Power sharing Chapter -1 (Class10th) Notes
Belgium:-
- A small country in Europe.
- Smaller in area than Haryana.
- It has population of little over one crore.
- Belgium shares it’s border with France, Germany and Luxembourg.
Ethnic composition of Belgium:-
- It’s ethnic composition is very complex.
- 59% of country’s total population lives in the Flemish region and speaks Dutch language.
- 40% people live in Wallonia region and speak French.
- Remaining 1% speak German language.
- Brussels ( capital of Belgium) presented a special problem, 80% people speak French while 20% are Dutch speaking.
NOTE:
Ethnic Definition :- A social devision based on shared culture.Ethnicity refers to shared cultural characteristics such as language, ancestry, practices, and beliefs.
Sri Lanka:-
- Sri lanka is an Island nation.
- It has about 2 crore population, about the same as in Haryana.
Ethnic composition of Sri lanka:
- 74% of the total population are the Sinhala – speakers .
- 18% are Tamil – speakers.
- Among Tamils there are 2 sub- groups
- Sri – Lankan Tamils [ Tamil natives of the country]
- Indian Tamils [whose forefathers/ ancestors came from India]
MAJORITARIANISM IN SRI-LANKA
- In 1948,Sri lanka emerged as an independent nation.
- The major social groups are the Sinhala- speakers.
- The leaders of the Sinhala community sought to secure dominance over government by virtue of their majority.
- To establish sinhala supremacy, elected government adopted a series of Majoritarian measures.
- In 1956,an act was passed to recognise sinhala as the only official language.
- Government followed preferential policies that favoured sinhala applicants for University positions and govt. Jobs.
- A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism( most of the Sinhala people are Buddhist).
consequences of these measures:
- All these government measures, gradually increased the feeling of alienation amon Sri Lankan Tamils.
- Tamils felt that political parties are insensitive to their language and culture.
- They felt that govt policies denied them equal political rights.
- Sri -Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil as an official language and equality of opportunity in securing education and jobs.
- 1980s several political organisations were formed demanding an independent Tamil Eelam( state).
ALSO READ:Power sharing Chapter -1 (Class10th) Notes
Accomodation in Belgium:
Belgium amended their constitution four times (1970-1993)so as to work out an arrangement that would enable everyone to live together in the same country.Belgium amended its constitution four times (1970–1993) to create a system that allowed everyone to live together in the same countr
Elements of Belgian model:-
- Constitution prescribes that number of Dutch and French speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government.
- Many powers of central government have been given to state governments.The state govt are not subordinate to central govt.
- Brussels has separate govt in which both the communities have equal representation.
- Formation of “community government” that is elected by people belonging yo one language community -Dutch,French and German speaking,no matter where they live.This govt has the power regarding cultural, educational and language -related issues.
Note:-
Conclusion: Unity of the country is possible only by respecting the feeling and interests of different communities and regions.
Why power sharing is desirable?
1.Prudential reason: It stresses power sharing will bring out better outcomes.
- Power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.
- Power sharing is good way to ensure stability of political order.
2.Moral reason: This emphasises the very act of power sharing as valuable.
- Power sharing is the very spirit of the democracy.A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise.
Also read = Power sharing important questions for board exams
Forms of power sharing:
In modern democracies,power sharing arrangements can take many forms.
Power is shared…
- Among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. This horizontal distribution of power allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different power. Such a separation ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited power.Each organ checks the other. This results in balance of power among various institutions.
- Among governments at different level,a general government for the entire country and government at provincial/ state or regional level.The division of powers involving higher and lower levels of government is called vertical division of power.
- Among different social groups such as religious and linguistic groups.In some countries there are constitutional and legal arrangements whereby socially weaker sections and women are represented in legislature and administration. This type of arrangement is meant to give space in government and administration to diverse social groups who otherwise would feel alienated from the government. This method is used to give minority communities a fair share in power. Eg. Community government in Belgium.
FAQs
Q1. What is the capital of Belgium?
Ans. The capital of Belgium is Brussels.
Q2. What is the capital of Sri- Lanka?
Ans. The capital of Sri – Lanka is Colombo.
Q3. Belgium is located in which continent?
Ans. Europe continent.
Belgium is located in the West europe.
Q4. What is vertical division of power?
Ans.Vertical division of power involves higher and lower level of governments. For eg. Central govt, state govt, municipality and panchayat.
Q5.What is horizontal distribution of power?
Ans.Horizontal distribution of power allows different organs of government placed at same level to exercise different powers.These organs of government are legislature, executive and judiciary.
Also read = Power sharing important questions for board exams