Chapter 1 · Question 3
Describe major forms of power-sharing.
Answer
Direct Answer
Power can be shared among organs of government such as legislature, executive, and judiciary; among governments at different levels; among social groups; and among political parties, pressure groups, and movements. These forms prevent concentration of power.
Simple Explanation
Power is shared horizontally among government organs, vertically among levels of government, among communities and social groups, and among political parties and movements — each form prevents any one body from dominating.
Exam-Ready Structure
In modern democracies, power-sharing takes several forms:
1. Horizontal distribution of power (among organs of government):
• Power is divided among the legislature (makes laws), the executive (implements laws), and the judiciary (interprets laws and settles disputes).
• Each organ checks the others — this is called the system of checks and balances.
• Example: In India, the Supreme Court can strike down laws passed by Parliament if they violate the Constitution.
• No organ exercises unlimited power, even though they are at the same level.
2. Vertical division of power (federal government):
• Power is shared among different levels of government — a central (union) government and state (provincial) governments.
• In India, this is reflected in the division of subjects into Union List, State List, and Concurrent List.
• Below the state level, local governments (municipalities and panchayats) share power further through decentralisation.
3. Power-sharing among social groups:
• Different social groups, particularly religious and linguistic communities, may be given a share in power through reserved constituencies, community representation, or special constitutional provisions.
• Example: Reserved constituencies for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Indian legislatures.
• In Belgium, the community government is an example of power-sharing along linguistic lines.
4. Power-sharing among political parties, pressure groups, and movements:
• Voters have a choice among competing political parties, and different parties can form coalitions.
• Pressure groups (trade unions, farmers' associations, business organisations) and social movements influence government decisions — this is a form of sharing power in a democracy.
These forms collectively ensure that power is not concentrated in any single hand or institution.
Key Points
- Power can be shared among organs of government such as legislature, executive, and judiciary; among governments at different levels; among social groups; and among political parties, pressure groups, and movements.
- These forms prevent concentration of power.