four times to make everyone equal.
- Gave equal power to Dutch and French leaders in the central government.
- Created a third “Community Government” to protect language and culture.
Sri Lanka (Majoritarianism):
- Passed an act in 1956 making Sinhala the only official language.
- Gave preferential treatment to Sinhala people for government jobs and college admissions.
- Made Buddhism the main religion protected by the government.

iv. The Final Outcome

Belgium: Avoided fights, stayed united, and became a peaceful, stable democracy.
Sri Lanka: Caused deep anger among Tamils, leading to a long and destructive Civil War.

Main Lesson: Sharing power keeps a country peaceful and united, while forcing the majority’s rule leads to division and war.

Forms of power sharing:

i. Horizontal Power Sharing (Power among different parts of government)

What it means: Power is divided among three equal branches at the same level: Lawmakers (Legislature), Executors (Executive), and Judges (Judiciary).
Why it works: No single branch gets absolute control. Each branch watches over the others so nobody misuses power. This is called the system of Checks and Balances.
Example: In India, ministers run the government, but judges in courts can declare their actions invalid if they break rules.

ii. Vertical Power Sharing (Power at different levels/Federalism)

What it means: Power is shared from top to bottom between different levels of government: Central (National), State (Regional), and Local (Villages/Cities).
Why it works: Big national issues are handled by the central government, while local daily issues are solved by local authorities who know the area best.
Example: In India, we have the Central Government in Delhi, State Governments (like in Uttarakhand), and local Panchayats or Municipalities.

iii. Power Sharing among Social Groups

What it means: Power is shared with minority, weaker, or different cultural groups so they don’t feel left out or ignored by the majority.
Why it works: It prevents unfair treatment of small communities and keeps social peace.
Example: The “Community Government” in Belgium (elected by language groups) or Reserved Constituencies in India for SCs, STs, and women.

iv. Power Sharing among Political Parties, Pressure Groups, and Movements

What it means: Power is shared among different political parties or groups that represent different interests and opinions.
Why it works: It ensures that power does not stay in just one party’s hands forever. Parties have to cooperate or compete fairly.
Example: A Coalition Government (when multiple political parties join together to run the government) or influence exercised by farmers’ unions and student unions.

Important Long answer type questions in 120 words.

Q1. Why is power sharing important?

Power sharing is vital in modern democracies for two main reasons: prudential (Wise) and moral.

Prudentially, power sharing reduces the risk of conflict between social, ethnic, and linguistic groups, preventing civil strife and ensuring political stability. When majorities force their will on minorities, it undermines national unity, as seen in Sri Lanka.

Morally, power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A legitimate democratic government requires that those affected by governance have a voice and participate in decision-making. Thus, sharing power makes governance both stable and ethically sound.

Q2. How is power shared among different organs of government?

Power shared among different organs of government—the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary—is known as Horizontal Distribution of Power.

In this arrangement, all three organs are placed at the same level to exercise distinct powers independently. The Legislature makes laws, the Executive implements them, and the Judiciary interprets laws and delivers justice.

This layout creates a system of checks and balances: no single organ enjoys unlimited authority, as each continuously checks the actions of the others. For example, while executive ministers hold power, judges appointed by them can review and invalidate unconstitutional laws or government actions.

Important Short answer type questions:

Q1. How is the system of “Checks and Balances” maintained in horizontal power sharing?

Answer:

Horizontal power sharing distributes power among different organs of government at the same level—namely the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.

No single organ can exercise unlimited authority because each organ checks the power of the others.
For example, even though ministers and executive officials exercise power, they remain answerable to the Parliament/Legislature.
Similarly, while judges are appointed by the executive, the Judiciary can review and override unconstitutional laws or executive orders. This mutual monitoring maintains a balance of power.

Q2. Explain the concept of “Community Government” in Belgium.

Answer:

“Community Government” is a unique third tier of government in Belgium designed to resolve linguistic and cultural issues.

Election: It is elected by people belonging to one language group—Dutch, French, or German-speaking—regardless of where they live in the country.
Powers: It has the authority to make laws regarding cultural, educational, and language-related issues.
Significance: It ensures that minority language communities have full control over their cultural identities without interference from other groups.

MCQs

Q1. What percentage of Belgium’s total population lives in the Flemish region and speaks Dutch?

(a) 40%

(b) 59%

(d) 1%

Q2. In Sri Lanka, an Act was passed in 1956 to recognize which language as the only official language?

(a) Tamil

(b) Hindi

(d) English

Q3. Which major ethnic group in Sri Lanka accounts for nearly 74% of the country’s population?

(a) Sri Lankan Tamils

(b) Indian Tamils

(d) Muslims

Q4. The system of “Checks and Balances” comes under which form of power sharing?

(a) Vertical distribution of power

(b) Horizontal distribution of power

(d) Power sharing among political parties

Q5. Power shared among different levels of government (Union, State, Local) is called:

(a) Horizontal division of power

(b) Federal or Vertical division of power

(d) Coalition government

Q6. What type of government exists in Belgium to handle cultural, educational, and language-related issues?

(a) Central Government

(b) State Government

(d) Military Government

Q7. Which city was chosen as the headquarters of the European Union when it was formed?

(a) Antwerp

(b) Brussels

(d) Geneva

Q8. Prudential reasons for power sharing focus on:

(a) The intrinsic ethical value of democracy

(b) Reducing the possibility of conflict between social groups

(d) Increasing central government authority

Q9. Moral reasons for power sharing emphasize that:

(a) Power sharing brings better political stability

(b) Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy

(d) Minorities should not participate in government

Q10. What was the main cause of the civil war in Sri Lanka?

(a) Economic inequality between urban and rural areas

(b) Alienation of Tamils due to majoritarian policies

(d) Foreign military invasion

Q11. Between 1970 and 1993, how many times was the Constitution of Belgium amended to accommodate diversity?

(a) Two times

(b) Three times

(d) Five times

Q12. Reserved constituencies for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in India are an example of:

(a) Horizontal distribution of power

(b) Power sharing among different social groups

(d) Coalition government

Q13. When two or more political parties join hands to form a government, it is known as a:

(a) Federal Government

(b) Community Government

(d) Unitary Government

Q14. In Sri Lanka, the official religion protected and fostered by the constitution according to majoritarian policies is:

(a) Hinduism

(b) Christianity

(d) Buddhism

Q15. Which of the following statements about power sharing is FALSE?

(a) Power sharing helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.

(b) Power sharing is good for democracies.

(d) Power sharing ensures that people affected by decisions are consulted.

Answer Key with Explanations

(b) 59% — 59% live in the Flemish region and speak Dutch, while 40% live in Wallonia and speak French.
(c) Sinhala — The 1956 Act made Sinhala the sole official language, disregarding Tamil.
(c) Sinhalas — Sinhalas constitute 74% of the population, whereas Tamils make up around 18%.
(b) Horizontal distribution of power — Power is shared among equal organs (Legislature, Executive, Judiciary) where each checks the others.
(b) Federal or Vertical division of power — Power flows top-to-bottom from National/Union to State and Local levels.
(c) Community Government — In Belgium, people belonging to one language community elect this third tier regardless of where they live.
(b) Brussels — Brussels was selected as the EU headquarters due to its successful accommodation model.
(b) Reducing the possibility of conflict between social groups — Prudential reasons are based on practical, positive political outcomes.
(b) Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy — Moral reasons hold that sharing power is inherently right and democratic.
(b) Alienation of Tamils due to majoritarian policies — Preferential policies favoring Sinhalas alienated Tamils and triggered civil war.
(c) Four times — Belgium amended its constitution 4 times between 1970 and 1993 to create a workable model.
(b) Power sharing among different social groups — Reserving seats in parliament gives minority and weaker groups a share in power.
(c) Coalition Government — Formed when multiple political parties partner together to achieve a majority.
(d) Buddhism — State policies in Sri Lanka specifically pledged to foster and protect Buddhism.
(c) Power sharing leads to chaos and destabilizes government in all cases. — Power sharing strengthens democracy and stability, making this statement false.