Class 10 Political Science Chapter 1: Power-sharing

Chapter 1: Power-sharing

🟢 What is Power-Sharing?

Power-sharing means distributing power among various organs of government, different levels, social groups, and communities to ensure:

• Stability in politics
• Representation of diverse interests
• Prevention of tyranny by one group

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🧩 Why Power-Sharing is Important

✅ Prudential Reasons (Practical Benefits)

• Reduces conflict between social groups.
• Ensures political stability.
• Avoids civil wars or political breakdowns.

✅ Moral Reasons (Democratic Principles)

• Power-sharing is the spirit of democracy.
• People have a right to be consulted and involved.
• Promotes dignity and equal participation.

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🌍 Case Studies

🔹 Belgium

• Location: Western Europe, bordered by France, Germany, Netherlands.
• Ethnic Composition:
  • 59% Dutch-speaking (Flemish) – North
  • 40% French-speaking – South (Wallonia)
  • 1% German-speaking – East

✅ Belgian Model of Power Sharing:

• Equal number of ministers from Dutch and French-speaking groups.
• State governments (regional) for each language group.
• Brussels (Capital): Bilingual government.
• Community government to handle culture, language, and education.

🔸 Result: Peaceful accommodation of diversity.

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🔹 Sri Lanka

• Location: Island nation south of India.
• Ethnic Composition:
  • 74% Sinhala
  • 18% Tamil (13% Sri Lankan Tamil, 5% Indian Tamil)

❌ Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka:

• Sinhala declared official language.
• Buddhism given special status.
• Tamils faced discrimination in jobs, education, culture.

🔸 Result: Civil war (1983–2009), Tamil demand for separate state.

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🛠️ Forms of Power Sharing

Type	Description	Example
1. Among different organs of government	Legislature, Executive, Judiciary	System of checks and balances
2. Among governments at different levels	Central, State, Local (Federalism)	India: Union & State governments
3. Among different social groups	Power shared among ethnic, linguistic, caste or religious groups	Reserved seats for SC/ST/OBC
4. Among political parties, pressure groups & movements	Coalition governments, interest groups	India: NDA, UPA coalitions

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Important Definitions

Term	Definition
Power-Sharing	Distribution of power among different levels and organs of government to prevent concentration.
Majoritarianism	A belief that the majority community should rule a country, disregarding the interests of minorities.
Federalism	Division of power between a central authority and constituent units (states).
Community Government	A government based on cultural, linguistic, or ethnic groups (e.g., Belgium).
Civil War	A violent conflict between groups within a country.

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🧠 Summary

• Power-sharing is essential in a democracy to avoid conflict and ensure harmony.
• Belgium’s success shows accommodation of diversity through a federal model.
• Sri Lanka’s failure shows how majoritarianism leads to conflict and violence.
• Power can be shared horizontally (organs) and vertically (levels), as well as among communities and political actors.