What was not a step taken to remove tension in Belgium between different communities

• Answer:

                  In Belgium, leaders recognized the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities. The Belgian government accommodated its diverse ethnic population in the following manner: (i) Constitution says 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 of the Central Government have been given to the state governments, of the two regions of the country. 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 kind of government, called the 'community government'. This government is elected by the people belonging to one language community-Dutch, French and German speaking, no matter where they live. This government has the power relating cultural education and language related issues. These arrangements helped to avoid a civic strife between the two major communities and a possible division of the country on linguistic lines.
  

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• Answer:

                  The ethnic composition of this small country is very complex. Of the country's total population 59 per cent lives in Flemish region and speak Dutch language. Another 40 per cent people live in the Wallonia region and speak French. Remaining one per cent of the Belgians speak German. In the capital city Brussels, 80 per cent people speak French while 20 per cent are Dutch speaking.
  

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                  (i) The major social groups of Sri Lanka are: the Sinhala speakers (74 percent) and the Tamil speakers (18 per cent). (ii) Among Tamils there are two sub-groups: Tamil natives of the country are called 'Sri Lankan Tamils' and the rest, whose forefathers came fromIndia as plantation workers during colonial period are called 'Indian Tamils'. (iii) Sri Lankan Tamils are concentrated in the north and east of the country. (iv) Most of the Sinhala-speaking people are Buddhists, while most of the Tamils are Hindus or Muslims. There are about 7 per cent Christians who are both Tamils and Sinhalas.
  

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• Answer:

                  In Belgium, the Dutch community could take advantage of its numeric majority and force its will on the Flemists and German-speaking population. This would have pushed the conflict among all these communities further. This could lead to a very messy partition of the country; both the sides would claim control over Brussels. In Sri Lanka, the Sinhala community enjoyed an even bigger majority and could impose its will on the entire country.
  

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• Answer:

                  Power may be shared among different social groups such as the religious and linguistic groups. In some countries there are constitutional and legal arrangements whereby socially weaker sections and women are represented in the legislatures and administration. There is a system of 'reserved constituencies' in our country. This type of arrangement is meant to give space in the government and administration to diverse social groups, who otherwise would feel alienated from the government. This method is used to give minority communities a fair share in power. 'Community Government' in Belgium is a good example of this arrangement.
  

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                  (i) Power sharing helps to reduce the possibilities of conflicts between various ethnic groups living in a society. (ii) It helps in ensuring political stability, since a country can be run by all the communities without giving preference to any majority community. (iii) It also reduces violence and linguistic problems. In India, there is diversity in language but our constitution gives equal weight age to all the languages. (iv) Power sharing is actually being called the true spirit of democracy. It helps in bringing political, economic, social and cultural stability to the nation.
  

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• Answer:

                  The Belgian leaders recognized the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities. Between 1970 and 1993, they amended their constitution four times, so as to work out an arrangement that would enable everyone to live together within the same country. This arrangement was different from any other country and is very innovative, such as they put the equal number of ministers in the central government from Dutch and French speaking both. They formed a community government which would be empowered to take up cultural, educational and language related issues of their community.
  

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Q-1- Describe the tension that existed between the Dutch and the French speaking people in Belgium. [CBSE 2014]
Or
What were the two main causes of resentment in Belgium in 1960 ? How was the conflict solved ? [CBSE 2010]
Ans. (i) The economic inequality between the Dutch¬speaking and French-speaking was the basic cause of tension. (ii) The French-speaking community who was in minority was relatively rich and powerful whereas the Dutch-speaking community who was in majority was poor. (iii) This was resented by the Dutch-speaking community who for the benefit of economic development and education much later. (iv) The tension between the two communities was more acute in Brussels. Brussels presented a special problem : the Dutch¬speaking people constituted a majority in the country, but a minority in the capital.

(v) Between 1970 and 1993, the Belgium government amended their constitution four times so as to work out an arrangement that would enable everyone to live together within the same country. ‘

Q.2. How were the ethnic problems solved in Belgium ? Mention any four steps which were taken by the government to solve the problems ?
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How is the political system in Belgium innovative and different from the other countries of the world ? Explain any three points. [CBSE 2008(0)]
Or .
Highlight any three measures adopted by the Belgian government to accommodate regional and cultural diversities. [CBSE 2013, 14]
Ans. (i) Equal number of ministers for both the groups : The Belgian Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government. Some special laws require the support of majority of members from each linguistic group. Thus, no single community can take decisions unilaterally. (ii) More powers to state governments : Under the proper power sharing arrangement, many powers of the central government were given to state governments for the two regions of the country. The state governments were not subordinate to the central government. • (iii) Equal representation at the state and the central level : A separate government has been set up at Brussels in which both the communities have equal representation. (iv) Formation of community government :

Apart from the central and the state government, there is a third kind of government, i.e., ‘community government’. This ‘community government’ is elected by the people belonging to one language community – Dutch, French and German speaking no matter where they live. This government has the powers regarding cultural, educational and language related issues.

Q.3. Why is Power sharing desirable ? [CBSE Sept. 2010, 2012]
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Why is power sharing necessary in democracy ? Explain. [CBSE Sept. 2011 ]
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“Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy.” Justify this statement with three suitable points. [CBSE 2012,14]
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Why is power sharing desirable ? Give any three prudential reasons.[CBSE 2013]
Ans. 1. Prudential reasons: (i) Prudential reasons are based on careful calculations of gains and losses. For example in the Nepal movement for democracy even the Maoists, an armed _ revolutionary group, was given some share after the formation of government. The major gain for this was peace in Nepal. (ii) Prudential reasons help to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. (iii) Prudential reasons are good way to ensure political stability. (iv) Imposing the will of majority community over the minority may look like an attractive option in the short run, but in the long run, it undermines the unity of the nation. Tyranny of the majority is not just oppressive for the minority; it often brings ruin to the majority as well. 2. Moral reasons: (i) Power sharing is the basic spirit of democracy. A democratic rule involves the sharing of power with those affected by its exercise, and those who have to live with its effects. (ii) A democratic government is chosen by the people. So they have the right to be consulted on how they are to be governed. A legitimate government is one where groups, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.

(iii) Decentralisation of power, i.e., formation of state governments, local governments is an example of moral reason.

Q.4. Explain the major forms of power sharing in modern democracies. [CBSE Sept. 2010]
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Explain four forms of participation in government under modern democratic system. [CBSE 2008 Comp. (O)]
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Explain, how power is shared among different organs of government. [CBSE 2009 (D), Sept. 2010]
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Describe with examples the way in which power can be shared among different social and linguistic groups ? [CBSE Sept. 2010]
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Describe horizontal and vertical power sharing in modern democracies. [CBSE Sept. 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013]
Ans. (i) Power sharing among the different organs of government (Horizontal power sharing). In a democracy, power is shared among the different organs of the government such as the legislature, executive and the judiciary. This is called the horizontal distribution of power because it allows different organs of the government placed at the same level to exercise different powers. Under this kind of power sharing arrangement, one can exercise unlimited powers. Each organ has its own powers, and it can also check the powers of other. So this results in a balance of power among the various institutions.

(iv) Power sharing among political parties, pressure groups and movements : In a democracy, power is also shared among different political parties, pressure groups and movements. Democracy provides the citizens a choice to choose their rulers. This choice is provided by the various political parties, who contest elections to win them. Such competition ensures that power does not remain in one hand.

Q.5. What are the advantages of horizontal power sharing ? Explain with the help of examples.
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What is meant by the horizontal distribution of power ? Explain any two merits of this form of power sharing. [CBSE 2013]
Ans. (i) The power that is shared among different organs of government equally is known as horizontal power sharing. (ii) Horizontal power sharing places all the organs of the government, i.e., legislature, executive and judiciary at the same level. (iii) Under this kind of power sharing no organ can exercise unlimited powers. (iv) This system is also known as system of checks and balances.

(v) For example, in India, though the ministers and government officials exercise power, but they are responsible to the parliament or state legislatures. Similarly, although the judges are appointed by the executive, but they can check the functioning of executive of laws made by the legislatures.

Q.6. Explain the differences between horizontal power sharing and vertical power sharing .[CBSE Sept. 2010]

Q.7. Explain the power sharing arrangements among the political parties and pressure groups.
Ans. (i) In a democracy, power is also shared among different political parties, pressure groups and movements. (ii) Democracy provides the citizens a choice to choose their rulers. This choice is provided by the various political parties, who contest elections to win them. Such competition ensures that power does not remain in one hand. (iii) In the long run, power is shared among different political parties that represent different ideologies and social groups. Sometimes, this kind of sharing can be direct, when two or more parties form an alliance to contest elections. If their alliance is elected, they form a coalition government and thus, share power.

(iv) In a democracy, various pressure groups and movements also remain active. They also have a share in governmental power, either through participation in governmental committees or having influence on the decision making process.

Q.8. How is a federal government better than a unitary government ? Explain with examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka. [CBSE 2008 (O)]
Ans. (i) Federalism is a system of government under which power is divided between a central authority and its various constituent units. Whereas in a unitary government all the powers are in the hands of a central authority, (ii) The Belgium leaders tried to solve the ethnic problem by respecting the feelings and interests of different communities and regions by establishing a federal government, whereas the Sri Lankan government tried to solve the problem through majoritarianism.

(iii) The Belgium solution helped in avoiding the civic strife, whereas the majoritarianism in Sri Lanka led to the civil war.

Q.9. What are some of the basic elements of Belgium model of power sharing ? Write any three. [CBSE Sept. 2011, 2012]
Or
Explain any three elements of the Belgiumn model of Power sharing. [CBSE 2013]
Ans. (i) Equal number of ministers : Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government. Some special laws require the support of majority of members from each linguistic group. Thus, no single community can make decisions unilaterally. (ii) Power sharing : Many powers of the central government have been given to state governments of the two regions of the country. The state governments are not subordinate to the Central Government.

(iii) Separate government for Brussels : Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal representation. The French-speaking people accepted equal representation in Brussels because the Dutch-speaking community has accepted equal representation in the Central Government.