Why is power sharing good for democracies

Why power sharing is good for democracies

Posted by Mayank Sharma 3 years, 9 months ago

Power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups .Scenes social conflict often leads to Violence and political instability .Power sharing is a goodway to ensure the stability of political order.In a democracy ,the citizens must have freedom to choose among various contenders for power.In contemporary democracies ,this takes the form of compettition among various parties.Such compettition ensures that power does not remain in one hand.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 coalation government and thus share power.

Power-sharing is a vital ingredient of any constitution. Power-sharing makes sure that there is an optimum balance between different sections of society. Each and every state should have some form of power-sharing. The chances of controversies and opportunity to every citizen increases. Power-sharing has its own value in democracy. This ensures the stability of political order.

Why power sharing is desirable?

Power-sharing is desirable due to the following reasons

It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict and clashes between social groups.
Secondly, a democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise, and who have to live with its effects.
People will have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed and can change the power in the next upcoming years.

Forms of power-sharing

There are different forms of power-sharing in modern democracies which are listed below

Horizontal distribution of power – Power is shared among different organs of government, such as the legislature, executive and judiciary. Example – India This distribution ensures that none of the organs can exercise and utilise unlimited power. Each and every organ keeps an eye on the others. This system of arrangement is called a system of checks and balances.
The federal division of power – Power can be shared among governments at different levels. A general central government for the entire country and governments at the provincial or state and regional level. Example – India Union Government that is central government & State Government.
Community government – Power can also be shared among different socially active groups such as the religious and linguistic groups. Example – Belgium
Power-sharing between political parties, pressure groups and movements – This kind of power-sharing competition ensures that power does not remain in one single hand. For a longer duration, power is shared among different political parties that represent different ideologies and social groups.

Check out the video for more information on power-sharing