Power Sharing In India

ByAnshul Vats

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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.

All communities, social groups get their say in the governance.

Power Sharing

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.

Power Sharing in India

In a democracy, through institutions of self-governance, people rule themselves.

In a good democratic government, everyone has a voice in the shaping of public policies.

In a democracy, political power should be distributed among as many citizens as possible.

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Power Sharing in India

Power sharing helps in reducing the conflict between various social groups. Hence, power sharing is necessary for maintaining social harmony and peace.

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.

Need Of Power Sharing

People’s voice forms the basis of a democratic government. Hence, power sharing is essential to respect the spirit of democracy.

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.

Need Of Power Sharing

1. Horizontal distribution of power Power is shared among different organs of

government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. This is called horizontal distribution of power.

It allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers.

Forms Of Power Sharing In India

This ensures that no organ exercises unlimited powers.

Each organ is checked by the other, which results in a balance of power among various institutions. This arrangement is also called a system of checks and balances.

Horizontal distribution of power

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.

Horizontal distribution of power

Indian Governme

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Legislature Executive Judiciary

Horizontal Distribution Of Power

Power can be shared among governments at different levels. This is called Vertical Distribution of Power.

A general government like this is usually called federal government. In India, it is referred to as the Central or Union Government.

2. Federal Government

In India the governments at the provincial or regional level are called State Government.

The same principle can be extended to levels of government lower than the State government, such at the Municipality and Panchayat.

Federal Government

Municipality/Panchayat

State Government

Union/Central Government

Vertical Distribution Of Power

Different social groups, such as the religious and linguistic groups may also share power.

In a diverse country; like India; there are various social, linguistic and caste groups and power is shared among each group.

3. Community Government

This type of arrangement is meant to give space in the government and administration to diverse social groups who otherwise would feel alienated from the government.

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.

Community Government

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.

4. Coalition Government

Pressure groups also get their share in power. For example; the trade unions, ASSOCHAM, 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.

Coalition Government

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