10 Questions
What is the term for the distribution of power among different organs of government?
Horizontal distribution of power
What is the outcome when two or more parties form an alliance and get elected?
A coalition government
What percentage of the population in Belgium speaks German?
1 percent
Which type of power sharing is prevalent in the USA?
Federal government
What is the term for a belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it wants?
Majoritarian
Why were there tensions between the French-speaking and Dutch-speaking communities in Belgium from the 1950s to 1960s?
Due to economic disparities between the two communities
In which country is the 'Community government' system prevalent?
Belgium
What is the benefit of power sharing in a political system?
It helps in achieving the stability of political order
In the capital city of Brussels, what percentage of the population speaks French?
80 percent
What is the system called where the constituencies are reserved for minorities in the Assemblies and the Parliament?
Reserved Constituencies
Study Notes
Power-Sharing in Modern Democracy
- Power-sharing arrangements can take many forms, including horizontal and vertical distribution of power, and power-sharing among social groups.
Horizontal Distribution of Power
- This type of power-sharing involves sharing power among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive, and judiciary.
- This system is prevalent in India.
Vertical Distribution of Power (Federal Government)
- This type of power-sharing involves sharing power among governments at different levels.
- This system is prevalent in the USA.
Power-Sharing among Social Groups
- Power can be shared among social groups such as linguistic and religious groups.
- Example: Community government in Belgium, where a government is elected by people belonging to one language community.
Other Types of Power-Sharing
- Power-sharing is also seen in political parties, pressure groups, and movements that control or influence those in power.
Key Terms
- Majoritarian: A belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it wants.
- Community Government: A type of government elected by people belonging to one language community.
- Prudential: Decision-making based on prudence, or careful calculation of gains and losses.
- Checks and Balances: A system where each organ of government checks the others, resulting in a balance of power among institutions.
- Reserved Constituencies: Constituencies reserved in assemblies and parliament for minorities to give them a fair share in power.
- Coalition Government: When an alliance of two or more parties gets elected and forms a government.
Story of Belgium
- Belgium is a European country with a complex ethnic composition.
- 59% of the population lives in the Flemish region and speaks Dutch, while 40% lives in the Wallonia region and speaks French, and 1% speaks German.
- The French-speaking minority community was relatively rich and powerful, leading to tensions with the Dutch-speaking community from the 1950s to 1960s.
- Power-sharing has helped achieve stability in Belgium's political order.
This quiz explores the different forms of power-sharing arrangements in modern democracies, including horizontal distribution of power among government organs, vertical distribution of power among governments at different levels, and power sharing among social groups.
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