🔹 What is Power Sharing?
- Power sharing means distribution of power among different organs and levels of government.
- It is a basic principle of democracy to avoid the concentration of power.
🔹 Why Power Sharing is Important?
- Prudential Reasons (Practical):
- Reduces the possibility of conflict.
- Ensures political stability.
- Moral Reasons (Ethical):
- Power sharing is the spirit of democracy.
- People have the right to be consulted and involved.
🔹 Forms of Power Sharing
- Among Organs of Government
- Legislature, Executive, Judiciary
- Called horizontal distribution – ensures checks and balances.
- Among Governments at Different Levels
- Central, State, Local governments
- Known as vertical division.
- Among Social Groups
- Based on language, religion, caste.
- For example, reserved seats in legislature.
- Among Political Parties, Pressure Groups
- Coalition governments, political alliances, interest groups.
🔹 Case Studies
🇧🇪 Belgium
- Location: Small country in Europe.
- Ethnic Groups:
- Dutch-speaking (59%)
- French-speaking (40%)
- German-speaking (1%)
- Problem: French community was rich but minority; Dutch majority felt excluded.
- Solution: Power was shared:
- Equal number of ministers from both communities.
- Community government created.
- Brussels (capital) had separate government with equal representation.
- 1993: Became a federal government.
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
- Major Groups:
- Sinhalese (74%) – Buddhist
- Tamils (18%) – Hindu (Sri Lankan & Indian Tamils)
- Problem:
- Majoritarian policies (1956 Act made Sinhala official language).
- Tamils faced discrimination in jobs, education, language.
- Result:
- Conflict led to civil war.
- Demand for separate Tamil state.
🔹 Majoritarianism vs Power Sharing
| Feature | Majoritarianism | Power Sharing |
| Rule by | Majority community only | All communities |
| Impact on minorities | Neglected, suppressed | Respected and represented |
| Examples | Sri Lanka | Belgium |
🔹 Key Terms
- Majoritarianism: Rule by majority without considering minority rights.
- Federalism: Division of powers among different levels of government.
- Community Government: A government elected by specific linguistic or cultural communities.
🔹 Conclusion
- Power sharing:
- Strengthens democracy.
- Ensures participation and inclusion.
- Maintains unity in diversity.
🧾 Power Sharing – One Page Revision Chart (Class 10 Civics, Chapter 1)
| 🔸 Topic | 🔹 Key Points |
| Definition | Power sharing is the distribution of power among different organs or levels of government to ensure democracy and stability. |
| Why Important? | ✅ Avoids conflict and civil war ✅ Ensures political stability ✅ Promotes national unity ✅ Respects diversity |
| Forms of Power Sharing | 1. Among Organs of Government – Legislature, Executive, Judiciary (Horizontal) 2. Among Levels of Government – Central, State, Local (Vertical) 3. Among Social Groups – Linguistic, religious (e.g., reservation) 4. Among Political Parties – Coalition government, pressure groups |
| Case Study: Belgium 🇧🇪 | 🔹 Ethnic Composition: Dutch (59%), French (40%), German (1%) 🔹 Brussels: 80% French 🔹 Solution: Equal representation, community government, federal system |
| Case Study: Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 | 🔹 Ethnic Composition: Sinhalese (74%), Tamils (18%) 🔹 Sinhala made official language (1956), Buddhism promoted 🔹 Result: Civil war, Tamil demand for separate state |
| Majoritarianism | Rule by majority community at the cost of minorities Example: Sri Lanka – led to conflict |
| Community Government | Special feature of Belgium, elected by people of one language group, controls culture, education, and language matters |
| Principles of Power Sharing | Prudential (practical benefits) Moral (democratic values) |
| Outcomes | ✅ Avoids civil war ✅ Protects minority rights ✅ Ensures peace and democracy |
📝 Tip for Exams:
Use the examples of Belgium (success) and Sri Lanka (failure) to support answers in both short and long answer questions.