Notes on Power-Sharing in Democracy

Overview of Power-Sharing

  • Power-sharing is essential in a democracy; it involves dividing power among various organs of the government (legislature, executive, judiciary).

  • This chapter explores power-sharing through stories from Belgium and Sri Lanka.

Key Concepts of Power-Sharing

  • Definition of Power Sharing: Sharing power among various political entities to ensure stability and representation of diverse communities.

  • Ethnicity: A socially constructed division based on shared culture, descent, language, and often intersecting with religion.

Case Studies: Belgium and Sri Lanka

Belgium

  • Population: ~10 million (A little more than one crore), complex ethnic composition:

    • 59% Flemish (Dutch-speaking)

    • 40% Walloon (French-speaking)

    • 1% German-speaking

  • Tensions (1950s - 1960s): The Dutch-speaking community felt economically disadvantaged compared to the French-speaking elite.

  • Power-Sharing Arrangement:

    • Equal representation of language groups in the central government.

    • Powers given to regional governments in Flanders and Wallonia.

    • A separate government in Brussels was created to accommodate both language communities.

Sri Lanka

  • Population: ~20 million, major ethnic groups:

    • 74% Sinhalese

    • 18% Tamils (with sub-groups Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils)

  • Majoritarianism: Sinhalese majority established dominance post-independence (1948) by:

    • Declaring Sinhala as the sole official language.

    • Implementing preferential policies favoring Sinhalese.

  • Civil Conflict: Failure to address Tamil grievances led to alienation and eventually civil war (1983-2009).

Conclusions from the Case Studies

Belgium's Model: Promotes stability through power-sharing that respects community , avoiding potential civil conflicts. Identities

  • Sri Lanka's Experience: Demonstrates the dangers of majoritarianism, emphasizing the need for equitable power distribution to maintain national unity.

Reasons for Power Sharing

Prudential Reasons

  • Reduces conflict among social groups, promoting political stability through inclusive governance.

  • Tyranny of the majority can lead to national disunity and instability over time.

Moral Reasons

  • Embodies the essence of democracy, allowing all affected individuals a stake in governance.

  • Participation in decision-making fosters legitimacy and inclusiveness.

Forms of Power Sharing

  1. Horizontal Power Sharing:

    • Distribution among executive, legislature, and judiciary to ensure a system of checks and balances.

  2. Vertical Power Sharing:

    • Division between central and regional governments to accommodate local governance needs.

  3. Social Group Power Sharing:

    • Arrangements that ensure representation for minority groups, improve inclusiveness in governance.

  4. Political Power Sharing:

    • Coalition governments formed by multiple parties reflect diverse ideologies and reduce power concentration.

Examples of Power Sharing

  • Judicial Actions: Courts enforcing government accountability and rights protections (e.g., Maharashtra HC on children's welfare).

  • Cooperative Engagement: The Canadian government is working with Aboriginal communities on land claim settlements.

  • Political Coalitions: Alliance formation among political parties to share power and governance roles effectively.

Reflection Questions and Exercises

  • Analyze power-sharing in various contexts, assessing its effectiveness in reducing conflict and promoting democratic values.

  • Discuss the implications of power-sharing arrangements on national unity and citizen engagement.