Buds Public School, Dubai
Topic : Power Sharing
Grade : X
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Sub :Social Science
Power SHARING is the very spirit of democracy.
All communities, social groups get their say in the governance.
People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed. A legitimate
government is one where citizens acquire a stake in the system; through participation.
Belgium
Sri Lanka
1.They adopted the Policy of power
sharing.
2.They have equal powers to all
communities…minor or major
doesn’t matter.
3.It solved the problem.
1.They adopted a policy of
majoritarianism.
2. They gave preference to the
majority Sinhala group alone ,
disregarding minority.
3.It only increased problem.
• In Sri Lanka, the idea of majoritarianism crumbled the country in a civil war.
( A belief that majority community should be able to rule a country in which way it wants by
disregarding the wishes and needs of the minority)
Power Sharing in India:
India is a democratic country. People of India elect their representative through direct
franchise. After that, people’s representatives elect the government to make or amend rules &
regulations and to carry out day to day functioning of governance.
One basic principle of democracy is that people are the source of all political power. In a
democracy, people rule themselves through institutions of self-governance. In a good
democratic government, due respect is given to diverse groups and views that exist in a
society.
Everyone has a voice in the shaping of public policies. Therefore, it follows that in a
democracy political forms of power sharing should be distributed among as many citizens as
possible.
Why Do We Need of Power Sharing?
a. Power SHARING helps in reducing the conflict between various social groups. Hence,
power sharing is necessary for maintaining social harmony and peace.
b. Power sharing helps in avoiding the tyranny of majority. The tyranny of majority not only
destroys the minority social groups but also the majority social group.
c. People’s voice forms the basis of a democratic government. Hence, power sharing is
essential to respect the spirit of democracy.
d. Avoiding conflict in society and preventing majority tyranny are considered as prudential
reasons for power sharing. Maintaining the spirit of democracy is considered as the
moral reason for power sharing.
Forms of Power Sharing:
1.Power Sharing in Different Organs of Government:
Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive
and judiciary. This type of distribution can be called the horizontal distribution of power.
This type of power sharing allows different organs of government placed at the same level to
exercise different powers.
Such a separation ensures that unlimited power is not vested in any organ of the government.
This ensures a balance of power among various institutions. The executive enjoys official
power but is answerable to the legislature. The legislature has the right to make or amend
laws but it is answerable to the people. The judiciary is independent and ensures that the law
of the land is obeyed by legislature and executive.
2.Power Sharing at Different Levels:
Power can be SHARED among governments at different levels. Usually a central
government is responsible for the entire nation and state governments are responsible for
different units of the federation. There is clear cut demarcation on subjects which come under
the union government and those which come under the state government. However, there
are some subjects which come under the concurrent list, i.e. both state and central
governments EXERCISE power on such subjects.
Union List: defence, armed forces, arms and ammunition, atomic energy, foreign affairs,
war and peace, citizenship, extradition, railways, shipping and navigation, airways, posts and
telegraphs, telephones.
CURRENCY, foreign trade, inter-state trade and commerce, banking, insurance, control of industries,
regulation and development of mines, mineral and oil resources, elections, audit of Government
accounts, constitution and organisation of the Supreme Court, High Courts and union public service
commission, income tax, custom duties and export duties, duties of excise, corporation tax, taxes on
capital value of assets, estate duty, terminal taxes
State list :
maintaining law and order, police forces, healthcare, transport, land policies,
electricity in state, village administration
Concurrent list-Marriage
and divorce, transfer of property other than agricultural land,
education, contracts, bankruptcy and insolvency, trustees and trusts, civil procedure, contempt of
court, adulteration of foodstuffs, drugs and poisons, economic and social planning, trade unions,
labour welfare, electricity, newspapers, books and printing press, stamp duties.
Usually a central government is responsible for the entire nation and state governments
are responsible for different units of the federation
Federal Government –A general government for the entire country and governments at
the regional level. Such a general government for the entire country is called as federal
government.
3.Power Sharing Among Social Groups:
Power may also be shared among different social groups. In a diverse country; like India;
there are various social, linguistic and caste groups and power is shared among each group.
For example; people from the minority communities, OBCs, and SC & ST are given
reservation so that there could be adequate representation for them in the government
machinery.
4.Power Sharing Among Various Pressure Groups:
Power sharing among various political parties is more apparent for most of the people.
Usually the largest political party or the largest political coalition becomes the ruling party.
The other parties form the opposition. While opposition is not in power, it is responsible for
seeing to it that the ruling party functions as per the wishes of the people. Heads of various
committees comes from various political parties; which is another way of sharing power
among different political parties.
Pressure groups also get their share in power. For example; the TRADE unions,
ASSOCHAM- (The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India ASSOCHAM is one of the apex trade associations of India.) ,students’ union, etc. get some
power by certain mechanisms. Representatives of these associations become part of many
decision making bodies and thus enjoy their share of power.