Answer 1 power sharing

 Answer 

1(i) Measures taken in majoritarianism gradually increased the feeling of alienation

among Sri Lankan Tamils.

(ii) They felt that the constitution and government policies denied them equal rights,

discriminated against them in getting jobs and other opportunities and ignored

their interests.

(iii) As a result, the relations between Sinhalas and Tamil communities got strained

over time.

(iv) The Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of

Tamil as an official language, regional autonomy and equality of opportunities in

getting education and jobs.

(v) By the 1980s, several political organisations were formed demanding an

independent Tamil Ealam (state) in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.

The distrust between the two communities turned into widespread conflict. It soon turned into a civil

war. As a result, thousands of people of both the communities were killed.

2

 The accommodative experience of Belgium for peace and harmony:

(i) Construction prescribe that the numbers of Dutch and French Speaking ministers shall be

equal in the central government.

(ii) Many powers of the central government have been given 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.

(iv) The French- Speaking people accepted equal representation in Brussels because the

Dutch-Speaking community has accepted equal representation in the central government.

1. 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-Dutch, French German Speaking- no matter where they live.

3 

Idea of power sharing Emerged:

The idea of power sharing has emerged in opposition to the notions of undivided political power:

Different forms having common arrangements of power sharing:

(i) Power is shared among different organs of government such as the Legislative,

Executive and Judiciary.

(ii) Powers can be shared among governments at different levels i.e., at National and

provincial or regional levels.

(iii) Power shared among different social groups such as religious and linguistic groups.

Power sharing arrangements in the way political parties, pressure groups and movements control or

influence those in power.

4

 1. A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise. Power sharing ensures

that people have the right to be consulted and have equal participation in the government.

2. In a democracy, each individual has a say in governance through their elected representatives. This

is the essence of power sharing that grants equal rights to each citizen.

3. Sharing of power ensures that respect for diversity and desire for living together becomes a shared

ideal amongst different communities in a country. It actually makes the country united and the

administration easier.

4.Prudential reasons stress that power sharing would bring out better outcomes by helping to reduce

the possibility of any conflict between the social groups.

5. Power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order through unity of the nation.

5

 The power-sharing arrangements made by the Belgian leaders were different and more innovative

than any other country. To recognise the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities,

they amended their Constitution four times between 1970 and 1993.

The major elements of the Belgian Model are:

1. Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal

in the Central Government. No single community can take decisions unilaterally.

2. The State Governments are not subordinate to the Central Government.

3. Brussels, the capital, has a separate government where both the communities have equal

representation.

A third kind of government, ‘Community Government’, is elected by people belonging to one

language community — Dutch, French and German speaking —no matter where they live. This

government can decide on cultural, educational and language related issues.

6

(a) Vertical distribution of power- Power can be shared among governments at different levels —a

general government for the entire country and governments at provincial or regional level. This is the

federal form of government i.e., the Union or the Central Government, the State Government and the

Municipality and Panchayat at the lower level. This division of power involving higher and lower

levels of government is called the vertical division of power.

Example: A key change in the Constitution of Belgium in 1993 was that the regional governments

were given constitutional powers that were no longer dependent on the Central Government. Thus,

Belgium shifted from a unitary to a federal form of government.

(b) Horizontal distribution of power- Power is shared among different organs of government, such as

the legislature, executive and judiciary. It allows different organs of government placed at the same

level to exercise different powers.

In a democracy, ministers and government officials exercise power. They are responsible to the

Parliament or State Assemblies. The judges appointed by the executive can check the functioning of

executive or laws made by the legislature.

The horizontal distribution of power is also called a system of checks and balances.

This system ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited power. Each organ checks the

other. This results in a balance of power among various institutions.

Example: In India the judiciary has an independent status. The Supreme Court is the apex court of

justice. The Parliament is the legislative body where the laws governing the country are made and

the Executive is the implementing body.

7. 

In modern democracy power sharing are :

i. Among different organs of government.

ii. Among government at different levels.

iii. Among different social groups.

iv.Among political parties ,pressure groups.

8

i.The Belgian constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French speaking ministers are

equal in the central government.

ii.The State government are not made subordinate to the central government.

iii.In capital Brussels both communities have equal representation.

iv.A third kind of government-community government elected by people of of each community

.where all social group have their own cultural, educational and language related issues.

9

i. It imposed Sinhala supremacy in Srilanka.

ii.It recognised Sinhala as the only official language of the Srilanka.

iii.Buddhism was declared as the official religion .

iv Preferential .policies to promote Sinhala in university positions and government jobs.

10 Idea of Power sharing Emerged:

The Idea of power sharing has emerged in opposition to the nations of undivided political power:

Different forms having common arrangements of power sharing:

i. Power is shared among different organs of government such as the Legislature, Executive

and Judiciary.

ii. Powers can be shared among governments at different levels i.e., at National and Provincial

or regional levels

iii. Power shared among different social groups as religious and linguistic groups.

iv. Power sharing arrangements in the way political parties, pressure groups and movements

control or influence those in power.

Any other relevant points

142 The accommodative experience of Belgium for peace and harmony

i. Constitution prescribes that the numbers of Dutch and French Speaking Ministers shall be

equal in the central government.

ii. Many powers of the central government have been given to state governments of the two

regions of the century. The states governments are not subordinate to the central

government.

iii. Brussels has separate government in which both the communities have equal representation.

iv. The French-Speaking people accepted equal representation in Brussels because the Dutch-

speaking community has accepted equal representation in the Central Government.

v. Apart from the central and the states government, there is a third kind of government. This

‘Community Government’ is elected by people belonging to one language community---

Dutch, French and German speaking—no matter where they live.