Q.1 Look at the maps of Belgium and Sri Lanka. In which region do you find concentration of different communities?

(i) In Belgium, there are two major linguistic group – French speaking people and Dutch speaking people. Most of the French speaking people live in the Wallonia (Northern) region while Dutch speaking people live in the Flemish   (Southern) region. The capital city has a ratio 4 : 1 of the French and Dutch  speaking people. The German speaking people live in the eastern Belgium.

(ii) In Sri Lanka, Sinhalese cover a wider region. Except or the northern and eastern central region and a small region in the southern Sri Lanka, Sinhalese    liver throughout the country. Sri Lankan Tamils are concentrated in the northern and eastern coastal region. Indian Tamils are concentrated in the northern, central and southern regions. Muslims have sporadic distribution throughout the country.

Text book Page. No. 4

Q.2 What’s wrong if the majority community rules? If Sinhalas don’t rule in Sri Lanka, where else will they rule?

(i) In democracy, it is the established principle that the government is run by the   majority. But majoritysdhg does not mean only the majority in numbers  based on religion or community. In its true sense , majority means majority of opinion. Sometimes, majority community may also have part in majority opinion. So, rule by majority community is not a taboo in democracy, if it is based on opinion.

(ii) Of course, Sinhalas form the majority community of Sri Lanka and it should have bigger share in the government. But, it does not mean that other’s do not get proper representation. If it is so, it will not be a true democracy.

Text book Page No. 5

Q.3 Read any newspaper for one week and make clippings of news related to ongoing conflicts or wars. A group of five students could pool their clippings together and do the following:

Classify these conflicts by their location (Your state, India outside India).

Students do themselves.

[Hints: Students can observe such events in the newspapers. For example, when people from two villages fight for basic facilities at the local level, such a conflict should be classified as ‘Our state’. When there is any dispute between two states, e.g., water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, it should be categorized as ‘Our country’. Similarly, when there is a conflict between two or more nations, e.g., America’s attack on Iraq, it should be categorized as ‘outside the country’]

Find out the cause of each of these conflicts. How many of these are related to power sharing disputes?

Students do themselves.

[Hints: From the details of the news, you can find the causes of the conflicts. Only those causes are concerned with the sharing of power which are meant for representation in the government or self- government. Identify those and write your answers]

Which of these conflicts could be resolved by working out power sharing arrangements?

Students do themselves.

[Hints: While answering this question, first try to identify the conflict which relates to the sharing of power. For answering, you must know the issues related to power sharing.]

Let Us Revise

Textbook Page No. 6

Q.4 Annette studies in a Dutch medium school in the northern region of Belgium. Many French-speaking students in her school want the medium of instruction to be French. Selvi studies in a school in the northern region of Sri Lanka. All the students in her school are Tamil speaking and they want the medium of instruction to be Tamil.

If the parents of Annette and Selvi were to approach respective governments to realize the desire of the child who is more likely to succeed? And why?

The parents of Annette are more likely to succeed. Because, in Belgium, the community government is elected by the people belonging to one language community- Dutch French or German speaking. This government has the power regarding cultural, educational and language related issues. On the other hand, in Sri Lanka, education is taken care of, by the central government. And for common people, it is almost impossible to consults the central government and make it solve such a problem.

Textbook Page No. 7

Q.5  Can you help poor Vikram in answering Vetal?

(i) “If you had the power to rewrite the rules in Lebanon what would you do?

Democracy is a government “of the people by the people and for the people”. But it doesn’t mean to make a situation that can cause disturbances and blood sheds in the society. It is based on “live and let live”. So if there is an agreement among different communities to the country on the basis of fixed power sharing among them, it is right. There is no need to rewrite the rule.

(ii) Would you adopt the ‘regular’ rules followed everywhere, as Khalil suggests? Or stick to the old rules? Or do something else?

If the rules of the Lebanon is providing all the people to caste vote and contest elections as per agreement of power sharing among different communities, I would not adopt the ‘regular’ rules followed everywhere, as Khalil suggests. I would stick to the rules made after agreement among different communities. I don’t need to do something else.

Lets Read The Cartoon

Q.6 Recently some new laws were made in Russia giving more powers to its president. During the same time the US president visited Russia. What according to this cartoon, is the relationship between democracy and concentration of power? Can you think of some other examples to illustrate the point being made here?

(i) Democracy, in general represents the will of the common people. But when the power is concentrated in a particular hand, in a democratic government, this individual outlasts the will of the common people. The same thing has been shown in the cartoon where democracy is run by selected people, at their will, without taking care of the will of the general people.

(ii) We can illustrate a few more such examples. For example, in Pakistan, there is an elected democratic government but this is not the true representation of the will of the people. Once elected, the power- carrying men run the government as per their wishes. Iraq was another example where democracy was being run in an autocratic manner.

Text book Page No. 9

Q.7 In my school, the class monitor changes every month. Is that what you call a power  sharing arrangement ?

No, the changing of class monitor every month cannot be called a power sharing arrangement. Because, in power sharing arrangement, there are different institutions and intersect groups which exercise their power and check the actions of each others. This arrangement is also called a system of checks and balances.

Let Us Revise

Textbook Page No. 10

Q.8 Here are some examples of power sharing. Which of the four types of power sharing do these represent? Who is sharing power with whom?

The Bombay High Court ordered the Maharashtra state government to immediately take action and improve living conditions for the 2,000-odd children at seven children’s homes in Mumbai.

(i) This is an example of power sharing among different organs of the government.

(ii) Here the power is shared between the judiciary and the executive.

The government of Ontario state in Canada has agreed to a land claim settlement with the aboriginal community. The minister responsible for Native Affairs announced that the government will work with aboriginal people in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation.

(i)  This is an example of sharing of power among different social groups.

(ii) Here, the power is shared between the aboriginals and other social groups.

Russia’s two influential political parties, the Union of Right Forces (SPS) and the liberal Yabloko movement agreed to unite their organizations into a strong right- wing coalition. They propose to have a common list of candidates in the next parliamentary elections.

(i) This is an example of power sharing arrangements in the way political parties pressure groups and movements control or influence power.

(ii) Here, the power is being shared between SPS and the liberal Yabloko movement.

The finance ministers of various states in Nigeria got together and demanded that the federal government should declare its sources of income. They also wanted to known the formula by which the revenue is distributed to various state governments.

(i)  This is an example of power sharing among governments at different levels.

(ii) Here, the power is being shared between federal and state governments and also among the state governments

Exercises

Q.1 What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.

Following are the different forms of power sharing in modern  democracies :-

• Among different organs of government – For example, between executive, legislature and judiciary.
• Among governments at different levels – For example, between central and state governments, among the state governments, etc.
• Among different social group – For example, among majority minority backward classes, women tribals, etc.
• Among political parties, pressure groups movements – For example two or more political parties when make an alliance to form a coalition government.

Q.2  State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power sharing with an example from the Indian context.

(i)  India is a country of diverse population where the society has caste system.  Each caste has its own intersects. Some are dominant classes and some are backward. So to avoid any possible social conflict and political instability, power sharing is a must. This is called prudential approach.

(ii) Similarly, from time immemorial backward classes have been deprived of their political rights. They however, form the majority population but have minimal participation in political activities. So they should be given ample chance to participate in the political process. This is called moral approach.

Q.3  After reading this chapter, three students drew different conclusions. Which of these do you agree with and why?  Give your reasons in about 50 words.

Thomman – Power sharing is necessary only in societies which have religious linguistic or ethnic divisions.

Mathayi – Power sharing is suited only for big countries that have regional divisions.

Ouseph – Every society needs some form of power sharing even if they are small or do not have social divisions.

I agree with the conclusion reached at b Ausep that every society needs some form of power sharing even if they are small or do not have social divisions. This is because it is the basic principle of democracy that people rule themselves through institutions of self- governance. The people have the right to rule themselves the way they want. Even if the society is small or division less, it has its will, which should be given sufficient representation to avoid conflict and political instability.

Q.4 The mayor of Merchtem, a town near Brussels in Belgium, has defended a ban on speaking French in the town’s schools. He said that the ban would help all non- Dutch speakers integrate in this Flemish town. Do you think that his measure is in keeping with the spirit of Belgium’s power sharing arrangements? Give your reasons in about 50 words.

No, in no way this ban is in keeping with the spirit of Belgium’s power sharing, because Belgium is a country of diverse population. In Belgium, 59 per cent  people  live in the Flemish regions and speak Dutch, while 40 per cent live in Wallonia regions and speak French. If French is banned in Flemish regions, people of Wallonia will demand for ban on Dutch in their area. This will give rise to social  conflict and political instability. Under the Belgian model of power sharing, where minority in a region has been given equal representation, ban on any language is not keeping with this spirit.

Q.5 Read the following passage and pick out any one of the prudential reasons for power sharing offered in this.

“We need to give more power to the panchayats to realize the dream of Mahatma Gandhi and the hopes of the makers of our Constitution. Panchayati Raj establishes true democracy. It restores power to the only place where power belongs in a democracy – In the hands of the people. Giving power to panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency. When people participate in the planning and implementation of developmental schemes, they would naturally exercise greater control over these schemes. This would eliminate the corrupt middlemen. Thus, panchayati Raj will strengthen the foundations of our democracy.”

One of the prudential reasons for power sharing offered in this  passage is –

“Giving power to Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency.”

Q.6 Different arguments are usually put forth in favour and against power sharing. Select those which are in favour of power sharing and select the answer using the codes given below?

Power Sharing:

A – Reduces conflict among different communities.

B – Decreases the possibility of arbitrariness

C – Delays decision making process

D – Accommodates diversities

E – Increases instability and divi- siveness

F- Promotes people’s participation in government

G –  Undermines the unity of a country.

(a) A, B, D, F

Q.7 Consider the following statements about power sharing arrangements in Belgium and Sri Lanka.

1. In Belgium the Dutch speaking majority people tried to impose their domination on the minority French- speaking community.

2. In Sri Lanka, the polices of government sought to ensure the dominance of the Sinhala- speaking majority.

3. The Tamils in Sri Lanka demanded a federal arrangement of power sharing to protect their culture, language and equality of opportunity in education and jobs.

4. The transformation of Belgium from unitary government to a federal one prevented a possible division of the country on linguistic lines.

Which of the statement  given above are correct ?

(a) A, B, C and D

(b) A, B and D

(c) C and D

(d) B, C and D

(a)  A, B, C and D

Q.8 Match List I (forms of power sharing) with List II (forms of government) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the list :

(c)  B, D, A, C

Q.9 Consider the following two statements on power sharing and select the answer using the codes given below:

(a) Power sharing is good for democracy.

(b) It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.

Which of these statements are true and false?

(a) A is true but B is false

(b) Both A and B are true

(c) Both A and B are false

(d) A is false but B is true

(b) Both A and B are true.

Additional Questions

Q.1 Where is Belgium located? Name the countries bordering it. Write about its linguistic composition.

(i) Belgium is a European country. It shares borders with the Netherlands, France and Germany.

(ii) 59 per cent people here speak Dutch language, 40 per cent people speak  French and only 1 per cent people speak German.

Q.2 What are the two major social groups in Sri Lanka? What is the percentage composition of Sinhala speaking people and Tamils in Sri Lankan population?

(i) The two major social groups in Sri- Lanka are the Sinhala speakers and the Tamils.

(ii) Sinhala speaking people constitute 74 per cent of Sri Lanka population while Tamils make 18 per cent.

Q.3 What are the two sub- groups of Tamil natives of Sri Lanka? Where are Tamils concentrated in Sri – Lanka?

(i) The two sub- group of Tamil natives of Sri Lanka are Sri Lanka Tamils and  Indian Tamils

(ii) Tamils are mostly concentrated in the north and east of the country.

Q.4  What religions do the Sri Lankan Tamil and Sinhala speaking people confess?

Sinhala speaking people are mostly Buddhists while most of the Tamils are Hindus or Muslims. Thus, there are mostly three religions – Buddhism, Hinduism and Islam – that the Sri Lanka Tamils and Sinhala speaking people confess.

Q.5 When was there a conflict between the Dutch and the French speaking people in Belgium? What was the reason behind it?

(i) There had been a conflict between the Dutch and the French speaking people   in Belgium during 1950 s and 1960 s.

(ii) In Belgium the minority French speaking community was relatively rich and powerful. This was resented by the Dutch speaking community, who got the benefit of economic development and education much later. This led to a  conflict between them during 1950s and 1960s.

Q.6 What policies were adopted by the newly elected government of Sri Lanka  after independence?

(i)  The newly elected government followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.

(ii)  The government, under constitutional obligation, was  to protect and foster Buddhism.

(iii) The government passed an Act in 1956 to recognize Sinhala as the only  official language.