Power Sharing

  • Question 1
    CBSEENSS10017083

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

    Solution

    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 

    Question 2
    CBSEENSS10017084

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

    Solution

    (i) Prudential reason: Power sharing helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. For example in India, Hindi has not been imposed on the southern states. 

    (ii) Moral reason: Power sharing is the very soul of democracy. People have right to be consulted on how they are to be governed. In India, reservation of seats for SCs and STs in state assemblies and parliament is an example of moral reason.

    Question 3
    CBSEENSS10017085

    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.
     

    Solution
    I agree with the conclusion of Ouseph as every society needs some form of power sharing even if it is small or does not have social divisions. Power sharing leads to efficiency. Democracy itself stands for people of the goverment, if people are consulted in the decision making process then it instills a sense of participation in them. In power sharing system we tend to have lesser conflicts in terms of law and order with the goverment.
    Question 4
    CBSEENSS10017086

    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.

    Solution
    It is contrary to the spirit of Belgium's power sharing arrangement as this proposes the tyranny of the mojority. This also imposes the will of the majority on the minority as the mayor has asked for the integration of French with the Dutch. It also prevents the French from having separate linguistic identity.

    Sponsor Area

    Mock Test Series

    Sponsor Area

    NCERT Book Store

    NCERT Sample Papers

    Entrance Exams Preparation