What is the main purpose of the 'community government' in Belgium?

Manage cultural, educational, and language-related issues

Which group is referred to as 'Indian Tamils' in Sri Lanka?

Descendants of plantation workers from India

What is one major reason for power sharing in a democracy?

It reduces the possibility of conflict

It decreases political participation

What is the principle behind horizontal distribution of power?

Separation of power among different levels of government

Concentration of power in the central government

Equal power distribution among different organs of government

Centralization of decision making

What is an example of vertical division of power?

Legislature, executive, and judiciary sharing power

State and central government sharing power

Different political parties sharing power

Power-sharing among different social groups

What is a coalition government?

Government formed by a single party

Government formed by multiple parties

Government led by a military junta

Government elected by a minority community

What is one prudential reason for power sharing?

It increases economic inequality

What is one moral reason for power sharing?

It is the very spirit of democracy

It diminishes public participation

What does the system of checks and balances ensure?

Balance of power among various institutions

NCERT Solutions Class 10 Political Science Chapter 1 – Power-sharing

Name: Power-sharing – Class 10 Political Science
Uploaded: 2026-04-15
Description: Power sharing is essential in democracies to maintain unity and prevent conflict. Belgium successfully accommodated its linguistic communities through innovative arrangements, while Sri Lanka’s majoritarian approach led to civil war. Sharing power ensures stability, fairness, and participation of all social groups.

Class 10 Political Science

Last Updated: 15 April 2026

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Chapter Introduction

Power sharing is essential in democracies to maintain unity and prevent conflict. Belgium successfully accommodated its linguistic communities through innovative arrangements, while Sri Lanka’s majoritarian approach led to civil war. Sharing power ensures stability, fairness, and participation of all social groups.

हिंदी में (Hindi)

लोकतंत्र में शक्ति साझा करना आवश्यक है ताकि एकता बनी रहे और संघर्ष न हो। बेल्जियम ने अपनी भाषाई समुदायों को समझदारी से शामिल किया, जबकि श्रीलंका में बहुमतवाद से गृहयुद्ध हुआ। शक्ति साझा करना स्थिरता, समानता और सभी समूहों की भागीदारी सुनिश्चित करता है।

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Important Points

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Practice MCQ Questions (30 questions)

Q1. What percentage of Belgium's population lives in the Flemish region?

Q2. Which language is spoken by the majority in the Flemish region?

Q3. What percentage of Belgium's population lives in the Wallonia region?

Q4. Which language is spoken by the majority in the Wallonia region?

Q5. In Brussels, what percentage of people speak French?

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Tough Words (Glossary)

Ethnic

Meaning: Relating to a group sharing common culture or origin

अर्थ: समान संस्कृति या उत्पत्ति साझा करने वाले समूह से संबंधित

"Belgium has ethnic diversity with Dutch, French and German speakers."

Minority

Meaning: A smaller group within a larger population

अर्थ: बड़ी जनसंख्या के भीतर छोटा समूह

"The French speakers were a minority in Brussels."

Majority

Meaning: The larger number or group

अर्थ: बड़ा समूह या संख्या

"The Sinhala community had a majority in Sri Lanka."

Alienation

Meaning: Feeling isolated or excluded

अर्थ: अलग-थलग या उपेक्षित महसूस करना

"Tamils felt alienation due to unfair policies."

Discrimination

Meaning: Unfair treatment of people

अर्थ: लोगों के साथ अनुचित व्यवहार

"Discrimination was faced by Tamils in jobs."

Civil war

Meaning: War within the same country

अर्थ: एक ही देश के भीतर का युद्ध

"Sri Lanka suffered a long civil war."

Partition

Meaning: Division of a country

अर्थ: किसी देश का विभाजन

"Leaders feared partition of Belgium."

Supremacy

Meaning: Having more power or authority

अर्थ: श्रेष्ठता या प्रभुत्व

"Sinhala leaders tried to impose their supremacy."

Autonomy

Meaning: Right of self-government

अर्थ: स्वशासन का अधिकार

"Tamils demanded regional autonomy."

Refugees

Meaning: People forced to leave their country

अर्थ: अपने देश को छोड़ने पर मजबूर लोग

"The war created many refugees."

Cultural diversity

Meaning: Variety of cultures in a society

अर्थ: समाज में संस्कृतियों की विविधता

"Belgium accepted cultural diversity."

Constitution

Meaning: System of laws and principles for a country

अर्थ: देश के लिए कानूनों और सिद्धांतों की व्यवस्था

"The constitution of Belgium was amended."

Amendment

Meaning: A change or addition in a law

अर्थ: किसी कानून में परिवर्तन या जोड़

"Four amendments were made in Belgium’s constitution."

Community government

Meaning: Government elected by specific language groups

अर्थ: विशिष्ट भाषा समूहों द्वारा चुनी गई सरकार

"Belgium had a community government system."

Representation

Meaning: Having someone act on behalf

अर्थ: किसी की ओर से कार्य करना

"Minorities got equal representation in Brussels."

Strife

Meaning: Conflict or struggle

अर्थ: संघर्ष या झगड़ा

"The Belgian model helped avoid civic strife."

Democracy

Meaning: Government by the people

अर्थ: जनता द्वारा संचालित शासन

"Power sharing is the spirit of democracy."

Legitimate

Meaning: Lawful or valid

अर्थ: वैध या कानूनी

"A legitimate government involves people’s participation."

Stability

Meaning: Being steady and secure

अर्थ: स्थिरता

"Power sharing ensures political stability."

Prudential

Meaning: Based on careful judgment

अर्थ: सावधानीपूर्वक निर्णय पर आधारित

"Prudential reasons show power sharing avoids conflict."

Moral

Meaning: Based on principles of right and wrong

अर्थ: सही और गलत के सिद्धांतों पर आधारित

"Moral reasons support equality in power sharing."

Checks and balances

Meaning: System to prevent misuse of power

अर्थ: शक्ति के दुरुपयोग को रोकने की व्यवस्था

"Judiciary ensures checks and balances."

Horizontal distribution

Meaning: Sharing power among organs of government

अर्थ: सरकारी अंगों में शक्ति का बँटवारा

"Legislature and judiciary have horizontal distribution of power."

Vertical division

Meaning: Sharing power among different levels of government

अर्थ: सरकार के अलग-अलग स्तरों में शक्ति का बँटवारा

"India follows vertical division of power."

Federal government

Meaning: Government at national level

अर्थ: राष्ट्रीय स्तर की सरकार

"India has a federal government system."

Coalition

Meaning: Alliance of parties to form government

अर्थ: सरकार बनाने के लिए दलों का गठबंधन

"Germany formed a coalition government."

Tyranny

Meaning: Cruel and unfair use of power

अर्थ: क्रूर और अनुचित शक्ति का प्रयोग

"Tyranny of majority harms minorities."

Participation

Meaning: Taking part in an activity

अर्थ: किसी गतिविधि में भाग लेना

"Citizens’ participation strengthens democracy."

Integration

Meaning: Bringing different groups together

अर्थ: विभिन्न समूहों को एक साथ लाना

"EU integration chose Brussels as headquarters."

Conflict

Meaning: Disagreement leading to tension

अर्थ: तनाव पैदा करने वाला मतभेद

"Ethnic conflict led to civil war in Sri Lanka."

Diverse

Meaning: Showing variety

अर्थ: विविधता प्रदर्शित करना

"India has diverse cultures and religions."

Oppression

Meaning: Unfair control over others

अर्थ: दूसरों पर अनुचित नियंत्रण

"Oppression of minorities is harmful for democracy."

Alliance

Meaning: Partnership between groups or parties

अर्थ: समूहों या दलों के बीच साझेदारी

"Two parties made an alliance to contest elections."

Judiciary

Meaning: System of courts in a country

अर्थ: देश की अदालतों की व्यवस्था

"Judiciary keeps a check on the government."

Legislature

Meaning: Law-making body

अर्थ: कानून बनाने वाली संस्था

"Parliament is the legislature of India."

Executive

Meaning: Branch that implements laws

अर्थ: कानून लागू करने वाली शाखा

"The executive enforces government policies."

Dilemma

Meaning: A situation requiring a difficult choice

अर्थ: कठिन निर्णय की स्थिति

"Khalil faced a dilemma in Lebanon."

Cosmopolitan

Meaning: Having people from many cultures

अर्थ: कई संस्कृतियों के लोगों वाला

"Beirut is a cosmopolitan city."

Strained

Meaning: Made tense or weak

अर्थ: तनावपूर्ण या कमजोर बनाना

"Relations between Tamils and Sinhalas strained."

Opposition

Meaning: Resistance or disagreement

अर्थ: विरोध या असहमति

"There was opposition to unfair laws."

Unrest

Meaning: Disturbance or trouble

अर्थ: अशांति या परेशानी

"Civil war created social unrest."

Advantage

Meaning: A benefit or gain

अर्थ: लाभ या फ़ायदा

"Belgium gained advantage from equal power sharing."

Delegation

Meaning: The act of entrusting tasks to others

अर्थ: दूसरों को कार्य सौंपना

"Delegation of powers is part of federalism."

Oppressive

Meaning: Unjustly harsh or tyrannical

अर्थ: अन्यायपूर्ण कठोर या तानाशाही

"Oppressive policies led to conflict."

Consensus

Meaning: General agreement

अर्थ: सामान्य सहमति

"Belgium reached consensus on power sharing."

Inequality

Meaning: Lack of equality

अर्थ: असमानता

"Inequality among groups leads to alienation."

Segregation

Meaning: Separation based on differences

अर्थ: भेदभाव के आधार पर अलगाव

"Segregation of communities caused problems."

Federalism

Meaning: System with division of powers between levels of government

अर्थ: सरकार के स्तरों के बीच शक्तियों का विभाजन

"India follows federalism in governance."

NCERT Solutions Class 10 Political Science Chapter 1 – Power-sharing

Chapter Introduction

Watch Video Lecture

Important Points

Practice MCQ Questions (30 questions)

Q1. What percentage of Belgium's population lives in the Flemish region?

Q2. Which language is spoken by the majority in the Flemish region?

Q3. What percentage of Belgium's population lives in the Wallonia region?

Q4. Which language is spoken by the majority in the Wallonia region?

Q5. In Brussels, what percentage of people speak French?

Q6. What was a major cause of tension in Belgium during the 1950s and 1960s?

Q7. How many times was Belgium's constitution amended between 1970 and 1993?

Q8. What is the main purpose of the 'community government' in Belgium?

Q9. Which city was chosen as the headquarters of the European Union?

Q10. When did Sri Lanka gain independence?

Q11. What percentage of Sri Lanka's population speaks Sinhala?

Q12. Which group is referred to as 'Indian Tamils' in Sri Lanka?

Q13. Which religion is predominantly followed by the Sinhala-speaking people?

Q14. What was the official language of Sri Lanka as per the 1956 Act?

Q15. What was a key demand of the Sri Lankan Tamils?

Q16. When did the civil war in Sri Lanka end?

Q17. What is one major reason for power sharing in a democracy?

Q18. What is the principle behind horizontal distribution of power?

Q19. What is an example of vertical division of power?

Q20. What type of government is elected by people belonging to one language community in Belgium?

Q21. What is a coalition government?

Q22. What is one function of the community government in Belgium?

Q23. Who must the President of Lebanon belong to?

Q24. What is the role of the Prime Minister in Lebanon based on the power-sharing agreement?

Q25. What position is reserved for an Orthodox Christian in Lebanon's power-sharing system?

Q26. What position is reserved for a Shi’a Muslim in Lebanon's power-sharing system?

Q27. What is one prudential reason for power sharing?

Q28. What is one moral reason for power sharing?

Q29. In what type of government is power concentrated in one place?

Q30. What does the system of checks and balances ensure?