Here are the complete Power Sharing Solutions, based primarily on the NCERT textbook for the CBSE Class 10 Civics syllabus, Chapter 1. These solutions cover all important in-text and end-of-chapter questions, providing clear, accurate, and well-structured answers aligned with the concepts explained in the textbook. Designed to help you understand political theories and real-world examples effectively, the solutions include simplified explanations, precise definitions, and relevant case studies like Belgium and Sri Lanka. Whether you are preparing for exams or aiming to strengthen your Civics fundamentals, this solution guide is your quick and reliable companion.
EXERCISES
1. What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.
Answer: In modern democracies, power-sharing arrangements can take many forms.
- Horizontal distribution of power: This form involves sharing power among different organs of government at the same level, such as the legislature, executive, and judiciary. This system is also known as a system of checks and balances because each organ checks the others, resulting in a balance of power.
- Vertical division of power: This arrangement involves sharing power among governments at different levels. This is a general government for the entire country (like the Union Government in India) and governments at the provincial or regional level (like State Governments).
- Power-sharing among different social groups: Power can be shared among various religious and linguistic groups. An example of this is the ‘community government’ in Belgium, which has the power to make decisions on cultural, educational, and language-related issues. Additionally, in some countries, there are constitutional and legal provisions, such as reserved constituencies, to ensure that socially weaker sections and women are represented in government.
- Power-sharing among political parties, pressure groups, and movements: In a democracy, competition among different parties ensures that power does not remain with one group. When multiple parties form an alliance to contest elections and then form a government, it is called a coalition government. Interest groups, such as traders or farmers, also share in government power by influencing the decision-making process.
2. State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power sharing with an example from the Indian context.
Answer:
- Prudential Reason: A prudential reason for power sharing is that it helps reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Social conflict can lead to violence and political instability. In the Indian context, the system of reserved constituencies is a prudential measure. It gives space in the government and administration to diverse social groups, such as weaker sections and women, who would otherwise feel alienated. This arrangement helps maintain political stability and reduces conflict.
- Moral Reason: A moral reason for power sharing is that it is the very spirit of democracy. People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed, and a legitimate government is one where citizens acquire a stake in the system through participation. In India, the establishment of Panchayati Raj and municipalities exemplifies this. It extends the principle of vertical division of power to levels lower than the state government, allowing citizens to participate directly in local self-government.
3. 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.
Answer: I agree with Ouseph. Every society needs some form of power sharing because it is the very essence of a democratic system. It is not just about accommodating social differences, but also about ensuring that citizens can participate in their own governance. Even in a society without explicit social divisions, a system of checks and balances among different government organs is crucial to prevent the concentration of power and a “tyranny of the majority”.
4. 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.
Answer: No, this measure is not in keeping with the spirit of Belgium’s power-sharing arrangements. The Belgian model is based on the principle of recognizing regional and cultural diversities and respecting the feelings and interests of different communities. The leaders worked out a system of mutually acceptable arrangements to avoid conflict and the division of the country on linguistic lines. Banning a language, even for integration, goes against this fundamental principle of accommodation.
5. 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.”
Answer: A prudential reason for power sharing mentioned in the passage is that it can reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency. By giving power to Panchayats, people can participate directly in the planning and implementation of schemes, exercising greater control and eliminating corrupt middlemen.
6. 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
Answer: The correct answer is (a) A B D F.
A. reduces conflict among different communities: This is a prudential reason for power sharing, as it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.
B. decreases the possibility of arbitrariness: Horizontal power sharing, or the system of checks and balances, prevents any one government organ from exercising unlimited power. This decreases the possibility of arbitrary decisions.
D. accommodates diversities: Power sharing can be arranged to give space in government and administration to diverse social groups. This is a key principle of the Belgian model.
F. promotes people’s participation in government: A legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system. This is a moral reason for power sharing.
7. 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
Answer: The correct option is (d) B, C and D.
8. 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 | B. Separation of powers |
| 2. Power shared among governments at different levels | D. Federal government |
| 3. Power shared by different social groups | A. Community government |
| 4. Power shared by two or more political parties | C. Coalition 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 |
Answer: The correct option is (c) B D A C.
9. 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
Answer: The correct option is (b) Both A and B are true.