Ethnic Division and Power Sharing in Belgium and Sri Lanka

Sharing power = dividing power = weakening the country

A social division based on shared culture. People belonging to the same ethnic group believe in their common descent because of similarities of physical type or of culture or both.

59% Flemish (Dutch-speaking), 40% Wallonia (French-speaking), 1% German-speaking

<p>Belgium has a little over one crore, about half the population of Haryana</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>80%</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Resentment by the Dutch-speaking community for the relatively rich and powerful French-speaking community, and delayed economic development and education for the Dutch-speaking community</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Flemish region (59% of the population)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>20%</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>More acute</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Recognising Sinhala as the only official language, preferential policies favoring Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs, and stipulating that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They felt that the constitution and government policies denied them equal political rights, discriminated against them in getting jobs and other opportunities, and ignored their interests.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The majoritarian measures gradually increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Brussels presented a special problem because the Dutch-speaking people constituted a majority in the country but a minority in the capital.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The tension was manifested through discriminatory government policies, denial of equal political rights, and preferential treatment of Sinhala applicants for positions and opportunities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Act disregarded Tamil and led to increased alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders was sensitive to their language and culture.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Recognizing Sinhala as the only official language, preferential policies for Sinhala applicants, and stipulating the state to protect and foster Buddhism.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They felt denied equal political rights, discriminated against in job opportunities, and that their interests were ignored.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Dutch-speaking people constituted a majority in the country but a minority in the capital.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>They felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders was sensitive to their language and culture.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The majoritarian measures increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Act disregarded Tamil as an official language.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Dutch-speaking people constituted a majority in the country but a minority in the capital, leading to tensions.</p> Signup and view all the answers