Class 10 Social Science - KARNATAKA
Political Science: Power-sharing
The chapter 'Power-sharing' explores how democratic governments manage diversity and distribute power to avoid conflicts. It uses the contrasting cases of Belgium, which successfully accommodated its Dutch and French-speaking communities through a complex power-sharing arrangement, and Sri Lanka, which faced a civil war due to majoritarian policies favoring the Sinhala majority. You will study different forms of power-sharing among organs and levels of government, social groups, and political parties. This chapter is vital for the Karnataka SSLC board exam as it builds foundational democratic values and frequently features in both conceptual and long-answer questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Majoritarianism
A belief that a majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it wants, by disregarding the wishes and needs of the minority.
Prudential Reason for Power-sharing
Power-sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of violent conflict between social groups and ensures political stability.
Moral Reason for Power-sharing
Power-sharing is the very spirit of democracy, where citizens have a stake in governance and are entitled to be consulted.
Horizontal Distribution of Power
Power is shared among different organs of government such as the legislature, executive, and judiciary, practicing a system of checks and balances.
Vertical Distribution of Power
Power is shared among governments at different levels, such as a general central government and provincial or state governments.
Community Government
A unique system in Belgium elected by people belonging to one language community—Dutch, French, and German—regardless of where they live, dealing with cultural and educational issues.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Karnataka SSLC (KSEEB) Social Science board exam, this chapter typically carries around 3 to 4 marks. Questions usually include 1-mark multiple-choice or short-answer questions, and 2 or 3-mark analytical questions comparing the situations in Belgium and Sri Lanka or explaining the forms of power-sharing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is power-sharing desirable in a democracy?
Power-sharing is desirable for two main reasons: prudential reasons (it helps reduce social conflict and ensures political stability) and moral reasons (it is the true spirit of democracy where citizens participate in governance).
What led to the civil war in Sri Lanka?
The civil war in Sri Lanka was caused by majoritarian measures adopted by the Sinhala-dominated government, such as making Sinhala the sole official language and favoring Sinhalas in university admissions and jobs, which alienated the Sri Lankan Tamils.
What is the difference between horizontal and vertical power-sharing?
Horizontal power-sharing is power shared among different organs of government at the same level (Legislature, Executive, Judiciary) with checks and balances. Vertical power-sharing is power shared among different levels of government (Central, State, Local).
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