Power Sharing
Power sharing means sharing of responsibility and power among
different organs and levels of government.
It is a strategy for resolving disputes ones exercising of power. It
ensures the stability of the political order.
It is a powerful approach untie the diversities by making them part of
decision making process.
About Belgium>
Belgium is a small country in Europe, smaller in area than the
state Haryana. Their border neighbors are France, Netherland,
Germany and Luxembourg with the population of over less
than 1 core about half the population of Haryana.
Ethnic Composition Of Belgium>
The ethnic composition of Belgium is very complex because of various
language speaking people.
Of the country’s total population 59% lives in the Flemish region and
speaks Dutch language.
Another 40% lives in the Wallonia region and speaks French language.
Remaining 1% of the Belgians speaks German language.
Besides, in the capital city Brussels, 80% people speak French while
20% people speak Dutch.
Ethnic Tension In Belgium>
The economic inequality between the Dutch speaking and France
speaking was the basic cause of tension.
The issues of majoritarianism and financial preferences led to the
tension between the Dutch and French speaking communities in
Belgium during 1950s and 1960s.
At the capital city of Brussels the French speaking community was
relatively rich and powerful and used to get the economic and
educational benefit.
This was resented by the Dutch speaking community which lead to the
tension between the two communities of Brussels.
Accommodation In Belgium (BELGIUM MODEL)
1. After four amendments in the constitution between 1970s and 1993
the Belgium leaders worked out a very different and innovative
power sharing arrangement known as Belgium Model.
2. The elements of Belgium Government-:
i. Equal distribution of seats-
According to the new arrangement. Dutch and French
speaking ministers have been given equal status in the
central
ii. Concept of federal government-
Given maximum powers and the state government are
not treated as the subordinate to the central government.
iii. Equal representation in Brussels-
In the new arrangement Brussels, the capital city of Belgium
has given equal representation to both the French and
Dutch speaking people.
iv. Community government-
The Belgium Model introduced a new concept of third kind
level of government, i.e. the community government.
This government is elected by the people belonging to one
language community. The system is complicated but useful.
This arrangement ensures the promotion and protection of
cultural and linguistic diversity.
About Sri Lanka>
Sri Lanka is an island nation, just a few kilometers of the
southern coast of Tamil Nadu. It has about 2 core people, about
the same as in Haryana.
Like other nations in the South Asia region, Sri Lanka has a
diverse population. Sri Lanka comprises various communities
which signifies its complex ethnicities like.
Ethnic Composition Of Belgium>
Sinhala speaking accounts for 74% of the total population and enjoy
superior status in the country.
The another community is Tamil speaking which has 2 sub groups.
The Sri Lankan Tamils which accounts for 13%. They are the natives
of Sri Lanka.
The Indian Tamils account for 5%. They are of Indian origin.
About 7% of the population is Christians (both) Tamil and Sinhalas.
Rest 1% are Muslims.
Majoritarianism In Sri Lanka>
After Independence in 1948, the democratically elected Sri
Lanka government measures to establish Sinhala
supremacy by passing an act in 1956.
The Sri Lankan government formulated a policy in which only
Sinhala applicants were preferred for positions in university and
governments jobs.
The new constitution of Sri Lanka declared that Buddhism
would be promoted by the state.
Therefore all these government measures gradually increased
the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan.
Q. Why did the Civil War break in Sri Lanka?
1. The Distrust between Tamil speaking and the Sinhalese on the
‘majoritarianism’ issue resulted in a widespread conflict which soon
turned into civil war.
2. The result of the civil war was drastic in which thousands of people of
both the communities were killed.
3. Many families were forced to leave the country and many more lost their
livelihood.
4. Sri Lanka in general suffered from acute economic crises.
5. The demands of the Sri Lankan Tamils by 1980’s several political
organisations were formed demanding an Independent Tamil
Eelam (State) in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.
They demanded :
a). Recognition of Tamil as an official language.
b). Regional autonomy.
c). Equality of opportunity in securing educations and jobs.
d). In order to protect for their demand they started a political struggle in
the way of conflict with the government.
The Forms of Power Sharing.
In modern democracies power sharing arrangements can take many forms.
1. Power is shared among different organs of government.
a). Different organs such as legislature, executive and judiciary.
b). The organs of the government can also be called as ‘Horizontal
distribution of power’.
c). It allows different organs of the government placed at same level
to exercise different powers.
d). It ensures that none of the organs exercise unlimited power.
e). Each organ checks the other, This results in the a balance of power
among various institution. It is called a system of ‘ checks and balances’.
2. Power is shared among governments at different levels.
a). The power involving higher or lower levels of government can also be
called ‘vertical division of power’.
b). Powers can be shared among governments at different levels like, Union,
State and Local levels of Govt.
c). It ensures that each government works according to the constitutional
powers.
3. Power is shared among different social/ linguistic groups.
a). There are countries where socially and economically weaker sections
and women are given legal and constitutional protection in terms of
representation in local bodies. This is done to enable them to be a part
in decision making.
b). In India, there is a provision in the constitution to have reserved
constituencies for the member of the socially and economically
backward classes.
c). At the same time one third of the seats are reserved for women, S.C ,
[Link], in the legislatures. This ensure fair share in power.
d). In Belgium the provision of community government for the linguistic
group was introduced to avoid civic strife in the country.
[Link] Sharing among Political Parties, Pressure Groups and Movements
a). The sharing of powers among political parties, pressure groups and
movements ensures the influence in decision making process as
democracy implies people’s choice among various contenders.
b). In the case of coalition government, this sharing becomes direct when
two or more parties from an alliance contest election and if then
alliance is elected.
c). Pressure group and movement influence power sharing through rallies,
drama, protest, strike etc.
d). In another way by becoming the member of committee or a part of the
Planning Commission, power can be shared for advocating better
policies.
Power Sharing Desirable.
Power Sharing is desirable for various concrete reasons.
Two sets of reasons have been listed out which favor power sharing in two
different manners, like-:
a) Prudential Reasons.
b) Moral Reasons.
Prudential Reasons:-
According to prudential reasons, power sharing accommodates social
diversity hence, helps in reducing the possibility of conflict between
social groups.
Power sharing is another way that ensures the political stability
through competitions among various political parties.
Besides that, power sharing is also desirable for the promotion of
national unity and integrity.
Moral Reasons:-
Moral reasons are way deeper reasons of power sharing.
According to moral reasons, power sharing is desirable to produce an
accountable, responsible and legitimate government.
It implies maximum popular participation through decentralization of
powers so that people would be consulted on how they are to be
governed.
Therefore, in this way both the sets of reasons signify the importance of
power sharing in the forms of community government, reserved
constituencies and decentralization of powers.