1. Sri Lanka
1.1. 1.Population-about two crore people, about the same as in Haryana. 2. 74% are Sinhala-speakers 3. 18% are Tamil-speakers 4. Among Tamils there are two subgroups-: i. 13% are ‘Sri Lankan Tamils’ ii. 5% are Indian Tamils-whose forefathers came from India as plantation workers during colonial period 7. 7% are Christians, who are both Tamil and Sinhala
2. Accommodation in Belgium
2.1. 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. Here are some of the elements of the Belgian model: l 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. 2 Many powers of the central government have been given to state governments of the two regions of are not subordinate to the Central the country. The state governments are not subordinate to the Central Government. 3 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. 4 Apart from the Central and the State Government, there is a third kind of government. This ‘community government’ is elected by people belonging to one language com7munity – Dutch, French and German-speaking – no matter where they live. This government has the power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues.
3. Why power sharing is desirable?
3.1. Prudential Reason
3.1.1. 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. Imposing the will of majority community over others may look like an attractive option in the short run, but in the long run it undermines the unity of the nation
3.2. Moral Reason
3.2.1. There is a second, deeper reason why power sharing is good for democracies. Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise, and who have to live with its effects. People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed
4. Forms of power-sharing
4.1. Power shared among different organs of government,
4.1.1. Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. This is called Horizontal form of power sharing. Such a separation ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited power. Each organ checks the others. This results in a balance of power among various institutions.
4.2. Power shared among governments at different levels
4.2.1. A general government for the entire country and governments at the provincial or regional level. This is called vertical division of power This system is not followed in all countries.
4.3. Power shared among different social groups
4.3.1. Power may also 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. This type of arrangement is meant to give space in the government and administration to diverse social groups who otherwise would feel alienated .
4.4. Power shared among political parties, pressure groups and movements
4.4.1. Power sharing arrangements can also be seen in the way political parties, pressure groups and movements control or influence those in power. In a democracy, the citizens must have freedom to choose among various contenders for power. 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.