Class -X Ch- 1 Civics Power Sharing

CIVICS CH-1

CLASS – X

Power sharing

 

Belgium:-

·       59% Dutch (Flemish Region)

·       40% French (Wallonia Region)

·       1%  German

Brussels:-

·       80% French

·       20% Dutch

Accommodation in Belgium:-

·       Belgium’s constitution was amended 4 times between 1970 and 1993

·       Equal number of minister from both communities in central government.

·       Powers were shared to state government

·       Brussels has separate government with equal representation

·       Third type of government (Community government)

 

Srilanka:-

·       74% Sinhala (Buddhists)

·       18% Tamil (Hindu & Muslims)

(13% Srilankan & 5% Indian)

·       7% Christians

·       Srilanka got independence in 1948.

·       Majoritarian government

Act of 1956:-

·       Sinhala official language

·       Reservation for sinhala’s

·       Buddhism as official religion

Demands of Srilankan Tamils:-

·       Tamil as official language

·       Regional autonomy

·       Equality in education and government jobs

Result of Civil war:-

·       Increased distrust between Sinhalas and Tamils

·       Thousands of people killed

·       Families forced to leave the country

·       Lost their livelihoods

·       Terrible setback to cultural and economic life

Prudential reasons of power sharing:-

·       Reduces conflicts

·       Reduces violence and political instability

·       Brings unity

Moral reasons of power sharing:-

·       Spirit of democracy

·       Legitimate government

Forms of power sharing:-

·       Different organs of government

·       Different levels of government

·       Different social groups

·       Political parties and pressure groups

Forms of power-sharing

(i) Power is shared among different organs of the government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. For example, Indian political system. This is known as horizontal distribution of power. This kind of distribution allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers. It this pattern, each organ checks the others. This maintains the balance of power, for example, in India

(ii) Power is shared among governments at central, provincial and local level (municipality and panchayat). In India, power is shared among Central government, State governments and local self-government.

(iii) Power may also be shared among different social groups, such as the religious andlinguistic groups. ‘Community government’ in Belgium is a good example of this arrangement.

(iv) Power-sharing arrangements can also be seen in the many political parties, pressure groups and movements control or influence those in power. In contemporary democracies, this takes the form of competition among different parties.