Power Sharing 2
1. Why is Power sharing desirable?
1. Prudential Reasons: ( based on calculation of gain & loss)
It reduces conflict between two social groups
It prevents physical violence due to social conflicts
Power sharing creates political stability
Majoritarianism destroys the unity of the country
Majoritarianism is oppressive to the minority & eventually ruins the majority as well
Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy
2. Moral Reasons:
In a democracy, people are consulted on how they are governed
The citizens or their elected representatives participates in the running of the government
Prudential reasons stress that power sharing will bring better outcomes
Moral reasons point out that the very act of power sharing is valuable
3. Forms of Power Sharing
1. Power is shared between different organs of the government such as judiciary, executive & legislature
2. Disadvantage
If power is shared, It would be difficult to make quick decisions
Respect is given to diverse groups
Hence this power sharing is called horizontal distribution of power
J, E & L exercise different powers but are placed at the same level
None of the organs have unlimited power
Each organ checks the other organs and hence it is called a system of checks & balances
Eg1 : Even though ministers have power, they are answerable to the Parliament & State assemblies (L checks on E)
Eg 2: Judges are appointed by the Executive. But they can check on the functioning of the executive or the laws passed by the legislatures (J checks E & L)
2. Power is shared among governments at different levels - Vertical Division of Power
There is a general government for the entire country usually called the **Federal Government **& Regional (Provincial) governments
The constitution clearly states the powers of the different levels of the government
In India, the government for the entire country is called Central or Union Government and the regional governments are called State Governments
This is called Federal Division of Power
4. Forms of Power Sharing..
Eg: This kind of division of power was allowed in Belgium but denied in Sri Lanka
Below the state government, you can have levels of governments such as Municipality & Panchayat
3. Power is shared among different social groups such as religious & linguistic groups
Eg 1: Community government in Belgium (explain)
Eg 2: In India, reserved constituencies ensure that socially weaker sections & women are represented in the government
5. Forms of Power Sharing..
Power is shared among different political parties, pressure groups & movements
In a democracy there is competition among different political parties
Such competition ensures that power does not remain in one hand
Sometimes different political parties that represent different ideologies & social groups form an alliance to contest elections
If the alliance is elected, they form a coalition government and share power
In a democracy there are interest groups such as traders, businessmen, farmers, industrial workers
They also share governmental power either by participating in government committees or influencing decisions
This gives the minority communities a fair share in power