Question

In context of Belgium and sri Lanka throw some light on importance of power sharing​

Answer 1

Explanation:

There are two ways of running a government. One is a tyranny – In this, the power is concentrated in the hands of a leader or a king. On the other hand, the other one is a democracy. In this, the power is delegated at different levels. We don’t need to tell you this, but of course, the latter is better. So what is Power Sharing? Now, before you understand why is power sharing so important? Let us learn, what is power sharing and what are the forms of power sharing. So, let’s find out more about Power Sharing.

Power sharing means the distribution of power among the organs of the government such as the legislature, executive, and judiciary. Power sharing helps in achieving the stability of political order. In power-sharing, power might even be shared at distinct levels such as union, state and local.

In a modern democracy, power-sharing arrangements can take many forms.

Horizontal distribution of power: In this, the power is shared among different organs of government such as the legislature, executive, and judiciary. This type of power sharing is prevalent in India.

Federal government (vertical distribution of power): In this, the power can be shared among governments at different levels. This type of power sharing is prevalent in the USA.

Power sharing among different social groups: Power can be shared among social groups such as linguistic and religious groups. For instance, Community government’ in Belgium.

Other types of power-sharing: Power sharing is also seen in political parties, pressure groups and movements control or influence those in power.

Terms you need to know

Majoritarian: It is a belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it wants.

Community Government: A type of Government which is elected by people belonging to one language community is called community government.

Prudential: It involves decision making based on prudence, or on a careful calculation of gains and losses.

Checks and Balances: In this system, each organ of the government checks the others which results in a balance of power among various institutions

Reserved Constituencies: In this, the constituencies are reserved in the Assemblies and the Parliament for minorities in order to give them a fair share in power.

Coalition government: When the alliance of two or more parties gets elected and forms a government it is known as the Coalition Government.

Story of Belgium

Belgium is a European country with a population of a little over one crore. In this country, the ethnic composition is complex. Of the total population, 59 percent lives in the Flemish region and speaks the Dutch language. Another 40 percent people live in the Wallonia region and speak French. Remaining one percent of the Belgians speak German.

In the capital city, Brussels, 80 percent people speak French while 20 percent are Dutch speaking. The French-speaking minority community was relatively rich and powerful. This made the Dutch-speaking community angry. From the 1950s to 1960s, there were tensions between the two communities because of these differences.

The Story of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is located south of India. This island nation has a diverse population of two crore people. In Sri Lanka, the major social groups are the Sinhala-speakers (74 percent) and the Tamil-speakers (18 percent). Tamils in Sri Lanka were divided into two groups:

Sri Lankan Tamils (13 percent) – Tamil natives of the country

Indian Tamils (5 percent) – came from India during the colonial period as plantation workers

Sinhala-speaking people are mainly Buddhists while the Tamil speaking people were either Hindus or Muslims. There was even 7 percent Christians, who are both Tamil and Sinhala

Answer 2

In context of Belgium and sri Lanka throw some light on importance of power sharing

Explanation:

Belgium

• Due to the ethnic conflict the Belgian government amended their constitution and made several adjustments to solve the issue of majoritarianism. This was made possible by:
• The Belgian constitution stated that the Dutch and French  communities will have equal representation in the state's  governing body.
• The Belgium capital, Brussels has a separate govt wherein both the Dutch- & French-speaking communities were given equal representation in the govt. despite not having equal percentage in the populace.
• Furthermore there is a form of Community govt. in Belgium that functions to solve disputes amongst the varied ethnic groups, Dutch, German, or French

Sri Lanka

• During the British colonial rule the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka retained a relatively privileged position, with the effect that when the Sinhalese had got  Independence they were in an economically disadvantaged position. Understandably,  Sinhalese  descent wanted to use their new-found powers of majority to enhance their position
• Srilanka adopted  majoritarianism wherein the majority Sinhalas rules the country. They adopted majoritarianism since they believed that the majority community must be able to rule the nation in whichever way it wanted, by disregarding the needs and wishes of the minority
• The post-colonial regime introduced a set of laws on  citizenship and language that denied Tamil rights and privileges and equated Sinhalese heritage and Buddhist ideology with the nationality of Sri Lanka.
• A set of majoritarian policy measures in Sri Lanka were adopted by the democratically elected govt. because they wanted Sinhala supremacy. Some of the measures that were taken were making Sinhala as the main/official language and following preferential policies that ensured jobs only for Sinhalese in govts and universities, and to promote and foster Buddhism.