Here, we have discussed about the class 10 Civics power sharing notes that are very helpful for the preparation of cbse exam class 10.
CBSE Class 10 SST Power sharing notes
Introduction
In democracy,all powers doesn’t rest with only one organ or level of government, it is shared among all for maintaining harmonious relationship and promote unity in the country by respecting the cultural, social , political and economic rights of the citizens of the country. A democratic form of government try to ensure power sharing which is an important aspect of it.
Here in power sharing chapter class 10 sst, two examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka are mentioned that presents the problems that is caused as power is not shared equally among different groups which reside in the country.
Important terms
These are some important terms that are given here of cbse class 10 sst power sharing that are discussed to make better understanding of this chapter power sharing.
Ethnic: A social division based on shared culture. People belonging to the same ethnic group believe in their common descent because of similarities of physical type or of culture or both. They need not always have the same religion or nationality.
Majoritarianism: A belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it wants, by disregarding the wishes and needs of the minority.
Civil war: A violent conflict between opposing groups within a country that becomes so intense that it appears like a war.
Prudential– Based on prudence, or on careful calculation of gain and losses, prudential decisions are usually contrasted with decisions based purely on moral considerations.
Belgium
Share border with France, Netherlands, Luxembourg and Germany
Ethic composition in Belgium —
Dutch speaking (Flemish region)- 59℅
French speaking (Wallon region) – 40℅
German speaking- 1℅In capital,
Brussels
French speaking- 80℅
Dutch speaking- 20℅
- Minority french speaking was relatively rich and powerful
- Dutch people got benefits of economic development and education later that led to tension between these two linguistic groups during 1950s and 1960s.
- Dutch had majority in country but French had majority in capital of Belgium that was mainly a problem of conflict.
- Brussels became headquarter of European Union which is a group of countries that are part of this continent.
Sri Lanka
- an island country off the southern coast of Tamil Nadu
- In Sri Lanka, major group is of Sinhalese speakers who constitute 74℅ population of the country and minority is of Tamil speakers who constitute 18℅population that include 13℅ Sri Lankan Tamils and remaining Indian tamils who came as plantation workers from India during colonial period.
- Sri Lankan tamils resides mainly in north and eastern part of the country
- Most Sinhalese are buddhist and Sri Lankan tamils are hindus and Muslims
- 7℅ are christians which include both sinhalese and tamils.
Accommodation in Belgium
Belgium felt the need of the recognition of regional differences snd cultural diversities so that they can make possible for every person to live together and maintain social harmony and unity in the country.
- For this purpose, Belgium made changes in Constitution four times between the period from 1970 to 1993 that became popular as belgian model of power sharing.
- Constitution prescribed the equal representation of dutch and French speaking ministers in central government so that decisions can’t be taken unilaterally.
- Many powers were given from central government to state government of the two regions of Belgium and state govt was no longer subordinate to central government.
- In Brussels government, French speaking people also accepted equal representation of dutch communities as it did in central government that show mutual recognition.
- Apart from it, third government known as community government was created that is elected by people belonging to one language such as dutch, french and german speaking that can have power regarding cultural, educational and language related issues.
Class 10 Political science Chapter 2 Federalism Notes
Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka became independent in 1948 and leaders of Sinhalese dominated government and took majoritarian measures to favour and establish their supremacy.
- Only sinhalese was made an official language of Sri Lanka by an act in 1956It adopted preferential policies to favour sinhalese applicants in government jobs and for university position.
- They specified that state shall protect and support Buddhism only
These majoritarian measures developed a feeling of alienation among Sri Lankan tamils as government was not sensitive to their language and culture and denied them equal political rights and faced discrimination in various forms in education and government jobs. This alienation resulted creation of political parties by Sri Lankan tamils and struggled for the recognition of regional autonomy ,creation of Tamil Eelam(separate state) and equality but these demands were denied and took the shape of civil war. Both countries had problems of majority and minority but they dealt with this linguistics problems very differently from each other. Belgium has tackled it by sharing powers with their minority people but in contrast, in Sri Lanka majority impose its will over minority and in result it led to civil war.
Both countries had problems of majority and minority but they dealt with this linguistics problems very differently from each other. Belgium has tackled it by sharing powers with their minority people but in contrast, in Sri Lanka majority impose its will over minority and in result it led to civil war.
Why power sharing is desirable?
Two reasons can be given in favour of power sharing.
Firstly, power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and political instability. Power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order.
Secondly, Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise, and who have to live with its effects. People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.A legitimate government is one where citizens through participation acquire a stake in the system.
Disadvantage of not sharing power
· Imposing the will of majority community over others may look like : an attractive option in the short run, but in the long run it undermines the unity of the nation.
· Tyranny of the majority is not just oppressive for the minority; it often brings ruin to the majority as well.
Emergence of the concept of power sharing
In past, people thought that power should rest in one hand or group of persons that help in taking rapid decisions about any issue and easier to implement them but later as emergence of democracy evolved, this view was changed. It was felt that in democracy people are the source of all power that is exercised by various institutions of government so people should have say in those decisions that is taken for them. That’s why political power should be distributed among most of the people that affect them. And, it led to the development of various arrangements for power sharing in modern democracies.
Forms of power sharing
1 .Power sharing among different organs of government
Three organs of the government namely legislature, executive and judiciary which are at the same level have separation of power and exercise different powers to maintain balance of power by check and balance to avoid misuse of power by any organs of government.This is horizontal form of power sharing.
- Power sharing among different levels of the government
There are two or three levels of government that are placed at different levels that is a vertical form of power sharing. In this,central government or union government works for the entire country and state governments at state or provincial level which are not subordinate to central government and have autonomy. This is called federal division of power. It can be extended to third tier called panchayat and municipalities. - Power sharing among different social groups
Here, power is shared among linguistic and religious groups as we had seen in Belgium which created community government. For this purpose, several constitutional and legal arrangements are made in Constitution to provide share in government and administration by giving reservation to weaker sections and women. - Power sharing among political parties, pressure group and movement
In a diverse country like India, citizens must have freedom to choose among various political parties which represent different ideologies and different social groups. Power is shared either direct or by coalition by political parties is Apart from it, various interest groups like farmers, industrialist and workers etc participate in government committee and affect policies by their influence in decision making.