Power Sharing in Belgium and Sri Lanka is one of the most important topics in the CBSE Class 10 Political Science syllabus. If you’re looking for quick revision notes, you’re in the right place! This topic explains how different countries deal with diversity—Belgium through peaceful power-sharing and Sri Lanka through majoritarianism. Just like you studied the cultural shifts in Romantic Imagination and National Feeling in History, this post will help you understand how power structures can shape a nation.
Power Sharing – Belgium and Sri Lanka | Class 10 Notes
Power Sharing in Belgium
- Belgium – A small country in Europe
- Area: Smaller than the Indian state of Haryana
- Borders with: France, Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg
- Population: A little over one crore
- Ethnic composition: Very complex
Population divided into:
- Dutch-speaking – Live in the Flemish region (59%)
- French-speaking – Live in the Wallonia region (40%)
- German-speaking – 1%
Brussels (Capital of Belgium):
- 80% people speak French
- 20% people speak Dutch
Minority & majority tensions:
- French-speaking: Minority in the country, majority in Brussels
- Dutch-speaking: Majority in the country, minority in Brussels
- Tension due to economic gap and power imbalance
Accommodation of diversities (1970–1993):
- 4 constitutional amendments introduced:
- Equal ministers in the central government from both communities
- Special laws require the support of both communities
- State governments are no longer subordinate to the central government
- Brussels has a separate government – both communities have equal representation
- Community government: Elected by people of one language group, no matter where they live
- Responsible for cultural, educational, and language-related issues
Results of the Belgian model:
- Helped avoid civil strife
- Prevented division of the country on linguistic lines
- Brussels became the headquarters of the European Union
- Belgium remained united by respecting the feelings and interests of different communities
Power Sharing in Sri Lanka
- Independence: 1948
- Location: Island nation in the Indian Ocean, south of India
- Population: About 2 crore
Major ethnic groups:
- Sinhala speakers – 74% of the population
- Tamil speakers – 18% of the population
Tamils further divided into:
- Sri Lankan Tamils – Tamil natives of the country
- Indian Tamils – Whose forefathers came from India as plantation workers
Distribution:
- Sri Lankan Tamils are concentrated in the north and east of the country
Religion:
- Sinhala speakers – Buddhist
- Tamils – Hindu or Muslim
- Christians – 7% of the population; they speak both Tamil and Sinhala
Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka
- Post-independence government adopted majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy
1956 Act:
- Made Sinhala the only official language
- Declared Buddhism the official religion
Preference given to Sinhalas in:
- Government jobs
- University admissions
Impact on Sri Lankan Tamils:
- Felt alienated
- Denied equal rights
- The Sri Lankan constitution did not protect their interests
Demands of Sri Lankan Tamils:
- Recognition of Tamil as an official language
- Regional autonomy
- Equality of opportunity
By 1980:
- Political organisations were formed
- They demanded an independent Tamil Eelam in the north and east
Consequences of distrust between communities:
- Civil war broke out
- Thousands of people were killed from both sides
- Many families were forced to leave the country as refugees
- Many lost their livelihoods
This completes your revision of Power Sharing in Belgium and Sri Lanka. For a thorough understanding of History Chapter 1, you are advised to go through our full Class 10 History Question-Answer post. It presents key questions and well-structured answers to help you prepare effectively.
Now revise the important concepts quickly with the FAQs given below:
Q1: Which ethnic group in Belgium has the largest population?
A: The Dutch-speaking community is the largest ethnic group in Belgium, making up about 59% of the population.
Q2: Which two languages are generally spoken in Belgium?
A: The two main languages spoken in Belgium are Dutch and French.
Q3: Which city is the capital of Belgium?
A: Brussels is the capital city of Belgium.
Q4: Majority of the people in Belgium speak which language?
A: The majority of people in Belgium speak Dutch.
Q5: Who elects the community government in Belgium?
A: The community government in Belgium is elected by people of a particular language group, regardless of where they live in the country.
Q6: Which group of countries surrounds Belgium?
A: Belgium shares its borders with France, the Netherlands, Germany, and Luxembourg.
Q7: What type of powers does the community government of Belgium enjoy?
A: The community government handles matters related to culture, education, and language.
Q8: How many times was the Belgian Constitution amended between 1970 and 1993?
A: The Belgian Constitution was amended four times during that period to accommodate linguistic and regional diversity.
Q9: Which country is home to the headquarters of the European Union?
A: Belgium is home to the headquarters of the European Union, located in Brussels.
Q10: Which language is spoken by the majority of Sri Lankan
A: Sinhala is spoken by the majority of people in Sri Lanka.
Q11: What is the state religion of Sri Lanka?
A: Buddhism is the state religion of Sri Lanka.
Q12: In which year did Sri Lanka achieve its independence?
A: Sri Lanka became independent in 1948.
Q13: Who formed the majority in Sri Lanka, and what caused alienation among Sri Lankan Tamils?
A: Sinhala speakers formed the majority. Tamils felt alienated due to majoritarian policies that favored Sinhalas in language, jobs, and education.
Q14: In which country did the principle of majoritarianism lead to a civil war?
A: The principle of majoritarianism led to a civil war in Sri Lanka.
Q15: Sri Lankan Tamil refers to which social group?
A: Sri Lankan Tamils are the native Tamil-speaking people of Sri Lanka, mostly living in the north and east of the country.
Power sharing in Belgium and Sri Lanka teaches us the importance of accommodating diversity in a democracy. Understanding these real-world examples helps build a deeper grasp of political science concepts. For more CBSE Class 10 notes and quick revisions, visit our Social Science resource center.
