Power Sharing Class 10 Notes | CBSE Political Science Ch 1 Explained with Examples

🌍 Power Sharing – Class 10 Notes (Explained Like a Teacher)

---

🔹 Why are we studying this chapter?

Because in a democracy, power cannot stay in the hands of one person or one group. If it does, conflicts arise (sometimes even civil wars!). This chapter teaches us how countries like Belgium and Sri Lanka dealt with diversity and what lessons we can learn from them.

---

1️⃣ Belgium Case Study

• Small European country
  • Neighbours: France, Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg.
• Population composition
  • 59% Dutch-speaking (Flemish region)
  • 40% French-speaking (Wallonia region)
  • 1% German-speaking
• Capital – Brussels
  • 80% French-speaking
  • 20% Dutch-speaking
• Problem: The French-speaking minority was rich and powerful, which created tensions with the Dutch-speaking majority.

👉 Teaching Tip:
Think of your classroom: If 60 students are Hindi-speaking and 40 are English-speaking, but the English speakers get all privileges (better seats, better marks), there will be conflict. This is Belgium’s situation.

---

2️⃣ Sri Lanka Case Study

• Island nation near India.
• Population composition:
  • 74% Sinhala-speaking (mostly Buddhists)
  • 18% Tamil-speaking (13% Sri Lankan Tamils + 5% Indian Tamils, mostly Hindus/Muslims)
• Problem: Sinhalese wanted to dominate Tamils.

---

3️⃣ Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka

After independence in 1948, Sri Lanka’s government adopted majoritarian policies:

• Sinhala declared the only official language (1956).
• Sinhalese given preference in government jobs & universities.
• Constitution gave special protection to Buddhism.

👉 Result:

• Tamils felt ignored & discriminated.
• Demanded equality, language recognition, and regional autonomy.
• Tensions led to civil war lasting 20 years.

---

4️⃣ Belgium’s Solution – Accommodation

Between 1970–1993, Belgium amended its constitution four times to avoid conflict.
Belgium Model of Power Sharing:

1. Equal number of Dutch & French ministers in central government.
2. Certain laws required approval from both groups.
3. State governments were not subordinate to central government.
4. Brussels had a separate government with equal representation.
5. Community Government – elected by people of each language group (Dutch, French, German).

👉 Brussels also became HQ of the European Union – symbol of cooperation.

---

5️⃣ Belgium vs Sri Lanka (Comparison)

Belgium	Sri Lanka
Shared power among communities (accommodation).	Followed majoritarianism (Sinhalese supremacy).
Equal representation given to groups.	Minority Tamils ignored.
Prevented conflict & maintained unity.	Resulted in civil war & division.

👉 Lesson: Power sharing reduces conflict and keeps a country united.

---

6️⃣ Why Power Sharing is Desirable?

(Two Reasons – easy to remember: P for Prudential, M for Moral)

i) Prudential reasons (practical benefit):

• Reduces chances of conflict.
• Ensures stability & unity of the nation.

ii) Moral reasons (democratic value):

• Power sharing is the spirit of democracy.
• People have the right to be consulted in governance.
• Creates a legitimate & responsible government.

---

7️⃣ Forms of Power Sharing

1. Horizontal power sharing – Between organs of government (Legislature, Executive, Judiciary).

   • All are equal → Checks and Balances.
   • Example: Indian judiciary can strike down unconstitutional laws.

2. Vertical power sharing – Among different levels of government (Union, State, Local).

   • Example: India → Centre, States, Panchayats.

3. Power sharing among social groups – Minority & majority communities share power.

   • Example: Reservation system in India.

4. Power sharing among political parties & interest groups –

   • Parties form coalition governments.
   • Pressure groups (farmers, workers) also influence decisions.

---

8️⃣ Horizontal vs Vertical Power Sharing

Horizontal Division	Vertical Division
Among Legislature, Executive, Judiciary	Among Union, State, Local governments
All organs are equal	Levels are higher & lower
Checks & balances exist	No checks & balances (clear division of power)

---

9️⃣ Keywords

• Ethnic: People with common culture & language.
• Majoritarianism: Rule of majority, ignoring minority.
• Prudential: Based on wisdom, avoiding conflict.
• Civil War: War within the country.

---

🎯 Quick Revision Tricks

• Belgium = Balance (power sharing)
• Sri Lanka = Sinhala supremacy → Civil war
• Reasons for power sharing = P (Prudential) + M (Moral)
• Forms of power sharing = H V S P
  • Horizontal
  • Vertical
  • Social groups
  • Political parties

---

✅ Exam Tip: Always write Belgium (accommodation) vs Sri Lanka (majoritarianism) as examples when answering “Why is power sharing necessary?”.

---

📝 Power Sharing – Exam Questions & Answers

---

🔹 A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

(1 mark each)

1. In Belgium, the percentage of the Dutch-speaking population is:
   a) 40%
   b) 59%
   c) 74%
   d) 18%
   Answer: b) 59%

2. The Sinhala Act of 1956 declared __________ as the only official language of Sri Lanka.
   a) Tamil
   b) English
   c) Sinhala
   d) Pali
   Answer: c) Sinhala

3. Which of the following is an example of horizontal power sharing?
   a) Union and State governments
   b) Executive, Legislature, Judiciary
   c) Centre and Panchayats
   d) Central and Provincial government
   Answer: b) Executive, Legislature, Judiciary

4. Brussels is the headquarters of:
   a) United Nations
   b) European Union
   c) SAARC
   d) ASEAN
   Answer: b) European Union

5. The system of checks and balances is associated with:
   a) Vertical division of power
   b) Horizontal division of power
   c) Dictatorship
   d) Unitary form of government
   Answer: b) Horizontal division of power

---

🔹 B. Very Short Answer Questions (VSA)

(1 mark each – Answer in 1 sentence)

1. Define power sharing.
   Answer: Power sharing is the distribution of power among different organs and levels of government to avoid concentration of power in one hand.

2. Who are Sri Lankan Tamils?
   Answer: Sri Lankan Tamils are natives of Sri Lanka who mainly live in the north and east and constitute about 13% of the population.

3. What is Majoritarianism?
   Answer: It is a belief that the majority community should rule the country, ignoring the rights of minorities.

4. Which type of power-sharing arrangement is called the system of checks and balances?
   Answer: Horizontal power sharing.

5. Name any one moral reason for power sharing.
   Answer: Power sharing is the spirit of democracy because people have the right to be consulted in governance.

---

🔹 C. Short Answer Questions – Type I

(2 marks each – 30–40 words)

1. State two demands of the Sri Lankan Tamils.
   Answer:

   • Recognition of Tamil as an official language.
   • Equal opportunity in jobs and education.

2. Write two features of the Belgium model of power sharing.
   Answer:

   • Equal number of Dutch and French ministers in central government.
   • Brussels has a separate government with equal representation of both groups.

3. Why is power sharing considered desirable? (Any two points)
   Answer:

   • It reduces conflict between communities ensuring stability.
   • It reflects the spirit of democracy and legitimacy of government.

---

🔹 D. Short Answer Questions – Type II

(3–4 marks each – 60–80 words)

1. Differentiate between horizontal and vertical power sharing.
   Answer:

   • Horizontal power sharing: Power is shared among organs of government like Legislature, Executive, Judiciary. All are equal, ensuring checks and balances.
   • Vertical power sharing: Power is divided among different levels – Union, State, Local. There is no equality; higher levels are superior.

2. Explain any three forms of power sharing in modern democracies.
   Answer:

   • Among organs of government (horizontal).
   • Among different levels of government (vertical).
   • Among different social groups (minorities, religious communities).
   • Among political parties, pressure groups, and movements. (any three)

3. How was the problem of power sharing solved in Belgium?
   Answer:

   • Constitution amended four times between 1970–1993.
   • Equal representation given to Dutch and French in central government.
   • Brussels had a separate government with equal representation.
   • Community governments formed for each language group.

---

🔹 E. Long Answer Questions

(5–6 marks each – 100–120 words)

1. Compare and contrast the approach of Belgium and Sri Lanka towards power sharing.
   Answer:

   • Belgium: Adopted accommodation. Constitution was amended four times to ensure equality. Both Dutch and French communities had equal representation in central government and Brussels. Community governments were created. This avoided conflict and maintained unity.
   • Sri Lanka: Followed majoritarianism. Sinhala was declared the only official language, Buddhism was given special protection, and Tamils were discriminated in jobs and education. This led to civil war for nearly two decades.
     👉 Thus, Belgium ensured peace through accommodation, while Sri Lanka faced violence due to majoritarianism.

2. Why is power sharing the spirit of democracy? Explain with examples.
   Answer:

   • Democracy is based on participation, equality, and consultation.
   • Power sharing ensures that all communities and groups have a role in decision-making.
   • It prevents conflict and strengthens unity.
   • Example: Belgium accommodated both Dutch & French speakers, protecting minorities.
   • In India, reservations and coalition governments are examples of power sharing.
     👉 Therefore, power sharing makes governance legitimate, stable, and truly democratic.

---

✅ Exam Strategy:

• For 1–2 marks, write to the point (keywords matter!).
• For 3–4 marks, use three points explained briefly.
• For 5–6 marks, always write in intro–body–conclusion format with examples (Belgium & Sri Lanka).