Power Sharing

Belgium
Ethnic Composition   Dutch speaking 59 %, in Flemish region
                                 French speaking 40 % in Wallonia region
                                 1 % German speaking
                                 in Brussels - 80 % French speaking, 20 % Dutch speaking
Problems                   French relatively rich & powerful
                                 Dutch - got the benefit of economic development, education much later
                                 Dutch speaking people are a majority in the country, but minority in the capital
Steps taken               Amended Constitution four times between 1970 and 1993
                                 Number of Dutch & French speaking ministers shall be equal in the Central Govt.
                                 State Governments given power, are not subordinate to the Central Govt.
                                 Brussels has a separate Govt., have equal representation of both Dutch & French
                                 Community Govt. has the power regarding cultural, educational and language related                                    issues
Outcomes                 Helped to avoid Civic strife, a possible division of the country, Brussels chosen as                                         headquarter of European Union

Sri Lanka
Ethnic Composition  Sinhala speakers 74 %
                                Tamil speakers 18 % (Sri Lankan Tamils 13%, rest Indian Tamils
                                Sinhala speaking are Buddhist
                                Tamil speaking are Hindu/Muslim
                                7 % are Christians (Sinhala as well as Tamil)
Problems                  Majoritarian Government
                                in 1956 an Act was passed to declare Sinhala as the official language
                                Govt. favoured Sinhala applicants for University positions and Govt. jobs
                                Buddhism, the national religion
Steps taken              Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil as an official language,                                 for regional autonomy and equality of opportunity in securing education and jobs
                                Political organisations formed demanding an independent Tamil Eelam
                                All these demands rejected by Sri Lankan Govt.
Outcome                  Distrust led to Civil war, has caused a terrible setback to the social, cultural and                                             economic life of the country

Need of Power Sharing

• Power sharing helps in reducing the conflict between various social groups. Hence, power sharing is necessary for maintaining social harmony and peace.
• Power sharing helps in avoiding the tyranny of majority. The tyranny of majority not only destroys the minority social groups but also the majority social group.
• People’s voice forms the basis of a democratic government. Hence, power sharing is essential to respect the spirit of democracy.
• The avoiding conflict in society and preventing majority tyranny are considered as prudential reasons for power sharing. Maintaining the spirit of democracy is considered as the moral reason for power sharing.

Forms of Power Sharing:

Power Sharing in Different Organs of Government:

Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. This type of distribution can be called the horizontal distribution of power. This type of power sharing allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers.

Such a separation ensures that unlimited power is not vested in any organ of the government. This ensures a balance of power among various institutions. The executive enjoys official power but is answerable to the legislature. The legislature has the right to make or amend laws but it is answerable to the people. The judiciary is independent and ensures that the law of the land is obeyed by legislature and executive.

Power Sharing at Different Levels:

Power can be shared among governments at different levels. Usually a central government is responsible for the entire nation and state governments are responsible for different units of the federation. There is clear cut demarcation on subjects which come under the union government and those which come under the state government. However, there are some subjects which come under the concurrent list, i.e. both state and central governments exercise power on such subjects.Power Sharing Among Social Groups:

Power may also be shared among different social groups. In a diverse country; like India; there are various social, linguistic and caste groups and power is shared among each group. For example; people from the minority communities, OBCs, and SC & ST are given reservation so that there could be adequate representation for them in the government machinery.

Power Sharing Among Various Pressure Groups:

Power sharing among various political parties is more apparent for most of the people. Usually the largest political party or the largest political coalition becomes the ruling party. The other parties form the opposition. While opposition is not in power, it is responsible for seeing to it that the ruling party functions as per the wishes of the people. Heads of various committees comes from various political parties; which is another way of sharing power among different political parties.

Pressure groups also get their share in power. For example; the trade unions, ASSOCHAM, students’ union, etc. get some power by certain mechanisms. Representatives of these associations become part of many decision making bodies and thus enjoy their share of power.