Power Sharing and Governance

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to power sharing and governance based on lecture notes.

Power Sharing

A political arrangement in which different groups or communities have a share in governance.

Federal State

A form of government in which powers are divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Belgium

A federal state in Western Europe known for its complex cultural composition and language divisions.

Language Communities

Groups of people who share a common language that serves to define their identity and political rights.

Equal Representation

The principle that all communities should have an equal voice in government and decision-making processes.

Civil War

A conflict between groups within the same country, often arising from ethnic or political tensions.

Horizontal Distribution of Power

A system in which power is distributed among different branches or groups at the same level.

Vertical Distribution of Power

A system where power is distributed between different levels of government, such as central and local.

Tamils and Sinhalese

The two major ethnic groups in Sri Lanka, often in conflict over political representation and rights.

Sri Lanka Conflict

The prolonged ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka between the Sinhalese majority and the Tamil minority.