Power Sharing : Class 10 Civics

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Power Sharing: A Pillar of Democracy | Class 10 Civics

In any democracy, power is not concentrated in the hands of a single individual or group. Instead, it is distributed among various institutions and communities. The way power is distributed among different groups defines the health and stability of the nation. Chapter 1 of the Class 10 NCERT Civics textbook, aptly titled “Power Sharing,” dives deep into this essential concept. It explores why power sharing is not just a principle of governance but a necessity for maintaining peace and unity in diverse societies. Through the lens of two countries, Belgium and Sri Lanka, the chapter offers valuable lessons on how power can either unite or divide people, depending on how it’s managed.

Why Power Sharing is Important

Power sharing might seem like a dry, theoretical topic, but it’s far more than that—it’s about the very foundation of peaceful coexistence in a democracy. When power is shared among different communities, social groups, and political institutions, it ensures that everyone feels included and respected. This inclusiveness is key to preventing conflicts and fostering trust among citizens. On the other hand, when power is concentrated in one group or region, it often leads to feelings of alienation and injustice, which can spark unrest and violence.

The chapter uses Belgium and Sri Lanka as case studies to illustrate these points. Belgium, with its complex system of power sharing between different linguistic and regional groups, is a shining example of how such a model can keep a diverse country together. In contrast, Sri Lanka’s history shows the dangers of ignoring the demands of minority groups. The country’s refusal to share power with the Tamil minority led to decades of civil war, showing that power sharing is not just desirable but essential.

Power Sharing in India

India is another example where power sharing has played a crucial role in maintaining unity in diversity. With its federal structure, India ensures that power is not concentrated at the national level but is shared with the states, which have their own governments and specific areas of authority. Moreover, India’s political system also provides for the representation of various social and cultural groups, ensuring that everyone has a voice in governance. This approach has helped India manage its vast diversity more effectively, preventing the kinds of conflicts seen in other countries.

Key Takeaways

The key takeaway from this chapter is that power sharing is essential for the smooth functioning of a democracy. It prevents tyranny, fosters inclusiveness, and helps in managing social diversity. By studying the examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka, students can better appreciate why power sharing is a cornerstone of democratic governance and why it is relevant to every democracy, including our own.

By understanding the significance of power sharing, students can appreciate the delicate balance that sustains a democracy, ensuring that all voices are heard and respected.Power Sharing : Class 10 Civics

Question-Answer

MCQs

1. Which one of the following countries adopted majoritarianism in their Constitution?

(a) Belgium

(b) India

(c) Germany

(d) Sri Lanka

2. Which one of the following countries does not share its boundary with Belgium?

(a) France

(b) Netherlands

(c) Sweden

(d) Luxembourg

3. In Belgium, the percentage of French community is:

(a) 54%

(b) 40%

(c) 30%

(d) 20%

4. Which language is dominantly spoken in Belgium?

(a) Dutch

(b) Spanish

(c) France

(d) Italian

5. Power shared among governments at different levels is also called:

(a) horizontal distribution

(b) vertical distribution

(c) slant distribution

(d) none of the above

6. Power struggle demanding separate Eelam was launched by:

(a) Sinhalese

(b) Buddhists

(c) Tamilians

(d) none of these

Question : 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:

• Horizontal Division of Power– It is the sharing of power among the different organs of government, for example, power sharing by the executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. In this type of power-sharing arrangement, different organs of government, placed at the same level, exercised different powers. Such a separation ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited power, thereby putting a check on each other.
• Vertical Division of Power– It is a system of power sharing among governments at different levels. For example, a general government for the entire country and governments at provincial or regional levels. In India, we refer to it as the Central Government, State Governments, Local body governments etc. The Constitution lays down the powers of different levels of government.
• Division of Power among different Social Groups– Power can also be shared among different groups which differ socially like different religious and linguistic groups. ‘Community Government’ in Belgium is a good example of this type of power sharing.
• Division of Power among Political Parties, Pressure Groups– In contemporary democracies such as India, power division takes the form of competition among different parties, which in turn ensures that power does not remain in one hand and is shared among different political parties representing different ideologies and social groups.

Power Sharing : Class 10 Civics

Question : State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power-sharing with an example from the Indian context. 
Answer : (a) India is a multicultural society.
(b) India is a democratic country.

Question : 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.

Mattai – Power sharing is suited only for big countries that have regional divisions.

Ousep – Every society needs some form of power sharing even if they are small or do not have social divisions.

Answer : I agree with Ousep that Every society needs some form of power-sharing even if it is small or does not have social divisions because power-sharing helps to reduce the possibility of conflicts among individuals too. For example, there may be a difference of opinion among the members of a joint family. Such differences may be resolved if responsibilities and powers are divided among the members of the family. Similar is the case in societies and governments. Thus there should be power-sharing in small or big societies or countries.

 

Question : 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 : The ban on speaking French in Merchtem’s schools goes against Belgium’s power-sharing spirit. Even though this is a Flemish town where Dutch is the local language, the ban represents the majority imposing its will on the minority. This contradicts Belgium’s principle of accommodation, which respects regional and cultural differences. Belgian leaders worked to create a system that allows everyone to coexist peacefully. Such a ban could strain relations between the French-speaking and Dutch-speaking communities, undermining the unity that power sharing seeks to achieve.

Question : 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. The 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 the Panchayati Raj will strengthen the foundations of our democracy.”
Answer : The following prudential reasons are cited into the passage for power sharing.
(a) Reducing corruption by giving power into the hands of the people and thus, making them responsible for their own decisions.
(b) Increasing administrative efficiency by delegating the decision-making function to the people affected by it.
(c) Improving the efficiency of the system by reducing the number of middlemen, and transferring the planning and implementation to the people concerned through the Panchayats.