Table of contents | |
Introduction | |
Belgium and Sri Lanka | |
Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka | |
Accommodation in Belgium | |
Forms of Power-Sharing | |
Important Terms to Remember | |
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) |
Power sharing is a fundamental principle of democratic governance that ensures the distribution of power among various organs of government, social groups, and political entities to prevent the concentration of power in a single authority.
This approach is crucial for maintaining stability, fostering inclusiveness, and promoting fairness in diverse societies.
In a democracy all power does not rest with any one organ of the government. An intelligent sharing of power among the legislature, executive and judiciary is very important for the design of democracy.
Post-Independence Era (1948 Onwards): Following independence in 1948, Sri Lanka witnessed the rise of majoritarianism, where leaders of the Sinhala community sought to secure political dominance by leveraging their majority status.
Majoritarian Measures: A series of measures were adopted to establish Sinhala supremacy:
Impact on Sri Lankan Tamils:
Escalation and Civil War (1980s-2009):
Consequences of the Civil War:
End of the Civil War (2009): The war concluded in 2009, leaving lasting scars on the nation's societal and economic landscape
Recognition of Diversity: Belgian leaders took a proactive approach by acknowledging the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities. To facilitate peaceful coexistence, they amended the constitution four times between 1970 and 1993, resulting in a unique and innovative arrangement.
Key Elements of the Belgian Model:
1. Equal Representation in Central Government:
2. Decentralization and Autonomy of State Governments:
3. Equal Representation in Brussels:
4. Community Government:
5. Complexity and Effectiveness:
Comparative Insights:
Belgium’s Power-Sharing Success:
Sri Lanka’s Cautionary Tale:
Two Sets of Reasons:
There are different ways in which power-sharing takes place in various democracies:
Representation of Social Groups: Power may also be shared among different social groups, such as religious and linguistic communities. The 'community government' in Belgium is an example of this type of arrangement, where various groups have a voice in governance.
Constitutional and Legal Arrangements: In many countries, there are constitutional and legal mechanisms to ensure that socially weaker sections and women are represented in legislatures and administration. For example, India uses a system of 'reserved constituencies' to ensure representation for marginalized communities.
Purpose of Social Power-Sharing: These arrangements are designed to give minority communities and socially weaker groups a fair share of power, preventing them from feeling alienated from the government. This approach helps in accommodating social diversities within the governance framework.
Role of Political Parties and Groups: Power-sharing in democracies often involves various political groups, including political parties, pressure groups, and other public interest groups. These groups influence decision-making and ensure that power is not concentrated in one hand.
Competition and Coalition: In a democratic system, competition among political parties allows citizens to choose their leaders. This competition can lead to power-sharing when two or more parties form an alliance to contest elections. If their alliance wins, they form a coalition government, sharing power directly.
Influence of Interest Groups: In addition to political parties, interest groups such as traders, businessmen, industrialists, farmers, and workers also play a role in power-sharing. They may participate in governmental committees or exert influence on the decision-making process, ensuring that various societal interests are represented in governance.
Q.1. How did the Sri Lankan and the Belgium governments try to solve the ethnic problem?
The Belgium leaders tried to solve the ethnic problem by respecting the feelings and interests of different communities and regions, whereas the Sri Lanka Government tried to solve the problem through majoritarianism. The Belgium solution helped in avoiding civic strife, whereas the majoritarianism in Sri Lanka led to the civil war.
Q.2. Explain the prudential reasons for Power-sharing.
- Power-sharing is desirable because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between the various social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and political instability, power-sharing is a good way to ensure political stability.
- Imposing the will of the majority community over the minority may look like an attractive option in the short run, but in the long run, it undermines the unity of the nation. Tyranny of the majority is not just oppressive for the minority, it often brings ruin to the majority as well.
Q.3. Explain the moral reason for power-sharing.
Power-sharing is the basic spirit of democracy. A democratic rule involves sharing of power with those affected by its exercise, and who have to live with its effects.
The basic principles of power-sharing include:
(i) Government of different political parties, i.e., a coalition government.
(ii) Protection of minority rights.
(iii) Decentralization of power.
Q.4. What is power-sharing?
- Power-sharing is a strategy under which all the major segments of the society are provided with a permanent share of power in the governance of the country.
- It is a potential tool for solving disputes in a society divided by deep ethnic, cultural, or racial differences by giving the parties involved, a wide range of power-sharing to ameliorate the tensions through consensus-oriented governance.
- It involves a wide array of political arrangements– usually embodied in constitutional terms– in which the principal elements of society are guaranteed a place and influence, in governance. It relies on joint exercise of power where all principal groups are given a permanent share in the governance.
Q.5. Mention the steps taken by the Sri Lankan government to achieve majoritarianism.
(i) In 1956, an Act was passed under which English was replaced as the country’s official language not by Sinhala and Tamil but by Sinhala only.
(ii) The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.
(iii) A new constitution was stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.
(iv) Denial of citizenship to estate Tamils.
Q.6. Why is power sharing desirable?
(i) To avoid conflict: It reduces the possibility of conflict between the various social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and political instability, power-sharing is a good way to ensure political stability.
Imposing the will of the majority community over the minority may look like an attractive option in the short run, but in long run, it undermines the unity of the nation. Tyranny of the majority is not just oppressive for the minority, it often brings ruin to the majority as well.
(ii) Spirit of democracy: Power sharing is the basic spirit of democracy. A democratic rule involves the sharing of power with those affected by its exercise and those who have to live with its effects. A democratic government is chosen by the people. So they are to be governed. A legitimate government is one where groups, through participation acquire a stake in the system.
Q.7. Explain the difference between horizontal and vertical power-sharing.
1. Horizontal Power sharing
(i) Under horizontal power-sharing, power is shared among different organs of government such as the legislature, executive, and judiciary.
(ii) Under horizontal distribution of power, organs of the government are placed at the same level to exercise different powers.
(iii) Under horizontal power-sharing, each organ checks the other.
2. Vertical Power sharing
Fig. Vertical power-sharing(i) Under the vertical sharing power, power is shared among the different levels of the governments.
(ii) The vertical division of power involves the highest and the lower levels of government.
(iii) Under vertical power-sharing the lower organs work under the higher organs.
Q.8. Explain the power-sharing arrangements among the political parties and pressure groups.
- In a democracy, power is also shared among different political parties, pressure groups and movements.
- Democracy provides the citizens with a choice to choose their rulers. This choice is provided by the various political parties, who contest elections to win them. Such competition ensures that power does not remain in one hand.
- 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.
- In a democracy, various pressure groups and movements also remain active. They also have a share in governmental power, either through participation in governmental committees or having an influence on the decision-making process.
Q.9. How is a federal government better than a unitary government? Explain with examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka.
Federalism is a system of government under which power is divided between central authority and its various constituent units. The Belgium leaders tried to solve the ethnic problem by respecting communities and regions by establishing a federal government, whereas the Sri Lankan government tried to solve the problem through majoritarianism.
The Belgium solution helped in avoiding civic strife, whereas the majoritarianism in Sri Lanka led to the civil war.
64 videos|445 docs|87 tests
|
1. What is majoritarianism in Sri Lanka? |
2. How does Belgium accommodate its diverse population? |
3. What are the different forms of power-sharing mentioned in the article? |
4. How does power-sharing help maintain peace and stability in a country? |
5. Why is accommodation important in a diverse society like Belgium? |
|
Explore Courses for Class 10 exam
|