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NCERT Class 10 Social Science Power-sharing: Exercise Solutions

Point-by-point answers for every question of End-of-chapter exercises in NCERT's Class 10 Social Science book, chapter “Power-sharing”, written by Shishya. Each question is in our own short words; open the NCERT chapter for the exact wording and figures.

1. Exercises Q1

   What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each.

   1. Power is shared among different levels of government, such as the central and state governments in India.
   2. Power is shared among different social groups, like the community government system in Belgium.
   3. Power is shared among political parties, pressure groups, and movements, as seen in coalition governments.
   4. Power is shared among the organs of government, the legislature, executive and judiciary (horizontal sharing), so each checks the others; India's government works this way.

   Answer: Power is shared among organs of government (legislature, executive, judiciary), among governments at different levels (central and state governments in India), among social groups (Belgium's community government), and among political parties, pressure groups and movements (coalition governments).

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2. Exercises Q2

   State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power sharing, with an example from India.

   1. A prudential reason for power sharing is that it reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups, thereby ensuring political stability.
   2. A moral reason is that power sharing is the very spirit of democracy, as people have a right to be consulted on how they are governed.
   3. In India, the system of reserved constituencies in legislatures is an example of power sharing that gives space to diverse social groups.

   Answer: Prudential: reduces conflict; Moral: spirit of democracy; Example: reserved constituencies.

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3. Exercises Q3

   Three students conclude: Thomman — power sharing is needed only in societies with religious, linguistic or ethnic divisions; Mathayi — it suits only big countries with regional divisions; Ouseph — every society needs some power sharing, even a small one without social divisions. Whom do you agree with and why (about 50 words)?

   1. I agree with Ouseph because power sharing is essential for all democracies, not just those with social divisions.
   2. It ensures that power does not remain concentrated in one hand, which is a core democratic principle.
   3. Even small societies need mechanisms to prevent arbitrary use of power and ensure accountability.

   Answer: Ouseph is correct because power sharing prevents concentration of power and ensures democratic accountability in every society.

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4. Exercises Q4

   The Mayor of Merchtem, a town near Brussels, defended banning French in the town's schools, saying it would help non-Dutch speakers integrate in this Flemish town. Is this in keeping with the spirit of Belgium's power-sharing arrangements? Give reasons (about 50 words).

   1. No, the measure is not in keeping with the spirit of Belgium's power-sharing arrangements.
   2. Belgium's system ensures equal representation and respects the feelings and interests of all language communities.
   3. Banning French undermines the unity of the country by forcing dominance over the French-speaking minority.

   Answer: No, it contradicts the spirit of power-sharing because it ignores the rights and interests of the French-speaking community.

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5. Exercises Q5

   A passage says more power should go to panchayats: Panchayati Raj restores power to the people, reduces corruption, increases administrative efficiency, and people's participation in planning and implementing schemes gives them more control and removes corrupt middlemen. Pick out one prudential reason for power sharing in it.

   1. The passage states that giving power to Panchayats helps reduce corruption.
   2. It also mentions that this arrangement increases administrative efficiency.
   3. These points highlight better outcomes, which align with prudential reasons for power sharing.

   Answer: Reducing corruption and increasing administrative efficiency.

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6. Exercises Q6

   Which arguments favour power sharing? Power sharing: A reduces conflict among communities; B decreases the possibility of arbitrariness; C delays decision making; D accommodates diversities; E increases instability and divisiveness; F promotes people's participation in government; G undermines the unity of a country. Codes: (a) A B D F (b) A C E F (c) A B D G (d) B C D G

   1. Power sharing reduces conflict among different communities by giving them a fair share in governance.
   2. It decreases the possibility of arbitrariness by ensuring power is not concentrated in one hand.
   3. The arrangement accommodates diversities and promotes people's participation in government.
   4. Arguments like delaying decisions, increasing instability, or undermining unity are against power sharing.

   Answer: (a) A B D F

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7. Exercises Q7

   Which statements are correct? A: in Belgium the Dutch-speaking majority tried to impose its domination on the French-speaking minority. B: in Sri Lanka government policies sought to ensure the dominance of the Sinhala-speaking majority. C: the Tamils of Sri Lanka demanded a federal arrangement to protect their culture, language and equal opportunity in education and jobs. D: changing Belgium from a unitary to a federal government prevented a possible division of the country on linguistic lines. Options: (a) A, B, C and D (b) A, B and D (c) C and D (d) B, C and D

   1. Statement A is incorrect: in Belgium it was the French-speaking minority that was rich and powerful, which the Dutch-speaking majority resented; Belgium's leaders then shared power among the communities.
   2. Statement B is correct as the government in Sri Lanka implemented majoritarian measures, such as making Sinhala the official language, to establish Sinhala supremacy.
   3. Statement C is correct because the Tamils in Sri Lanka demanded a federal arrangement to safeguard their culture, language, and equal opportunities in education and employment.
   4. Statement D is correct since changing Belgium to a federal government prevented the country from being divided along linguistic lines.

   Answer: (d) B, C and D

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8. Exercises Q8

   Match the forms of power sharing (1 among different organs of government, 2 among governments at different levels, 3 by different social groups, 4 by two or more political parties) with A community government, B separation of powers, C coalition government, D federal government. Codes for 1-2-3-4: (a) D A B C (b) B C D A (c) B D A C (d) C D A B

   1. Power shared among different organs of government is known as the separation of powers.
   2. Power shared among governments at different levels is called a federal government.
   3. Power shared by different social groups is referred to as community government.
   4. Power shared by two or more political parties is known as a coalition government.

   Answer: (c) B D A C

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9. Exercises Q9

   Statement A: power sharing is good for democracy. Statement B: it helps reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Which is true? (a) A true, B false (b) both true (c) both false (d) A false, B true

   1. Power sharing is considered good for democracy because it aligns with the democratic spirit of sharing power with those affected by its exercise.
   2. It also helps reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups, which ensures political stability and prevents violence.
   3. Since both statements accurately reflect the reasons why power sharing is desirable, both are true.

   Answer: (b) Both A and B are true

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