SHORT QUESTIONS AND ANSWER
Question 1: What is power sharing?
Answer:
Power sharing is the distribution of power among various social groups, ensuring that no single group dominates or monopolizes power.
Question 2: Why is power sharing desirable?
Answer:
Power sharing helps to reduce conflict between different communities, promotes unity and stability, and accommodates diverse interests and viewpoints.
Question 3: Name the forms of power sharing in democracies.
Answer:
Forms of power sharing include horizontal (among different organs of government) and vertical (between different levels of government) as well as among different social groups.
Question 4: How does power sharing help in reducing conflict?
Answer:
By accommodating the aspirations of diverse groups and preventing the domination of one group over others, power sharing helps in reducing conflict.
Question 5: What are the major forms of power sharing in Belgium?
Answer:
In Belgium, power is shared among different linguistic communities through federalism, decentralization, and proportional representation.
Question 6: Explain the power-sharing arrangement in Sri Lanka.
Answer:
Sri Lanka practices power sharing through the system of decentralization, where power is devolved to provincial councils to accommodate the ethnic diversity of the country.
Question 7: What are the three tiers of government in India involved in power sharing?
Answer:
India practices power sharing through three tiers of government: the central government, state governments, and local self-government bodies (panchayats and municipalities).
Question 8: How does power sharing contribute to democracy?
Answer:
Power sharing ensures that all groups have a say in decision-making, promotes participation and accountability, and prevents authoritarianism, thereby strengthening democracy.
Question 9: What challenges are faced in implementing power sharing?
Answer:
Challenges include the difficulty of accommodating conflicting interests, ensuring effective implementation of power-sharing mechanisms, and overcoming historical mistrust between communities.
Question 10: Explain the concept of community government in Belgium.
Answer:
Belgium practices community government where each linguistic community (Dutch-speaking Flemish and French-speaking Walloons) has its own government responsible for cultural and educational matters.
Question 11: Why is it important to accommodate regional aspirations in power sharing?
Answer:
Accommodating regional aspirations ensures that diverse cultural, linguistic, and economic interests are represented in governance, promoting national unity and stability.
Question 12: How does power sharing help in managing social divisions?
Answer:
By ensuring representation and participation of all groups in decision-making, power sharing addresses grievances, builds trust, and promotes social harmony.
Question 13: What role does proportional representation play in power sharing?
Answer:
Proportional representation ensures that political representation in legislatures reflects the diverse composition of society, giving voice to minority groups and preventing their marginalization.
Question 14: Compare power sharing in Belgium and Sri Lanka.
Answer:
Belgium practices consociational democracy with power sharing among linguistic communities, whereas Sri Lanka uses decentralization to accommodate ethnic diversity.
Question 15: What lessons can other countries learn from India’s experience of power sharing?
Answer:
India’s experience highlights the importance of federalism, decentralization, and local self-government in managing diversity and promoting inclusive governance.
LONG QUESTIONS AND ANSWER
Question 1: Explain the concept of power sharing. Why is it considered an essential feature of democratic government?
Answer:
- Power sharing refers to the distribution of power among different social groups, ensuring that no single group dominates or monopolizes power. In a democracy, power sharing is crucial because it helps in accommodating diverse interests and aspirations of various communities.
- By involving different groups in decision-making processes, power sharing promotes social harmony, reduces conflict, and strengthens the legitimacy of governance.
- It also ensures that minorities are not marginalized and that decisions are made after considering the viewpoints of all stakeholders, thus making democracy more inclusive and participatory.
Question 2: Discuss the forms of power sharing practiced in democracies. Give examples to illustrate each form.
Answer:
Democracies practice power sharing in several forms:
- Horizontal Distribution: This form involves the separation of powers among different organs of government, such as the executive, legislature, and judiciary. For example, in the United States, power is horizontally distributed among the President (executive), Congress (legislature), and Supreme Court (judiciary).
- Vertical Distribution: Power is shared vertically between different levels of government, such as central, state, and local governments. India is an example where power is vertically distributed between the central government, state governments, and local self-government bodies like panchayats and municipalities.
- Community Government: In countries like Belgium, power is shared among different linguistic or ethnic communities. Each community has its own government responsible for cultural and linguistic affairs, ensuring representation and autonomy.
- Proportional Representation: This involves ensuring representation in legislatures in proportion to the population or voting strength of various groups. For instance, countries like South Africa use proportional representation to include diverse racial and ethnic groups in their political system.
Question 3: Examine the power-sharing arrangement in Belgium. How has it helped in managing linguistic diversity?
Answer:
- Belgium practices consociational democracy, where power is shared among its Dutch-speaking Flemish and French-speaking Walloon communities. The country has a federal structure with linguistic communities having considerable autonomy over cultural and educational matters.
- This arrangement has helped in managing linguistic diversity by ensuring that both communities have a stake in governance and that their cultural and linguistic rights are protected. It has prevented conflicts that could arise from linguistic differences and has fostered a sense of unity and national identity despite linguistic diversity.
Question 4: Discuss the challenges faced in implementing power sharing. How can these challenges be overcome?
Answer:
Implementing power sharing faces several challenges:
- Resistance from Dominant Groups: Dominant groups may resist sharing power, fearing loss of control.
- Effective Implementation: Ensuring that power sharing mechanisms are effective and inclusive requires robust institutions and political will.
- Historical Mistrust: Historical grievances and mistrust between communities can hinder effective power sharing.
These challenges can be overcome through:
- Dialogue and Negotiation: Encouraging dialogue and negotiation among different groups to build trust and find common ground.
- Legal and Constitutional Frameworks: Establishing legal frameworks and constitutional provisions that guarantee rights and representation for all groups.
- Education and Awareness: Promoting education and awareness about the benefits of power sharing and democratic principles.
Question 5: Explain the role of power sharing in accommodating regional aspirations. Support your answer with examples.
Answer:
- Power sharing accommodates regional aspirations by ensuring that regions or states have a say in decision-making processes that affect them.
- For example, India’s federal structure allows states to have significant autonomy in areas like education, agriculture, and health.
- This decentralization of power enables states to address regional issues and develop policies that are tailored to local needs and aspirations.
- By empowering regions, power sharing promotes national unity while respecting regional diversity, thereby fostering a more inclusive and responsive governance framework.
Question 6: How does power sharing contribute to the stability and unity of a country? Illustrate your answer with examples.
Answer:
Power sharing contributes to stability and unity by:
- Reducing Conflict: By accommodating diverse interests and preventing the domination of one group, power sharing reduces tensions and conflicts within society. For instance, in Switzerland, power sharing among linguistic communities has contributed to political stability despite cultural and linguistic diversity.
- Promoting Inclusivity: By giving voice to marginalized groups and ensuring their representation, power sharing fosters a sense of belonging and unity. In South Africa, after apartheid, power sharing through proportional representation helped in integrating diverse racial groups into the political system, promoting national unity.
- Building Trust: Power sharing builds trust among different communities by ensuring that decisions are made collectively and fairly. In Northern Ireland, the power-sharing agreement between unionists and nationalists has helped in maintaining peace and stability after years of conflict.
Question 7: Compare and contrast the power-sharing arrangements in Belgium and Sri Lanka. What lessons can other countries learn from these examples?
Answer:
Belgium and Sri Lanka have different power-sharing arrangements:
- Belgium: Practices consociational democracy with power shared among linguistic communities (Flemish and Walloon).
- Sri Lanka: Uses decentralization to accommodate ethnic diversity, with power devolved to provincial councils.
Lessons:
- Inclusivity: Both countries emphasize the importance of inclusive governance that respects linguistic or ethnic diversity.
- Federalism: Belgium’s federal structure and Sri Lanka’s decentralization highlight the role of federalism in managing diversity.
- Conflict Resolution: Both examples show that power sharing can be instrumental in resolving conflicts and promoting peace.
Question 8: Explain the importance of power sharing in maintaining social harmony. Provide examples to support your answer.
Answer:
- Power sharing maintains social harmony by ensuring that all groups have a stake in decision-making and governance.
- For example, in Canada, power sharing between English-speaking and French-speaking communities through federalism has helped in maintaining linguistic and cultural harmony.
- Similarly, in South Africa, power sharing through proportional representation has contributed to social cohesion by integrating diverse racial groups into the political system post-apartheid.
- By addressing grievances and promoting inclusivity, power sharing fosters a sense of belonging and unity among diverse communities.
Question 9: Evaluate the role of proportional representation in power sharing. How does it ensure fair representation in democracies?
Answer:
- Proportional representation ensures fair representation by allocating seats in legislatures based on the percentage of votes received by political parties.
- This system allows minority groups to have a voice and ensures that all segments of society are represented in decision-making processes.
- For instance, countries like Germany and New Zealand use proportional representation to include smaller parties and diverse viewpoints in their political systems, promoting pluralism and democratic legitimacy.
Question 10: Discuss India’s experience with power sharing. How has federalism contributed to managing diversity in the country?
Answer:
India’s experience with power sharing is characterized by federalism, which divides power between the central government and state governments. Federalism has contributed to managing diversity by:
- Regional Autonomy: States have significant powers to legislate on subjects listed in the Constitution’s State List, such as education, health, and agriculture.
- Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: States are allowed to promote and preserve their languages, cultures, and customs, ensuring representation and autonomy.
- Administrative Efficiency: Federalism allows for tailored policies that address regional needs and aspirations, promoting development and inclusivity across diverse regions.
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