Class 10 Social Science Notes Chapter 1 (Power sharing) – Democritic Politics Book

Alright students, let's focus on a crucial chapter for understanding modern governance: Chapter 1, 'Power Sharing' from your Democratic Politics textbook. This concept is fundamental not just for your exams, but also for understanding how diverse societies can function peacefully and democratically. Pay close attention, as questions from this chapter frequently appear in various government exams.

Chapter 1: Power Sharing - Detailed Notes for Exam Preparation

1. Introduction: What is Power Sharing?

• Definition: Power sharing is a system of political arrangements in which power is distributed among different organs of the government, different levels of government, different social groups, and different political parties, pressure groups, and movements.
• Core Idea: It opposes the notion that all power in a democracy must reside with one person or group located at one place. The basic principle is that people are the source of all political power, and in a democracy, people rule themselves through institutions of self-government. A democratic government involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise, and who have to live with its effects.

2. The Need for Power Sharing: Contrasting Case Studies

To understand why power sharing is essential, we examine two countries with different approaches:

A. Belgium: The Path of Accommodation

• Ethnic Composition (Complex):
  • Flemish Region (North): 59% speak Dutch (Flemish).
  • Wallonia Region (South): 40% speak French (Walloons).
  • Brussels (Capital City): 80% speak French, 20% speak Dutch.
  • German-speaking: 1% (in the East).
• Initial Tensions (1950s-1960s): Significant tension between Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities. The French-speaking minority was relatively rich and powerful, which was resented by the Dutch-speaking majority who got the benefit of economic development and education much later. Tensions were particularly acute in Brussels.
• The Belgian Model of Accommodation (1970-1993): Belgian leaders recognized the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities and amended their constitution four times to work out an arrangement acceptable to all. Key elements:
  1. Equal Ministers: The Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government. No single community can make decisions unilaterally.
  2. State Governments: Many powers of the central government were given to state governments for the two main regions (Flanders and Wallonia). State governments are not subordinate to the Central Government.
  3. Brussels' Separate Government: Brussels has a separate government where both communities (French and Dutch speakers) have equal representation.
  4. Community Government: A third kind of government, elected by people belonging to one language community (Dutch, French, German-speaking) – no matter where they live. This government has power regarding cultural, educational, and language-related issues.
• Outcome: Avoided civic strife, prevented division of the country based on linguistic lines, maintained unity, and became the headquarters for the European Union. It shows that respecting the feelings and interests of different communities is vital.

B. Sri Lanka: The Path of Majoritarianism

• Ethnic Composition:
  • Sinhala-speakers: 74% (mostly Buddhists).
  • Tamil-speakers: 18% (Subgroups: Sri Lankan Tamils - 13%, native to the country; Indian Tamils - 5%, whose forefathers came from India as plantation workers). Tamils are mostly Hindus or Muslims.
  • Christians: About 7% (both Tamil and Sinhala).
  • Muslims: (Often Tamil-speaking, considered a distinct group).
• Majoritarianism: Sri Lanka gained independence in 1948. The democratically elected government adopted a series of majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy.
  • Definition of Majoritarianism: A 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.
  • Steps Taken (Post-1956 Act):
    1. Sinhala was recognized as the only official language, disregarding Tamil.
    2. The government followed preferential policies favouring Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.
    3. A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.
• Consequences:
  1. Alienation: These measures gradually increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils. They felt discriminated against in jobs, education, and political rights.
  2. Strained Relations: Relations between the Sinhala and Tamil communities strained over time.
  3. Demand for Autonomy/Statehood: Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil as an official language, regional autonomy, and equality of opportunity. By the 1980s, several political organisations were formed demanding an independent Tamil Eelam (state) in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.
  4. Civil War: The distrust between the two communities turned into widespread conflict, soon turning into a devastating Civil War, causing immense loss of life, property, and economic setbacks.
• Outcome: Decades of conflict, social distrust, economic turmoil, and failure to maintain unity. It shows the dangers of denying power sharing and adopting majoritarianism.

3. Why is Power Sharing Desirable? Two Sets of Reasons:

• A. Prudential Reasons:
  • Focus: Based on careful calculation of gains and losses; stresses better outcomes.
  • Arguments:
    • Reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups. Social conflict often leads to violence and political instability.
    • Ensures the stability of the political order. Imposing the will of the majority community over others may look attractive short-term, but undermines national unity long-term.
    • Tyranny of the majority is not just oppressive for the minority; it often brings ruin to the majority as well.
• B. Moral Reasons:
  • Focus: Based on the intrinsic worth of power sharing; emphasizes the very spirit of democracy.
  • Arguments:
    • Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise.
    • People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.
    • A legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.

4. Forms of Power Sharing in Modern Democracies:

Power sharing manifests in various forms:

• A. Horizontal Distribution of Power:
  • Who: Power is shared among different organs of government – Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.
  • Placement: Placed at the same level to exercise different powers.
  • Concept: Separation of powers ensures that no organ can exercise unlimited power.
  • Mechanism: System of Checks and Balances. Each organ checks the others (e.g., judges appointed by executive but can check laws made by legislature or actions of executive; legislature can impeach judges or control executive).
  • Example: India, USA.
• B. Vertical Distribution of Power (Federalism):
  • Who: Power is shared among governments at different levels.
  • Levels: A general government for the entire country (Union/Federal Government) and governments at the provincial or regional level (State Governments). In many countries, there's a third tier (Local Government - Municipalities, Panchayats).
  • Power Division: Constitution clearly lays down the powers of different levels of government.
  • Subordination: Lower levels are generally not subordinate to the higher level (as seen in Belgium's state governments).
  • Example: India, Belgium, USA. (Sri Lanka lacks effective vertical power sharing).
• C. Power Sharing among Different Social Groups:
  • Who: Power shared among religious, linguistic, or other social groups.
  • Mechanism:
    • Community Government: As seen in Belgium, dealing with cultural/educational/language issues.
    • Reserved Constituencies: In some countries (like India), constitutional/legal arrangements exist whereby socially weaker sections and women are represented in legislatures and administration. This gives minority communities a fair share in power.
  • Purpose: To give space in the government and administration to diverse social groups who might otherwise feel alienated.
• D. Power Sharing among Political Parties, Pressure Groups, and Movements:
  • Who: Power shared among different political entities and interest groups.
  • Mechanism:
    • Competition: In a democracy, competition among different parties ensures power does not remain in one hand. Power is shared among different parties that form alliances.
    • Coalition Governments: When no single party gets a majority, two or more parties form an alliance to form the government and share power.
    • Interest Groups: Interest groups (traders, businessmen, industrialists, farmers, industrial workers) also share power through participation in governmental committees or by influencing the decision-making process (lobbying, protests).
  • Purpose: Ensures representation of diverse interests and ideologies in the political system.

Conclusion:

Power sharing is essential for the functioning of democracy. It helps reduce conflict, ensures political stability, upholds the spirit of democracy by promoting participation, and accommodates social diversity. The contrasting experiences of Belgium and Sri Lanka vividly illustrate the benefits of accommodation versus the perils of majoritarianism.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for Practice:

1. What percentage of the population in Belgium lives in the Flemish region and speaks Dutch?
   (a) 40%
   (b) 59%
   (c) 80%
   (d) 1%

2. Which of these measures was NOT part of the majoritarian constitution adopted in Sri Lanka after 1956?
   (a) Sinhala recognized as the only official language.
   (b) State protection and fostering of Buddhism.
   (c) Equal representation for Tamils in the central government.
   (d) Preferential policies favouring Sinhala applicants for jobs and university positions.

3. The system of 'checks and balances' is a key feature of which form of power sharing?
   (a) Vertical distribution of power
   (b) Horizontal distribution of power
   (c) Power sharing among social groups
   (d) Power sharing among political parties

4. Prudential reasons for power sharing emphasize:
   (a) The very spirit of democracy
   (b) Reducing the possibility of conflict and ensuring stability
   (c) The moral right of citizens to participate
   (d) Ensuring representation for all linguistic groups only

5. The 'Community Government' in Belgium has power regarding:
   (a) Defence and foreign affairs
   (b) Economic policies for the whole country
   (c) Cultural, educational, and language-related issues
   (d) Law and order in Brussels

6. Majoritarianism primarily leads to:
   (a) Accommodation of minority interests
   (b) Long-term stability and unity
   (c) Alienation of minority groups and potential conflict
   (d) Equal opportunities for all communities

7. Sharing power between Union, State, and Local governments is an example of:
   (a) Horizontal power sharing
   (b) Power sharing among social groups
   (c) Vertical power sharing (Federalism)
   (d) Power sharing among pressure groups

8. Which of these is considered a 'Moral Reason' for power sharing?
   (a) It helps to reduce social conflict.
   (b) It ensures political stability.
   (c) It is the very spirit of democracy.
   (d) It leads to better economic outcomes.

9. In the capital city of Brussels, Belgium, the majority community speaks:
   (a) Dutch
   (b) German
   (c) French
   (d) English

10. A government formed by an alliance of two or more political parties is called a:
    (a) Unitary government
    (b) Federal government
    (c) Presidential government
    (d) Coalition government

Answer Key:

1. (b)
2. (c)
3. (b)
4. (b)
5. (c)
6. (c)
7. (c)
8. (c)
9. (c)
10. (d)

Study these notes carefully. Understand the concepts, the examples, and the reasons behind power sharing. This will build a strong foundation for your exams. Good luck!