TEACHGYAN • CLASS 10 SOCIAL SCIENCE • POLITICAL SCIENCE • NCERT 2026–27

Chapter 1: Power-sharing

Detailed Explanation • Flowcharts • Constitutional Concepts • Case Studies • Competency • Board Practice

📖 Chapter Explanation

Power-sharing is a central principle of democratic government. This chapter uses Belgium and Sri Lanka to show how different approaches to linguistic and social diversity can shape political stability, then explains why sharing power is desirable and the main forms it can take.

🧭 Concept Map

Belgium/Sri Lanka → need for accommodation → prudential & moral reasons → horizontal → vertical → social groups → parties/pressure groups

🏛️ Core Civics Understanding

Power can be shared among organs of government, among levels of government, among social groups, and among parties and political organisations. These arrangements can reduce conflict and strengthen democratic participation.

📊 Diagram / Flowchart Study

Build this visual:

Belgium/Sri Lanka → need for accommodation → prudential & moral reasons → horizontal → vertical → social groups → parties/pressure groups

Use boxes for institutions, arrows for relationships and short labels for constitutional or democratic principles. This makes long answers easier to structure.

💡 Application Example

A country with several language communities must decide whether one group should control the state or institutions should share power. Students compare majoritarian and accommodation-based arrangements.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Confusing institutions, levels of government and forms of power sharing.
Giving definitions without explaining their democratic significance.
Making broad claims without using the case or constitutional concept given in the question.

🧠 Concept-Based MCQs

A multilingual country faces rising tensions between communities. Students identify the form of power sharing that could address the problem and explain why accommodation can support political stability.

📊 Case-Based / Competency Question

Horizontal power sharing is among: A) different levels of government B) organs of government C) countries D) villages only|Vertical power sharing refers to: A) power among government levels B) judges only C) political parties only D) pressure groups only|The Belgian model is associated with: A) accommodation among communities B) permanent military rule C) abolition of elections D) one-language rule|Power sharing is desirable because it: A) can reduce conflict and deepen participation B) always slows every decision C) removes elections D) gives power to one group

Identify the constitutional/democratic concept.
Use evidence from the situation.
Apply the concept accurately.
Give a reasoned conclusion.

🔎 Extension Case

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🧾 Constitution & Institution Connection

When answering, identify the relevant institution, level of government, constitutional principle or democratic value. Then explain how it operates in practice. This approach is more effective than memorising isolated definitions.

🔥 HOTS & Board Challenge

Explain a democratic principle using an example.
Compare two institutional arrangements.
Analyse a case and identify the relevant constitutional idea.
Discuss a challenge while acknowledging more than one perspective.

✍️ Exam Practice

Answer a 2-mark definition/concept question.
Answer a 3-mark explanation question.
Analyse a case-based question.
Attempt a 5-mark analytical question.
Write one structured answer using headings and examples.

📄 Practice Worksheet

5 concept checks
5 application questions
3 case-based questions
2 institution/flowchart questions
2 HOTS questions
1 board-style challenge

🎯 One-Minute Revision