CBSE Important Questions for Class 10 Social Science Civics Chapter 1: Important Questions of Power Sharing Class 10" explores the concept of distributing power among different levels of government and social groups to ensure stability and democracy.
It discusses Belgium and Sri Lanka as case studies, highlighting how other nations handle ethnic diversity.
The chapter emphasises horizontal and vertical power-sharing, including federalism, community government, and power-sharing among political parties, pressure groups, and movements.
Understanding these concepts helps students grasp the significance of democratic governance. Class 10 Important questions focus on why power-sharing is necessary, types of power-sharing, case study comparisons, and the impact of different policies on national unity and stability.
CBSE Chapter 1 Power Sharing class 10 Important Questions and Answers
Power-sharing class 10 important questions highlight the importance of distributing power among different levels of government and communities to ensure stability, reduce conflicts, and promote democracy.
It examines Belgium and Sri Lanka as case studies, showing how different approaches to ethnic diversity impact national unity. The chapter explains horizontal and vertical power-sharing, emphasising federalism, coalition governments, and community representation. Understanding these concepts is crucial for grasping democratic governance.
Power-sharing class 10 important questions and answers focus on the need for power-sharing, its types, real-world examples, and its role in maintaining harmony, making them essential for exams and practical understanding.
1. In dealing with power sharing, which one of the following statements is not correct about democracy?
(A) People are the source of all political power.
(B) In a democracy, people rule themselves through institutions of self-governance.
(C) In a democracy, due respect is given to diverse groups and views that exist in a society.
(D) In a democracy, if the power to decide is dispersed, it is not possible to take quick decisions and enforce them.
Ans. (D)
2. Belgium has worked on the principles of:
(A) majoritarianism
(B) accommodation
(C) both (A) and (B)
(D) none of the above
Ans. (B)
3. Majoritarianism constitution was adopted by:
(A) Belgium
(B) India
(C) Sri Lanka
(D) Pakistan
Ans. (C)
4. What is the percentage of Sinhala-speaking people in Sri Lanka?
(A) 74% (B) 75%
(C) 14% (D) 19%
Ans. (A)
5. Power sharing is desirable because it______.
(A) helps the people of different communities to celebrate their festivals.
(B) imposes the will of the majority community over others.
(C) reduces the social conflict & violence.
(D) ensures the instability of political order.
Ans. (C)
6. Power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of____.
(A) Population (B) Political order
(C) both (A) and (B) (D) none of the above
Ans. (B)
7. When power is shared among different organs of the government it is called as___.
(A) horizontal distribution of power
(B) community distribution of power
(C) coalition of power
(D) federal distribution of power
Ans. (A)
8. Which of the following is not the benefit of power sharing?
(A) It upholds the spirit of democracy.
(B) Political parties get their expected share.
(C) It ensures political stability in the long-run.
(D) it reduces the possibility of conflicts between social groups.
Ans. (B)
9. An Act of recognizing Sinhala as the official language was signed in:
(A) 1942 (B) 1956
(C) 1954 (D) 1948
Ans. (B)
10. Power struggle demanding separating Eelam was launched by___.
(A) Sinhalese (B) Buddhists
(C) Tamilians (D) None of the above
Ans. (C)
11. Describe the elements of Belgian model for accommodating diversities.
Sol. The elements of the Belgian model for accommodating diversities are as follows:
Despite the Dutch being in the majority, both the Dutch and French-speaking populations were given equal representation in the central government. Belgium adopted a federal state structure, where state governments were granted significant powers. The state governments were not subordinate to the central government.
12. Explain any one benefit of ‘power- sharing ‘.
Sol. One benefit of power-sharing is that it helps to accommodate the diverse interests and aspirations of different communities or groups within a country, thereby promoting peace and stability.
13. Do you think that the steps taken by Sri Lankan Government to establish the supremacy of Sinhala were justified? Give your view point
Sol. The steps taken by Sri Lanka were not appropriate as it ignored the interests of a minority community. Even the basic rights were not given to them. Discrimination based on religion and language further deprived other communities in Sri Lanka.
14. Sharing of powers makes a country more powerful and united’. Justify the statement.
Sol. Power sharing ensures that all people have stake in government.
Power sharing ensures maximum participation. It upholds the concept of people’s rule. It always
brings better outcomes in democracy. It ensures the political stability in democracy.
Power sharing accommodates diverse groups. It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.
15. Why is Power-sharing necessary in democracy?
Explain.
Sol. (i) The first reason is power-sharing helps to reduce the possibility of conflicts between social groups.
(ii) Power-sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order as social conflict often leads to violence and political instability.
(iii) Another important reason is that the very spirit of democracy is power-sharing. A democratic rule involves sharing of power with those affected by its exercise, and who have to live with its effects. People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed. A legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.
16. Describe the horizontal power-sharing arrangements.
Sol. Horizontal power-sharing arrangements refer to the division of powers among different organs or institutions at the same level of government.
This can include the separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches, as well as the sharing of powers between different political parties or groups within a legislature. Horizontal power-sharing ensures checks and balances, prevents the concentration of power, and promotes accountability and transparency in governance.
17. Describe any three ‘majoritarian measures’ taken by the Sri Lankan Government to establish Sinhala supremacy.
Sol. In the year 1956, an act was passed, which established Sinhala as the official language to be used in Sri Lanka disregarding the minority group of Tamils. The passing of this act created a feeling of alienation among the minority group, i.e. Sri Lankan Tamils and they started to feel left-out from the society.
The government then started adopting and formulating government policies that favored the Sinhala people in government jobs and for university positions, which made the Sri Lankan Tamils feel ousted. The Sri Lankan Government further proclaimed that they shall foster and protect only Buddhism as their Sate religion and refused to cater to any other religion disregarding the religion of Sri Lankan Tamils.
18. Explain the three ways by which Belgium has accommodated the existing regional differences and cultural diversities.
Sol. (i) Equal Representation in Central Government: Belgium ensures equal representation of Dutch and French-speaking ministers in the central government, preventing any one community from dominating decision- making.
(ii) Decentralized Power: Many powers are transferred to regional governments, which are not subordinate to the central government, allowing greater autonomy for each community.
(iii) Equal Representation in Brussels: Brussels has a separate government with equal representation for both Dutch and French- speaking communities, ensuring fair governance in the bilingual city.
Section – D [5 Marks]
19. How the idea of power-sharing emerged? Explain different forms that have common agreements of power sharing?
Sol.
The idea of power-sharing emerged as a reaction to the earlier belief that all government powers should rest in one person or group. It was thought that dispersing power would slow down decision-making. But with the growth of democracy, people realized that concentrating power leads to misuse, and sharing power makes governments more accountable and stable.
Different forms that have common arrangements of power sharing:
(i) Horizontal power-sharing: Power is shared among the legislature, executive, and judiciary. This prevents any one organ of government from becoming too powerful. Each checks the others and maintains balance.
(ii) Vertical power-sharing: Power is shared among different levels of government. The government for the whole country is the Central or Union government. The government for each region or state is the State government. The constitution clearly defines the powers of each level.
(iii) Power-sharing among political parties, pressure groups, and social movements: Political competition ensures power does not remain with one party permanently. Different political parties, pressure groups, and social movements influence decision-making, ensuring representation of diverse ideas.
20. What are the outcomes and the lessons we learnt from the style of governance in Sri Lanka and Belgium?
Sol.
Sri Lanka and Belgium both had ethnic and linguistic diversity, but they chose different ways to handle their differences.
(i) Sri Lanka followed majoritarian policies that alienated the Tamil community. This created tension and led to a civil war. The conflict aimed to create a separate state, Tamil Elam. The war caused heavy loss of life, economic damage, and social division.
(ii) Belgium followed accommodation policies that respected the interests of different communities. Although complex, these policies prevented civil war and maintained unity. Equal representation allowed all groups to feel secure and protected.
(iii) The lesson learned is that countries remain united only when the culture, identity, and demands of all communities are respected. Power-sharing arrangements promote harmony and stability.
21. What are advantages enjoyed by the Sinhala community in Sri Lanka?
Sol.
(a) After independence, Sinhala leaders aimed to establish dominance over other communities.
(b) They followed majoritarian measures to ensure Sinhala supremacy.
(c) Sinhala was declared the only official language in 1956.
(d) Sinhala people received special preference in government jobs and university admissions.
(e) Buddhism was declared the national religion, giving further advantage to the Sinhala community.
Section – E [4 Marks]
22. Case Based:
Belgium is a small country in Europe, smaller in area than the state of Haryana. It has borders with France, the Netherlands, Germany and Luxembourg.
It has a population of a little over one crore, about half the population of Haryana. The ethnic composition of this small country is very complex. Of the country’s total population, 59 per cent lives in the Flemish region and speaks Dutch language. Another 40 per cent people live in the Wallonia region and speak French. Remaining one per cent of the Belgians speak German. In the capital city Brussels, 80 percent people speak French while 20 per cent are Dutch speaking.
The minority French-speaking community was relatively rich and powerful. This was resented by the Dutch-speaking community who got the benefit of economic development and education much later. This led to tensions between the Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities during the 1950s and 1960s. The tension between the two communities was more acute in Brussels. Brussels presented a special problem: the Dutch-speaking people constituted a majority in the country, but a minority in the capital.
(i) What is the ratio of French and Dutch-speaking people in the capital of Belgium?
(A) In the capital city Brussels, 20 percent people speak French while 20 per cent are Dutch speaking.
(B) In the capital city Brussels, 70 percent people speak French while 20 per cent are Dutch speaking.
(C) In the capital city Brussels, 80 percent people speak French while 30 percent are Dutch speaking.
(D) In the capital city Brussels, 80 percent people speak French while 20 per cent are Dutch speaking.
Sol. (D) In the capital city Brussels, 80 percent people speak French while 20 per cent are Dutch speaking.
(ii) What was the state of the French-speaking minority in Belgium?
(A) The minority French-speaking community was relatively rich and powerful.
(B) The minority French-speaking community was powerless.
(C) The minority French-speaking community was rather poor.
(D) The minority French-speaking community was growing in number.
Sol. (A) The minority French-speaking community was relatively rich and powerful.
(iii) What sort of sentiments did the Dutch-speaking people hold for the French-speaking minority?
(A) The Dutch-speaking community respected the French-speaking minority.
(B) The Dutch-speaking community resented the French-speaking minority.
(C) The Dutch-speaking community envied the French-speaking minority.
(D) The Dutch-speaking community got along well with the French-speaking minority.
Sol. (B) The Dutch-speaking community resented the French-speaking minority.
(iv) What sort of special problem rose in Brussels?
(A) The Dutch-speaking people constituted a minority in the country, but a majority in the capital.
(B) The Dutch-speaking people constituted a minority in the country, as well as a minority in the capital.
(C) The Dutch-speaking people constituted a majority in the country, but a minority in the capital.
(D) The Dutch-speaking people constituted a majority in the entire country.
Sol. (C) The Dutch-speaking people constituted a majority in the country, but a minority in the capital.
CBSE Important Questions for Class 10 Social Science Civics Chapter 1 PDF
Below is a PDF containing important questions of Power Sharing class 10 Social Science Civics. These questions cover key topics such as the need for power-sharing, its types, and case studies like Belgium and Sri Lanka. Practicing these will help students understand the significance of democratic governance and improve their exam preparation. Download the PDF below to access the important questions and enhance your learning.
CBSE Important Questions for Class 10 Social Science Civics Chapter 1 PDF
Why Students Should Use CBSE Important Questions for Civics Chapter 1:
1. Exam-oriented Preparation: CBSE important questions focus on key topics that frequently appear in exams, helping students practice effectively and score higher marks.
2. Better Concept Clarity: These questions cover critical topics like power-sharing, case studies of Belgium and Sri Lanka, and types of power-sharing, ensuring a strong understanding of the subject.
3. Structured Revision: Important questions provide a systematic way to revise the chapter, helping students recall essential points quickly.
4. Improves Answer Writing Skills: Practising these questions enhances answer presentation, structuring, and explanation skills, which are crucial for scoring well on board exams.
5. Boosts Confidence and Time Management: Regular practice of previous year questions (PYQs) and sample questions helps students improve their answering speed.
6. Time Management Skills: Solving these questions under exam conditions helps students manage time efficiently and write well-structured answers within the given time limit.
7. Covers NCERT-Based Questions: Since CBSE follows NCERT books, these questions are aligned with the syllabus, ensuring comprehensive preparation.
Related Chapters