Comparative Politics: Belgium vs Sri Lanka

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Questions and Answers

What key change occurred in Belgium in 1993 regarding its government structure?

Regional governments were granted constitutional powers. (correct)

Belgium shifted to a unitary system of governance.

The central government gained more power.

The federal structure was dismantled.

What defines federalism in the context of government structure?

Power is distributed between central and regional governments. (correct)

Central authority holds all the power.

All levels of government are controlled by a single authority.

Constituent units operate without a constitution.

Which of the following is NOT a feature of federalism?

One level can unilaterally change constitutional provisions. (correct)

Two or more levels of government exist.

Jurisdictions of governments are defined in the constitution.

Different levels can govern the same citizens.

What role do courts play in a federal system of government?

They interpret the constitution and resolve disputes. Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of financial autonomy is specified in a federal system?

Sources of revenue for each government level are clearly specified. Signup and view all the answers

In which country do Tamil leaders advocate for a federal system?

Sri Lanka Signup and view all the answers

How does a federal government typically structure its administration?

Federalism allows for distinct jurisdictions for each level of government. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between Belgium and Sri Lanka's government structures?

Sri Lanka's central government has all powers compared to Belgium's divided powers. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant change in the political landscape of India after 1990?

The rise of coalition governments at the Centre Signup and view all the answers

How did the relationship between the Centre and State Governments change with the rise of regional parties?

State Governments gained greater autonomy and respect Signup and view all the answers

What impact did the Supreme Court's judgment have on the powers of the Central Government?

It made it easier for State Governments to assert their rights Signup and view all the answers

What previously held political dynamic changed after 1990 in India?

Single-party dominance at both the Centre and State levels Signup and view all the answers

What does the promotion of Hindi by the Government of India signify?

A flexible policy that respects linguistic diversity Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary reason for the creation of linguistic States in India?

To ensure people spoke the same language Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following States was created based on factors other than language?

Nagaland Signup and view all the answers

What was one major concern regarding linguistic States voiced by national leaders?

It could lead to disintegration of the country Signup and view all the answers

What is the status of Hindi in the Indian Constitution?

It was identified as the official language Signup and view all the answers

Why did some non-Hindi speaking States demand the continued use of English for official purposes?

To prevent linguistic conflicts among communities Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements correctly describes the use of Scheduled Languages in India?

22 languages are recognized as Scheduled Languages Signup and view all the answers

What impact has the formation of linguistic States had on India?

It has facilitated easier administration Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial plan regarding the use of English in official functions according to the Constitution?

To prohibit its use strictly after 1965 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Contrast Between Belgium and Sri Lanka

Belgium's 1993 constitutional change reduced central government power, transferring authority to regional governments.
Regional governments in Belgium were established earlier but initially operated under the central government's control.
The shift to a federal system allowed regional governments constitutional powers, signifying a transition from a unitary system.
Sri Lanka remains predominantly a unitary system, where the national government retains all significant authority.
Tamil leaders advocate for a federal system in Sri Lanka to allow for decentralized governance.

Understanding Federalism

Federalism involves a division of power between a central authority and constituent units (e.g., states or provinces).
Typically, a federal system features two governance levels: a national government handling broader national interests and regional governments managing local affairs.
Each level of government operates independently within its jurisdiction.

Key Features of Federalism

Multiple levels or tiers of government share governance over the same citizens.
Each level possesses distinct jurisdictions related to legislation, taxation, and administration.
The constitution explicitly defines the jurisdictions of each government tier, assuring their authority.
Amendments to constitutional provisions require consent from all involved government levels, preventing unilateral changes.
The judiciary interprets the constitution and adjudicates disputes between government tiers, with the highest court acting as an arbiter.
Revenue sources for each government level are clearly delineated to maintain financial independence.

Objectives and Principles of Federalism

Federalism aims to balance national unity with regional diversity.
Effective federal systems depend on mutual trust and agreement for power-sharing between different government levels.
Cooperation and adherence to agreements are essential for the successful functioning of a federal system.

Creation of Linguistic States

Formation of linguistic states marked a significant test for democracy in India since its independence in 1947.
Major changes in the political map of India occurred between 1947 and 2019, with the disappearance of old states and the creation of new ones.
Initial boundaries of states were redrawn to group populations speaking the same language, enhancing regional identity.
Some states, like Nagaland, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand, were formed based on cultural, ethnic, or geographical criteria rather than solely linguistic ones.
Concerns about potential disintegration led to initial resistance from the Central Government towards the establishment of linguistic states.
The eventual formation of these states has fostered national unity and simplified administration.

Language Policy

The Indian Constitution does not designate any language as the national language; however, Hindi is identified as the official language.
Approximately 40% of the Indian population speaks Hindi, leading to constitutional safeguards for the recognition of 22 Scheduled Languages.
Candidates for Central Government exams can choose the examination language from these Scheduled Languages.
Each state has its official language, guiding most government operations locally.
Unlike Sri Lanka, Indian leaders took a cautious approach to promote Hindi, seeking to avoid ethnic tensions.
The original plan to phase out English by 1965 faced opposition from non-Hindi speaking states; this conflict reached a peak of violence in Tamil Nadu.
The Central Government's compromise allowed the continued use of English, alongside Hindi, which has been critiqued as favoring English-speaking elites.

Centre-State Relations

Restructuring Centre-State relations has significantly bolstered federalism in practice within India.
The effectiveness of constitutional power-sharing arrangements is influenced by political dynamics, particularly the ruling parties at both levels.
For an extended period, the same political party governed both the Centre and most states, leading to diminished state autonomy.
The rise of regional political parties after 1990 changed the situation and prompted a culture of coalition governments at the national level.
With no party holding a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, major national parties formed alliances, encouraging respect for state autonomy and power sharing.
A Supreme Court ruling further constrained the Central Government's capacity to arbitrarily dismiss state governments, reinforcing the principles of federalism.
Federal power sharing has become more effective and supportive of state rights compared to the early years following the Constitution's enactment.

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Description

Explore the key constitutional changes in Belgium that decentralized power from the Central Government to regional governments, contrasting this with the political structure of Sri Lanka. This quiz will help you understand the implications of these changes on governance and regional autonomy.