question_answer

What are the different forms of power sharing in modem democracies? Give an example of each of these.

Or

Are decisions inherent to the working of democracy?

 

Answer:

In modern democracies power sharing arrangements are in many forms. The most important and common arrangements are as follows:

(i) Horizontal Distribution of Powers:

In this form of distribution power is shared among different organs of government such as the legislature, executive and judiciary.

This type of distribution advocates separation of powers in which different organs of government at the same level exercise different powers.

Separation of power ensures a check over the unlimited powers of each organs. This results in a balance of power among various institutions.

"Horizontal distribution of power" is also called a system of "checks and balances". For example although the judges are appointed by the executive, they can check the functioning of executive or laws made by the legislature.

(ii) Vertical Distribution of Powers:

Under this form of power sharing arrangement power is shared among governments at different levels, for example, a general government for the entire country and governments at the provincial, sub-national or regional level.

A General Government for the entire country is usually called Federal Government. In our country we refer to it as the Central Government.

In some countries like India and Belgium the constitution clearly lays down the powers of the government at different levels. This is called the "federal division of powers."

All such division of powers involving higher and lower levels of government is called vertical division of powers.

(iii) Power sharing among different social groups: In another way power may also be shared among different social groups, such as the religious and linguistic groups.

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

This method is used to give minority communities a fair share in power.

Community government in Belgium and Reserved Constituencies in assemblies and the Parliament in India are the examples of this type of arrangement.

(iv) Power sharing among political parties, pressure groups and movements: Sometimes power sharing arrangements can also be seen in the way political parties pressure groups, and movements control or influence power because in a democracy the citizens must have a choice among various contenders for powers.

For example sometimes this power sharing results in the Coalition Government and thus share powers.

In a democracy Interests groups traders businessmen industrialists farmers and industrial workers have a share in governmental power either through participation in governmental committees or bringing influence on the decision ' making process.