Book Exercises

Grade – X CIVICS 08th May 2021
Book Exercises Chapter 1

Power Sharing
Exercises
Q.1 What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies?
Give an example of each of these.
Following are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies :-
 Among different organs of government - For example, between

executive, legislature, and judiciary.
 Among governments at different levels – For example, between central
and state governments, among the state governments, etc.
 Among different social group – For example, among majority minority
backward classes, women tribals, etc.
 Among political parties, pressure groups movements – For example
two or more political parties when make an alliance to form a coalition
government.
Q.2 State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power sharing
with an example from the Indian context.
(i) India is a country of diverse population where the society has caste system.
Each caste has its own intersects. Some are dominant classes and some are
backward. So to avoid any possible social conflict and political instability, power
sharing is a must. This is called prudential approach.
(ii) Similarly, from time immemorial backward classes have been deprived of
their political rights. They however, form the majority population but have
minimal participation in political activities. So they should be given ample chance
to participate in the political process. This is called moral approach.
Q.3 After reading this chapter, three students drew different conclusions.
Which of these do you agree with and why? Give your reasons in about 50
words.
Thomman - Power sharing is necessary only in societies which have religious

linguistic or ethnic divisions.
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Power Sharing
Mathayi – Power sharing is suited only for big countries that have regional
divisions.
Ouseph – Every society needs some form of power sharing even if they are
small or do not have social divisions.
I agree with the conclusion reached at b Ausep that every society needs some
form of power sharing even if they are small or do not have social divisions. This
is because it is the basic principle of democracy that people rule themselves
through institutions of self- governance. The people have the right to rule
themselves the way they want. Even if the society is small or division less, it has
its will, which should be given sufficient representation to avoid conflict and
political instability.
Q.4 The mayor of Merchtem, a town near Brussels in Belgium, has defended
a ban on speaking French in the town’s schools. He said that the ban would
help all non- Dutch speakers integrate in this Flemish town. Do you think
that his measure is in keeping with the spirit of Belgium’s power sharing
arrangements? Give your reasons in about 50 words.
No, in no way this ban is in keeping with the spirit of Belgium’s power sharing,
because Belgium is a country of diverse population. In Belgium, 59 per cent
people live in the Flemish regions and speak Dutch, while 40 per cent live in
Wallonia regions and speak French. If French is banned in Flemish regions,
people of Wallonia will demand for ban on Dutch in their area. This will give rise
to social conflict and political instability. Under the Belgian model of power
sharing, where minority in a region has been given equal representation, ban on
any language is not keeping with this spirit.
Q.5 Read the following passage and pick out any one of the prudential
reasons for power sharing offered in this.
“We need to give more power to the panchayats to realize the dream of Mahatma
Gandhi and the hopes of the makers of our Constitution. Panchayati Raj
establishes true democracy. It restores power to the only place where power
belongs in a democracy – In the hands of the people. Giving power to panchayats
is also a way to reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency. When
people participate in the planning and implementation of developmental schemes,
they would naturally exercise greater control over these schemes. This would

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Power Sharing
eliminate the corrupt middlemen. Thus, panchayati Raj will strengthen the
foundations of our democracy.”
One of the prudential reasons for power sharing offered in this passage is –
“Giving power to Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase

administrative efficiency.”
Q.6 Different arguments are usually put forth in favour and against power
sharing. Select those which are in favour of power sharing and select the
answer using the codes given below?
Power Sharing:
A – Reduces conflict among different communities.
B – Decreases the possibility of arbitrariness
C – Delays decision making process
D – Accommodates diversities
E – Increases instability and divi- siveness
F- Promotes people’s participation in government
G - Undermines the unity of a country.

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Power Sharing
(a) A, B, D, F
Q.7 Consider the following statements about power sharing arrangements in

Belgium and Sri Lanka.
1. In Belgium the Dutch speaking majority people tried to impose their

domination on the minority French- speaking community.
2. In Sri Lanka, the polices of government sought to ensure the dominance of

the Sinhala- speaking majority.
3. The Tamils in Sri Lanka demanded a federal arrangement of power

sharing to protect their culture, language and equality of opportunity in
education and jobs.
4. The transformation of Belgium from unitary government to a federal one

prevented a possible division of the country on linguistic lines.
Which of the statement given above are correct ?
(a) A, B, C and D
(b) A, B and D
(c) C and D
(d) B, C and D
(a) A, B, C and D
Q.8 Match List I (forms of power sharing) with List II (forms of government)
and select the correct answer using the codes given below the list :

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Power Sharing
(c) B, D, A, C
Q.9 Consider the following two statements on power sharing and select the
answer using the codes given below:
(a) Power sharing is good for democracy.
(b) It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.
Which of these statements are true and false?
(a) A is true but B is false
(b) Both A and B are true

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Power Sharing
(c) Both A and B are false
(d) A is false but B is true
(b) Both A and B are true.

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Grade – X CIVICS 08th May 2021

Book Exercises Chapter 1

Following are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies :-

 Among different organs of government - For example, between

Thomman - Power sharing is necessary only in societies which have religious

NITI ARYA Page 1 of 6

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“Giving power to Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase

A – Reduces conflict among different communities.

B – Decreases the possibility of arbitrariness

C – Delays decision making process

E – Increases instability and divi- siveness

F- Promotes people’s participation in government

G - Undermines the unity of a country.

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Q.7 Consider the following statements about power sharing arrangements in

1. In Belgium the Dutch speaking majority people tried to impose their

2. In Sri Lanka, the polices of government sought to ensure the dominance of

3. The Tamils in Sri Lanka demanded a federal arrangement of power

4. The transformation of Belgium from unitary government to a federal one

Which of the statement given above are correct ?

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(a) Power sharing is good for democracy.

(b) It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups.

Which of these statements are true and false?

(a) A is true but B is false

(b) Both A and B are true

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(c) Both A and B are false

(d) A is false but B is true

(b) Both A and B are true.

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