A focused revision resource explaining why power sharing is desirable in a democracy, including its prudential and moral reasons and the major forms of power sharing.
What Is Power Sharing?
Power-sharing is a political arrangement in which different or opposing groups take part in the government together.
In modern democracies, power sharing can be seen taking the following forms:
1. Organs of Government
In democracy, power is shared among Legislature, Executive and Judiciary. This is known as distribution of power. It allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers. No organ can exercise unlimited power as each organ checks the others.
2. Governments at Different Levels
In a federal form of government, power is shared between the central and state governments. In India there is another lower level of government — local self-government. This is called vertical division of government.
3. Social Groups
Power may also be shared among different social groups such as religious and linguistic groups. In India there are constitutional and legal arrangements whereby socially weaker sections and women are represented in the legislatures and administration.
Why Is Power Sharing Desirable?
Question: Why is power sharing desirable?
Prudential Reasons
It helps reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. It gives space to each and every social group in the democracy.
Moral Reasons
Power sharing is the spirit of democracy. A legitimate government is one where citizens through participation acquire a stake in the system.
Power Sharing in a Democracy
Question: What is power sharing in a democracy? Explain with examples.
Power sharing is a term used to describe a system of governance in which all major segments of society are provided a permanent share of power.
Power sharing is desirable because of the following reasons.
Different Forms of Power Sharing
Question: What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.
Prudential and Moral Reasons — Exam Answer
Question: Why power sharing is desirable? Explain giving any three prudential and moral reasons.
Power sharing is desirable in a democracy because:
Prudential reasons
- It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Social conflict often leads to violence and political instability.
- It is a good way to ensure the stability of political order.
- 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.
Moral reasons
- Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise and who have to live with its effects.
- People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.
- A legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.