Power Sharing - Olympiad Level MCQ, Class 10 SST - Class 10 MCQ

In the long run, power is shared among the different political parties that represent different ideologies and social groups. Sometimes, this kind of sharing can be direct, when two or more parties form an alliance to contest elections. If their alliance is elected, they form a coalition government and thus share power.

• The official language of Sri Lanka is Sinhala.
• Sinhala is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Sinhalese people, who make up the largest ethnic group in Sri Lanka.
• Although Sinhala is the only official language, Tamil is also widely spoken, particularly by the Tamil minority. Both Sinhala and Tamil are recognized as national languages in the country.
• English is often used in government, business, and education settings and is considered a link language, but it does not have official status.
• For more information and resources related to Sri Lanka and its languages, you can visit EduRev.

• Sri Lanka, an island nation in South Asia, is home to a diverse population consisting of several ethnic groups.
• The Sinhalas are the largest ethnic group in the country, constituting around 74% of the total population.
• Sinhalese people predominantly follow Buddhism and speak the Sinhala language, which is one of the official languages of Sri Lanka.
• Other major ethnic groups in Sri Lanka include Sri Lankan Tamils, Indian Tamils, and Muslims.
• Sri Lankan Tamils, who are native to the island, make up about 12% of the population and primarily follow Hinduism.
• Indian Tamils, who were brought to Sri Lanka during the British colonial period as plantation workers, make up around 5% of the population and also predominantly follow Hinduism.
• Muslims, who mainly follow Islam, constitute around 9% of the Sri Lankan population.
• While these ethnic groups have their unique cultural identities, they have coexisted in Sri Lanka for centuries, contributing to the rich cultural heritage of the island nation.

• Reduces Conflicts: Power sharing helps to reduce the possibilities of conflicts between different social, ethnic, or political groups by ensuring that everyone has a voice and a role in decision-making processes. This leads to peaceful coexistence and harmony within a society or a country.
• Promotes Inclusivity: It encourages the participation of all segments of society, including minorities and marginalized groups, in the political process. This ensures that everyone feels represented and their interests are taken into account, fostering a sense of belonging and unity.
• Prevents Concentration of Power: When power is shared among different groups or branches of government, it prevents any single entity from becoming too powerful and dominating the political landscape. This helps to maintain a balance of power and ensures that no single group can oppress others or make decisions without considering their implications on everyone involved.
• Enhances Democratic Values: Power sharing promotes transparency, accountability, and responsiveness in governance, as it encourages dialogue, negotiation, and collaboration among various stakeholders. This ultimately strengthens democratic institutions and processes, leading to better decision-making and more effective policies.
• Fosters Stability and Development: By reducing tensions and fostering a more inclusive and participatory political environment, power sharing can contribute to long-term political stability and sustainable development. A stable political landscape is essential for economic growth, social progress, and overall improvement in the quality of life for all citizens.

Community government refers to a system in which power is shared by different social groups. This type of government ensures that different segments of society have a voice in the decision-making process, leading to a more inclusive and representative government. In a community government, various social groups work together to make decisions that benefit the entire community.

• Shared power among social groups: In a community government, power is divided among various social groups, such as ethnic, linguistic, or religious groups. This ensures that each group has a say in the government's decisions and helps to prevent the dominance of one group over another.
• Inclusive decision-making process: By involving different social groups in the decision-making process, community governments promote inclusivity and ensure that all members of society have a voice in the decisions that affect them. This leads to more equitable outcomes and a stronger sense of community.
• Collaborative approach: Community government encourages collaboration among different social groups, fostering a sense of unity and shared responsibility. This can lead to more sustainable and effective solutions to community issues, as well as increased social cohesion.
• Representation of diverse interests: In a community government, the diverse interests of various social groups are represented and taken into account when making decisions. This helps to balance the needs and priorities of different segments of society and ensures that decisions are made with the best interests of the entire community in mind.

In summary, the correct answer is C: "Power is shared by different social groups." Community government is a system that emphasizes the inclusion and representation of diverse social groups in the decision-making process, fostering a more equitable and cohesive society.

A coalition government is formed when two or more political parties join together to govern a country. This occurs when no single party has a majority in the legislature or when the existing government is unable to continue due to a lack of support. In such situations, parties with different ideologies may come together to form a government to ensure stability and governance. The correct answer is:

• D: Power is shared by two or more political parties

In a coalition government, the participating parties share power and responsibilities. They usually distribute cabinet positions and other key posts among themselves, based on the strength of their representation in the legislature. This arrangement promotes negotiation, compromise, and consensus-building among the parties.

It is important to note that the other options provided do not accurately describe a coalition government:

• A: Power sharing among the different organs of the government refers to the separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. This is a feature of a democratic system and not specific to coalition governments.
• B: Power sharing among governments at different levels refers to a federal system of government, where the central government and state or regional governments have distinct powers and responsibilities. This is not specific to coalition governments.
• C: Power sharing by different social groups is a broader concept that may include representation of various ethnic, religious, or other groups in the government. This is also not specific to coalition governments.

In conclusion, a coalition government is characterized by power-sharing among two or more political parties, ensuring that no single party dominates the decision-making process.

• Belgium is a country with three official languages: Dutch, French, and German.
• Dutch is spoken by around 59% of the population, mainly in the northern region of Flanders.
• French is spoken by approximately 40% of the population, predominantly in the southern region of Wallonia and the Brussels-Capital Region.
• German is the least spoken language, with only around 1% of the population speaking it. The German-speaking community is primarily located in the eastern part of the country, near the border with Germany.
• So, the percentage of German speaking people in Belgium is approximately 1%.

The community that is not related to Sri Lanka among the given options is:

• Parsis: Parsis are a Zoroastrian community primarily residing in India, with a significant presence in the city of Mumbai. They are originally from Persia (modern-day Iran) and migrated to India around the 8th century CE to escape persecution. They are not related to Sri Lanka in terms of ethnicity, religion, or historical connection.

Other communities mentioned in the options are related to Sri Lanka:

• Sinhalas: Sinhalas are the largest ethnic group in Sri Lanka, comprising about 75% of the population. They primarily follow Buddhism and have a rich history and culture that dates back over 2,000 years.
• Indian Tamils: Indian Tamils are an ethnic group originating from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. They migrated to Sri Lanka during the British colonial period to work on tea, coffee, and rubber plantations. They form a significant part of Sri Lanka's population and have been living there for generations.
• Sri Lankan Tamils: Sri Lankan Tamils are an ethnic group native to the northeastern parts of Sri Lanka. They are distinct from Indian Tamils in terms of culture, history, and language. Sri Lankan Tamils form the second-largest ethnic group in Sri Lanka and primarily follow Hinduism.

For more information and resources related to Sri Lankan communities and other topics, visit the EduRev website.

• Power Sharing: The participating parties share the responsibilities and power of governing the country. They usually divide cabinet positions, ministerial roles, and other key positions among the members of the coalition parties.
• Common Agenda: A coalition government is formed based on a common agenda or shared policy goals. The participating parties collaborate to draft a policy program that addresses the needs and interests of their respective constituencies.
• Compromise and Negotiation: In a coalition government, parties often have to compromise on some of their individual policies and priorities in order to maintain a unified government. Negotiations between the coalition partners are crucial to ensure smooth functioning and decision-making.
• Stability: The stability of a coalition government depends on the strength of the alliance between the participating parties. If the coalition partners cannot agree on key issues or face internal conflicts, it may lead to the collapse of the government and the need for new elections.

Power sharing is an essential aspect of modern democratic systems, and there are several valid reasons for it. However, the following reasons are not valid:

• For majoritarianism: Majoritarianism is a system where the majority group has absolute control over the decision-making process. This is not a valid reason for power sharing, as power sharing promotes inclusiveness and decentralization of power, ensuring different groups have a say in decision-making.

On the other hand, the following reasons are valid for power sharing:

• Being part and parcel of democracy: In a democratic system, power must be shared among different groups and individuals to ensure equal representation and decision-making opportunities for everyone.
• To reduce tensions: Power sharing helps reduce tensions among different groups by giving them a stake in the decision-making process and ensuring their interests are taken into account.
• For political stability: By including various groups in the decision-making process, power sharing promotes political stability by minimizing the chances of conflict and ensuring that everyone feels represented and heard.

For more information on power sharing, visit EduRev.

Belgium's Official Languages

• Belgium is a multilingual country with three official languages: Dutch, French, and German.
• However, the two most commonly spoken languages in Belgium are French and Dutch.
• Dutch is primarily spoken in the northern region of Flanders, while French is mainly spoken in the southern region of Wallonia and the Brussels-Capital Region.
• German is spoken by a small minority in the eastern part of the country, near the border with Germany.
• Although not an official language, English is widely spoken and understood throughout Belgium, especially in business and tourism sectors.

For more information about Belgium's languages and culture, visit the EduRev website.

• In Sri Lanka, the principle of majoritarianism led to a civil war that lasted for nearly three decades.
• Majoritarianism is a political system where the majority community has the power to make decisions, often at the expense of minority communities.
• In Sri Lanka, the majority community is the Sinhalese, who are predominantly Buddhists, while the minority community is the Tamils, who are mostly Hindus.
• After gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1948, Sri Lanka adopted a majoritarian system that favored the Sinhalese community.
• The Sri Lankan government implemented policies that discriminated against the Tamil minority, including language policies that made Sinhala the official language and education policies that favored Sinhalese students.
• These discriminatory policies fueled resentment and tension between the Sinhalese and Tamil communities, eventually leading to violence and the emergence of Tamil militant groups, such as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
• The conflict between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE escalated into a full-blown civil war in 1983, which lasted until 2009 when the Sri Lankan military defeated the LTTE.
• The civil war in Sri Lanka resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of lives, widespread human rights abuses, and massive displacement of people.

• In Belgium, leaders realized that unity of the country is possible only by sharing power. This is true because Belgium is a country with significant linguistic differences between its two main communities, the Dutch-speaking Flemish and the French-speaking Walloons. To maintain unity and avoid conflicts, power sharing was adopted, giving both communities equal representation in government.
• In Sri Lanka, the majority community wants to force domination over others. This statement is also true, as the Sinhalese majority has often sought to impose its will on the Tamil minority, leading to tensions and even civil war.
• In Sri Lanka, the demand for more autonomy to provinces populated by Tamils has been granted. This statement is not true. Although the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka has demanded greater autonomy and self-governance in areas where they form a majority, these demands have not been fully met. The Sri Lankan government has taken some steps toward devolution of power, but the process has been slow and contentious.
• Division of Belgium along linguistic lines was averted due to power sharing. This statement is true because the power-sharing agreements in Belgium have allowed the country to remain united despite its deep linguistic divisions. By giving both the Flemish and Walloon communities equal representation in government and devolving power to regional governments, Belgium has been able to maintain its unity.

In the city of Brussels, the linguistic situation is as follows:

• French: A majority of the population in Brussels, around 80%, speaks French. This is because Brussels is a part of the French-speaking region of Belgium called Wallonia. Additionally, French is one of the three official languages of Belgium, alongside Dutch and German.
• Dutch: Approximately 20% of the population in Brussels speaks Dutch. Dutch is the primary language in the Flemish region of Belgium, which is located in the northern part of the country. Although Brussels is geographically situated within the Flemish region, it is a bilingual city with a predominantly French-speaking population.
• German: German is the least spoken official language in Belgium and is spoken by a small minority in the East of the country. In Brussels, the percentage of German speakers is much lower than 80% and is not a significant part of the linguistic landscape.

Based on this information, the correct answer is:

A: 80% people speak French while 20% speak Dutch

• The majority community in Brussels is French speaking.
• Although Brussels is officially a bilingual city with both French and Dutch as its official languages, around 80% of the population speaks French as their primary language.
• The Dutch-speaking community, also known as the Flemish community, forms the second largest linguistic group in Brussels, constituting around 20% of the population.
• The German-speaking community is relatively small in comparison to the French and Dutch-speaking communities.

Horizontal sharing of power refers to the distribution of power among different organs of the government. In this system, power is divided among three main branches of the government:

• Executive: This branch is responsible for implementing and administering laws. It includes the head of the government, such as the President or Prime Minister, and the cabinet ministers.
• Legislative: This branch is responsible for making laws. It consists of elected representatives who form the Parliament or Congress.
• Judiciary: This branch is responsible for interpreting laws and ensuring that they are applied fairly. It includes the courts and judges.

The purpose of horizontal sharing of power is to provide a system of checks and balances, ensuring that no single branch of government becomes too powerful. Each branch of the government has its own separate powers and responsibilities, and they can check each other's actions to maintain a balance of power.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

Power Sharing in Modern Democracies

Power sharing in modern democracies can be categorized into three main aspects:

A: Among different organs of the government

• Separation of powers: Power is divided among the three branches of government - the executive, the legislative, and the judiciary. Each branch has distinct responsibilities and checks and balances to ensure that no single branch becomes too powerful.
• System of checks and balances: Each branch of government has some control over the other branches. This ensures that power remains balanced and prevents the concentration of power in one branch.

B: Among various levels

• Federalism: In federal systems, power is divided between the central government and regional or state governments. Each level of government has its own responsibilities and autonomy, allowing for a more balanced distribution of power.
• Decentralization: Power is devolved to local governments, such as municipalities and districts. This allows local communities to have more control over decisions that directly affect them and encourages participation in the democratic process.

C: Among different social groups

• Representation of diverse groups: Modern democracies aim for fair representation of various social, religious, ethnic, and cultural groups in government institutions. This ensures that the interests of all groups are taken into account in decision-making processes.
• Reservation systems: In some democracies, seats in government institutions are reserved for underrepresented or marginalized groups, such as women, ethnic minorities, or indigenous communities. This promotes diversity and helps to address historical injustices and discrimination.

In conclusion, power sharing in modern democracies involves a combination of all these aspects - among different organs of the government, among various levels, and among different social groups. This ensures a more balanced distribution of power and promotes inclusivity in the democratic process.

• French: French is one of the official languages of Belgium and is spoken by approximately 40% of the population, mostly in the southern region of Wallonia and the Brussels-Capital Region.
• Dutch: Dutch, also referred to as Flemish in Belgium, is another official language. It is spoken by approximately 60% of the population, predominantly in the northern region of Flanders and the Brussels-Capital Region.
• German: German is the third official language of Belgium, spoken by a small percentage (around 1%) of the population, mainly in the eastern regions bordering Germany.

• Danish: Danish is not an official language nor widely spoken in Belgium. It is the official language of Denmark and is also spoken in some parts of Greenland and the Faroe Islands.

• Sinhala as the only official language: The act recognized Sinhala as the only official language in Sri Lanka, which marginalized the Tamil-speaking population. This decision led to tensions between the Sinhalese and Tamil communities, contributing to the long-lasting ethnic conflict in the country.


• Protection of Buddhism: The act declared that the state would protect and foster Buddhism, making it the primary religion of Sri Lanka. This provision further alienated the non-Buddhist minority populations, such as the Tamils who predominantly practiced Hinduism.


• Favoritism in government jobs: The act indirectly favored the Sinhalese majority in government jobs by making Sinhala the only official language. As a result, Tamil-speaking individuals were disadvantaged in obtaining government positions, as they were often not fluent in Sinhala.

• A coalition government is formed when multiple political parties come together to form a government.
• This usually happens when no single party has a majority to form a government on its own.
• The parties in the coalition work together, making compromises and agreements to create policies and govern effectively.
• Coalition governments can bring stability and represent a broader range of political views, but they may also face challenges in reaching consensus on key issues.
• Examples of coalition governments can be found in many countries, including Germany, Italy, and India.

• Sri Lankan Tamil refers to the Tamil native of the country, i.e., the Tamil-speaking people who are indigenous to Sri Lanka.
• These Tamils have a distinct culture, language, and history that is different from the Tamils of India.
• Sri Lankan Tamils can be found in the Northern and Eastern provinces of the country, as well as in other parts of the island.
• They are not limited to any specific religion, so they can be Hindu, Muslim, or Christian.
• The term 'Sri Lankan Tamil' does not refer to the Indian-origin Tamils who migrated to Sri Lanka during the British colonial period as plantation workers. These Indian-origin Tamils are known as 'Up-Country Tamils' or 'Malaiyaha Tamils'.

• First Amendment (1970): This amendment aimed to address the tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemish and the French-speaking Walloon communities in Belgium. It established the country's three main regions: the Flemish Region, the Walloon Region, and the Brussels-Capital Region.
• Second Amendment (1980): The second amendment further defined the powers and responsibilities of the federal government and the three regions. It also created the German-speaking community within the Walloon Region.
• Third Amendment (1988): This amendment gave additional powers to the communities and regions, including control over education, culture, and language policy. It also established a new constitutional court to settle disputes between the federal government and the regions.
• Fourth Amendment (1993): The fourth amendment changed Belgium's institutional structure from a unitary state to a federal state. It granted more autonomy to the regions and communities, and it reformed the Senate, transforming it into a body representing both the federal government and the regions.

• The system of power sharing called checks and balances refers to the horizontal distribution of powers, which is also known as the separation of powers.
• Under this system, the powers of the government are divided among three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
• Each branch has its own specific functions and responsibilities, ensuring that no single branch becomes too powerful or dominates the decision-making process.
• The principle of checks and balances allows each branch to monitor the actions of the other branches, preventing any misuse or abuse of power.
• For example, the legislative branch makes laws, the executive branch implements and enforces laws, and the judicial branch interprets laws and ensures their constitutionality.
• The horizontal distribution of powers helps maintain a balance of power within the government and promotes democratic principles by allowing for the participation and representation of different branches and institutions.

• Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, gained its independence from British colonial rule on February 4, 1948.
• The country became an independent nation within the British Commonwealth, and the first Prime Minister of independent Ceylon was Don Stephen Senanayake.
• Initially, the country retained a dominion status, which means it maintained allegiance to the British monarch while enjoying self-governance.
• In 1972, Ceylon changed its name to Sri Lanka and adopted a new constitution, becoming a republic within the Commonwealth.
• The independence movement in Sri Lanka was largely peaceful, in contrast to many other countries that experienced violent struggles for independence.

Power sharing is a crucial aspect of democratic governance, as it helps to ensure that all major social groups have a say in the decision-making process. This reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups for several reasons:

• Inclusive representation: Power sharing allows for diverse opinions and perspectives to be considered in policy-making, leading to more inclusive and balanced policies. This helps to address the concerns of different social groups, reducing the likelihood of disagreements turning into conflicts.
• Checks and balances: In a power-sharing system, no single group can monopolize power, which prevents the abuse of power and ensures that the interests of all social groups are taken into account. This system of checks and balances promotes cooperation and compromise, reducing the likelihood of conflict.
• Legitimacy and trust: When all social groups feel that they have a fair share in decision-making, they are more likely to trust the political system and its institutions. This sense of legitimacy helps to maintain social and political stability, reducing the chances of conflicts arising from feelings of marginalization or discrimination.
• Conflict resolution: Power sharing promotes dialogue and negotiation between different social groups, which can help to resolve disputes and prevent conflicts from escalating. By providing a platform for peaceful resolution, power sharing can prevent violent confrontations and maintain social harmony.

Overall, power sharing is essential for maintaining peace and stability in diverse societies. By promoting inclusive representation, checks and balances, legitimacy, and conflict resolution, power sharing helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.