Question 1

Here are some examples of power sharing. Which of the four types of power sharing do these represent? Who is sharing power with whom?

- The Bombay High Court ordered the Maharashtra State Government to immediately take action and improve living conditions for the 2,000-odd children at seven children's homes in Mumbai.
- The government of Ontario state in Canada has agreed to a land claim settlement with the aboriginal community. The Minister responsible for Native Affairs announced that the government will work with aboriginal people in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation.
- Russia's two influential political parties, the Union of Right Forces and the Liberal Yabloko Movement, agreed to unite their organisations into a strong right-wing coalition. They propose to have a common list of candidates in the next parliamentary elections.
- The finance ministers of various states in Nigeria got together and demanded that the federal government declare its sources of income. They also wanted to know the formula by which the revenue is distributed to various State Governments.

Accepted Answer

1. Bombay High Court and Maharashtra State Government: This represents power sharing among different organs of government (Judiciary and Executive).
2. Ontario government and aboriginal community: This is power sharing between governments at different levels or between government and social groups, representing community government or federalism.
3. Russia's political parties uniting: This is power sharing among political parties, i.e., coalition government.
4. Finance ministers of Nigerian states and federal government: This is power sharing among governments at different levels, i.e., federal government.

Thus, the types of power sharing represented are: among organs of government, among governments at different levels, among political parties, and among social groups. — Each example shows a different form of power sharing:
- Judiciary and Executive cooperation is power sharing among organs of government.
- Government working with aboriginal community is power sharing with social groups or community government.
- Political parties uniting is coalition government.
- State and federal governments negotiating revenue sharing is federalism.

Identifying who shares power clarifies the type of power sharing.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

The different forms of power sharing in modern democracies are:

1. Power sharing among different organs of government (e.g., Legislature, Executive, Judiciary in India).
2. Power sharing among governments at different levels (e.g., Federal government and State governments in India).
3. Power sharing among different social groups (e.g., reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in India).
4. Power sharing among different political parties (e.g., coalition governments formed by multiple parties in India).

Each form ensures participation of various groups or institutions in governance. — Power sharing can be horizontal (among organs of government), vertical (among levels of government), social (among social groups), or political (among parties). Examples from India illustrate each type.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Prudential reason: Power sharing reduces the possibility of conflict among different communities. For example, India's federal system allows different states to have their own governments, reducing tensions among linguistic groups.

Moral reason: Power sharing is the only way to ensure that all groups get a share in power and are treated as equals. For example, reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in legislatures ensures their representation and equality. — Prudential reasons focus on practical benefits like reducing conflict, while moral reasons emphasize fairness and equality. India's federalism and reservation policies illustrate these reasons.

Question 4

After reading this chapter, three students drew different conclusions. Which of these do you agree with and why? Give your reasons 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 does not have social divisions.

Accepted Answer

I agree with Ouseph's view that every society needs some form of power sharing even if it is small or does not have social divisions. Power sharing promotes democracy by ensuring participation, reducing arbitrariness, and accommodating diversity in all societies, regardless of size or divisions. — Power sharing is a democratic principle that helps in inclusive governance and prevents concentration of power. Even small or homogeneous societies benefit from power sharing to maintain fairness and participation.

Question 5

The Mayor of Merchtem, a town near Brussels in Belgium, has defended a ban on speaking French in the town's schools. 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.

Accepted Answer

No, this measure is not in keeping with the spirit of Belgium's power sharing arrangements. Belgium's power sharing is based on respecting linguistic diversity and accommodating minority rights. Banning French in schools undermines mutual respect and cooperation, which are essential for peaceful coexistence in a multilingual society. — Belgium's federal system protects linguistic groups by sharing power and respecting languages. A ban on French contradicts this principle and may increase tensions rather than promote integration.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

One prudential reason for power sharing offered in the passage is that giving power to Panchayats reduces corruption and increases administrative efficiency. When people participate directly in planning and implementation, they can exercise control and eliminate corrupt middlemen. — The passage highlights that decentralizing power to Panchayats empowers people, improves governance, and reduces corruption, which are practical benefits (prudential reasons) for power sharing.

Question 7

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 diversities
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  |

Accepted Answer

A, B, D, F — Arguments in favour of power sharing are:
- A: reduces conflict among different communities
- B: decreases the possibility of arbitrariness
- D: accommodates diversities
- F: promotes people's participation in government

Options C, E, and G are arguments against power sharing.

Question 8

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 dominance 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 division 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

Accepted Answer

B, C and D — Statement A is incorrect because in Belgium, the Dutch-speaking majority did not try to impose domination; rather, power sharing arrangements were made to accommodate linguistic groups.
Statements B, C, and D are correct:
- B: Sri Lankan government policies favored Sinhala majority.
- C: Tamils demanded federal arrangement to protect their rights.
- D: Belgium's federal transformation prevented division on linguistic lines.

Question 9

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  |

Accepted Answer

C) 1-B, 2-D, 3-A, 4-C — Matching:
1. Power shared among different organs of government = Separation of powers (B)
2. Power shared among governments at different levels = Federal government (D)
3. Power shared by different social groups = Community government (A)
4. Power shared by two or more political parties = Coalition government (C)

Option C correctly matches all.

Question 10

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  |

Accepted Answer

Both A and B are true — Both statements are correct:
- Power sharing is good for democracy as it ensures participation and fairness.
- It reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups by accommodating diversity and sharing power.

Power Sharing

Power Sharing — Study Notes

Power-sharing

Belgium and Sri Lanka

Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka

Practice Questions — Power Sharing

All 5 Chapters in Democratic Politics