Power Sharing Class 10 ||Political Science|| Chapter 1 NCERT Notes
Power Sharing:
Definition of Power Sharing: Power sharing refers to the distribution of power among various organs or levels of government to ensure that no single entity or group dominates decision-making. It promotes unity in diversity, reduces the likelihood of conflicts, and strengthens the democratic process.
Why Power Sharing is Important:
- Reduces Conflict: Power sharing prevents conflicts between social groups by ensuring that every community or group has a stake in the government.
- Stability: It helps to maintain political stability by preventing the concentration of power in the hands of a single authority or group.
- Democratic Principle: In a democracy, power-sharing is seen as a moral imperative. It ensures the involvement of various sections of society in decision-making.
Definition of Power Sharing: Power sharing refers to the distribution of power among various organs or levels of government to ensure that no single entity or group dominates decision-making. It promotes unity in diversity, reduces the likelihood of conflicts, and strengthens the democratic process.
Why Power Sharing is Important:
- Reduces Conflict: Power sharing prevents conflicts between social groups by ensuring that every community or group has a stake in the government.
- Stability: It helps to maintain political stability by preventing the concentration of power in the hands of a single authority or group.
- Democratic Principle: In a democracy, power-sharing is seen as a moral imperative. It ensures the involvement of various sections of society in decision-making.
Case Study 1: Belgium
Belgium provides an example of successful power sharing among different communities. It is a small country in Europe with a population of about 11 million people, comprising diverse ethnic communities:
Communities in Belgium:
- 59% speak Dutch and live in the Flemish region.
- 40% speak French and live in Wallonia.
- 1% speak German.
Brussels, the capital city, presents a linguistic challenge. In Brussels, 80% of the population speaks French, while 20% speaks Dutch.
Ethnic Tensions:
In the 1950s and 1960s, there was tension between the Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities due to economic disparities and unequal treatment. The French-speaking community had better economic and educational opportunities, causing dissatisfaction among the Dutch-speaking majority.
The Belgian Model of Power Sharing:
Belgium devised a complex power-sharing arrangement to ensure peace and accommodate the interests of both communities:
Equal Representation in the Central Government:
The Belgian constitution ensures that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers is equal in the central government, preventing any one community from dominating the other.State Governments (Community Government):
Powers have been distributed between the central government and state governments for each region. The state governments manage cultural, educational, and language-related issues, reflecting the interests of the respective communities.Special Government in Brussels:
In Brussels, both communities have equal representation in governance, despite the French-speaking population being in the majority.Community Government:
A third type of government, called "community government," exists. It handles cultural, educational, and linguistic issues separately for Dutch, French, and German-speaking people.
This model successfully avoided conflict and ensured political stability by recognizing the needs of both the Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities.
Case Study 2: Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, in contrast, shows what happens when power sharing is not practiced. Sri Lanka is an island nation in South Asia with a diverse population:
Ethnic Composition:
- Sinhala speakers (majority) – 74%.
- Tamil speakers (minority) – 18%, comprising two groups:
- Sri Lankan Tamils (13%).
- Indian Tamils (5%).
- Other groups, such as Muslims, form the remaining 8%.
Religious Composition:
- Sinhala speakers are predominantly Buddhists.
- Tamil speakers are mostly Hindus or Muslims.
Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka:
In Sri Lanka, the majority Sinhalese community pursued a policy of majoritarianism, where they sought to dominate the minority groups, particularly the Tamils.
Discriminatory Policies Against Tamils:
- In 1956, an act was passed to recognize Sinhala as the only official language, disregarding Tamil.
- Government jobs and university admissions were more accessible to Sinhalese.
- Policies favoured Buddhism, further alienating the Tamil population.
Resulting Conflict:
Due to the continued oppression and unequal treatment, the Tamil community started demanding equal rights and autonomy. This led to the rise of the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam), an armed militant group that fought for the creation of an independent Tamil state.Civil War:
The conflict escalated into a civil war that lasted for over 25 years, causing immense damage to the country’s social fabric and economy.
Forms of Power Sharing:
To prevent situations like that in Sri Lanka, power sharing can take different forms:
Power Sharing Among Different Organs of Government (Horizontal Distribution):
Power is shared among the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary to ensure a system of checks and balances. No organ has unlimited powers; each one can limit the powers of the others.
Example: In India, the Parliament makes laws, the Executive enforces them, and the Judiciary interprets them.
Power Sharing Among Governments at Different Levels (Vertical Distribution):
- Power is divided between central, state, and local governments.
- Example: In India, this is seen in the form of the Union (central government), State governments, and Local governments (Panchayats and Municipalities).
Power Sharing Among Different Social Groups:
- In societies with diverse social, ethnic, or linguistic groups, power-sharing ensures representation for all.
- Example: Community governments in Belgium or reserved seats for SC/STs in India’s legislatures.
Power Sharing Through Political Parties, Pressure Groups, and Movements:
- Political competition and coalition governments are examples of power-sharing among various political entities.
- Multiple pressure groups and interest groups ensure that diverse voices are heard.
Why Power Sharing is Desirable:
Prudential Reason:
Power sharing reduces the risk of conflict among different social groups. It prevents majoritarianism and oppression, helping in political stability and the long-term unity of the country.
Moral Reason:
Power sharing is the essence of democracy. It ensures that all groups, regardless of their size, have a voice in the governance process. Democracy requires that citizens, through participation, share power and contribute to decision-making.
Prudential Reason:
Power sharing reduces the risk of conflict among different social groups. It prevents majoritarianism and oppression, helping in political stability and the long-term unity of the country.
Moral Reason:
Power sharing is the essence of democracy. It ensures that all groups, regardless of their size, have a voice in the governance process. Democracy requires that citizens, through participation, share power and contribute to decision-making.
Conclusion:
The chapter emphasizes that power-sharing is essential for sustaining democracy and ensuring peace in diverse societies. By comparing Belgium’s successful power-sharing model with Sri Lanka’s failure to accommodate its minority population, it highlights the importance of ensuring that every community, regardless of its size, has a role in the governance process. The chapter ultimately argues that power-sharing is not only desirable but also essential in maintaining harmony and preventing conflict in multicultural societies.