NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science Civic Chapter 1
Poltical Science Class 10 Civic
Power Sharing Chapter 1
Important NCERT Questions Based on new NCERT Books for Session 2022-2023
Questions No: 1
What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.
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Different forms of power sharing in modern democracies:
1: Horizontal division of power: It is the sharing of power among the different organs of government. The division of government into the executive, the legislature and the judiciary is an example of horizontal division of power. In such a power sharing arrangement, different organs of government, placed at the same level, exercise different powers. This separation of powers ensures that no organ exercises unlimited power. Each organ checks the others, thereby putting in place a system of checks and balances. The division of power between the Council of Ministers headed by the Indian Prime Minister, the Parliament of India and the Indian Supreme Court is an example of this kind of power sharing.
2: Vertical division of power: It is the sharing of power among governments at different levels — a general government for the entire country and governments at the provincial or regional level. For example, in India, the Constitution defines the way power is to be shared between the Central or Union government and the various State governments. There are certain matters on which only the Central government can take decisions, while there are others on which only an individual state government has an exclusive right for decision making.
3: Division of power among social groups: Power can also be shared among different groups which differ socially. The system of ‘community government’ in Belgium is an example of this type of power division. This government is elected by people belonging to one language community (Dutch, French and German-speaking), and has the power to take decisions regarding cultural, educational and language related issues.
The system of reserved constituencies in India is another example.
4: Division of power between political parties, pressure groups and movements: Political parties are the organizations which aim to control power by contesting elections. In a democracy, citizens have the freedom to choose among the various contenders for power (the different political parties or the different alliances comprising political parties). Such a freedom of choice entails competition among the different parties, which in turn ensures that power does not remain in one hand, and is shared among different political parties representing different ideologies and social groups.
Pressure groups and movements also share governmental power, either through participation in governmental committees or by influencing the decision-making process.
In modern democracies, the different forms of power sharing are as given below:
(i) Power sharing among different organs of government.
(ii) Power sharing among governments at different levels.
(iii) Power sharing among different social groups.
(iv) Power sharing among political parties, pressure groups and movements. These are explained in the following way:
(i.) power sharing among different organs of government: The power is shared by three organs of government i.e., legislature, executive and judiciary. Generally, legislature enacts laws, executive executes the law, makes decisions. Judiciary inter-prets the low and protects the rights of the people. It 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 ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimited power: Each organ checks the others and a balance of power is maintained. For example, in India, executive i.e., Council of Ministers is responsible to Lok Sabha. The Council of Ministers must enjoy the support of the majority in the Lok Sabha. If they loose confidence of the Lok Sabha, they have to resign. Similarly judges are appointed by the executive, but they check the function of executive or laws made by the legislatures.
(ii) Power sharing among governments at different levels? There are governments at the National, State and Local levels. Powers are divided among these governments. For example, in India, there is a division of powers between Centre and the States. There are three lists i.e., Union list, State list and Concurrent list. The residuary powers which have not been included in the three lists are with the Central Government. Now some powers have been given to local governments under the Panchayati Raj system. Such a system is followed in countries where there is federal form of government as in the USA and Belgium. Such division of powers involving higher and lower levels of government is called vertical division of power. However, in countries where there is unitary form of government as in tire Great Britain, there is no division of powers. All the powers are vested in the central or national government.
(iii) Power sharing among different social groups: Sometimes religious and linguistic groups too share power as is the case in Belgium where there is a “community government” which is elected by people belonging to one language community no matter, where they live. Such government enjoys power regarding cultural, educational and language related issues. In
India, seats are reserved for SCs and STs in assemblies and parliament. Such a system is adopted to give minority communities a fair share in power so that they are not alienated from the government as has happened in Sri Lanka.
(iv) Power sharing among political parties, pressure groups and movements:
When no party gets an absolute majority in legislature, different parties come together and form a coalition government, and share power in a democracy. For example, the present UPA
(United Progressive Alliance) government headed by Dr. Manmohan Singh is a coalition government in which power is share by different political parties that represent different ideologies and social groups. In addition to this, different pressure groups, interest groups and movements also directly or indirectly influence the decision making process of the government.
Thus there is power sharing among political parties, pressure groups and movements.
In modern democracies, power sharing manifests through various forms:
1. Horizontal Division of Power:
– Separation of Powers: For instance, in the United States, the executive (President), legislative (Congress), and judicial (Supreme Court) branches operate independently, ensuring a system of checks and balances.
2. Vertical Division of Power:
– Federalism: Examples include India and the United States, where power is divided between the central government and states, allowing regional autonomy in specific areas.
3. Community-Based Power Sharing:
– Community Representation: Countries like Belgium ensure power sharing among linguistic or ethnic groups. Belgium’s parliament accommodates both Dutch-speaking Flemish and French-speaking Walloons.
4. Consociational Power Sharing:
– Consociational Democracy: Switzerland is an example, with multiple parties representing diverse linguistic and cultural groups, ensuring their representation and cooperation in government.
These power-sharing mechanisms facilitate broader participation, prevent the abuse of power, and accommodate diverse interests, ensuring stability and inclusivity in modern democratic governance.