POWER SHARING

Introduction:
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.

Reduce
Avoid tyranny Spirit of
Conflict in
of majority Democracy
Society

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.

Power Sharing Page 1

Forms of Power Sharing:

legislature, executive and judiciary: Horizontal

Power Sharing in Different Distribution
Organs of Government: Balance of power

units of the federation: center and state

Power Sharing at Different demarcation on subjects : center, state, concurrent
Levels:

social, linguistic and caste groups

Power sharing at various Reservation
Social Groups:

Political parties: Majority, Minority, Coalition,

Power Sharing Among Opposition
Various Pressure Groups Pressure Groups: trade unions, ASSOCHAM etc

1. Power Sharing in Different Organs of Government:

Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and
judiciary, which is called the horizontal distribution of power.
This 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.

2. Power Sharing 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.

3. Power Sharing Among Social Groups:

Power Sharing Page 2

 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.

4. 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 Page 3