Question

2. Source B:
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.
i. What is the third kind of government in Belgium?
ii. How is it elected?
iii. What power does it have?
​

Answer 1

Answer Belgium is a small country in Europe with a population of over 1 crore, about half the population of Haryana. Of the country’s total population, 59% speaks Dutch language, 40% of people speak French and the remaining 1% speak German. Look at the map below to know the language variation of Belgium. The minority French-speaking community was rich and powerful so they got the benefit of economic development and education. This created tensions between the Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities during the 1950s and 1960.

Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. This is called horizontal distribution of power because it allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers. Such separation ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited power. Each organ checks the others. This arrangement is called a system of checks and balances.

Power can be shared among governments at different levels – a general government for the entire country and governments at the provincial or regional level which is called federal government.

Power may also be shared among different social groups such as the religious and linguistic groups. ‘Community government’ in Belgium is a good example of this arrangement. This method is used to give minority communities a fair share in power.

Power sharing arrangements can also be seen in the way political parties, pressure groups and movements control or influence those in power. When two or more parties form an alliance to contest elections and if they get elected, they form a coalition government and thus share power.

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