Belgium vs Sri Lanka, forms of power sharing, federalism, and democratic government
Demographics: Belgium (10 million people) has 3 communities — Dutch (59%, Flemish), French (40%), German (1%)
Historical problem: French-speaking minority (Wallonia region) was richer and dominated politics. Dutch speakers resented this.
Solution — Power Sharing:
• Equal number of French and Dutch ministers in Central Government
• Many powers transferred to regional governments (3 regions: Flemish, Walloon, Brussels)
• Community government for cultural matters
• Brussels has separate government (both communities have equal representation)
Result: Belgium avoided civil war and remained united! Today it's headquarters of EU and NATO.
Demographics: 74% Sinhalese (Buddhist), 18% Tamils (Hindu/Christian), 7% Muslim
Problem: After independence (1948), Sinhalese majority dominated. Policies favoured Sinhalese (Sinhala as only official language, preferential treatment in government jobs, university admissions).
Tamils (concentrated in north) felt alienated, discriminated against.
Consequence: Tamil groups formed militant organisations → Civil War! LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) fought for separate Tamil state (Eelam).
Lesson: Imposing majority rule without protecting minorities leads to conflict and instability.
Belgium: Accommodated diverse groups through power sharing → peace and stability
Sri Lanka: Majority imposed its will → discrimination → civil war → instability
Conclusion: Power sharing is desirable and necessary for sustainable democracy, especially in diverse societies.
1. Prudential argument (practical): Power sharing reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups. Conflict leads to violence and instability which is bad for all groups. Distributing power reduces these tensions. → Majority rule can destroy democracy.
2. Moral argument (principled): Power sharing is intrinsically good in a democracy. The spirit of democracy demands that citizens participate in governance. Not sharing power is undemocratic. Even if minority is small, their voice matters.
Power is shared among different organs of government at the same level:
• Legislature (Parliament/Assembly) — makes laws
• Executive (President, PM, Council of Ministers) — implements laws
• Judiciary (Supreme Court, High Courts) — interprets laws
Each organ checks and balances the other's power → prevents concentration of power in one place
Power is shared at different levels of government:
• Union (Central) Government — subjects of national importance (defence, foreign affairs)
• State Governments — subjects of regional importance (police, agriculture, health)
• Local Government (Panchayati Raj) — grassroots governance
Power is shared by giving representation to different social groups:
• Reserved constituencies for SC, ST, OBC in Parliament and state assemblies
• Reservation in government jobs for backward communities
• Community government in Belgium (for Dutch, French, German speakers)
When no single party wins majority, multiple parties form a coalition government. Power is shared among coalition partners.
Examples: India (UPA, NDA coalitions)
Political parties also check each other through opposition — an opposition party that criticises the ruling party is exercising power!