Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

The argument that "concentrating power leads to conflict and instability" represents a prudential justification for power-sharing.

Prudential reasons are based on careful calculation of gains and losses, focusing on outcomes rather than principles. When power is concentrated in one group, it often results in the tyranny of the majority, social conflict, and political instability. As seen in Sri Lanka, imposing Sinhala dominance over Tamils led to prolonged civil conflict. Power-sharing prevents such outcomes by giving all social groups a stake in governance, thereby ensuring political stability and national unity.

Source: Democratic Politics II, Chapter 1 — Why power sharing is desirable?

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• Key distinction to remember: Prudential = outcome-based (stability, avoiding conflict); Moral = principle-based (right to participate). Examiners want you to correctly identify the type and explain why it fits.
• Always link the argument to a real example (Sri Lanka works perfectly here as the textbook uses it).
• Don't confuse the two: this argument is prudential because it talks about consequences (conflict, instability), not about rights or values.