NCERT Solutions Class 10 Social Science
Democratic Politics II
The NCERT Solutions in English Language for Class 10 Social Science Democratic Politics – II Chapter – 1 (Power Sharing) has been provided here to help the students in solving the questions from this exercise.
Chapter – 1 (Power Sharing)
| Exercises |
1. What are the different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.
Answer – Different forms of power sharing in modern democracies:
Horizontal division of power – It is the sharing of power among the different organs of government, for example, power sharing by the executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary. In this type of power-sharing arrangement, different organs of government, placed at the same level, exercised different powers. Such a separation ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited power, thereby putting a check on each other.
Vertical division of power – It is a system of power sharing among governments at different levels. For example, a general government for the entire country and governments at provincial or regional levels. In India, we refer to it as the Central Government, State Governments, Local body governments etc. The Constitution lays down the powers of different levels of government.
Division of power among social groups – Power can also be shared among different groups which differ socially like different religious and linguistic groups. ‘Community Government’ in Belgium is a good example of this type of power sharing.
Division of power between political parties, pressure groups and movements – In contemporary democracies such as India, power division takes the form of competition among different parties, which in turn ensures that power does not remain in one hand and is shared among different political parties representing different ideologies and social groups.
2. State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power-sharing with an example from the Indian context.
Answer – A prudential reason for power sharing is that it leads to an avoidance of conflict between social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and political instability, power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order. In India, seats have been reserved in legislatures for the socially weaker sections keeping in mind this prudential reason for power sharing.
A moral reason for power sharing is that it upholds the spirit of democracy. In a truly democratic setup, the citizens too have a stake in governance. In India, the citizens can come together to debate and criticise the policies and decisions of the government. This in turn puts pressure on the government to rethink its policies and reconsider its decisions. This active political participation is in keeping with the moral reason for power sharing.
3. After reading this chapter, three students drew different conclusions. Which of these do you agree with and why? Give your reasons in about 50 words.
Thomman – Power sharing is necessary only in societies which have religious, linguistic or ethnic divisions.
Mathayi – Power sharing is suitable only for big countries that have regional divisions.
Ouseph – Every society needs some form of power-sharing, even if it is small or does not have social divisions.
Answer – Ouseph’s conclusion is the right one. Every state should have some or other form of power-sharing. Power-sharing ensures an optimum balance between different sections of society. The chances of conflict lessen, and so does the injustice. Hence, power-sharing becomes the value of democracy. Also, power-sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order
4. The Mayor of Merchtem, a town near Brussels in Belgium, has defended a ban on speaking French in the town’s schools. He said that the ban would help all non-Dutch speakers integrate into this Flemish town. Do you think that this measure is in keeping with the spirit of Belgium’s power-sharing arrangements? Give your reasons in about 50 words.
Answer – The measure of the Mayor of Merchtem to ban French-speaking in the town’s schools near Brussels is unfair. It does not keep with Belgium’s power-sharing arrangement. Power-sharing helps maintain a balance between different sections of society. In Belgium, there is a need to maintain the power-sharing between the Dutch and the French to avoid civil unrest. Banning the French will promote the tendency of civil unrest. To promote peace among different communities, the Mayor should promote a bilingual education system in the town’s schools.
5. Read the following passage and pick out any one of the prudential reasons for power sharing offered in this.
“We need to give more power to the panchayats to realise the dream of Mahatma Gandhi and the hopes of the makers of our Constitution. Panchayati Raj establishes true democracy. It restores power to the only place where power belongs in a democracy – in the hands of the people. Giving power to Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency. When people participate in the planning and implementation of developmental schemes, they would naturally exercise greater control over these schemes. This would eliminate the corrupt middlemen. Thus, Panchayati Raj will strengthen the foundations of our democracy.”
Answer – The prudential reason in the given passage is – “Giving power to Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency.”
6. Different arguments are usually put forth in favour of and against power-sharing. Identify those which are in favour of power-sharing and select the answer using the codes given below. Power-sharing:
A. reduces conflict among different communities
B. decreases the possibility of arbitrariness
C. delays the decision-making process
D. accommodates diversities
E. increases instability and divisiveness
F. promotes people’s participation in government
G. undermines the unity of a country
(a) A B D F
(b) A C E F
(c) A B D G
(d) B C D G
Answer – (a) A B D F
7. Consider the following statements about power-sharing arrangements in Belgium and Sri Lanka.
A. In Belgium, the Dutch-speaking majority people tried to impose their domination on the minority French-speaking community.
B. In Sri Lanka, the policies of the government sought to ensure the dominance of the Sinhala-speaking majority.
C. The Tamils in Sri Lanka demanded a federal arrangement of power-sharing to protect their culture, language and equality of opportunity in education and jobs.
D. The transformation of Belgium from a unitary government to a federal one prevented a possible division of the country on linguistic lines.
Which of the statements given above is correct?
(a) A, B, C and D
(b) A, B and D
(c) C and D
(d) B, C and D
Answer – (d) B, C and D
8. Match List I (forms of power-sharing) with List II (forms of government) and select the correct answer using the codes given below in the lists.
| List I | List II |
| 1. Power shared among different organs of government | A. Community government |
| 2. Power shared among governments at different levels | B. Separation of powers |
| 3. Power shared by different social groups | C. Coalition government |
| 4. Power shared by two or more political parties | D. Federal government |
. 1 2 3 4
(a) D A B C
(b) B C D A
(c) B D A C
(d) C D A B
Answer – (c) B, D, A, C
| List I | List II |
| 1. Power shared among different organs of government | B. Separation of powers |
| 2. Power shared among governments at different levels | D. Federal government |
| 3. Power shared by different social groups | A. Community government |
| 4. Power shared by two or more political parties | C. Coalition government |
9. Consider the following two statements on power-sharing and select the answer using the codes given below.
A. Power-sharing is good for democracy.
B. It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.
Which of these statements are true and false?
(a) A is true, but B is false
(b) Both A and B are true
(c) Both A and B are false
(d) A is false, but B is true
Answer – (b) Both A and B are true
