Important Point: In Brussels, Dutch-speaking people are a minority, unlike the rest of the country.
The minority French-speaking population was wealthier than the Dutch-speaking majority, leading to tension in the 1950s and 1960s, especially in Brussels.
Sri Lanka
Geographical Position: Small island in Asia, off the southern coast of Tamil Nadu.
Population: About two crore people, similar to Haryana's population.
Ethnic Composition:
74% Sinhalese-speaking
18% Tamil-speaking
13% Sri Lankan Tamils (natives)
The rest are Tamil Lankans, descendants of plantation workers from India.
Religion:
Most Sinhalese are Buddhists.
Most Tamils are Hindus or Muslims. Christians constitute 7% of the population.
Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka: Belief that only the majority community should rule, disregarding minorities.
Examples of Majoritarianism:
Sinhalese made the official language by an Act in 1956, ignoring Tamil.
Preferential policies for Sinhalese in government jobs and education.
Promotion and protection of Buddhism.
Tamil people felt alienated due to these policies, leading to demands for equality and eventually, a civil war for Tamil Eelam, resulting in significant casualties and economic damage.
Accommodation in Belgium
Belgium amended its Constitution to accommodate every ethnic community, avoiding civil war or demands for autonomy.
The Belgian Method:
Equal number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers in the Central Government.
Special laws need majority support from each language group.
State Governments are independent of the central government.
Separate government for Brussels with equal representation for both linguistic groups.
A third government (Community Government) elected by Dutch, French, and German-speaking people, managing language, cultural, and educational issues.
Why is Power-Sharing Desirable?
Prudential Reasons:
Reduces the possibility of conflicts and political instability.
Prevents groups from overstepping their rights.
Ensures no single group subverts the constitution, fostering national unity.
Prevents oppression of minorities and negative impacts on the majority.
Moral Reasons:
Spirit of democracy requires power sharing.
Policies affecting people should involve their input.
Citizens’ participation is essential for democracy.
Moral reasons make power sharing valuable and essential.
Forms of Power Sharing
Between different organs of government: Legislature, Executive, Judiciary.
Among different levels of government: Central or Union government, State government.
Among different social groups: Religious and linguistic groups.
Through social movements forcing legal changes.
Pressure Groups influencing government policies: Farmers, workers, industrialists.
Political Parties ensuring competition and preventing concentration of power.