Democratic Politics: Power and Federalism · Term 2

Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka

Investigate how majoritarian policies in Sri Lanka led to ethnic conflict and civil war, contrasting it with Belgium's approach.

About This Topic

Power sharing is the 'very spirit' of democracy. This topic explores the different forms it takes in modern systems: Horizontal (between Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary), Vertical (between Central, State, and Local governments), and sharing among social groups and political parties. Students learn about the system of 'checks and balances' that prevents any one organ from becoming too powerful.

The curriculum also addresses how pressure groups and movements influence decision-making, ensuring that power does not remain concentrated in a few hands. This unit is essential for understanding the architecture of the Indian state. This topic comes alive when students can physically model the patterns of power flow and simulate a 'checks and balances' scenario in the classroom.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: Checks and Balances

Students are divided into the three organs of government. The 'Legislature' passes a law, the 'Executive' implements it, and the 'Judiciary' reviews it. They must act out a scenario where one organ tries to overstep its bounds.

⏱ 45 min·Whole Class

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Gallery Walk: Pressure Groups in Action

Stations feature different Indian pressure groups (e.g., FICCI, trade unions, environmental movements). Students move around to identify how these groups influence government policy without contesting elections.

⏱ 30 min·Small Groups

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Think-Pair-Share: Coalition Governments

Students discuss how a coalition of different political parties is a form of power sharing. They pair up to list the advantages (more voices) and disadvantages (slower decisions) of such a system.

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

The Prime Minister has absolute power in a democracy.

What to Teach Instead

Students often see the PM as a 'king'. Peer explanation of 'Horizontal Power Sharing' helps them see that the Judiciary and Legislature can limit the PM's power, ensuring accountability.

Common Misconception

Pressure groups are bad for democracy.

What to Teach Instead

Many think these groups only look out for themselves. Investigating how they give a voice to marginalised interests helps students see that they are a vital part of the democratic 'sharing' of influence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 'Horizontal' power sharing?

Horizontal power sharing is the distribution of power among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive, and judiciary. It allows these organs, placed at the same level, to exercise different powers. This results in a system of 'checks and balances' where each organ monitors the others.

How do political parties share power?

Political parties share power through competition in elections, which ensures that power does not remain in one hand. In the long run, power is shared among different political parties that represent different ideologies and social groups. This is most visible in 'coalition governments,' where multiple parties join together to form a government.

What is the role of 'Community Government' in power sharing?

Community government is a form of power sharing where power is given to social groups, such as religious and linguistic groups. This is used to give minority communities a fair share in power and to ensure their cultural and educational rights are protected, as seen in the Belgian model.

What are the best hands-on strategies for teaching forms of power sharing?

A 'Power Mapping' activity is excellent. Students use a large wall to map out the different 'players' in a specific government decision (like a new education policy). By drawing lines of influence between the Cabinet, the Courts, and NGOs, they visualise the complex web of power sharing in a modern democracy.

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