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Power Sharing
Question
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Explain in short the power sharing among different social groups in a democracy.

Answer

Power sharing can be observed in different social groups, such as the religious and linguistic groups. Community government in Belgium is a good example of this arrangement. In some countries, there are constitutional and legal arrangements whereby socially weaker sections and women are represented in the legislatures and administration.


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Some More Questions From Power Sharing Chapter

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.

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.”

Different arguments are usually put forth in favour 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

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 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

The Community Government signifies:

Prudential reasons of power sharing stress on
A. the stability of political order
B. to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups
C. a fair share to minority
D. the intrinsic worth of power sharing

Sri Lanka got independence in

System of  ‘checks and balances’ implies

A notion that the majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it wants is

Which of the following step had not been taken in Belgium to accommodate social differences?