Chapter - 1

Power-sharing


Exercises :


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

Ans:  Horizontal Division of Powers- It is the division of powers among different organs of government, such as the sharing of powers of the executive, legislative and judiciary. The government had to use different organs and different powers to keep the same level of power sharing. Such separation ensures that none of the organs can exert unlimited power, thus keeping a check on each other.

   Vertical division of powers- It is a system of separation of powers between different levels of government. For example, a common government for the entire country and governments at the provincial or regional level. In India, we call it central government, state government, municipalities, gram panchayats, etc. The constitution defines the powers of different levels of government.

   Power sharing among different social groups- Power can also be shared among different groups that are socially different like different religious and linguistic groups. The Belgian ‘community government’ is a good example of this kind of power sharing. The reserved constituency system in India is another example. Such a system is used to give a fair share of power to minority communities, who would otherwise feel alienated from the government.

Division of power between political parties, pressure groups, movements- In contemporary democracies, such division takes the form of competition between different parties, which in turn ensures that power is not in one hand and shared among different political parties representing different ideologies and social groups.

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

Ans. Opposition to the notions of undivided political power led to the emergence of the idea of power sharing.

The prudent reason is that sharing power will produce better results.

Emphasizing that the act of sharing power is worth many is an ethical reason behind sharing power.

moral reasons for power sharing

Democratic rules involve the sharing of power with those affected by its use, and those who have to live with its effects.

Sharing power is the soul of democracy.

This is a profound reason that explains why power sharing is good for democracy. Power sharing would reduce the potential for conflict between social groups. Power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of the political system, as social conflict often results in political instability and violence.


Although the minority will be oppressed by the tyranny of the majority, it usually brings ruin to the majority as well. The unity of the nation will suffer in the long run, if the will of the majority community is imposed on other minorities, even if it seems like a good option in the short term.

Example: In India, citizens can come together to debate and criticize government policies and decisions. This puts pressure on the government to rethink its policies and reconsider its decisions.

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

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

         Mathayi - Power sharing is suitable only for big countries that have regional                         divisions.

             ouseph - Every society needs some form of power sharing even if it is small or dose   not have social divisions.

Ans.  Ouseph This is the most reasonable thing, and exactly thus, it should be agreed upon. Every society okham needs some form of power sharing even if it is small or does not have social divisions. A democratic society is one where its members have an upward stake in the system through participation. Power sharing not only prevents conflict between different societal groups, it also creates in them a sense of belonging to society. Separation of powers helps to maintain the balance of power among different institutions and also to monitor how it is exercised. Regardless of the size of the country or type of society, people will be more satisfied where they have a say in the workings of the system and the decision-making process.

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

Ans: No, this move is not in line with Belgium's energy sharing system. This system seeks to maintain peace between the French and Dutch-speaking communities. By banning the French, the mayor will create civil unrest. Both languages should be adopted in all the schools in the city. This bilingual education system would be a good way to bring together the people in the city.

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 realise 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 grater control over these schemes. This                would eliminate the corrupt middlemen. Thus, Panchayati Raj will strengthen the foundations of             our democracy."

Ans.

6. Different arguments are usually put forth in favour of and against power sharing. Identify 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 divisiveness 

E. Increases instability and divisiveness .

F. promotes people's participation in government

G. undermines the unity of a country 

(a)

A

B

D

F

(b)

A

C

E

F

(c)

A

B

D

G

(d)

B

C

D

G

Ans.

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


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



B. In Sri Lanka, the policies of the government sought to ensure the domination of the Sinhala-speaking      majority.


C. 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.



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



Which of the statements given above are correct ?


 (a) A,B,C and D              (b) A, B And D      (c) C and D          (d) B, C and D


Ans.  (b) A, B And D 

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


 

List I

List II

1.

Power shared among different organs of government

A. Community government

2.

Power Shared among governments at different levels

B. Separation of powers

3.

Power shared by different social groups

C. Coalition government

4.

Power shared by two or more political parties

D. Federal government


 

1

2

3

4

(a)

D

A

B

C

(b)

B

C

D

A

(c)

B

D

A

C

(d)

C

D

A

B

 Ans.

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

 Ans.


Type By - Kishor Nath


Post ID : DABP002262