Practice: Belgium and Sri Lanka — Handling Ethnic and Cultural Diversity
Medium (Application & Explanation)
1. Explain how Belgium used power sharing to handle its ethnic and language diversity.
Answer:
- Belgium followed power sharing to include all language groups.
- It had a federal government and also state governments for regions.
- There were separate governments for communities (Dutch, French, German).
- The Council of Ministers had an equal number from Dutch and French groups.
- Brussels had bilingual rules to protect both Dutch and French speakers.
- Both Dutch and French were treated as official languages.
- This system built trust, reduced conflict, and protected minority rights.
2. Describe the majoritarian policies followed by Sri Lanka after independence and their impact.
Answer:
- Sri Lanka followed majoritarianism after independence.
- Power was held mainly by the Sinhalese majority.
- The Sinhala Only Act (1956) made Sinhala the only official language.
- Tamil was excluded from government jobs and public services.
- Many Indian Tamils were denied citizenship and political rights.
- This caused anger, protests, and finally a long civil war.
- The result was mistrust, violence, and national division.
3. How did language policies differ in Belgium and Sri Lanka? Explain their effects on national unity.
Answer:
- Belgium treated Dutch and French as equal official languages.
- It protected language rights in Brussels, a mixed region.
- This built respect and cooperation among communities.
- Sri Lanka made Sinhala the only official language in 1956.
- Tamil speakers felt ignored and discriminated against.
- This damaged national unity and led to ethnic conflict.
- Inclusive language policy unites; exclusive policy divides.
4. What is the difference between a federal and a unitary system? Use Belgium and Sri Lanka as examples.
Answer:
- A federal system shares power between central and regional governments.
- Belgium used federalism to give power to regions and communities.
- It allowed local groups to manage their own affairs.
- A unitary system keeps most power with the central government.
- Sri Lanka used a unitary model with centralised control.
- This left minorities with less voice and fewer protections.
- Federalism can help in diverse societies by ensuring inclusion.
5. List the special steps Belgium took to protect minorities. Why were these steps effective?
Answer:
- Belgium ensured equal ministers from Dutch and French groups.
- It formed community governments for Dutch, French, and German speakers.
- It created regional governments with defined powers.
- It made both Dutch and French official languages.
- Brussels had bilingual rules to protect all residents.
- These steps gave assurance, dignity, and legal rights to minorities.
- When people feel respected, they support peace and unity.
High Complexity (Analysis & Scenario-based)
6. Belgium achieved peace, while Sri Lanka faced conflict. Analyse the main reasons behind these different outcomes.
Answer:
- Belgium used inclusive power sharing; Sri Lanka used majoritarianism.
- Belgium gave constitutional rights to all communities.
- Sri Lanka centralised power and ignored minority demands.
- Belgium’s language equality built trust and cooperation.
- Sri Lanka’s Sinhala Only Act deepened fear and anger among Tamils.
- Inclusion led to compromise and stability; exclusion led to violence.
- Institutions in Belgium protected diversity; Sri Lanka’s did not.
7. Imagine you are advising Sri Lanka in 1956. Suggest a policy package to avoid future conflict, inspired by Belgium.
Answer:
- Make both Sinhala and Tamil the official languages.
- Provide bilingual services in courts, schools, and offices.
- Create regional councils in Tamil-majority areas with real powers.
- Ensure fair jobs and college admissions for both communities.
- Form a power-sharing cabinet with assured seats for Tamils and Muslims.
- Set up an independent commission for minority rights.
- Promote civic education on equality, respect, and unity.
8. Suppose Sri Lanka had declared Tamil as an additional official language in 1956. Predict possible changes in the political and social outcomes.
Answer:
- Tamil speakers would feel more included and respected.
- Access to government jobs and services would be fairer.
- Mistrust between communities might have reduced.
- Protests may have been less frequent and less violent.
- Political leaders could have built coalitions across communities.
- The country might have avoided civil war and saved resources.
- National identity could grow around shared citizenship, not one ethnicity.
9. “Power sharing strengthens unity.” Evaluate this statement with referencemeaning of word here
meaning of word here
Answer:
- In Belgium, power sharing created balance and trust.
- All groups had a voice in decisions and legal protection.
- It led to peace, stability, and national unity.
- In Sri Lanka, majoritarian rule weakened unity.
- Minorities felt ignored, leading to conflict and division.
- The evidence shows that inclusive structures build strong nations.
- So, power sharing is a strength, not a weakness, in diverse societies.
10. Design a basic constitution for a diverse country with two large groups and one small minority, using lessons from Belgium.
Answer:
- Create a federal system with central and regional governments.
- Recognise two official languages and protect minority languages.
- Form community councils for cultural, education, and language matters.
- Ensure an equal or proportional share of ministers from each group.
- Make the capital city follow bilingual or multilingual rules.
- Set up independent bodies for minority rights and fair recruitment.
- Add constitutional safeguards so rights cannot be easily removed.