Power sharing is a system of governance that provides all major segments of society a permanent share of power, as opposed to rotating power among groups over time. Belgium uses power sharing by giving equal representation to its French- and Dutch-speaking communities in central government and devolving powers to state governments representing each community. This has helped accommodate regional diversity and avoid civil strife. Similarly, Sri Lanka practiced majoritarian rule that increased tensions with its Tamil minority, leading to civil war, demonstrating why power sharing that gives minorities a voice is desirable.

1. WHAT IS POWER SHARING ???
 Power sharing is a term used to describe a
system of governance in which all major
segments of society are provided a permanent
share of power.
 This system is often contrasted with government
vs. opposition systems in which ruling coalitions
rotate among various social groups over time.

2. POWER SHARING AS IN BELGIUM AND ITS CAPITAL
BRUSSELS
Small country in
Europe, smaller in area
than Haryana.
Borders with France,
Netherlands, Germany
and Luxembourg.
Population-1crore, half
of the population of
Haryana

3. ETHINIC COMPOSITION
1%
59%
40%
BELGIUM
GERMAN FRENCH(Wallonia) DUTCH(Flemish)
BRUSSELS
80%
20%
FRENCH DUTCH

4. Difference in the Ethnic composition of
the capital and the country
In the country the population of Dutch speaking people were more
as comparison to the Capital i.e. Brussels
But in Belgium French speaking people were less and in Brussels
French speaking were more.
This created tension among the society in the 1950s and 1960s
because minority French in the country were rich and powerful.

5. METHODS TO RESOIVE
CONFLICTS/ACCOMODATION
 The Belgium leaders recognized the regional diversities and
amended the constitution 4 times b/w 1970 and 1993 so that
everyone could live together.
 In the Central govt. both the communities were given equal
representation.
 Community govt. was formed in the state and the powers from the
Central govt. were give to the state. The state was not the
subordinate of the central.
 All the communities accepted the constitution.
 It helped to avoid civil strife.

6. POWER SHARING AS IN SRILANKA
An Island Nation
Few kilometers
from the southern
coast of Tamil Nadu
Size same as
Haryana
Population – 2crore

7. ETHNIC COMPOSITION OF SRILANKA
SRILANKA ETHNIC
COMPOSTION
SINAHALESE[74%] OTHERS[8%] TAMILS[18%]
HINDU MUSLIM CHRISTIAN
INDIAN TAMIL[5%]
(Migrated from
India)
SRILANKAN
TAMIL[13%]
(Natives of Srilanka)

8. MAJORITARIANISM IN SRILANKA
Srilanka emerged as an
independent country in 1948
Sinhala leaders dominated govt. by
virtue of their majority.
•Sinhala was recognized as official language.
•Preferential policies were given to Sinhala who applied for university
positions and jobs.
They took majoritarian measures
to establish Sinhala supremacy.
All these govt. measures gradually
increased the feeling of alienation
among srilankan Tamil.

9. CIVIL WAR IN SRILANKA
The Srilankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for equality.
They demanded for the recognition of Tamil as an official
language, opportunity in securing education and jobs.
They also demanded for an independent Tamil Eelam.
These demands were rejected and soon a CIVIL WAR broke
out.

10. WHY POWER SHARING IS DESIRABLE??

11. FORMS OF POWER
SHARING
Among different
organs of
government
Among different
levels of
government
Among different
social groups
Among political
parties, pressure
group and
movements

12. THE END