Class 10 Civics Chapter 1 Previous Year Questions - Power Sharing

Ans: (d)
The primary objective of power-sharing arrangements in Belgium was to accommodate the diverse linguistic and regional interests of the country's population, which includes Dutch-speaking, French-speaking, and a small German-speaking community. Belgium implemented a complex system of power sharing that allowed each linguistic group representation in the government to ensure peace and equality among communities, thus promoting social harmony and political stability.
Therefore, the correct answer is (d) Accommodating linguistic and regional interest.

Ans: (d)
Sri Lanka adopted 'Sinhala' as the official language.

Ans: (a)
I. It deepens democracy: Power sharing allows various groups to participate in governance, making the political system more inclusive and democratic.

II. It helps to reduce conflicts among social groups: By giving different social groups a stake in political power, it reduces the chances of conflict, as everyone feels represented.

III. It is a way to ensure political stability: When power is shared among various groups, it promotes stability because it prevents any one group from dominating and causing unrest.

IV is incorrect because power sharing aims to address socio-economic struggles rather than bring them about.

Ans: (b)

II. It creates balance and harmony in different groups: Power sharing helps ensure that different social groups can coexist peacefully by allowing them to have a voice in governance.

III. It reduces the possibility of conflict among social groups: By sharing power, it addresses the concerns of various groups, which helps prevent tensions and conflicts from escalating.

IV. Power sharing is the essence of democracy: In a democracy, it is crucial for different groups to have representation and influence in decision-making processes.

I is incorrect because majoritarianism, which favors the majority, can undermine the rights and voices of minority groups, thus not reflecting the true spirit of democracy.

Ans: (d)
Community government in Belgium has the power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues.

Ans: (b)
There are some countries in which majority community is dominant, like Sri Lanka. The reason is also correct, but they do not relate.

Ans: (a)
1956 Act recognised Sinhala as the only official language that led to distrust between Sinhalese and Tamil communities, which turned into widespread conflict in Sri Lanka.

Ans: (a)
Power-sharing is good for democracy as it helps to reduce the possibility of conflicts between social groups.

Ans: (a)
While the Office of the Prime Minister is an important position in the government, it is not a separate branch or integral part of the government structure itself. The three main integral parts of the government are the Legislature (which makes laws), the Executive (which enforces laws), and the Judiciary (which interprets laws). The Prime Minister operates within the executive branch but does not represent a distinct part of the government like the others.

Ans: 59 percent of the total population of Belgium live in the Flemish region.

Ans: Belgium model for the accommodation of diversities: 
(i) Though the Dutch were in majority in the country, the French and Dutch-speaking population was given equal representation in the central government. 
(ii) Belgium was declared as a Federal state and thus, state governments were given important powers. 
(iii) The state governments did not act as a subordinate to the central government.

Ans: (b)
In Sri Lanka, the major caste groups are primarily linked to the two main religions: Buddhism and Hinduism. The Sinhala people, who mostly practice Buddhism, form a significant part of the population, while the Tamil community, which includes many Hindus, is also a major group. Thus, Buddhism and Hinduism represent the prominent cultural and religious identities among the different caste groups in the country.

Ans: (a)
In Belgium, the Community Government is designed to represent and share power among different social groups, such as linguistic communities (like the Flemish and French speakers). This system ensures that the diverse interests and identities within the country are recognized and that each group has a say in governance, promoting unity and reducing conflict among them.

Ans: Equal representation in the center.

Ans: The Belgium model of 'Community government' worked well because it recognized the belonging of individuals to one language community.

Ans: Arrangements of power in horizontal power-sharing are as follows: 
(i) Power is shared among different organs of the government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary, 
(ii) Different organs of the government exercise different powers. 
(iii) This arrangement is called a system of checks and balances.

Ans: It is necessary to give space to diverse social groups in the administration of a country to avoid majoritarianism, accumulation of power in the hands of a particular social group which would lead to social conflicts.

Ans: In Belgium, the minority French-speaking community was richer than the Dutch-speaking people. This was resented by the Dutch-speaking community. This led to acute problems in Brussels during the 1950s and 1960s  between these two communities.

Ans: The major repercussion of passing Sinhala as the only official language in Sri Lanka in 1956 was the increase in the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils. This led to the launch of parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil as an official language.

Ans: Power-sharing helps to reduce the possibility of conflicts between different social groups. A social conflict often leads to violence and political instability. Power sharing helps to ensure the stability of political order.

Ans: The idea of power-sharing has emerged contrary to the notions of undivided political power. Earlier, it was believed that all powers of a government must reside in one person or group located in one place. It was felt that if the power to decide was dispersed, it would not be possible to make quick decisions and enforce them. However, these notions have changed with the emergence of democracy.
Different forms that have common arrangements of Power Sharing:
(i) Horizontal power-sharing: Power is shared among different arms of the government, such as the legislature, executive, and judiciary. This ensures that none of the arms of the government has unlimited power. Each organ acts as a check for the others. This leads to a balance of power among various institutions.
(ii) Vertical power-sharing Power-sharing among governments at different levels. A government for the entire country is called a ‘Central or Union or Federal government’. The government in a particular state is called the 'State government’ in India. In such cases, the constitution clearly lays down the powers of different levels of government.
(iii) Empowering social groups: Power may also be shared among different social groups such as the religious and linguistic groups. The system of ‘reserved constituencies’ in assemblies and the Parliament of our country is an example of empowering minority communities.
(iv) Political parties and pressure groups and movement: Power-sharing is also seen in the way political parties, pressure groups, and social movements control or influence those in power. Such competition ensures that power does not remain in one hand. In the long run, power is shared among different political parties that represent different ideologies and social groups.

Ans: The accommodative experience of Belgium for peace and harmony. 
(1) Dutch and French speaking ministers got equal say and powers in the central government. 
(2) Many Powers of the central government have been transferred to state government. 
(3) The State government is no longer subordinate to the Central government. This helped in delegation of duties. 
(4) Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal representation. 
(5) There is a third kind of government called community government elected by the people belonging to Dutch, French and German communities no matter where they live.

Ans: The three measures taken by Sri Lanka, as per the Act passed in 1956, are as follows:
(i) The government passed an Act to recognize Sinhala as the only official language, disregarding Tamil.
(ii) Preferential politics were followed, favouring Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.
(iii) A new Constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism. 

Ans: Sinhala was recognized as the official language of Sri Lanka by passing an Act in 1956.

Ans: The prudential reason behind power-sharing is that it helps to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of a single individual or group, which can lead to authoritarianism and oppression.

Ans: The system of checks and balances ensures that no single individual or institution can exercise unlimited power. It helps to prevent the abuse of power and protects the rights and interests of different groups within a society.

Ans: One characteristic of power-sharing is the sharing of power between different levels of government or between different communities or groups within a society.

Ans: The ethnic composition of Belgium is complex due to the following reasons:
(i) 59% of the total population lives in the Flemish region and speaks Dutch.
(ii) 40% of the population lives in the Wallonia region and speaks French.
(iii) Only 1% of Belgians speak German.
(iv) In the capital city Brussels, 80% of the population speaks French while 20% speaks Dutch. 

Ans: Sri Lanka and the Belgium government tried to solve the ethnic problem in different ways:
(i) The Belgium government respected the feelings and interests of different communities and regions, establishing a federal structure and power-sharing between the Union Government and its constituent units.
(ii) Sri Lanka adopted majoritarianism, passing an Act in 1956 to recognize Sinhala as the only official language, favoring Sinhala applicants for positions, and protecting and fostering Buddhism through the Constitution. 

Ans: Forced integration can lead to disintegration due to the following reasons:
(i) Integration based on force can generate feelings of grudge and disagreement among different regions or communities.
(ii) Division of power and sharing of resources between regions often creates fears of domination.
(iii) People want to maintain their autonomy and not be pushed aside by others.
(iv) Examples like the breakdown of the USSR into different countries show the negative consequences of forced integration. Therefore, integration should be based on harmonious and amicable terms, rather than force. 

Ans: Yes, I agree with the statement that the sharing of powers makes a country more powerful and united. This is because:
(i) Power-sharing ensures that no single community or group dominates the decision-making process, promoting inclusivity and fairness.
(ii) It allows for the representation of diverse interests and perspectives, leading to better policies and governance.
(iii) Power-sharing can prevent the marginalization of certain communities or regions, reducing conflicts and promoting social cohesion.
(iv) By distributing power, it strengthens the democratic principles of participation, accountability, and checks and balances.

Ans: (i) The first reason is that power-sharing helps to reduce the possibility of conflicts between social groups.
(ii) Power-sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order as social conflict often leads to violence and political instability.
(iii) Imposing the will of the majority community over others may look like an attractive option in the short run, but in the long run, it undermines the unity of the nation.
(iv) Tyranny of the majority is not only oppressive for the minority but it also brings ruin to the majority.
(v) Another important reason is that the very spirit of democracy is power-sharing. A democratic rule involves sharing of power with those affected by its exercise, and who have to live with its effects. People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed. A legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.

Ans: The majoritarianism policy in Sri Lanka, which favored the Sinhala community, is responsible for increasing the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils.

Ans: The community government of Belgium enjoys cultural and educational powers, as well as issues related to language.

Ans: Two measures adopted by Sri Lanka in 1956 as part of their majoritarian policy were:
(i) They declared Sinhala as an official language.
(ii) They tried to promote their religion, Buddhism.

Ans: The system of power-sharing called "Checks and Balances" refers to the distribution of powers among different institutions of government, where each institution has the ability to check the actions of the others to ensure a balance of power.

Ans: Power-sharing is desirable due to the following reasons:
(i) It prevents the domination of one community or group over others, promoting equality and inclusivity.
(ii) It accommodates the diverse interests, perspectives, and identities of different communities, fostering social harmony.
(iii) Power-sharing reduces the chances of conflicts and tensions between communities or regions.
(iv) It strengthens democracy by ensuring participation, accountability, and checks and balances in decision-making.
(v) Power-sharing allows for better representation and responsiveness to the needs and aspirations of all citizens, leading to better governance. 

Ans: It is a society which shares a common language, ethnicity and culture. For exampleJapan and South Korea.

Ans: The Sinhala community formed the majority in terms of population in Sri Lanka.

Ans: The state religion of Sri Lanka is Buddhism.

Ans: The headquarters of the European Union is located in Brussels.