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1. Power - Sharing

Power-sharing is a fundamental aspect of democracies, allowing for a more equitable distribution of authority among various groups and levels of government. The chapter explores how different countries, specifically Belgium and Sri Lanka, handle the demands for power-sharing in the context of their diverse populations. Through examining these cases, it highlights the benefits of such arrangements in preventing conflict and promoting social stability.

Sections

Power Sharing

This section discusses the concept of power-sharing in democracies, illustrated through the contrasting cases of Belgium and Sri Lanka.

1 Section Overview

Start current section content and materials

1.1 Belgium and Sri Lanka

This section discusses power-sharing in democracies through the contrasting examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka, highlighting the importance of accommodating diverse communities.

1.2 Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka

This section explores the concept of majoritarianism in Sri Lanka, detailing how the Sinhala majority's policies led to the systematic alienation of the Tamil minority, contrasting it with Belgium's power-sharing approach.

1.3 Accommodation in Belgium

The Belgian Model illustrates the importance of power-sharing in diverse democracies, highlighting how Belgium's careful arrangements differ from the majoritarian approach taken by Sri Lanka.

1.4 Why power sharing is desirable?

This section explores lessons from the power-sharing experiences of Belgium and Sri Lanka, illustrating the importance of accommodating diverse identities in democratic governance.

1.5 Forms of Power-sharing

This section discusses various forms of power-sharing in democracies, using examples from Belgium and Sri Lanka to illustrate the dynamics and implications of such arrangements.

1.6 Examples of Power Sharing

This section discusses power-sharing models in Belgium and Sri Lanka, emphasizing their impact on democracy and community relations.

1.7 Exercises

This section discusses the significance of power-sharing in democracies, illustrated through examples from Belgium and Sri Lanka.

Learning Objectives

  • Power-sharing can help avoid conflict between social groups.

  • Belgium's constitution emphasizes equal representation among linguistic communities to maintain unity.

  • Sri Lanka's failure to accommodate ethnic diversity through power-sharing led to civil unrest and conflict.

Key Concepts

Majoritarianism

A belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country according to its own interests, disregarding the minority's needs.

Prudential Reasons for Powersharing

Arguments that suggest power-sharing leads to better governance and stability by reducing the possibility of conflict.

Moral Reasons for Powersharing

Arguments that emphasize the importance of sharing power as a necessary aspect of democratic governance.

Federal Government

A system of government where power is distributed between a central authority and various regional entities.

Community Government

A form of government in Belgium, elected by language communities, that manages cultural, educational, and language-related issues.

Practice Exercises

Total Questions

2

Estimated Time

4 min

Passing Score

70%

Instructions

  • Read each question carefully
  • You can use hints if you need help
  • Complete all questions before submitting