Class 10 Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing 

Q.1. What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.

Ans :-
1-In modern democracies, the different forms of power sharing are given below with an example of each:

(i)- Power sharing among different organs of government such as the legislature, executive and judiciary.
(ii)- It is called horizontal distribution of power
(iii)- For example, in India Parliament enacts laws. Executive executes or implements them and judiciary checks the functioning of executive or laws made by the leg statures.

2- Power sharing among governments at different levels:
(i)- There are governments at the National, State and Local levels.
(ii)- Powers are divided among these governments. For example in India, there is a division of powers between Center and the States. There are three lists i.e., Union list, State list and Concurrent list. The residuary powers which have not been included in the three lists are with the Central Government.

3- Power sharing among different social groups:
(i)- Sometimes religious and linguistic groups too share power as is the case in Belgium where there is a "community government" which is elected by people belonging to one language community no matter where they live.

(ii)- Such government enjoys power regarding cultural, educational and language related issues.

4- Power sharing among political parties, pressure groups and movements: 
(i)- In a democracy political parties, pressure groups and movements control or influence those in power. Sometimes power is shared by different political parties having different ideologies. Such alliances form coalition government.

Q.2. State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power sharing with an example from the Indian context.

Ans
:- Prudential Reason: Power sharing helps in reducing the conflict between various social groups. Hence, power sharing is necessary for maintaining social harmony and peace. In India, seats are reserved for the weaker sections of society. Example: reservation of seats for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. This allows the weaker sections also to participate in the running of the Government.
:- Moral Reason: It upholds the spirit of democracy. In a truly democratic setup, the citizens too have a stake in governance. In India, the citizens can come together to debate and criticise the policies and decisions of the government. This in turn puts pressure on the government to rethink its policies and reconsider its decisions.

Q.3. After reading this chapter, three students drew different conclusions. Which of these do you agree with and why? Give your reasons in about 50 words.
Thomman - Power sharing is necessary only in societies which have religious, linguistic or ethnic divisions.
Mathayi - Power sharing is suitable only for big countries that have regional divisons.
Ouseph - Every society needs some form of power sharing even if it is small or does not have social divisions.

Ans :- Ouseph's statement is the most logical, and thus, should be agreed on. Power sharing not only prevents conflict between various groups in the society but it also inculcates a sense of worth in the citizens. The people will be more satisfied with the government if they have a say in the decisionmaking process.

Q.4. The Mayor of Merchtem, a town near Brussels in Belgium, has defended a ban on speaking French in the town's schools. He said that the ban would help all non-Dutch speakers integrate in this Flemish town. Do you think that this measure is in keeping with the spirit of Belgium's power sharing arrangements? Give your reasons in about 50 words.

Ans :- This measure is not in keeping with Belgium's power sharing arrangements. The arrangements seek to maintain peace between the French and Dutch-speaking communities. By banning French, the mayor will cause civil unrest. Both the languages should be made acceptable in the town's schools. This bilingual education system will be a better way to integrate the people of the town.

Q.5. Read the following passage and pick out any one of the prudential reasons for power sharing offered in this.
"We need to give more power to the panchayats to realise the dream of Mahatma Gandhi and the hopes of the makers of our Constitution. Panchayati Raj establishes true democracy. It restores power to the only place where power belongs in a democracy - in the hands of the people. Given power to panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency. When people participate in the planning and implementation of developmental schemes, they would naturally exercise greater control over these schemes. This would eliminate the corrupt middlemen. Thus, Panchayati Raj will strengthen the foundations of our democracy."

Ans :-The prudential reason for power sharing offered in this passage is giving power to panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency.