Std 10 Social Science - Chapter 1 Power-sharing

Power sharing is desirable because it helps :

• To increase pressure on government.

• To reduce possibilities of conflicts.

• To generate awareness among people.

• To increase percentage of voters.

Which major social group constituted the largest share in population of Sri Lanka?

• Sinhalas

• Sri Lankan Tamils

• Indian Tamils

• Muslims

Which of the following is an example of horizontal sharing of power?

• Power sharing between different states.

• Power sharing between different organs of the government.

• Power sharing between different levels of the government.

• Power sharing between different political parties.

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

• In Belgium, leaders realised that unity of the country is possible only by sharing power.

• In Sri Lanka, the majority community wants to force domination over others.

• In Sri Lanka, the demand for more autonomy to provinces populated by Tamils has been granted.

• Division of Belgium along linguistic lines was averted due to power sharing.

Who elects the communist government in Belgium?

• People belonging to one language community only.

• By the leader of Belgium.

• The citizens of the whole country.

• The community leaders of Belgium.

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 government ensured the dominance of the Sinhala speaking majority.

C. The Tamils in Sri Lanka demanded a federal arrangement of power sharingto protect their culture, language and equality of opportunity in education and jobs.

D. The transformation of Belgium from unitary government to a federal one prevented a possible division of the country on linguistic lines.

Which of the statements given are correct ?

• A, B, C and D

• A, B, and D

• C and D

• B, C and D

Match List I (forms of power- sharing) with List II (forms of government) and select the correct answer using codes given below the lists :

List I List II

(i) Power shared among different organs of government A. Community government

(ii) Power shared among governments at different levels B. Separation of Powers

(iii) Power shared by different social groups C. Coalition government

(iv) Power shared by two or more political parties D. Federal government

• (i) – D, (ii) – A, (iii) – B, (iv) – C

• (i) – B, (ii) – C, (iii) – D, (iv) – A

• (i) – B, (ii) – D, (iii) – A, (iv) – C

• (i) – C, (ii) – D, (iii) – A, (iv) – B

The Community Government signifies:

• The powers of government regarding community development.

• The powers of the government regarding law making for the community.

• The powers of the government regarding cultural, educational and language related issues.

• The government enjoys privileges to safeguard the interest of a particular community.

System of ‘checks and balances’ means:

• Horizontal distribution of powers.

• Separation of powers.

• Put a check on the exercise of unlimited powers of the organs of government by maintaining a balance of power among various institutions.

• Federal division of powers.

A belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it wants is

• Community Government

• Federal Government

• Majoritarian

• Prudential