Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Arjun's position is better supported.

Prudential Reason (against Riya): Power sharing is not only a crisis-management tool. As the textbook states, "imposing the will of the majority community over others may look like an attractive option in the short run, but in the long run it undermines the unity of the nation." Even a peaceful society can descend into conflict if power is concentrated — Sri Lanka is proof that ignoring minority interests eventually led to civil war. Power sharing prevents such instability before it begins, making it prudent for every society, not just conflicted ones.

Moral Reason (against Riya): Power sharing is "the very spirit of democracy." People have a right to be consulted on how they are governed. A legitimate government is one where citizens participate and acquire a stake in the system. This right does not depend on the existence of conflict — it exists in all democracies, homogeneous or not.

Therefore, like Ouseph's conclusion in the textbook, every society needs power sharing, regardless of diversity or conflict.

Source: Chapter 1 — Why Power Sharing is Desirable?

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• The question tests whether you know both reasons: prudential (practical/outcome-based) and moral (rights/principle-based).
• Examiners want you to explicitly use these terms and link them to Riya's and Arjun's positions.
• The textbook passage directly says power sharing is "the very spirit of democracy" — quote or paraphrase this for the moral reason.
• Riya's view matches Thomman's (wrong) conclusion in the textbook exercise; Arjun's matches Ouseph's (correct) — you can reference this to show examiner you've connected the dots.
• Do not just list the reasons — show why they refute Riya and support Arjun.