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Sri Lankan Tamils felt alienated because:

(i) The government adopted a majoritarian measure to establish Sinhala Supremacy. In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language thus disregarding Tamil.

(ii) The governments followed preferential politics that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.

(iii) A new Constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.

(iv) Sri Lankan Tamils felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders were sensitive to their language and culture.

(v) As a result, the relations between the Sinhala and Tamil communities strained overtime and it soon turned into a Civil War.

For a long time, it was felt that political power must be concentrated in one person or a group of people only. This was due to the following reasons: 

a) The decision making would be easier and quicker. 

b) In some countries, the monarchy system was prevalent. So, they were in complete favour of undivided power. 

However, all these notions soon changed. This change was brought about due to the following reasons: 

a) In a democracy, people are the key to success. 

b) All the people must have a voice in the forming of the decision-making process.

c) This helps to hold people accountable for their actions. 

d) The base of democracy is a division of power. 

e) This was called the modern technique of governance.

Germany, France, the Netherlands and Luxembourg

Power sharing is distribution or arrangement of powers between groups or states of a nation. Power sharing is the characteristic of good governance. Sharing of power helps in well-functioning of democracy.

In a democratic nation, power sharing is more significant, because in a democracy the people have the right to be consulted about the governance. This states the values of power sharing.

Power sharing is the characteristic of good governance. Sharing of power helps in well-functioning of democracy.

a. Lack of Power Sharing increases the chances of confliction and creates instability in the nation, as every community do not get treated equally, this establishes a feeling of resentment.

b. Lack of power-sharing reduces the efficiency of the government, as there are no checks and balances. The accountability of the authority gets reduced.

c. Lack of Power Sharing affects the right of people to get consulted by the authority.

Example: When Sri Lanka recognized Sinhala as the only official language it disregarded Tamils. They felt that they were denied equality. As a result, the relationship between the Sinhala and the Tamils strained and the Sri Lankan Tamils launched movements against the government. This distrust took the shape of Civil war, thousands of people were killed.

Vertical division of power: Vertical division of power means sharing of power among governments at different levels.

In India, there are three levels of the government:

(i) For the entire country: Central Government/ Union Government.

(ii) At the provincial level: State Governments.

(iii) At the local level (i.e., rural and urban): Local self governments like panchayats and municipal councils.

● Power can be shared among different social groups such as linguistic groups and religious groups. 

● Another famous example is the community government in Belgium. 

● A few countries have a system which ensures adequate representation of the weaker sections, backward sections and women. 

● It gives these groups space within the administration of the government so that they do not feel alienated. 

● It gives the minority communities a fair share of power.

● The power is shared among different organs of the government through the horizontal distribution of power arrangement. 

● These organs are - Legislature, Executive and Judiciary. 

● The legislature is responsible for making laws. 

● The executive is responsible for executing these laws. 

● Judiciary has the responsibility to provide justice to the people and settle disputes. 

● In this system, different organs of the government who are operating at the same level are given different powers. 

● This is called the separation of power. 

● It keeps a check on the working of the different organs so that none of them exercises unlimited powers. 

● It also promotes a balance of power in the government. 

● So, this system is also called checks and balances.

Scandinavian countries

The main elements of the Belgium model of power-sharing includes:

(i) Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the Central Government. Some special laws require the support of a majority of members from each linguistic group. Thus, no single community can make decisions unilaterally.

(ii) Many powers of the Central Government have been given to State Governments of the two regions of the country. The State Governments are not subordinate to the Central Government.

(iii) Brussels had a separate government in which both the communities have equal representation. The French-speaking people accepted equal representation in Brussels because the Dutch-speaking community has accepted equal representation in the Central Government.

(i) Equal number of ministers : Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government. Some special laws require the support of majority of members from each linguistic group. Thus, no single community can make decisions unilaterally.

(ii) Power sharing : Many powers of the central government have been given to state governments of the two regions of the country. The state governments are not subordinate to the Central Government.

(iii) Separate government for Brussels : Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal representation. The French-speaking people accepted equal representation in Brussels because the Dutch-speaking community has accepted equal representation in the Central Government.

The main elements of the Belgium model of power-sharing includes:

(i) Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the Central Government. Some special laws require the support of a majority of members from each linguistic group. Thus, no single community can make decisions unilaterally.

(ii) Many powers of the Central Government have been given to State Governments of the two regions of the country. The State Governments are not subordinate to the Central Government.

(iii) Brussels had a separate government in which both the communities have equal representation. The French-speaking people accepted equal representation in Brussels because the Dutch-speaking community has accepted equal representation in the Central Government.

Belgium has complex ethnicity because two communities German and Dutch-speaking respectively form the majority of the population.

• According to its Constitution, the Dutch and the French-speaking minister should be an equal number in the central government. Hence no single community can make the decision unilaterally.
• Some of the powers of the central government are transferred to the State government. Hence the state government is not the subordinate of the central government.
• Brussels, the capital of Belgium, has its government where both the Dutch and French community have been given equal representation.
• There is a community government, which is elected by anyone community among Dutch, French, and German. They look after cultural, educational and language related issues.

Belgium a nation in Europe with complex ethnicity has two community in majority one is a Dutch-speaking community with over 59% population, and they lives in Flemish region, and another 40 % population speaks French and lives in Wallonia region, and the rest 1 % speaks German. The capital of Belgium is Brussels, the community in the majority here is French with 80% population while rest is Dutch.

The two main causes of resentment were:

(a) The French community that was in minority were rich and powerful compared to the Dutch who were in majority because the Dutch got the benefits of education much later than the French.

(b) Although the Dutch were in the majority in the country, they were in the minority in capital, i.e. Brussels.

The conflict was solved as follows:

• According to its Constitution, the Dutch and the French-speaking minister should be an equal number in the central government. Hence no single community can make the decision unilaterally.
• Some of the powers of the central government are transferred to the State government. Hence the state government is not the subordinate of the central government.
• Brussels, the capital of Belgium, has its government where both the Dutch and French community have equal representation.

In a democracy power is shared among the different organs of government such as legislature executive and Judiciary. this is called the horizontal distribution of power sharing because it allows different organs of government place at same level to exercise unlimited powers. each organ has its own power and it can check the power of other so this results in a balance of power among the various Institutions. for example: India, in India these are independent

It has 59% Dutch-speaking, 40% French-speaking and 1% German-speaking people.

Power is shared between different organs of the government such as Legislature, Executive and Judiciary. This system of power sharing is referred to as a system of 'checks and balances' because:

(i) All three organs are placed at the same level of Power.

(ii) The power distribution ensures that no organ enjoys unlimited powers.

(iii) Each organ exercises a check on the others. Thus there is a balance of power.

The main elements of the power-sharing model evolved in Belgium were:

(i) Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French speaking ministers shall be equal in the Central Government. Some special laws require the support of majority of members from each linguistic group. Thus, no single community can make decisions unilaterally.

(ii) Many powers of the Central Government have been given to State Governments of the two regions of the country. The State Governments are not subordinated to the Central Government.

(iii) Brussels had a separate government in which both the communities have equal representation. The French-speaking people accepted equal representation in Brussels because the Dutch-speaking community has accepted equal representation in the Central Government.

(iv) Apart from the central and the state Government, there is a third kind of government called the Community Government.

(v) This community government is elected by people belonging to one language community-Dutch, French and German speaking. This government has the power regarding cultural, educational and language related issues.

Horizontal distribution of powers

The main elements of the power-sharing model evolved in Belgium were:

(i) Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French speaking ministers shall be equal in the Central Government. Some special laws require the support of majority of members from each linguistic group. Thus, no single community can make decisions unilaterally.

(ii) Many powers of the Central Government have been given to State Governments of the two regions of the country. The State Governments are not subordinated to the Central Government.

(iii) Brussels had a separate government in which both the communities have equal representation. The French-speaking people accepted equal representation in Brussels because the Dutch-speaking community has accepted equal representation in the Central Government.

(iv) Apart from the central and the state Government, there is a third kind of government called the Community Government.

(v) This community government is elected by people belonging to one language community-Dutch, French and German speaking. This government has the power regarding cultural, educational and language related issues.

People belonging to one language community only.

When a country has different regional and cultural communities, it makes an arrangement for equal representation of various communities in order to enable everyone to live together in the same country. 

This results in formation of a Community Government wherein no single community can take decisions unilaterally.

In Belgium, such an arrangement exists between the Dutch, German-speaking and French –speaking communities. Here, apart from the Central government and State Government such equal representation can also be found in a Community Government which is elected by the different cultural and linguistic communities. It specifically deals with cultural, educational and language-related issues.

It gives the people right to be consulted or any other characteristics.

Power is shared between different organs of the government such as Legislature, Executive and Judiciary. This system of power-sharing is referred to as a system of 'checks and balances' because:

(i) All three organs are placed at the same level of Power.

(ii) The power distribution ensures that no organ enjoys unlimited powers.

(iii) Each organ exercises a check on the others. Thus there is a balance of power.

Belgium, a small country in Europe with a population over one crore has a very complex ethnicity. About 59% of its population speaks Dutch, and 40% speaks French, and 1% speaks German.

French community though in the minority yet is rich and powerful in Germany.

The various amendment in its constitution make Belgium to solve it's ethnic problem. The Constitution prescribes equal number of Dutch and French speaking ministers in central government. Many powered of the central government has been given to state government of the regions of the country.

The Belgian government accommodated its diverse ethnic population in the following manner: 

(i) Constitution says that the number of Dutch and French speaking ministers shall be equal in the Central government. Thus, no single community can make decisions unilaterally. 

(ii) Many powers of the Central Government have been given to the state governments, of the two regions of the country. The state governments are not subordinate to the Central government. 

(iii) Brussels has a separate government in which both the communities have equal representation. 

(iv) There is a third kind of government, called the 'community government'. This government is elected by the people belonging to one language community-Dutch, French and German speaking, no matter where they live. This government has the power relating cultural education and language related issues. 

These arrangements helped to avoid a civic strife between the two major communities and a possible division of the country on linguistic lines.

This government has the Power regarding culture, education and language related issues.

It reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups.

A prudential reason for power sharing is that it leads to an avoidance of conflict between social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and political instability, power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order. In India, seats have been reserved in legislatures for the socially weaker sections keeping in mind this prudential reason for power sharing.
A moral reason for power sharing is that it upholds the spirit of democracy. In a truly democratic setup, the citizens too have a stake in governance. In India, the citizens can come together to debate and criticise the policies and decisions of the government. This in turn puts pressure on the government to rethink its policies and reconsider its decisions. This active political participation is in keeping with the moral reason for power sharing.

Power sharing is desirable in democracy because:

(i) Prudential reasons:

(a) It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and political instability.

(b) It is a good way to ensure the stability of political order.

(c) Imposing the will of majority, community over others may look like an attractive option in the short run, but in the long run it undermines the unity of the nation.

(ii) Moral reasons:

(a) Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise and who have to live with its effect.

(b) People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.

(c) A legitimate government is one where citizens through participation, acquire a stake in the system.

Power sharing is desirable in democracy because:

(i) Prudential reasons:

(a) It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and political instability.

(b) It is a good way to ensure the stability of political order.

(c) Imposing the will of majority, community over others may look like an attractive option in the short run, but in the long run it undermines the unity of the nation.

(ii) Moral reasons:

(a) Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise and who have to live with its effect.

(b) People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.

(c) A legitimate government is one where citizens through participation, acquire a stake in the system.

Power sharing is desirable in democracy because:

(i) Prudential reasons:

(a) It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and political instability.

(b) It is a good way to ensure the stability of political order.

(c) Imposing the will of majority, community over others may look like an attractive option in the short run, but in the long run it undermines the unity of the nation.

(ii) Moral reasons:

(a) Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise and who have to live with its effect.

(b) People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.

(c) A legitimate government is one where citizens through participation, acquire a stake in the system.

It reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups.

In 1948 when Sri Lanka got independence, Sinhala was established as a supreme religion. Later in 1956 Sinhala was declared an official language.

Later when the new constitution was framed, it stipulated Buddhism as a supreme community. At present, Theravada Buddhism is a dominant religion of Sri Lanka with 70% population. Most of the Buddhists speak Sinhala.

Majoritarianism

Majoritarian measure

● A coalition government is a cabinet in the parliament in which more than one political parties merge together. 

● It helps to reduce the dominance of any one party. 

● It is usually formed so that no single party on its own can have a majority in the parliament.

A legitimate Government is one that is accepted by all the citizens, meaning a law/authority has widespread acceptance.

It is a widespread acceptance of the governing authority by the public, and the governing regime has political power through consent and mutual understanding.

A legitimate government establishes stability, as it provides reasons for the regime to exists.

The election, which is significant for democracy is also an essential process of legitimization.

Advantages of horizontal distribution of power:

(i) It allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers.

(ii) It ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited power. Each organ checks the other.

Sri Lankan Tamils felt alienated because:

(i) The government adopted a majoritarian measure to establish Sinhala Supremacy. In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language thus disregarding Tamil.

(ii) The governments followed preferential politics that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.

(iii) A new Constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism.

(iv) Sri Lankan Tamils felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders were sensitive to their language and culture.

(v) As a result, the relations between the Sinhala and Tamil communities strained overtime and it soon turned into a Civil War.

Sinhala was recognized as the official language of Sri Lanka by passing an Act in 1955.

Consequences of majoritarian policies adopted by Sri Lankan Government were:

(i) Tamils felt the government was not sensitive about Tamil language and culture because Sinhala was declared the official language.

(ii) Tamils felt discriminated against securing jobs and education which were given preferentially to the Sinhala speakers.

(iii) Tamils felt the government was Practising religious discrimination because the State fostered Buddhism. Relations between Tamils ' and Sinhalese became strained.

Sri Lanka is an island nation, south of India. It has a diverse population like most of the South Asian nations. The population in the majority is Sinhala speakers, with about 74% and rest are Tamil Speakers. The 7% of the population are Christians who speak both Tamil and Sinhala.

A Civil war is a war that is fought between the different groups of the same region or nation, sometimes situation get so intense that takes the form of actual war.

Example: When Sri Lanka recognized Sinhala as the only official language it disregarded Tamils. They felt that they were denied equality. As a result, the relationship between the Sinhala and the Tamils strained and the Sri Lankan Tamils launched movements against the government. This distrust took the shape of Civil war, thousands of people were killed.

Sri Lanka has a diverse population. The proportion of Tamil in Sri Lanka’s total population is 18 per cent. The proportion of people speaking Sinhala is 74 per cent. Among Tamils, there are 2 subgroups: 

a) The Tamil natives of the country called the Sri Lankan Tamils. 

b) The Indian Tamils whose ancestors came to Sri Lanka in search of work during the colonial period.

Eelam means State, so Tamil Eelam means Tamil State. The Sri Lankan Tamils wanted recognition of Tamil as official Language, but the government denied their demands. They organized several parties and groups demanding the formation of the new state in northern Sri Lanka, as Tamil Eelam.

Sri Lanka.........

LTTE is Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, it was a militant organization of Sri Lanka. The main aim of the organization was the formation of the independent state of Tamil Eelam in Sri Lanka. The militant created insurgency situation in the country which later took the form of Sri Lankan Civil wars but eventually, it got defeated.

The Tamil speaking people have got two subgroups one is Sri Lankan Tamils who are the natives of Sri Lanka, and another is Indian Tamils whose forefathers came to Sri Lanka as planters during the colonial period.

There are 18% Tamil Speakers, among them, 13% are Sri Lankan Tamils and rest 5% are Indian Tamils.