1. Power Sharing
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1. Case Study: Ethnic Composition
| Feature | Belgium (Small European Nation) | Sri Lanka (Island Nation) |
|---|---|---|
| National Composition | 59% Dutch-speaking (Flemish region) 40% French-speaking (Wallonia region) 1% German-speaking | 74% Sinhala-speakers 18% Tamil-speakers (13% Sri Lankan Tamils, 5% Indian Tamils) 7% Christians (both Sinhala & Tamil) |
| Capital City | Brussels: 80% French, 20% Dutch (Reversed from national majority) | Colombo: (Main administrative center) |
| Major Religion | Predominantly Christian | Buddhism (promoted by Sinhala majority) |
Belgium Map
Sri Lanka Map
2. Two Different Approaches
A. Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka
After independence in 1948, Sri Lanka adopted measures to establish Sinhala supremacy:
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1956 Act: Declared Sinhala as the only official language, ignoring Tamils.
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Preferential Policies: Favored Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.
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State Religion: The constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.
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Result: Increased alienation among Tamils led to a bloody Civil War that ended in 2009.
B. Accommodation in Belgium
Between 1970 and 1993, Belgium amended its Constitution four times to ensure everyone could live together.
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Equal Representation: Equal number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers in the Central Government.
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Community Government: A third tier of government elected by people of one language group to handle cultural and educational issues.
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Brussels Government: The capital has its own government with equal representation for both groups.
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Result: Avoided civic strife and stayed unified.
3. Forms of Power Sharing
Modern democracies generally follow four main types of power sharing arrangements:
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Horizontal Power Sharing: Among different organs of government (Legislature, Executive, Judiciary). This creates a system of checks and balances.
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Vertical Power Sharing: Among different levels of government (Central, State/Regional, and Local). This is often called Federalism.
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Social Groups: Power sharing among religious or linguistic groups (e.g., Belgium's 'Community Government' or 'Reserved Constituencies' in India).
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Political Parties & Interest Groups: Through coalitions or pressure groups that ensure power does not remain in one hand.
4. Why is Power Sharing Desirable?
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Prudential Reasons: It reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups and ensures political stability.
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Moral Reasons: It is the very spirit of democracy; a legitimate government is one where citizens have a stake in the system through participation.
