Power Sharing
Belgium and Sri Lanka
Belgium:
– Belgium is a small European country with a complex ethnic composition.
– 59% of the population in the Flemish region speaks Dutch, while 40% in the Wallonia region speaks French.
– The minority French-speaking community was wealthier and more powerful, causing tensions with the Dutch-speaking community.
– Tensions between the two communities were more acute in Brussels, where Dutch-speakers were a minority.
“Ethnic” refers to a group of people who share common characteristics such as cultural background, ancestry, language, or traditions.
Sri Lanka:
– Sri Lanka is an island nation with a diverse population.
– The major social groups are Sinhala-speakers (74%) and Tamil-speakers (18%).
– Sri Lankan Tamils (13%) and Indian Tamils, whose ancestors came from India, constitute the Tamil-speaking population.
– The Sinhala community, predominantly Buddhist, and the Tamil community, mainly Hindu or Muslim, exist with a significant Christian minority.
Potential scenarios:
– In Belgium, the Dutch community could exploit its majority status and impose its will on the French and German-speaking population, leading to further conflicts and possible partition.
– In Sri Lanka, the Sinhala community, having a larger majority, could exert control over the entire country.
Note: The subsequent development of events in both countries is not provided in the given information.
Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka
Events in Sri Lanka:
– After gaining independence in 1948, the Sinhala community sought dominance over the government due to their majority.
– Majoritarian measures were adopted to establish Sinhala supremacy, including recognizing Sinhala as the only official language and implementing preferential policies favoring Sinhala applicants.
– The constitution and government policies created a sense of alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils, who felt their language, culture, and political rights were disregarded and discriminated against.
– The Sri Lankan Tamils launched movements for language recognition, regional autonomy, and equality in education and employment.
– The demand for greater autonomy was denied, leading to the formation of political organizations advocating for an independent Tamil Eelam in the northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.
– Tensions escalated, resulting in a civil war that caused numerous casualties, displacement, and economic setbacks.
– The civil war ended in 2009, after causing significant damage to the social, cultural, and economic fabric of the country.
Accommodation in Belgium
Belgian Model:
– Belgian leaders recognized regional differences and cultural diversities.
– The constitution ensures equal representation of Dutch and French-speaking ministers in the central government.
– Special laws require majority support from each linguistic group, preventing unilateral decision-making.
– Power is decentralized, with significant authority given to state governments.
– Brussels has a separate government with equal representation from both communities.
– Community governments, elected by specific language communities, handle cultural, educational, and language-related issues.
– The Belgian model is complex but has helped prevent conflict and division based on language lines.
– Brussels serves as the headquarters of the European Union.
Lessons from Belgium and Sri Lanka:
– Power sharing is crucial for maintaining unity in diverse democracies.
– Respect for the feelings and interests of different communities and regions is essential.
– Mutually acceptable arrangements for power sharing can help prevent conflicts.
– Dominance by a majority community and refusal to share power can threaten the unity of a country.
Why power sharing is desirable?
– Power sharing in Belgium and Sri Lanka took different paths.
– Belgium recognized regional differences and cultural diversity, leading to constitutional amendments and innovative arrangements for equal representation.
– Sri Lanka adopted majoritarian measures, leading to alienation among the Tamil community and a civil war.
– Belgium’s power-sharing model helped maintain unity and avoid division along linguistic lines.
– It reduces conflicts and ensures stability.
– It is intrinsic to democracy and gives citizens a stake in the system.
Forms of power-sharing
– Power sharing is a response to the notion of undivided political power.
– Democracy recognizes that political power should be distributed among citizens.
– Power sharing can take different forms in modern democracies.
– Horizontal distribution of power separates and balances the legislative, executive, and judiciary.
– Power can be shared among different levels of government, such as federal and state governments.
– Power sharing can also involve representation of diverse social groups and minorities.
– Political parties, interest groups, and alliances contribute to power sharing in democracies.
– Power sharing ensures competition, representation, and participation in decision-making processes.