(i) In democracy, people are the source of political power. (ii) They elect their representatives through direct or indirect election. Those who win and secure majority in the legislature form government at various levels i.e., national, state or local. (iii) ln democracy due respect is given to allRead more
(i) In democracy, people are the source of political power.
(ii) They elect their representatives through direct or indirect election. Those who win and secure majority in the legislature form government at various levels i.e., national, state or local.
(iii) ln democracy due respect is given to all social groups including minorities. For example in India, minorities enjoy educational and cultural rights. Reservation has been made for SCs/STs in Parliament and State Assemblies. Thus, in democracy power is shared at various levels and among various social groups. It is based on prudence or on careful calculation of gains and losses.
We learn the following lessons from the principles of majoritarianism and accommodation followed in Sri Lanka and Belgium: (l) In Belgium, the leaders respected the feelings and interests of all communities and were successful in maintaining the unity of the country. They recognised the existence ofRead more
We learn the following lessons from the principles of majoritarianism and accommodation followed in Sri Lanka and Belgium:
(l) In Belgium, the leaders respected the feelings and interests of all communities and were successful in maintaining the unity of the country. They recognised the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities. They took various steps such as amendments to the constitution in order to work out an arrangement that would enable everyone to live together within the same county. The arrangements such as equal number of ministers of Dutch and French speaking people has worked successfully.
(ii) On the other hand, majority community in Sri Lanka tried to force its dominance over other communities. It has brought the country nearer to a civil war and unity of the country is threatened. This shows the path of accommodation is better than that of majoritarianism and power sharing must be followed.
In Belgium, the composition of different communities is as given below: (l) Dutch-speaking - 59 per cent (ii) French-speaking - 40 per cent (iii) German-speaking - 01 per cent On the other hand, the composition of Brussels is as follows: (i) French-speaking - 80 per cent (ii) Dutch-speaking - 20 perRead more
In Belgium, the composition of different communities is as given below:
(l) Dutch-speaking – 59 per cent
(ii) French-speaking – 40 per cent
(iii) German-speaking – 01 per cent
On the other hand, the composition of Brussels is as follows:
(i) French-speaking – 80 per cent
(ii) Dutch-speaking – 20 per cent
Thus, Dutch-speaking people are in majority in the country but they are in minority in the capital city of Brussels. On the other hand, French-speaking people are in minority in the country but they are in majority in the capital city of Brussels. This composition of different communities has led to the acceptance of principle of accommodation in Belgium.
(a) Main features of the path of accommodation adopted by Belgian leaders were as given below: (i) Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the Central Government. (ii) Some special laws require the support of majority of members from each linguistic group. No single community not evenRead more
(a) Main features of the path of accommodation adopted by Belgian leaders were as given below:
(i) Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the Central Government.
(ii) Some special laws require the support of majority of members from each linguistic group. No single community not even majority community (Dutch-speaking) can make decisions unilaterally.
(iii) The state governments are not subordinate to the Central Government. Many powers of the central Government have been given to state Governments.
(iv) There is a separate government in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. Both the communities i.e., French-speaking and Dutch-speaking have equal representation in the Brussels government.
(v) A third government which is called “community government” is elected by people belonging to one language community- Dutch, French and German-speaking – no matter where they live. The community government has power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues. Thus, the Belgian model is based on the principle of accommodation and reciprocity. To accommodate each other there is equal representation in the Central Government as well as in the Brussels Government.
(b) Consequences: The system is complicated but useful. It has avoided conflicts between the two main communities and a possible division of the country on linguistic lines. It was why the European Union has selected Brussels as its headquarters.
The reasons for alienation of Sri Lankan Tamils were as mentioned below: (l) Democratically elected government adopted a series of majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language thus disregarding Tamil. (ii) The governmeRead more
The reasons for alienation of Sri Lankan Tamils were as mentioned below:
(l) Democratically elected government adopted a series of majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language thus disregarding Tamil.
(ii) The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.
(iii) A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism. As a result of above measures, the relation between Sinhalas and Tamils strained over time and the distrust between the two communities turned into widespread conflict because Tamils felt that they were being denied equal political rights and were discriminated in government jobs and other opportunities.
Describe basic principles of democracy about power sharing.
(i) In democracy, people are the source of political power. (ii) They elect their representatives through direct or indirect election. Those who win and secure majority in the legislature form government at various levels i.e., national, state or local. (iii) ln democracy due respect is given to allRead more
(i) In democracy, people are the source of political power.
See less(ii) They elect their representatives through direct or indirect election. Those who win and secure majority in the legislature form government at various levels i.e., national, state or local.
(iii) ln democracy due respect is given to all social groups including minorities. For example in India, minorities enjoy educational and cultural rights. Reservation has been made for SCs/STs in Parliament and State Assemblies. Thus, in democracy power is shared at various levels and among various social groups. It is based on prudence or on careful calculation of gains and losses.
What do you learn from the principles followed in Belgium and Sri Lanka i.e., majoritarianism in Sri Lanka and accommodation in Belgium?
We learn the following lessons from the principles of majoritarianism and accommodation followed in Sri Lanka and Belgium: (l) In Belgium, the leaders respected the feelings and interests of all communities and were successful in maintaining the unity of the country. They recognised the existence ofRead more
We learn the following lessons from the principles of majoritarianism and accommodation followed in Sri Lanka and Belgium:
See less(l) In Belgium, the leaders respected the feelings and interests of all communities and were successful in maintaining the unity of the country. They recognised the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities. They took various steps such as amendments to the constitution in order to work out an arrangement that would enable everyone to live together within the same county. The arrangements such as equal number of ministers of Dutch and French speaking people has worked successfully.
(ii) On the other hand, majority community in Sri Lanka tried to force its dominance over other communities. It has brought the country nearer to a civil war and unity of the country is threatened. This shows the path of accommodation is better than that of majoritarianism and power sharing must be followed.
How the composition of the capital city of Brussels is different from Belgium as a country?
In Belgium, the composition of different communities is as given below: (l) Dutch-speaking - 59 per cent (ii) French-speaking - 40 per cent (iii) German-speaking - 01 per cent On the other hand, the composition of Brussels is as follows: (i) French-speaking - 80 per cent (ii) Dutch-speaking - 20 perRead more
In Belgium, the composition of different communities is as given below:
See less(l) Dutch-speaking – 59 per cent
(ii) French-speaking – 40 per cent
(iii) German-speaking – 01 per cent
On the other hand, the composition of Brussels is as follows:
(i) French-speaking – 80 per cent
(ii) Dutch-speaking – 20 per cent
Thus, Dutch-speaking people are in majority in the country but they are in minority in the capital city of Brussels. On the other hand, French-speaking people are in minority in the country but they are in majority in the capital city of Brussels. This composition of different communities has led to the acceptance of principle of accommodation in Belgium.
What are some of the basic elements of the Belgium model of power sharing?
(a) Main features of the path of accommodation adopted by Belgian leaders were as given below: (i) Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the Central Government. (ii) Some special laws require the support of majority of members from each linguistic group. No single community not evenRead more
(a) Main features of the path of accommodation adopted by Belgian leaders were as given below:
See less(i) Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the Central Government.
(ii) Some special laws require the support of majority of members from each linguistic group. No single community not even majority community (Dutch-speaking) can make decisions unilaterally.
(iii) The state governments are not subordinate to the Central Government. Many powers of the central Government have been given to state Governments.
(iv) There is a separate government in Brussels, the capital of Belgium. Both the communities i.e., French-speaking and Dutch-speaking have equal representation in the Brussels government.
(v) A third government which is called “community government” is elected by people belonging to one language community- Dutch, French and German-speaking – no matter where they live. The community government has power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues. Thus, the Belgian model is based on the principle of accommodation and reciprocity. To accommodate each other there is equal representation in the Central Government as well as in the Brussels Government.
(b) Consequences: The system is complicated but useful. It has avoided conflicts between the two main communities and a possible division of the country on linguistic lines. It was why the European Union has selected Brussels as its headquarters.
What were the reasons for alienation of Sri Lankan Tamils? What was the effect of this on the country?
The reasons for alienation of Sri Lankan Tamils were as mentioned below: (l) Democratically elected government adopted a series of majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language thus disregarding Tamil. (ii) The governmeRead more
The reasons for alienation of Sri Lankan Tamils were as mentioned below:
See less(l) Democratically elected government adopted a series of majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language thus disregarding Tamil.
(ii) The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.
(iii) A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism. As a result of above measures, the relation between Sinhalas and Tamils strained over time and the distrust between the two communities turned into widespread conflict because Tamils felt that they were being denied equal political rights and were discriminated in government jobs and other opportunities.