Power-sharing

Overview

• Power-sharing is essential in democracy, avoiding concentration in a single government organ.
• Focus on Belgium and Sri Lanka's power-sharing in overcoming ethnic and regional divisions.
• Discuss various forms of power-sharing across the next chapters.

Case Studies

Belgium

• Complex ethnic composition: Flemish (Dutch-speaking, 59%), Wallonia (French-speaking, 40%), and German-speaking (1%).
• Tensions in Brussels: Dutch majority country-wide, but minority in Brussels.
• Solution: Equal representation of Dutch and French in the central government.
  • Regional governments have autonomy over many powers.
  • Separate government for Brussels with equal representation.
  • Community government for cultural and language-related issues.
• Successful in preventing linguistic division and conflict.

Sri Lanka

• Major social groups: Sinhalese (74%) and Tamils (18%).
• Post-independence Sinhala majority imposed dominance.
• 1956: Sinhala becomes the only official language, Buddhism protected.
• Tamil alienation led to demands for equal rights, autonomy.
• Resulted in civil war by 1980s, ended in 2009.
• Example of majoritarianism's failures.

Lessons from Belgium and Sri Lanka

• Belgium: Power-sharing respects community interests, ensuring unity and peace.
• Sri Lanka: Majoritarian dominance undermines unity, leading to conflict.

Reasons for Power-sharing

• Prudential Reasons: Prevents social conflict, political instability.
• Moral Reasons: Essential spirit of democracy, participation in governance.

Forms of Power-sharing

1. Horizontal Distribution: Among legislature, executive, judiciary.
   • Ensures balance, checks and balances.
2. Vertical Distribution: Among different government levels (federalism).
   • Central and State governments with delineated powers.
3. Social Groups: Representation of religious, linguistic groups.
   • Community governments like in Belgium.
4. Political Parties and Movements: Competition, alliances, coalition governments.

Examples

• Canadian land claim with aboriginals: social group power-sharing.
• Coalition government in Russia: political party power-sharing.

Khalil’s Dilemma (Lebanon)

• Lebanon’s power-sharing based on religious communities.
• Debate over traditional vs. modern democratic principles.
• Power-sharing arrangements are crucial for peace.

Exercises

• Identify power-sharing types and their applications.
• Analyze reasons and outcomes of power-sharing in different contexts.

Conclusion

• Effective power-sharing arrangements are vital for democracy and social harmony.
• The careful balancing of power ensures representation, reduces conflicts, and sustains stability.