Social Science (087) — AI-generated practice question

Sri Lanka — Federal division leads to disintegration:
Sri Lanka's government adopted majoritarian measures — making Sinhala the only official language (1956), preferential policies for Sinhalese in jobs and universities, and state protection of Buddhism. Tamil demands for regional autonomy to Tamil-dominated provinces were repeatedly denied. This alienation deepened distrust, ultimately leading to a civil war that lasted decades and caused massive social and economic damage.

Belgium — Federal division prevents disintegration:
Belgium addressed regional diversity by shifting from a unitary to a federal system in 1993. Powers were constitutionally granted to regional governments, making them independent of the central government. This gave linguistic and regional communities guaranteed autonomy, reducing conflict.

Conclusion:
Federalism prevents disintegration when power is genuinely shared and constitutionally protected. Refusing regional autonomy, as in Sri Lanka, fuels separatism and national disintegration.

Source: Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka, Ch. 1; What is Federalism?, Ch. 2

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• Two cases must be explicitly contrasted — examiners award marks for both Sri Lanka (negative example) and Belgium (positive example).
• Mention key facts: Sinhala-only Act 1956, denial of provincial autonomy (Sri Lanka); constitutional powers to regional governments 1993 (Belgium).
• The conclusion linking federal power-sharing to national unity/disintegration earns the final mark.
• Avoid vague statements — use textbook terms like majoritarian, regional autonomy, constitutional powers, unitary vs. federal.