Notes on Belgium and Sri Lanka: Power-sharing and Ethnic Communities

1. Ethnic Communities:

  • Definition: Ethnic groups are communities sharing a common culture, descent, language, or physical characteristics. They may not have the same religion or nationality.

2. Belgium’s Ethnic Composition:

  • Belgium is smaller than Haryana (India) in terms of population and area.
  • It has 3 main ethnic groups:
    • 59% Flemish (Dutch speakers)
    • 40% Walloons (French speakers)
    • 1% German speakers.
  • Capital city, Brussels: 80% French-speaking, 20% Dutch-speaking.
  • The French-speaking community was historically wealthier and more powerful, leading to tensions with the Dutch-speaking community.
  • The Dutch-speaking community received benefits like better economic development and education later than the French-speaking community. This tension peaked in the 1950s and 1960s, especially in Brussels.

3. Ethnic Groups in Sri Lanka:

  • Sri Lanka has two major ethnic groups:
    • 74% Sinhalese (Buddhists)
    • 18% Tamils (Hindus or Muslims).
  • The Tamils are divided into:
    • Sri Lankan Tamils (native, 13%)
    • Indian Tamils (brought by the British during colonial rule).
  • The Sinhalese and Tamils live in different parts of the country, leading to tensions, especially regarding power and cultural recognition.

4. Comparison:

  • In Belgium, the Dutch-speaking Flemish community was a majority, but in Brussels, they were a minority.
  • In Sri Lanka, the Sinhala majority imposed policies that alienated the Tamil minority, leading to civil conflict.

5. Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka:

  • After independence in 1948, Sri Lankan leaders favored Sinhala supremacy.
  • 1956: Sinhala was made the only official language, which ignored the Tamil-speaking community.
  • The government policies favored Sinhalese people for jobs and education.
  • 1972 Constitution: Protected and promoted Buddhism, excluding Tamil and Hindu rights.
  • The Tamils began demanding equal rights, including recognition of Tamil as an official language, and autonomy for Tamil-majority areas.
  • This led to the Tamil Eelam movement (demand for a separate Tamil state), resulting in a civil war by the 1980s, which lasted until 2009.

6. Belgian Approach to Power Sharing:

  • Belgium adopted a different strategy by creating a power-sharing system.
  • Constitutional Changes (1970-1993):
    • Equal representation for Dutch and French-speaking communities in the central government.
    • Special laws needed the support of both communities to make decisions.
    • Powers were devolved to state governments (Flemish and Walloon regions).
    • Brussels has its own government with equal representation of both communities.
  • A unique community government also addresses cultural, educational, and language issues specific to each community.
  • This model helped avoid conflict and kept Belgium unified despite its complex ethnic composition.

7. Reasons for Power Sharing:

  • Prudential reasons: Power-sharing reduces conflict and political instability, ensuring long-term peace.
  • Moral reasons: Power-sharing respects democracy, as all groups have a say in governance, making it more legitimate.
  • Majority tyranny: Without power-sharing, the majority community may dominate and oppress minorities, leading to instability and loss of unity.

8. Real-world Example of Power Sharing – Lebanon:

  • Lebanon: The government follows power-sharing arrangements based on religious communities to maintain peace. The President is a Catholic, Prime Minister is a Sunni Muslim, and Deputy Prime Minister is an Orthodox Christian, among others.
  • This system prevents the domination of any one group, though it may seem unfair to individuals like Khalil, who doesn’t identify with any particular religion.
  • The challenge here is balancing fairness with peace, and this system has worked so far, even though Lebanon’s Muslim population now outnumbers the Christians.

9. Moral Dilemma:

  • Khalil’s View: Why not elect a president based on the majority of votes? This seems more democratic.
  • However, Lebanon’s civil war history makes the current power-sharing system crucial for peace.

Conclusion:

  • Both Belgium and Sri Lanka show different approaches to power-sharing.
  • Belgium‘s model of power-sharing among different linguistic and regional communities has helped maintain unity.
  • Sri Lanka’s majoritarian policies created alienation, leading to civil conflict.
  • Power-sharing can help avoid conflict and create a more inclusive democracy.

Power Sharing in Modern Democracies –

Power sharing refers to the division of power among different people, organizations, or levels of government. It is an essential feature in democratic countries to ensure no group or person becomes too powerful. Here are the key forms of power-sharing arrangements:

1. Power Sharing Among Different Organs of Government (Horizontal Power Sharing)

  • Horizontal distribution of power means power is shared among different organs of government: the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.
  • These organs function at the same level, and each has different powers to ensure a balance of power.
  • Checks and Balances: One organ checks the powers of others. For example:
    • Legislators (e.g., Parliament or State Assemblies) can control ministers and government officials.
    • Judges (appointed by the Executive) can check executive actions and the laws made by legislators.
  • This system helps prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful, thus ensuring democratic accountability.

2. Power Sharing Among Governments at Different Levels (Federal Division of Power)

  • In countries with multiple levels of government, power is shared between the central government (also called federal government or Union Government) and state or provincial governments.
  • Federal System: The constitution clearly defines the powers of each government level. In India, the powers of the central and state governments are separated, a model also followed in Belgium but not in Sri Lanka.
  • Vertical Distribution of Power: Power is also shared between higher (central) and lower (municipalities, panchayats) levels of government.

Example: In India, the Union Government is responsible for national matters, while State Governments handle regional issues.

3. Power Shared Among Different Social Groups

  • In democracies, power is shared among different social groups like religious, linguistic, and cultural communities.
  • Community Governments in Belgium is an example, where power is divided among linguistic groups (Dutch, French, and German speakers).
  • Reserved Constituencies in India is another example, where seats in legislatures are reserved for socially weaker sections like Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women to ensure they have a voice in decision-making.

This form of power-sharing helps prevent alienation of minority groups and ensures inclusivity in the political system.

4. Power Sharing Through Political Parties, Pressure Groups, and Movements

  • Political parties, interest groups (like those representing farmers, workers, businesspeople), and pressure groups compete for power.
  • Political Parties: In a democracy, different parties compete in elections. If no party gets a majority, they form a coalition government, sharing power.
  • Pressure Groups: Groups like trade unions or environmental groups influence decision-making and ensure the government represents various interests.

Example: In Russia, political parties formed an alliance to contest elections, and in Nigeria, state finance ministers demanded transparency and fairness in the revenue distribution.

Real-World Examples of Power Sharing

  1. Maharashtra, India: The Bombay High Court ordered the Maharashtra State Government to improve conditions in children’s homes, showing the judiciary influencing government actions.
  2. Ontario, Canada: The Ontario government worked with Aboriginal communities on land claims, ensuring mutual respect and cooperation.
  3. Russia: The Union of Right Forces and the Liberal Yabloko Movement formed a coalition government, sharing power.
  4. Nigeria: Finance ministers from various states demanded a clear formula for revenue distribution, showcasing power-sharing between different levels of government.

Why Power Sharing is Important

  1. Prevents Conflict: Power-sharing reduces the chances of conflict between different groups. By distributing power, no one group can dominate.
  2. Promotes Inclusivity: Ensures that minority and weaker sections are not ignored and have a say in governance.
  3. Strengthens Democracy: Power-sharing allows people to have a voice in decision-making, making the government more democratic and accountable.

Two Main Reasons for Power Sharing:

  • Prudential Reason: Power-sharing ensures better outcomes, as it balances the interests of different groups and prevents domination by one.
  • Moral Reason: Power-sharing is crucial for a just and fair society where everyone has a right to participate in governance.

Conclusion

Power-sharing mechanisms are vital for ensuring a stable, fair, and democratic system. These arrangements, whether between branches of government or among social groups, help prevent the concentration of power, reduce conflicts, and ensure that everyone’s interests are considered.

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