Forms of Power Sharing


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Forms of Power Sharing

Forms of Power Sharing: In a democracy, people rule themselves through institutions of self-governance and everyone including minorities has the voice in the shaping of public policies.

So, it follows that in a democracy, political power should be distributed among as many citizens as possible. In modern democracies, power sharing arrangements can take many forms such as:

  •  Horizontal Distribution of Power: Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary. This arrangement is called horizontal distribution of power because it allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers. Such a separation of power ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited power. Each organ checks the others. This results in a balance of power among various institutions. For example, the judges are appointed by the Executive, but they can check the functioning of Executive or laws made by the Legislatures. This arrangement is balled a system of checks and balances. Checks and Balances A system in which each organ of the government checks the others. It results in a balance of power among various institutions and ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited power.
  • Federal Government and Vertical Division of Power: Power can be shared among governments at different levels—a general government for the entire country and governments at the provincial or regional level. Such a general government for the entire country is usually called Federal Government. In India, we refer to it as the Central or Union Government. The governments at the provincial or regional level are called by different names in different countries. This system is not followed in all countries. There are many countries, where there are no provincial or State Governments. But in those countries like ours, where there are different levels of government, the Constitution clearly lays down the powers of different levels of government and that is called vertical division of power. This is what is found in Belgium, but not in Sri Lanka. It is known as federal division of power. The same principle can be extended to lower levels of government like the Municipality and Panchayat.
  • Community Government: Power may also be shared among different social groups such as the religious and linguistic groups. ‘Community Government’ in Belgium is a good example of this arrangement. In some countries, there are constitutional a arrangements whereby socially weaker section and women are represented in the legislatures and administration. This method is used to give communities a fair share in power.
  • Coalition Government: Power sharing arrangements can also be seen in the way political parties, pressure groups and movements influence those in power. In a democracy, the citizens must have freedom to choose among various contenders of different political parties for power. In democracy, power is shared among different political parties that represent different ideologies and social groups. Sometimes, this kind of sharing can be direct when two or more parties form an alliance to contest elections. If their alliance is elected, they Coalition Government and thus, share power.
  • Different Interest Groups: In a democracy, we find the interest groups like businessmen, industrialists, farmers and in workers. They also have a share in governmental power through participation in governmental commit bringing influence on the decision-making process.
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