Belgium has four official language communities due to tensions between the Dutch-speaking Flemish population and French-speaking population. To reduce conflicts, Belgium implemented constitutional amendments between 1970-1993 to give equal representation and power-sharing to both language communities. In Sri Lanka, the Sinhala language was declared the official language in 1956 and job preferences were given to Sinhala speakers, disregarding the Tamil minority who make up 18% of the population. This led to agitation and demands for a separate Tamil state, resulting in a civil war. Power-sharing is desirable for both prudential and moral reasons. Prudentially, it reduces conflicts and brings political stability. Morally, it strengthens democracy

1. ARS REVISION NOTES 1
Power-sharing
The case of Belgium-
Language communities in Belgium
• 51% speaks Dutch- In Brussels (Capital) only 20% speaks Dutch
• 40% speaks French
• In Brussels 80% speaks French
• French speakers become rich and powerful
• 01% speaks German
Though in majority, Dutch speaking population got less benefit of economic development: -- and
because if this Dutch people resented and tension between both the community arose between
1950s and 1960s.
Now what has Belgium done to overcome the above situation_
To overcome the situation in Belgium following reforms were made
• Four-time Constitutional Amendments between (1970-1993) to reduce conflicts
• Equal numbers of Dutch and French speaking ministers in Central Govt.
• State govt. not subordinate to Central govt.
• Equal representation of both language speakers in Brussels.
• Power regarding cultural, educational and language issues given to community govt.
Case of Sri Lanka
Language Communities in Sri Lanka
74% speaks Sinhala
• Resulted in agitation by minority
• Demand for separate state (Tamil Eelam)
• Civil War In Sri Lanka
74% speaks Sinhala
Sinhala declared as official
language in 1956. Preference
in job for Sinhala speakers
Policy of Majoritarianism was
adopted, demands of minority
were disregarded
Government
established by
majority community.
18% speaks
Tamil

2. ARS REVISION NOTES 2
Horizontal division of
Power
•Power sharaed among
different organs of the
govt.
•the different organs of
the govt. are Legislature
Executive,Judiciary
•When power is shared
among differend organs
of govt is called
Horixontal distribution
of power
•This arrangement is
called a system of checks
and balances. e.g- the
judges are appointes by
execitive, but they can
check the functioning of
Executive or Laws made
by the Legialature.
Vertical Distribution of
Power
•When power is shared
among different levels of
govt.
•for example- power is
shared among central
govt, state govt and
local/ regional govt.
•This type of power
sharing is also called as
Federal Division of
Power
Among different social
groups
•such as the religios and
linguistic groups.
•this type of arrangement
is meant to give space in
the government and
administration to diverse
social groups who
otherwise would feel
alienated.
Among political parties,
pressure groups and
movements
•when power is shared
among different political
parties to give
competition so that
power does not remain
in one hand.
•Coalision govt is when
two or more political
partiesmake alliance to
form govt. that type of
govt is called coalition
govt.
•In democracy we alos
find interests groups
such as those of
buusinessman, traders,
farmers.
What is power-sharing?
- When the power does not vest only in one organ but shared among others organs or level
of govt. it is known as power-sharing.
- Why it desirable?
- It is desirable because of two broad reason
a) Prudential- It stresses that power sharing will bring out better outcomes. Reduces
conflict between social groups, ensure political stability and order. Tyranny of the
majority is not only oppressive for the minority community, sometimes it brings ruin
to the majority class itself.
b) Moral Reason- It emphasis that the very act of power-sharing is valuable. It believes
power sharing is very spirit of democracy. It strengthens democracy by allowing
people to participate in governance.
Forms of power -sharing
Important Keywords:
Civil War- A violent conflict b/w opposing groups within a country that becomes so intense
that it appears like a war.
Prudential- Based on prudence, or on careful calculation of gains and losses. Prudential
decisions are usually contrasted with decisions based purely on moral considerations.
Tyranny- Arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power; despotic abuse of authority.
Checks and balance- a system in which each organ of the govt. checks the others. It results
in a balance of power among various institutions and ensures that none of the organs can
exercise unlimited power.

3. ARS REVISION NOTES 3
Majoritarianism- It is a concept which signifies a belief that the majority community should
be able to rule a country in whichever way it wants, by disregarding the wishes and needs of
the minority.
Or Majoritarianism is an idea that the numerical majority of the population should have the
final say in determining the outcome of a decision.
Legislature- It is a law-making organ of the government.
Ravi Raj Kamal
Master of Arts in Political Science
Follow at. twitter.com/raviraj_like