NCERT Solutions for Chapter 1 Power Sharing Class 10 Civics
Book Solutions1
What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.
Answer
• Power is shared among different organs of the government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. For example, Indian political system.
• Power is shared among governments at different levels such as central and provincial level. In India, power is shared among Central government, State governments and local government.
• Power may also be shared among different social groups, such as the religious and linguistic groups. ‘Community government’ in Belgium is a good example of this arrangement.
• Power-sharing arrangements can also be seen between political parties, pressure groups and movements control or influence those in power. In contemporary democracies, this takes the form of competition among different parties.
Exercises
Page Number 10
2
State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power sharing with an example from the Indian context.
Answer
Power-sharing reduces the possibility of conflict between various social groups.
• Prudential : In India, seats are reserved for the weaker sections of society. For Example : seats are reserved for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes. This allows the weaker sections also to participate in the running of the Government.
• Moral : In a truly democratic setup, the citizens too have a stake in governance. In India, the citizens can come together to debate and criticise the policies and decisions of the government. This in turn puts pressure on the government to rethink its policies and reconsider its decisions.
Exercises
Page Number 10
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.
Answer
I agree with Ouseph. Every society needs some form of power sharing even if it is small or does not have social divisions. Power sharing is always needed to give voice to all, and representation to all the members of the country. Power sharing not only prevents conflict between various groups in the society but it also generates a sense of belongingness among them to the society. It helps to maintain a balance of power among various institutions and helps check how this power is exercised. Irrespective of the size of a country or the type of a society, people will be more satisfied when they have a say in the functioning and decision making process in the system.
Exercises
Page Number 10
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.
Answer
No, the measure is not in keeping with the spirit of power-sharing arrangements. 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 and against the spirit of accommodating every linguistic group. By banning French, the mayor will cause civil unrest.
Exercises
Page Number 10
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.”
Answer
The prudential reasons for power sharing in this passage:
Giving power to panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency.
Exercises
Page Number 11
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 |
Answer
(a) | A | B | D | F |
Exercises
Page Number 11
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
Answer
(d) B, C and D
Exercises
Page Number 11
8
Match List I (forms of power sharing) with List II (forms of government) and select the correct answer using the codes given below in the lists:
List I | List II | ||
1. | Power shared among different organs of government | Α. | Community government |
2. | Power shared among governments at different levels | Β. | Separation of powers |
3. | Power shared by different social groups | C. | Coalition government |
4. | Power shared by two or more political parties | D. | Federal government |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
(a) | D | A | B | C |
(b) | B | C | D | A |
(c) | B | D | A | C |
(d) | C | D | A | B |
Answer
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
(c) | B | D | A | C |
Exercises
Page Number 12
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 and 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 |
Answer
(b) Both A and B are true |
Exercises
Page Number 12