Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Community Government in Belgium:
The community government is a third tier of government in Belgium, elected by people belonging to one language community — Dutch, French, or German-speaking — regardless of where they live in the country. It has powers over cultural, educational, and language-related issues. This unique arrangement was necessary because Belgium has a complex ethnic composition: 59% Dutch-speaking, 40% French-speaking, and 1% German-speaking. Tensions between communities (especially in Brussels) made a purely majority-based rule unworkable. Between 1970 and 1993, Belgium amended its constitution four times to create this innovative power-sharing model.

Contrast with Sri Lanka's Majoritarian Approach:
Sri Lanka adopted majoritarianism — laws were passed prioritising the Sinhala-speaking majority (74%), such as making Sinhala the only official language, which alienated Tamil-speakers. Belgium, in contrast, ensured no single community could make decisions unilaterally. Belgium's approach prevented civic strife; Sri Lanka's approach deepened ethnic conflict. Belgium recognised diversity as a strength; Sri Lanka tried to suppress it.

Source: Chapter 1 — Belgium and Sri Lanka; Accommodation in Belgium

---

• The examiner expects you to clearly define community government, justify its need using Belgium's ethnic composition, and then contrast Belgium with Sri Lanka using the keywords majoritarianism vs power-sharing.
• Always mention the constitutional amendments (1970–1993) — it shows you know the factual detail.
• The contrast must be explicit: Belgium = no unilateral decisions, consensual; Sri Lanka = Sinhala majority imposed dominance.
• Avoid writing a general essay on federalism; stay focused on the community government specifically.