Power Sharing Test Part 2

Sri Lanka gained its independence from British colonial rule in 1948. This marked the end of nearly 150 years of British control over the island nation. After independence, Sri Lanka established itself as a sovereign state and embarked on a journey of self-governance and development.

Brussels was chosen as the headquarters of the European Union because of its central location within Europe, its history as a diplomatic hub, and its status as the capital of Belgium. Additionally, Brussels is home to many important EU institutions, such as the European Commission and the Council of the European Union, making it a practical and convenient choice for the headquarters. The city's multicultural environment and multilingualism also align with the EU's values of diversity and inclusivity.

Most of the Sinhala speaking people in Sri Lanka follow Buddhism. This is because Buddhism is the predominant religion in Sri Lanka, with the majority of the population being Buddhists. Buddhism has a long history in Sri Lanka and is deeply ingrained in the culture and traditions of the Sinhala people. The teachings of Buddhism, which emphasize peace, compassion, and mindfulness, have had a significant influence on the daily lives and beliefs of the Sinhala community in Sri Lanka.

The principle of majoritarianism in Sri Lanka, where the majority Sinhalese population sought to dominate and marginalize the minority Tamil population, led to deep-seated tensions and eventually a civil war. The Tamil minority felt discriminated against and oppressed, leading to the formation of militant groups advocating for their rights. The conflict escalated over time, resulting in a brutal civil war that lasted for decades and caused immense suffering and loss of life on both sides. The principle of majoritarianism, which prioritizes the interests of the majority, exacerbated ethnic divisions and ultimately contributed to the outbreak of the civil war in Sri Lanka.

The correct answer is "State government" because in India, the country is divided into states, each with its own government. The state government is responsible for governing and making decisions at the regional level, including matters such as law enforcement, education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.

Belgian leaders amended their constitution four times between 1970 and 1993. This suggests that there were significant changes made to the Belgian constitution during this period. The amendments could have been made to address political, social, or economic issues that arose during those years. The fact that the constitution was amended multiple times also indicates that Belgian leaders were proactive in adapting the constitution to the changing needs of the country.

The system of checks and balances is a mechanism in which the powers of different branches of government are balanced and limited by each other. It ensures that no single branch becomes too powerful and prevents any abuse of power. This system is a form of horizontal power-sharing as it distributes power among the different branches of government, such as the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, to maintain a balance and prevent the concentration of power in one branch.

The answer "Minority French speaking" suggests that the community in Belgium referred to in the question is a group of people who speak French and are in the minority. This implies that there is another dominant language or community in Belgium, and the French-speaking community is wealthy and influential despite being a minority.

In Sri Lanka, the two main bases of social division are religion and language. The majority Sinhala-speaking Buddhists and the Tamil-speaking Hindus and Muslims represent the key groups. These divisions have historically contributed to social and political tensions, including a long civil conflict. Understanding these differences is essential for grasping the country's ethnic and cultural dynamics.

The correct answer is "Vertical division of government." This term refers to the distribution of powers and responsibilities between different levels of government, such as national, regional, and local governments. It involves the allocation of specific powers to each level of government, creating a hierarchical structure where different levels have distinct areas of authority. This division helps to ensure a balance of power and allows for efficient governance by allowing different levels of government to focus on specific issues and address the needs of their respective jurisdictions.