Haryana State Board HBSE 10th Class Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing Textbook Exercise Questions and Answers.
Haryana Board 10th Class Social Science Solutions Civics Chapter 1 Power Sharing
HBSE 10th Class Civics Power Sharing Intext Questions and Answers
Munni and Unni’s Questions (Page 2)
Civics Chapter 1 Class 10 Important Questions HBSE Question 1.
I have a simple equation in mind. Sharing Power = dividing power = weakening the country. Why do we start by talking of this?
Answer:
I do not agree with this formula. Sharing of powers does not make any country weak. In fact, power sharing makes the country strong despite having many diversities.
Map-Based Question (Page 2-3)
Class 10 Civics Chapter 1 Question Answer HBSE Question 2.
Look at the maps of Belgium and Sri Lanka. In which region, do you find concentration of different communities ?
Answer:
(i) There are French, Dutch and German-speaking people in Belgium. Dutch-speaking people are 59 per cent of total population of the country and they live in Flemish region while 40 per cent French-speaking people live in the Wallonia region. The remaining one per cent people speak German.
(ii) The Sinhalese is the major group in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Tamils are concentrated in the North and East of the country. Indian Tamils live in the North, South and Central regions. Muslims are in minority.
Munni and Unni’s Question (Page 45)
Chapter 1 Power Sharing HBSE 10th Class Question 3.
What’s wrong if the majority community rules? If Sinhalas don’t rule in Sri Lanka, where else will they rule ?
Answer:
The political party that achieves maximum number of seats has the right to rule. If a majority community rules, it is against the right of minority. If Sinhalese don’t rule in Sri Lanka, they will rule wherever they will form a majority.
Question 4.
What kind of a solution is this? Iam glad our constitution does not say which minister will come from which community.
Answer:
This question is related to Belgium. This arrangement is helpful to avoid civil strife between the two major communities and division of the country on linguistic basis.
Question 5.
So you are saying that sharing of power makes us more powerful. Sounds odd Let me think.
Answer:
Yes, it is true. Power sharing makes us more powerful because of the following reasons-
(i) Power sharing helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between different social groups.
(ii) Power sharing helps to ensure the stability of polical order.
(iii) Power sharing is the spirit of democracy. People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.
(iv) The absence of power sharing results into imposition of will by majority community over others. In the short run, it appears attractive, but in the long run, it undermines the unity of the state.
Let us revise based question (Page 6)
Question 6.
Annette studies in a Dutch-medium school in the northern region of Belgium. Many French-speaking students in her school want the medium of instruction to be French. Selvi studies in a school in the northern region of Sri Lanka. All the students in her school are Tamil speaking and they want the medium of instruction to be Tamil. If the parents of Annette and Selvi were to approach respective governments to realize the desire of the child, who is more likely to succeed? And why ?
Answer:
Annette’s parents would more likely succeed, because, the constitution of Belgium declares that the community government has the power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues. It can solve their issue, but in case of Sri Lanka, Sinhalas have established their supremacy; so, there is no chance of Selvi’s parents succeeding.
Pius box Based Question (Page 7)
Question 7.
Can you help poor Vikram in answering Vetal?
Answer:
Yes, I can help poor Vikram in answering Vetal.
Questions asked by Vetal –
(i) If you had the power to rewrite the rules in Lebanon, what would you do?
Answer:
If I had the power to rewrite the rules in Lebanon, I would have formed (or implemented) the same laws for all.
(ii) Would you stick to the old rules or do something else?
Answer:
As there is the sharing of all communities, everyone has the right to vote and to contest, so there is no need to do something new.
Cartoon-Based Question (Page 8)
Question 8.
What according to cartoon is the relationship between democracy and concentration of power ?
Answer:
It is showed through the cartoon, that Vladimir Putin framed the laws in such a manner, so that he could control the democracy according to his wishes. Outwardly, this is democracy but in reality, it is the concentration of power.
Munni and Unni’s Question (Page 9)
Question 9.
In my school, the class monitor changes every month. Is that what you call a power sharing arrangement ?
Answer:
Yes, the changing of class monitor every month can be called a power-sharing arrangement, because this gives every student in the class an opportunity to exercise control over his/her classmates. This is democratic also.
Let us Revise Based Question (Page 10)
Question 10.
Here are some examples of power sharing. Which of the four types of power sharing do these represent? Who is sharing power with whom?
(a) The Bombay High Court ordered the Maharashtra state government to immediately take action and improve living conditions for the 2,000 odd children at seven children’s homes in Mumbai.
Answer:
This example represents the power sharing between different organs of government. This represents power sharing between the judiciary and the executive.
(b) The government of Ontario state in Canada has agreed to a land claim settlement with the aboriginal community. The minister responsib for Native Affairs announced that the government will work with aboriginal people in a spirit of mutual respect and co-operation.
Answer:
This is an example of power sharing between different social groups. There is power sharing between aboriginal people and other social groups.
(c) Russia’s two influential political parties, the ‘Union of Right Forces’ and the ‘Liberal Yabloko Movement’, agreed to unite their organisations into a strong right-wing coalition. They propose to have a common list of candidates in the next parliamentary elections.
Answer:
This is an example of political parties, pressure groups and movements, having joint control over power or authority. Here, there is power sharing between ‘Union of Right Forces’ and ‘Liberal Yabloko Movement’. –
(d) The finance ministers of various states in Nigeria got together and demanded that the federal government declare its sources of income. They also wanted to know the formula by which the revenue is distributed to various state governments.
Answer:
This is power sharing on various levels. Here, the power sharing is between the federal and various state governments.
HBSE 10th Class Civics Power Sharing Textbook Questions and Answers
Question 1.
What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.
OR
Describe any three forms of power sharing.
Answer:
in modem democracies, power sharing can be seen at various levels or in various forms. Broadly, this power sharing can be categorized into four forms. These forms are discussed below :
(i) Power sharing among the different organs of government : power is shared among different organs of government. These organs are legislature, executive and judiciary. The main function of legislature is to enact or pass the laws. It also controls the finance of the states. The other main function of executive is to implement the policies of the government and to execute the laws framed by legislature. Judiciary interprets the laws. It also has advisory powers. These organs do not use unlimited powers. Each organ checks the others. This arrangement of power sharing is also known as ‘horizontal distribution of power’ and the method of ‘checks and balances’.
(ii) Power sharing among governments at different levels : Power can be shared among the centre and the state or regional governments. Such type of government is known as the ‘Federal Government’. In India, we see this type of government. The provincial or regional governments in different countries are known by different names. The power is shared by higher and lower levels of government. Therefore, it is also known as ‘vertical division of power1.
(iii) Power sharing among different social groups: Power may also be shared among different social groups, such as religious and linguistic groups. ‘Community Government’ in Belgium is a good example in this regard. In India, through ‘reserved constituencies’ in Legislative Assembl es and Parliament, representation is given to various social groups who feel alienated from government. In some other countries also, constitutional and legal arrangements are made to provide a share in power to weaker sections and women.
(iv) Political Parties, Pressure Groups and Movements: Political parties, pressure groups and movements have control and influence over those who are in power. In modern democracies, we find a competition for power among different political parties. These political parties represent different ideologies and social groups. In lack of a clear majority, the political parties form a coalition government and in this way they share power. Besides, pressure groups, interest groups, such as those of traders, businessmen, industrialists, workers, etc. also have a share in power, either through participation in governmental committees or by bearing influence on decision-making process.
Question 2.
State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power sharing with an example from the Indian context. (CBSE 2012)
Answer:
Prudential Reason : Power sharing is good for democracy as it reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups and checks the imposition of majority community over others.
Example:
In India, this has been done by reserving seats in the Parliament and State legislatures and government services for members belonging to SCs and STs.
Moral Reason : Power sharing is the soul of democratic rule, as power sharing involves those who are affected by its exercise.
Example:
In India, members from different political parties get elected to the legislatures or the Parliament and contribute in the working of the government.
Question 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.
Mathayi: Power sharing is suitable only for big countries that have regional divisions.
Ouseph : Every society needs some form of power sharing even if it is small or does not have social divisions.
Answer:
Among these three different views, we agree with the views of Ouseph that ‘every society needs some form of power sharing even if it is small or does not have social divisions’. This view can be justified on the following grounds
- It is a wrong concept that power sharing is needed only in countries which are big in size or which are divided on religious, ethnic and cultural bases. In fact, every society needs power sharing because it is an essential element of democracy.
- In a democracy, the people rule themselves through their representatives.
- It can check all kinds of conflicts and political instability.
- It is essential for the unity, integrity and harmony of the country.
Question 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 this measure is in keeping with the spirit of Belgium’s power sharing arrangements? Give your reasons in about 50 words.
Answer:
No, the measure taken by the Mayor of Merchtem is not in keeping with the spirit of Belgium’s power sharing arrangements. The arrangements seek to mantain peace between the French and Dutch-speaking communities. By banning French, the mayor will cause civil unrest. Both the languages should be made acceptable in the town’s schools. This bilingual education system will be a better way to integrate the people of the town.
Question 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 realise 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 eliminate the corrupt middlemen. Thus, Panchayati Raj will strengthen the foundations of our democracy.”
Answer:
The prudential reason for power sharing offered in this passage is giving power to Panchayats, which is also a way to reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency.
Question 6.
Different arguments are usually put forth in favour of and against power sharing. Identify those which are in favour of power sharing and select the answer using the codes given below?
A. reduces conflict among different communities.
B. decreases the possibility of arbitrariness.
C. delays decision making process.
D. accommodates diversities.
E. increases instability and divisiveness.
F. promotes people’s participation in government.
G. undermines the unity of a country.
| (a) | A | B | D | F |
| (b) | A | C | E | F |
| (c) | A | B | D | G |
| (d) | B | C | D | G |
Answer:
(a) A, B, D, F.
Question 7.
Consider the following statements about power-sharing arrangements in Belgium and Sri Lanka.
A. In Belgium, the Dutch-speaking majority people tried to impose their domination on the minority French-speaking community.
B. In Sri Lanka, the policies of the government sought to ensure the dominance of the Sinhala-speaking majority.
C. 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.
D. The transformation of Belgium from unitary government to a federal one prevented a possible division of the country on linguistic lines.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) A, B, C and D
(b) A, B and D
(c) C and D
(d) B, C and D
Answer:
(d) B, C and D.
Match List I (forms of power sharing) with list II (forms of government) and select the correct answer using the codes given below in the lists :
| List I | List II |
| 1. Bower shared among different organs of government | A. Community government |
| 2.Power shared among governments at different levels | B. Separation of powers |
| 3.Power shared by different social groups | C. Coalition government |
| 4.Power shared by two or more political parties | D. Federal government |
Answer:
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| (a) | D | A | B | C |
| (b) | B | C | D | A |
| (c) | B | D | A | C |
| (d) | C | D | A | B |
Answer:
(c) B, D, A, C.
Question 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.
Question 10.
Which of these statements are true and false ?
(a) A is true but B is false.
(b) Both A and B are true.
(c) Both A and B are false.
(d) A is false but B is true.
Answer:
(b) Both A and B are true.