CBSE Class 10 Social Science Power Sharing Important Questions Set C

Assertion and Reasoning Based Questions

Mark the option which is most suitable :
(a) If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) If assertion is true but reason is false.
(d) If both assertion and reason are false.

Question. Assertion : Sinhala was recognised as only official language of Sri Lanka. Reason : The government of Sri Lanka wanted to establish the supremacy of Sinhala community.
(a) Option A
(b) Option B
(c) Option C
(d) Option D
Answer: (a)

Question. Assertion : In Belgium, the leaders realized that the unity of the country is possible by respecting the feelings and interest of different countries. Reason : Belgium favoured Dutch speaking community.
(a) Option A
(b) Option B
(c) Option C
(d) Option D
Answer: (d)

Question. Assertion : In a democracy, everyone has voice in the shaping of public policies. Reason : India has federal system.
(a) Option A
(b) Option B
(c) Option C
(d) Option D
Answer: (b)

Question. Assertion : Power should reside with one person and group located at one place in a democracy. Reason : If the power is dispersed, it will not be possible to take decision quickly and enforce it.
(a) Option A
(b) Option B
(c) Option C
(d) Option D
Answer: (d)

Question. Assertion : Belgium and Sri Lanka both faced ethnical tension among different communities. Reason : Both the countries resolved the conflict by power sharing arrangement which gave equal representation to all the communities.
(a) Option A
(b) Option B
(c) Option C
(d) Option D
Answer: (c)

Question. Assertion : There was a feeling of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils. Reason : The Sri Lankan government denied their equal political rights and discriminated against them in getting jobs and other opportunities.
(a) Option A
(b) Option B
(c) Option C
(d) Option D
Answer: (a)

Question. Assertion : Community government in Belgium is elected by one language community. Reason : Community government helped in resolving conflict between different linguistic groups.
(a) Option A
(b) Option B
(c) Option C
(d) Option D
Answer: (a)

Question. Assertion : French speaking community in Belgium was rich and powerful. Reason : Belgian Government favoured French speaking community.
(a) Option A
(b) Option B
(c) Option C
(d) Option D
Answer: (c)

Question. Assertion : Power Sharing is good. Reason : It leads to ethnical tension.
(a) Option A
(b) Option B
(c) Option C
(d) Option D
Answer: (c)

Question. Assertion : Tyranny of majority is highly desirable. Reason : It helps in making the political order more stable.
(a) Option A
(b) Option B
(c) Option C
(d) Option D
Answer: (d)

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Describe the ethnic composition of Sri Lanka.
Answer: Sri Lanka is an Island nation in the Indian Ocean about 80 km, in the East of the Southern tip of India. It is home to more than two crore people. Sri Lanka has been a centre of Buddhist religion and culture from ancient times. It is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic nation. Beside Buddhism, (69.1%) religions like Hinduism (7.1%), Christianity (6.2%), Islam (7.6%) and others are also there. Here, the major social groups are the Sinhala speakers (74%) and Tamil speakers (18%). Among Tamils there are two sub-groups (i) Sri Lankan Tamils (13%) (ii) Indian Tamils (5%). Sri Lankan Tamils are the natives of the country and the rest who migrated from India during colonial times are called Indian Tamils. The main languages spoken by the people in Sri Lanka are Sinhala, Tamil and English.

Question. What is majoritarianism ? How has it increased the feelings of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils ? Explain with examples.
Answer: Majoritarianism is a philosophy which asserts 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. It means submission of the minority group by the majority group for all the decisions affecting their lives. A series of majoritarian measures were adopted by the democratically elected government in Sri Lanka after its independence in 1948. It adopted majoritarianism to establish Sinhala supremacy. In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus, disregarding Tamil. The government followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs. A new constitution advocated that the state shall protect and promote Buddhism. All these measures taken by the government gradually increased the feeling of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils.

Question. What was the problem of Belgian model ?
Answer: The arrangement that the Belgian leaders worked out is different from any other country and is very innovative. Some basic elements of the Belgium model of power sharing are enumerated ahead : (i) The Belgian constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French speaking ministers shall be equal in the Central Government. Thus, no single community can make decisions unilaterally. (ii) Many powers have been given to the State Governments because the State Governments are not subordinate to the Central Government. (iii) Brussels has a separate government, in which both the communities have equal representation. (iv) There is a third type of government—‘Community Government’ which is elected by the people belonging to one language community (may be Dutch, French and German) and has the power regarding cultural, educational and language related issues.

Question. What led to the ethnic tension in Belgium ? Why was it more acute in Brussels ?
Answer: The minority French speaking community was relatively rich and powerful. So the Dutch speaking community, who got the benefits of economic development and education much later showed the resentment between the Dutch speaking and the French speaking communities during the 1950s and the 1960s. The conflict between the two communities was more severe in Brussels because the Dutch speaking people constituted a majority in the country, but a minority in the capital.

Question. Explain two reasons why power sharing is desirable in a democracy.
Answer: Two reasons can be given in favour of power sharing : (i) In a democracy, people are the source of all political power. In a good democracy, proper respect should be given to diverse groups and views that exist in a society. So, political power should be distributed among as many citizens as possible. Power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Social conflict leads to violence and political instability. Tyranny of the majority is bad for both minority and majority as well. (ii) A legitimate government is one where citizens participate in the system. People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be ruled. In a democracy, people enjoy this benefit. A democratic rule involves sharing power among its citizens. Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. It implies maximum popular participation through decentralisation of powers, so that people would be consulted on how they are to be governed.

Question. Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. Justify this statement with three suitable points.
Answer: Power sharing is true spirit of democracy because : (i) It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. (ii) It is a good way to ensure the stability of the political order. (iii) Here, people have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed. Thus, a legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.

Question. Explain the differences between horizontal power sharing and vertical power sharing.
Answer: In modern democracy, power sharing arrangement can take many forms. It can be horizontal or vertical. The difference between the two arrangement are : (i) Under the horizontal power sharing, power is shared among the different organs of the government such as the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary. In case of vertical power sharing, power is shared among the different levels of the government. (ii) Under the horizontal distribution of power, the organs of the government are placed at the same level to exercise different powers. But the vertical division of power involves the higher and lower levels of the government. (iii) In horizontal distribution of power, each organ check the other organ. But in vertical power sharing the lower organ works under the higher organs.

Question. Why horizontal distribution of power often is referred to as the system of checks and balances? Explain.
Answer: Under horizontal distribution of power, power is shared among totally different organs of the government like legislature, executive and judiciary. This method is also known as the system of checks and balances. The reasons are enumerated as : (i) All three organs of the government are placed at an identical level. (ii) The power distribution ensures that no organ fully exercise unlimited power. (iii) Each organ exercises a check on the others.

Question. Read the sources given below and answer the questions that follow : Source A – Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka. Source B – Accommodation in Belgium. Source C – Why power sharing is desirable?
Answer: 9.1 Why did the Sri Lankan Tamils feel alienated? Answer : The Sri Lankan Tamils felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders were sensitive towards their language and culture. They felt that the constitution and government policies denied them equal political rights, discriminated against them in getting jobs and other opportunities and ignored their interests. 9.2 What is the need of a ‘community government’? Answer : The ‘community government’ has the power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues. It is elected by people belonging to one language community—Dutch, French and German-speaking—no matter where they live. This reflects that all the citizens were equally represented and no one was discriminated against. 9.3 What is a legitimate government? Answer : A legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. Compare the situation of Belgium and Sri Lanka considering their location, size and cultural aspects.
Answer: Belgium is a European country which shares its boundaries with the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Germany. While Sri Lanka on the other hand, is an island nation, a South Asian country, situated south to India. Belgium is a very small country in Europe, even smaller in area than that of the state of Haryana. Sri Lanka has about 2 crore people, about same as Haryana. As compared to Belgium, it is much bigger in area. The ethnic composition of Belgium is very complex. Of the total population 59% lives in flemish region and speaks Dutch language. Another 40% people live in the wallonia region and speak french and the remaining one percent of the Belgians speaks German. Sri lanka has a diverse population. Social composition of population of Sri Lanka is as follows : (a) Sinhala speaking – 74% (b) Tamil speaking – 18% (c) Christians – 7%

Question. How is the idea of power sharing emerged? Explain different forms that have common arrangements of power sharing.
Answer: Power sharing has emerged as a strong substitute to the idea of undivided political power, which belived in giving power to one person or group of a people located in one place. The core principle of power sharing is that people are the source of all political powers. Common forms of power sharing are : (i) Vertical division of power : The sharing of power can be done at the different levels of the government – a central government for entire country and governments at provincial or regional level. This type is usually called federal government. (ii) Horizontal division of power : In this form, the power is divided among different organs of government such as legislature, the executive and the judiciary. It places different organs of the government at the same level. (iii) Power is also shared among different social groups such as religious and linguistic groups eg : community government. (iv) Various power sharing arrangement can also be seen in the way political parties, pressure groups and movements control or influence those in power.

Question. What were the reasons for the alienation of Sri Lankan Tamils ? What was the effect of this on the country ?
Answer: Majoritarianism is a philosophy, which asserts 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. It means submission of the minority group by the majority group for all the decisions affecting their lives. A series of majoritarian measures were adopted by the democratically elected government in Sri Lanka after its independence in 1948. It adopted majoritarianism to establish Sinhala supremacy. In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus, disregarding Tamil. The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs. A new Constitution advocated that the state shall protect and promote Buddhism. All these measures taken by the government gradually increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils.

Question. Describe the tension that existed between the Dutch and the French speaking people in Belgium.
Answer: (i) The economic difference between the Dutch speaking and French speaking people is the fundamental reason behind the tension. (ii) The French speaking community is in minority. The French people are comparatively richer and powerful, whereas the Dutch speaking community is not only in majority but also is poor. (iii) This is subsequently resented by the Dutch speaking community as it has affected their economic development and education. (iv) The tension between the two communities assumes a severe form in Brussels. The Dutch speaking people are in majority within the country, however, they constitute a minor proportion in Brussels, which is the capital of Belgium. (v) Between 1970 and 1993, the Belgium government amended their constitution four times to make an arrangement that would enable them to live together.

Question. Highlight the measures adopted by the Belgian constitution for the prevention of conflicts in Belgium.
Answer: The arrangement that the Belgium leaders worked out is different from any other country and is very innovative. (i) Belgian constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French speaking ministers shall be equal in the Central Government. Thus, no single community can make decisions unilaterally. (ii) Many powers have been given to the State Governments because the state governments are not subordinates to the Central Government. (iii) Brussels has a separate government, in which both the communities have equal representation. (iv) There is a third type of government, ‘community government’ which is elected by the people belonging to one language community (Dutch, French or German) and has the power regarding cultural, educational and language related issues.

Question. Evaluate the power sharing system in India.
Answer: Power sharing in India is done in different ways, each with its own benefits. (i) Horizontal distribution of power and its benefits: Power is shared among different organs of the government, namely the legislature, the judiciary and the executive, placed at the same level. Different organs exercise different powers as well as checks the other organ. (ii) Vertical division of power and its benefits: India is a federal country that divides its power amongst the national government and the government at local and state level. This allows the issues and problems to be settled easily and effectively and the state can function as autonomous body. They are not subordinate of the central government. (iii) Power sharing amongst different communities and benefits: Power is shared among different religious, linguistic and regional groups. There are legal provisions made whereby the weaker section of the society and women are represented in the assemblies and legislature. (iv) Power sharing amongst different parties and benefits: Due to the system of elections power is shared among different parties who represent different groups and communities. This allows different ideas and views to enjoy representation. Due to the above reasons the power sharing in India has actual made India more powerful and promoted unity amongst citizens. It has allowed people to participate in the decision making that affects them.

Question. Describe any three demands of the Sri Lankan Tamils. How did they struggle for their demands?
Answer: Disillusioned by the government’s Majoritarian Policy, the Sri Lankan Tamil started their struggle. They wanted (i) Recognition of Tamil as an official language, (ii) Regional autonomy (iii) Equality of opportunity in securing education and jobs. These were there three demands. But i.e., the demands of the Sri Lankan Tamils for more autonomy to provinces populated by the Tamils were repeatedly rejected. By the 1980s, several political organisations were formed demanding an independent Tamil Eelam (state) in Northern and Eastern parts of Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Tamil launched their own political party LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam). The conflict between the two communities turned into widespread conflict and it soon turned into a Civil War. As a result, thousands of people of both the communities have been killed and this caused a terrible setback to the social, cultural and economic life of the country.

Question. Read the extract and answer the questions that follows : Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. Let us call this horizontal distribution of power because it allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different power...
Answer: 8.1 What is the horizontal distribution of power sharing? Answer : An arrangement of power sharing in which power shared among different organs (legislature, executive and judiciary) of the government, is called as horizontal distribution of power sharing. 8.2 What is the federal division of power ? Explain with example. Answer : (i) In some countries like India and Belgium, power is shared among governments at different level i.e. general government for the entire country and separate governments for regional or provincial level. This kind of power sharing is known as federal division of power sharing. (ii) In the federal division of power, a general government for the entire country is called the central or union government while the regional government are called by different names in different countries. In India we call them the State Governments. 8.3 How does power sharing occur in the community government ? Answer : (i) A ‘community governments’ is chosen by those people who belong to a particular language or religious community. In this government power is shared among different social groups. For Example Belgium. (ii) A community government solves issues related to the cultural, education and language. This government prevents social conflicts among different religious and linguistic communities.

Source/Extract Based Questions

Thus, two different sets of reasons can be given in favour of power sharing. Firstly, power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and political instability, power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order...

Question. Which statement best defines the term prudential?
(a) Based on prudence, or on careful calculation of gains and losses
(b) Based on violence and political instability
(c) Decisions based on purely moral considerations
(d) Based on the decisions of the majority
Answer: (a)

Question. What undermines the unity of the nation in the long run?
(a) Power sharing
(b) Participation of people
(c) People aquiring stake in the functioning of the government
(d) Imposing the will of the majority community over the others
Answer: (d)

Question. Why is power sharing encouraged?
(a) Reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups
(b) It ensures the stability of political order.
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) Only (b)
Answer: (c)

Question. Give the moral reason behind power sharing.
(a) It ensures stability of political order
(b) People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed
(c) It reduces the possibilty of conflict between social groups
(d) Tyranny is not only oppressive for the minority but brings ruin to the majority too.
Answer: (b)

In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus disregarding Tamil. The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs. A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism. All these government measures, coming one after the other, gradually increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils...

Question. What is Majoritarianism?
(a) Rule of the Sinhala’s
(b) Rule of the Majority over the minority.
(c) Rule of the stronger political party.
(d) Rule of the common men.
Answer: (b)

Question. Choose the correct option : Power sharing is desirable because it helps :
(a) To increase pressure on government.
(b) To reduce possibilities of conflicts.
(c) To generate awareness among people.
(d) To increase percentage of voter.
Answer: (b)

Question. Which major social group constituted the largest share in population of Sri Lanka?
(a) Sinhalas
(b) Sri Lankan Tamils
(c) Indian Tamils
(d) Muslims
Answer: (a)

Question. The word ‘ethnic’ signifies :
(a) Different religions.
(b) Social division on shared culture.
(c) A violent conflict between opposite groups.
(d) A careful calculation of gains and losses.
Answer: (b)

Archive

Question. What is meant by the system of ‘checks and balances’?
Answer: Under horizontal distribution of power, power is shared among different organs of the government like legislature, executive and judiciary. In this each organ exercises a check on the others. This results in a balance of power among various institutions and is called a system of checks and balances.

Question. Explain any three forms of power sharing among different organs of government in India.
Answer: (i) Horizontal distribution: shared among Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary. (ii) Vertical division: shared between Central, State, and Local governments. (iii) Among social groups: like Community government or reserved constituencies for weaker sections.

Question. Highlight the reasons for the increase in the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils after independence.
Answer: The 1956 Act making Sinhala the only official language, preferential government policies favoring Sinhalese for jobs and university seats, and constitutional protection of Buddhism led to a sense of alienation among Tamils.

Question. Highlight any three measure sacepted by the Belgian Government to accommodate regional and cultural diversities.
Answer: (i) Equal number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers in the Central Government. (ii) State governments are not subordinate to the Central Government. (iii) Creation of a ‘Community Government’ to handle cultural, educational, and language issues.

Question. ‘‘Both Belgium and Sri Lanka are democracies but they follow different system of power sharing’’. Support the statement by giving three point of difference.
Answer: (i) Belgium adopted accommodation by giving equal representation to linguistic groups, while Sri Lanka adopted majoritarianism favoring Sinhalas. (ii) Belgium has a Community Government for social groups, whereas Sri Lanka’s constitution promotes only Buddhism. (iii) Belgium’s model avoided conflict, while Sri Lanka’s policies led to a civil war.