power sharing Flashcards
What is checks and balances?
What does the system of checks and balances shows in power sharing?
Checks and balances: a system that allows each branch of a government to amend acts of another branch so as to prevent any one branche from exerting too much power. Each branch checks the power of the other branches to make sure that the power is balanced between them. the power is derived equally and thus optimize with executive legislature and judiciary. Moreover, they work independently and have equal rights to check each power.
With checks and balances, each of the three branches of government can limit the powers of the others. This way, no one branch becomes too powerful.
Horizontal power sharing is commonly known as check and balance. the power is derived equally and thus optimize with executive legislature and judiciary. Moreover, they work independently and have equal rights to check each power. check and balance by taking among organs of government.
dsecribe the ethnic co mposition of belgium
Belgium, is a small European country, has a community which communicates Dutch, German and French.
Although 59 percent of the country’s total population lives and speaks Dutch in the Flemish Region.
Other 40 percent live and speak French in the Wallonia region.
1 percent of the population speaks German.
Around 80 percent of people speak French in Brussels,
Belgium’s capital, whereas the remaining 20 percent speak Dutch.
describe the ethnic composition of sri lanka
Sri Lanka has a diverse population. The Sinhalese community forms the majority of the population (74%) with Tamils (18%) who are mostly concentrated in the north and east of the island, forming the largest ethnic minority. Other communities include the Muslims. Among Tamils, there are two sub-groups. The Tamil natives of the country are called ‘Sri Lankan Tamils’ (13 %). The Tamils, who were brought as indentured labourers from India by British colonists to work on estate plantations are called the ‘Indian Origin Tamils’ (5%). Most of the Sinhala-speaking people are Buddhists, while most of the Tamils are Hindus or Muslims. There are about 7 per cent Christians, who are both Tamil and Sinhalese.
What led to the ethnic tension in Belgium ? Why was it more acute in Brussels ?
Ans. The minority French-speaking community was relatively rich and powerful. So the Dutch speaking community, who got the benefit of economic development and education much later showed the resentment between the Dutch-speaking and the French-speaking communities during the 1950s and the 1960s. The conflict between the two communities was more severe in Brussels because the Dutch speaking people constituted a majority in the country, but a minority in the capital.
Mention any four steps which were taken by the Sri Lankan government to achieve majoritarianism.
Ans. (i) In 1956, an Act was passed under which English was replaced as the country’s official language not by the Sinhala and Tamil but by the Sinhala only.
(ii) The governments followed preferential policies that favoured the Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.
(iii) A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.
(iv) Denial of citizenship to estate Tamils
What is a Civil War? Explain with context to Sri Lanka
.
Ans. (i) It is a violent conflict between the opposing groups within a country, for example the Sinhalese and the Tamils.
(ii) Due to the violent conflict between both these ethnic groups thousands of people of both the communities have been killed. Many families were forced to leave the country as refugees and many more lost their livelihoods.
(iii) The civil war has caused a terrible setback to the social, cultural and economic life of the country.
What is community government ? Explain the concept of community government with context to Belgium.
(i) Community Government: A social group of any size whose member resides in a specific
locality, share government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage. A community government is one in which different social groups are given the power to handle the affairs related to their communities. They are expected to work jointly for the benefit of the common masses without undermining any one community.
(ii) The ‘community government’ is elected by people belonging to one language community-Dutch, French and German speaking – no matter where they live.
(iii) This government has the power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues.
Explain any two important differences between the power sharing model accepted by Belgium and Sri Lanka
(i) The Belgium leaders tried to solve the ethnic problem by respecting the feelings and interests of different communities and regions, whereas the Sri Lankan government tried to solve the problem through majoritarianism.
(ii) Belgium leaders established a federal structure under which power was shared between the Union Government and its other constituent units whereas Sri Lankan leaders adopted Unitary Government structure.
(iii) The Belgium solution helped in avoiding civic strife whereas the majoritarianism in Sri Lanka led to the civil war.
describe the power shared by governemnt at different levels. give an examplke
Vertical division of power is the sharing of power among governments at different levels. In India, there are three levels of the government :
For entire country : Central Government/Union Government/federal government.
At the provincial level : State Governments.
At the local level (i.e., rural and urban): Local self governments like panchayats and muncipal councils.
For example in India, there is a division of powers between Center and the States. There are three lists i.e., Union list, State list and Concurrent list. The residuary powers which have not been included in the three lists are with the Central Government.
whqt is fedral division of power?
when the power in a country is divided into the Central and the State government, it is called a federal division of power. In a federal set up, while the Central government looks after the administration of the entire country, the state governments look into the administration of their respective states.
how is power shred between different social groups?
Under the phenomena of power sharing, powers are shared among different social groups, the religious and linguistic groups or among other weaker section and women In some countries there are constitutional and legal arrangements whereby socially weaker sections and women are represented in the legislatures and administration.
ii) This type of power sharing signifies giving accommodation in the government and administration to diverse social groups in order to uplift their status.
(iii) Minorities are well accommodated through the reserved constituencies in assemblies and the parliament of our country. seats in panchayat elections are reserved for those from marginalized communities to ensure they have a stake in the political order
(iv) Women are also ensured political participation through reservation of seats.
(VI) In Belgium, the “Community Government” provides equal representation in government to different linguistic groups of Dutch French and German-speaking people.
(v) Power sharing among social groups is an example of prudential set of reason.
how is power shared between various poltical groups?
(i) The sharing of powers among political parties, pressure groups and movements ensures the influence in decision making process as democracy implies people’s choice among various contenders.
(ii) Regarding political parties this sharing takes place in the way of political competition among different parties. This in turn ensures that power does not remain in one hand.
(iii) In the case of coalition government this sharing becomes direct when two or more parties form an alliance to contest election and if their alliance is elected Like UPA and NDA.
(iv) At the same time, pressure group and movements influence power sharing through dharna, rallies, protest, strike etc.
(v= interest groups like traders, businmessmen, industrialists also have a share in governemnt power through participation in governmental committees
what are pressure groups
Pressure groups are organizations that influence government policies by putting pressure on the ruling government. Unlike political parties, pressure groups do not aim directly to control or share political powers.
define majoritarianism
A belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it wants, by disregarding the wishes and needs of the minority.
what is prudental reason of power sharing
Prudential reason
1.Power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups
2. Since social conflict often leads to violence and political instability ,power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order
3.Prevents groups from overstepping their rights to enhancetheir own power.
4. No single group can subvert the constitution power
sharing writes the nation.
5. stresses on better outcome
