Power-sharing - Free MCQ Practice Test with solutions, Class 10

Power-sharing is the distribution of power among different groups in society. It is a good way to ensure the stability of political order because it prevents one group or individual from having complete control over the government and allows for different groups to have a voice in decision-making processes.
When power is shared, it promotes cooperation, compromise, and consensus-building, which are important for maintaining political stability. By sharing power, different groups can work together to achieve common goals and resolve conflicts peacefully, rather than resorting to violence or coercion.
Therefore, option B: political order, is the correct answer.

The Belgian model is a unique model of power-sharing that helped to avoid civic strife between two major communities in Belgium - the French-speaking Walloons and the Dutch-speaking Flemish.
The Belgian model includes several elements of power-sharing, such as:

• A federal system of government that gives significant powers to the regions and communities
• A proportional electoral system that ensures representation of both communities in the government
• A system of cultural autonomy that recognizes the distinct cultural and linguistic identities of both communities

These elements of power-sharing have helped to prevent the domination of one community over the other and have ensured that both communities have a voice in the government. As a result, Belgium has been able to avoid the kind of civic strife and violence that has plagued other countries with deep linguistic and cultural divides.
Therefore, option A: It helped to avoid civic strife between two major communities, is the correct statement about the Belgian model.

The word 'ethnic' refers to social divisions that are based on shared cultural characteristics such as language, religion, customs, and traditions. This term is often used to describe groups that share common cultural traits, but it can also be used to describe differences between groups.
For example, ethnic groups may be distinguished by their shared language or religious beliefs. In many cases, these cultural traits are passed down from one generation to the next and help to create a sense of identity and belonging within the group.
Ethnic divisions are often used to describe social and political conflicts that arise from differences in culture and identity. These conflicts can range from peaceful disagreements to violent clashes between different groups.
In summary, the word 'ethnic' signifies social division on shared culture.

Power Sharing among Governments at Different Levels (Vertical distribution of power sharing) In this form of power sharing, power is shared at the different levels of government. The overall governing body for the country is known as ‘Union Government' or 'Federal Government' and the government at the constituent units is known as State Government. The third or lowest level is local government, i.e., Municipalities and Panchayats (in India).      

The major social group that constituted the largest share in the population of Sri Lanka is the Sinhalas. They make up around 75% of the total population of the country. The Sinhala language is also the official language of the country. The Sri Lankan Tamils, Indian Tamils, and Muslims are other significant social groups in the country. The Sri Lankan Tamils, who are concentrated in the northern and eastern parts of the country, make up around 15% of the population. The Indian Tamils, who were brought to the country by the British as plantation workers, make up around 5% of the population. The Muslims, who are mostly concentrated in the eastern part of the country, make up around 10% of the population.

Power-sharing refers to the distribution of power and decision-making authority among different individuals, groups, and institutions within a political system. It is considered as the very spirit of democracy as it ensures that no one person or group has a monopoly on power and that different voices and interests are represented in the decision-making process.

Separation of powers, system of checks and balances, and balancing powers are all related concepts, but they are not the same as power-sharing. Separation of powers refers to the division of government authority into different branches, such as the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. System of checks and balances involves each branch of government having the ability to limit the power of the other branches. Balancing powers refers to the ability of different groups or institutions to balance and constrain each other's power.

Therefore, option A is the correct answer as power-sharing is the very spirit of democracy. Options B, C, and D are related to different concepts of governance and political systems.

Belgium is a federal state with a complex system of government due to its linguistic and regional diversity. The country has three official languages - Dutch, French, and German - and is divided into three regions and three communities. In such a diverse society, the principle of accommodation has been followed to ensure that the interests of all linguistic and cultural groups are represented in the government.
The principle of accommodation means that the government must take into account the interests and concerns of all linguistic and cultural groups and strive to find solutions that are acceptable to all. It requires the government to be flexible and to adapt to the needs and demands of different groups, rather than imposing a uniform policy or approach based on the preferences of the majority.

The correct answers that are in favour of power-sharing are:

A. Reduces conflict among the different communities.
B. Decreases the possibility of arbitrariness.
D. Accommodates diversities.
F. Promotes people’s participation in the government.

A. Power-sharing reduces conflict among the different communities as it allows them to share power and resources equitably, and helps in preventing domination of one community over another.
B. Power-sharing decreases the possibility of arbitrariness as the exercise of power is shared among different groups, and no single group can take arbitrary decisions without the consent of other groups.
D. Power-sharing accommodates diversities as it recognizes and respects the differences among various communities and allows them to participate in the decision-making process.
F. Power-sharing promotes people's participation in the government as it provides opportunities for different groups to participate in decision-making, and ensures that their voices are heard.

On the other hand, the following statement is against power-sharing:
E. Power-sharing increases instability and divisiveness, which is not true as power-sharing aims to bring stability and harmony among different communities by accommodating their diversities and interests.
G. Power-sharing undermines the unity of a country, which is not entirely true as power-sharing ensures that different communities are given equal rights and opportunities, and helps in strengthening the unity and integrity of a country.
C. Power-sharing delays the decision-making process, which is true to some extent as power-sharing involves negotiations and consultations among different groups, which may take time. However, it is a necessary trade-off to ensure the equitable sharing of power and resources among different communities.

There is two groups in sri Lanka one is sinhala and other is tamil and sinhala people have majority so , Sri Lanka adopt majoritarian

Among the given option, B, C and D are true.

In Srilanka, the policies of government ensured the dominance of Sinhala -speaking majority. To protect their culture, language and equal opportunity in education and jobs, Tamils in Srilanka demanded a federal arrangement of power –sharing.

On the other hand Belgium would have been divided based on linguistic basis but change in the form of government from unitary to federal prevented it. And hence power sharing enabled Belgium to be intact.

In Belgium, there are three linguistic groups—the majority Dutch-speaking community, the minority French-speaking community, and the German speakers, who form a minute percentage of the entire community. Almost 59% live in the Flemish region, and speak the Dutch language. Another 40% of the people live in the Wallonia region, and speak French. The remaining 1% of the Belgians speak German.

Option D is not a provision in the Belgian Constitution. The community government in Belgium has power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues. In fact, one of the key features of the Belgian model is the devolution of power to the linguistic communities in areas such as culture, education, and language. The three communities - the Flemish Community, the French Community, and the German-speaking Community - have their own parliaments, governments, and ministers, and are responsible for their own cultural, educational, and language policies. This system of power-sharing has helped to accommodate the linguistic and cultural diversity in Belgium and has contributed to its political stability.

Sri Lanka was declared a secular state is the action that was not taken by the government in 1956 in Sri Lanka. In fact, after the 1956 elections, the Sri Lankan government took a series of steps to promote Sinhala nationalism and Buddhism, including:

1. Passing the Sinhala Only Act in 1956, which recognized Sinhala as the only official language of Sri Lanka and replaced English.

2. Implementing preferential policies that favored Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.

3. Enshrining the protection and fostering of Buddhism in the constitution.

As a result of these actions, Sri Lanka's minority Tamil population, which had traditionally been favored by the British colonial authorities, began to feel marginalized and discriminated against by the Sinhalese-dominated government. This eventually led to a protracted civil war between the government and Tamil separatist groups, which lasted for over 25 years and resulted in significant loss of life and property.

The capital city of Belgium is Brussels, which is located in the central region of the country. It is a bilingual city, with both French and Dutch being official languages. The city serves as the administrative center of the European Union and hosts the headquarters of many international organizations.

Power-sharing is good for democracy because it promotes the values of accommodation and compromise among different social groups. It also helps to prevent the domination of one group over another and ensures that all groups have a fair say in the decision-making process.
Power-sharing also helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups by addressing the grievances of minority groups and providing them with a voice in the government. When minority groups are excluded from the political process, they may feel marginalized and resort to violence to achieve their goals. Power-sharing helps to prevent such situations by ensuring that all groups have a stake in the government and a role in decision-making.