Question

Explain and compare power sharing in Sri Lanka and Belgium

Answer 1

Answer:hi

Explanation:

Answer 2

Answer:

• FOR BELGIUM :

=> Ethnic Variation -

Belgium is a small country in Europe whose neighbors are Luxembourg, the Netherlands, France and Germany. The ethnic composition of Belgium is as follows : 59% of people living in Flemish region speak Dutch language. Another 40% people living in the Wallonia region and speak French language. Remaining 1% of the Belgians speak German language. In the capital city of Brussels, 80% people speak French language while 20% are Dutch speaking.

=> Accomodation :

After 4 ammendments in the constitution between 1970 and 1993, the Belgian leaders worked out in a very different and innovative power sharing arrangement known as the Belgian Model. The main elements of the Belgian Model are :

i.) Dutch and French speaking ministers have been given equal status in the central government. No single majority can make decision unilaterally.

ii.) Some of the powers were given from the Central government to the state governments and state governments are not treated as the subordinate to the central government.

iii.) Brussels, the capital city of Belgium, has given equal representation to both the French and Dutch speaking people.

iv.) Belgian model introduced a new concept of government i.e. the community government which has the power regarding cultural, educational and language related issues. The arrangement ensures the promotion and protection of cultural and linguistic diversity.

• FOR SRI LANKA :

=> Ethnic Variation :

Sri Lanka has a diverse population. The major social groups are the Sinhala - speakers (74%) and the Tamil speakers (18%). Among Tamils there are two sub-groups. Tamil Natives of the country are called

' Sri - Lankan Tamils ' ( 13%). The rest, whose forefathers came from India as plantation workers during colonial period are called ' Indian Tamils '. Most of the Sinhala speaking people are Buddhists, while most of the Tamils are Hindus or Muslims. There are about 7% Christian in both Tamil and Sinhala group.

=> Accomodation :

i.) After the independence in 1948, the Sri Lankan government adopted a series of majoritarianism measures to establish Sinhala supremacy by passing an act in 1956.

ii.) Sinhala was recognised as the official language and Tamil was not given any importance.

iii.) Government followed the preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university position and government jobs.

iv.) They declared Buddhism as National Religion.

v.) In Sri Lanka, all the important position was given to the Sinhala people.