NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science Political Science Chapter 1: Power Sharing
Power sharing is one of the most fundamental concepts in democratic governance studied in Class 10 Social Science (Political Science). Chapter 1 of the NCERT textbook "Democratic Politics II" introduces students to the idea that in a true democracy, political power must not be concentrated in the hands of a single person, institution, or group. The chapter draws from the real-world examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka to explain how different societies handle ethnic, linguistic, and political diversity through two contrasting models — accommodation and majoritarian domination. Belgium, a small European nation with Dutch-speaking Flemish and French-speaking Walloon communities, successfully negotiated a power-sharing arrangement that gave both groups equal representation even when one was numerically superior.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, adopted majoritarian policies that favoured the Sinhala community over Tamils, leading to prolonged civil conflict. The chapter explains four main forms of power sharing — among government organs (legislature, executive, judiciary), among different levels of government (central and state), among political parties and pressure groups, and among social groups. Understanding why power sharing is desirable, both as a prudent arrangement to prevent conflict and as an intrinsically right principle in a democracy, forms the core learning objective of this chapter. Must check NCERT solutions prepared by Myclass24 Experts for NCERT Solutions for Class 10 and NCERT solutions for Class 10 Social Science.
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Key Points of Chapter 1: Power Sharing
- Belgium vs Sri Lanka: Belgium resolved ethnic conflict through equal power distribution; Sri Lanka's majoritarianism led to civil war and Tamil demands for a separate nation.
- Prudential Reason for Power Sharing: Power sharing helps reduce the possibility of conflict among different social groups and thus ensures the long-term stability of a country.
- Moral Reason for Power Sharing: In a democracy, citizens have a right to be consulted on how they are governed — power sharing is inherently right and just.
- Horizontal Distribution: Power is shared among the three main organs of government — the legislature makes laws, the executive implements them, and the judiciary interprets them — with checks and balances to prevent misuse.
- Vertical Distribution (Federalism): Power is divided between the national government and sub-national governments (states or provinces), ensuring that local issues are handled locally.
- Power Sharing Among Social Groups: Community governments, minority representation, and reserved constituencies ensure that various social and ethnic groups have a stake in governance.
- Power Sharing Among Pressure Groups: Political parties, trade unions, and pressure groups compete for power and influence policy, making power sharing dynamic and participatory.
- Key NCERT Insight: Power sharing is not just a technical arrangement — it reflects the very spirit of democracy where every citizen's voice counts.
Chapter 1: Power Sharing — Key Comparison Tables
Table 1: Belgium vs Sri Lanka — Power Sharing Models
| Aspect | Belgium | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|---|
| Population Composition | Dutch-speaking Flemish (59%), French-speaking Walloon (40%), German-speaking minority (1%) | Sinhala-speaking majority (74%), Tamil minority (18%), other groups (8%) |
| Approach to Diversity | Accommodative — power shared equally between communities regardless of population size | Majoritarian — Sinhala declared official language; Tamil interests largely ignored |
| Constitutional Arrangement | Equal ministers from both communities; separate cultural councils; Brussels given special status | Sinhala Only Act (1956) passed; Tamils excluded from government and university seats |
| Outcome | Peaceful coexistence; stable democracy; avoided ethnic conflict through negotiation | Civil war; LTTE formed; decades of armed conflict; thousands of lives lost |
| Lesson for Democracy | Accommodation and power sharing prevent conflict and maintain unity | Majoritarianism without power sharing leads to resentment, insurgency, and instability |
Table 2: Four Forms of Power Sharing
| Form of Power Sharing | Definition | Indian Example |
|---|---|---|
| Among Government Organs | Power distributed between legislature, executive, and judiciary with checks and balances | Parliament makes laws, Cabinet implements, Supreme Court can strike down unconstitutional laws |
| Among Levels of Government | Federal arrangement — power divided between central and state governments | Union List, State List, and Concurrent List in Indian Constitution |
| Among Social Groups | Religious minorities, scheduled castes, and tribal groups get representation | Reserved constituencies for SC/ST; Minority Commission; community governments |
| Among Pressure Groups | Political parties, trade unions, and interest groups compete to influence policy | Opposition parties, media, civil society organizations shaping government decisions |
NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science (Political Science) Chapter 1: Power Sharing
Power sharing refers to the distribution of power among different organs, levels, and groups in society so that no single person or institution dominates the political system. In the chapter, the example of Belgium shows how power sharing helps maintain peace among different linguistic communities. It is important because it reduces social conflicts, promotes political stability, and strengthens democracy. When people from various communities participate in decision-making, they feel represented and respected. Power sharing also prevents the misuse of authority and encourages cooperation among different sections of society, making democratic governments more inclusive and effective.
Belgium faced tensions between the Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities. To prevent conflict, leaders introduced constitutional arrangements that ensured fair representation for both groups. Separate governments were created at different levels, and important decisions required the support of representatives from both communities. The capital city, Brussels, was given a special arrangement to protect the interests of all groups. These measures helped build trust and cooperation among citizens. The Belgian model demonstrates that sharing power among different communities can promote unity and prevent social unrest in a diverse society.
The Belgian model focused on accommodation and cooperation among communities by sharing political power. It recognized diversity and ensured equal participation in governance. In contrast, Sri Lanka adopted policies that favored the Sinhala-speaking majority, leading to dissatisfaction among the Tamil minority. The concentration of power in the hands of the majority created tensions and conflict. While Belgium achieved stability through inclusion, Sri Lanka experienced ethnic divisions due to unequal treatment. The comparison highlights how democratic societies function better when power is distributed fairly among different social and cultural groups.