Answer the following questions.

Answers:

Answer 01:

1. Flemish Majority:
   • Comprising 60% of the population, the Flemish form Belgium’s largest ethnic group.
   • They play a pivotal role in shaping the cultural landscape.
2. Walloon Presence:
   • The Walloon community, representing 31% of Belgians, contributes significantly.
   • Their cultural influence enhances the nation’s diversity.
3. German Minority:
   • About 1% of the population identifies as German.
   • While a minority, their presence adds to Belgium’s rich cultural mosaic.
4. Brussels-Capital Mix:
   • The Brussels-Capital Region boasts a diverse blend, incorporating Flemish, Walloon, and German elements.
   • This diversity enriches the multicultural essence of the region.

Answer 02: The Sri Lankan Tamils primarily reside in the Northern Province of the country. This region serves as a cultural and demographic center for the Tamil community, reflecting their significant presence and influence.

Answer 03: Majoritarian Approach: The government in Sri Lanka pursued a majoritarian approach in its post-conflict measures. They put emphasis on such policies which reflected the majority’s interests, impacting harmony, rules, economy, and rights.

Answer 04: The demands of Sri Lankan Tamils during 1980s were as follows:-

1. Recognition of Tamil as an Official Language: Tamil people urged official status for Tamil, reflecting the linguistic diversity.
2. Devolution (transfer) of Power: They called for decentralized governance to address regional concerns.
3. Equal Economic Opportunities: They advocated for fair economic opportunities across ethnic groups.
4. Cultural and Educational Rights: They sought protection and promotion of Tamil culture and educational rights.
5. End to Discrimination: Tamils also demanded an end to discriminatory practices and policies.

Answer 05: The elements of the Belgian model are:-

a. Equal Representation:

• Constitution mandates an equal number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers in the central government.
• Ensures decisions require support from both linguistic groups, preventing unilateral actions.

b. Decentralization of Powers:

• Many central government powers are delegated to state governments in Flanders and Wallonia.
• State governments operate independently, not subordinate to the central government.

c. Brussels Autonomy:

• Brussels has its separate government with equal representation for both linguistic communities.
• Reflects a reciprocal agreement, ensuring fairness in governance.

d. Community Governments:

• Elected by specific language communities, handling cultural, educational, and language-related matters.
• Empowers communities regardless of geographical location.

Answer 06: Between 1970 and 1993, Belgian leaders, recognizing regional diversity, amended the constitution four times, creating an innovative arrangement for peaceful coexistence within the same country.

Answer 07: The headquarters of the European Union is situated in Brussels.

Answer 08: There are mainly two reason for which power sharing is desirable. These are:-

• Prudential Reasons: It reduces social conflict and political instability and prevents imposition of the majority’s will, preserving national unity.
• Moral Reasons: It reflects democratic essence, involving citizen participation. Moreover, it ensures a stake in governance, promoting just and legitimate government.

Answer 09: “Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy” because in a democratic system, governance involves the active participation of citizens affected by decisions. It goes beyond majority rule, ensuring that diverse voices have a say in policies that impact them. This spirit fosters inclusivity, prevents the tyranny of the majority, and establishes legitimacy. Democratic governance, at its core, embodies the idea that power is shared with those who must live with its consequences, reinforcing the principles of fairness and citizen involvement.

Answer 10: The major forms of Power-Sharing are :-

a. Horizontal Distribution of Power: The first form is the separation of powers among government branches (executive, legislative, and judiciary). It prevents abuse and ensures checks and balances.

b. Vertical Division of Power: Distribution between central and regional/state governments is another form of power sharing. It recognizes regional autonomy and addresses local needs.

c. Community-based Power Sharing: This kind of power-sharing accommodates diverse communities with autonomous decision-making in cultural and educational domains.

d. Political Parties: One way power can be shared is through coalition governments where multiple parties work together to represent diverse interests and create inclusive policies.

e. Power Sharing Among Social Groups: In countries like Belgium, ‘community government’ exemplifies power-sharing among religious and linguistic groups. Constitutional arrangements, like reserved constituencies, ensure representation for socially weaker sections and women.

Answer 11: Checks and balances in government refer to a system where each branch—executive, legislative, and judiciary—has the authority to limit the powers of the others. This prevents any single branch from becoming overly dominant and ensures a fair distribution of power within the system.

Answer 12: A coalition government is formed when different political parties, typically without a single party gaining a majority in an election, join forces to create a working majority. This collaborative approach helps in achieving governance by combining the strengths and resources of multiple parties, fostering cooperation and inclusivity.

Answer 13: Interest groups share power in a democracy by influencing decision-making through various means:

1. Advocacy and Lobbying: Interest groups engage in advocacy, presenting their views to policymakers. Lobbying involves direct communication with legislators to shape policies in favor of the group’s interests.
2. Public Awareness Campaigns: Interest groups run campaigns to inform the public about their causes, aiming to garner support and influence public opinion. This support can translate into political pressure on policymakers.
3. Participation in Government Committees: Interest groups may be invited to participate in governmental committees related to their areas of expertise. This direct involvement allows them to contribute to policy discussions and decisions.
4. Legal Action: Interest groups may take legal action to challenge policies or decisions they find unfavorable. The judiciary’s role in interpreting laws provides another avenue for interest groups to influence outcomes.
5. Contributions to Political Campaigns: Interest groups may financially support political candidates sympathetic to their causes. This support can lead to a more favorable stance from elected officials.

Through these avenues (methods), interest groups play a role in shaping policies, influencing public opinion, and contributing to the democratic decision-making process.

Answer 14: The civil war in Sri Lanka (1983-2009) began due to tensions between the Sinhalese majority and Tamil minority. Unfair policies, economic differences, and excluding Tamils in politics fueled the conflict. As Tamils sought self-rule, failed talks and violence worsened the situation, leading to a prolonged war.

Answer 15: Impact of Civil War in Sri Lanka:

1. Humanitarian Crisis: The conflict led to a significant loss of life, displacement, and severe human rights abuses, including civilian casualties and population displacements.
2. Economic Consequences: The nation experienced considerable economic harm from infrastructure destruction, disrupted livelihoods, and negative effects on foreign investments.
3. Social Division: These tensions heightened ethnic divisions and mistrust between the Sinhalese and Tamil communities, leaving lasting scars on how people relate to each other.

Answer 16:

Answer 17: Sharing power helps maintain stability by preventing conflicts that may arise when one group or community dominates. It reduces the chances of violent confrontations, fostering a more peaceful and secure environment within a society.

Answer 18: LTTE stands for Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. It was formed in 1976 with the aim to address the challenges faced by Tamils in Sri Lanka. Their main goal was to secure political rights and establish a separate Tamil state. This mission eventually led to their active involvement in the Sri Lankan Civil War.

Answer 19: Two factors that were responsible for increasing the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils are:-

1. Linguistic Marginalization:
   • Unfair language policies favored Sinhalese, leaving Tamils feeling excluded.
   • Educational disparities intensified, contributing to a perception of systematic bias.
2. Political Under-representation:
   • Tamils faced limited political participation, lacking a voice.
   • Centralization of power marginalized regional autonomy, deepening the alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils.

Answer 20: Measures for Sinhala Supremacy:

1. Language Policies:
   • ‘Sinhala Only’ Act: Enacted in 1956, it established Sinhala as the sole official language, sidelining Tamil and limiting opportunities for Tamil speakers.
2. Educational Discrimination:
   • Limited Tamil Education: Restrictions on Tamil-language education marginalized Tamil-speaking students, reinforcing a systematic bias in educational opportunities.

Answer 21: Power Sharing Among Government Organs:

1. Separation of Powers: The lawmakers (legislative) create rules, the enforcers (executive) make sure they’re followed, and the interpreters (judicial) explain the rules. Each has its separate functions.
2. Checks and Balances: They keep an eye on each other to stop anyone from doing too much. For example, lawmakers can stop the enforcers, and the interpreters can say if the rules are not okay.
3. Independence of Judiciary: The judges in the court can work independently, making sure rules are fair and prevent any group from acquiring excessive powers.
4. Shared Responsibilities: Even if they have different jobs, they work together. Lawmakers say yes to leaders, leaders make rules work, and courts check if everything is fair.
5. Constitutional Framework: The main rules (constitution) say what each group can do, keeping things fair and steady, so no one group becomes too powerful.