Synopsis

·          An intelligent sharing of power among legislature, executive and judiciary is very important to the design of a democracy. The two stories from Belgium and Srilanka are about how democracies handle demands for power-sharing.

o    The Ethnic composition of this small country Belgium is very complex of the country's total population, 59 per cent lives in the Flemish region and speaks Dutch language.

·          The minority French – speaking community was relatively rich and powerful. This was resented by the Dutch - Speaking Community who got the benefit of economic development and education much later.

·          Srilanka has a diverse population. The major social groups are the Sinhala – speakers and the Tamil – speakers. Tamil natives of the country are called 'Srilankan Tamils' and the rest are called 'Indian Tamils'.

·          In Belgium, the Dutch community could take advantage of its numeric majority and force its will on the French and German – speaking population.

·          The leaders of Sinhala Community sought to secure dominance over government by virtue of their majority. As a result, the democratically elected government adopted a series of Majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala Supremacy.

·          The Srilankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil as an official language, for regional autonomy and equality of opportunity in securing education and jobs.

·          The Belgian leaders took a different path. They recognised the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities. Between 1970 and 1993, they amended their constitution four times so as to work out an arrangement that would enable everyone to live together within the same country.

·          Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government. Some special laws require the support of majority of members from each linguistic group.

·          Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal representation. The French–speaking people accepted equal representation in Brussels because the Dutch – Speaking community has accepted equal representation in the Central Government.

·          Apart from the Central and the State Government, there is a third kind of government. This 'community government' is elected by people belonging to one language community – Dutch, French and German – speaking no matter where they live.

·          In Belgium, the leaders have realised that the unity of the country is possible only by respecting the feelings and interests of different communities and regions. Such a realisation resulted in mutually acceptable arrangements for sharing power.

·          Srilanka shows us a contrasting example. It shows us that if a majority community wants to force its dominance over others and refuses to share power, it can undermine the unity of the country.

·          Power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility 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.

·          Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise and who have to live with its effects. People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.

·          One basic principle of democracy is that people are the source of all political power. In a democracy, people rule themselves through institutions of self-government.

·          In modern democracies, power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. Such a separation ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited power. Each organ checks the other.

·          Power may also be shared among different social groups, such as the religious and linguistic groups.

·           Power sharing arrangements can also be seen in the way political parties, pressure groups and movements control or influence those in power. In a democracy, the citizens must have freedom to choose among various contenders for power.