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Power Sharing: Governance Models Explained

The document discusses power sharing systems and how they were implemented differently in Belgium and Sri Lanka. Belgium adopted a power sharing model that gave both Dutch and French communities equal representation and autonomy, avoiding conflict. In contrast, Sri Lanka followed a majoritarian system that denied political rights and opportunities to Tamils, increasing tensions and eventually leading to a civil war.

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23 views4 pages

Power Sharing: Governance Models Explained

The document discusses power sharing systems and how they were implemented differently in Belgium and Sri Lanka. Belgium adopted a power sharing model that gave both Dutch and French communities equal representation and autonomy, avoiding conflict. In contrast, Sri Lanka followed a majoritarian system that denied political rights and opportunities to Tamils, increasing tensions and eventually leading to a civil war.

Uploaded by

iffat123redmi
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Power Sharing

Power sharing
It is a term used to describe a system of governance in which all major segments of society
are provided a permanent share of power; this system is often contrasted with government vs.
opposition systems in which ruling coalitions rotate among various social groups over time.

Importance\ Need of Power Sharing


Power Sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social
groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and Political instability, Power Sharing is
a good way to ensure the stability of Political order. Imposition of the will of majority
community over others may look like an attractive option in the short run, but in the long run
it undermines the unity of the Nation.

Ethnic composition of Belgium


Belgium is a small country in Europe. It is same in area as Haryana with a population of little
over 1crore, about half the population of Haryana. Of the country’s total population, 59%
people speak Dutch language, 40% of people speak French and the remaining 1% speaks
German.

Accommodation in Belgium
The minority French-speaking community was rich and powerful so they got the benefit of
economic development and education. This created tensions between the Dutch-speaking and
French speaking communities during the 1950s and 1960. The government handled the
community difference very well. Between 1970 and 1993, Belgian leaders amended their
constitution four times and came up with a new model to run the government. Here are some
of the elements of the Belgian model.

1. Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be
equal in the Central Government.
2. Some special laws require the support of the majority of members from each linguistic
group. Thus, no single community can make decisions unilaterally.
3. The state governments are not subordinate to the Central Government.
4. The capital city Brussels has a separate government in which both communities have
equal representation.
5. Apart from the Central and the State Government, there is a third kind of government.
This ‘community government’ is elected by people belonging to one language
community – Dutch, French and German-speaking – no matter where they live. This
government has the power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues.
6. The Belgium model was very complicated but it helped to avoid civic strife between the
two major communities.

Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka.


It means that the majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it
wants, by disregarding the wishes and needs of the minority. Sri Lankan government
followed this system and they try to establish Sinhala supremacy.

Ethnic composition of Sri Lanka


It is an island nation having a population of 2 crore, about the same as in Haryana. It is same
in area as Haryana. Sri Lanka has a diverse population. The major social groups are the
Sinhala-speakers 74% and the Tamil-speakers 18%. Among Tamils, there are two subgroups,
“Sri Lankan Tamils” and “Indian Tamils”. There are 7 % Christians.

Steps to make Sinhala supremacy


(i) Government adopted several majoritarian measure to establish Sinhala Supremacy

(ii) . In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language by
disregarding Tamil.

(iii) The governments followed preferential politics that favoured Sinhala applicants
for university positions and government jobs.

(iv) A new Constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism

Feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils.


Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948. The Sinhala community was in
the majority so they had formed the government. They also followed preferential policies
that favored Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs. These
measures taken by the government gradually increased the feeling of alienation among
the Sri Lankan Tamils. Sri Lankan Tamils felt that constitution and government policies
denied them equal political rights, discriminated against them in getting jobs and other
opportunities and ignored their interests. Due to which the relationship between the
Sinhala and Tamil communities become poor. Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and
struggles for the recognition of Tamil as an official language, for regional autonomy and
equality of opportunity in securing education and jobs. But their demand was repeatedly
denied by the government. The distrust between the two communities turned into
widespread conflict and turned into a CIVIL WAR. As a result, thousands of people of both the
communities have been killed. Many families were forced to leave the country as refugees and
many more lost their livelihoods. The civil war ended in 2009 and caused a terrible setback to the
social, cultural and economic life of the country.

Forms of Power Sharing


Power sharing arrangements can take many forms. Let us look at some of the most Common
arrangement that we have. There are four different models of Power Sharing.

1- Power sharing among different organs.


Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the Legislative, executive
and Judiciary. In democracy, the three different functions are exercised by three different
agencies. The legislatures make the laws. The laws are then executed by an executive
machinery. Those who disobeying the laws are Punished by the Judiciary. The judiciaries in
India function independent of the executive. The three organs of the government have their
Powers specified in the constitution. Such a separation ensures that none of the organs can
exercise unlimited Power, each organ checks the others. This arrangements is called a system
of checks and balances. It is also called horizontal distribution of Power because it allows
different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers.

2- Power sharing among government at different Levels


Power can be shared among government at different Levels. A general government for the
entire country and the government at the Provincial or regional level. Such a general
Government for the entire country is usually called federal Government. In India, we refer to
it as central or union Government. The governments at the Provincial or regional Level is
called by different names in different countries. In India, we call them State Governments.
The same system can be extended to the levels of government lower than the state
government such as the municipal and Panchayat .It is called vertical distribution of Power.
The constitution specifies the areas in which the central government has to operate. The states
have their own Jurisdiction. Matters that can be deal by the local self government. are also
clearly defined.

3- Power sharing among different social groups .

Power may also be shared among different social groups, such as the religious and linguistic
groups. Community government in Belgium is a good example of this arrangement. In some
countries there are constitutional and legal arrangements where socially weaker sections and
women are represented in the legislatures and administration. This type of arrangement is
mean to give space in the government and administration to diverse social groups who
otherwise would feel alienated from the government. This method is used to give minority
communities a fair Share Power. (Ex - SC, ST, OBC, minorities, women)
4- Power Sharing among Political Parties and Pressure groups.

Power Sharing arrangements can also be seen in the way Political Parties and Pressure
groups. The existence of more than one political Party also ensures that different social
groups share Power .A certain social group may feel that its interest are not being looked
after in the existing system, So it decides to float a Political Party of its own. The party
contest elections and may even succeed in forming a government singly or in coalition. That
way this Social group now gets a Share in government. Even as a coalition partner it may be
able to influence government decisions to its advantages. In a democracy, we find interest
groups or pressure groups which include traders, businessmen, Industrialist, farmers and
Industrial workers. They also will have a share in government power, either through
participation in governmental committee or bringing influence on the decision making
process.

Why Power Sharing is desirable?


Prudential Reasons.
(1) It helps to reduce tension and conflicts.
(2) It bring peace and stability in the country

Moral Reasons.
(i) it upholds the spirit of democracy
(ii) Laws made by the government will affected the entire citizen

What have you learned from the Stories of Belgium and Sri Lanka?
Both countries are democratic but they dealt differently with the concept of power
sharing.
. In Belgium, the leaders have realised that the unity of the country is possible only by
respecting the feelings and interests of different communities and regions. This
resulted in mutually acceptable arrangements for sharing power.
 In Sri Lanka, the Sinhala community enjoyed the bigger majority and imposed its will
on the entire Country. Majority community of Sri Lanka wants to force its dominance
over others and refuses to share power which resulted conflicts and civil war in the
country.

Common questions

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Belgium's power-sharing strategy involved constitutional amendments that ensured mutual representation and decision-making power for different communities, fostering stability and unity . In contrast, Sri Lanka's majoritarian approach favored the majority Sinhala community, leading to discrimination against Tamils, escalating tensions and resulting in a prolonged civil war . While Belgium's strategy brought peace and inclusiveness, Sri Lanka's approach resulted in division and violence, highlighting the effectiveness of inclusive governance over majoritarianism .

The civil war in Sri Lanka severely disrupted social and economic life, leading to loss of life, displacement of families, and destruction of infrastructure . The long-term consequences included economic setbacks, cultural disruption, and lasting societal divisions . The war's end in 2009 left the nation with a need for reconstruction and reconciliation among communities, but the scars of conflict continue to influence Sri Lanka's political and social conditions .

Post-independence, Sri Lanka adopted majoritarian policies that favored the Sinhala majority, such as making Sinhala the only official language and preferential treatment for Sinhalese in education and government jobs . These measures alienated the Tamil minority, denied them equal rights, and led to demands for regional autonomy and recognition of Tamil as an official language . The government's refusal to address these demands escalated tensions, leading to distrust and ultimately a civil war that caused massive loss of life, displacement, and economic setbacks .

The Belgium model addressed ethnic tensions by implementing a power-sharing system that prevented any single community from making unilateral decisions. Key features included equal representation of Dutch and French-speaking ministers in the Central Government, laws requiring majority support from each linguistic group, independent state governments, equal representation in Brussels's government, and a community government for cultural and educational matters . This complex arrangement helped avoid civic strife between the Dutch and French-speaking communities .

The community government in Belgium's power-sharing model allowed localized governance on cultural, educational, and language matters . It was significant because it enabled Dutch, French, and German-speaking communities to exercise self-determination in areas critical to preserving their cultural identities, thereby promoting coexistence and reducing ethnic tensions . This structure was crucial in ensuring that different linguistic communities felt represented and respected, avoiding majoritarian domination .

Power-sharing arrangements vary, including horizontal distribution among different government organs, vertical distribution among different government levels, sharing among social groups, and sharing among political parties and pressure groups . Horizontal distribution ensures checks and balances, vertical distribution allows autonomous operation at various government levels, sharing among social groups includes minority representation, and sharing among political parties ensures multiple interests are considered in governance . These arrangements help maintain stability by preventing domination by any single group, reducing conflict, and fostering inclusivity and representation .

The concept of 'checks and balances' prevents the abuse of power by ensuring that different government organs operate independently and can restrain each other . The legislative, executive, and judiciary hold separate powers, preventing any single organ from exercising unlimited authority . This system enforces accountability and prevents autocracy, contributing to the fair and balanced functioning of a democratic system .

Power sharing is promoted for moral reasons, such as upholding the spirit of democracy and ensuring that laws affect the entire citizenry fairly . Prudentially, it reduces tension and conflict, bringing peace and stability to a nation by allowing all groups a stake in governance and reducing the likelihood of domination by any single group . These reasons collectively support sustainable and equitable governance .

Belgium demonstrates that ethnic conflicts can be managed by respecting different communities' interests and instituting power-sharing measures that ensure all groups have a say in governance . In contrast, Sri Lanka's approach of majoritarian rule and ignoring minority rights led to severe conflict and civil war . The key lesson is that inclusive governance that respects diverse communities and shares power equitably can prevent conflict and foster national unity, while dominance by a majority can lead to instability and violence .

Vertical distribution of power in federal systems involves division between central and state governments, each with specified jurisdictions as per the constitution . In India, the central (union) government handles national affairs, while state governments manage regional matters . The system extends to local levels, like municipal and Panchayat governments, allowing for governance tailored to local needs and ensuring that power is decentralized and regionally responsive . This structure maintains a balance between unity and regional autonomy .

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