CH-1-DP Flashcards
(21 cards)
Q.1. What are the different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies? Give one
example of each of these.
Ans. (i) Power is shared among different organs of the government (horizontal power
sharing), such as the legislature,
executive and judiciary. For example, Indian political system.
(ii) Power is shared among governments at central, provincial and local level (vertical
power sharing). In India, power is shared among Central government, State
governments and local self-government.
(iii) Power may also be shared among different social groups, such as the religious and
linguistic groups. ‘Community government’ in Belgium is a good example of this
arrangement.
(iv) Power-sharing arrangements can also be seen in the many political parties, pressure
groups and movements control or influence those in power. In contemporary
democracies, this takes form of competition among different parties.
State one prudential and one moral reason in favour of power-sharing, with an
example from the Indian context.
Ans. Power-sharing reduces the possibility of conflict between two or more than two social
groups or even among those who have power to run the government.
(i) Prudential : In India, seats are reserved for the weaker sections of society.
Example : reservation of seats for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. This
allows the weaker sections also to participate in the running of the Government.
(ii) Moral : India is a land of many religions. For this reason, all religions are given equal
respect and there is no state religion. This is truly in favour of the spirit of democracy.
Q.3. After reading this chapter, three students drew different conclusions. Which of these
do you agree with and why? Give your reasons in about 50 words. Thomman – Power-
sharing is necessary only in societies which have religious, linguistic or ethnic divisions.
Mathayi – Power-sharing is suitable only for big countries that have regional divisions.
Ouseph – Every society needs some form of power-sharing even if it is small or does not
have social divisions.
Ans. I agree with Ouseph. Even a small country with no ethnic problems (Switzerland) would
not like one person to become all-powerful or one group to assume all powers. Power has to be
shared otherwise you end up with dictatorship.
The Mayor of Merchtem, a town near Brussels in Belgium, has defended a ban on
speaking French in the town’s schools. He said that the ban would help all non-Dutch
speakers integrate in this Flemish town. Do you think that this measure is in keeping with
the spirit of Belgium’s power-sharing arrangements? Give your reasons in about 50
words.
Ans. No, the measure is not in keeping with the spirit of power-sharing arrangements. Though
Brussels has a French majority, the Dutch have been given equal representation in the separate
government for Brussels. Imposing French language on the Dutch would be violating the
power-sharing rules in Brussels.
Read the following passage and pick out any one of the prudential reasons for
powersharing
offered in this.
“We need to give more power to the panchayats to realise the dream of Mahatma Gandhi and
the hopes of the makers of our Constitution. Panchayati Raj establishes true democracy. It
restores power to the only place where power belongs in a democracy — in the hands of
thepeople. Giving power to Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase
administrative efficiency. When people participate in the planning and implementation of
devolopmental schemes, they would naturally exercise greater control over these schemes. This
would eliminate the corrupt middlemen Thus, Panchayati Raj will strengthen the foundations of
our democracy.”
Ans. The prudential reason for power sharing offered in this passage is : giving power to
panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency.
Q.1. Describe with examples the way in which power can be shared among different social
and linguistic groups? [2010 (T-1)]
Ans. Power may also be shared among different social groups, such as religious and linguistic
groups, for example, Belgium. In Belgium, this different social group is known as community
government. In some countries there are constitutional and legal arrangements whereby socially
weaker sections and women are represented in the legislature and administration. This type of
arrangement is meant to give space in the government and administration to diverse social
groups who otherwise would feel alienated from the government.
Q.2. Describe horizontal & vertical power sharing in modern democracies. [2010, 2011 (T-1)]
Ans. When power is shared among legislature, executive and judiciary different organs of
government. This is known as horizontal distribution of power. This kind of distribution allows
different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers. It this
pattern, each organ checks the others. This maintains the balance of power, for example, in
India.
When power shared among governments at different levels, at provincial or regional level, this
is known as vertical distribution of power. Such a general government for the entire country is
usually called federal government. In India, we refer to it as the central or union government.
The governments at the provincial or regional level are called by different names in different
countries. In India, we call them state governments.
Q.3. What is the difference between the policies adopted by Belgium and Sri Lanka
regarding power sharing arrangement? [2010 (T-1)]
OR
How have Belgium and Sri Lanka dealt with the question of power sharing differently.
[2011 (T-1)]
Ans. The ethnic composition of Belgium is very complex. The Belgium 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. Thus no single community can make decisions unilaterally. Many powers of the central
government has been given to state governments but the state governments are not subordinate
to the central government. Brussels (the capital) has a separate government in which both the
communities have equal representation.
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.
It has the power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues. In Sri Lanka, two
major social groups are there – Sinhala speakers (74%) and Tamil speakers (18%). The
leaders of the Sinhala community sought to secure dominance over government. As a result, the
democratically elected government adopted a series of majoritarian. Under it, Sinhala is
recognised as the only official language. The government followed Sinhala preferential policies.
The state shall protect and foster Buddhism. As a result, the relations between the Sinhala and
Tamil communities strained over time.
Explain how Belgium was able to solve her ethnic problem?.
Ans. The Belgian leaders amended their Constitution four times between 1970 and 1993, to
work out an arrangement agreeable to all sections of society.
(i) The number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers are equal in the central government.
(ii) Many powers of the central government have been given to state government of the
Two regions of the country.
(iii) The state governments are not subordinate to the central government.
(iv) Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal
representation.
(v) The ‘Community Government’ is elected by people belonging to one language
community–Dutch, French and German-speaking – no matter where they live.
What were the reasons for the alienation of Sri Lankan Tamils? What was the effect
of this on Sri Lankan Tamils? What was the effect of this on the country?
Ans.
(i) In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language,
thus Tamil.
(ii) The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants
for positions in educational institutions, armed forces and other government jobs.
(iii) A new constitution declared that the state shall protect and promote Buddhism, the
religion
(iv) of the majority Sinhala community. All these government measures gradually
increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils.
Q.6. Explain two reasons as why power sharing is desirable.
(i) Power sharing is desirable because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between
social groups. Since social conflicts eventually lead to political instability, power sharing
ensures the stability of the political order.
(ii) Powers sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A legitimate government is one where
citizens through participation, acquire a stake in the system
Q8. Describe the different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies. Give an
example of each of these. (CBSE Sample Paper)
Ans. In modern democracies, power-sharing arrangements can take many forms –
(i) Among different organs of government : Power is shared among the legislature, executive
and judiciary. This is called horizontal distribution of power because it allows the three organs
of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers. Each organ checks the
others, no organ can exercise unlimited power.
(ii) Among governments at different levels : Here power is shared among governments at the
provincial or regional level and a general government for the entire country, called Federal
Government. In India, we call it Central or Union Government. In India, the government at the
provincial level is called State government. The Constitution clearly
lays down powers of different levels of government. The third level of government is called
municipality and panchayat. This arrangement is called vertical division of power.
(iii) Among different social groups : Power may also be shared among different social groups,
such as the religious and linguistic groups. For example, Community Government in Belgium.
In India, weaker sections of society have ‘reserved constituencies’ in Assemblies and the
Parliament. They also have ‘reserved seats’ in government jobs.
(iv) Among political parties, pressure groups and movements :
Power is shared among various political parties that represent different ideologies and social
groups. Interest groups such as those of traders, businessmen, industrialists,farmers and
individual workers also have share in governmental power, either through participation in
governmental committees or bringing influence on the decision making process.
Bring out the main features of the Belgian model of governance.
.
Ans. Between 1970 and 1993, the Belgian leaders amended their Constitution four times to
work out a consensus.
(i) The Belgian Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers
shall be equal in the central government. Important laws can be passed only with the support of
majority of members from each linguistic group.
(ii) Many powers of the central government have been delegated to state governments of the
two regions of the country. The State governments are not subordinate to the central
government.
(iii)Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal
representation. Apart from the central and the state governments, there is a third kind of
government in Belgium, called the ‘Community government’. This government is elected by
the people belonging to one language community – Dutch, French and German-speaking – no
matterwhere they live
What do we learn from the story of Sri Lanka? Should India follow the Belgian
model? (HOTS)
Ans. The distrust between the two communities in Sri Lanka turned into a widespread conflict.
It soon turned into a civil war in which thousands of people of both the communities were
killed, thousands became homeless and were forced to leave the country as refugees. The story
of Sri Lanka teaches us the lesson of sharing power among various communities. Various
prudential and moral reasons for power sharing are desirable to ensure stability of the political
order, unity and integrity of the country. The rule of majority community leads to conflict in
society and eventually to a bloody civil war.
India should not follow the Belgian model as it is not suitable for a large multilingual and multi
religious country like ours. Our Constitution is best suited and most appropriate for Indian
society and culture. Belgian model of power sharing is quite complicated and not suitable for
India.
What could ethnic problem lead to in Belgium and Sri Lanka?
Ans. In both countries, there could be tension and conflict between different ethnic groups. In
Belgium, the majority community of Dutch-speaking people could try to dominate the French
and German-speaking people. This could lead to conflict — specially in Brussels. Brussels
could have been partitioned as the ratio of the Dutch and the French was different from the rest
of the country.
In Sri Lanka, the Sinhalese people, already in majority, could try further to dominate the Tamil
speaking people. It could even lead to a war. Thus, size and population do not matter. Ethnic
divisions, if not handled with patience and common sense, can lead to a civil war, division of
the country and conflict between communities.
Give instances to show how Sri Lanka has imposed ‘majoritarianism’.
Ans. (i) Sri Lanka had a 74% population of Sinhala-speaking people. From the day it became
independent, it imposed the majority rule in Sri Lanka.
(ii) It changed the Constitution to make Sinhala the official language, Buddhism the official
religion.
(iii) It totally ignored Tamil culture, language, and gave preference in jobs to Sinhala-speaking
people.
(iv) It also gave no importance to Hinduism, Islam or Christianity.
Q.13. In what way was the Belgian method better?
Ans. The Belgians gave equal importance to all the ethnic groups. At the Centre, there were
both French and Dutch ministers, and their number was equal.
l The Centre and the states had equal and independent powers.
l If new laws were made, they had to be passed with the majority in both ethnic groups-voting
for them.
l A separate government was elected for the city of Brussels.
l A third community government was elected, comprising Dutch, French and German speaking
people. It looked after the language, culture and educational issues. In short, the Belgians wisely
tried to avoid all tensions and conflicts by accommodating the needs and wishes of all ethnic
groups.
Here are some examples of power-sharing. Which of the four types of power sharing
do these represent ? Who is sharing power with whom?
(i) The Bombay High Court ordered the Maharashtra state government to immediately take
action and improve the living conditions for the 2,000-odd children at seven children’s homes
in Maharashtra.
(ii) The government of Ontario state in Canada has agreed to a land claim settlement with the
aboriginal community. The Minister responsible for Native Affairs announced that the
government will work with aboriginal people in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation.
(iii) Russia’s two influential political parties, The Union of Right Forces and the
LiberalYabloko Movement, agreed to unite theirorganisations into a strong right-wing coalition.
They propose to have a common list of candidates in the next parliamentary elections.
(iv) The finance ministers of various states in Nigeria got together and demanded that the
federal government declare its sources of income. They also wanted to know the formula by
which the revenue is distributed among various state governments.
Ans. (i) The state judiciary is exercising its power to control the state executive by asking the
state government to look into the conditions of its 2,000 children’s home. There is no power
sharing between different organs of government.
(ii) The aboriginal people have exercised pressure on the government to agree to their land
claims. So power is shared by a social group with the government.
(iii) In this case, two political parties have formed a coalition and are sharing power with mutual
consent.
(iv) In the last example, power is being shared at different government levels, the state or
regional groups are demanding the government at the Centre to declare its sources of income, so
that they can have a larger share of finances for their respective states.
Q.15. How has the idea of power-sharing changed with time?
Ans. For a long time, it was believed that all power of a government must reside in one person
or group of persons located at one place. It was felt that dispensing powers would delay in
decision-making and their enforcement. But these notions have changed with the emergence of
democracy. One basic principle of democracy is that people are the source of all political
power. In a good democratic government, due respect is given to diverse groups and views that
exist in a society. Everyone has a voice in the shaping of the public policies.
One of the ways in which power-sharing is done in Indian democracy is by
providing reservations for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBCs. Now the
Muslims and Christian dalits are asking for reservations. Is this demand of power sharing
justified? (HOTS)
Ans. Initially, when the reservation of seats was done for the socially weaker sections, the
intention of the Constitution was to bring an end to the alienation being faced by the so-called
weaker communities, and to bring them at par with the other communities. But in my opinion, it
has now become more of a political gimmick, a means to collect votes, than to genuinely work
for their development. It may encourage more and more communities to demand for
reservations,
thus leading to widening of social division. This is a sort of negative power-sharing in my
opinion. Some more positive steps need to be taken to encourage power-sharing as early as
possible.
What is majoritarianism? How has it increased the feelings of alienation among Sri
Lankan Tamils? Explain with examples. (2009)
Ans. ‘Majoritarianism’ refers to the policy of domination over minority, just by the virtue of
being in majority.
In Sri Lanka, it has led to the feelings of alienation among the Tamils. They feel that none of
the major political parties, led by Buddhist Sinhala leaders are sensitive to their language and
culture. According to them, the Constitution and the government policies have denied them
equal political rights and discriminated against them in getting jobs and other opportunities and
ignored their interests. This alienation among the Tamils is due to the following reasons :
(i) In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus
disregarding Tamil.
(ii) The government framed policies favouring Sinhala people for government jobs.
(iii) The new Constitution specified that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.
