Power-Sharing - Class 10 Social Science - Chapter 1 - Notes, NCERT Solutions & Extra Questions
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Extra Questions - Power-Sharing | Democratic Politics - II | Social Science | Class 10
According to one of the clauses of the Cabinet Mission Plan, an Interim Government would be formed at the Centre with members representing all the communities in India.
A) 10
B) 12
C) 14
D) $\mathbf{16}$
The correct answer to the question based on the Cabinet Mission Plan regarding the formation of an Interim Government is:
C) 14
According to the plan, the Interim Government at the center was to comprise 14 members each representing the various communities of India.
Bern is the capital city of:
A) Singapore
B) Denmark
C) Sweden
D) Switzerland (E) Iceland
The correct answer is D) Switzerland.
Bern is the capital city of Switzerland.
Which of the following pair(s) was/were part of the federal structure of Belgium?
A Flemish: State government
B Brussels: State government
C German-speaking: Community government
D Wallonia: State government
The correct options that are part of the federal structure of Belgium are:
A Flemish: State government
C German-speaking: Community government
D Wallonia: State government
In Belgium, the power is distributed between the Central government and the state governments. Both Flemish and Wallonia regions possess their own state governments. Belgium has a unique arrangement where Brussels, the capital city, also has its separate government. To accommodate linguistic diversity, Belgium established "community governments". The French, the Dutch, and the German-speaking communities each have their own community government, which ensures equal representation and consideration for each linguistic group.
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Ask Chatterbot AINCERT Solutions - Power-Sharing | Democratic Politics - II | Social Science | Class 10
What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.
Horizontal Division of Power: Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive, and judiciary. This separation ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited power. Each organ checks the others.
Example: In the United States, the Congress (legislature) makes laws, the President (executive) executes these laws, and the Supreme Court (judiciary) interprets these laws.
Vertical Division of Power: Power can be shared among different levels of government, such as federal, state, and local governments.
Example: In India, powers are distributed between the Central Government and State Governments, with clear delineations provided by the Constitution.
Division of Power among Social Groups: Often, societal divisions like those based on religion or ethnicity result in power-sharing among groups to promote balance and prevent conflicts.
Example: In Belgium, there's a unique "community government" specifically for cultural, educational, and language-related issues, where people belonging to one language community (Dutch, French, or German) elect representatives no matter where they live.
Power-sharing between Political Parties: In many democracies, multiple political parties share power, either through coalition governments or as part of the opposition, promoting collaborative governance.
Example: In Germany, the grand coalition government between the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the Social Democratic Party (SPD) brings together historically rival parties to govern collaboratively.
State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power sharing with an example from the Indian context.
Prudential Reason for Power Sharing:A prudential reason to support power sharing is that it helps in reducing conflict between various social groups. Consequently, such sharing enhances political stability and strengthens unity.
Example: In India, the "Coalition Government" system exemplifies a prudential reason for power sharing. By forming coalitions, various political parties with diverse regional and ideological perspectives come together to govern, thus dispersing power among broader groups, reducing potential conflicts, and enhancing stability.
Moral Reason for Power Sharing:The moral reason emphasizes that power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. Such sharing is valued because it ensures that everyone, including minorities and weaker sections, has a stake in governance.
Example: The reservation system in India serves as a moral foundation for power sharing. It ensures that Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes have reserved seats in Parliament and state assemblies, enabling these historically marginalized communities to have a direct voice in the legislative process.
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.
I agree with Ouseph. Power sharing is fundamental to the functioning of a democracy and ensures political stability by avoiding conflicts among different groups. It's not only limited to societies with social divisions or large countries, but is a universal governance strategy that enhances democracy in any society, large or small. This prevents the concentration of power and promotes inclusive governance, allowing all citizens to have a stake in society's affairs.
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.
No, this measure is not in keeping with the spirit of Belgium's power-sharing arrangements. Belgium's model focuses on accommodating linguistic and regional diversity, ensuring equal representation and rights for all linguistic groups. Banning French in schools contradicts this approach by disfavoring a significant linguistic community, potentially leading to alienation and conflict.
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 the 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.”
The prudential reason for power sharing offered in this passage is that giving power to Panchayats can reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency. This suggests that involving people directly in the management and execution of local plans allows for better monitoring and control, which in turn reduces opportunities for corrupt practices by middlemen.
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
The arguments in favor of power sharing are those that highlight its positive impacts on society and governance. Based on the options provided:
A. reduces conflict among different hate communities - suggests a positive effect of power sharing in reducing inner-community tensions.
B. decreases the possibility of arbitrariness - implies that power sharing leads to more checks and balances, reducing unilateral decisions.
D. accommodates diversities - highlights how power sharing respects and includes various social, cultural, and political groups.
F. promotes people’s participation in government - underlines that power sharing involves more people in the decision-making processes, enhancing democratic participation.
These are all arguments favoring power sharing. On the other hand, options like increases instability and undermines unity typically argue against power sharing. The correct groups of favorable arguments are indicated in:
(a) A B D F
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
From the information provided in the chapter, we can analyze the statements:
A: In Belgium, the Dutch-speaking majority people tried to impose their domination on the minority French-speaking community. This statement is incorrect. In Belgium, it was actually the French-speaking community that was relatively rich and powerful historically, despite being a minority in the country, not the Dutch-speaking majority.
B: In Sri Lanka, the policies of the government sought to ensure the dominance of the Sinhala-speaking majority. This statement is correct. The Sri Lankan government implemented various measures to establish Sinhala supremacy, such as making Sinhala the only official language and adopting policies that favored Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.
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. This statement is correct. The Tamil community sought federal solutions and regional autonomy to protect their rights and culture.
D: The transformation of Belgium from unitary government to a federal one prevented a possible division of the country on linguistic lines. This statement is correct. Belgium's shift from a unitary to a federal structure was crucial in managing its complex linguistic and cultural divisions, which helped prevent the country from splitting along these lines.
Thus, the correct statements are B, C, and D.
Answer: (d) B, C and D
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 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 political parties | D. Federal government |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
(a) | D | A | B | C |
(b) | B | C | D | A |
(c) | B | D | A | C |
(d) | C | D | A | B |
To match forms of power sharing (List I) with forms of government or political structure (List II), we analyze each element from List I with the appropriate term from List II:
Power shared among different organs of government - This refers to the separation of powers model, where each branch (legislative, executive, judiciary) operates independently. This matches with B. Separation of powers.
Power shared among governments at different levels - This describes a federal system, where governance responsibilities are divided between different levels of government (federal, state, local). This matches with D. Federal government.
Power shared by different social groups - This suggests a government system like Belgium's community government, where power is shared among different linguistic and cultural communities. This matches with A. Community government.
Power shared by two or more political parties - This reflects a coalition government, often formed when no single party has a majority, necessitating power-sharing amongst multiple parties. This matches with C. Coalition government.
Therefore, using the provided options:
1 = B
2 = D
3 = A
4 = C
This combination matches with the option (c) B D A C. Thus, the correct answer is:
(c) 1-B, 2-D, 3-A, 4-C.
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
The correct answer is (b) Both A and B are true.
A. Power sharing is good for democracy.This statement is true as power sharing incorporates multiple groups, mitigates conflicts, and enhances overall participation in a democratic society, making the democracy more vibrant and representative.
B. It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.This statement is also true. Power sharing helps in reducing tensions and conflicts between different social groups by ensuring everyone has a stake and say in the running of the government, thereby promoting peace and stability.
Both statements A and B support the principles and benefits of power sharing in a democracy.
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Ask Chatterbot AINotes - Power-Sharing | Class 10 Democratic Politics - II | Social Science
Understanding power sharing is crucial for students studying democratic processes. This article provides an in-depth look into power sharing, its importance, and various examples to help Class 10 students ace their exams.
Introduction to Power Sharing
Definition and Importance
Power sharing ensures that no single organ of the government holds complete control. It involves distributing power among different branches and levels of government, making democracy more effective and inclusive.
Types of Power Sharing
Horizontal Distribution of Power
Definition: Horizontal distribution involves sharing power among different organs of the government such as the legislature, executive, and judiciary. This ensures a system of checks and balances.
Examples:
In India, the Parliament makes laws, the Executive enforces them, and the Judiciary interprets them.
In the United States, the President, Congress, and Supreme Court have distinct powers but check each other's authority.
Vertical Distribution of Power
Definition: Vertical distribution of power involves sharing authority among different levels of government—central, state, and local. This is common in federal systems.
Examples:
In India, the power is distributed between the Central Government, State Governments, and local municipal or panchayat authorities.
In the United States, power is shared between the federal government and state governments.
Case Studies of Power Sharing
Belgium
Belgium is a small yet ethnically diverse country in Europe. Over the years, Belgium made several constitutional amendments to share power among its diverse communities.
Key Features:
Equal representation of Dutch and French-speaking ministers in the central government.
Decentralization of power to regional governments.
Separate government for Brussels with equal representation from both communities.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s power-sharing model contrasts starkly with Belgium’s. The nation has experienced significant conflict due to majoritarian policies that favoured the Sinhala community over Tamils.
Key Issues:
The 1956 Sinhala Only Act, which disregarded the Tamil language.
Preferential policies for Sinhala applicants in government jobs and education.
Persistent civil conflict leading to a 26-year-long civil war.
Reasons for Power Sharing
Prudential Reasons
Prudential reasons emphasize the pragmatic benefits of power sharing, such as reducing the likelihood of conflict and ensuring political stability.
Examples:
Power sharing in Belgium has prevented civil strife.
Federal division of power in countries like the USA and India ensures diverse groups feel included.
Moral Reasons
Moral reasons focus on the inherent democratic value of sharing power. In a democracy, people have a right to be consulted and involved in governance.
Examples:
Involving local communities in decision-making processes.
Ensuring minority representation in the government through reserved seats.
Mechanisms of Power Sharing
Checks and Balances
The system of checks and balances ensures that no single organ of government exercises unlimited power. Each organ checks the other to maintain a balance.
Political Parties and Elections
Political parties play a crucial role in power sharing. Coalition governments, where multiple parties share power, are common in parliamentary democracies.
Lessons from Belgium and Sri Lanka
Success of the Belgian Model
Belgium is a prime example of successful power sharing. Its innovative constitutional arrangements have maintained national unity and prevented conflict.
Failures in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s failure to share power equitably led to a prolonged civil war. This highlights the importance of inclusive policies in maintaining national unity.
Applications of Power Sharing
Representation of Social Groups
Ensuring representation for all social groups, including minorities and women, is essential in a democracy.
Examples:
Reserved constituencies for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in India.
Community governments in Belgium.
Influence of Pressure Groups
Pressure groups also play a role in power sharing by influencing government decisions. Examples include trade unions and business associations that push for favorable policies.
Conclusion
Summary of Key Points
Power sharing is essential for a balanced and stable democracy. It involves distributing power horizontally among different organs of government and vertically among various levels.
Final Thoughts
Effective power sharing not only enhances stability but also respects the democratic principle of involving everyone in the governance process. Both moral and prudential reasons underscore its significance.
By understanding these power sharing mechanisms, Class 10 students can gain deeper insights into how democracies function and why inclusive governance is paramount.
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