Power Sharing Class X Political Science Social Science Note

 1. POWER SHARING  

Topics in the Chapter

1. Meaning of Power Sharing

2. Why is Power Sharing Desirable?

3. Case Studies (VERY IMPORTANT)

         (A) Belgium – Accommodation Model (SUCCESS)

         (B) Sri Lanka – Majoritarianism (FAILURE)

4. Forms of Power Sharing

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1. Meaning of Power Sharing

Power sharing means sharing of power among different organs, levels, and groups of society so that no single group dominates.

👉 It is the core principle of democracy.

 

2. Why is Power Sharing Desirable?

(1) Prudential Reasons (Practical)

• Reduces conflict between social groups
• Prevents violence and political instability
• Example: Conflict in Sri Lanka led to Sri Lankan Civil War

👉 Conclusion: Power sharing ensures peace and stability

(2) Moral Reasons (Ethical)

• Democracy means people should have a share in power
• Citizens are not subjects but participants
• It respects diversity and equality

👉 Conclusion: Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy

 

3. Case Studies (VERY IMPORTANT)

 

(A) Belgium – Accommodation Model (SUCCESS)

Belgium

Social Composition

• 59% Dutch-speaking (Flemish)
• 40% French-speaking
• 1% German-speaking
• In capital Brussels:
• 80% French
• 20% Dutch

Problem

• Tension between Dutch and French communities
• Minority French dominated capital → conflict

Power Sharing Solution

1.    Equal number of ministers from both communities

2.    Special laws need support of both groups

3.    State governments given powers (not centralised)

4.    Separate government in Brussels with equal representation

5.    Community government:

o   Controls culture, education, language

Result

• Avoided conflict
• Maintained unity and stability

 

(B) Sri Lanka – Majoritarianism (FAILURE)

Social Composition

• 74% Sinhalese (majority)
• 18% Tamil (minority)

Problem

• Sinhalese leaders followed Majoritarianism

Majoritarian Measures

1.    Sinhala declared only official language (1956)

2.    Preference to Sinhalese in jobs and education

3.    Constitution gave special status to Buddhism

Result

• Tamil dissatisfaction
• Demand for autonomy
• Civil war → Sri Lankan Civil War

Sri Lankan Civil War

The Sri Lankan Civil War (1983–2009) was a prolonged armed conflict between the government of Sri Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). It stemmed from deep ethnic and political divisions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority and remains one of South Asia’s deadliest postcolonial wars.

Key facts

• Period: 23 July 1983 – 18 May 2009
• Belligerents: Government of Sri Lanka vs. LTTE (Tamil Tigers)
• Estimated deaths: 80,000–100,000
• Outcome: Government military victory; end of LTTE
• Main cause: Tamil demand for an independent state (“Tamil Eelam”)

4. Forms of Power Sharing

(1) Horizontal Distribution (Among Organs)

• Legislature (law making)
• Executive (law implementation)
• Judiciary (law interpretation)

👉 Called Separation of Powers
👉 Ensures checks and balances

(2) Vertical Distribution (Among Levels)

• Central Government
• State Government
• Local Government

👉 Called Federalism

(3) Power Sharing Among Social Groups

• Religious and linguistic groups share power
• Example:
• Reservation in India
• Community government in Belgium

(4) Power Sharing Among Political Parties

• Different parties compete and share power
• Example:
• Coalition government
• Alliance politics

5. Key Concepts

Majoritarianism

• Rule by majority ignoring minority interests
  👉 Example: Sri Lanka

Checks and Balances

• Each organ controls the other
  👉 Prevents misuse of power

Ethnic Groups

• Social groups sharing language, culture, identity

Coalition Government

• Government formed by multiple political parties

6. Important Differences

Belgium vs Sri Lanka

Belgium	Sri Lanka
Followed power sharing	Followed majoritarianism
Equal representation	Majority dominance
Peaceful	Civil war
Accommodation	Conflict

 

7. Key Outcomes of Power Sharing

• Reduces social conflict
• Promotes unity in diversity
• Ensures political stability
• Strengthens democracy

 

 

 

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 EXERCISE

 

Question 1: Forms of Power Sharing in Modern Democracies

There are four main forms of power sharing in modern democracies:

1. Horizontal Distribution of Power
   Power is shared among different organs of government such as the legislature, executive, and judiciary. Each organ has separate functions and checks the others to prevent misuse of power.
   Example: Courts can declare laws unconstitutional.
2. Vertical Distribution of Power
   Power is shared among different levels of government—central, state, and local governments. This is called federalism.
   Example: In India, powers are divided between Union and State governments.
3. Power Sharing Among Social Groups
   Power is shared among different social groups such as religious, linguistic, and ethnic groups to ensure representation and equality.
   Example: Reservation for SCs, STs, and women in India.
4. Power Sharing Among Political Parties and Pressure Groups
   Different political parties compete for power, and sometimes they form coalitions to govern. Pressure groups also influence decisions.
   Example: Coalition governments in India.

 

Question 2: Prudential and Moral Reasons

Prudential Reason:
Power sharing reduces the chances of conflict between different social groups. When all groups are included in governance, they feel respected and tensions decrease.
Example: Reservation policies in India reduce social inequality and conflict.

Moral Reason:
Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. It ensures that people have a right to participate in decision-making.
Example: Panchayati Raj institutions allow people at the grassroots level to take part in governance.

 

Question 3: Opinion-Based Answer

I agree with Ouseph’s view that every society needs some form of power sharing, even if it is small or does not have social divisions. Power sharing is essential in a democracy because it prevents the concentration of power in one hand and ensures participation of people. It also promotes stability, accountability, and fairness in governance. Without power sharing, democracy cannot function effectively.

 

Question 4

The Mayor’s decision to ban French in schools is not in line with the spirit of Belgium’s power-sharing arrangements. Belgium’s system is based on respecting linguistic diversity and ensuring equal representation of different communities. By banning French, the Mayor is ignoring the rights of French-speaking people. This goes against the principles of equality, accommodation, and mutual respect that are central to power sharing.

 

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Question 5

One prudential reason mentioned in the passage is that power sharing reduces corruption and increases efficiency. When power is given to local bodies like Panchayats, people directly participate in governance. This ensures transparency and accountability, as people can monitor how resources are used. As a result, corruption is reduced and administration becomes more effective.

 

Question 6

Correct Answer: (a) A, B, D, F

Explanation:

• A: Reduces conflict ✔
• B: Decreases arbitrariness ✔
• D: Accommodates diversities ✔
• F: Promotes participation ✔

Options C, E, and G are negative effects, so they are not correct.

 

Question 7

Correct Answer: (d) B, C and D

Explanation:

• A is incorrect because Belgium avoided domination through power sharing.
• B is correct (Sri Lanka promoted Sinhala dominance).
• C is correct (Tamils demanded autonomy and rights).
• D is correct (Belgium became federal to avoid division).

 

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Question 8 (Matching)

Correct Answer: (c)

List I	List II
1 → B	Separation of powers
2 → D	Federal government
3 → A	Community government
4 → C	Coalition government

 

Question 9

Correct Answer: (b) Both A and B are true

Explanation:
Power sharing is good for democracy because it ensures participation and reduces conflicts among different social groups. It helps maintain stability and unity in the country.

 

 

 

 

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