NCERT Questions & Answers + Important Extra Questions
NCERT Textbook Questions
What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.
Answer
Power sharing in modern democracies takes four forms:
(i) Horizontal distribution of power (among organs of government): Power is shared among the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary. Each organ checks the others. Example: In India, Parliament makes laws, the government implements them, and the Supreme Court interprets and reviews them. This is called separation of powers or the system of checks and balances.
(ii) Vertical distribution of power (among different levels of government): Power is shared between Central, State, and Local governments. Example: In India, the Constitution divides powers between the Union Government and State Governments through Union, State, and Concurrent lists. Panchayati Raj institutions form the third tier.
(iii) Power sharing among different social groups: Mechanisms to give representation to minorities, linguistic groups, and disadvantaged communities. Example: In India, reserved constituencies for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Parliament and State Assemblies. In Belgium, Community Government for linguistic groups.
(iv) Power sharing among political parties, pressure groups, and movements: In a democracy, multiple parties compete for power and form coalitions. Example: Coalition governments in India (NDA, UPA). Pressure groups like trade unions and farmers' organisations influence government decisions.
State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power sharing with an example from the Indian context.
Answer
Prudential reason: Power sharing helps to reduce conflict and maintain stability. If power is concentrated in one group, it may lead to conflict and even civil war. In India, the federal structure shares power between the Centre and States. This prevents domination by any one region and reduces separatist tendencies. For example, States like Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and North-Eastern states have their own powers, which satisfies regional aspirations.
Moral reason: Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. In a democracy, citizens have a right to be consulted on how they are governed. A legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system. In India, Panchayati Raj institutions (73rd and 74th Amendment) ensure that people at the grassroots level participate in governance — this is power sharing as a moral value.
After reading this chapter, three students drew different conclusions. Which of these do you agree with and why?
Answer
The three conclusions typically are: (a) Power sharing is good for democracy. (b) It helps to reduce conflict between social groups. (c) It is a good way to ensure the stability of political order.
All three are correct. Power sharing is good for democracy because it ensures that no single group dominates others. It reduces conflict by giving all groups a fair share in governance (as seen in Belgium's power sharing between Dutch and French communities, which prevented the kind of civil strife seen in Sri Lanka). It ensures political stability because when different groups have a stake in the system, they support rather than oppose the government. The Sri Lankan example shows what happens when power is not shared — majoritarianism by the Sinhala community led to civil war.
The Mayor of Merchtem, a town near Brussels in Belgium, has banned the use of French in the town's schools. He said that education in Flemish is only available in Flemish schools. What do you think is the reason for this? Do you agree with him?
Answer
The Mayor's decision reflects the linguistic tensions in Belgium. Merchtem is in the Flemish (Dutch-speaking) region of Belgium. The Mayor likely fears that allowing French in Flemish schools would lead to the gradual Frenchification of the area, as has happened historically in Brussels. The Flemish community feels protective of its language and culture.
However, this ban goes against the spirit of power sharing and accommodation. Belgium's power-sharing model succeeds because it accommodates both communities. Banning a language in schools restricts the rights of French-speaking residents and can deepen divisions. A better approach would be to offer Flemish-medium education while also providing optional French classes, respecting both linguistic groups.
Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow: Belgium has worked out an arrangement to power sharing. This has ensured that both Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities live together within the same country. Sri Lanka shows us a contrasting example.
Answer
(i) What is the arrangement of power sharing in Belgium?
Answer
Belgium adopted a complex power-sharing model: (i) The Constitution prescribes equal representation of Dutch and French ministers in the Central Government. (ii) Special laws require support of both linguistic groups to pass. (iii) State Governments are not subordinate to the Centre. (iv) Brussels has a separate government with equal representation of both communities. (v) A Community Government elected by each language community (Dutch, French, German) handles cultural, educational, and language matters.
(ii) What was the result of majoritarianism in Sri Lanka?
Answer
Sri Lanka adopted majoritarianism — the Sinhala majority (74%) imposed its will on the Tamil minority (18%). Sinhala was made the only official language (1956), Buddhism was given favoured status, government jobs and university admissions favoured Sinhalas, and Tamils were excluded from power. This led to increasing alienation of Tamils, who felt discriminated against. Tamil political parties demanded autonomy, then independence. The conflict escalated into a brutal civil war (1983-2009) that killed thousands, destroyed the economy, and caused immense suffering. This shows that majoritarianism leads to conflict, not stability.
Important Extra Questions
Why is power sharing desirable? Give two reasons.
Answer
(i) Prudential reasons (practical/wise): Power sharing reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups. When power is shared among different communities and at different levels, it gives everyone a stake in the system. This creates social stability. Concentration of power in one group can lead to tyranny, oppression, and even civil war (as seen in Sri Lanka).
(ii) Moral reasons (principled): Power sharing is the fundamental principle of democracy. Democracy means rule by the people — all the people, not just the majority. Citizens have a right to participate in governance, be consulted in decision-making, and be represented. Power sharing ensures that consent of the governed is meaningful.
How did Belgium solve its ethnic problem? What is the Community Government?
Answer
Belgium solved its ethnic problem through constitutional amendments (between 1970 and 1993) that created an innovative power-sharing model:
(i) Equal number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers in the Central Government. (ii) Special majority laws requiring support of both groups. (iii) Separate State Governments for Flemish and French regions. (iv) Brussels with a separate government with equal representation. (v) Community Government: A unique Belgian innovation — this is a government elected by members of each language community (Dutch, French, German-speaking), no matter where they live. It handles cultural, educational, and language-related matters for that community. This gave each community a say over matters most sensitive to them (language and culture) without depending on the geographical region they lived in.
Compare the power-sharing models of Belgium and Sri Lanka.
Answer
Belgium: (i) Recognised linguistic diversity and created constitutional mechanisms for accommodation. (ii) Equal representation of both communities in government. (iii) Community Government for cultural/educational matters. (iv) Result: Peace, unity, and a prosperous democracy. Belgium is a successful European democracy and founding member of the EU.
Sri Lanka: (i) Adopted majoritarianism — Sinhala majority imposed its preferences. (ii) Sinhala made the sole official language, Buddhism given preferential status. (iii) Tamils systematically discriminated against in education and jobs. (iv) Result: Civil war (1983-2009), massive loss of life, economic devastation, social division.
Lesson: Power sharing (Belgium's approach) leads to stability and prosperity. Majoritarianism (Sri Lanka's approach) leads to conflict and destruction.