Chapter 1 Power Sharing Important Questions Class 10 Political Science
Chapter 1 Power Sharing Important Questions Class 10 Political Science can also give them an advantage over their classmates by helping them to be better prepared for the exam. It helps to identify the areas where further practice is required.
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Chapter 1 Power Sharing Important Questions and Answers Class 10 Political Science
Chapter 1 Power Sharing Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark)
1. What do you mean by power sharing?
Solution
Distribution of power among different organs and level of governments, among different social groups and political parties is called power sharing.
2. Define majoritarianism.
Solution
Majoritarianism is rule by majority community by disregarding the needs and wishes of the minority community.
3. What is the language spoken by the people residing in the Wallonia region of Belgium?
Solution
People residing in Wallonia region of Belgium speak French.
4. Which language was recognized as the only official language of Sri Lanka in 1956?
Solution
Sinhala.
5. Why did Sri Lankan Tamils feel alienated from Sinhalese?
Solution
They felt that the constitution and government policies denied them even political rights, discriminated against them in getting jobs and other opportunities and ignored their interests.
6. What were the demands of Political organisations of Tamils in Sri Lanka?
Solution
An independent Tamil Eelam (state) in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.
7. Apart from the Central and the State governments, which is the third type of government practised in Belgium?
Solution
Community government.
8. What is the horizontal distribution of power?
Solution
The power is shared among different organs of government such as legislative, executive and judiciary.
9. Define the term ‘Ethnic’.
Solution
Ethnic means a social division based on shared culture and common descent. People belonging to an ethnic group need not have the same religion or nationality.
10. How is power shared among different social groups?
Solution
Religious and linguistic groups. Share power socially weaker sections and women also represent in the legislatures and administration.
11. Why is power sharing between different organs called horizontal distribution of power?
Solution
It allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers.
12. With which countries does Belgium share border?
Solution
Belgium shares borders with Netherlands, France, Germany and Luxembourg.
13. What is the ethnic composition of capital city Brussels?
Solution
80% people speak French while 20% are Dutch speaking communities.
14. Why was the tension more acute in Brussels between two communities?
Solution
There was more tension in Brussels because the Dutch speaking people constituted a majority in the country, but a minority in the capital.
Chapter 1 Power Sharing Short Answer Questions (3 Marks)
1. Describe the horizontal distribution of power. What are its advantages?
Solution
(i) Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. We call this horizontal distribution of power because it allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers.
(ii) Such a separation ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited power. Each organ checks the others. This results in a balance of power among various institutions.
(iii) Similarly, although judges are appointed by the executive, they can check the functioning of executive or laws made by the legislatures. This arrangement is called a system of checks and balances.
2. How has majoritarianism increased the feelings of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils? Explain with examples?
Solution
(i) In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus disregarding Tamil.
(ii) The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.
(iii) A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.
3. Mention the two major ethnic groups of Belgium?
Solution
(i) of the country’s total population, 59 per cent lives in the Flemish region and speaks Dutch language.
(ii) Another 40 per cent people live in the Wallonia region and speak French.
(iii) Remaining one per cent of the Belgians speak German.
4. Explain how Belgium was able to solve her ethnic problem.
Solution
The Belgian leaders amended their Constitution four times between 1970 and 1993, to work out an arrangement agreeable to all sections of society.
(i) The number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers are equal in the central government.
(ii) Many powers of the central government have been given to state government of the two regions of the country.
(iii) The state governments are not subordinate to the central government.
(iv) Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal representation.
(v) The ‘Community Government’ is elected by people belonging to one language community–Dutch, French and German-speaking – no matter where they live.
5. Which path was adopted by the leaders of Belgium other than Sri Lanka?
Solution
Both Belgium and Sri Lanka are democracies. Yet, they dealt with the question of power sharing differently.
(i) In Belgium, the leaders have realized that the unity of the country is possible only by respecting the feelings and interests of different communities and regions. Such a realisation resulted in mutually acceptable arrangements for sharing power.
(ii) Sri Lanka shows us a contrasting example. It shows us that if a majority community wants to force its dominance over others and refuses to share power, it can undermine the unity of the country.
6. What were the reasons for the alienation of Sri Lankan Tamils? What was the effect of this on Sri Lankan Tamils? What was the effect of this on the country?
Solution
(i) In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus disregarding Tamil. The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for positions in
educational institutions, armed forces and other government jobs.
(ii) A new constitution declared that the state shall protect and promote Buddhism, the religion of the majority Sinhala community.
(iii) All these government measures gradually increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils.
7. How far do you agree with the statement that power sharing is keeping with the spirit of democracy?
Solution
(i) Power sharing is desirable in democracy because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Conflict between social groups leads to violence and political instability. Power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order.
(ii) Imposing the will of majority community over others, in the long run may undermine 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.
(iii) 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. Prudential reasons stress that power sharing brings out better outcomes whereas moral reasons emphasize the act of power sharing as valuable.
8. What do you know about the diverse nature of Sri Lankan population?
Solution
(i) Like other nations in the South Asia region, Sri Lanka has a diverse population. The major social groups are the Sinhala-speakers (74 percent) and the Tamil-speakers (18 percent).
(ii) Among Tamils there are two subgroups. Tamil natives of the country are called ‘Sri Lankan Tamils’ (13 percent). The rest, whose forefathers came from India as plantation workers during colonial period, are called ‘Indian Tamils’.
(iii) Sri Lankan Tamils are concentrated in the north and east of the country. Most of the Sinhala speaking people are Buddhists, while most of the Tamils are Hindus or Muslims. There are about 7 percent Christians, who are both Tamil and Sinhala.
9. How far do you agree with the statement that power sharing is keeping with the spirit of democracy?
Solution
(i) Power sharing is desirable in democracy because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Conflict between social groups leads to violence and political instability. Power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order.
(ii) Imposing the will of majority community over others, in the long run may undermine 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.
(iii) 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. Prudential reasons stress that power sharing brings out better outcomes whereas moral reasons emphasize the act of power sharing as valuable.
10. In modern democracies power is often shared among different organs of the government. Explain.
Solution
(i) Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary.
(ii) Power can be shared among governments at different levels – a general government for the entire country and governments at the provincial or regional level.
(iii) Power may also be shared among different social groups such as the religious and linguistic groups. Power sharing arrangements can also be seen in the way political parties, pressure groups and movements control or influence those in power.
Chapter 1 Power Sharing Long Answer Questions (5 Marks)
1. How did the political system of Belgium innovative and different from the other countries of the world? Explain any three points?
Solution
Belgium had recognised the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities. Between 1970 and 1993, they amended their constitution four times so as to work out an arrangement that would enable everyone to live together within the same country. The arrangement was:
(i) Equal distribution of seats in ministry: Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government. Some special laws requiren the support of majority of members from each linguistic group. Thus, no single community can make decisions unilaterally.
(ii) Concept of Federal Government: Many powers of the central government have been given to state governments of the two regions of the country. The state governments are not subordinate to the Central Government.
(iii) Equal Representation in Brussels: Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal representation. The French speaking people accepted equal representation in Brussels because the Dutch-speaking community has accepted equal representation in the Central Government.
(iv) Community Government: Apart from the Central and the State Government, there is a third kind of government. This ‘community government’ is elected by people belonging to one language community – Dutch, French and German-speaking – no matter where they live. This government has the power regarding cultural, educational and language- related issues.
2. Why is power sharing desirable?
Solution
Power-sharing is desirable for the following two main reasons:
Prudential Reasons: These are based on prudence, i.e., careful calculation of gains and loses. Some of the important prudential reasons are:
(i) It reduces the possibility of conflict among social groups.
(ii) As conflicts usually result in violence, political instability and social unrest, power sharing is a sensible way to ensure the stability of the political order.
(iii) Imposing the will of the 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.
Moral Reasons: These reasons are totally based on moral consideration such as:
(i) Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy.
(ii) A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise, and who have to live with its effects.
(iii) People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.
(iv) A legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.
3. What were the effects of feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils?
Solution
The effects of the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils were as mentioned below:
(i) The Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil as an official language. They demanded regional autonomy. They also demanded equality of opportunity in securing education and jobs.
(ii) Their demand for regional autonomy was repeatedly denied.
(iii) By 1980s several political organisations were formed and they demanded an s independent Tamil Eelam (state) in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.
(iv) The distrust and alienation turned into widespread conflict between the two communities. It soon turned into a civil war.
(v) In the civil war, thousands of people of both the communities were killed. Many
(vi) families were forced to leave the country as refugees. Many lost their livelihoods. Thus although Sri Lanka had excellent record of economic development, education and health, but the civil war has caused a terrible setback to the social, cultural and economic life of the country.
4. How was majoritarianism practiced in Sri Lanka ?
Solution
Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948. The Sinhala community was majority community. Their leaders sought to secure dominance over government. Thus the democratically elected government adopted the following majoritarian measures:
(i) In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language thus disregarding Tamil.
(ii) The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.
(iii) A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.
The above measures gradually increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils.
(i) They felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders were sensitive to their language and culture.
(ii) They felt that the constitution and government policies denied them equal political rights. 3. They also felt that they were being discriminated in getting jobs and other opportunities. Thus the relations between the Sinhala and Tamil communities strained and a feeling of alienation grew among the Sri Lankan Tamils.
5. “Power Sharing is the very spirit of democracy”. Justify the statement.
Solution
(i) A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise. Power sharing ensures that people have the right to be consulted and have equal participation in the government.
(ii) In a democracy, each individual has a say in governance through their elected representatives. This is the essence of power sharing that grants equal rights to each citizen.
(iii) Sharing of power ensures that respect for diversity and desire for living together becomes a shared ideal amongst different communities in a country. It actually makes the country united and the administration easier.
(iv) Prudential reasons stress that power sharing would bring out better outcomes by helping to reduce the possibility of any conflict between the social groups.