Power Sharing (Chapter 1)
Comprehensive handwritten study notes covering the ethnic compositions of Belgium & Sri Lanka, the Majoritarian policy in Sri Lanka, the Belgian model of accommodation, Prudential vs Moral reasons for power sharing, and horizontal vs vertical distributions of democratic power.
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Key Chapter Highlights & Case Studies
Essential concepts, case study summaries, and core political mechanisms
- 59% live in Flemish region and speak Dutch.
- 40% live in Wallonia region and speak French; 1% speak German.
- Brussels (Capital): 80% French, 20% Dutch (minority nationally was majority in capital).
- Solution (1970–1993): Constitution amended 4 times to ensure equal representation of Dutch and French ministers in the Central Government, separate Brussels government, and a unique Community Government for language and cultural affairs.
- 74% Sinhala-speakers (predominantly Buddhist).
- 18% Tamil-speakers (13% Sri Lankan Tamils + 5% Indian Tamils; Hindu/Muslim).
- 7% Christians who belong to both Tamil and Sinhala groups.
- The 1956 Act: Established Sinhala as the only official language, gave preferential policies for university jobs, and promoted Buddhism—causing deep alienation, ethnic conflict, and prolonged civil war.
Four Primary Forms of Power Sharing
Shared among Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary placed at the same level. Operates as a system of Checks and Balances.
Shared at different governmental tiers: Central/Union Government, State/Provincial Governments, and Local Self-Governments (Panchayats/Municipalities).
Arrangements like Belgium's Community Government and constitutional reserved constituencies in India for socially weaker sections and women.
Multi-party coalition alliances sharing executive power, alongside pressure groups and interest groups influencing governmental policies.
High-Yield Board Exam Questions & Model Answers (FAQ)
Q1. Differentiate between Prudential and Moral reasons for power sharing.
1. Prudential Reasons: Based on careful calculation of gains and losses. Power sharing helps reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups, maintains social harmony, and ensures the stability of political order. Tyranny of the majority undermines unity in the long run.
2. Moral Reasons: Emphasizes the intrinsic value of power sharing. Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise and who have to live with its effects. People have a fundamental right to be consulted on how they are governed.
Q2. What were the key elements of the Belgian Model of Accommodation?
• The Constitution mandates that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the Central Government.
• Many powers of the Central Government have been given to state governments of the two regions; state governments are not subordinate to the Centre.
• Brussels has a separate government where both linguistic communities have equal representation.
• A third tier called the Community Government is elected by people belonging to one language community (Dutch, French, or German), handling cultural, educational, and language-related issues.
Q3. How did Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka lead to civil conflict?
After gaining independence in 1948, the Sinhala majority government adopted majoritarian measures: the 1956 Act recognized Sinhala as the sole official language, disregarded Tamil, provided preferential policies favoring Sinhala applicants for university jobs, and fostered Buddhism as the state religion. This created alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils, who felt denied of equal political and economic rights, eventually resulting in the demand for an independent Tamil Eelam and a devastating civil war.
Q4. Why is Horizontal Power Sharing called a system of 'Checks and Balances'?
In horizontal power sharing, power is divided among the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary placed at the same level. None of these organs can exercise unlimited power. Each organ inspects and checks the other (e.g., judges appointed by the executive can check laws passed by parliament or actions of the executive). This results in a healthy balance of power and prevents authoritarian governance.
