Chapter Summary
This is a concise recap of Chapter 1 — Power-sharing. Use it for last-minute revision before the Board examination.
1. Two stories. We study Belgium (complex ethnic mix of Dutch, French and German speakers) and Sri Lanka (Sinhala majority and Tamil minority) to see how democracies handle demands for power sharing.
2. Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka. The Sinhala majority forced its dominance — Sinhala Only Act (1956), preferential jobs, and state protection of Buddhism — which alienated the Tamils and led to a civil war that ended in 2009.
3. Accommodation in Belgium. Belgian leaders amended the constitution four times (1970-1993) to share power: equal ministers, powerful state governments, a separate government for Brussels, and a community government for language matters. This kept the country united.
4. What we learn. Both are democracies; Belgium accommodated its diversity while Sri Lanka dominated its minority. The lesson: sharing power keeps a diverse country united and stable.
5. Why power sharing is desirable. There are prudential reasons (it reduces conflict and ensures stability — better outcomes) and moral reasons (it is the very spirit of democracy — valuable in itself).
6. Forms of power sharing (four types).
- Horizontal distribution — among the legislature, executive and judiciary (checks and balances).
- Vertical division — among different levels of government: Union, State and local (federal division).
- Among social groups — religious and linguistic groups (community government, reserved constituencies).
- Among political parties, pressure groups and movements — competition, coalitions and interest groups.
7. Key examples. Germany's grand coalition (CDU and SPD) shows sharing among parties; Lebanon's pact fixes top posts for different communities.
Key Terms to Remember
- Power-sharing: the distribution of political power among different organs, levels, social groups and parties so that no one holds unlimited power.
- Majoritarianism: the belief that the majority community should rule as it wishes, disregarding the minority.
- Accommodation: recognising and adjusting to the interests of different communities so all can share power.
- Ethnic group: a social division based on shared culture and belief in common descent.
- Civil war: a violent conflict between opposing groups within a country, as intense as a war.
- Prudential reason: a reason based on a careful calculation of gains and losses (better outcomes).
- Moral reason: a reason that treats power sharing as valuable in itself (the spirit of democracy).
- Horizontal / Vertical distribution: sharing among organs at the same level / among higher and lower levels.
Quick Revision — Facts and Figures
| Item | Key fact |
|---|---|
| Belgium: Flemish region (Dutch) | About 59 per cent |
| Belgium: Wallonia region (French) | About 40 per cent |
| Belgium: German speakers | About 1 per cent |
| Brussels | 80 per cent French, 20 per cent Dutch |
| Sri Lanka: Sinhala-speakers | About 74 per cent |
| Sri Lanka: Tamil-speakers | About 18 per cent |
| Sri Lankan Tamils | About 13 per cent |
| Sinhala Only Act | 1956 |
| Sri Lankan civil war ended | 2009 |
| Belgian constitutional amendments | Four times, 1970-1993 |
| Forms of power sharing | Four (horizontal, vertical, social groups, parties) |
Quick Revision — One-Line Answers
- How did Sri Lanka's majority behave? It followed majoritarianism and imposed Sinhala supremacy.
- How did Belgium's leaders respond? By accommodation and sharing power.
- When did the Sri Lankan civil war end? In 2009.
- What are the two kinds of reasons for power sharing? Prudential and moral.
- Which reason values outcomes? The prudential reason.
- Which reason values the act itself? The moral reason.
- Sharing among the three organs is called? Horizontal distribution of power.
- Sharing among Union, State and local governments is called? Vertical (federal) division of power.
- A government formed by an alliance of parties is a? Coalition government.