Tag: power sharing in democracy

Questions Related to power sharing in democracy

Sharing of power between different organs of the Government such as legislature, executive and judiciary is called ___________.

  1. Vertical power-sharing

  2. Horizontal power-Sharing

  3. Circular power-sharing

  4. None of these


Correct Option: B
Explanation:
Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. This is known as the horizontal distribution of power because it allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers. Such separation ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited power. Each organ checks the others. 

Which of the following country has the head quarter of the European union?

  1. USA

  2. France

  3. Belgium

  4. Australia


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

European Union (EU) is comprised of 28 nations with its headquarter located in Brussels, Belgium. EU was created by Maastricht Treaty which came into force on 1st November 1993. The treaty was aimed at improving political, economic integration of European countries by creating a single currency Euro, common foreign and security policy. EU was awarded Nobel Prize for peace in 2012 for its efforts to promote peace and democracy in Europe.

The major social groups of Sri Lanka are _________________.

  1. Sinhalse and Dutch

  2. Dutch and Sri Lankan Tamils

  3. Sinhalse and Sri Lankan Tamils

  4. French and Dutch


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The major social groups of the Sri Lanka are the "Sinhala speakers and Tamil Speakers

74% population of Sri Lanka belongs to Sinhala speakers community.
18% population of Sri Lanka belongs to Tamil Speakers community.
Tamil speakers further divided into two categories
(1) Sri Lankan Tamils : These are the Tamil natives of the Country.
(2) Indian Tamils : These are those Tamils  whose forefathers came from India as Plantation workers during colonial period.

Between 1970 and 1993, in order to work out an arrangement that would enable every community to live in Belgium, the Belgians _________.

  1. Formed a new constitution

  2. Amended their constitution

  3. Segregated the areas of different communities

  4. Removed all kinds restrictions


Correct Option: B
Explanation:
  • Belgium constitution was amended four times between 1970 to 1993 to accommodate everyone to live together in the country.
  •  The arrangement they worked out is different from any other country and is very innovative.
  • For eg.  Constitution prescribes that the number of Dutch and French-speaking ministers shall be equal in the central government. 
  •  Many powers of the central government have been given to state governments of the two regions of the country. The state governments are not subordinate to the Central Government. 

Sri Lanks emerged as an independent nation in ____________.

  1. 1948

  2. 1943

  3. 1953

  4. 1958


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Sri Lanka achieved its independence from British Empire on 4th February 1948 and became Dominion of Ceylon. It was then known as British Ceylon. Dominion status under British Commonwealth was for 24 years, later it turned into Republic of Sri Lanka on 22nd May 1972. D. S. Senanayake of United National Party (UNP) was the first Prime Minister of Ceylon. Option A 1948 is the correct answer.

What was the most serious demand of the Sri Lankan Tamils which resulted in a civil war in Sri Lanka? 

  1. Reservation of jobs for Tamils

  2. Recognition of Tamil as an official language

  3. Creation of an independent Tamil Eelam

  4. Creation of a federation with autonomy to Tamils


Correct Option: C
Explanation:
 By 1980s several political organisations were formed demanding an independent Tamil Eelam (state) in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka.
The distrust between the two communities turned into widespread conflict. It soon turned into a civil war. As a result thousands of people of both the communities have been killed. 

Belgium government is a good example of ______________.

  1. Monarchy

  2. Community government

  3. Unitary government

  4. Federal government


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

In Belgium apart from the Central and the State Government, there is a third kind of government. This ‘community government’ is elected by people belonging to one language community – Dutch, French, and German-speaking – no matter where they live. This government has the power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues. In Belgium, the leaders have realized that the unity of the country is possible only by respecting the feelings and interests of different communities and regions. Such a realization resulted in mutually acceptable arrangements for sharing power. 

How many times was Belgium constitution amended between 1970 to 1993?

  1. Three times

  2. Four times

  3. Five times

  4. Six times


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Belgium constitution was amended four times between 1970 to 1993.

First amendment took place in 1970. The second amendment took place in 1980. The third amendment took place in 1988-89. The fourth amendment took place in 1993.

When was Belgium declared independent?

  1. 1840

  2. 1850

  3. 1860

  4. 1830


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

At the Congress of Vienna in 1815, Belgium (southern Netherlands) and Holland (northern Netherlands) were united to form one state to be ruled by King William I. There were protests and a series of incidents led to a revolution in Brussels around 1830. Belgium separated from the northern Netherlands and a provisional government declared independence on 4th October 1830.

Which was the only official language of Sri Lanka?

  1. Sinhala

  2. Tamil

  3. Portuguese

  4. None of these


Correct Option: A
Explanation:
  • The major social groups of Sri Lanka are Sinhalese (major ruling community) and Sri Lankan Tamils (majority group in Northern territories of Sri Lanka).
  • After Independence, Sinhalese followed several majoritarian measures to establish Sinhalese supremacy.
  • Sinhala was recognized as the official language of Sri Lanka in 1956.
  • Now both Sinhala and Tamil are the official language of Sri Lanka.