Power-sharing - Q&A
Exercises1. What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.
In modern democracies, power sharing arrangements can take the following four main forms:
1. Power sharing among different organs of government (Horizontal Distribution):
Power is shared between the legislature, executive, and judiciary. This ensures that no single organ exercises unlimited power and they check each other.
Example: In India, the Parliament enacts laws, the Government (Executive) implements them, and the Supreme Court (Judiciary) ensures they follow the Constitution.
2. Power sharing among governments at different levels (Vertical Division/Federalism):
Power is divided between a general government for the entire country (Central/Union) and governments at the provincial or regional level (State).
Example: In India, the Constitution divides power between the Central Government and the State Governments.
3. Power sharing among different social groups:
Power is shared among different religious or linguistic groups to ensure minority communities get a fair share in power.
Example: The "Community Government" in Belgium is elected by people belonging to one language community (Dutch, French, and German) and handles cultural, educational, and language-related issues.
4. Power sharing among political parties, pressure groups, and movements:
This takes the form of competition among parties or coalition governments where power is shared by two or more parties that form an alliance.
Example: When no single party gets a majority in India, different parties come together to form a "Coalition Government," thereby sharing power and decision-making.
2. State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power sharing with an example from the Indian context.
Prudential Reason: Power sharing helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. By avoiding conflict, it ensures the stability of the political order.
Indian Example: The reservation of seats in the Parliament and State Assemblies for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) is a prudential measure to prevent alienation and social conflict.
Moral Reason: Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise, and people have a legitimate right to be consulted on how they are governed.
Indian Example: The decentralization of power to the Panchayati Raj institutions (local self-government) in India realizes the moral spirit of democracy by involving people directly in decision-making at the grassroots level.
3. 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.
I agree with Ouseph. Power sharing is not just about resolving conflicts between groups; it is the fundamental spirit of democracy. Even in a small society without deep divisions, power should not be concentrated in one hand. Citizens have a right to participate in decision-making, and checks and balances are required to prevent arbitrariness and ensure accountability.
4. 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.
No, this measure is not in keeping with the spirit of Belgium's power sharing arrangements. The Belgian model is built on mutual respect and accommodation of different linguistic interests (Dutch and French). Imposing a ban on one language to force integration creates resentment and goes against the principle of sharing power and respecting linguistic diversity that helped Belgium avoid civic strife.
5. 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."
The prudential reason offered in this passage is: "Giving power to Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency."
Explanation: Prudential reasons are based on a careful calculation of gains and losses or better outcomes. Reducing corruption and improving efficiency are practical, beneficial outcomes of sharing power with local bodies.
6. 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
Answer: (a) A B D F
Explanation:
- A (Reduces conflict): True, this is a major prudential reason.
- B (Decreases arbitrariness): True, through checks and balances.
- D (Accommodates diversities): True, ensures minorities are included.
- F (Promotes participation): True, this is a moral reason.
(C, E, and G are arguments against power sharing).
7. 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
Answer: (d) B, C and D
Explanation:
- Statement A is incorrect because in Belgium, the Dutch majority did not try to impose domination; instead, they accepted equal representation to accommodate the French minority.
- Statement B is correct (Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka).
- Statement C is correct (Sri Lankan Tamils' demands).
- Statement D is correct (Belgian accommodation).
8. 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 |
(a) 1-D, 2-A, 3-B, 4-C
(b) 1-B, 2-C, 3-D, 4-A
(c) 1-B, 2-D, 3-A, 4-C
(d) 1-C, 2-D, 3-A, 4-B
Answer: (c) 1-B, 2-D, 3-A, 4-C
Explanation:
- 1 matches B: Sharing power among legislature, executive, and judiciary is known as "Separation of Powers".
- 2 matches D: Sharing power between central and state levels is known as "Federal Government".
- 3 matches A: Sharing power among social groups is seen in Belgium's "Community government".
- 4 matches C: Sharing power between political parties leads to a "Coalition government".
9. 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
Answer: (b) Both A and B are true
Explanation:
- Statement A is true (Moral reason: It is the spirit of democracy).
- Statement B is true (Prudential reason: It reduces social conflict and ensures stability).