SUPPORT STUDY MATERIAL

POWER SHARING

Belgium is a small country in Europe equal to Haryana

Borders with France ,the Netherlands ,Germany and Luxembourg.

Ethnic composition of this small country is very complex,59 %lives in Flemish region and speaks Dutch language ,40 %lives in Wallonia region and speak French and remaining 1 percent speaks German . In the capital city brussesls,80%people speak French while 20%speak Dutch speaking

The minority French speaking community was relatively rich and powerful. This  was resented by the Dutch speaking people who got the benefit of economic development  and education much later. It leads to tension between the two community and it is more acute in Brussels

The Belgian leader amended their constitution four times so as to work out an arrangement 

•      The number of Dutch speaking and French speaking minister shall be equal in the central government

•      Some special law required  the support of members from each language group, this assure that no single community can take decision unilaterally

•      The two state government are not subordinate to the central government ,many power of the central government have been delegated to these state government

•      Brussels , the capital ,has a separate government .both the community have equal representation in this government .

•      There is a third kind of government this is called the community government .It has power over cultural, educational and language-related issues

•      74 %  Sinhala ,18% Tamil speaker (13 % Srilankan Tamil and 5 % Indian Tamils ) ,7%christans both Tamil and Sinhala

Independence 1948

•      Adopted Majoritarian   A belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country in a country in whichever way it wants by disregarding the wishes and needs of the minority

1956 Act

•      Sinhala official language, preferential policy for Sinhala for university positions and government jobs ,the state shall protect and foster Buddhism

•      Tamil people feel alienation and continuously demand for the recognition of Tamil language as an official language,seprate estate (Tamil Elam),equal political right ,equality of opportunity in education and jobs

•      Demand for separate state was continuously denied ,this distrust between the two community lead to civil war

                Why power sharing is desirable

The reason can be divided into two groups

Prudential reason 

•      These are based on prudence that is careful calculation of gain or loss

•      It reduces the possibility of conflicts among social groups

•      Conflicts often leads to violence and political instability ,power sharing is  a good way to ensure the stability of the political order

•      Imposing the will of majority community over other may look like an attractive option in the short run but in long run  it will undermine the unity of the country

•       Suppression of minority also brings ruin in to the majority as well

                                      Moral reason: 

•      It is the very spirit of democracy

•      A  democratic rule involves sharing power with those who are  affected by its exercised and who have to live with its effects

•      People have right to be consulted on how they are to be governed

•      A legitimate government is one where citizens through participation acquire a stake in the system

                      

                          FORMS OF POWER SHARING

                       Among different organs of the state:  

•      This is known as horizontal power distribution Where power is shared among different organs of the government  that is legislature ,executive and judiciary

•      Each organ of the state has different responsibility and different functions

•      Such separations ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited power

•      Each organs works as a check on other organs.

•      This system is called checks and balances.

                 Among governments  at different levels:  

This is known as vertical division of power where the power is shared among the different level of the government that is  centre ,state and local levels.

•      The powers of each levels of the government is clearly lay down in the constitution

•      They may work under overall direction of the government at the centre .This system of governance is called the federal system

                      Among different social group:  

•      The power may be shared among different social groups such as the religious and linguistic groups

•      Community government in Belgium is a good example

•      In some country there are legal and constitutional arrangement where by social weaker section and women are represented in the legislature and administration

•      Reserved constituency in India

•      It is used to give minority communities a fair share in power

•      Among political parties ,pressure group and movement   political parties pressure group and movement control or influence those who are in power

•      Citizen have different choices ,in recent years parties have competition which ensures that power doesn't remain in one hand

•      Example :UPA Government at centre

•      Interest group like traders ,businessmen ,industrialist workers through participation in governmental committees or  bringing influence on the decision making process