Social Science LONG ANS. QUESTIONS(5 Mark)

Three demands of Sri Lankan Tamils:-

1. Recognition of Tamil as official language.
2. More autonomy to provinces populated by the Tamils.
3. Equality of opportunity in securing education and jobs.

They struggle for their demand:-

1. Forming political organisation.
2. Civil war.

Reasons for strained relationship between the Sinhala and Tamil communities-

1. The leaders of the Sinhala community sought to secure dominance over government by virtue of their majority.
2. The democratically elected government adopted a series of majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy.
3. An act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language.
4. Preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for government jobs.
5. A new constitution stipulated that the state protect and foster Buddhism.
6. The government policies denied them equal political rights.

It is true that the idea of power sharing emerged in opposition to the notions of undivided political power. Traditionall, it was believed that power should be concentrated in one hands because if power is divided then it would be difficult to take rapid decisions and apply them. But the development of the concept of democracy has changed this notion of power concentration in one hands. This is so because democracy believes in distribution of power among people as people are the source of authority. Power can be divided among the various organs of the government, two sets of the government, hat is central and the state, community government etc. Moreover, concentration of power in one hands leads to revolution and war in the long run and breaks the unity of the nation.
Horizontal distribution of power allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers. Such a separation ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited power. Each organ checks the others. This results in a balance of power among various institutions. For example, ministers and government officials exercise power, they are responsible to the Parliament or State Assemblies. Similarly, judges can check the functioning of executive or laws made by the legislatures. This arrangement is called a system of checks and balances.
Power shared among governments at provincial or regional level is called as vertical form of power sharing. Such a general government for the entire country is usually called federal government. In India, we refer to it as the Central or Union Government. The governments at the provincial or regional level are called by different names in different countries. In India, we call them State Governments. State Governments and Central Government have their distinct areas to exercise power.

In Sri Lanka and Belgium, there were ethnic conflicts for power on basis of the language. The group being numerically larger were in conflict with the groups lesser in number. Both Belgium and Sri Lanka were bothered by the issue of power sharing. However, Belgium worked out an accomodation principle as compared to Sri Lanka which switched to majoritarianism. Power sharing took place in different ways in Belgium and Sri Lanka. Belgium opted for a conciliatory mode of power sharing through respect and representation for different communities and regions. On the other hand, Sri Lanka adopted a confrontational approach where the majority community exerted its dominance over others and refused to share power. The first approach led to stronger unity while the later approach undermined the unity of the country and brought untold catastrophe.

Some of the elements of the Belgian model:

• Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government. Some special laws require the support of majority of members from each linguistic group. Thus, no single community can make decisions unilaterally.
• Many powers of the central government have been given to state governments of the two regions of the country. The state governments are not subordinate to the Central Government.
• Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal representation. The Frenchspeaking people accepted equal representation in Brussels because the Dutch-speaking community has accepted equal representation in the Central Government.

Power sharing helps to reduce the possibilities of conflicts between various ethnic groups living in a society.
It helps in ensuring political stability, since a country can be run by all the communities without giving preference to any majority community.
It also reduces violence and linguistic problems. In India, there is diversity in language but our constitution gives equal weightage to all the languages.
Power sharing is actually being called the true spirit of democracy. It helps in bringing political, economic, social and cultural stability to the nation.

The Belgian leaders recognised the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities.
Between 1970 and 1993, they amended their constitution four times, so as to work out an arrangement that would enable everyone to live together within the same country.
This arrangement was different from any other country and was very innovative, such as they put the equal number of ministers in the central government from Dutch and French speaking both.
They formed a community government which would be empowered to take up cultural, educational and language-related issues of their community.

In Belgium, leaders recognised the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities. The Belgian government accommodated its diverse ethnic population in the following manner:
Constitution says that the number of Dutch and French speaking ministers shall be equal in the Central government. Thus, no single community can make decisions unilaterally.
Many powers of the Central Government have been given to the state governments, of the two regions of the country. The state governments are not subordinate to the Central government.
Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal representation.
There is a third kind of government, called the ‘community government’. This government is elected by the people belonging to one language community-Dutch, French and German speaking, no matter where they live. This government has the power regarding cultural education and language related issues.
These arrangements helped to avoid a civic strife between the two major communities and a possible division of the country on linguistic lines.

Some of the elements of the Belgian model:

• Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government. Some special laws require the support of majority of members from each linguistic group. Thus, no single community can make decisions unilaterally.
• Many powers of the central government have been given to state governments of the two regions of the country. The state governments are not subordinate to the Central Government.
• Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal representation. The Frenchspeaking people accepted equal representation in Brussels because the Dutch-speaking community has accepted equal representation in the Central Government.

The Sinhala community in Sri Lanka enjoyed great advantages. On the other hand, the Sri Lankan Tamils suffered a lot. The Constitution and government policies denied them equal political rights. Sri Lankan Tamils demanded recognition of Tamil as an official language and regional autonomy and equality of opportunity in security, education and jobs. But all their demands were denied. As a result, their relations with the Sinhala community got strained. The distrust between the two communities finally turned into a civil war.
Impact of the civil war

1. Thousands of people of both the communities were killed.
2. Many families were forced to leave the country as refugees and many more lost their livelihoods.
3. It caused a terrible setback to the social, cultural and economic lives of the country.

The Belgian leaders recognised the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities. Between 1970 and 1993, they amended their Constitution four times in order to accommodate these differences.

1. The number of Dutch and French speaking ministers is equal in the central government.
2. Many powers of the central government have been given to state governments of the two regions of the country. The state governments are not subordinate to the central government.
3. Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal representation.
4. A third kind of government named community government is introduced in addition to the central and state governments. This government has the power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues.

Power-sharing is a political arrangement in which different or opposing groups all take part in government together.
In modern democracies, power sharing can take the following forms:

1. Organs of Government: In democracy, power shared among Legislature, Executive and Juduciary.This is known as distribution of power, it allows different organs of government placed at the same level to excercise different powers. No organ can excercise unlimited power as each organ checks the others.
2. Governments at different levels: In federal form of government, power is shared between the central and state governments. In India there is another lower level of government local self government.This is called vertical division of government.
3. Social Groups: Power may also be shared among different social groups such as religious and linguistic groups. In iIndia there are constitutional and legal arrangements whereby socially weaker sections and women are represented in the legislatures and administration.

Two main causes of resentment in Belgium in 1960 were:

1. The French, who were a minority in the country, were a majority in the capital city, Brussels.
2. The French community who was in minority was relatively rich and powerful, where as Dutch speaking community was in majority was poor.

Some of the elements of the Belgian model:

• Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government. Some special laws require the support of majority of members from each linguistic group. Thus, no single community can make decisions unilaterally.
• Many powers of the central government have been given to state governments of the two regions of the country. The state governments are not subordinate to the Central Government.
• Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal representation. The Frenchspeaking people accepted equal representation in Brussels because the Dutch-speaking community has accepted equal representation in the Central Government.

Flemish is a language that is related to Dutch dialect and is spoken in the northern part of Belgium. Yes, it is used as a separate language to reduce the conflict between the French and Dutch-speaking community.
Belgium has complex ethnicity because two communities, German and Dutch-speaking respectively form the majority of the population.
According to its Constitution, the Dutch and the French-speaking minister should be an equal number in the central government. Hence no single community can make the decision unilaterally.

The two main reasons are:

1. Prudential Reasons: These lay emphasis on better outcomes of power sharing.

1. Power sharing helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between the social groups. Thus, it ensures the stability of political order.
2. Its absence results into imposition of will by majority community, which undermines the unity of the nation.

2. Moral Reasons: These stress on power sharing as a valuable act because.

1. It is the very spirit of democracy.
2. A democratic rule involves it with those affected by its exercise and who have to live with its effects.
3. A legitimate government is the one where citizens acquire a role in the system through participation.

1. Organs of the government: Legislature, executive and judiciary are the three organs of the government. Legislature is responsible for making laws, executive organ is responsible for execution or implementation the laws whereas judiciary is there to provide justice to the people or to solve the disputes.
2. Power sharing: In India the Union Parliament, i.e., the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha makes laws whereas various ministers and government officials are responsible for the execution of the laws. These ministers are not independent but they are responsible or answerable to the Parliament or State Assemblies. Similarly, although judges are appointed by the executive, they can check the functioning of executive or laws made by the legislatures. This arrangement is called a system of checks and balances.

Legitimate government is a government under which law and action of the government are revealed to the people and government function in a transparent manner. Following features of a democratic government make it a legitimate government.

1. The laws are applicable to all the citizen whether rich or poor.
2. In a democracy there is a political equality i.e. every vote counts equally.
3. People have the right to challenge the government policies and actions. If the people are not satisfied with the working of the government they have the right to change it.

Power may be shared among different social groups, such as the religious and linguistic groups. In some countries, there are constitutional and legal arrangements whereby socially weaker sections and women represent in the legislatures and administration.
There is a system of ‘reserved constituencies’ in our country. This type of arrangement is meant to give space in the government and administration to diverse social groups who otherwise would feel alienated from the government. This method is used to give minority communities a fair share in power.
There is a government called “community government” in Belgium. This government is elected by the people, belonging to one language or community-Dutch, French and German speaking, no matter where they live. This government has the power regarding to culture, education and language issues.
These arrangements help to avoid civic clashes and animosity between the two major communities and possible division of the country on linguistic lines.

1. Power may also be shared among different social groups such as the religious and linguistic groups. ‘Community government’ in Belgium is a good example of this arrangement.
2. In some countries there are constitutional and legal arrangements whereby socially weaker sections and women are represented in the legislatures and administration. For example in India we follow the principle of ‘reserved constituencies’ in assemblies and the parliament of our country. This type of arrangement is meant to give space in the government and administration to diverse social groups who otherwise would feel alienated from the’ government.
3. This method is used to give minority communities a fair share in power.

Measures taken in majoritarianism gradually increased the feeling of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils.
They felt that the constitution and government policies denied them equal political rights, discriminated against them in getting jobs and other opportunities and ignored their interests.
As a result, the relations between Sinhalas and Tamil communities got strained over time.
The Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil as an official language, regional autonomy and equality of opportunities in getting education and jobs.
By the 1980s, several political organisations were formed demanding an independent Tamil Elam (state) in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.
The distrust between the two communities turned into widespread conflict. It soon turned into a civil war. As a result, thousands of people of both the communities were killed.

These measures created a feeling of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils. They felt that the Constitution and government policies denied them equal political rights and opportunities. They also felt that their language and culture were not given due importance. To fight for their rights the Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles and demanded

1. Recognition of Tamil as an official language.
2. Regional autonomy and equality of opportunity in getting education and jobs.
3. By 1980s several political organi sations were formed demanding an independent Tamil state in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka. But all these demands were denied and the distrust developed turned into a civil war. It was ended in 2009.

Power sharing is the characteristic of good governance. Sharing of power helps in well functioning of democracy.

1. Lack of Power Sharing increases the chances of confliction and creates instability in the nation, as every community do not get treated equally, this establishes a feeling of resentment.
2. Lack of power-sharing reduces the efficiency of the government, as there are no checks and balances. The accountability of the authority gets reduced.
3. Lack of Power Sharing affects the right of people to get consulted by the authority.

Example: When Sri Lanka recognized Sinhala as the only official language it disregarded Tamils. They felt that they were denied equality. As a result, the relationship between the Sinhala and the Tamils strained and the Sri Lankan Tamils launched movements against the government. This distrust took the shape of Civil war, thousands of people were killed.

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.

Moral reason:

1. Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. a democratic rule involves sharing of power with those affected by its exercise, and who have to live with its effects.
2. People have the right to be consulted on how they are governed.

Earlier it was thought that undivided power was better because:

1. Decision making was easier and quicker.
2. The power remained within the monarchs.
3. Monarchy was promoted.

This notion was changed with the introduction of democratic system of government because:

1. The base of democracy was division of power.
2. The government was divided in states/ provinces.
3. It was a modern technique of governing.

Power sharing is desirable for various concrete reasons.
Two sets of reasons have been listed out which favours power sharing in two different manners like: Prudential reason and Moral reason.
Prudential Reason:

• According to prudential reason power sharing accommodates social diversity hence, helps in reducing the possibility of conflict between social groups.
• Power sharing in another way ensures the political stability through competition among various political parties.
• Besides, power sharing is also desirable to the promotion of national unity and integrity.

Moral Reason:

• According to moral reason power sharing is desirable to produce an accountable, responsible and legitimate government.
• It implies maximum popular participation through decentralisation of powers so that people would be consulted on how th£y are to be governed.

In this way, both the sets of reasons signify the importance of power sharing in the forms of Community Government, Reserved Constituencies and Decentralisation of powers.

1. Power sharing among the different organs of government (Horizontal power sharing): In a democracy, power is shared among the different organs of the government such as the legislature, executive and the judiciary. This is called the horizontal distribution of power because it allows different organs of the government placed at the same level to exercise different powers. Under this kind of power sharing arrangement, one can exercise unlimited powers. Each organ has its own powers, and it can also check the powers of other. So this results in a balance of power among the various institutions.
2. Power sharing among governments at different levels: Under this, people choose separate governments at separate levels, for example, a general local government for the entire country and local governments at the provincial, sub-national or regional levels. Such a general government for the entire country is usually called a Federal government.
3. Power sharing among different social groups: In a democracy, especially, in a multi-ethnic society, power is also shared among social groups such as the religious and linguistic groups. ‘Community government’ in Belgium is a good example of this arrangement. In some countries, there are constitutional and legal arrangements whereby socially weaker sections and women are represented in the legislatures and the administration.
4. Power sharing among political parties, pressure groups and movements: In a democracy, power is also shared among different political parties, pressure groups and movements. Democracy provides the citizens a choice to choose their rulers. This choice is provided by the various political parties, who contest elections to win them. Such competition ensures that power does not remain in one hand.

Social and moral values associated with the power sharing arrangements in a country are:

1. Such forms of power sharing strengthens the values of liberty, equality as it protects the rights of the individuals.
2. It prevents arbitrary exercise of power and strengthens the system of rule of law.
3. It makes system democratic, accommodative, representative based on the principles of equality, liberty, justice and fairness.
4. It ensures participation at the grass root level and inculcates community cooperation and planning.

Apart from Power Sharing between Centre and State, there is also a Power Sharing in the Community governments. These Community could be any, based on linguistic or religious groups.
In our Parliament seats are reserved for women and socially backward community, in the constituencies, to give these community space to represent themselves. This type of arrangement is made to give the minority communities a fair share in the power.
Example: In Belgium, There is a communist government, which is elected by any one community among Dutch, French, and German. They look after cultural, educational and language related issues.