Class 10 Social Science - CBSE
Political Science: Power-sharing
The chapter 'Power-sharing' in CBSE Class 10 Political Science explores how democracies manage diversity and distribute power to maintain stability. Through the detailed case studies of Belgium and Sri Lanka, students understand why power-sharing is desirable both prudentially and morally. The chapter covers different forms of power-sharing across organs of government, levels of government, social groups, and political parties/pressure groups. For board exams, this is a high-weightage chapter that frequently tests conceptual understanding through case-based and direct questions, making it crucial for securing top marks in Civics.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Belgian Model of Accommodation
Belgium's constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government, ensuring no single community can make unilateral decisions.
Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka
A belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it wants, by disregarding the wishes and needs of the minority, which led to a civil war in Sri Lanka.
Prudential Reason for Power-sharing
Power-sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups and ensures political stability.
Moral Reason for Power-sharing
Power-sharing is the very spirit of democracy, emphasizing that citizens have a stake in governance and deserve to be consulted.
Horizontal Power Distribution
Power is shared among different organs of government such as the legislature, executive, and judiciary, practicing a system of checks and balances.
Vertical Power Distribution
Power is shared among governments at different levels, such as a general central government and regional provincial or state governments (Federalism).
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the CBSE Class 10 Social Science board exam, Political Science typically carries around 20 marks in total. Power-sharing, combined with Federalism, generally accounts for 5 to 7 marks. Expect 1-mark objective questions (MCQs/Assertion-Reason), a 3-mark short answer question (often comparing Belgium and Sri Lanka), and occasionally a 5-mark long answer question detailing the different forms of power-sharing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Power-sharing is desirable because it reduces the chances of conflict between social communities (prudential reason) and upholds the true spirit of democratic participation where people have a right to be consulted (moral reason).
Power-sharing helps reduce social conflict and ensures political stability by giving minority groups a voice, aligning with the core democratic value that governance must involve those affected by it.
What is the main difference between horizontal and vertical power-sharing?
Horizontal power-sharing happens among different organs of the same government at the same level (Legislature, Executive, Judiciary) with checks and balances. Vertical power-sharing happens between different levels of government (Central, State, Local).
How did Belgium and Sri Lanka handle ethnic diversity differently?
Belgium accommodated its linguistic diversity by sharing power equally among Dutch and French-speaking populations and creating a community government. Sri Lanka adopted majoritarian policies that favored the Sinhala majority, leading to alienation of Tamils and a prolonged civil war.
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