Power Sharing
Short Questions
1. What is the main idea of power-sharing?
Answer: Power-sharing means dividing power among different organs and levels of government to avoid conflict.
2. Which two countries are compared in this chapter?
Answer: Belgium and Sri Lanka.
3. What percentage of people in Belgium speak Dutch?
Answer: 59 percent.
4. In which region of Belgium do French-speaking people live?
Answer: Wallonia region.
5. What was declared as the only official language of Sri Lanka in 1956?
Answer: Sinhala.
6. Who were called Indian Tamils in Sri Lanka?
Answer: Tamils whose forefathers came from India as plantation workers.
7. What is majoritarianism?
Answer: It is a belief that the majority community should rule, disregarding minorities.
8. When did the civil war in Sri Lanka finally end?
Answer: In 2009.
9. What does the Belgian model of power-sharing ensure in Brussels?
Answer: Equal representation of Dutch and French-speaking communities.
10. What is a community government in Belgium?
Answer: It is elected by people of one language community for cultural and language issues.
11. What is one prudential reason for power-sharing?
Answer: It reduces chances of social conflict and political instability.
12. What is one moral reason for power-sharing?
Answer: It is the true spirit of democracy where people have a right to be consulted.
13. Which religion is mostly followed by Sinhala-speaking people in Sri Lanka?
Answer: Buddhism.
14. Where are Sri Lankan Tamils mainly concentrated?
Answer: In the north and east of Sri Lanka.
15. Where is the headquarters of the European Union?
Answer: Brussels, Belgium.
Long Questions
1. Explain the ethnic composition of Belgium.
Answer: Belgium has 59% Dutch speakers in the Flemish region and 40% French speakers in Wallonia. Only 1% speak German. In Brussels, 80% are French-speaking and 20% are Dutch-speaking.
2. What were the majoritarian measures taken by Sri Lanka after independence?
Answer: Sinhala was made the only official language in 1956, Sinhala applicants were given preference in jobs and education, and Buddhism was given special protection. These measures discriminated against Tamils.
3. How did the Sri Lankan Tamils react to the majoritarian policies?
Answer: Tamils demanded equal rights, regional autonomy, and recognition of Tamil language. Their demands were repeatedly denied. Gradually, it led to civil war and demand for an independent Tamil Eelam.
4. Describe the main features of the Belgian model of power-sharing.
Answer: Belgium ensured equal representation of Dutch and French ministers in the central government, separate governments for states, and a community government for language groups. This model respected cultural differences.
5. What lessons do we learn from Belgium and Sri Lanka?
Answer: Belgium shows unity is possible by respecting all communities. Sri Lanka shows that ignoring minorities creates division and violence. Thus, power-sharing strengthens democracy.
6. Why is power-sharing desirable for democracy?
Answer: It reduces the chances of social conflict, maintains political stability, and respects diversity. It also reflects the moral principle that people must be consulted in decision-making.
7. What is meant by horizontal division of power?
Answer: Power is divided among legislature, executive, and judiciary at the same level. Each organ checks the others, preventing misuse of power and ensuring balance.
8. What is vertical division of power?
Answer: Power is shared among different levels of government – central, state, and local bodies. This allows decisions to be taken closer to the people.
9. How is power shared among social groups?
Answer: Power is shared through arrangements like community governments or reservations for weaker sections and women, ensuring fair participation of minorities.
10. How do political parties and pressure groups share power?
Answer: Different parties contest elections, form coalitions, and represent social groups. Pressure groups like farmers or traders influence policies, ensuring wider participation in governance.
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