Democratic Politics: Power and Federalism · Term 2

Power Sharing: Belgium's Accommodation

Analyze the unique power-sharing model adopted by Belgium to manage its linguistic and ethnic diversity.

About This Topic

This topic introduces the vital concept of power sharing through a comparative study of Belgium and Sri Lanka. It examines how Belgium successfully managed its linguistic diversity (Dutch and French speakers) through a model of accommodation and decentralisation. In contrast, it looks at how Sri Lanka's policy of 'Majoritarianism', favouring the Sinhala-speaking majority, led to ethnic tension and a long civil war.

Students learn that power sharing is not just about 'giving in' but is a strategy to ensure political stability and reduce the possibility of conflict. This unit is the foundation for understanding democratic governance. This topic comes alive when students can physically model the patterns of ethnic distribution and role play the negotiations between different community leaders.

Active Learning Ideas

Role Play: The Belgian Negotiation

Students act as representatives of the Dutch, French, and German-speaking communities in Belgium. They must negotiate the four amendments to the constitution that led to the 'Community Government' model.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Inquiry Circle: The Sri Lankan Crisis

Groups research the 1956 Act in Sri Lanka. They identify the specific 'majoritarian' measures taken and create a timeline showing how these led to the demand for a separate 'Tamil Eelam.'

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Think-Pair-Share: Prudential vs. Moral Reasons

Students discuss why power sharing is 'good.' They pair up to categorise reasons into 'prudential' (avoiding conflict) and 'moral' (the spirit of democracy), then share their best examples.

⏱ 20 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Power sharing weakens the government.

What to Teach Instead

Students often think 'too many cooks spoil the broth'. Peer discussion helps them see that while it may take longer to decide, power sharing makes the government more stable by preventing one group from dominating and causing unrest.

Common Misconception

Democracy always means the majority should rule.

What to Teach Instead

Many confuse 'democracy' with 'majoritarianism'. Investigating the Sri Lankan case helps students understand that democracy is about protecting the rights of all citizens, not just the largest group.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Belgium solve its ethnic conflict?

Belgium amended its constitution four times to create a model where both Dutch and French-speaking ministers have equal representation in the central government. They also created 'Community Governments' elected by people belonging to one language group, which have power over cultural, educational, and language-related issues.

What is 'Majoritarianism' in the context of Sri Lanka?

Majoritarianism is a belief that the majority community should be able to rule a country in whichever way it wants, disregarding the needs of the minority. In Sri Lanka, this involved making Sinhala the only official language and giving preference to Sinhala applicants for university positions and government jobs.

What are the 'prudential' reasons for power sharing?

Prudential reasons are based on a careful calculation of gains and losses. Power sharing is prudential because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and political instability, power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order.

How can active learning help students understand power sharing?

A 'Constitution Drafting' simulation is very effective. Students are given a fictional country with diverse ethnic groups and must draft a power-sharing agreement. This hands-on experience helps them understand the delicate balance required to satisfy different groups while maintaining a functional national government.

Browse curriculum by country

• Americas
• US
• CA
• MX
• CL
• CO
• BR

• Europe
• UK
• IE
• FR
• DE
• ES
• IT
• NL
• PT
• SE

• Asia & Pacific
• IN
• SG
• AU