Democracy provides the citizens a choice to choose their rulers.

This choice isprovided by the various

political parties, who contest elections to win them. Suchcompetition ensures that power does not
remain in one hand.

In the long run, power is shared among the 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 form a coalition government and thus share
power.

In a democracy, various pressure groups and movements also remain active.They also have a share in
governmental power, either through participation ingovernmental committees or having influence on
the decision making process.

Describe the power sharing among different social groups.

Power may 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 and legal arrangements whereby socially weaker sections and
women are represented in the legislatures andadministration.

Describe the horizontal distribution of power. What are its advantages?

Power is shared among different organs of government, such as thelegislature, executive and judiciary.
We call this horizontal distribution of power because it allows different organs of government placed at
the samelevel to exercise different powers.

Such a separation ensures that none of the organs can exercise unlimitedpower. Each organ checks the
others. This results in a balance of poweramong various institutions.

Similarly, although judges are appointed by the executive, they can check the functioning of executive or
laws made by the legislatures.

Thisarrangement is called a system of checks and balances.

Describe the vertical division of power. Or What is meant by federal division ofpower?

Power can be shared among governments at different levels

a generalgovernment for the entire country and overnments at the provincial orregional level. Such a
general government for the entire country is usually called federal government. In India, we refer to it as
the Central or UnionGovernment.

The governments at the provincial or regional level are called by different names in different countries. In
India, we call hem State Governments.
This is called federal division of power.

The same principle can be extended to levels of government lower than theState government, such as
the municipality and panchayat. Division of powersinvolving higher and lower levels of government is
called vertical division of power.

Explain the difference between horizontal and vertical power sharing.

Horizontal Power sharing

1. Under the horizontal power sharing power is shared among different organs of government such as
the legislature, executive and judiciary.2. Under horizontal distribution of power, organs of the
government areplaced at the same level to exercise different powers.3. Under horizontal each organ
checks the other.

Vertical Power sharing

1.Under the vertical sharing power, power is shared among the

different levels of the governments.2.The vertical division of power involves the highest and the lower
levelsof government.3.Under vertical power sharing the lower organs work under the higherorg

Describe the power sharing among political parties, pressure groups andmovements.

Power sharing arrangements can also be seen in the way political parties,pressure groups and
movements control or influence those in power. Incontemporary democracies, political competition
ensures that power doesnot remain in one hand.

In the long run, 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 form a coalition government andthus share power.

In a democracy, we find interest groups such as those of traders,businessmen, industrialists, farmers and
industrial workers. They also willhave a share in governmental power, either through participation
ingovernmental committees or bringing influence on the decision making process

How is a federal government better than a unitary government? Explain withexamples of Belgium and Sri
Lanka.

Federalism is a system of government under which power is dividedbetween central authority and its
various constituents units.

The Belgium leaders tried to solve the ethnic problem by respecting communities and regions by
establishing a federal government, whereasSri Lanka government tried to solve the problem through
majoritarianism.

The Belgium solution helped in avoiding the civic strife, whereas themajoritarianism in Sri Lanka led to
the civil war.

Questions :

1. What do you mean by power sharing?2. Name all the different organs of govt.?3. What do you mean
power sharing in a country?4. What do you mean by majority?5. What are different forms of power
sharing in modern Democracies give an exampleof each of these.

Extra Questions-

Q.1 why is power sharing good for democracies?Q.2 why power sharing is Desirables.Q.3 Explain
different forms of power sharing in modern democracies .Q.4 Explain the drawbacks of
majoritarianism.Q.5 it is possible to change the power sharing arrangement? If so How?