Class 10 Social Science Notes — Chapter 12: Power Sharing
Why power is shared in democracies; case studies of Belgium and Sri Lanka.
Detailed NCERT notes
- Belgium: complex ethnic mix (59% Dutch-speaking Flemish in north, 40% French-speaking Walloons in south, 1% German). Brussels is a special case with a French-speaking majority in a Dutch-speaking region.
- Belgian model (from 1993 constitution): equal number of ministers from each linguistic group; regional and community governments; Brussels has a separate arrangement; many powers shifted from central to regional level.
- Result: peaceful accommodation of differences — Belgium chose the EU headquarters partly due to its inclusive politics.
- Sri Lanka: majority Sinhala Buddhist (~74%), minority Tamils (Sri Lankan Tamils + Indian Tamils, mostly Hindu, some Christian, ~18%).
- After independence (1948), Sinhala nationalism dominated: Sinhala Only Act (1956), preferential university admissions and jobs for Sinhalese, Buddhism given foremost place.
- Tamil grievances → demand for federalism and equal rights → civil war (LTTE) from the 1980s to 2009 — devastating cost.
- Prudential reasons for power sharing: reduces conflict, ensures social stability.
- Moral reasons: democracy means those affected by decisions should have a share in making them.
- Forms of power sharing:
- Horizontal — among different organs of government at same level (legislature, executive, judiciary) → checks and balances.
- Vertical (federal) — among governments at different levels: central, state, local.
- Community — among social groups (linguistic, ethnic, religious) via reserved seats or community government.
- Political parties, pressure groups, movements — competition ensures no single group monopolises power.
Formulas & key results
Mind map
- Belgium (accommodation) vs Sri Lanka (majoritarian)
- Prudential and moral reasons
- Horizontal, vertical, community, party-based power sharing
Tricks & shortcuts
- Horizontal = same level; Vertical = different levels.
- Belgium = accommodation model; Sri Lanka = majoritarian model.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing Sri Lanka's Sinhala-only policy with power sharing (it is the opposite).
Competency-based questions & answers
- Q. Why is power sharing desirable?A. Prudential: reduces conflict and instability. Moral: it is the very spirit of democracy — decisions must include those affected.
- Q. How was Belgium's approach different from Sri Lanka's?A. Belgium accommodated diverse groups with equal representation and regional autonomy; Sri Lanka imposed majoritarian policies, alienating Tamils and triggering civil war.