Power Sharing CLASS X

Story of Belgium:
• Belgium is a small country in Europe.
• Area wise, it is smaller than Haryana (State).
• It has borders with France, the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg.
• Its ethnic composition is very complex.
o Three languages; Dutch, French and German.
o Three regions; Flemish (59% Dutch
speaking), Wallonia (40% French speaking) and Brussels.
o However, in Brussels (Capital Region): 20% Dutch speaking and
80% French speaking.
o There are 1% German speaking also.
But What was the problem in it?
• In Belgium, the French-speaking community was smaller in number but
they were richer and more powerful.
• On the other hand, the Dutch-speaking majority got fewer benefits .
o For Example:- They could not get equal access to good education,
government jobs, and economic opportunities for a long time.
• This problem was even worse in the capital city, Brussels.
• Because of this, tensions grew between the two communities.
Story of Sri Lanka:
• Sri Lanka is an Island Nation (India’s neighbor).
• Its population is about two crore (same as in Haryana).
• Sri Lanka has a diverse population.
o Major Social groups: Sinhala-speakers (74%) and Tamil-speakers
(18%).
▪ Moreover, There are two sub groups of Tamils: Sri Lankan
Tamils(13%) and Indian Tamils (5%).
o other social groups: Christians (7%) and Rest (1%) .
o Religion: Buddhists (majority), Hindus, Muslims and Christians.
 • Tensions took place due to discriminatory policies of Sri Lankan
Government.
Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka
• In 1948, after attaining Independence, Sinhala community took
advantage of its majority.
• Since, It adopted a series of Majoritarian measures.
• Changes favored Sinhala community only.
o Recognition of Sinhala as the only official language in 1956.
o Preferential policies for Sinhala applicants (Govt. jobs & University
position).
o Moreover, duty of State to protect and foster Buddhism.
• Against these, Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties.
o Demanded for recognition of Tamil as an official language,
o for regional autonomy and equality of opportunity in education
and jobs.
• However, Sinhala government refused to do so.
• As a consequence, Demand for Tamil Eelam (State) arose. (1980s)
• Thus, the above mentioned changes paved way to a Civil War.
Accommodation in Belgium
• In Belgium, Leaders took care of every linguistic group. Thus, adopted
Belgian Model.
• To make workable arrangements, they had to amend their constitution
four times (Between 1970 and 1993).
• Although, Belgian measure is different and very innovative.
• So, The Elements of Belgian Model are:-
o Central Government: Equal representation of the ministers of
both linguistic groups. And provision of Bilateral agreement.
o State Government: State governments are not subordinate to
Central government.
o Separate Government (Brussels): Both the communities have
equal representation.
 o Community Government: This third kind of government is elected
by people belonging to one language community irrespective of
their place (Dutch, French and German). This government has
power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues.
• Hence, Belgium model proved to be successful.
Why power sharing is desirable?
There are mainly two reasons. First, Prudential and second moral.
1. Prudential Reason: Power sharing is good (good for better outcomes)
because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social
groups.
2. Moral Reason: Power sharing is very spirit of democracy. It allows
citizens to participate in government as they are the one who get
affected by its exercise.
Forms of Power-Sharing
Finally, Above reasons made us realize the value of power sharing. In modern
democracies, power sharing arrangements can take many forms. Let us discuss
these forms.
1. Horizontal Distribution of power sharing: There are three organs of
government; legislature, executive, judiciary. At same level, they perform
different functions. Also check and balance the functioning of each other.
Thus, share the power horizontally.
2. Vertical Distribution of power sharing: When power is shared among
governments at different levels; Central/union, State/regional, local. We
call it vertical distribution of power sharing.
3. Power sharing among different social groups: In some countries
constitutional and legal arrangements are made in order to give minority
communities a fair share in power. For instance, reserved constituencies
in India and community govt. in Belgium.
4. Power sharing among political parties, pressure groups and
movements: As we know that power sharing means division of power.
This division can be of political parties in the form of coalition
government. It can be of pressure groups who influence public opinions
and govt. policies. For Example: interest groups of traders, businessmen,
industrialists, farmers, students, industrial workers.