Power Sharing
Why This Chapter Matters
Power Sharing is Civics Chapter 1 in Class 10 — one of the most scoring chapters. The Belgium and Sri Lanka case studies, forms of power sharing, and the prudential vs moral reasons are always tested. 4-6 marks.
Core Concepts
1. Belgium vs Sri Lanka — The Two Case Studies
Belgium:
- Equal ministers from French and Dutch communities in central government (even if unequal population)
- Community governments with power over language, culture, education
- Brussels (capital) has equal French and Dutch in municipal government
Result: Belgium avoided conflict and became federal successfully.
Sri Lanka:
- Sinhala as only official language (1956 Act)
- Preference to Sinhalese in university admissions and government jobs
- Buddhism promoted officially
Result: Majoritarianism led to conflict, not unity. Sri Lanka is still healing.
Key lesson: Belgium accommodated differences → peaceful. Sri Lanka imposed majority will → conflict.
2. Why Power Sharing is Desirable
Prudential reason (practical/wise): Power sharing reduces conflict. If one group feels excluded and oppressed, they will resist — possibly violently. Sharing power keeps different groups satisfied and reduces social tension. It is SMART policy.
Moral reason (right in principle): Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. Democracy means rule by the people — all the people. Excluding some groups contradicts the fundamental idea. It is the RIGHT thing to do.
3. Forms of Power Sharing
Horizontal distribution:
Power shared among different organs of government at the same level — Legislature, Executive, Judiciary.
Each acts as a CHECK on the others → system of checks and balances.
This prevents any single organ from exercising unlimited power.
Vertical distribution (Federalism):
Power divided between central (national) and state governments at different levels.
In India: Union → State → Local bodies (Panchayat/Municipality).
Higher levels cannot simply override lower levels — both have protected powers.
Among different social groups:
Reserved constituencies for scheduled castes and tribes in legislatures.
Community governments (like in Belgium) for different ethnic/language groups.
Ensures minorities are represented.
Among political parties, pressure groups, and movements:
Competition between parties → voters get choice → government is accountable.
Rights of political opposition → can question government, form alternative government.
Movements and pressure groups influence policy → power not monopolised.
PYQs
2023: Explain with examples why power sharing is desirable.
Power sharing is desirable both for prudential and moral reasons. Prudentially: it reduces social conflict — in Belgium, equal power sharing among ethnic groups prevented civil war. Morally: it upholds the spirit of democracy — all people should have a say in governance. Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka, which excluded Tamils, led to a 26-year civil war. So power sharing makes societies both more stable and more just.
2022: What is the difference between prudential and moral reasons for power sharing?
Prudential reason: power sharing is WISE because it prevents conflict and ensures stability (practical benefit). Moral reason: power sharing is RIGHT because it upholds democratic principles of equality and self-governance (matter of principle). Belgium's approach is justified by both — it is both wise and democratic.
2021: What are the various forms of power sharing? Give one example of each.
Horizontal: between legislature, executive, judiciary (e.g., Parliament makes laws but courts can strike down unconstitutional ones).
Vertical: between central and state governments (e.g., India's Union-State-Local division).
Among social groups: reserved seats for SC/ST in Indian Parliament.
Among parties/movements: multi-party democracy where opposition can criticise the ruling party.
MCQ Practice
Q1. Belgium resolved its ethnic tension mainly through: (A) making French the only language (B) making Dutch the only language (C) power sharing between communities (D) civil war → C
Q2. Sri Lanka's Tamils were marginalised mainly by: (A) economic policies (B) Sinhala-only language act and job preferences for Sinhalese (C) foreign interference (D) lack of education → B
Q3. Checks and balances between legislature, executive, and judiciary is an example of: (A) vertical power sharing (B) horizontal power sharing (C) community government (D) coalition politics → B
Q4. The prudential reason for power sharing is: (A) it is morally right (B) it reduces conflict and ensures stability (C) it is constitutionally mandated (D) it makes administration easier → B
Q5 (Hard). Belgium's "community government" is an example of power sharing: (A) horizontally between organs (B) vertically between centre and states (C) among different linguistic communities (D) between political parties → C