Assertion & Reason Test: Power-sharing - Class 10 MCQ

(i) Power shared among different organs of government: This is called horizontal distribution of power because it allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers.

(ii) Tamil speakers: 18% population of Sri Lanka belongs to Tamil Speakers community.

(iii) Dutch speakers: Dutch is spoken by the rest 20 percent of the population but there are sometimes other languages such as English and German are also spoken.

(iv) Power shared by two or more political parties: Power shared by two or more political parties is the Coalition Government.

(v) French speakers: The reason is that even though the city is the capital of Flanders, the Flemish speaking region of Belgium, 80% of the people there speak French.

• Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. This is called horizontal distribution of power because it allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers.

• Power may be shared among different social groups such as the religious and linguistic groups. In some countries, there are constitutional and legal arrangements whereby socially weaker sections and women are represented in the legislatures and administration.

Horizontal Distribution of Powers:
- The correct term for this type of power-sharing is horizontal distribution of powers.
- In horizontal distribution, different organs of government are placed at the same level and exercise different powers.
- The correct statement should be: "We call this as horizontal distribution of powers.

• In Belgium, the leaders recognized the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities. Between 1970 and 1993, they amended their constitution four times so as to work out an arrangement that would enable everyone to live together within the same country.

• The constitution of Belgium is known as the best in the world​. It has been amended four times between 1970 to 1993 only to arrange so that the diverse communities can reside together peacefully within the same country without any conflicts.

The Incorrect option is (a): Belgium is a big country in North America.

Correct answer is: Belgium is a small country in Europe.

• It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order, since social conflict often leads to political instability and violence.

• The possibility of conflict between social groups will be reduced if the power is shared. Power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order, since social conflict often leads to political instability and violence.

An act was passed in 1956 to recognize Sinhala as an official language. The government of Sri Lanka favoured people from Sinhala community for higher education and government jobs. It led to resentment among Sri Lankan Tamils as government was not sensitive to their culture and language.

Tyranny of majority community is oppressive for the minority community and can also ruin the majority. It is a source of dissatisfaction and tension which is a source of political instability.

Assertion: This assertion is correct. Belgium has three language communities: the Flemish Community (Dutch-speaking), the French Community (French-speaking), and the German-speaking Community. Each community government is indeed elected by its respective language community.

Reason: This reason is also accurate. The establishment of community governments was part of Belgium's effort to manage and resolve conflicts between the linguistic groups. By giving different language communities a degree of autonomy, it allowed for more tailored governance that addressed the specific needs and interests of each community, thereby reducing tensions.

Both the assertion and the reason are true. Furthermore, the reason correctly explains why the assertion holds true. Thus, the relationship between the assertion and the reason is logical and valid.

In a democracy, power is typically distributed among various branches of government and different levels to ensure checks and balances, prevent abuse of power, and ensure broad representation. Dispersing power can indeed make decision-making slower due to the need for consensus and consultation. However, this is not a reason to concentrate power in a democracy, as the benefits of dispersion (such as preventing tyranny and ensuring representation) outweigh the drawback of slower decision-making.

Power Sharing is good because it helps in reducing the chances of conflict between different social groups and ensures stability of the political system.

Belgium is a small country in Europe. Dutch-speaking people are the majority in the state but the minority in Belgium's capital, Brussels. French-speaking people are the minority in the country but the majority in Brussels. The French-speaking community was fairly rich and powerful in Belgium. This uneven power distribution between the two communities led to power tussles in the state and their capital. However, the leaders of Belgium adopted a power-sharing arrangement that promoted equal representation of the communities and recognised cultural differences and regional diversities by accommodating both groups. The Belgian government didn't favour either of the communities. The reason is, therefore, not correct.

The government of Sri Lanka passed an Act in 1956 to recognize Sinhala as only official language of Sri Lanka. The government also formulated preferential policies to favour Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs. All this was done to establish supremacy of Sinhala community. Thus the reason justifies the assertion.

There was ethnic tension between French speaking and Dutch speaking communities in Belgium. For resolving, the government adopted a power sharing arrangement where all the communities got equal representation.

In a democracy, people elect the representatives who participate in the decision making process. Due respect and proper representation is given to diverse groups in a democratic system. Hence, in democracy everyone has voice in the shaping of public policies. However the reason does not justify the assertion.