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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