NCERT Solutions
X Social Science Solutions
Democratic Politics II
Chapter 1 : Power Sharing
Question 1: What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.
Power-sharing is a vital ingredient of any constitution. It ensures that there is an optimum balance between different sections in the society and that each and every citizen has a fair chance to participate in the democratic process. There are different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies, such as:
Horizontal distribution of power: – This is the sharing of power among different organs of government, such as the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. For example, in India, the Parliament makes laws, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers implement them, and the Supreme Court interprets and upholds them.
Vertical distribution of power: – This is the sharing of power among governments at different levels, such as the central, state and local governments. For example, in India, there is a federal system of government, where the Constitution lays down the powers and functions of each level of government.
Power-sharing among different social groups:- This is the sharing of power among different groups that differ on the basis of religion, language, ethnicity, caste or gender. For example, in Belgium, there is a system of community government, where people belonging to different linguistic groups elect separate representatives who have the power to make decisions on matters related to their language, culture and education.
Power-sharing among political parties, pressure groups and movements:- This is the sharing of power among different parties that represent different ideologies and interests. For example, in India, there is a system of multi-party democracy, where people can choose from a variety of parties to form or change the government through regular elections. There are also various pressure groups and movements that influence the government policies and decisions by lobbying, protesting or campaigning