Power Sharing Chapter - 1 , Civics Class- 10 NCERT Textbook solution 1. What are the different forms of power-sharin...
Power Sharing
Chapter - 1 , Civics
Class- 10
NCERT Textbook solution
1. What are the different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.
Ans: There are different forms of power sharing in modern democracies. These are:
1. Horizontal distribution of power-
Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. For example, in India parliament enact laws, executive executes or implements them and the judiciary checks the functioning.
2. The federal division of power-
Power can be shared among different governments at different levels - National, state and local levels. It is also called vertical division of power.For example : India (Union govt. and state govt.)
3. Community government -
Power can also be shared among different social groups such as the religious and the linguistic groups. Example- Belgium
4. Power sharing among political parties, pressure groups and movement-
In a democracy, political parties, pressure groups and movements control or influence those in power which ensure that power does not remains in one hand. Sometimes power is shared by different political parties that represent different ideologies and social groups. Pressure groups and movements influence the decision making process.
2. State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power-sharing with an example from the Indian context.
Ans: Prudential Reason: Power sharing helps in reducing the conflict between various social groups. Hence, power sharing is necessary for maintaining social harmony and peace. Example: In India, reservation of seats for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. This allows the weaker sections also to participate in the running of the Government.
Moral Reason: It is the true spirit of democracy. In a truly democratic setup, the citizens too have a stake in governance. In India, the citizens can come together to debate and criticise the policies and decisions of the government. This in turn puts pressure on the government to rethink its policies and reconsider its decisions.
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 hig 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.
Ans: I agree with Ouseph’s conclusion. Every state should have some or the other form of power-sharing. Power-sharing ensures an optimum balance between different sections in the society. Power sharing not only prevents conflict between various groups in the society but it also generates a sense of belongingness among them to the society. Power sharing helps to maintain a balance of power among various institutions and also keep a check on how it is exercised. Irrespective of the size of a country or the type of a society, people will be more satisfied where they have a say in the functioning and decision making processes of the system.
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.
Ans: The ban on speaking French in the town's schools in Merchtem is not in keeping with the spirit of Belgium's power-sharing arrangements. The arrangements seek to maintain peace between the French and Dutch-speaking communities. The ban on speaking French may result in strained relations between French-speaking and Dutch-speaking communities. Both the languages should be made acceptable in the town's schools. This bilingual education system will be a better way to integrate the people of the town.
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."
Ans: The prudential reason for power sharing given in this passage is "giving power to panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency".
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) A C D G
Ans: (a) A B D F
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
Ans: (d) B, C and D
8. Match list I (form of power sharing) with list II (form of Government) and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
Ans: (c) 1B 2D 3A 4C
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
Ans: (b) both A and B are true.
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