Why the power sharing is desirable in India

Chapter : 1. Power Sharing

Why power sharing is desirable
Comparison : In Belgium leaders realised that by a mutual arrangement for sharing power unity in the country was possible. In Sri Lanka the majority community wanted to dominate & refused to share power. This hindered the unity of the country.

Power sharing is good because :

1. It helps to reduce the conflict between social groups. 2. It is a good way to ensure the stability of political order. 3. It is good for democracy. It is the spirit of democracy because people have the right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.

4. The first point is called prudential because it states that power sharing will bring out better outcomes.


5. Moral reasons emphasises the very act of power sharing as valuable.


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    Power sharing is a conflict resolution practice in which multiple groups share political, military, or economic power with each other according to agreed rules. It can refer to any formal framework or informal treaty governing the distribution of power among divided communities. Since the end of the Cold War, power-sharing systems have become increasingly popular in negotiating the settlement of armed conflicts.Two common theoretical approaches to power-sharing are dissociation and centripetal theory.

    Dimensions of Power Sharing 

    Essentially, power-sharing agreements have provisions that involve at least one of the following: Political, economic, military, or territorial control. The sharing of political power includes the rules governing the distribution of political tasks and the exercise of decision-making power. Power can be shared by ensuring simultaneous inclusion of all major parties in the governing cabinet through rules on forming a major coalition. share through political equivalence, allowing minorities to remain competitive and gain some political power through democratic elections. Ratios also indicate the sharing of economic power, since the allocation of public resources can be set according to the size of communities. In neonatal systems, the political function can also be closely linked to economic opportunity, meaning that the equitable distribution of political power overlaps with economic power sharing.

    Power-sharing theories make empirical and normative claims about the usefulness or desirability of power-sharing systems for managing conflict in divided societies. Two prominent theories of power-sharing, which make competing claims, are associative and centripetal. Empirically, each theory prescribes different power-sharing systems, such as dissociative versus afferent alternative voting.

    Form of power sharing 

    It is assumed that all power of a government must lie with one person or group of people in one place. Otherwise, it will be difficult to make quick decisions and earn their respect. But these notions changed with the emergence of democracy. In a democracy, the people govern themselves through institutions of autonomous government. Everyone has a say in the formulation of public policies. Therefore, in a democratic country, political power should be distributed among the citizens. 

    In modern democracies, power sharing can take many forms, as shown below: 

    1. Power is shared among different branches of government, such as agencies. This is called horizontal distribution of power because it allows different branches of government at the same level to exercise different powers. Such separation ensures that neither body can use infinite power. Each organ controls the other organs. This arrangement is known as the check and balance system. 
    2. Power can be shared between governments at different levels – a common government for the whole country and governments at the provincial or regional level. 

    Why is Power Sharing Desirable 

    1. Power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of the political order because social conflicts often lead to violence and political instability. 
    2. Imposing the will of the majority community on others may seem an attractive option in the short term, but in the long run, it undermines national unity. 
    3. The tyranny of the majority not only oppresses the few but also brings destruction to the majority.
    4. Citizens have the right to be consulted on how they should be managed.
    5. The democratic rule implies sharing power with those affected by its implementation and those who must live with its influence.    
    6. Legitimate government is one in which citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Question 1: Write the types of power sharing. 

    Answer:

    Sharing of power in different departments of government.  The sharing of power among governments at different levels.  The sharing of power among social groups.  Power sharing among influential groups.

    Question 2: What do you mean by vertical power-sharing?

    Answer:  

    In this vertical division, local government will operate under  union or  state government and  state government will operate under  union government. Power is shared between levels of government.

    Question 3: What does horizontal power sharing mean?

    Answer:

    The even distribution of power between different governing bodies is called horizontal power sharing. The horizontal division of power puts all government agencies, legislative, executive and judicial, at one level.

    Power-sharing arrangements typically include clauses involving at least one of the following: Political, economic, military, or geographic authority. The norms governing the allocation of political responsibilities and decision-making authority are all part of sharing political power. Power can be shared by enforcing simultaneous inclusion of all major parties in the executive branch by regulations on significant coalition formation.

    Various governmental branches, including agencies, share power. Because it permits several government departments to wield various functions while remaining at the same level, this is known as a horizontal distribution of power. At several levels, governments can share power. Given that social tensions frequently result in violence and political instability, power sharing is a valuable strategy to ensure the stability of the political order.

    Related Questions:-

    Why power sharing is desirable? Explain the four types of power sharing?

    Power sharing is desirable in democracy because:
    (i) Prudential reasons: (a) It helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and political instability. (b) It is a good way to ensure the stability of political order. (c) Imposing the will of majority, community over others may look like an attractive option in the short run, but in the long run it undermines the unity of the nation.

    (ii) Moral reasons:

    (a) Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise and who have to live with its effect. (b) People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed. (c) A legitimate government is one where citizens through participation, acquire a stake in the system. In modern democracies, power sharing can take the following forms:

    1. Organs of Government: In democracy, power shared among Legislature, Executive and Juduciary.This is known as distribution of power, it allows different organs of government placed at the same level to excercise different powers. No organ can excercise unlimited power as each organ checks the others.


    2. Governments at different levels: In federal form of government, power is shared between the central and state governments. In India there is another lower level of government -local self government.This is called vertical division of government.

    3. Social Groups:


     Power may also be shared among different social groups such as religious and linguistic groups. In iIndia there are constitutional and legal arrangements whereby socially weaker sections and women are represented in the legislatures and administration.