POLITICAL SCIENCE
TOPIC: POWER SHARING
• SUB TOPICS:
1. Introduction to Power Sharing
2. Introduction to Case Studies of Belgium and Sri Lanka
3. Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka
4. Accommodation in Belgium
5. Why is Power Sharing Desirable?
6. Forms of Power Sharing
• POWER SHARING:
Power sharing is a fundamental principle of democracy that refers to the distribution of
power among different organs of government, different levels of government, various social
groups, and political identities. Instead of concentrating power in the hands of a single
authority or group, power is shared to ensure that all sections of society have a say in
governance.
This system prevents the misuse and concentration of power, which is a common feature of
non-democratic or authoritarian systems. By sharing power, democracy becomes more
inclusive and participatory.
Power sharing is especially crucial in diverse societies, where people differ on the basis of
language, religion, region, or culture. It helps in maintaining political stability and national
unity by promoting fairness, mutual respect, and cooperation among different groups.
It reflects the intelligent and planned distribution of power among organs of government such
as the legislature, executive, and judiciary. This careful design shows the true spirit of
democracy.
When power is shared between different levels of government such as central and state
governments, it is known as federalism.
• CASE STUDY OF BELGIUM:
1. Political and Geographical Structure of Belgium:
● Belgium is a small European country, smaller in size than the Indian state of
Haryana. It shares its boundaries with France, Germany, the Netherlands, and
, Luxembourg. Despite its small size, Belgium has a high level of social and linguistic
diversity.
● Belgium has a population of around one crore, and people speak different languages.
The country is divided into four major regions:
● Brussels:
Brussels is the capital city of Belgium. Around 80% of the population speaks French,
while 20% speaks Dutch. Although it is geographically located in the Dutch-speaking
region, French speakers are in the majority here.
● Flemish Region (Flanders):
This is the Dutch-speaking region and the most dominant region of Belgium. It
consists of about 59% of the total population.
● Wallonia:
This is the French-speaking region, consisting of around 40% of Belgium’s
population.
● German-speaking Region:
This is a very small region where German is spoken, making up only 1% of the
population.
● Although Dutch speakers were the majority in the country, they were a minority in the
capital city, Brussels. This imbalance led to serious tensions and conflicts during the
1950s and 1960s, especially between Dutch and French speakers.
2. Accommodation in Belgium:
● The Belgian leaders adopted a proactive and mature approach to deal with regional
and linguistic differences. Instead of allowing conflicts to grow, they focused on
accommodation, which means adjusting and sharing power in a way that satisfies all
groups.
● To ensure peaceful coexistence, the Belgian Constitution was amended four times
between 1970 and 1992. These amendments resulted in a unique and innovative
power-sharing arrangement, which balanced unity with diversity.
3. Key Elements of the Belgian Model:
a) Equal Representation in Central Government:
● The Belgian Constitution mandates that the number of Dutch-speaking and
French-speaking ministers in the central government must be equal.
● This arrangement ensures that no single linguistic group can dominate the central
government.
TOPIC: POWER SHARING
• SUB TOPICS:
1. Introduction to Power Sharing
2. Introduction to Case Studies of Belgium and Sri Lanka
3. Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka
4. Accommodation in Belgium
5. Why is Power Sharing Desirable?
6. Forms of Power Sharing
• POWER SHARING:
Power sharing is a fundamental principle of democracy that refers to the distribution of
power among different organs of government, different levels of government, various social
groups, and political identities. Instead of concentrating power in the hands of a single
authority or group, power is shared to ensure that all sections of society have a say in
governance.
This system prevents the misuse and concentration of power, which is a common feature of
non-democratic or authoritarian systems. By sharing power, democracy becomes more
inclusive and participatory.
Power sharing is especially crucial in diverse societies, where people differ on the basis of
language, religion, region, or culture. It helps in maintaining political stability and national
unity by promoting fairness, mutual respect, and cooperation among different groups.
It reflects the intelligent and planned distribution of power among organs of government such
as the legislature, executive, and judiciary. This careful design shows the true spirit of
democracy.
When power is shared between different levels of government such as central and state
governments, it is known as federalism.
• CASE STUDY OF BELGIUM:
1. Political and Geographical Structure of Belgium:
● Belgium is a small European country, smaller in size than the Indian state of
Haryana. It shares its boundaries with France, Germany, the Netherlands, and
, Luxembourg. Despite its small size, Belgium has a high level of social and linguistic
diversity.
● Belgium has a population of around one crore, and people speak different languages.
The country is divided into four major regions:
● Brussels:
Brussels is the capital city of Belgium. Around 80% of the population speaks French,
while 20% speaks Dutch. Although it is geographically located in the Dutch-speaking
region, French speakers are in the majority here.
● Flemish Region (Flanders):
This is the Dutch-speaking region and the most dominant region of Belgium. It
consists of about 59% of the total population.
● Wallonia:
This is the French-speaking region, consisting of around 40% of Belgium’s
population.
● German-speaking Region:
This is a very small region where German is spoken, making up only 1% of the
population.
● Although Dutch speakers were the majority in the country, they were a minority in the
capital city, Brussels. This imbalance led to serious tensions and conflicts during the
1950s and 1960s, especially between Dutch and French speakers.
2. Accommodation in Belgium:
● The Belgian leaders adopted a proactive and mature approach to deal with regional
and linguistic differences. Instead of allowing conflicts to grow, they focused on
accommodation, which means adjusting and sharing power in a way that satisfies all
groups.
● To ensure peaceful coexistence, the Belgian Constitution was amended four times
between 1970 and 1992. These amendments resulted in a unique and innovative
power-sharing arrangement, which balanced unity with diversity.
3. Key Elements of the Belgian Model:
a) Equal Representation in Central Government:
● The Belgian Constitution mandates that the number of Dutch-speaking and
French-speaking ministers in the central government must be equal.
● This arrangement ensures that no single linguistic group can dominate the central
government.
