Political Science (Civics) Chapter 1 Power Sharing Class 10 Important Questions and Answers PDF Download
Power Sharing Class 10 Important Questions highlights how various forms of power sharing, such as federalism, decentralisation, and the accommodation of diverse communities, help prevent conflicts and promote democratic principles. Understanding these mechanisms is important for recognising how democratic institutions function to represent and balance the interests of different groups in a society.
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FAQs on CBSE Class 10 Political Science (Civics) Important Questions Chapter 1 Power Sharing
1. From an examination perspective for the CBSE 2025-26 session, what are the prudential and moral reasons for power-sharing?
For the Class 10 board exams, it's crucial to distinguish between the two primary reasons for power-sharing:
- Prudential Reason: This is based on careful calculation of gains and losses. Power-sharing is considered good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between different social groups. By giving every group a stake in governance, it ensures political stability. For example, reserving constituencies for minority communities prevents the kind of civil unrest seen in Sri Lanka.
- Moral Reason: This reason emphasizes the very act of power-sharing as valuable. The moral argument is that power-sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A democratic government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system. It ensures a legitimate government that represents the will of the people.
2. What are the four main forms of power-sharing in modern democracies? Explain with an example for each.
As per the NCERT syllabus, the four key forms of power-sharing are:
- Horizontal Distribution: Power is shared among different organs of the government, such as the legislature, executive, and judiciary. This system of checks and balances ensures that no single organ gains unlimited power. Example: In India, the judiciary can declare laws passed by the legislature unconstitutional.
- Vertical Distribution (Federalism): Power is shared among governments at different levels – a general government for the entire country and governments at the provincial or regional level. Example: India has a Union Government, State Governments, and local governments (Panchayats and Municipalities).
- Power-sharing among different Social Groups: Power is shared among various religious and linguistic groups. Example: The 'Community Government' in Belgium is elected by people belonging to one language community – Dutch, French, and German-speaking – and has power regarding cultural and educational issues.
- Power-sharing among Political Parties, Pressure Groups, and Movements: In a democracy, power is also shared among different political parties that compete in elections. This can lead to coalition governments when no single party secures a majority. Example: Various coalition governments have been formed at the Centre in India.
3. How did Belgium successfully accommodate its diverse population? What is the most expected question from this topic?
Belgium successfully accommodated its ethnic diversity by adopting a power-sharing model that recognised regional and cultural differences. A highly expected board question is to explain the key elements of this model:
- Equal Ministers: The Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government.
- State Government Autonomy: Many powers of the central government were given to State governments of the two regions, making them autonomous.
- Separate Government for Brussels: Brussels, the capital, has a separate government in which both the Dutch and French communities have equal representation.
- Community Government: A third kind of government, the 'Community Government', is elected by people belonging to one language group and handles cultural, educational, and language-related issues.
4. What is majoritarianism? Explain how this policy created conflict in Sri Lanka.
Majoritarianism is a belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it wants, disregarding the wishes and needs of the minority.
In Sri Lanka, the democratically elected government adopted a series of majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy after independence in 1948:
- In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus disregarding Tamil.
- The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.
- The constitution was amended to protect and foster Buddhism.
These actions gradually increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils, leading to a strained relationship between the communities and eventually culminating in a civil war.
5. Explain the horizontal distribution of power. Why is it often called a system of 'checks and balances'?
The horizontal distribution of power refers to the sharing of power among the three main organs of the government: the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. All three organs are placed at the same level to exercise different powers. This separation ensures that no single organ can exercise unlimited authority.
It is called a system of 'checks and balances' because:
- Each organ checks the others.
- The judiciary can check the functioning of the executive and the laws made by the legislature.
- The executive appoints judges but cannot remove them, ensuring judicial independence.
- The legislature can check the executive through no-confidence motions and questioning.
This balance of power is fundamental to the functioning of a successful democracy.
6. It is often said that "power-sharing is the very spirit of democracy." Justify this statement with three important points.
This statement is accurate, and justifying it is a high-value question. Here are three key points:
- Ensures Legitimacy: In a democracy, the people are the source of all political power. A legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, have a stake in the system. Power-sharing gives diverse groups representation, making the government more legitimate in the eyes of the people.
- Promotes Inclusivity: Democracy is not just rule by majority opinion. It must accommodate the interests and voices of minorities. Power-sharing ensures that minority groups are not marginalised and that their perspectives are included in decision-making.
- Prevents Tyranny of the Majority: By distributing power, it prevents any one group from imposing its will on others. This upholds the fundamental democratic principle of equality and protects the rights of all citizens, not just those in the majority.
7. A town in a country with multiple language groups passes a rule banning the use of a minority language in schools, claiming it will help integration. Based on your understanding of the Belgian model, is this a good power-sharing strategy?
No, this action directly contradicts the spirit of the Belgian power-sharing model. For a HOTS (High Order Thinking Skills) question like this, the answer should focus on the principle of accommodation:
- Accommodation, not Assimilation: The Belgian model is celebrated because it accommodated its linguistic diversity rather than forcing one group to assimilate into another. It respected and protected the identities of both Dutch and French speakers.
- Violation of Cultural Rights: Banning a language violates the cultural and educational rights of the minority group. In contrast, Belgium created a 'Community Government' specifically to give language groups control over such matters.
- Potential for Conflict: Such a measure would likely create resentment and conflict, which is what power-sharing aims to prevent. True integration comes from mutual respect and representation, not from suppression.
8. Is it a misconception that power-sharing is only required in large countries with deep social divisions?
Yes, this is a common misconception. While power-sharing is vital for managing diversity in countries like India or Belgium, its principles are important for all democracies, even smaller, more homogeneous ones. Here’s why:
- Upholds Democratic Principles: At its core, power-sharing is about preventing the concentration of power. Even in a society with no major ethnic divides, sharing power between the legislature, executive, and judiciary is essential to prevent authoritarianism.
- Represents Different Ideologies: Societies without ethnic divides still have different political ideologies and interests. Power-sharing among different political parties and pressure groups ensures these diverse viewpoints are represented.
- Increases Government Efficiency: Sharing power with local or regional governments can lead to more efficient and responsive governance, as local bodies are better equipped to understand and solve local problems.
9. Contrast the approaches to power-sharing taken by Belgium and Sri Lanka. What is the key takeaway from this comparison?
This is a classic comparative question for the board exams. The contrast highlights the consequences of different political choices:
- Approach to Diversity: Belgium chose to accommodate its linguistic diversity by creating a complex but effective power-sharing arrangement. Sri Lanka chose the path of majoritarianism, asserting the dominance of the Sinhala majority.
- Constitutional Framework: Belgium amended its constitution multiple times to work out an arrangement that would satisfy all communities. Sri Lanka's constitution and policies favoured one community, alienating the Tamil minority.
- Outcome: Belgium's approach helped maintain the country's unity and avoided civil strife. Sri Lanka's approach led to a feeling of alienation among Tamils, which culminated in a brutal and long-lasting civil war.
The key takeaway is that respecting the interests of different communities and sharing power is crucial for the long-term unity and stability of a country.
