Decentralization and Power Sharing

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Why did tensions arise between the Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities in Brussels during the 1950s and 1960s?

Economic disparities favoring the French-speaking community.

Resentment from the Dutch-speaking community towards the rich and powerful French-speaking minority. (correct)

Political dominance of the French-speaking community.

Educational advantages given to the French-speaking community.

How did the ethnic composition of Brussels present a unique challenge to power-sharing?

Dutch-speaking people were a majority in the country but a minority in the capital city. (correct)

Equal distribution of Dutch-speaking and French-speaking people in Brussels.

French-speaking people were a majority in the country but a minority in the capital city.

Both communities had equal power in Brussels.

In Sri Lanka, what is the major social group with approximately 74 per cent of the population?

Dutch-speaking community

Sinhala-speakers (correct)

Tamil-speakers

French-speaking community

What is one factor that contributes to social divisions among ethnic groups according to the text?

Shared culture and common descent. Signup and view all the answers

What impact did economic development have on the tensions between Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities in Belgium?

Dutch-speaking community benefited later from economic development compared to the French-speaking community. Signup and view all the answers

How did the ethnic composition of Sri Lanka compare to that of Belgium's Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities?

Sri Lanka had Sinhala-speakers as the majority, similar to Dutch-speakers in Belgium. Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential consequence of the Dutch community taking advantage of its majority in Belgium?

Increased conflict among communities Signup and view all the answers

In which regions of Sri Lanka are the Sri Lankan Tamils mostly concentrated?

North and East Signup and view all the answers

What could happen in Sri Lanka if the Sinhala community imposes its will due to its majority?

Imposition of dominance over the whole country Signup and view all the answers

What kind of government system does Belgium have?

Federal system Signup and view all the answers

How might majoritarianism impact power-sharing in Belgium?

Increase tensions between communities Signup and view all the answers

How many times did Belgium amend its constitution between 1970 and 1993?

Four times Signup and view all the answers

What potential scenario does the text suggest could arise from conflict among communities in Belgium?

A messy partition of the country Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for the unique arrangement of power-sharing in Belgium?

To enable everyone to live together despite diversities Signup and view all the answers

What religious affiliations are mentioned for the Tamil and Sinhala Christian individuals in Sri Lanka?

Both Tamil and Sinhala Signup and view all the answers

Which community in Belgium accepted equal representation in the government?

French-speaking community Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between the power-sharing arrangement in Belgium and other countries?

Recognition of regional differences and cultural diversities Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe a violent conflict between opposing groups within a country that intensifies to resemble a war?

Civil war Signup and view all the answers

Decentralization and Power Sharing

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