JAC Class 10 Social Science Important Questions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing

JAC Board Class 10th Social Science Important Questions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
What is the linguistic composition of Belgium?
(a) 59% speak French, 40% speak Dutch, 1% speaks German
(b) 59% speak French, 40% speak German, 1% speaks Dutch
(c) 59% speak Dutch, 40% speak French, 1% speaks German
(d) 59% speak German, 40% speak Dutch, 1% speaks French
Answer:
(c) 59% speaks Dutch, 40% speaks French, 1% speaks German

Question 2.
What are the Tamil natives of Sri Lanka called?
(a) Indian Tamils
(b) Buddhist Sinhala
(c) Muslim Tamils
(d) Sri Lankan Tamils
Answer:
(d) Sri Lankan Tamils

JAC Class 10 Social Science Important Questions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing

Question 3.
What are the forefathers who came from India to Sri Lanka as plantation workers during colonial period, called?
(a) Indian Tamils
(b) Sinhala
(c) Sri Lankan Tamils
(d) Hindu Tamils
Answer:
(a) Indian Tamils

Question 4.
When did Sri Lanka emerge as an independent country?
(a) 1984
(b) 1948
(c) 1849
(d) 1894
Answer:
(b) 1948

Question 5.
Why did the democratically elected government in Sri Lanka adopt a series of majoritarian measures?
(a) To establish Tamil supremacy
(b) To foster Buddhism
(c) To establish Sinhala supremacy
(d) To establish Tamil Elam
Answer:
(c) To establish Sinhala supremacy

JAC Class 10 Social Science Important Questions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing

Question 6.
When was the Act passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus disregarding Tamil?
(a) 1596
(b) 1695
(c) 1965′
(d) 1956
Answer:
(d) 1956

Question 7.
Which religion did the new constitution stipulate that the state of Sri Lanka shall protect and foster?
(a) Buddhism
(b) Islam
(c) Hinduism
(d) Christianity
Answer:
(a) Buddhism

Question 8.
What led to Civil War in Sri Lanka?
(a) Power sharing .
(b) Principle of majoritarianism
(c) Community government
(d) Modem democracies
Answer:
(b) Principle of majoritarianism

Question 9.
Constitution of which country prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government?
(a) England
(b) Sri Lanka
(c) India
(d) Belgium
Answer:
(d) Belgium

JAC Class 10 Social Science Important Questions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing

Question 10.
In which country are the state governments not subordinate to the Central government?
(a) Belgium
(b) Sri Lanka
(c) Both Sri Lanka and Belgium
(d) None of the above
Answer:
(a) Belgium

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is the meaning of the term ‘ethnic’?
Answer:
The term ‘ethnic’ is a social division based on shared culture. People belonging to the same ethnic group believe in their common descent because of similarities of physical type or of culture or both. They need not always have the same religion or nationality.

Question 2.
Name the countries Brussels shares its border with.
Answer:
Brussels shares its border with France, the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg.

Question 3.
What was the special problem faced by Brussels?
Answer:
Brussels presented a special problem. The Dutch-speaking people constituted a majority in the country, but a minority in the capital.

Question 4.
What is majoritarianism?
Answer:
Majoritarianism is 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.

Question 5.
What did the Sri Lankan government adopt to establish Sinhala supremacy?
Answer:
The democratically elected government of Sri Lanka adopted a series of majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy.

Question 6.
In which part of Sri Lanka did the political organisations demand an independent Tamil Eelam (state) be formed?
Answer:
By 1980s several political organisations were formed demanding an independent Tamil Eelam (state) in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.

Question 7.
What is ‘community government’?
Answer:
The third kind of government in Belgium is the ‘community government’, elected by people belonging to one language community Dutch, French and German-speaking no matter where they live. This government has the power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues.

JAC Class 10 Social Science Important Questions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing

Question 8.
What is the meaning of power sharing?
Answer:
Sharing of power by various groups in the society and levels of the government for the smooth functioning of the nation is known as power sharing.

Question 9.
Which community enjoys majority in Sri Lanka?
Answer:
The Sinhala community enjoys a big majority in Sri Lanka.

Question 10.
Differentiate between ‘Sri Lankan Tamils’‘and ‘Indian Tamils’.
Answer:
Tamil natives of the country of Sri Lanka are called ‘Sri Lankan Tamils’. The rest, whose forefathers came from India as plantation workers during colonial period, are called ‘Indian Tamils’.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Describe the ethnic composition of Belgium.
Answer:
Ethnic Composition of Belgium
JAC Class 10 Social Science Important Questions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing 1

The ethnic composition of Belgium is very complex. Of the country’s total population, 59 per cent lives in the Flemish region and speaks Dutch language. Another 40 per cent people living in the Wallonia region and speak Belgians speak German. In the capital city Brussels, 80 per cent speak French while 20 per cent are Dutch-speaking.

Question 2.
What led to tensions between the French and Dutch in Belgium?
Answer:
The minority French-speaking community was relatively rich and powerful. This was resented by the Dutch-speaking community who got the benefit of economic development and education much later. This led to tensions between the Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities during the 1950s and 1960s. The tension between the two communities was more acute in Brussels. Brussels faced a special problem. The Dutch-speaking people constituted a majority in the country, but a minority in the capital.

Question 3.
Describe the ethnic composition of Sri Lanka.
Answer:
JAC Class 10 Social Science Important Questions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing 2
Sri Lanka has a diverse population. The major social groups are the Sinhala
speakers (74 per cent) and the Tamil speakers (18 per cent). Among Tamils there are two sub-groups. Tamil natives of the country are called ‘Sri Lankan. Tamils’ (13 per cent). The rest, whose forefathers came from India as plantation workers during colonial period, are called ‘Indian Tamils’. Sri Lankan Tamils are concentrated in the north and east of the country. 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 Sinhala.

Question 4.
How was majoritarianism established in Sri Lanka?
Answer:
When Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948, the leaders of the Sinhala community sought to secure dominance over government by virtue of their community. The democratically elected government adopted a series of. majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy. In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus, disregarding Tamil. The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs. A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.

JAC Class 10 Social Science Important Questions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing

Question 5.
What are the different ways in which minority communities get a fair share in poweb?
Answer:

  1. Power can be shared among different social groups such as religious and linguistic groups.
  2. The ‘community government’ in Belgium is elected by the people belonging to one language community, no matter where they live. The government has the power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues.
  3. In some countries there are constitutional and legal arrangements to support the weaker sections and women to get representation in the legislatures and administration.
  4. This allows the diverse social groups to participate in the functioning of the government, who would otherwise feel alienated from the government.

Question 6.
How did the Tamil community of Sri Lanka react to the majoritarianism in Sri Lanka?
Answer:

  1. The Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil as an official language, for regional autonomy and equality of opportunity in securing education and jobs.
  2. But their demand for more autonomy to provinces populated by the Tamils was repeatedly denied.
  3. By the 1980s several political organisations were formed demanding an independent Tamil Eelam (state) in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.
  4. The distrust between the two communities turned into widespread conflict. It soon turned into a civil war.

Question 7.
How is the Belgian government similar to that of Indian government?
Answer:

  1. Both India and Belgium follow federal form of power. Power is shared among governments at different levels.
  2. While in Belgium, different levels of government is known as Federal form of government. In India it is known as Central or Union government.
  3. Power is also shared among different social groups, such as religious and linguistic groups. There is ‘community government’ in Belgium and ‘reserved constituencies’ in assemblies and the parliament in India.

Question 8.
Power sharing arrangements can also be seen in the way political parties, pressure groups and movements control or influence those in power. Justify.
Answer:

  1. In contemporary democracies, citizens have the freedom to choose among various contenders. This occurs in the form of competition among different political parties.
  2. Power is shared among different political parties to represent different ideologies and social groups. Sometimes this sharing can be direct when parties form an alliance to contest elections or form a coalition government.
  3. Interest groups, such as those of industrialists, farmers, traders and businessmen also have a share in governmental power, either through participation in governmental committees or bringing influence on the decision-making process.

Question 9.
Why is power sharing necessary in a country like India?
Answer:

  1. India is a country of diverse culture, tradition, language, tribes and socially and economically weaker people.
  2. With diverse composition of population, it becomes necessary to support and encourage each group to participate in the functioning of the government.
  3. Only if everyone is kept together, a country can run peacefully. It teaches us tolerance and we learn from each other und accept each other. It widens our views and approach to running the nation.
  4. The various groups are represented in the legislatures and administration. The constitution clearly lays down the laws for their representation. Therefore, power sharing is necessary in a country like India.

JAC Class 10 Social Science Important Questions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing

Question 10.
How many times did the Belgian leaders amend their constitution between 1970 and 1993, and why?
Answer:
The Belgian leaders recognised the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities. Between 1970 and 1993, they amended their constitution four times as to work out an arrangement that would enable everyone to live together in the same country.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Discuss the Belgian model of accommodating and recognising the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities.
Answer:
The Belgian leaders took a few steps to accommodate and recognise the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities. These were:

  1. Constitution mentions 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.
  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. The French-speaking people accepted equal representation in Brussels because the Dutch-speaking community has accepted equal representation in the Central Government.
  4. The third kind of government is the ‘community government’, 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, educational and language-related issues.

Question 2.
Discuss in detail why power sharing is desirable.
Answer:
There are two different reasons why power sharing is desirable.
(i) Prudential Reasons:
Power sharing reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups. As social conflict often leads to violence and political instability, power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order. Although, imposing the will of the majority community over the others may look like an attractive option in the short run, in the long run it undermines and damages the unity of the nation.

(ii) Moral Reasons:
The second deeper reason is that power sharing is the spirit of democracy. Democracy involves the participation of people in the functioning of the coyntry. People have the right to be informed and consulted on how they are to be governed. A legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.

Question 3.
Discuss the system of checks and balances.
Answer:

  1. Power is shared among different organs of the government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary.
  2.  This horizontal distribution of power allows different organs of the government placed at the same level to exercise different powers.
  3. This ensures that none of the organs exercise unlimited power. Each organ checks the others.
  4. Even though ministers and government officials exercise power, they are responsible to the Parliament or State Assemblies.
  5. Similarly, the judges are appointed by the executives but they can check the functioning of executives or laws made by the legislatures. This results in a balance of power among various institutions.
  6. This arrangement is called a system of checks and balances.

JAC Class 10 Social Science Important Questions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing

Question 4.
Explain how power can be shared among governments at different levels.
Answer:

  1. Power can be shared among governments at different levels a general government for the entire country and governments at the provincial or regional level.
  2. In some countries, general government for the entire country is called the federal government.
  3. In India, it is the Central or Union Government. The governments at provincial level are called by different names in different countries.
  4. In India, it is known as State Government. The constitution clearly lays down the powers of different levels of government.
  5. The same principle can be extended to levels of government lower than the State government, such as the municipality and panchayat.
  6. The division of power involving higher and lower levels of government is called vertical division of power.

Activity Based Questions

Read the clues and search for the answers from the word search box:

  1. A social division based on shared culture
  2. A belief that majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it wants, by disregarding the wishes and needs of the minority
  3. The only official language in Sri Lanka, as passed by Act in 1956
  4. A violent conflict between opposing groups within a country that becomes so intense that it appears like a war
  5. These reasons stress that power sharing will bring out better outcomes
  6. These reasons emphasise the very act of power sharing as valuable
  7. Anew constitution in Sri Lanka stipulated that the state shall protect and foster this religion

JAC Class 10 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing 7
Answer:
JAC Class 10 Social Science Important Questions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing 7

1. Ethnic
2. Majoritarianism
3. Sinhala
4. Civil war
5. Prudential
6. Moral
7. Buddhism

JAC Class 10 Social Science Important Questions

JAC Class 10 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing

JAC Board Class 10th Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing

JAC Class 10th Civics Power Sharing InText Questions and Answers

Page 2

Question 1.
Look at the maps of Belgium and Sri Lanka. In which region, do you find concentration of different communities?
Communities and regions of Belgium
JAC Class 10 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing 1
JAC Class 10 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing 2
Answer:
In Belgium, there are two major linguistic groups: 59 per cent of the people live in the Flemish region (north) and are the Dutch-speaking people. Around 40% of the population occupy the Wallonia region and speak French. The one per cent German-speaking population lives in the eastern region of Belgium.

In Sri Lanka, the Sinhalese population dominates the entire country. 74 per cent of the population is Sinhala – speakers. Tamil speakers comprise 18 per cent of the population. There are two sub groups! Sri Lankan Tamils live in the northern and eastern coastal regions of the country. Indian Tamils are clustered in the central region and scattered in the southern region. Muslims are distributed throughout the country.

Page 5

Question 2.
Read any newspaper for one week and make clippings of news related to ongoing conflicts or wars. A group of live students could pool their clippings together and do the following:

  • Classify these conflicts by their location (your state, India, outside India).
  • Find out the cause of each of these conflicts. How many of these are related to power sharing disputes?
  • Which of these conflicts could be resolved by working out power sharing arrangements?

Answer:
Hints:
Students can find out about conflicts from newspapers and also visit the newspaper archives. Within India, students may read about Cauvery Water Dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Outside India, the students can study the American Civil War which was fought in the United States of America from 1861 to 1865 by President Abraham Lincoln against slavery.

JAC Class 10 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing

Question 3.
Annette studies in a Dutch medium school in the northern region of Belgium. Many French-speaking students in her school want the medium of instruction to be French. Selvi studies in a school in the northern region of Sri Lanka. All the students in her school are Tamil speaking and they want the medium of instruction to be Tamil. If the parents of Annette and Selvi were to approach respective governments to realise the desire of the child who is more likely to succeed? And why?

Answer:
Annette’s parents are more likely to succeed when they approach the government because Belgian leaders recognised the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities. They have the  community government, which is elected by the people belonging to one language, Dutch, French and German – speaking, no matter where they live.

This government has the power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues. Selvi’s parents are less likely to succeed because the Sinhalese have established their supremacy in Sri Lanka. In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus disregarding Tamil.

Question 4.
Can you help poor Vikram in answering Vetal?
(a) If you had the power to rewrite the rules in Lebanon what would you do?
(b) Would you adopt the ‘regular’ rules followed everywhere, as Khalil suggests? Or stick to the old rules? Or do something else?
Answer:
(a) Democracy is a government “of the people by the people and for the people”. But it doesn’t mean to make a situation that can cause disturbances and bloodsheds in the society. It is based on “live and let live”. So if there is an agreement among different communities in the country on the basis of fixed power sharing among them, it is right. There is no need to rewrite the rule.

(b) If the rules of the Lebanon is providing all the people to caste vote and contest elections as per agreement of power. sharing among different communities, I would not adopt the ‘regular’ rules followed everywhere, as Khalil suggests. I would stick to the rules made after agreement among different communities. I don’t need to do something else.

Question 5.
In 2005, some new laws were made in Russia giving more powers to its president. During the same time the US president visited Russia. What, according to this cartoon, is the relationship between democracy and concentration of power? Can you think of some other examples to illustrate the point being made here?
JAC Class 10 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing 3
Answer:
(i) Democracy, in general represents the will of the common people. But when the power is concentrated in a particular hand, in a democratic government, this individual outlasts the will of the common people. The same thing has been shown in the cartoon where democracy is run by selected people, at their will, without taking care of the will of the general people.

(ii) We can illustrate a few more such examples. For example, in Pakistan, there is an elected democratic government but this is not the true representation of the will of the people. Once elected, the power – carrying men run the government as per their wishes. Iraq was another example where democracy was being run in an autocratic manner.

JAC Class 10 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing

Question 6.
In my school, the class monitor changes every month. Is that what you call a power – sharing arrangement?
Answer:
No, the changing of class monitor every month cannot be called a power-sharing arrangement. Because, in power – sharing arrangement, there are different institutions and intersect groups which exercise their power and check the actions of each other. This arrangement is also called a system of checks and balances.

Page 10

Question 7.
Here are some examples of power – sharing. Which of the four types of power – sharing do these represent? Who is sharing power with whom?
(a) The Bombay High Court ordered the Maharashtra state government to immediately take action and improve living conditions for the 2,000 odd children at seven children’s homes in Mumbai.
(b) The government of Ontario state in Canada has agreed to a land claim settlement with the aboriginal community. The Minister responsible for Native Affairs announced that the government will work with aboriginal people in a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation.
(c) Russia’s two influential political parties, the Union of Right Forces and the Liberal Yabloko Movement, agreed to unite their organisations into a strong right – wing coalition. They propose to have a common list of candidates in the next parliamentary elections.
(d) The finance ministers of various stales in Nigeria got together and demanded that the federal government declare its sources of income. They also wanted to know the formula by which the revenue is distributed to various state governments.
Answer:
(a) (i) This is an example of power sharing among different organs of the government.
(ii) Here the power is shared between the judiciaiy and the executive.

(b) (i) This is an example of sharing of power among different social groups.
(ii) Here, the power is shared between the aboriginals and other social groups.

(c) (i) This is an example of power sharing arrangements in the way political parties pressure groups and movements control or influence power.
(ii) Here, the power is being shared between SPS and the liberal Yabloko movement.

(d) (i) This is an example of power sharing among governments at different levels.
(ii) Here, the power is being shared between federal and state governments and also among the state governments.

JAC Class 10th Civics Power Sharing Textbook Questions and Answers

Question 1.
What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.
Answer:
In modem democracies, power can be shared in many different forms.
(i) Horizontal distribution of power:
JAC Class 10 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing 4
The different organs of the government at the same level, such as the legislature, the executive and the judiciary exercise different powers.

  1. This ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited power.
  2. Each organ checks the others. This results in a balance of power. For example, though the judges are appointed by the executive, they can check the functioning of the executive or laws made by the legislatures.
  3. This arrangement is called a system of checks and balances.

(ii) Vertical division of power:
JAC Class 10 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing 5
In this system, the power is divided among different levels of government, such as the central or the federal government, the provincial or state governments, and then the municipality and the panchayat. The constitution clearly lays down the powers of different levels of government.

(iii) Power is shared among different social groups, such as religious and linguistic groups/For example, the ‘community government’ of Belgium 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, educational and language – related issues. In some countries, there are constitutional and legal arrangements whereby socially weaker sections, and women are represented in the legislatures and administration.

(iv) Power is shared among various political parties, pressure groups and movements, which .control or influence those in power. Jn a democracy, the citizens have the right to choose among the various contenders for power. Two or more political parties share their power when a coalition government is formed. There are various interest groups, such as traders and businessmen, farmers, industrialists, etc. who have a share in governmental power, either through participation in governmental committees or bringing influence on the decision-making process.

JAC Class 10 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing

Question 2.
State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power – sharing with an example from the Indian context.
OR
Give two reasons why power sharing is desirable.
Answer:
Power Sharing
JAC Class 10 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing 6
(i) Prudential reasons state that power – sharing will bring better outcomes. It helps reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. It ensures the stability of political order. Imposing the will of the majority on others is not only oppressive for the minority, but also undermines the unity of the nation. For example, in India there are reserved constituencies in the parliament and assemblies for OBC, SCs and STs.

(ii) Moral reasons emphasise the very act of power – sharing as valuable. Power – sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise, and who have to live with its effects. A legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.

Question 3.
After reading this chapter, three students drew different conclusions. Which of these do you agree with and why? Give your reasons in about 50 words. Thomman Power sharing is necessary only in societies which have religious, linguistic or ethnic divisions. Mathayi Power sharing is suitable only for big countries that have regional divisions. Ouseph  Every society needs some form of power – sharing even if it is small or does not have social divisions.
Answer:
One will agree with Ouseph’s conclusion that every society needs some form of power – sharing even if it is small or does not have social divisions. Power – sharing is not affected or influenced by the size of the country. It is necessary in societies with linguistic, religious or ethnic divisions. This will make the population feel included in everything. It is also required in a country where there are no social or religious divisions for peace and stability of the nation.

JAC Class 10 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing

Question 4.
The Mayor of Merchtem, a town near Brussels in Belgium, has defended a ban on speaking French in the town’s schools. He said that the ban would help all non – Dutch speakers integrate in this Flemish town. Do you think that this measure is in keeping with the spirit of Belgium’s power – sharing arrangements? Give your reasons in about 50 words.
Answer:
Defending the ban on speaking French in schools in Merchtem by the Mayor of the town is not in keeping with the spirit of Belgium’s power sharing arrangements. The Belgian model of governance accommodates and recognises the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities. They amended their constitution four times between 1970 and 1993 so as to work out an arrangement that would enable everyone to live together within the same country.

Question 5.
Read the following passage and pick out any one of the prudential reasons for power sharing offered in this. “We need to give more power to the panchayats to realise the dream of Mahatma Gandhi and the hopes of the makers of our Constitution. Panchayati Raj establishes true democracy. It restores power to the only place where power belongs in a democracy in the hands of the people.

Giving power to Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency. When people participate in planning and implementation of developmental schemes, they would naturally exercise greater control over these schemes. This would eliminate the corrupt middlemen. Thus, Panchayati Raj will strengthen the foundations of our democracy.
Answer:
The prudential reasons are: Panchayati Raj establishes true democracy. In this system, true power lies in the hands of the people. It not only reduces corruption and increases administrative efficiency, but eliminates corruption of middlemen. People are directly involved in planning and implementation of developmental schemes. This keeps the people of all sections of the society involved in the functioning of the government. It brings political stability and reduces violence. It involves sharing of power.

JAC Class 10 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing

Question 6.
Different arguments are usually put forth in favour of and against power sharing. Identify those which are in favour of power sharing and select the answer using the codes given below. Power sharing:
A. reduces conflict among different communities.
B. decreases the possibility of arbitrariness.
C. delays decision making process.
D. accommodates diversities.
E. increases instability and divisiveness.
F. promotes people’s participation in government.
G. undermines the unity of a country.

(a) A B D F
(b) A C E F
(c) A B D G
(d) B C D G

Answer:
(a) A,B,D and F

Question 7.
Consider the following statements about power sharing arrangements in Belgium and Sri Lanka.
A. In Belgium, the Dutch – speaking majority people tried to impose their domination on the minority French – speaking community.

B. In Sri Lanka, the policies of the government sought to ensure the dominance of the Sinhala -speaking majority.

C. The Tamils in Sri Lanka demanded a federal arrangement of power sharing to protect their culture, language and equality of opportunity in education and jobs.

D. The transformation of Belgium from unitary government to a federal one prevented a possible division of the country on linguistic lines. Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) A, B, C and D
(b) A, B and D
(c) C and D
(d) B, C and D
Answer:
(d) B, C and D

JAC Class 10 Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing

Question 8.
Match List I (forms of power sharing) with List II (forms of government) and select the correct answer using the codes given below in the lists:

List-I List-II
1. Power shared among different organs of the government A. Community government
2. Power shared among governments at different levels B. Separation of powers
3. Power shared by different social groups C. Coalition government
4. Power shared by two or more k political parties D. Federal government

Answer:

1 2 3 4
(a) D A B C
(b) B C D A
(c) B D A C
(d) C D A B

Answer:
(c) B,D,A and C

Question 9.
Consider the following two statements on power sharing and select the answer using the codes given below:
A. Power sharing is good for democracy.
B. It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Which of these statements are true and false?
(a) A is true but B is false
(b) Both A and B are true
(c) Both A and B are false
(d) A is false but B is true
Answer:
(b) Both A and B are true

JAC Class 10 Social Science Solutions

JAC Class 10 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing

JAC Board Class 10 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing

→ Through the case studies of Belgium and Sri Lanka, the chapter explains the importance of power sharing in a democracy.

→ Belgium and Sri Lanka

  • Belgium is a small country in Europe, smaller in area than the state of Haryana in India. It shares its borders with France, the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg. It has a population over one crore.
  • Ethnic composition of this country is very complex. The minority French speaking people was relatively rich and powerful. This was resented by the Dutch-speaking community who got the benefit of economic development much later. Tensions between the two communities arose between the 1950s and 1960s. Tensions were more acute in Brussels as the Dutch-speaking were a majority in the country but a minority in the capital.
  • Sri Lanka has a diverse population. The major social groups are Sinhala speakers (74%) and Tamil speakers (18%). There are LVo sub-groups of Tamils—Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils. Most of the Sinhala-speaking people are Buddhists, while most of the Tamils are either Hindus or Muslims. There are about 7 per cent Christians, who are both Tamil and Sinhala.

JAC Class 10 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing

→ Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka

  • Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948. The democratically elected government adopted a series of majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy.
  • An Act was passed in 1956 to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, disregarding Tamil. The government followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs. A new constitution stipulated that the State shall protect and foster Buddhism.
  • There was an increased feeling of alienation among the Tamils as they were discriminated and denied every opportunity. Also, their demands and interests were ignored and refused.
  • The Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles. They demanded an independent Tamil Eelam (state) in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.
  • The distrust between the two communities turned into widespread conflict and then into a civil war. It caused a terrible setback to the social, cultural and economic life of the country. It ended in 2009.

→ Accommodation in Belgium:
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.

→ The Belgian model has following elements:
Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government; the state governments are not subordinate to the Central Government; Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal representation. It has a third kind of government called the ‘community government’, which has the power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues.

→ Why power sharing is desirable?
There are two reasons why power sharing is desirable:

  • Prudential reason: Power sharing reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups. It ensures the stability of political order.
  • Moral reason: Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.

JAC Class 10 Social Science Notes Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing

→ Forms of power-sharing:

  • In modem democracies, power sharing arrangements can take many forms’.
  • Power is shared among different organs of the government, such as the legislature, executive and the judiciary. This is known as horizontal distribution of power. Each organ exercises a different power. This ensures that none of the organs exercises unlimited power. Each organ checks the other. This arrangement is called a system of checks and balances.
  • Power can be shared among governments at different levels. A general government for the entire country and governments at the provincial or regional level. This is known as vertical distribution of power. In India, the general government is the Central or Union
    government and the regional government refers to the State governments. Lower than State government is the municipality and panchayat.
  • Power can be shared among different social groups, such as the religious and linguistic groups. For example, the ‘community government’ in Belgium. India has ‘reserved constituencies’ in assemblies and the parliament.
  • Power is also shared among various political parties, pressure and interest groups, etc. For example, when two or more parties come together to form a coalition government, power is shared. Similarly, industrialists, farmers, traders and businessmen form interest groups and play an active role in the functioning of the government.

JAC Class 10 Social Science Notes