❓ FAQs & Common Mistakes
This section addresses 20 frequently asked questions, 15 common student errors, and 6 score-saving tips for Civics Chapter 1: Power-sharing. Based on analysis of 500+ student responses. Master these to avoid losing easy marks.
📖 PART A: Frequently Asked Questions (20 FAQs)
Questions students most commonly ask about Power-sharing.
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Q: What is power-sharing? Why is it desirable?
A: Power-sharing is a system where power is distributed among different organs, levels, or social groups of government. It is desirable because: (1) It reduces conflict between social groups (2) Upholds the spirit of democracy (people are the source of power) (3) Ensures political stability (4) Prevents tyranny of the majority.
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Q: Explain the different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies.
A: (1) Horizontal Distribution: Among different organs of government (Legislature, Executive, Judiciary) - checks and balances. (2) Vertical Distribution: Among different levels of government (Central, State, Local). (3) Among Social Groups: Reservation for marginalized communities. (4) Among Political Parties/Groups: Coalition governments, pressure groups.
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Q: What is the difference between horizontal and vertical power-sharing?
A: Horizontal Power-sharing: Power is shared among different organs of the same level of government (e.g., Parliament, PM, Supreme Court). It is based on the concept of separation of powers. Vertical Power-sharing: Power is shared among different levels of government (e.g., Central Govt., State Govt., Municipalities). It is based on the concept of federal division of power.
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Q: What is the system of 'checks and balances'? Give an example.
A: It is a system where each organ of government (Executive, Legislature, Judiciary) exercises some control over the others to prevent concentration of power. Example: The Judiciary can declare a law passed by the Legislature as unconstitutional (Judicial Review). The Executive appoints judges, but the Legislature can impeach them.
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Q: What were the main causes of the conflict in Sri Lanka?
A: (1) Majoritarian policies adopted by the Sinhala community government post-independence (2) Recognition of Sinhala as the only official language (1956) (3) State patronage to Buddhism (4) Preferential policies in education and jobs for Sinhala speakers (5) Denial of autonomy to Tamils, leading to demand for a separate state (Tamil Eelam).
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Q: What is Majoritarianism? How did it lead to conflict in Sri Lanka?
A: Majoritarianism is a belief that the majority community should rule a country in its own way, disregarding the wishes and needs of the minority. In Sri Lanka, the Sinhala majority government imposed its language and religion on the Tamil minority, discriminated in jobs and education, and refused to share power. This led to a civil war that lasted nearly 30 years.
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Q: How is the power-sharing arrangement in Belgium innovative?
A: Belgium's arrangements are innovative because: (1) Equal representation of Dutch and French in the Central Government (no single majority) (2) State governments are not subordinate to Central Govt. (3) Brussels has a separate government with equal representation (4) A third 'Community Government' elected by language groups to handle cultural, educational, language-related issues.
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Q: Why is power-sharing between political parties important?
A: Power-sharing between parties through coalitions ensures that no single party can make unilateral decisions. It accommodates diverse interests, promotes consensus-based governance, and gives representation to various ideologies and social groups, making democracy more inclusive.
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Q: What is the moral and prudential reason for power-sharing?
A: Moral Reason: Power-sharing is the very spirit of democracy. It gives citizens a right to be consulted and accommodates diverse viewpoints. Prudential Reason: It reduces the possibility of social conflict and political instability. It is a wise policy for long-term peace and unity of the country.
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Q: Compare the approaches of Belgium and Sri Lanka in dealing with diversity.
A: Belgium: Adopted the path of accommodation. Recognised regional differences, shared power, respected minority interests. Result: Peace and unity. Sri Lanka: Adopted the path of majoritarianism. Imposed majority will, denied power-sharing. Result: Civil war, conflict, disintegration.
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Q: What is a coalition government? How does it promote power-sharing?
A: A coalition government is formed when two or more political parties come together to form a government, usually because no single party has a majority. It promotes power-sharing as parties must negotiate, compromise, and share ministerial positions and policy decisions, representing a broader spectrum of the electorate.
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Q: How does the reservation system in India represent power-sharing?
A: Reservation of seats in legislatures, government jobs, and educational institutions for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes is a form of power-sharing among different social groups. It ensures that marginalized communities have a share in state power and decision-making.
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Q: What is Community Government as seen in Belgium?
A: It is a unique, third tier of government in Belgium, elected by people belonging to one language community (Dutch, French, German). It has the power to make decisions on cultural, educational, and language-related issues for that specific community, irrespective of their geographical location.
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Q: How does civil society or pressure groups share power?
A: Pressure groups, interest groups, and movements (like FICCI, trade unions, environmental groups) influence government policies without directly contesting elections. They represent specific interests, lobby, protest, and thus ensure that power is not exercised solely by the government but is shared with organized public groups.
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Q: Can power-sharing undermine the unity of a country? Explain.
A: No, sensible power-sharing strengthens unity. Giving space to diverse groups makes them feel secure and respected, fostering loyalty to the country. In contrast, denying power-sharing (as in Sri Lanka) creates alienation and conflict, which undermines unity. Belgium's unity is a result of power-sharing, not despite it.
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Q: What is the difference between a federal division and a horizontal distribution of power?
A: Federal Division (Vertical): Power is divided between different levels of government (Central and State). Each level has its own jurisdiction. Horizontal Distribution: Power is shared among different organs (Legislature, Executive, Judiciary) at the same level of government.
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Q: How did the Sri Lankan Tamils struggle for their demands?
A: Initially, they launched parties and struggles for recognition of Tamil, regional autonomy, and equality in jobs/education. When demands were repeatedly denied, some groups launched an armed struggle for a separate Tamil state (Tamil Eelam), leading to a protracted civil war against government forces.
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Q: Is power-sharing only necessary in countries with ethnic diversity?
A: No, power-sharing is a fundamental democratic principle needed everywhere. In homogeneous societies, it is needed to share power among different political parties, social classes, interest groups, and between organs of government to prevent monopoly and tyranny.
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Q: What lessons can be learned from the stories of Belgium and Sri Lanka?
A: The key lesson is that imposing the will of the majority on minorities (majoritarianism) leads to conflict and disintegration (Sri Lanka). In contrast, respecting the identity and interests of diverse communities through imaginative power-sharing arrangements (accommodation) ensures peace, stability, and unity (Belgium).
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Q: What is the main takeaway from this chapter?
A: Power-sharing is not just a political necessity but the essence of democratic governance. It takes various forms (horizontal, vertical, among social groups/parties) and is crucial for reducing conflict, ensuring stability, and making democracy inclusive and legitimate. The contrasting cases of Belgium and Sri Lanka powerfully illustrate its importance.
🚫 PART B: Common Student Errors (15 Mistakes)
Avoid these errors that cost students 1-2 marks each.
Error 1: Confusing "Horizontal" and "Vertical" power-sharing. Remember: Horizontal = Same Level (Organs), Vertical = Different Levels (Govt. Tiers).
Error 2: Writing that "Sri Lanka has a Tamil majority" - Tamils are a minority (18%), Sinhalese are the majority (74%).
Error 3: Stating "Belgium has a French majority" - In the country, Dutch speakers are a majority (59%), but in Brussels, French speakers are a majority.
Error 4: Spelling errors: "Majoritarianism" not "Majorityism", "Accommodation" not "Acommodation".
Error 5: Equating "Coalition government" with "weak government". It is a form of power-sharing, not necessarily weak.
Error 6: Writing "Judiciary is part of the Executive" - They are separate organs in horizontal distribution.
Error 7: Confusing the "Community Government" in Belgium with local municipal government.
Error 8: Forgetting that power-sharing among social groups can also be through reservations, not just territorial autonomy.
Error 9: Saying "Power-sharing slows down decision-making, so it's bad" - It's a trade-off for stability and inclusion.
Error 10: Writing "The civil war in Sri Lanka was between Hindus and Buddhists" - It was primarily ethnic (Tamil vs Sinhala), though religions differed.
Error 11: Misidentifying the official languages of Sri Lanka (Sinhala and Tamil are both official now, but conflict started with Sinhala only).
Error 12: Using "Federal" to describe Sri Lanka's system - Sri Lanka is a unitary state; Belgium is federal.
Error 13: Stating "Pressure groups are part of the government" - They are outside the government but influence it.
Error 14: Writing "Power-sharing is only for divided societies" - It is a universal democratic principle.
Error 15: Confusing "Moral" (ethical, right thing) and "Prudential" (practical, wise) reasons for power-sharing.
💯 PART C: Score-Saving Tips (6 Tips)
Implement these to gain 5-10 extra marks in board exam.
Tip 1: For "Forms of Power-sharing", remember the acronym "H V S P": Horizontal, Vertical, Social Groups, Political Parties/Pressure groups.
Tip 2: Always use the specific examples of Belgium (success through accommodation) and Sri Lanka (failure due to majoritarianism) to illustrate your points.
Tip 3: Underline key concepts: Majoritarianism, Accommodation, Checks and Balances, Coalition, Community Government.
Tip 4: When comparing Belgium and Sri Lanka, use a two-column table for a clear, high-scoring answer.
Tip 5: Link power-sharing to the Indian context: mention coalition politics, reservations, and the federal structure (Centre-State relations).
Tip 6: Conclude answers by emphasizing that power-sharing is the "very spirit of democracy" and essential for unity in diversity.
🎯 Chapter Mastery Checklist
Define power-sharing and explain its moral and prudential reasons.
Describe the four different forms of power-sharing in democracies.
Distinguish between horizontal and vertical distribution of power with examples.
Explain the innovative elements of power-sharing in Belgium.
Compare and contrast the approaches of Sri Lanka and Belgium in handling diversity.
Understand the role of coalition governments and pressure groups in power-sharing.
Explain the system of 'checks and balances' with an example.
Discuss how power-sharing strengthens democracy and ensures political stability.
Apply the concept of power-sharing to the Indian political context.
If you can check all 10 items, you're exam-ready for this chapter!
