Class 10 Social Science - RAJASTHAN
Political Science: Power-sharing
The chapter 'Power-sharing' in Class 10 Political Science explores how democracies manage diversity and distribute authority to prevent conflict. Through the case studies of Belgium and Sri Lanka, students learn why power-sharing is desirable and how majoritarianism can destabilize a nation. The chapter covers different forms of power-sharing, such as vertical division among levels of government and horizontal division among organs of government. It is a high-scoring chapter in the Rajasthan Board (RBSE) examinations, frequently featuring both objective and long-answer questions that test conceptual understanding of democratic governance.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Power-sharing
The distribution of political power among different organs, levels, or social groups of a government to ensure that all sections have a voice in decision-making.
Majoritarianism
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, as seen in Sri Lanka.
Belgian Model
A unique constitutional arrangement in Belgium that accommodates linguistic and regional diversity through a complex power-sharing mechanism between Dutch and French-speaking communities.
Prudential Reason for Power-sharing
The argument that 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
The argument that power-sharing is the very spirit of democracy, as people who are affected by its exercise have a right to be consulted.
Horizontal Distribution of Power
Power shared among different organs of government at the same level, such as the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary, practicing a system of checks and balances.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Rajasthan Board (RBSE) Class 10 Social Science exam, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Students can expect 1 or 2 objective/multiple-choice questions and 1 essay-type or short-answer question, often focusing on the comparison between Belgium and Sri Lanka or 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 reduces social conflict and ensures stability) and moral reasons (it is the true spirit of democracy where citizens have a right to be consulted).
What led to ethnic tension in Sri Lanka?
Ethnic tension in Sri Lanka arose because the Sinhala-majority government adopted a series of majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy, ignoring the interests and language rights of the Tamil minority.
What is the difference between horizontal and vertical power-sharing?
Horizontal power-sharing occurs among different organs of government at the same level (like legislature, executive, judiciary), whereas vertical power-sharing occurs among different levels of government (like central, state, and local).
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