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

Different Forms of Power Sharing in Modern Democracies: These are : (i) Power sharing as existed in different organs of government, (ii) Power sharing seen at different levels of government, (iii) Power sharing seen at different social groups, (iv) The so-called power sharing among different political parties, pressure groups and movements viz.

I. Power Sharing in Governance:

(i) Legislature

(ii) Executive

(iii) Judiciary

II. Power sharing among governments at different levels:

(a) Centre (b) State (c) Local self

III. Power-sharing among different social groups: Linguistic and Religious groups, e.g., Community Government in Belgium.

IV. Power sharing among political parties, pressure groups and movements:

(a) Political Parties

(b) Pressure Groups

(c) Movements

2222 Views

Read the following passage and pick out any one of the prudential reasons for power sharing offered in this.
“We need to give more power to the Panchayats to realise the dream of Mahatma Gandhi and the hopes of the makers of our Constitution. Panchayati Raj establishes true democracy. It restores power to the only place where power belongs in a democracy - in the hands of the people. Giving power to Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency. When people participate in the planning and implementation of developmental schemes, they would naturally exercise greater control over these schemes. This would eliminate the corrupt middlemen. Thus Panchayati Raj will strengthen the foundations of our democracy.”

After reading this chapter, three students drew different conclusions. Which one of these do you agree with and why ? Give your reasons in about 50 words.
Thomman - Power sharing is necessary only in societies which have religious, linguistic or ethnic divisions.
Mathayi - Power sharing is suitable only for big countries that have regional divisions.
Ouseph - Every society needs some form of power sharing even if it is small or does not have social divisions.

State one prudential reason and one moral reason for power sharing with an example from the Indian context.

The mayor of Merchtem, a town near Brussels in Belgium, has defended a ban on speaking French in the town's schools. He said that the ban would help all non-Dutch speakers integrate in this Flemish town. Do you think that this measure is in keeping with the spirit of Belgium’s power sharing arrangements ? Give your reasons in about 50 words.