NCERT Solutions For Class 10 Political Science: Power Sharing

Summary of the Chapter

The chapter "Power Sharing" introduces the concept of power sharing in democracies through the examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka. It explains why power sharing is desirable and necessary in democratic systems. The chapter begins with the stories of these two countries - Belgium with its successful power sharing model that maintained unity, and Sri Lanka with its majoritarian approach that led to civil war.

The chapter discusses different forms of power sharing: horizontal distribution of power among different organs of government (legislature, executive, judiciary), vertical distribution between different levels of government (central, state, local), among different social groups, and among political parties, pressure groups and movements. It emphasizes that power sharing is the very spirit of democracy and helps reduce conflicts, ensures stability, and maintains unity in diversity.

NCERT Textbook Questions and Answers

Exercises (Page 10-11)

Question 1: What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.

Answer-
The different forms of power sharing in modern democracies are:

1.Horizontal Distribution of Power: Power is shared among different organs of government - legislature, executive, and judiciary.
Example: In India, Parliament makes laws, Executive implements them, and Judiciary interprets them.

2.Vertical Distribution of Power: Power is shared among governments at different levels - central, state, and local.
Example: In India, we have Central government, State governments, and Local self-governments (Municipalities and Panchayats).

3.Power Sharing Among Different Social Groups: Power is shared among different social groups like religious and linguistic groups.
Example: In Belgium, there is a separate government for the French-speaking community to handle cultural, educational, and language-related issues.

4.Power Sharing Among Political Parties, Pressure Groups and Movements: Power is shared among different political parties through competition and alliances.
Example: Coalition governments in India where multiple political parties share power.

Question 2: State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power sharing with an example from the Indian context.

Answer-
Prudential Reason: Power sharing reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups and ensures political stability.
Example: In India, reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in legislatures and government jobs helps in power sharing and prevents social conflict.

Moral Reason: Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy as it gives citizens a right to be consulted and accommodates diverse views.
Example: In India, the federal system allows state governments to exercise powers on certain subjects, respecting regional diversity and giving people a say in governance.

Question 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 power sharing even if it is small or does not have social divisions.

Answer-
I agree with Ouseph's conclusion because power sharing is the essence of democracy and is necessary for all societies regardless of their size or social divisions. Even in small or homogeneous societies, power sharing ensures that different viewpoints are considered, prevents concentration of power, and makes government more legitimate and accountable. It is a fundamental democratic principle that promotes good governance.

Question 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.

Answer-
No, this measure is not in keeping with the spirit of Belgium's power sharing arrangements. Belgium's model respects linguistic diversity and gives equal importance to French and Dutch-speaking communities. Banning French contradicts the principle of accommodation and mutual respect that forms the basis of Belgium's successful power sharing model. It promotes dominance rather than integration.

Question 5: Read the following passage and pick out any one of the three prudential reasons for power sharing offered in this chapter.
"The tension between the Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities was more acute in Brussels. 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 in the 1950s and 1960s..."

Answer-
The prudential reason for power sharing evident in this passage is: Power sharing helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. The tensions between Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities in Brussels show how lack of proper power sharing arrangements can lead to social conflicts, which could be prevented through appropriate power sharing.

Question 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

Answer-
Arguments in favour of power sharing are: A, B, D, F
A. reduces conflict among different communities
B. decreases the possibility of arbitrariness
D. accommodates diversities
F. promotes people's participation in government

Question 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 are correct.
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.

Question 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 II
A. Community government
B. Separation of powers
C. Coalition government
D. Federal government

Answer-
1 - B (Separation of powers)
2 - D (Federal government)
3 - A (Community government)
4 - C (Coalition government)

Question 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
A. Power sharing is good for democracy - TRUE
B. It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups - TRUE

Additional Questions

Question 10: Compare the different ways in which the Belgians and the Sri Lankans have dealt with the problem of cultural diversity.

Answer-
Belgium's Approach:
1.Accommodation and respect: Recognized and respected the existence of regional differences and cultural diversity
2.Constitutional amendments: Amended their constitution four times to work out an arrangement acceptable to all communities
3.Equal representation: Provided equal representation to both French and Dutch-speaking communities in the central government
4.Separate governments: Created separate governments for Brussels (bilingual) and community governments for cultural matters
5.Power sharing: Adopted power sharing as the strategy to maintain unity

Sri Lanka's Approach:
1.Majoritarianism: Adopted majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy
2.Imposition of majority culture: Made Sinhala the only official language and gave preference to Buddhism
3.Discriminatory policies: Followed preferential policies that favored Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs
4.Unitary state: Maintained a unitary form of government without adequate power sharing
5.Conflict: This approach led to civil war and prolonged ethnic conflict

Question 11: Why is power sharing desirable? Explain with examples.

Answer-
Power sharing is desirable for both prudential and moral reasons:

Prudential Reasons (Practical Benefits):
1.Reduces conflicts: Prevents social groups from fighting for power
Example: Belgium's power sharing model prevented division of the country
2.Ensures political stability: Creates stability through accommodation of diverse interests
Example: India's federal system maintains unity in diversity
3.Prevents tyranny: Checks the arbitrary exercise of power
Example: Separation of powers in democratic governments

Moral Reasons (Democratic Principles):
1.Spirit of democracy: Power sharing is the essence of democratic rule
Example: Coalition governments reflect diverse public opinion
2.People's participation: Allows citizens to be part of governance
Example: Local self-government institutions in India
3.Respect for diversity: Recognizes and accommodates different identities
Example: Reservation policies for marginalized groups

Important Keywords from the Chapter

• Power Sharing: The distribution of power among different organs, levels, and social groups
• Majoritarianism: A belief that the majority community should rule the country in its own way
• Civil War: A violent conflict between opposing groups within a country
• Prudential Reasons: Practical considerations that make power sharing desirable
• Moral Reasons: Ethical considerations that make power sharing desirable
• Horizontal Power Sharing: Power sharing among different organs of government
• Vertical Power Sharing: Power sharing among different levels of government
• Community Government: A government elected by people belonging to one language community
• Coalition Government: A government formed by alliance of two or more political parties
• Federal Government: A system where power is divided between central and state governments
• Unitary Government: A system where all powers are with the central government
• Ethnic Conflict: Conflict between different ethnic groups
• Accommodation: The process of making space for different social groups