NCERT Solution Class 10th Social Science (Civics) Chapter- 1 Power Sharing Question & Answer

Ans – (i) Power sharing among different organs of government

• Power sharing among different organs of government such as the legislature, executive and judiciary.
• It is called horizontal distribution pf power
• For example, in India Parliament enacts laws. Executive executes or implements them and judiciary checks the functioning of executive or laws made by the legislature.

 (ii) Power sharing among governments at different levels

• A general government for the entire country and governments at the provincial or regional level.
• This is also called the federal division of power.
• Under this the Constitution clearly lays down the power of each level of government.
• For example, In India, power is shared among three levels of government which are Central government, State government and the local governments

(iii) Power sharing among different social groups

• 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.
• Such government enjoys power regarding cultural, educational and language related issues.

(iv)Power-sharing among political parties, pressure groups and movements

• Power-sharing between political parties, pressure groups and movements – Such
  competition ensures that power does not remain in one hand.
• In the long run, power is shared among different political parties that represent different ideologies and social groups.

Moral reason – 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. For example, Decentralisation of powers

 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 divisions.
Ouseph – Every society needs some form of power sharing even if it is small or does not have social divisions.

Ans – Every society needs some form of power sharing even if they are small or do not have social divisions because

(i) Some power sharing is always needed to give voice to all, and representation to all the members of the country.

(ii) Power sharing solutions are adopted to maintain stability in the system, and peace among various groups to ensure the smooth functioning of the system, irrespective of the size of the country.

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 –  No, the measure taken by the Mayor of Merchtem is not in keeping with the spirit of Belgium’s power sharing arrangements. As 59 per cent of the population in the Flemish region speaks Dutch, the ban on speaking French in the town’s schools would prevent French and Dutch speakers to mingle with each other, and also create feelings of distrust and suspicion. The ban ignores the regional differences and cultural diversities. It is against the spirit of accommodating every linguistic group, and creating a right environment for everyone to live. The ban, rather, makes the ground for a civic strife, and a possible division of the community on linguistic lines.

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. Giving 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 – Giving power to Panchayats is 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.

6. Different arguments are usually put forth in favour of and against power sharing. Identify those which are in favour of power sharing and select the answer using the codes given below? Power sharing:

A. reduces conflict among different communities
B. decreases the possibility of arbitrariness
C. delays decision making process
D. accommodates diversities
E. increases instability and divisiveness
F. promotes people’s participation in government
G. undermines the unity of a country

(a) A, B, D, F
(b) A, C, E, F
(c) A, B, D, G
(d) B, C, D, G

Ans – (a)

 7. Consider the following statements about power sharing arrangements in Belgium and Sri Lanka.

A. In Belgium, the Dutch-speaking majority people tried to impose their domination on the minority French-speaking community.
B. In Sri Lanka, the policies of the government sought to ensure the dominance of the Sinhala-speaking majority.
C. The Tamils in Sri Lanka demanded a federal arrangement of power sharing to protect their culture, language and equality of opportunity in education and jobs.
D. The transformation of Belgium from unitary government to a federal one prevented a possible division of the country on linguistic lines.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) A, B, C, and D
(b) A, B and D
(c) C and D
(d) B, C and D

Ans – (d)

8. Match List 1 (forms of power sharing) and List II (forms of government) and select the correct answer using the codes given below in the lists :

List I

Power shared among different organs of government
Power shared among governments at different levels
Power shared by different social groups
Power shared by two or more political parties

List II

A. Community governments
B. Separation of powers
C. Coalition government
D. Federal government

Ans – (c)

9. Consider the following two statements on power sharing and select the answer using the codes given below:

A. Power sharing is good for democracy.

B. It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.

Which of these statements are true or false?

(a) A is true but B is false
(b) Both A and B are true
(c) Both A and B are false
(d) A is false but B is true

Ans – (b) Both A and B are true