Class 10 Civics Chapter 1 Question Answers - Power Sharing

Q1. Describe the different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies. Give an example of each of these. (CBSE Sample Paper)

Ans: In modern democracies, power-sharing can take several forms:

• Among different organs of government: Power is shared among the legislature, executive, and judiciary. This is known as horizontal distribution of power, where each organ checks the others, preventing any single organ from having unlimited power.
• Among governments at different levels: Power is divided between a general government for the entire country and regional governments. In India, this is referred to as the Central or Union Government.
• Among different social groups: Power can be shared among various social groups, such as religious and linguistic communities. An example is the Community Government in Belgium. In India, there are reserved constituencies for weaker sections in legislative bodies and government jobs.
• Among political parties and interest groups: Power is shared among various political parties representing different ideologies and social groups. Interest groups, including traders and farmers, also influence government decisions through participation in committees.

Q2. Bring out the main features of the Belgian model of governance.

Ans: Between 1970 and 1993, Belgian leaders made four amendments to their Constitution to establish a consensus. The main features of the Belgian model of governance include:

• Equal Representation: The Constitution mandates that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers in the central government must be equal. Important laws require majority support from both linguistic groups, preventing any single community from making unilateral decisions.
• Decentralised Power: Many powers of the central government have been transferred to state governments in the two regions. These state governments operate independently and are not subordinate to the central authority.
• Brussels Government: Brussels has its own government, ensuring equal representation for both communities.
• Community Government: A separate 'Community government' is elected by people from one language community—Dutch, French, or German—regardless of their location. This government handles cultural, educational, and language-related matters.

Q3. What do we learn from the story of Sri Lanka? Should India follow the Belgian model? (HOTS)

Ans: The story of Sri Lanka illustrates the severe consequences of distrust between communities, leading to a devastating civil war. This conflict resulted in:

• Thousands of deaths from both communities.
• Mass homelessness and displacement.
• Many people fleeing the country as refugees.

From this, we learn the importance of power sharing among different communities. Key lessons include:

• Power sharing promotes stability and unity.
• Majority rule can lead to societal conflict and civil war.

As for India, it should not adopt the Belgian model of power sharing due to:

• India's large, multilingual, and multi-religious society.
• The Indian Constitution being more suitable for its diverse culture.
• The Belgian model being overly complex for India's needs.

Q4. What could ethnic problems lead to in Belgium and Sri Lanka?

Ans: In both Belgium and Sri Lanka, ethnic problems can lead to significant tension and conflict between different groups:

• In Belgium, the majority Dutch-speaking community may attempt to dominate the French and German-speaking minorities. This could escalate into conflict, particularly in Brussels, where the ethnic ratios differ from the rest of the country.
• In Sri Lanka, the Sinhalese majority might further marginalise the Tamil-speaking population, potentially leading to severe unrest or even war.

Thus, the size of a population does not guarantee peace. If ethnic divisions are not managed with patience and common sense, they can result in:

• Civil war
• Division of the country
• Ongoing conflict between communities

Q5. Give instances to show how Sri Lanka has imposed ‘majoritarianism’.

Ans: Sri Lanka has imposed majoritarianism through several key measures:

• Population Majority: With 74% of the population being Sinhala-speaking, the government established majority rule from independence.
• Language and Religion: The Constitution was amended to declare Sinhala as the only official language and Buddhism as the state religion.
• Employment Discrimination: Job opportunities were preferentially given to Sinhala speakers, sidelining Tamil culture and language.
• Neglect of Minorities: Other religions, such as Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity, received little recognition or support.

Q6. In what way was the Belgian method better?

Ans: The Belgian method was advantageous because it ensured equal representation for all ethnic groups. Key features include:

• Equal representation of French and Dutch ministers in the central government.
• The Centre and states had equal and independent powers.
• New laws required majority approval from both ethnic groups.
• A separate government was established for the city of Brussels.
• A third community government was elected, representing Dutch, French, and German speakers, focusing on language, culture, and education.

Q7. Here are some examples of power-sharing. Which of the four types of power-sharing do these represent? Who is sharing power with whom?

Ans: (i) The Bombay High Court instructed the Maharashtra State Government to improve the living conditions for approximately 2,000 children in seven children's homes in Mumbai.

(ii) The Ontario government in Canada reached a land claim settlement with the Aboriginal community. The Minister for Native Affairs stated that the government will collaborate with Aboriginal people in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation.

(iii) In Russia, two major political parties, the Union of Right Forces and the Liberal Yabloko Movement, decided to merge into a strong right-wing coalition. They plan to present a unified list of candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections.

(iv) Finance ministers from various states in Nigeria convened and requested that the federal government disclose its income sources. They also sought clarification on how revenue is allocated among the states.

Q8. How has the idea of power-sharing changed with time?

Ans: Historically, it was thought that all government power should be held by a single person or a small group. This belief stemmed from the idea that distributing power would slow down decision-making and implementation.

However, with the rise of democracy, these views have evolved:

• Democracy emphasises that the people are the true source of political power.
• A democratic government respects the diverse groups and opinions within society.
• Everyone has a voice in shaping public policies.