Chapter 1 Power-Sharing

Overview

This chapter introduces the concept of power-sharing in democracies, explaining why it is essential for political stability and good governance. It contrasts the approaches of Belgium and Sri Lanka in managing diverse populations: Belgium's model of accommodation and power-sharing versus Sri Lanka's majoritarian approach, which led to conflict. The chapter outlines the prudential (practical benefits) and moral reasons for power sharing, detailing its various forms: horizontal distribution (legislature, executive, judiciary), vertical distribution (federalism across different government levels), power sharing among social groups, and power sharing between political parties. It emphasizes that power sharing is the essence of democracy.

Belgium And Sri Lanka

• Belgium: A small European country with a complex ethnic composition (Dutch-speaking majority in Flanders, French-speaking minority in Wallonia). To manage these divisions and avoid conflict, Belgium adopted a system of power-sharing, including equal representation in the central government, devolution of powers to state governments, and a separate community government for cultural matters. Brussels, the capital, has equal representation for both linguistic groups.
• Sri Lanka: An island nation with a Sinhala-speaking Buddhist majority and a Tamil-speaking Hindu/Muslim minority. The Sinhala community, through majoritarian policies, established Sinhala as the sole official language, favored Sinhala speakers in jobs and education, and promoted Buddhism. This led to alienation of the Tamil minority, demanding autonomy and equal rights, ultimately resulting in a prolonged civil war.

Majoritarianism In Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's democratically elected government implemented policies favoring the Sinhala majority, leading to discrimination against the Tamil minority, sparking alienation and civil war.

Accommodation In Belgium

Belgium's leaders chose accommodation by amending their constitution to share power between Dutch and French-speaking communities, ensuring equal representation and autonomy, thereby preventing national division.

Why Power Sharing Is Desirable?

Power sharing is desirable for two main reasons:

• Prudential Reason: It helps reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups, ensuring political stability. Tyranny of the majority can lead to resentment and national ruin, making power sharing a practical necessity for unity.
• Moral Reason: Power sharing is the essence of democracy. It respects the right of citizens to be consulted and participate in governance, ensuring that the government is accountable to the people and that diverse groups have a stake in the system.

Forms Of Power Sharing

Power sharing in democracies can occur in various ways:

• Horizontal Distribution of Power: Power is shared among different organs of government—legislature, executive, and judiciary—acting as a system of checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power.
• Vertical Division of Power: Power is shared among governments at different levels—central government and regional/state governments. This federal system allows for diverse regions and communities to govern themselves within a larger framework.
• Power Sharing Among Social Groups: Power is shared among different social groups like linguistic or religious communities, often through community governments or reserved seats in legislatures and administration to ensure minority representation and prevent alienation.
• Power Sharing Between Political Parties: This occurs through competition among parties in elections and coalition governments formed by parties that ally to gain power, ensuring power is distributed among different political actors. It also includes influence from pressure groups and movements.

These arrangements help manage societal diversity, ensure representation, and maintain political stability, making democracy a more effective and legitimate form of government.