NCERT Solutions - Class 10 Civics Chapter 1: Power-sharing
Exercise
Q1. What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.
Answer -
- Horizontal power sharing: Power is shared among different organs of government such as the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.
Example: In India, Parliament makes laws, the Executive implements them, and the Judiciary ensures they are followed independently. - Vertical power sharing: Power is shared among governments at different levels — central, state, and local.
Example: In India, power is divided among the Union government, state governments, and Panchayati Raj institutions. - Power sharing among different social groups: This form ensures representation of social and cultural diversity, especially minorities.
Example: In Belgium, a community government exists to represent linguistic and cultural communities. - Power sharing among political parties, pressure groups, and movements: This enables diverse interests and opinions to be part of decision-making.
Example: Coalition governments in India involve power sharing among multiple political parties.
Q2. State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power sharing with an example from the Indian context.
Answer -
- Prudential reason: Power sharing reduces the chances of conflict between social groups, ensuring political stability and peace. It is a practical step to avoid political unrest.
Example: In India, the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in legislatures helps prevent alienation and unrest among these communities. - Moral reason: Power sharing respects the spirit of democracy and acknowledges that all individuals and communities have a right to be consulted in governance.
Example: The inclusion of diverse religious and linguistic communities in decision-making upholds India's democratic values.
Q3. 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.
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. Power sharing is essential in every society, not just those with deep divisions. It ensures that no single group or individual holds too much power, which prevents misuse and promotes fairness. Even small or culturally unified countries need mechanisms to include diverse opinions and decentralize power. This builds trust, strengthens democracy, and improves decision-making by involving more people in governance.
Q4. 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, this measure goes against the spirit of Belgium’s power-sharing arrangements. Belgium promotes accommodation of all linguistic communities. Banning French disrespects the language rights of a significant group and undermines peaceful coexistence. Power sharing should protect minority rights, not suppress them.
Q5. 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.”
“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 - One prudential reason for power sharing in the passage is that giving power to Panchayats reduces corruption and increases administrative efficiency. When people have more control over planning and implementation, they can monitor the system closely, making it harder for corruption to take place. This results in better governance and effective use of resources.
Q6. 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?
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. 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 - The arguments in favour of power sharing are:
A. reduces conflict among different communities
B. decreases the possibility of arbitrariness
D. accommodates diversities
F. promotes people’s participation in government
Correct code:
A. reduces conflict among different communities
B. decreases the possibility of arbitrariness
D. accommodates diversities
F. promotes people’s participation in government
Correct code:
| (a) | A | B | D | F |
Q7. 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
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 - Correct answer: (d) B, C and D
Explanation:
A is incorrect because in Belgium, the Dutch-speaking majority showed willingness to accommodate the French-speaking minority. The other three statements are true.
Explanation:
A is incorrect because in Belgium, the Dutch-speaking majority showed willingness to accommodate the French-speaking minority. The other three statements are true.
Q8. 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:
Select the correct match using the codes below:
| List I (Forms of Power Sharing) | List II (Forms of Government) |
|---|---|
| 1. Power shared among different organs of government | A. Community government |
| 2. Power shared among governments at different levels | B. 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 |
Select the correct match using the codes below:
| 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 |
Q9. 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
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 - Correct answer: (b) Both A and B are true
Explanation: Power sharing is a key principle of democracy as it gives every group a voice. It also reduces the chances of social conflict, which is common in multi-ethnic and diverse societies.
Explanation: Power sharing is a key principle of democracy as it gives every group a voice. It also reduces the chances of social conflict, which is common in multi-ethnic and diverse societies.