NCERT Class 10 Polity Chapter 1 – Power Sharing

NCERT Class 10 Polity Chapter 1 explains the concept of power sharing as a core principle of democracy. In NCERT Class 10 Polity Chapter 1, students understand how democratic systems prevent concentration of power and promote political stability through institutional arrangements.

Power sharing ensures that no single organ or group dominates the political system. NCERT Class 10 Polity Chapter 1 begins with the case studies of Belgium and Sri Lanka to compare accommodation and majoritarian approaches. Belgium adopted a federal power-sharing model in 1993, while Sri Lanka’s Sinhala Only Act (1956) led to ethnic conflict.

A major focus of NCERT Class 10 Polity Chapter 1 is to explain why power sharing is desirable. It is justified on both prudential grounds (reducing conflict) and moral grounds (respecting democratic values). The chapter highlights horizontal power sharing among Legislature, Executive and Judiciary, and vertical power sharing through federalism.

The chapter also introduces different forms of power sharing, including power sharing among social groups and political parties. These concepts are important for understanding Indian democracy and constitutional design.

For competitive exams, NCERT Class 10 Polity Chapter 1 is crucial to understand federal structure, coalition governments, minority protection and conflict management in diverse societies.

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1. Overview

• Chapter introduces concept of Power Sharing as continuation of Class IX democratic theory.
• Democracy does not allow concentration of power in one organ like Legislature, Executive, Judiciary.
• Emphasises intelligent distribution of power for proper democratic design.
• Uses case studies of Belgium and Sri Lanka to analyse power-sharing practices.
• Derives conclusions about importance of power-sharing for democratic stability.
• Prepares foundation for studying different forms of power-sharing in next sections.

2. Belgium and Sri Lanka

• Belgium is a small European country with population over 1 crore, having complex ethnic composition: 59% Dutch-speaking (Flemish) in northern region, 40% French-speaking (Wallonia) in southern region, and 1% German-speaking minority. In capital Brussels, about 80% speak French and 20% speak Dutch.
• Between 1950s–1960s, tensions rose as Dutch-speaking majority resented economic dominance of French-speaking minority. This led to constitutional amendments between 1970–1993, transforming Belgium from a Unitary State into a Federal State (1993).
• Belgium adopted a complex power-sharing model: equal representation of Dutch and French ministers in the Central Government, special majority laws, separate State Governments, and a unique Community Government elected by language groups to manage cultural, educational and language issues.
• These arrangements prevented division on linguistic lines and helped Brussels become headquarters of the European Union (EU), demonstrating success of negotiated accommodation.
• In contrast, Sri Lanka, an island nation near India, has ethnic composition of 74% Sinhala-speaking majority and 18% Tamil-speaking minority (including Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils).
• After independence in 1948, Sinhala leaders adopted majoritarian policies. The Sinhala Only Act (1956) made Sinhala the sole official language, discriminating against Tamils in administration and education. In 1972, Buddhism was given special constitutional status, deepening Tamil alienation.
• Tamil leaders demanded regional autonomy and later a separate state called Tamil Eelam, leading to violent conflict between the government and LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) from 1983 to 2009. The civil war ended in 2009, but caused severe social and economic damage.
• Comparison shows that while Belgium resolved diversity through accommodation and federal reforms, Sri Lanka’s refusal to share power led to ethnic conflict and prolonged civil war, proving that democratic stability depends on inclusive power-sharing arrangements.

3. Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka

• In Sri Lanka, the Sinhala-speaking majority (74%) formed the government after independence in 1948, and adopted policies based on the belief that majority community should rule without sharing power. This approach is called Majoritarianism.
• In 1956, the government passed the Sinhala Only Act, declaring Sinhala as the sole official language, excluding Tamil-speaking minority (18%) from government jobs and administration.
• Government policies favoured Sinhala applicants in universities and government employment, creating resentment among Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils.
• In 1972, a new Constitution gave Buddhism the foremost position, further marginalising the Tamil minority, who mostly followed Hinduism or Christianity.
• Tamil political parties demanded equal rights, regional autonomy and later a separate state named Tamil Eelam, leading to armed conflict with the government.
• The conflict turned into a prolonged civil war (1983–2009) between the Sri Lankan government and LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam), causing thousands of deaths and severe economic and social disruption.
• This example shows that refusal to share power and attempts to impose majority dominance can weaken national unity and undermine democratic stability.

4. Accommodation in Belgium

• Rising tensions between Dutch-speaking (59%) and French-speaking (40%) communities during 1950s–1960s forced Belgian leaders to adopt a policy of Accommodation instead of majoritarian domination.
• Between 1970 and 1993, constitutional amendments gradually converted Belgium from a Unitary State into a Federal State (1993), granting significant powers to regional governments.
• The Central Government was designed to have equal number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers, ensuring no single community could dominate decision-making.
• Important laws require support of majority from each linguistic group, protecting minority interests through a special majority system.
• Powers were divided between Central Government, State Governments, and a unique Community Government elected by Dutch, French and German-speaking people to manage culture, education and language-related issues.
• These arrangements successfully prevented division of the country on linguistic lines and maintained unity, making Brussels the headquarters of the European Union (EU).
• The Belgian model demonstrates that respecting diversity through structured power-sharing strengthens democracy and national stability.

5. Why power sharing is desirable?

• Power sharing is desirable for Prudential Reasons, as it reduces chances of conflict among social groups and prevents political instability and violence.
• In diverse societies like India, accommodation among religious, linguistic and regional groups ensures long-term national unity.
• It is also justified on Moral Grounds, because democracy is based on the principle that people are the source of all political power.
• In a true democracy, citizens must participate in governance, and power should not remain concentrated in one person or group.
• Respect for diverse opinions, communities and identities strengthens democratic values and legitimacy of government.
• Thus, power sharing is not merely a strategy to avoid conflict but an essential feature of democratic governance.

6. Forms of Power-Sharing

• Power can be shared among different organs of government — Legislature, Executive and Judiciary — known as Horizontal Distribution of Power. This system ensures Checks and Balances, preventing concentration of authority in one institution.
• In this arrangement, the Executive is accountable to the Parliament/State Assemblies, while the Judiciary can review laws and actions of the Executive and Legislature, maintaining constitutional supremacy.
• Power is also shared among governments at different levels — Central/Union Government, State Governments, and Local Governments (Panchayats and Municipalities) — called Vertical Division of Power or Federalism.
• In countries like India and Belgium, the Constitution clearly defines powers of each level. Belgium adopted this in 1993, whereas Sri Lanka refused federal division.
• Power may be shared among different social groups, such as religious and linguistic communities. Belgium created a unique Community Government elected by Dutch, French and German-speaking groups to handle cultural and language matters.
• In India, representation of weaker sections is ensured through Reserved Constituencies in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, protecting interests of minorities and socially disadvantaged groups.
• Power sharing also occurs through Political Parties, Pressure Groups and Social Movements, which influence governance. Competition among parties ensures power does not remain in one hand.
• When two or more political parties form an alliance and govern together, it is called a Coalition Government, reflecting power-sharing among political forces representing diverse ideologies and interests.
• Interest groups such as farmers, traders, industrialists and workers influence policy-making through participation in committees and public pressure, expanding democratic participation beyond elections.
• Thus, modern democracies institutionalise power sharing at multiple levels — institutional, territorial, social and political — making governance more inclusive and accountable.

7. Exam Oriented Facts

• Belgium population: over 1 crore; 59% Dutch-speaking, 40% French-speaking, 1% German-speaking; capital Brussels (80% French, 20% Dutch).
• Belgium constitutional reforms: 1970–1993; became a Federal State in 1993.
• Unique institution: Community Government in Belgium for Dutch, French and German-speaking groups.
• Sri Lanka independence: 1948; ethnic composition: 74% Sinhala, 18% Tamil.
• Sinhala Only Act – 1956; new Constitution gave special status to Buddhism in 1972.
• Tamil demand for separate state: Tamil Eelam; civil war between government and LTTE (1983–2009); war ended in 2009.
• Two reasons for power sharing: Prudential (reduces conflict) and Moral (people are source of power).
• Forms of power sharing: Horizontal (Legislature–Executive–Judiciary), Vertical (Federalism), Social Group Representation, Political Parties & Coalition Government.

Understanding NCERT Class 10 Polity Chapter 1 – Power Sharing is essential to analyse how democracies maintain unity in diversity.

NCERT Class 10 Polity Chapter 1 explains institutional balance, federal design and accommodation of social differences. These themes are directly connected with Indian Constitution, Federalism and Governance topics in competitive exams.

Students preparing for CBSE, BPSC and UPSC foundation courses should also refer to the official NCERT website for authentic textbooks and syllabus updates.

Continue reading NCERT Class 10 Polity Chapter 2 – Federalism to understand division of powers between Union and State governments in India.

FAQs

Q1. What is NCERT Class 10 Polity Chapter 1 about?
It explains the concept of power sharing in democracy and compares Belgium and Sri Lanka models.

Q2. Why is power sharing important in democracy?
It reduces conflict among social groups and strengthens political stability.

Q3. What are the two reasons for power sharing?
Prudential reason (reducing conflict) and moral reason (respecting democratic principles).

Q4. What are the forms of power sharing discussed in the chapter?
Horizontal, vertical, social group-based and political party-based power sharing.

Q5. Why is Chapter 1 important for competitive exams?
It helps in understanding federalism, minority rights and constitutional power distribution relevant for BPSC and UPSC exams.

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