Class 10 Political Science/ Civics
Chapter 1- Power Sharing
Notes
1. Introduction
In a democratic system, no individual branch of
government possesses absolute authority.
A democratic
framework necessitates a balanced distribution of power among the legislative,
executive, and judicial branches.
This chapter elaborates on the concept of power
distribution.
Initially, two narratives from Sri Lanka and Belgium are
introduced. These narratives illustrate how democracies address requests for
power distribution.
Through these
narratives, broader conclusions are drawn regarding the imperative nature of
democratic power distribution.
2. Story of Belgium
Belgium is a small country in Europe with over 10 million
people. It's surrounded by France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
What's cool about Belgium is its mix of cultures and traditions.
In Belgium, most people speak Dutch, about 59%. After
that, French is the next common language. In the capital city, Brussels, 80% of
folks speak French, while 20% speak Dutch.
But even though Belgium seems peaceful, there are
tensions between the Dutch and French speakers. These differences sometimes
cause problems. Still, Belgium has a smart and educated population, showing
strength despite its challenges.
3. Story of Sri Lanka
·
Sri Lanka, an island country with a
population exceeding 20 million, is marked by its linguistic and religious
diversity.
·
The majority of its inhabitants communicate
in Sinhala, while the rest favor Tamil. Within the Tamil-speaking community,
two distinct groups exist: Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils.
·
The religious landscape further underscores
this diversity, with most Sinhala speakers identifying as Buddhists, while
Tamil speakers adhere to Hinduism or Islam. Christianity represents a minority
faith, embraced by less than 7% of Sri Lanka's populace.
·
In Sri Lanka, the concept of majoritarianism
unfolded in a series of events.
·
In 1956, an Act declared Sinhala as the
exclusive language of the nation, sidelining Tamil speakers. Subsequent
government policies favored Sinhala residents in various sectors, including
government employment and university admissions. This sudden preference for the
Sinhala community left Tamil speakers feeling marginalized.
·
By the 1980s, political groups advocating for
an independent Tamil State emerged in response to this marginalization. The
growing divide between the Sinhala and Tamil communities escalated into a significant
conflict, ultimately erupting into a devastating civil war.
4. How Belgium did Accommodation?
In an effort to reconcile the divisions between communities, the Belgian
government implemented several legislative measures.
Between 1970 and 1993, they amended the constitution four
times, instituting a novel governmental framework.
Key components of this new model included ensuring parity
between Dutch and French-speaking leaders in government, granting state
governments autonomy to make decisions independent of the central government,
establishing a separate government for Brussels with equal representation from
both communities, and creating community governments to honor the distinct
identities of each community.
5. What makes Power Sharing Desirable?
·
Power sharing is not just a mechanism for
reducing conflicts and wars among different communities; it also fosters
inclusivity and ensures that diverse voices are heard in the decision-making
process. By distributing power among various groups, whether based on ethnicity,
language, religion, or other factors, power sharing acknowledges the
pluralistic nature of societies and promotes a sense of belonging among all
citizens.
·
In a power-sharing system, democratic
principles are upheld, allowing for transparency, accountability, and
representation of the people's interests. This encourages political stability
and fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among citizens, as they
have a stake in shaping the policies and direction of their government.
·
Moreover, power sharing facilitates the
protection of minority rights, as it prevents the dominance of any single group
over others. By ensuring equal representation and participation, power sharing
safeguards against the marginalization or oppression of minority communities, thereby
promoting social cohesion and harmony.
·
Overall, power sharing is not merely a
pragmatic solution to prevent conflicts; it is a fundamental aspect of
inclusive governance that upholds democratic values and ensures the equitable
distribution of resources and opportunities among all members of society.
Hence, it is widely regarded as the most desirable form of government for
fostering stability, inclusivity, and social progress.
6. Forms of Power Sharing
a)
Horizontal Distribution:
Horizontal distribution of power occurs when authority is divided among various
branches of government, each with its own distinct roles and responsibilities.
This separation of powers ensures a system of checks and balances, preventing
any single branch from exerting excessive control. For instance, in many democratic
nations like the United States, power is divided horizontally among the
executive, legislative, and judicial branches. This setup enables each branch
to act as a check on the others, promoting accountability and safeguarding
against abuse of power.
b)
Vertical Distribution:
Vertical distribution of power, also known as federalism, involves the sharing
of authority between different levels of government within a single political
entity. In federal systems, such as that of the United States, power is divided
between the national government and subnational entities, such as states or
provinces. Each level of government possesses certain exclusive powers while
also sharing some powers with the other levels. This division of authority
helps accommodate regional differences and allows for tailored governance at
different levels to address local needs and preferences.
c)
Social and Linguistic Groups:
Beyond formal government structures, power sharing can also take place among
various social and linguistic groups within a society. For instance, in
countries like Belgium, where multiple linguistic communities coexist, power
sharing is facilitated through mechanisms such as community governments. These
bodies ensure that different linguistic groups have a say in local governance
and decision-making processes, thereby promoting inclusivity and accommodating
diverse identities within the broader political framework.
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