Politics Question
'Power Sharing is the very spirit of democracy.' Analyse the statement based on the concept of 'majoritarianism' that has increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils.
History
How and when Nationalism captures the hearts and minds of people ?
Power sharing means the distribution of power among the organs of the government such as the legislature, executive, and judiciary. Power sharing helps in achieving the stability of political order. In power-sharing, power might even be shared at distinct levels such as union, state and local. However in Shri Lanka there is a govt based on majoritarianism ,which neglect the minority's demand. Sinhala speaking who were bhuddists formed the govt after the independence based on a series of majority. Sinhala speaking were given govt jobs, university application. This increased the feeling of alienation among Tamil speaking Shri Lankan's. Which lead to a civil war
ReplyDeleteDear Unknown, Please add your name.
ReplyDeleteHere you first describe the statement. Then discuss the majoritarian policies that were adopted in Sri Lanka and how can you correlate with the concept of democracy adopted in India.
Power sharing is the very spirit of a democracy. A democratic rule involves sharing of power with those who are getting affected with it, and those who have to live with it's effects. In the case of Sri- Lanka, power was not being shared with the Sri-Lankan Tamils, who themselves would've got affected by the Sri Lankan government's power. A series of majoritarian measures were taken after the independence in 1948. The Act of 1956 was passed which recognized Sinhala as the only official language, ignoring 18% of the population that spoke Tamil. Apart from that, biased policies were introduced by the democratically elected government that favoured Sinhala applicants for government jobs and university positions. The new constitution also recognized Buddhism as the state religion of the country, disregarding other religions. Over time, the Tamil community felt alienated as they were not given equal rights than their Sinhala counterparts in the fields of ethnicity, employment, politics etc. Due to this, their relations worsened and led to a civil war. This happened because there was a defect in their democracy as according to them, the majority was made only by a majority community and the minorities were not shared equal power and rights. In India, every person, whether in a majority or minority community gets a chance to form majority and equal rights and status is given to minorities. (Murtuza 10B)
ReplyDeletePower 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 effects.Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948. The leaders of the Sinhala community sought to secure dominance over government by virtue of their majority. As a result, the democratically elected government adopted a series of Majoritarian measures to establish Sinhala supremacy. In 1956, an Act was passed to recognise Sinhala as the only official language, thus disregarding Tamil. The governments followed preferential policies that favoured Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs. A new constitution stipulated that the state shall protect and foster Buddhism. All these government measures, coming one after the other, gradually increased the feeling of alienation among the Sri Lankan Tamils. They felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders was sensitive to their language and culture. They felt that the constitution and government policies denied them equal political rights, discriminated against them in getting jobs and other opportunities and ignored their interests.In India, power is shared among social groups such as linguistic groups, religious groups, etc.Power is shared among political parties, movements and pressure groups. People and citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.Every person gets an opportunity to participate whether he is in majority or in minority.
ReplyDelete~Kriishh Gada
“Power Sharing is the very spirit of democracy”. Power sharing means the distribution of power among the organs of the government such as the legislature, executive, and judiciary.
ReplyDeleteA democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise. Power sharing ensures that people have the right to be consulted and have equal participation in the government.
In a democracy, each individual has a say in governance through their elected representatives. This is the essence of power sharing that grants equal rights to each citizen.
Sharing of power ensures that respect for diversity and desire for living together becomes a shared ideal amongst different communities in a country. It actually makes the country united and the administration easier.
Prudential reasons stress that power sharing would bring out better outcomes by helping to reduce the possibility of any conflict between the social groups.
Power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order through unity of the nation.
Sri Lanka emerged as an independent country in 1948. The democratically elected government adopted a series of measures to establish Sinhala supremacy:
In 1956, an Act was passed to make Sinhala the official language.
The government followed preferential policies favoring Sinhala applicants for University positions and government jobs.
The Constitution provided for State protection and fostering of Buddhism.
The Sri Lankan Tamils felt that none of the major political parties led by the Buddhist Sinhala leaders were sensitive to their language and culture and the government policies denied them equal political rights which led to increased feeling of alienation among them.
The Sri Lankan Tamils launched parties and struggles for the recognition of Tamil, for regional autonomy and equality of opportunity in every field.
Therefore, the measures adopted by the government to establish Sinhala supremacy led to distrust between the two communities which turned the widespread conflict into a Civil War.
Power Sharing is the very spirit of democracy.
ReplyDeletePower sharing ensures that all people have stake in government. Power sharing ensures maximum participation. It upholds the concept of people’s rule. It always brings better outcomes in democracy. It ensures the political stability in democracy.
Power sharing accommodates diverse groups. It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Majoritarianism is a belief that that the majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it wants, by disregarding the wishes and needs of the minority.
It has been adopted in Sri Lanka in the following ways:
1. By passing in 1956,which recognizes as Sinhala as the only official language and further Buddhism State religion to be
protected and fostered and, thus disregarding language and culture of minority Tamils.
2. The government adopted preferential policies that favored majority Sinhala's over minority Tamils in government jobs and university positions, thus discrimination of Tamils.
By Rishika Kushwaha Class 10 -F