POWER SHARING
**Belgium:**
- **Location and Size:** Belgium is a small country in Europe, smaller than Haryana in India. It shares borders with France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg.
- **Population and Ethnic Composition:** With a population of over one crore, Belgium's ethnic composition is complex. Approximately 59% of the population in the Flemish region speaks Dutch, while 40% in the Wallonia region speaks French. A minority of Belgians, about 1%, speak German. In Brussels, the capital, 80% speak French and 20% speak Dutch.
- **Tensions:** Tensions arose between Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities during the 1950s and 1960s due to economic and educational disparities. Brussels posed a unique challenge as Dutch speakers were a minority in the capital, despite being the majority in the country.
**Sri Lanka:**
- **Location and Population:** Sri Lanka is an island nation near Tamil Nadu, with a population of about two crores, similar to Haryana's population.
- **Ethnic Groups:** The major social groups are Sinhala-speakers (74%) and Tamil-speakers (18%). Among Tamils, there are Sri Lankan Tamils (13%) and Indian Tamils. Most Sinhala-speaking people are Buddhists, while Tamils are predominantly Hindus or Muslims.
**Comparison:**
- **Potential Conflicts:** In Belgium, the Dutch community's numeric majority could lead to dominance over French and German speakers, escalating tensions and potentially leading to partition. Similarly, in Sri Lanka, the Sinhala majority could impose its will on the entire country, aggravating conflicts.
- **Outcomes:** Both countries faced challenges due to ethnic diversity, with tensions between linguistic and ethnic communities. However, Belgium adopted measures to address these tensions, such as devolution of powers, leading to a federal structure. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, faced a prolonged civil war due to unresolved ethnic tensions.
**Summary:**
Belgium and Sri Lanka exemplify the challenges posed by ethnic diversity. While Belgium addressed these challenges through federalism, Sri Lanka struggled to manage ethnic tensions, leading to a prolonged civil conflict. Both cases highlight the importance of addressing ethnic diversity through effective governance and conflict resolution mechanisms.
Multiple Choice Question
1. What is the predominant language spoken in the Flemish region of Belgium?
a) French
b) Dutch
c) German
d) English
2. Which ethnic group faced tensions due to their delayed economic development and education benefits in Belgium?
a) Dutch-speaking community
b) French-speaking community
c) German-speaking community
d) English-speaking community
3. Where are Sri Lankan Tamils primarily concentrated in Sri Lanka?
a) South and west
b) North and east
c) Central region
d) Coastal areas
4. What is the approximate population of Belgium compared to Haryana?
a) Twice the population of Haryana
b) Half the population of Haryana
c) Equal to the population of Haryana
d) Three times the population of Haryana
**Answers:**
1. b) Dutch
2. a) Dutch-speaking community
3. b) North and east
4. b) Half the population of Haryana
**Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka**
- **Background:** Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948, with the Sinhala community seeking dominance over government due to their majority status.
- **Majoritarian Measures:** The democratically elected government adopted majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy. This included making Sinhala the sole official language, preferential policies favoring Sinhala applicants for jobs and education, and constitutional provisions protecting Buddhism.
- **Alienation of Sri Lankan Tamils:** These measures led to increased alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamil community. They felt marginalized and discriminated against in terms of language, culture, political rights, and opportunities.
- **Strained Relations:** The strained relations between the Sinhala and Tamil communities escalated over time, leading to the formation of Tamil political parties and demands for Tamil language recognition, regional autonomy, and equality of opportunity.
- **Civil War:** By the 1980s, demands for an independent Tamil Eelam in northern and eastern Sri Lanka emerged. The conflict escalated into a civil war, resulting in thousands of casualties, displacement of families, and severe setbacks to the country's social, cultural, and economic life.
**Summary:** Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka, characterized by discriminatory policies favoring the Sinhala community, led to increased alienation and conflict with the Sri Lankan Tamil minority. This ultimately culminated in a devastating civil war, causing immense suffering and setbacks to the country's development.
**Multiple Choice Questions:**
1. When did Sri Lanka gain independence?
- A) 1948
- B) 1956
- C) 1980
- D) 2009
2. What was the primary objective of majoritarian measures adopted by the government of Sri Lanka?
- A) To promote multiculturalism
- B) To establish Tamil supremacy
- C) To ensure Sinhala dominance
- D) To achieve religious harmony
3. Which community in Sri Lanka felt increasingly alienated due to discriminatory government policies?
- A) Sinhala
- B) Tamil
- C) Buddhist
- D) Indian Tamils
4. What was the consequence of the strained relations between the Sinhala and Tamil communities?
- A) Economic development
- B) Social integration
- C) Widespread conflict and civil war
- D) Cultural enrichment
**Answers:**
1. A) 1948
2. C) To ensure Sinhala dominance
3. B) Tamil
4. C) Widespread conflict and civil war
**Accommodation in Belgium**
In Belgium, leaders recognized regional differences and cultural diversities, amending the constitution multiple times between 1970 and 1993 to ensure everyone could coexist peacefully. The Belgian model includes:
- Equal representation of Dutch and French-speaking ministers in the central government.
- Decentralization of powers to state governments.
- Separate government in Brussels with equal representation for both communities.
- Establishment of a community government to address cultural and language-related issues.
These complex arrangements have helped prevent civic strife and maintain unity. Conversely, Sri Lanka illustrates the consequences of majoritarianism, where the majority community's refusal to share power led to discord and division within the country.
**Key Lessons:**
1. **Respect for Diversity:** Belgium's model emphasizes the importance of respecting the feelings and interests of different communities and regions to maintain unity.
2. **Mutually Acceptable Arrangements:** By accommodating diverse perspectives and sharing power, Belgium found mutually acceptable arrangements for governance.
3. **Consequences of Majoritarianism:** Sri Lanka's experience highlights the risks of a majority community imposing dominance and refusing power-sharing, leading to division and conflict.
**MCQs:**
1. What distinguished the approach of Belgian leaders from that of Sri Lanka regarding power-sharing?
a) Belgian leaders disregarded regional differences.
b) Sri Lankan leaders embraced cultural diversities.
c) Belgian leaders recognized regional differences and cultural diversities.
d) Sri Lankan leaders prioritized majoritarianism over diversity.
2. What is a key feature of the Belgian model for power-sharing?
a) Unequal representation of Dutch and French-speaking ministers.
b) Centralization of powers to the central government.
c) Decentralization of powers to state governments.
d) Absence of a separate government in Brussels.
3. How did the Belgian model contribute to maintaining unity in the country?
a) By imposing dominance of one linguistic community over others.
b) Through the exclusion of minority communities from decision-making.
c) By fostering mutually acceptable arrangements for power-sharing.
d) By ignoring cultural and language-related issues.
4. What lesson does the Sri Lankan experience offer regarding power-sharing?
a) The importance of accommodating diverse perspectives.
b) The necessity of imposing dominance of the majority community.
c) The benefits of centralized decision-making.
d) The risks of majoritarianism and refusal to share power.
**Answers:**
1. c) Belgian leaders recognized regional differences and cultural diversities.
2. c) Decentralization of powers to state governments.
3. c) By fostering mutually acceptable arrangements for power-sharing.
4. d) The risks of majoritarianism and refusal to share power.
**Explanation:**
**Why Power Sharing is Desirable:**
1. **Prudential Reasons:**
- Reduces conflict between social groups.
- Ensures stability of political order.
- Prevents violence and political instability.
- Upholds unity of the nation in the long run.
2. **Moral Reasons:**
- Reflects the essence of democracy.
- Involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise.
- Grants citizens a right to be consulted in governance.
- Establishes legitimacy by allowing citizen participation.
**Summary:**
Power sharing is desirable for both prudential and moral reasons. Prudentially, it prevents conflict and instability, fostering long-term unity. Morally, it embodies democratic principles by involving citizens in governance, ensuring their voices are heard, and enhancing the legitimacy of the government.
**Multiple Choice Questions:**
1. Why is power sharing considered desirable according to prudential reasons?
- a) It promotes conflict between social groups.
- b) It ensures stability of political order.
- c) It imposes the will of the majority community.
- d) It undermines the unity of the nation.
2. What is the essence of power sharing from moral reasons?
- a) Promoting violence and political instability.
- b) Ignoring the voices of citizens.
- c) Reflecting the spirit of democracy.
- d) Exercising power without consulting the people.
3. According to the text, what does a legitimate government entail?
- a) Imposing the will of the majority.
- b) Preventing citizen participation.
- c) Involving citizens in governance through power sharing.
- d) Rejecting the concept of democracy.
4. What does power sharing aim to prevent in the long run?
- a) Social conflict and instability.
- b) Democratic principles.
- c) Tyranny of the majority.
- d) Division and disunity within the nation.
**Answer Key:**
1. b) It ensures stability of political order.
2. c) Reflecting the spirit of democracy.
3. c) Involving citizens in governance through power sharing.
4. d) Division and disunity within the nation.
**Forms of power sharing**
The concept of power-sharing opposes the idea of centralized political power, emphasizing the dispersion of power among various entities. In democracies, power emanates from the people, who govern themselves through self-government institutions. Respect for diverse groups and viewpoints is essential, ensuring everyone's participation in policymaking.
1. **Horizontal Distribution of Power:** Power is divided among different branches of government—legislature, executive, and judiciary—preventing any one branch from wielding unlimited authority. This setup ensures a balance of power through checks and balances, where each branch monitors the others' actions.
2. **Vertical Division of Power:** Power is shared among governments at different levels—central/federal government and provincial/regional governments. This federal division of power ensures that each level of government has defined powers and responsibilities, as seen in countries like India and Belgium.
3. **Power Sharing Among Social Groups:** Power can be allocated among various social groups, such as religious and linguistic communities. Examples include community governments in Belgium and reserved constituencies for marginalized groups, ensuring fair representation and participation.
4. **Power Sharing Among Political Entities:** Political parties, pressure groups, and movements influence power dynamics by competing for power. Competition among parties prevents the concentration of power, fostering representation of diverse ideologies and social groups. Coalition governments and interest groups also play significant roles in power sharing.
**Summary:**
Power-sharing in democracies involves distributing power among different branches of government, levels of government, social groups, and political entities. This ensures accountability, prevents the abuse of power, and promotes inclusivity, thereby strengthening democratic principles and stability.
**Multiple Choice Questions:**
1. What is the primary principle of democracy regarding power-sharing?
- a) Centralized political power
- b) Authority residing in one person
- c) Power derived from diverse social groups
- d) Exclusion of diverse viewpoints
2. Which form of power-sharing involves the division of power among the legislature, executive, and judiciary?
- a) Vertical Division of Power
- b) Horizontal Distribution of Power
- c) Power Sharing Among Social Groups
- d) Power Sharing Among Political Entities
3. What is the term used for the arrangement where power is shared between the central/federal government and provincial/regional governments?
- a) Vertical Division of Power
- b) Horizontal Distribution of Power
- c) Power Sharing Among Social Groups
- d) Power Sharing Among Political Entities
4. How do political parties, pressure groups, and movements contribute to power-sharing in democracies?
- a) By concentrating power in one hand
- b) By suppressing diverse ideologies
- c) By preventing competition
- d) By influencing power dynamics through competition and representation
**Answer Key:**
1. c) Power derived from diverse social groups
2. b) Horizontal Distribution of Power
3. a) Vertical Division of Power
4. d) By influencing power dynamics through competition and representation
