Power sharing is a fundamental principle in democracy. It helps in reducing conflicts and ensuring stability in a diverse country. This chapter explains why power sharing is important, its different forms, and examples from different countries.
Topics Discussed
1. Why Power Sharing is Important?
- Avoids Conflicts: Power sharing reduces the chances of social conflicts, especially in diverse societies.
- Maintains Stability: It ensures political stability and prevents the domination of one group over others.
- Strengthens Democracy: It promotes people’s participation in governance and ensures equal rights.
- Prevents Majoritarianism: It protects minority communities from being overpowered by the majority.
2. Forms of Power Sharing
Power can be shared in different ways. The major forms include:
(i) Horizontal Power Sharing
- Power is shared among different organs of government: Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.
- Example: India’s government structure where all three organs have separate powers.
- Ensures a system of checks and balances to prevent misuse of power.
(ii) Vertical Power Sharing
- Power is shared among different levels of government: Central, State, and Local Governments.
- Example: India’s federal structure where power is divided between the Union and State governments.
(iii) Community Power Sharing
- Power is shared among different social and ethnic groups to provide fair representation.
- Example: Belgium’s model, where different linguistic communities have equal representation in governance.
(iv) Power Sharing Among Political Parties and Groups
- Different political parties, pressure groups, and interest groups share power to ensure representation.
- Example: Coalition governments, where multiple political parties form alliances to rule.
3. Case Studies on Power Sharing
(i) Belgium
- Belgium has a complex power-sharing arrangement to accommodate its diverse population.
- Dutch-speaking (Flemish) and French-speaking (Walloon) communities have equal representation.
- Community Government exists to represent different linguistic groups.
- Power-sharing prevents conflicts between the two main ethnic groups.
(ii) Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka followed a majoritarian policy, giving preference to Sinhala-speaking people.
- Tamil community felt marginalized, leading to ethnic conflicts and a long civil war.
- Lesson: Lack of power-sharing leads to conflicts and instability.
Nationalism in India Class 10 Notes
4. Key Differences: Belgium vs. Sri Lanka
| Feature | Belgium | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Power Sharing | Equal representation to all communities | Sinhala majority dominates |
| Community Government | Exists | Does not exist |
| Conflict | Avoided due to inclusive policies | Civil war due to discrimination |
5. Conclusion
- Power sharing is essential for democracy and ensures fair representation.
- Different forms of power sharing exist to accommodate diversity.
- Belgium’s success shows the importance of sharing power, whereas Sri Lanka’s failure highlights the dangers of majoritarianism.
Quick Revision Points
✅ Power sharing prevents conflicts and ensures stability. ✅ It can be horizontal, vertical, community-based, or among political parties. ✅ Belgium = Successful power sharing, Sri Lanka = Conflict due to lack of power sharing. ✅ Power sharing is key to a strong and democratic nation.
These notes cover all the key points from the chapter in a simple and concise way. Revise them properly, and you’ll be well-prepared for your exam!