Power-sharing

Power-sharing is a system where power is distributed among various groups to ensure stability and reduce conflict. For example, in Belgium, power is shared among Dutch and French-speaking communities to maintain harmony.

Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka refers to the dominance of the Sinhala-speaking majority over Tamil minorities, leading to policies favoring Sinhala culture and language, which caused tensions and civil war.

Belgium's model includes equal representation of Dutch and French-speaking ministers in the central government, state governments not subordinate to the central government, and a separate government for Brussels with equal community representation.

Power-sharing reduces conflicts, ensures political stability, and embodies the spirit of democracy by giving people a voice in governance, thus preventing tyranny of the majority.

Prudential reasons focus on reducing conflict and ensuring stability, while moral reasons emphasize the intrinsic value of power-sharing in a democracy for fairness and participation.

Power is shared among different organs of government (legislature, executive, judiciary) to prevent any one organ from gaining unlimited power, ensuring checks and balances.

Power is shared among different levels of government (central, state, local) to accommodate regional diversity and ensure effective governance, as seen in federal systems like India.

Power is shared among different social groups (religious, linguistic) to give minorities a fair share in governance, exemplified by Belgium's community government.

Power is shared among political parties, pressure groups, and movements to ensure diverse representation and prevent monopoly, as seen in coalition governments.

Belgium has a complex ethnic composition with 59% Dutch-speaking Flemish, 40% French-speaking Walloons, and 1% German-speaking, leading to innovative power-sharing arrangements.

Sri Lanka's major groups are Sinhala-speakers (74%) and Tamil-speakers (18%), with sub-groups like Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian Tamils, leading to majoritarian policies and conflict.

The civil war in Sri Lanka resulted from Tamil demands for autonomy and equality, leading to widespread violence, displacement, and economic setbacks until it ended in 2009.

Lebanon's agreement allocates top government posts to specific religious groups (e.g., Maronite President, Sunni PM) to maintain peace after a bitter civil war.

This system ensures that no single government organ can dominate, with each checking the others, like the judiciary reviewing executive actions or legislative laws.

Power is divided between central and state governments, with clear constitutional delineation, as seen in India and Belgium, to accommodate regional diversity.

Elected by language communities, this government handles cultural, educational, and language issues, ensuring minority representation and preventing conflict.

Formed by alliance of political parties, coalition governments share power to represent diverse ideologies and prevent single-party dominance, as seen in Germany.

These ensure representation of socially weaker sections and women in legislatures, giving them a voice in governance and policy-making.

Brussels was chosen as the EU headquarters due to Belgium's successful power-sharing model, symbolizing unity amidst diversity.

Power-sharing strengthens democracy by ensuring inclusive governance, reducing conflicts, and fostering political stability and social harmony.