Question

Name and explain the different power sharing in modern democracies

Answer 1

1. Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the  legislature, executive and judiciary. Let us call this horizontal distribution  of power because this form of power sharing ensures that none of the  organs of the government gets unlimited power. Each organ keeps a check on  the other.

2. Power can be shared among governments at different levels – A general  government for the entire country and governments at the provincial or  regional level. In India, we refer to it as the Central or Union Government.  In this system power is shared at national, state and local levels. It is called  Vertical form of power sharing

3. Power may also 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 and administration.

4. Power sharing arrangements can also be seen in the way political parties,  pressure groups and movements control or influence those in power. In a  democracy, the citizens must have freedom to choose among various  contenders for power. In contemporary democracies this takes the form of  competition among different parties. Such competition ensures that power  does not remain in one hand.

Thanks

Answer 2

Answer:

Explanation:

-->1 Power is shared among different

organs of government, such as the

legislature, executive and judiciary. Let

us call this 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. This

results in a balance of power among

various institutions. Last year we studied

that in a democracy, even though

ministers and government officials

exercise power, they are responsible to

the Parliament or State Assemblies.

Similarly, although judges are appointed

by the executive, they can check the

functioning of executive or laws made

by the legislatures. This arrangement is

called a system of checks and balances.

2 Power can be shared among

governments at different levels – a

general government for the entire

country and governments at the

provincial or regional level. Such a

general government for the entire

country is usually called federal

government. In India, we refer to it

as the Central or Union Government.

The governments at the provincial or

regional level are called by different

names in different countries.

-->3 Power may also 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 and administration. Last

year we studied the system of ‘reserved

constituencies’ in assemblies and the

parliament of our country. This type

of arrangement 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.

-->4 Power sharing arrangements can

also be seen in the way political

parties, pressure groups and

movements control or influence those

in power. In a democracy, the citizens

must have freedom to choose among

various contenders for power. In

contemporary democracies this takes

the form of competition among

different parties. Such competition

ensures that power does not remain in

one hand.