1. Why is power sharing desirable
1.1. Prudential
1.1.1. Power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.
1.2. Moral
1.2.1. Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy.
2. Power Sharing Arrangements
2.1. Horizontal
2.1.1. Powers shared between organs: Legislature, Executive and Judiciary
2.2. Vertical
2.2.1. Power sharing in federal structure between different tiers of the government
2.3. Power sharing among social groups
2.3.1. Linguistic
2.3.2. Giving minority groups a fair share in power
2.4. Power exerted by political parties, pressure groups and movements
3. Belgium
3.1. Causes of Tensions
3.1.1. The minority French-speaking community was relatively rich and powerful. This was resented by the Dutch-speaking community who got the benefit of economic development and education much later.
3.1.2. 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
3.2. Accommodation
3.2.1. Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government.
3.2.2. 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.
3.2.3. Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal representation.
3.2.4. ‘Community government’ is elected by people belonging to one language community – Dutch, French and German-speaking – no matter where they live. This government has the power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues.
4. Sri Lanka
4.1. Causes of Tension
4.2. Who established Majoritarianism The leaders of the Sinhala community sought to secure dominance over government by virtue of their majority.
4.2.1. Steps taken to establish Majoritarianism
4.2.1.1. In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus disregarding Tamil.
4.2.1.2. The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.
4.2.1.3. A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.
4.2.2. Impact
4.2.2.1. Increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils. Discriminatory policies that took away their political rights, job opportunities etc
4.2.2.2. They felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders was sensitive to their language and culture
4.2.2.3. Demand of autonomy ignored.Political parties formed that eventually demanded a separate state.
4.2.3. Current scenario
4.2.3.1. Civil War brought devastation for the country. Loss of life and livelihood.