1. Chapter at a Glance
Democracy is about sharing power. When power is concentrated in one person, group or level of government, it can lead to injustice, conflict and even civil war. This chapter compares two countries — Belgium, which shared power among its communities and stayed united, and Sri Lanka, where a majority community dominated and the country slid into civil war. It then explains why power sharing is desirable (prudential and moral reasons) and the main forms of power sharing in modern democracies.
2. The Story of Belgium
Belgium is a small country in Europe, smaller in area than the State of Haryana, with a population of a little over one crore. Its ethnic composition is complex.
| Community | Share (textbook figures) | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch-speaking | 59% | Flemish region |
| French-speaking | 40% | Wallonia region |
| German-speaking | 1% | East |
| In the capital, Brussels | 80% French, 20% Dutch | — |
The minority French-speaking community was relatively rich and powerful. This was resented by the Dutch-speaking community, who got the benefit of economic development and education much later. This led to tensions between the two communities during the 1950s and 1960s, which were more acute in Brussels, where the Dutch-speaking people constituted a majority in the country but a minority in the capital.
Accommodation in Belgium
Belgian leaders recognised the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities. Between 1970 and 1993, they amended their constitution four times to work out an arrangement that would enable everyone to live together within the same country. The arrangement is innovative:
- The Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch- and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government. Some special laws require the support of the majority of members from each linguistic group, so no single community can make decisions unilaterally.
- Many powers of the central government have been given to State governments of the two regions; the State governments are not subordinate to the central government.
- Brussels has a separate government in which both communities have equal representation. The French-speaking people accepted equal representation in Brussels because the Dutch-speaking community accepted equal representation in the central government.
- Apart from the central and State governments, there is a third kind of government — the community government, elected by people belonging to one language community — Dutch, French and German-speaking — no matter where they live. It has power over cultural, educational and language-related issues.
These arrangements are complicated, even for Belgians, but they have worked well: they helped avoid civil strife and a possible division of the country on linguistic lines. When many countries of Europe came together to form the European Union, Brussels was chosen as its headquarters.
3. The Story of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is an island nation, just a few kilometres off the southern coast of Tamil Nadu, with a population of about 2 crore. It has a diverse population.
| Group | Share (textbook figures) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sinhala-speakers | 74% | Mostly Buddhists |
| Tamil-speakers | 18% | Sri Lankan Tamils (13%, mostly in the north and east) and Indian Tamils (5%, descendants of plantation workers brought from India during colonial rule); most Tamils are Hindus or Muslims |
| Christians | about 7% | Both Tamil and Sinhala |
Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka became independent in 1948. The leaders of the Sinhala community sought to secure dominance over the government by virtue of their majority. The democratically elected government adopted a series of majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy:
- In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, disregarding Tamil.
- Governments followed preferential policies favouring Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.
- A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.
All these measures gradually increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils. They felt that none of the major political parties led by Buddhist Sinhala leaders was sensitive to their language and culture, and that the constitution and government policies denied them equal political rights, discriminated against them in getting jobs and other opportunities, and ignored their interests. Relations between the Sinhala and Tamil communities strained over time.
The Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil as an official language, for regional autonomy and equality of opportunity in securing education and jobs. But their demands for more autonomy of provinces populated by Tamils were repeatedly denied. By the 1980s, several political organisations were formed demanding an independent Tamil Eelam (state) in the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka. The distrust between the two communities turned into widespread conflict and soon into a civil war. Thousands of people of both communities were killed; many families were forced to leave the country as refugees, and many more lost their livelihoods. The civil war caused a terrible setback to the social, cultural and economic life of the country; it ended in 2009.
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. Sri Lanka shows that majoritarianism can undermine the unity of a country, while Belgium shows that respecting the feelings and interests of different communities and regions strengthens it.
4. Why Power Sharing Is Desirable
| Prudential reasons | Moral reasons |
|---|---|
| Based on careful calculation of gains and losses (prudence) | Emphasise the very act of power sharing as valuable in itself |
| Helps reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups | Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy |
| Social conflict often leads to violence and political instability — power sharing ensures political stability | A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise and who have to live with its effects |
| Imposing the will of the majority may look attractive in the short run but undermines unity in the long run; tyranny of the majority is foolish for the majority too | People have a right to be consulted on how they are governed; a legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system |
Once upon a time, it was believed that power must not be divided — all authority should rest with one person or group (the idea of undivided sovereignty). In a democracy, by contrast, people rule themselves through institutions of self-government; respecting diverse groups and views is basic to democracy.
5. Forms of Power Sharing
| Form | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Horizontal distribution (among organs of government) | Power shared among legislature, executive and judiciary placed at the same level; each organ checks the others — a system of checks and balances | Ministers and officials exercise power but are responsible to Parliament or State Assemblies; judges are appointed by the executive but can check the functioning of the executive and laws made by legislatures |
| Vertical distribution (among governments at different levels) | A general government for the entire country and governments at the provincial or regional level — federal government; power can be further shared with local governments | India: Union government, State governments, municipalities and panchayats |
| Among social groups | Power shared among religious and linguistic groups | Belgium's community government; India's reserved constituencies in assemblies and Parliament for socially weaker sections and women |
| Among political parties, pressure groups and movements | Competition among parties ensures power does not remain in one hand; it keeps changing between parties; sometimes parties form coalitions; pressure groups and movements influence decision-making | Coalition governments; interest groups of traders, businessmen, industrialists, farmers and workers |
6. Master Table: Key Terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ethnic | Social division based on shared culture or descent |
| Majoritarianism | Majority rules regardless of minority's wishes |
| Civil war | Violent conflict between groups within a country |
| Prudential | Based on careful calculation of gains and losses |
| Checks and balances | Each organ of government limits the others |
| Federal government | Government with two or more levels |
| Community government | Belgian government elected by one language community |
| Coalition government | Government formed by two or more parties |
| Pressure group | Organisation influencing policy without seeking office |
| Tamil Eelam | Independent Tamil state demanded in Sri Lanka |
7. Master Summary Table
| Point | Belgium | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Majority | Dutch (59%) | Sinhala (74%) |
| Approach | Accommodation, power sharing | Majoritarianism |
| Key steps | Equal ministers; regional and community governments; equal Brussels | Sinhala-only Act (1956); job preferences; Buddhism protected |
| Result | Unity; Brussels became EU headquarters | Alienation, Tamil Eelam demand, civil war (ended 2009) |
Chart — Belgium's linguistic groups (%):
8. Mind Map
- 59-40-1
- Community government
- 1956 Sinhala Act
- Civil war to 2009
- Prudential
- Moral
- Horizontal, vertical
- Groups, parties
9. Tips and Tricks
- Belgium "59-40-1"; Brussels "80-20"; amended "4 times, 1970–93".
- Prudential = Practical (avoid conflict); Moral = Meaning of democracy.
- Horizontal = Hands of same level (organs); Vertical = Village to Centre (levels).
- In Belgium the French speakers were the richer minority, not the majority.
- Indian Tamils (5%) are different from Sri Lankan Tamils (13%).
- Community government is separate from central and State governments.
10. Important One-liners
- Belgium is smaller in area than Haryana.
- 59% of Belgians speak Dutch.
- Belgium amended its constitution four times between 1970 and 1993.
- Brussels is the headquarters of the European Union.
- Sri Lanka became independent in 1948.
- Sinhala was made the only official language in 1956.
- Sri Lanka's civil war ended in 2009.
- Majoritarianism ignores minority interests.
- Checks and balances relate to horizontal power sharing.
- Federal government is vertical power sharing.
- Coalitions share power among parties.
11. Previous-Year-Pattern Questions with Detailed Answers
In Belgium, the community government is elected by:
- People of one region
- People of one language community
- Only Brussels residents
- The central parliament
Show answer
It is elected by people belonging to one language community — Dutch, French or German — wherever they live, and deals with cultural, educational and language matters.
Answer: (B)
Which of these is an example of horizontal power sharing?
- Union and State governments
- Legislature, executive and judiciary
- Coalition government
- Reserved constituencies
Show answer
Horizontal sharing is among organs at the same level. Union–State is vertical; coalitions are among parties; reserved seats are among social groups.
Answer: (B)
What is majoritarianism?
Show answer
A belief that the majority community should rule in whatever way it wants, ignoring the wishes and needs of the minority.
Answer: Rule of majority disregarding minorities
What majoritarian measures did the Sri Lankan government adopt?
Show answer
The 1956 Act made Sinhala the only official language; preferential policies favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs; and the constitution required the state to protect and foster Buddhism.
Answer: Language, jobs/education, religion
State the prudential and moral reasons for power sharing.
Show answer
Prudential: it reduces conflict between social groups and ensures political stability; majority tyranny harms everyone in the long run. Moral: power sharing is the spirit of democracy — those affected by power should share it, and citizens have a right to be consulted.
Answer: Stability vs democratic value
Why did the French-speaking people accept equal representation in Brussels?
Show answer
Because the Dutch-speaking community, though a majority in the country, accepted equal representation (equal ministers) in the central government. This mutual give-and-take balanced interests: the national majority accepted equality at the centre, and the Brussels majority accepted equality in Brussels.
Answer: Reciprocal compromise
How do political parties and pressure groups share power?
Show answer
Competition among parties ensures power keeps changing hands; parties form coalitions and share power; pressure groups and movements (traders, farmers, workers) influence government decisions through participation in committees or by bringing pressure — so power does not stay in one hand.
Answer: Competition, coalitions and influence
Compare the ways Belgium and Sri Lanka dealt with diversity, and their outcomes.
Show answer
Belgium recognised regional and cultural diversity and amended its constitution four times (1970–93): equal Dutch and French ministers, powers to regional governments, equal representation in Brussels and community governments. It stayed united and Brussels became EU headquarters. Sri Lanka followed majoritarianism — Sinhala-only Act, job and education preferences, state protection of Buddhism — alienating Tamils, leading to demands for Tamil Eelam and a civil war till 2009.
Answer: Accommodation brought unity; majoritarianism brought conflict
"Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy." Explain.
Show answer
Democracy means rule by the people; those affected by decisions should have a say. Sharing power among organs, levels, groups and parties prevents concentration and tyranny, gives every section a stake, increases legitimacy and allows diverse views to be respected. Without power sharing, democracy becomes majority domination.
Answer: Shared power gives everyone a voice and stake
Give examples of all four forms of power sharing in India.
Show answer
Horizontal: Parliament makes laws, the Union executive implements them, courts can strike down unconstitutional laws. Vertical: Union, State and local (panchayat, municipality) governments. Social groups: reserved constituencies for SCs, STs and women in local bodies. Parties/pressure groups: coalition governments at the Centre and in States; farmers' and traders' groups influencing policy.
Answer: Organs, levels, groups, parties
Why is the idea of undivided sovereignty rejected in modern democracies?
Show answer
The old view held that all power must rest with one person or group so decisions are quick and enforced. Democracies reject it because concentrated power is unaccountable and can oppress; people rule through institutions of self-government; and diverse societies need sharing to remain united. Power sharing, though slower, gives stability and legitimacy.
Answer: Concentrated power is unaccountable and divisive
12. Quick Revision Summary
- Belgium: Dutch 59%, French 40%, German 1%; Brussels 80:20; four amendments (1970–93); equal ministers, regional and community governments; EU headquarters.
- Sri Lanka: Sinhala 74%, Tamils 18% (13 + 5); 1948 independence; 1956 Sinhala-only Act; preferences; Buddhism; Tamil Eelam; civil war till 2009.
- Why share: prudential (avoid conflict, stability) and moral (spirit of democracy).
- Forms: horizontal (checks and balances), vertical (federal, local), social groups (community government, reservations), parties and pressure groups (coalitions).