POWER SHARING

Civics Notes

Class 10 Political Science

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 1. Introduction to Power
Sharing
Power sharing is one of the most important features of
democracy. It refers to the distribution of powers among different
organs, levels, and groups in society so that no single group can
dominate the others.

In a democratic country, people belonging to different religions,

languages, cultures, and social groups live together. If all power
is given to only one community or one person, conflicts and
tensions may arise. Therefore, power sharing helps in
maintaining peace, equality, and national unity.

Simple Meaning
Power sharing means sharing powers among different
people, groups, and institutions for the smooth functioning
of the country.

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 2. Why Power Sharing is
Important
Power sharing is very important in a democracy because it helps
in maintaining peace, stability, and equality in society.

A. Prudential Reason
Prudential reason means practical benefit. Power sharing
reduces conflicts among social groups and helps in maintaining
political stability.

Example
If one religious or linguistic group controls all the power,
other groups may feel neglected and conflicts may arise.

Reduces social conflicts

Maintains peace and unity

Prevents violence and civil war

Ensures political stability

B. Moral Reason
Power sharing is the true spirit of democracy. Every citizen has
the right to participate in governance.

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 Protects minority rights

Respects diversity

Ensures equality

Strengthens democracy

3. Main Features of Power

Sharing
Power is shared among different organs of government.

Different social, linguistic, and religious groups participate in

governance.

It prevents domination of one community over another.

It promotes national unity and political stability.

It strengthens democracy and equality.

It helps in reducing tensions and social conflicts.

Important Point

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 Countries that practice proper power sharing usually
remain peaceful and united, while countries that deny
power sharing often face conflicts and instability.

BELGIUM
Accommodation and Power Sharing

1. Background of Belgium
Belgium is a small country in Europe. It has a very diverse
population made up of different linguistic communities.

Dutch-speaking people → about 59%

French-speaking people → about 40%

German-speaking people → about 1%

In the capital city Brussels:

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 Majority people spoke French

Minority people spoke Dutch

Main Problem
The French-speaking community was economically
powerful and dominated government administration.
Dutch-speaking people felt discriminated against.

2. Map of Belgium
Map of Belgium

Map showing regions and communities of Belgium

3. Accommodation in
Belgium
Belgium solved its community conflict through accommodation
and power sharing instead of violence. The leaders amended
their Constitution several times.

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 A. Equal Representation in Central
Government
The Constitution states that the number of Dutch-speaking and
French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central
government.

No single community can dominate the government.

B. State Governments Were Given

Powers
Many powers of the central government were transferred to state
governments.

State governments are not subordinate to the central

government.

Both have equal powers in their own areas.

C. Separate Government for Brussels

Brussels was given a separate government in which both
communities had equal representation.

D. Community Government
Belgium created a third type of government called the
Community Government.

This government deals with:

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 Culture

Education

Language-related issues

Example
Dutch-speaking people elect their own community
government, and French-speaking people elect theirs.

4. Result of the Belgian

Model
Conflict between communities reduced peacefully.

Unity and stability of the country were maintained.

Different communities started living together peacefully.

Belgium became a successful example of power sharing.

Important Conclusion

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 Belgium proves that accommodation and sharing of power
can help in maintaining peace and national unity in a
diverse country.

SRI LANKA
Majoritarianism and Ethnic Conflict

1. Background of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island nation located near India in the Indian
Ocean. It has a diverse population made up of different linguistic
and religious communities.

Sinhala-speaking people → about 74% (majority)

Tamil-speaking people → about 18% (minority)

The Tamil population was divided into two groups:

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 Sri Lankan Tamils

Indian Tamils

Religious Difference
Most Sinhalas were Buddhists.

Most Tamils were Hindus or Muslims.

2. Rise of Majoritarianism
After independence in 1948, the Sinhala community tried to
dominate politics, government, and administration in Sri Lanka.

The leaders believed that the Sinhala community should receive

special importance because they were the majority population.

Meaning of Majoritarianism
Majoritarianism means a belief that the majority
community should dominate the country and make
decisions according to its own interests.

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 3. Discriminatory Policies
Against Tamils
A. Sinhala Only Act (1956)
In 1956, the government passed an Act declaring Sinhala as the
only official language.

Tamil language was ignored.

Tamils faced difficulties in jobs and administration.

B. Preference in Government Jobs

Sinhala-speaking people were preferred for government jobs
and promotions.

C. Preference in Education
Government policies favored Sinhala students in universities and
education.

D. Buddhism Given Special Status

The Constitution gave protection and special importance to
Buddhism.

Effect on Tamil Community

Tamils felt socially and politically discriminated against.

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 They felt insecure and neglected.

They demanded equal political rights and regional

autonomy.

4. Ethnic Conflict and Civil

War
The refusal to share power increased tensions between the
Sinhala and Tamil communities.

Some Tamil political organizations demanded an independent

Tamil state called Tamil Eelam.

Result of Conflict
Violence and clashes increased.

A long civil war began.

Thousands of people lost their lives.

The economy and development of Sri Lanka suffered

badly.

Sri Lanka Map

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 Map of Sri Lanka showing major regions

5. Conclusion from Sri

Lanka
Sri Lanka became an example of how refusing to share power
can create ethnic conflict, violence, instability, and civil war.

Main Learning
A democratic country must respect all communities
equally. Lack of power sharing can divide the nation and
destroy peace.

FORMS OF POWER
SHARING
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 Different Ways Power is Shared in Democracy

1. Introduction to Forms of
Power Sharing
In a democratic country, power is not concentrated in the hands
of one person or one institution. It is shared among different
organs, levels, groups, and political parties to maintain balance,
equality, and peace.

Main Idea
Different forms of power sharing help in preventing
dictatorship, protecting minority rights, and strengthening
democracy.

2. Horizontal Distribution of
Power

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 Horizontal power sharing refers to the sharing of power among
different organs of government at the same level.

Legislature

Executive

Judiciary

Each organ checks the powers of the others. This system is

called checks and balances.

Example
In India, Parliament makes laws, the Executive
implements laws, and the Judiciary interprets laws and
protects the Constitution.

3. Vertical Distribution of
Power
Vertical power sharing means sharing power among
governments at different levels.

Central Government

State Government

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 Local Government

This type of power sharing is known as Federalism.

Example
India follows a federal system where powers are divided
between the Union Government and State Governments.

4. Power Sharing Among

Social Groups
Power is also shared among different religious, linguistic, and
ethnic groups in society.

This system protects minority interests and maintains social

harmony.

Reservation system

Community government

Special political rights

Example

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 Belgium introduced community governments for different
language groups.

5. Power Sharing Among

Political Parties and
Pressure Groups
In democracy, different political parties compete for power.
Sometimes coalition governments are formed where multiple
parties share power.

Pressure groups and social movements also influence

government decisions.

Example
Coalition governments in India involve multiple political
parties sharing responsibilities and decision-making.

6. Final Conclusion
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 Power Sharing – Foundation of
Democracy
Power sharing is essential for maintaining peace,
equality, and political stability in a democratic country.

Belgium became successful because it shared power

properly and respected all communities equally. On the
other hand, Sri Lanka faced ethnic conflict and civil war
because power was not shared fairly.

Therefore, every democratic country must ensure

proper sharing of power among different institutions,
governments, communities, and political parties.

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