Class 10 Civics – Chapter 1: Power Sharing

 Class 10 Civics – Chapter 1: Power Sharing

Set – 1

Section A – MCQs (1×4=4)

In which country is the power shared among different organs of government?

a) Belgium

b) India

c) Sri Lanka

d) Nepal

Which principle is the basis of democracy?

a) Dictatorship

b) Power sharing

c) Majoritarianism

d) Monarchy

In Belgium, the capital Brussels has:

a) 80% French-speaking and 20% Dutch-speaking

b) 50% French-speaking and 50% Dutch-speaking

c) 70% Dutch-speaking and 30% French-speaking

d) 60% French-speaking and 40% German-speaking

Which one is an example of vertical division of power?

a) Power shared among social groups

b) Power shared among political parties

c) Power shared between Union and State Government

d) Power shared between Legislature, Executive, Judiciary

Section B – Very Short (2×2=4)

Define ethnic group.

Why is power sharing better than majoritarianism?

Section C – Short (3 marks)

Explain three advantages of power sharing in modern democracies.

Section D – Long (5 marks)

Explain with examples the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies.

Section E – Case Study (4 marks)

Case: In Sri Lanka, the Sinhalese leaders followed a series of majoritarian measures after independence in 1948. The government passed an Act to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, making it difficult for Tamils. The government also preferred Sinhalese applicants for jobs and university admissions.

Questions:

a) Which measures were adopted by the Sri Lankan government to promote Sinhalese? (1)

b) How did these measures affect Tamil-speaking people? (1)

c) What was the result of these majoritarian policies? (2)

Set – 2

Section A – MCQs (4)

Which of the following is not a form of power sharing?

a) Power shared among different organs

b) Power shared among governments at different levels

c) Power shared among social groups

d) Power shared only by majority community

In Belgium, what percentage speaks German?

a) 59%

b) 40%

c) 1%

d) 80%

Which institution in India can strike down laws made by the Parliament if they violate the Constitution?

a) Parliament

b) Supreme Court

c) Election Commission

d) President

Which principle prevents the misuse of power of one organ of the government?

a) Federalism

b) Separation of powers

c) Unitary system

d) Majoritarianism

Section B – Very Short (2×2=4)

What is power sharing?

Why do we need a system of checks and balances in democracy?

Section C – Short (3 marks)

Compare the outcomes of Belgium’s accommodation policies with Sri Lanka’s majoritarian measures.

Section D – Long (5 marks)

“Power sharing is the essence of democracy.” Discuss the statement with suitable examples.

Section E – Case Study (4 marks)

Case: Belgium is a country with a diverse population. The Dutch-speaking majority lived in the Flemish region, the French-speaking minority in the Wallonia region, and a small German-speaking community. To prevent conflict, Belgium introduced a model of government where both communities had equal representation.

Questions:

a) Which communities live in Belgium? (1)

b) Why was there tension between Dutch and French-speaking people? (1)

c) How did Belgium resolve this issue? (2)

Set – 3

Section A – MCQs (4)

Which one of the following is an example of power shared among different levels of government?

a) Judiciary checking Parliament’s laws

b) Reservation for SCs and STs

c) Union and State Governments in India

d) Coalition government

Which community in Sri Lanka was in majority?

a) Tamil

b) Sinhalese

c) Muslim

d) French

Power sharing leads to:

a) Concentration of power

b) Social conflict

c) Stability of political order

d) Dictatorship

In India, the Panchayati Raj system is an example of:

a) Vertical power sharing

b) Horizontal power sharing

c) Social group sharing

d) Community government

Section B – Very Short (2×2=4)

What is the meaning of community government in Belgium?

State one difference between horizontal and vertical power sharing.

Section C – Short (3 marks)

Describe any three forms of power sharing in modern democracies.

Section D – Long (5 marks)

What lessons can India learn from Belgium and Sri Lanka’s experience in power sharing?

Section E – Case Study (4 marks)

Case: Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948. The leaders of the Sinhala community tried to secure dominance over the government by policies favouring Sinhala speakers. Tamil-speaking people felt discriminated and demanded an equal status. This led to a civil war that lasted for decades.

Questions:

a) Who were the majority in Sri Lanka? (1)

b) Which community felt discriminated? (1)

c) What was the outcome of these discriminatory policies? (2)

Set – 4

Section A – MCQs (4)

In which year Sri Lanka adopted a Sinhala Only Act?

a) 1948

b) 1956

c) 1965

d) 1972

Which of the following is a federal feature of Indian Constitution?

a) Separation of powers

b) Independent Judiciary

c) Division of powers between Union and States

d) Parliamentary system

Which of the following is a benefit of power sharing?

a) Creates inequality

b) Promotes stability

c) Creates division

d) Encourages dictatorship

Which is an example of power sharing among political parties?

a) Coalition government

b) Judiciary reviewing laws

c) Panchayati Raj

d) Community government

Section B – Very Short (2×2=4)

Mention two demands of Tamil-speaking people in Sri Lanka.

What do you understand by checks and balances?

Section C – Short (3 marks)

How is the system of power sharing practiced in India? Explain with three examples.

Section D – Long (5 marks)

Explain with examples why power sharing is necessary to reduce the possibility of conflict in a society.

Section E – Case Study (4 marks)

Case: In Belgium, the constitution was amended four times between 1970 and 1993 so as to accommodate different communities. Equal number of ministers in central government, separate government for each community, and autonomy to state governments were introduced.

Questions:

a) How many times was the Belgian constitution amended? (1)

b) Why were amendments made? (1)

c) Explain two features of the Belgian model of power sharing. (2)

Set – 5

Section A – MCQs (4)

Which is an example of power sharing among different social groups?

a) Division of power between Union and States

b) Reservation of seats for SC/ST in Parliament

c) Judiciary controlling Legislature

d) Coalition government

Which factor led to civil war in Sri Lanka?

a) Equal treatment of all groups

b) Majoritarian policies of Sinhala leaders

c) Belgium model of accommodation

d) Economic issues

Which of the following is true about power sharing?

a) It reduces chances of conflict

b) It increases instability

c) It creates divisions

d) It promotes dictatorship

The ethnic composition of Belgium is:

a) 59% Dutch, 40% French, 1% German

b) 74% Sinhala, 18% Tamil, 7% Muslim

c) 50% Dutch, 50% French

d) 60% Tamil, 40% Sinhala

Section B – Very Short (2×2=4)

What is the difference between majoritarianism and power sharing?

State one reason why power sharing is considered good for unity of the country.

Section C – Short (3 marks)

How was the problem of linguistic and cultural diversity solved in Belgium?

Section D – Long (5 marks)

“The Belgian model of power sharing is successful whereas Sri Lanka failed to accommodate.” Justify with examples.

Section E – Case Study (4 marks)

Case: India is a diverse country with different languages, religions, and regions. Power is shared at different levels – Union, State, and Local. Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women have reservations in legislatures. Independent institutions like Election Commission and Judiciary ensure fairness.

Questions:

a) Mention one way power is shared in India at different levels. (1)

b) How is power shared among social groups? (1)

c) Explain two examples of horizontal power sharing in India. (2)