Power-sharing
Overview
In a democracy, power is shared among different organs of the government.
Power-sharing involves how democracies handle demands for power distribution.
Understanding the need for power-sharing is crucial in a democracy.
Belgium and Sri Lanka: A Comparison
Belgium
Small country in Europe with a complex ethnic composition.
59% live in the Flemish region and speak Dutch.
40% live in the Wallonia region and speak French.
1% speak German.
In Brussels, 80% speak French, and 20% speak Dutch.
The minority French-speaking community was relatively rich and powerful, which was
resented by the Dutch-speaking community.
Tensions arose between the Dutch and French-speaking communities in the 1950s and
1960s, especially in Brussels, where the Dutch were a majority in the country but a minority in
the capital.
Sri Lanka
Island nation off the southern coast of Tamil Nadu with a diverse population.
74% are Sinhala-speakers.
18% are Tamil-speakers, divided into Sri Lankan Tamils (13%) and Indian Tamils.
Sri Lankan Tamils are concentrated in the north and east.
Most Sinhala-speakers are Buddhists, while most Tamils are Hindus or Muslims.
About 7% are Christians (both Tamil and Sinhala).
The Sinhala community, with a larger majority, could impose its will on the entire country.
Differing Paths
Belgium: Recognized regional differences and cultural diversities, amending the constitution
four times (1970-1993) to enable everyone to live together.
Sri Lanka: The Sinhala community sought dominance, leading to majoritarian measures and
increased alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils.
Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka became independent in 1948.
Sinhala community leaders sought dominance over the government.
In 1956, the Sinhala Only Act recognized Sinhala as the only official language, disregarding
Tamil.
Preferential policies favored Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.
The constitution stipulated that the state should protect and foster Buddhism.
These measures increased the feeling of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils.
Tamils demanded recognition of Tamil as an official language, regional autonomy, and equal
opportunities.
By the 1980s, several political organizations demanded an independent Tamil Eelam (state) in
the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.
The conflict escalated into a civil war, causing many deaths, refugees, and economic
setbacks, ending in 2009.
Accommodation in Belgium
The Belgian leaders recognized regional differences and cultural diversities.
Between 1970 and 1993, the constitution was amended four times.
The number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government.
Special laws require the support of the majority of members from each linguistic group.
Many powers of the Central Government have been given to State Governments.
Brussels has a separate government with equal representation for both communities.
A 'community government' is elected by people belonging to one language community (Dutch,
French, and German-speaking), with power regarding cultural, educational, and language-
related issues.
Why Power Sharing is Desirable
Reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups, ensuring political stability.
Imposing the will of the majority undermines national unity in the long run.
Power sharing is the spirit of democracy.
Democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise.
People have a right to be consulted on how they are governed.
A legitimate government is one where citizens acquire a stake in the system through
participation.
Prudential vs. Moral Reasons
Prudential Reasons: Stress that power sharing brings better outcomes.
Moral Reasons: Emphasize the act of power sharing as valuable.
Forms of Power-Sharing
The idea of power-sharing emerged in opposition to undivided political power.
In a democracy, political power should be distributed among as many citizens as possible.
1. Horizontal Distribution of Power
Power is shared among different organs of government: legislature, executive, and judiciary.
Different organs of government placed at the same level exercise different powers.
Ensures that no organ can exercise unlimited power; each checks the others.
Results in a balance of power among various institutions (checks and balances).
Example: Judges are appointed by the executive but can check the functioning of the
executive or laws made by the legislatures.
2. Vertical Division of Power
Power is shared among governments at different levels: a general government for the entire
country and governments at the provincial or regional level.
A general government for the entire country is usually called a federal government.
Governments at the provincial or regional level are called by different names in different
countries (State Governments in India).
The constitution clearly lays down the powers of different levels of government.
The same principle can be extended to levels of government lower than the State
government, such as the municipality and panchayat.
3. Power Sharing Among Social Groups
Power may also be shared among different social groups, such as religious and linguistic
groups.
Example: 'Community government' in Belgium.
Constitutional and legal arrangements, whereby socially weaker sections and women are
represented in the legislatures and administration.
This type of arrangement is meant to give space in the government and administration to
diverse social groups.
4. Power Sharing Among Political Parties, Pressure
Groups, and Movements
Political parties, pressure groups, and movements control or influence those in power.
Citizens must have the freedom to choose among various contenders for power.
Competition among different parties ensures that power does not remain in one hand.
Power is shared among different political parties that represent different ideologies and
social groups.
Parties may form an alliance to contest elections.
Interest groups (traders, businessmen, industrialists, farmers, and industrial workers) also
have a share in governmental power through participation in governmental committees or
influencing the decision-making process.
Key Terms
Ethnic: A social division based on shared culture and common descent.
Majoritarianism: The belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country in
whichever way it wants, disregarding the wishes and needs of the minority.
Civil War: A violent conflict between opposing groups within a country that becomes so
intense that it appears like a war.
Prudential: Based on prudence or on careful calculation of gains and losses.