Class 10 Social Science - UP
Political Science: Power-sharing
The chapter 'Power-sharing' in Class 10 Political Science explores how power is distributed within a democracy to ensure stability and prevent conflict. Through the detailed case studies of Belgium and Sri Lanka, students learn why power-sharing is desirable and how different social groups can coexist peacefully. The chapter discusses various forms of power-sharing, such as vertical division among different levels of government and horizontal division among organs of government like the legislature, executive, and judiciary. For UPMSP board exams, this is a scoring chapter that tests conceptual understanding through short and long answer questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Power-sharing
The distribution of power among different organs, levels, or social groups of a government to ensure that all segments of society 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 historically in Sri Lanka.
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, 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 at the same level, 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 central government for the entire country and provincial or regional governments below it (Federal division).
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Uttar Pradesh (UPMSP) Class 10 Social Science board examination, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Questions frequently include Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), short-answer questions (differentiating between prudential and moral reasons), and long-answer descriptive questions comparing the power-sharing models of Belgium and Sri Lanka.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is power-sharing desirable in a democracy?
Power-sharing is desirable for two main reasons: prudential reasons (it reduces conflict and ensures political stability) and moral reasons (it is the true spirit of democracy where citizens participate in governance).
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, and Judiciary), whereas vertical power-sharing occurs among governments at different levels (like Central, State, and Local governments).
How did Belgium and Sri Lanka handle their ethnic diversity differently?
Belgium accommodated its diverse linguistic groups by sharing power equally and creating a complex federal model. In contrast, Sri Lanka adopted majoritarian policies that favored the Sinhala majority, leading to alienation among Tamils and a prolonged civil war.
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