Power-Sharing(Part 1)
Power-Sharing means distributing power among organs of government, levels of government, and social groups so that no single authority dominates.
⚖️ Checks & balances
🏛️ Legislature · Executive · Judiciary
🗺️ Union · State · Local
🧑🤝🧑 Social groups & communities
📚 Key Definition
🔹 Power-Sharing: The distribution of power among government organs, levels (Union/State/Local), social & influential groups (political parties, pressure groups, movements) to ensure stability and inclusion.
🧭 Case Studies: Belgium 🇧🇪 vs Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
| Aspect | Belgium 🇧🇪 | Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 |
|---|---|---|
| 📍 Location & Population | Small European country; population ≈ 1+ crore | Island nation south of Tamil Nadu; population ≈ 2.5+ crore |
| 🗣️ Ethnic/Linguistic Composition | Flemish (Dutch) 59% · Wallonia (French) 40% · German 1% Brussels: French 80% · Dutch 20% | Sinhalese 74% (mostly Buddhist) · Tamils 18% (Sri Lankan 13%, Indian 5%) · Christians 7% · Muslims also present |
| ⚠️ Core Tension | Risk of Dutch-majority dominance; dispute over Brussels | Risk of Sinhalese majoritarian dominance over minorities |
| ⚙️ Government Response | Accommodation model; Constitution amended 4× (1970–1993) | Majoritarian policies favouring Sinhalese (language, jobs, religion) |
| 📜 Key Policies | Equal Dutch–French ministers; special laws need both groups’ support; states not subservient to centre; separate Community Government (culture, education, language) | Sinhala Only Act (1956); job preferences for Sinhalese; constitutional protection of Buddhism |
| 🎯 Outcomes | Prevented strife & partition; unity with diversity; Brussels = EU HQ | Tamil demands ignored → tensions; LTTE’s Tamil Eelam demand; civil war till 2009 |
🧩 Belgian Model — How accommodation works
- ⚖️ Parity at the Centre: Equal Dutch–French ministers; no single community can impose decisions.
- 🗳️ Double majority for special laws: Needs support from both linguistic groups.
- 🏛️ Autonomous states: State governments aren’t subordinate to the Centre in their domain.
- 🗣️ Community Government: Dutch/French/German speakers elect bodies for culture, education, language.
🚨 Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka — What happened?
| 🧾 Policy / Action | 📉 Impact on Minorities | ⚠️ Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| “Sinhala Only” as official language (1956) | Tamil language excluded from official use | Alienation of Tamil speakers |
| Job & education preferences for Sinhalese | Reduced opportunities for Tamils | Grievances & protests |
| State protection of Buddhism | Perceived religious bias | Escalating ethnic tensions; civil war (ended 2009) |
🧠 Exam Quick Notes
✅ Why share power?
Stability · Representation · Prevents conflict · Better decisions
🧱 Forms of sharing
Among organs · Across levels · Among parties & groups · Community bodies
🇧🇪 Belgium = Accommodation
Parity + Double majority + Community Govt → Peace
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka = Majoritarianism
Sinhala Only + Preferences → Conflict
📝 Try These (for Class 10)
- Give two prudential reasons and two moral reasons for power-sharing.
- How is community government in Belgium different from state government?
- Explain any two consequences of the Sinhala Only Act (1956).