CBSE · Class 10 · Social Science · Civics: Power SharingAnalyze how Belgium and Sri Lanka dealt with the problem of ethnic diversity and power sharing. What were the contrasting outcomes?

Introduction\nBoth Belgium and Sri Lanka are democracies facing intense ethnic diversity, yet their paths and outcomes regarding power sharing tell contrasting stories. While Belgium successfully managed its linguistic diversity through mutual accommodation, Sri Lanka plunged into civil war due to majoritarian policies.

1. Ethnic Composition of Belgium

• Demographics: Belgium is a small European country. Of its total population, 59% lives in the Flemish region and speaks Dutch; 40% lives in the Wallonia region and speaks French; and the remaining 1% speaks German.
• Capital City Paradox: In the capital city Brussels, 80% of the population speaks French while only 20% is Dutch-speaking. The French-speaking minority was relatively rich and powerful, causing resentment among the Dutch-speaking majority who got the benefit of economic development later.

2. Belgium's Accommodation Model

• Constitutional Amendments: Between 1970 and 1993, the Belgian leaders amended their constitution four times to enable everyone to live together within the same country.
• Key Elements:
  • Equal representation of Dutch and French-speaking ministers in the Central Government.
  • Transfer of many powers of the Central Government to state governments of the two regions.
  • A separate government in Brussels where both communities have equal representation.
  • Creation of a third kind of government called 'Community Government' elected by people belonging to one language community.
• Outcome: This complex model prevented civil strife and helped maintain national unity and peace.

3. Ethnic Composition of Sri Lanka

• Demographics: Sri Lanka is an island nation with a diverse population. The major social groups are the Sinhala-speakers (74%) and the Tamil-speakers (18%). Among Tamils, there are Sri Lankan Tamils (13%) and Indian Tamils (5%).
• Majoritarianism: After independence in 1948, the Sinhala community sought to secure dominance over government. In 1956, an Act was passed recognizing Sinhala as the only official language, disregarding Tamil.

4. Sri Lanka's Majoritarian Approach and Consequences

• Discrimination: Government policies favored Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs. A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.
• Alienation: All these government measures, coming one after the other, felt alienated to the Sri Lankan Tamils. They felt that none of the major political parties led by Buddhist Sinhala leaders were sensitive to their language and culture.
• Outcome: Relations between Sinhala and Tamil communities strained over time, leading to the formation of militant groups, demands for an independent Tamil Eelam, and eventually a brutal Civil War that caused massive loss of life and property.

Conclusion\nThus, Belgium's model of power sharing ensured peace and harmony, whereas Sri Lanka's majoritarianism resulted in severe ethnic conflict, proving that power sharing is essential for democratic stability.