The document discusses power sharing in Indian democracy. It explains that power sharing is essential to democracy as it allows communities and social groups to have a say in governance. In India, power is shared through various mechanisms - horizontally among different branches of government, vertically between federal, state and local governments, through representation of communities in government, and by forming coalition governments among political parties. Power sharing helps reduce conflicts, avoids majority tyranny, and respects the spirit of democracy.

1. Power Sharing In
India
By :-
Himashu Gusain
X-’C
5

2. Power Sharing
• 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 effects.
• All communities, social groups get their
say in the governance.

3. Power Sharing in India
• People of India elect their representative
through direct franchise.
• After that, people’s representatives elect the
government to make or amend rules &
regulations and to carry out day to day
functioning of governance.

4. Power Sharing in India
• In a democracy, through institutions of self-
governance, people rule themselves.
• In a good democratic government, everyone
has a voice in the shaping of public policies.
• In a democracy, political power should be
distributed among as many citizens as
possible.

5. Need Of Power Sharing
• Power sharing helps in reducing the conflict
between various social groups. Hence,
power sharing is necessary for maintaining
social harmony and peace.
• Power sharing helps in avoiding the
tyranny of majority. The tyranny of
majority not only destroys the minority
social groups but also the majority social
group.

6. Need Of Power Sharing
• People’s voice forms the basis of a
democratic government. Hence, power
sharing is essential to respect the spirit of
democracy.
• Avoiding conflict in society and preventing
majority tyranny are considered as
prudential reasons for power sharing.
Maintaining the spirit of democracy is
considered as the moral reason for power
sharing.

7. Forms Of Power Sharing In
India
1. Horizontal distribution of power
• Power is shared among different organs of
government, such as the legislature,
executive and judiciary. This is called
horizontal distribution of power.
• It allows different organs of government
placed at the same level to exercise different
powers.

8. Horizontal distribution of power
• This ensures that no organ exercises
unlimited powers.
• Each organ is checked by the other, which
results in a balance of power among various
institutions. This arrangement is also called
a system of checks and balances.

9. Horizontal distribution of power
• The executive enjoys official power but is
answerable to the legislature.
• The legislature has the right to make or
amend laws but it is answerable to the
people.
• The judiciary is independent and ensures
that the law of the land is obeyed by
legislature and executive.

11. Horizontal Distribution Of
Power
Indian
Government
Legislature Executive Judiciary

12. 2. Federal Government
• Power can be shared among governments at
different levels. This is called Vertical
Distribution of Power.
• A general government like this is usually
called federal government. In India, it is
referred to as the Central or Union
Government.

13. Federal Government
• In India the governments at the provincial
or regional level are called State
Government.
• The same principle can be extended to
levels of government lower than the State
government, such at the Municipality and
Panchayat.

14. Vertical Distribution Of Power
Municipality/Panchayat
State Government
Union/Central Government

15. 3. Community Government
• Different social groups, such as the
religious and linguistic groups may also
share power.
• In a diverse country; like India; there are
various social, linguistic and caste groups
and power is shared among each group.

16. Community Government
• This type of arrangement is meant to give
space in the government and administration
to diverse social groups who otherwise
would feel alienated from the government.
• For example: People from the minority
communities, OBCs, and SC & ST are
given reservation so that there could be
adequate representation for them in the
government machinery.

17. 4. Coalition Government
• Power sharing among various political
parties is more apparent for most of the
people. Usually the largest political party or
the largest political coalition becomes the
ruling party. The other parties form the
opposition.
• While opposition is not in power, it is
responsible for seeing to it that the ruling
party functions as per the wishes of the
people.

18. Coalition Government
• Pressure groups also get their share in
power. For example; the trade unions,
ASSOCHAM, students’ union, etc. get
some power by certain mechanisms.
• Representatives of these associations
become part of many decision making
bodies and thus enjoy their share of power.

19. Thank You
