Class 10 Civics • Chapter 1 • Questions & Answers
Power Sharing Class 10 Questions and Answers
Exam-ready questions and answers covering Belgium and Sri Lanka, majoritarianism, accommodation, the need for power sharing and the four forms of power sharing.
How to use this page: First attempt each question without looking at the answer. Then compare your response with the model answer and revise the key terms: majoritarianism, accommodation, prudential reason, moral reason, horizontal power sharing and vertical power sharing.
2-Mark Practice
Very Short Answer Questions
1What is power sharing?
Answer: Power sharing is the distribution of political power among different organs, levels, social groups and political parties or other political actors so that power is not concentrated in one place.
2Why is power sharing desirable in a democracy?
Answer: It reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups and also expresses the democratic principle that people affected by decisions should have a role in making them.
3What is majoritarianism?
Answer: Majoritarianism is the belief that the majority community should be able to rule in a way that disregards the wishes and needs of minority communities.
4Name the two major language communities of Belgium.
Answer: The two major language communities are Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities.
5Which community forms the majority in Sri Lanka?
Answer: The Sinhala-speaking community forms the majority in Sri Lanka.
6What was the official language policy adopted in Sri Lanka in 1956?
Answer: The Sinhala Only Act recognised Sinhala as the only official language of Sri Lanka.
7State one way in which Belgium accommodated its linguistic communities.
Answer: The central government included an equal number of Dutch-speaking and French-speaking ministers, preventing one linguistic community from dominating the other at the centre.
8What is meant by accommodation in the context of Belgium?
Answer: Accommodation means creating political arrangements that recognise and include different communities and regions instead of allowing one group to dominate.
9What is the community government in Belgium?
Answer: It is a government elected by people belonging to one language community to deal with cultural, educational and language-related matters.
10What is a prudential reason for power sharing?
Answer: A prudential reason is that power sharing helps reduce social conflict and political instability, making it less likely that one group will impose its will on another.
11What is a moral reason for power sharing?
Answer: A moral reason is that power sharing is the spirit of democracy: citizens and groups affected by decisions should have a voice in the decisions.
12Name the three organs of government among which power may be shared.
Answer: The legislature, executive and judiciary.
13What is horizontal distribution of power?
Answer: It is the sharing of power among organs of government at the same level, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary, with checks and balances among them.
14What is vertical distribution of power?
Answer: It is the sharing of power among different levels of government, such as the central, state and local levels.
15Name the four forms of power sharing discussed in the chapter.
Answer: Power sharing among organs of government; among different levels of government; among social groups; and among political parties, pressure groups and movements.
3-Mark Practice
Short Answer Questions
16Describe the ethnic composition of Belgium.
Answer: Belgium has a complex linguistic composition. Dutch-speaking people form a majority in the country, French-speaking people form another major community, and a small German-speaking community also lives there. Brussels has a different balance, with French speakers forming a larger share than Dutch speakers.
17Why was Brussels a special problem for Belgium?
Answer: Brussels had a majority of French-speaking people even though Dutch speakers were the larger community in the country as a whole. This made the capital a sensitive area where neither linguistic community could simply be allowed to dominate.
18Mention three features of Belgium's central government arrangement.
Answer: The central government has an equal number of Dutch- and French-speaking ministers; some special laws require support from a majority of members of each linguistic group; and important powers were shared with state governments.
19How did Belgium divide power between the central and state governments?
Answer: Many powers were transferred to state governments. These governments were not subordinate to the central government and could exercise their powers independently within their areas of responsibility.
20What is the role of the community government in Belgium?
Answer: It is elected by people belonging to a particular language community. It deals mainly with cultural, educational and language-related matters, allowing linguistic communities to manage concerns closely connected with their identity.
21How did Sri Lanka's majoritarian policy affect the Tamil community?
Answer: Policies favouring the Sinhala-speaking majority made many Tamils feel alienated. Their language and political demands were not adequately recognised, and preferential policies contributed to a sense of discrimination and insecurity.
22Explain three measures that reflected majoritarianism in Sri Lanka.
Answer: Sinhala was made the only official language in 1956; government policies gave preference to Sinhala applicants in education and employment; and the Constitution provided special protection and promotion for Buddhism.
23Why did Sri Lankan Tamils begin demanding regional autonomy?
Answer: They felt that their language, political interests and equal opportunities were being ignored. Their demands included recognition of Tamil, regional autonomy in areas where Tamils were concentrated, and equality of opportunity in education and employment.
24How can power sharing reduce the possibility of conflict?
Answer: It gives different groups a stake in decision-making, prevents a majority from imposing its will without restraint, and creates institutional ways to accommodate competing interests.
25Explain the prudential reason for power sharing with an example.
Answer: The prudential reason is based on the practical benefits of sharing power. It helps reduce conflict and political instability. Belgium's accommodation of linguistic communities is an example of using power sharing to maintain social and political stability.
26Explain the moral reason for power sharing.
Answer: The moral reason is rooted in democratic values. A government should involve people and groups affected by its decisions rather than treating them merely as subjects of majority rule. Therefore power sharing is desirable even when it is not required simply to prevent conflict.
27How is power shared among different organs of government?
Answer: The legislature makes laws, the executive implements policies and the judiciary interprets laws and settles disputes. Each organ exercises separate powers and can check the others, creating a system of checks and balances.
28How is power sharing practised among different levels of government?
Answer: Authority is divided between the central government and lower levels such as states and local governments. Each level has its own areas of responsibility, so the same political power is not concentrated at one level.
29How can social groups participate in power sharing?
Answer: Different communities can receive representation or arrangements that ensure their participation in political decision-making. Belgium's community government is an example of institutional accommodation of language communities.
30How do political parties contribute to power sharing?
Answer: Political parties compete for power and represent different interests. When no single party has a majority, several parties may form a coalition, requiring them to share decision-making and compromise.
31How do pressure groups and movements share power indirectly?
Answer: They influence public policy by representing particular interests, mobilising people and putting pressure on governments. Their participation broadens the range of voices that can influence decisions.
32Why is power sharing not the same as weakening democracy?
Answer: Power sharing places limits on arbitrary concentration of authority and gives different groups a legitimate role in governance. It can strengthen democratic legitimacy, reduce conflict and make government more inclusive.
33Why can power sharing be desirable even in a society without major social divisions?
Answer: Power sharing is part of the democratic principle itself. Even where social conflict is limited, distributing power among institutions, levels of government and political actors prevents excessive concentration of authority and gives citizens meaningful participation.
5-Mark Practice
Long Answer Questions
34Compare the approaches of Belgium and Sri Lanka to handling social diversity.
Answer: Belgium chose accommodation and power sharing. Its constitutional arrangements included equal representation at the centre, substantial powers for state governments, a special arrangement for Brussels and community governments for language groups. Sri Lanka followed majoritarian policies after independence, including Sinhala as the sole official language and preferential treatment for the Sinhala community. These contrasting approaches show that accommodation can reduce tensions, whereas majoritarianism can deepen alienation and conflict.
35Explain the four forms of power sharing in modern democracies with examples.
Answer: First, power is shared among organs of government such as the legislature, executive and judiciary through checks and balances. Second, power is shared among different levels of government, such as the central, state and local levels. Third, power may be shared among social groups through representation or special arrangements, as illustrated by Belgium's community government. Fourth, power is shared among political parties, pressure groups and movements through competition, coalitions, participation and influence on policy.
36Why is power sharing desirable? Explain both prudential and moral reasons.
Answer: The prudential reason is practical: sharing power reduces the possibility of conflict among social groups and helps maintain political stability. It also reduces the risk that a majority will impose its will on minorities. The moral reason is democratic: people and groups affected by government decisions should have a voice in making those decisions. Thus power sharing is valuable both for stable government and for democratic participation.
37Explain how the majoritarian policies of Sri Lanka created conditions for conflict.
Answer: The Sinhala-speaking majority was given greater political and cultural importance after independence. Sinhala became the only official language, preferential policies favoured Sinhala applicants, and Buddhism received special constitutional protection. Many Tamils felt that these policies denied them equal recognition and opportunities. Their demands for language recognition, regional autonomy and equality were not adequately accommodated, increasing distrust and contributing to prolonged conflict.
38Explain the main elements of Belgium's power-sharing model.
Answer: Belgium created several mechanisms of accommodation. The central government included equal numbers of Dutch- and French-speaking ministers. Some special laws required support from majorities within both linguistic groups. State governments received significant powers and were not subordinate to the centre. Brussels had a separate government with equal representation of the two major communities. Community governments handled cultural, educational and language-related matters.
39Why should power sharing be considered the very spirit of democracy?
Answer: Democracy is based on participation, consultation and respect for different interests. If one person, institution or community controls all important decisions, other citizens have little meaningful influence. Power sharing gives different organs, levels, communities and political actors a role in decision-making. It therefore limits arbitrary concentration of power and makes government more representative and accountable.
40Distinguish between horizontal and vertical power sharing.
Answer: Horizontal power sharing takes place among organs of government at the same level, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. It creates checks and balances because each organ has powers that limit the others. Vertical power sharing takes place among different levels of government, such as central, state and local governments. It divides authority geographically and constitutionally so that no single level controls every governmental function.
Application Practice
Case-Based and Competency Questions
41A country has two major linguistic communities. The larger community uses its numerical majority to make its language the only official language and gives preference to members of that community in government jobs. The smaller community demands recognition of its language and equal opportunities. Which chapter concept does this situation illustrate? Explain the likely consequence.
Answer: The situation illustrates majoritarianism. When a majority community uses state power to disregard the interests of a minority, the minority may feel alienated and discriminated against. Persistent denial of equal recognition can deepen distrust and create serious social and political conflict.
42A country creates a central government with balanced representation of two linguistic communities, gives substantial powers to regional governments, and creates community governments for cultural and educational matters. Which approach to diversity is being followed? Why can it help maintain unity?
Answer: The approach is accommodation through power sharing. Different communities receive meaningful institutional participation and control over matters important to their identity. This reduces the fear of domination, encourages cooperation and can strengthen national unity.
43A student says, 'Power sharing is needed only when a country has deep ethnic or linguistic divisions.' Do you agree? Give a reason based on the chapter.
Answer: No. The chapter's moral argument shows that power sharing is a basic democratic principle, not merely a technique for managing social conflict. Even in a society without deep divisions, sharing power among institutions, levels of government and political actors helps prevent concentration of authority and supports participation.
44A coalition government is formed because no single political party has enough seats to govern alone. Several parties negotiate a common programme and share ministerial responsibilities. Which form of power sharing is illustrated? Explain.
Answer: This illustrates power sharing among political parties. Different parties participate in government through a coalition, requiring negotiation and compromise. It prevents all executive power from being concentrated in one party and gives different political interests a role in decision-making.
Rapid Recall
Quick Revision Questions
45Which country is used in the chapter as an example of successful accommodation of linguistic diversity?
Answer: Belgium
46Which country is used as an example of majoritarianism?
Answer: Sri Lanka
47What is the key democratic idea behind power sharing?
Answer: Participation and shared decision-making
48What are the two broad reasons given for power sharing?
Answer: Prudential and moral reasons
Chapter Resources