20 why power sharing is desirable in democracy

Why power sharing is desirable? Explain the four types of power sharing?

Posted by Ansh Jain 3 years ago

Power sharing is desirable in democracy because:
(i) Prudential reasons: (a) It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and political instability. (b) It is a good way to ensure the stability of political order. (c) Imposing the will of 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.

(ii) Moral reasons:

(a) 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 effect. (b) People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed. (c) A legitimate government is one where citizens through participation, acquire a stake in the system. In modern democracies, power sharing can take the following forms:

1. Organs of Government: In democracy, power shared among Legislature, Executive and Juduciary.This is known as distribution of power, it allows different organs of government placed at the same level to excercise different powers. No organ can excercise unlimited power as each organ checks the others.

2. Governments at different levels: In 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 iIndia there are constitutional and legal arrangements whereby socially weaker sections and women are represented in the legislatures and administration.

Power-sharing has its own value in a democracy. It is desirable due to the following reasons-

Prudential reasons and Moral reasons

Prudential reasons are the reasons which tell us that Power sharing is reasonable, wisely chosen or necessary for a society or a country

a) power-sharing reduces the possibility of conflicts between the social groups.

In each country, There are many communities based on different religions, different castes and different languages. Sometimes people who belong to the Majority community start dominating or harming the minorities, this domination can cause conflict and disharmony in society, as we saw what happened in Sri Lanka. Sinhalese, the majority of Sri Lanka dominated minorities, and the struggle between the two communities got violent and soon turned into a civil war. On the other hand, we found that the Belgium government accommodate its ethnic problem successfully by sharing political power.

thus power-sharing is necessary to reduce the possibility of conflicts between social groups

b) Power-sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order.

If Government works in favour of the majority and ignore minorities views or if every community does not get treated equally due to the lack of power-sharing, discrimination against minorities can lead to violence and increases the risk of political instability in a country.

Power-sharing among different units of the government is a way to respect the feelings of every community in a country.

c) Power-sharing maintains the unity of the nation.

Lack of power-sharing not only increases the chances of conflicting between the minority and majority but also damages the unity and the progress of the country.

But when a democratic country involves sharing power different manner, and both the majority and the minority views are taken into account, the people of all communities are more satisfied with the government. The government can function smoothly to achieve the progress and unity of the Nation.

Moral reasons are the reasons which are based on moral considerations.

a) Power sharing is a very spirit of democracy.

A country is a democratic country when democratic principles are adopted, and there would be a kind of arrangement in which all the people of different groups, either the majority or minority are being treated equally. Everyone must have a role in decision making. Each person must get the opportunity to say what they think.

Suppressing the minority by the majority is against the spirit of democracy. To maintain a very spirit of democracy, Power sharing is essential.

b) People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.

Democracy is the rule of the people, by the people and for the people. In a democracy, people must be consulted for how to be governed, and If this won’t be there, then it can not be considered a democracy or the federal government

If the Political- Power is concentrated in one or a few hands, it will be not useful for the overall development of a country because the leaders of central government may are not aware of the problems of local people. Mostly only local leaders can recognize the problems of the people and help to get a proper solution.

Class-10th, Civics, Chapter-1 Power Sharing

Please watch my Youtube video on Why Power-sharing is desirable? (Civics, Chapter-1, Power-sharing, Class-10 CBSE)

Power-sharing is a vital ingredient of any constitution. Power-sharing makes sure that there is an optimum balance between different sections of society. Each and every state should have some form of power-sharing. The chances of controversies and opportunity to every citizen increases. Power-sharing has its own value in democracy. This ensures the stability of political order.

Why power sharing is desirable?

Power-sharing is desirable due to the following reasons

It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict and clashes between social groups.
Secondly, a democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise, and who have to live with its effects.
People will have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed and can change the power in the next upcoming years.

Forms of power-sharing

There are different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies which are listed below

Horizontal distribution of power – Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. Example – India This distribution ensures that none of the organs can exercise and utilise unlimited power. Each and every organ keeps an eye on the others. This system of arrangement is called a system of checks and balances.
The federal division of power – Power can be shared among governments at different levels. A general central government for the entire country and governments at the provincial or state and regional level. Example – India Union Government that is central government & State Government.
Community government – Power can also be shared among different socially active groups such as the religious and linguistic groups. Example – Belgium
Power-sharing between political parties, pressure groups and movements – This kind of power-sharing competition ensures that power does not remain in one single hand. For a longer duration, power is shared among different political parties that represent different ideologies and social groups.

Check out the video for more information on power-sharing