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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. People have a right to be consulted on how they are
to be governed. A legitimate government is one where citizens acquire a stake in the
system; through participation.
Power Sharing in India:
India is a democratic country. People of India elect their representative through direct
franchise. After that, peoples representatives elect the government to make or amend rules
& regulations and to carry out day to day functioning of governance.
One basic principle of democracy is that people are the source of all political power. In a
democracy, people rule themselves through institutions of self-governance. In a good
democratic government, due respect is given to diverse groups and views that exist in a
society. Everyone has a voice in the shaping of public policies. Therefore, it follows that in a
democracy political forms of power sharing should be distributed among as many citizens
as possible.
Need of Power Sharing

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.

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

The 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.

Forms of Power Sharing:


Power Sharing in Different Organs of Government:
Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive
and judiciary. This type of distribution can be called the horizontal distribution of power. This
type of power sharing allows different organs of government placed at the same level to
exercise different powers.
Such a separation ensures that unlimited power is not vested in any organ of the
government. This ensures a balance of power among various institutions. 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.

Power Sharing at Different Levels:


Power can be shared among governments at different levels. Usually a central government
is responsible for the entire nation and state governments are responsible for different units
of the federation. There is clear cut demarcation on subjects which come under the union
government and those which come under the state government. However, there are some
subjects which come under the concurrent list, i.e. both state and central governments
exercise power on such subjects.
Power Sharing Among Social Groups:
Power may also be shared among different social groups. In a diverse country; like India;
there are various social, linguistic and caste groups and power is shared among each
group. 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.
Power Sharing Among Various Pressure Groups:
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. Heads of various
committees comes from various political parties; which is another way of sharing power
among different political parties.
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.

Power sharing is good in democracy because


No single community can take decision unilaterally.
It is realised that unity of country is only possible by repecting feelings and interest of
different communities.
Reduces conflicts between different social groups.
Stability of political order is achieved.
Better outcome.
People have right to be consulted for governing practices.

All have a voice in shaping public policies.


People rule themselves through institution of self governance.

1. The first major reasons favoring power sharing is that it helps to reduce the possibility of
conflict between social groups. It is believed that social conflicts often lead to violence and
political instability in the country. Thus power sharing is a good way to avoid the political
instability and hence to maintain political order in the country. The imposition of will and
force of majority community over minorities may sound attractive option but its existence is
short-lived as it undermines the unity of the country. The dictatorship and autocracy of the
majority community is not just oppressive and unfair to minorities but often brings
destruction to them.
2. The second major reason supporting power sharing has deeper motive in the spirit of
democracy. Power sharing is effective as democratic rule involves sharing power with the
affected people and those who have to live with its effects, so people have a right to be
consulted on how they are to be governed. In this way people acquires a stake in the
system through participation in forming a legitimate government for their country.
The first reason can be termed as prudential while the second reason can be termed as
moral. If the prudential reasons stress on the fact that power sharing brings out better
outcomes then the moral reason emphasizes the importance of power sharing.

I know you will think it's long but it would definately help you out!!!!!!
Firstly, power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between
social
groups.since social conflict often leads to violence and political instability.second,deeper
reason why power sharing is good for democracies .Power sharing is the very spirit of
democracy.a democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by it's exercise,
and who have to live with it's effect.

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