Q1. Describe the ethnic composition of Belgium.

In Belgium, about 59% of the population lives in the Flemish region and speaks Dutch, around 40% people live in the Wallonia region and speak French, and about 1% of the population speaks German.

Q2. Why was the ethnic composition of Belgium a source of tension?

Tension arose because the French-speaking community, though in minority, was economically and educationally more powerful and dominated the government, while the Dutch-speaking majority felt ignored and discriminated against.

Q3. Why is Brussels important in Belgium’s power sharing arrangement?

Brussels is the capital city where the French-speaking community is in majority, even though Dutch speakers are majority in the country. This made Brussels a highly sensitive area, requiring a special power sharing arrangement to maintain peace between the communities.

Q4. Describe the ethnic composition of Sri Lanka.

In Sri Lanka, about 74% of the people are Sinhala speakers (mostly Buddhists). Tamils form about 18% of the population, including Sri Lankan Tamils (13%) and Indian Tamils (5%). Most Tamils are Hindus or Christians.

Q5. Who are Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils?

Sri Lankan Tamils are Tamil-speaking people who have lived in Sri Lanka for centuries. Indian Tamils are descendants of plantation workers who were brought from India by British rulers to work on tea and rubber plantations.

Q6. How were Sri Lanka and Belgium similar in terms of diversity?

Both countries had more than one major linguistic and religious group. In Belgium, Dutch, French and German speakers lived together, while in Sri Lanka, Sinhala speakers and Tamil speakers shared the country, creating the need for careful power sharing.

Q7. How were Sri Lanka and Belgium different in the way they handled diversity?

Belgium adopted power sharing and accommodation to protect all communities, while Sri Lanka followed majoritarian policies that favoured the Sinhala majority and ignored Tamil interests, leading to conflict.

Q8. Why did the Dutch-speaking community in Belgium feel disadvantaged before the accommodation?

They felt disadvantaged because French speakers controlled the government, civil services and business, despite being a minority. Dutch speakers believed they were being treated unfairly in education, jobs and political representation.

Q9. What lesson about handling diversity can India learn from Belgium and Sri Lanka?

The lesson is that diversity is best handled through power sharing and mutual respect. Ignoring the interests of minorities can lead to conflict, while accommodation, like in Belgium, can bring unity and stability.

Q10. Why is Belgium called a “small country with complex social divisions”?

Belgium is geographically small but has complex divisions based on language (Dutch, French, German) and region (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels), making power sharing arrangements necessary and intricate.

Q11. Why did both Belgium and Sri Lanka face the challenge of power sharing?

Both countries had multiple communities with different languages and religions. The challenge was to design a political system that ensured fair participation of each group to prevent conflict and keep the country united.

Q12. What is majoritarianism?

Majoritarianism is a belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country in any way it wants, disregarding the interests and needs of the minority communities.

Q13. Which policies of the Sri Lankan government reflected majoritarianism after independence?

Policies such as making Sinhala the only official language (1956), giving special protection to Buddhism and providing favourable policies to Sinhala speakers in jobs and education reflected majoritarianism.

Q14. What was the “Sinhala Only Act” of 1956?

The “Sinhala Only Act” made Sinhala the sole official language of Sri Lanka, ignoring Tamil language and thereby discriminating against Tamil-speaking people in administration and jobs.

Q15. How did the majoritarian policies affect the Tamil community in Sri Lanka?

Tamils felt alienated and discriminated against in education, government jobs and political representation. They felt that they did not enjoy equal rights and were treated as second-class citizens.

Q16. What were the main demands of the Sri Lankan Tamils?

Sri Lankan Tamils demanded recognition of Tamil as an official language, regional autonomy in Tamil-majority areas, and equal opportunities in jobs and education.

Q17. Why did the Sri Lankan Tamil demands turn into a demand for a separate state?

Because the Sri Lankan government refused to accept their early demands and continued majoritarian policies, Tamils lost faith in peaceful methods and began to demand a separate Tamil state in the north and east of Sri Lanka.

Q18. What was the result of the majoritarian policies in Sri Lanka?

Majoritarian policies led to a long civil war between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil militants, causing large-scale loss of life, property and a decline in the country’s development and harmony.

Q19. How is the example of Sri Lanka a warning against majoritarianism?

Sri Lanka shows that when the majority community imposes its will on minorities, it leads to alienation, resentment and violent conflict, which threatens the unity and integrity of the country.

Q20. Why did Sri Lankan Tamils feel that the constitution and government were not their own?

They felt so because the constitution and laws were designed mainly to favour Sinhala Buddhists, ignoring Tamil language, culture and rights, which made Tamils feel excluded from the nation.

Q21. What do you understand by “civil war” in the context of Sri Lanka?

A civil war is an armed conflict between different groups within the same country. In Sri Lanka, it was between the Sri Lankan government and Tamil militant groups demanding a separate state.

Q22. How did majoritarianism in Sri Lanka affect its economic and social progress?

The civil war and unrest diverted resources to military spending, scared away investors and tourists, damaged infrastructure and weakened social trust, slowing down Sri Lanka’s overall development.

Q23. What do you mean by “accommodation” in a political sense?

Accommodation means adjusting and sharing power among different social and ethnic groups so that everyone feels represented and no single group dominates the others.

Q24. Mention one feature of the Belgian model of power sharing at the central level.

At the central government level, the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers is equal. No single community can make decisions on its own, ensuring power is shared between them.

Q25. How is power shared between regional governments in Belgium?

Belgium has state governments for the Flemish and Wallonia regions which are not subordinate to the central government. They have their own powers in certain matters, ensuring regional autonomy.

Q26. What special arrangement has been made for Brussels in Belgium?

Brussels has a separate government with equal representation of both Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities, regardless of their population size there, to protect the interests of each group.

Q27. What is a “community government” in Belgium?

A community government is elected by people belonging to one language community (Dutch, French or German) and has the power to decide on cultural, educational and language-related issues for that community.

Q28. Why is the Belgian model of power sharing called innovative?

It is called innovative because it goes beyond usual federal arrangements by including community governments and equal representation, carefully balancing the interests of different linguistic communities.

Q29. How did power sharing help Belgium avoid conflict?

By sharing power fairly between Dutch and French speakers at all levels of government, Belgium reduced feelings of injustice, prevented ethnic tensions from turning violent and kept the country united.

Q30. What lesson does the Belgian accommodation give to other democracies?

It teaches that power sharing and respecting the rights of all communities, including minorities, can prevent conflict and strengthen democracy in a diverse society.

Q31. How is the Belgian federal government different from a simple central government?

The Belgian federal government shares power with state and community governments. These lower-level governments have constitutionally guaranteed powers and are not controlled by the central government.

Q32. Why did Belgium adopt a complicated power sharing system instead of simple majority rule?

Because simple majority rule would have allowed one community to dominate and could have led to conflict or division of the country. A complicated system was necessary to protect everyone’s interests and maintain unity.

Q33. Why is the Belgian arrangement considered a success?

It is considered a success because it has kept Belgium united, reduced tensions between communities and allowed the country to remain peaceful and prosperous despite deep social divisions.

Q34. State any one prudential reason for power sharing.

Prudentially, power sharing reduces the chances of conflict between social groups and ensures political stability, which is necessary for the country’s unity and development.

Q35. State any one moral reason for power sharing.

Morally, power sharing upholds the spirit of democracy, because people who are affected by decisions should have a role in making those decisions. It respects everyone’s voice.

Q36. How does power sharing contribute to political stability?

When all groups feel represented, they are less likely to revolt or protest violently. This makes governments more stable and reduces the risk of breakdown or civil war.

Q37. Why is power sharing considered the “very spirit of democracy”?

Democracy is based on equal participation. Power sharing allows different groups and citizens to participate in decision-making, making the system more democratic and inclusive.

Q38. How can power sharing help to reduce social tensions?

If communities know their interests are protected and they have a say in government, they are less likely to feel threatened or discriminated against, which reduces social tensions.

Q39. Distinguish between prudential and moral reasons for power sharing.

Prudential reasons are practical, focusing on preventing conflict and maintaining stability. Moral reasons are based on values and principles, stressing that power sharing is the right and democratic thing to do.

Q40. How does power sharing ensure that the will of the majority is not misused?

Power sharing checks the power of the majority by involving minorities in decision-making, creating mechanisms like coalition governments and federalism to prevent majoritarian domination.

Q41. Why is it dangerous to ignore the interests of minorities in a democracy?

Ignoring minority interests can create feelings of injustice and exclusion, leading to protests, violence or demands for separation, which threaten national unity.

Q42. How is power sharing related to respect for diversity?

Power sharing recognises that different groups have different needs and gives them a voice in governance. This shows respect for linguistic, cultural and religious diversity.

Q43. Why should power not be concentrated in the hands of one person or group?

Concentration of power can lead to dictatorship, misuse of authority and suppression of others. Sharing power prevents such abuse and protects individual and group rights.

Q44. What is horizontal distribution of power? Give an example.

Horizontal distribution of power is sharing power among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. For example, in India, Parliament, the government and the Supreme Court share power and check each other.

Q45. What is vertical distribution of power? Give an example.

Vertical distribution of power is sharing power among different levels of government. In India, power is shared between the central government, state governments and local bodies like municipalities and panchayats.

Q46. How is power shared among different organs of government in a democracy?

Power is shared so that each organ – legislature, executive and judiciary – has separate powers and can check the others. This system is called the system of checks and balances.

Q47. How is power shared among governments at different levels in India?

The Constitution of India clearly divides subjects between the Union List, State List and Concurrent List. Local governments are also given powers in local matters, ensuring power sharing at multiple levels.

Q48. How is power shared among different social groups?

Power is shared among social groups through measures like reserved seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women in legislatures and local bodies to ensure their representation.

Q49. How is power shared among political parties in a democracy?

Different political parties compete in elections, and sometimes form coalitions to run the government. This ensures that power is not concentrated in a single party and different views are represented.

Q50. How do pressure groups and movements share power in a democracy?

Pressure groups and movements influence policies and decisions by organising protests, campaigns and lobbying. They do not directly govern but share power by shaping public opinion and government action.

Q51. Give one example of horizontal and one example of vertical power sharing from India.

Horizontal: Power sharing between Parliament, the Council of Ministers and the Supreme Court. Vertical: Power sharing between the Central Government and State Governments under the federal system.

Q52. Which form of power sharing is reflected in the principle of “one person, one vote”?

It reflects power sharing among citizens. Each citizen has one vote and equal value in choosing the government, allowing people to share political power democratically.

Q53. How does federalism act as a form of power sharing?

Federalism divides powers between the central and state governments. Each level has its own powers and responsibilities, ensuring that power is shared and decisions are taken closer to the people.

Q54. Why is power sharing among different political parties and groups essential in a democracy?

It is essential because it allows different opinions to be represented in government, prevents dominance of a single party, and makes the system more accountable and responsive to people’s needs.

Q55. Identify the form of power sharing in the statement: “In a coalition government, several political parties share cabinet positions.”

This is power sharing among different political parties, where they share executive power and collectively run the government.

Q56. Identify the form of power sharing in the statement: “Judiciary can declare a law passed by the Parliament as unconstitutional.”

This is horizontal power sharing among organs of the government, where the judiciary checks the powers of the legislature.