Class 10 NCERT Solutions Civics Chapter 1: Power Sharing

As there are diverse groups in democratic countries, the principle of power sharing assumes utmost significance. Following are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies:

1. Power sharing in different forms of government: As there are three main branches of government in democratic countries, power is shared among the legislature, executive and judiciary. As a result of power sharing, none of the organs become too powerful as one branch of the government keeps a check on the other. For example, in India, once appointed, the judges cannot be removed from their office until and unless a motion to this effect is passed by two-third members of both the houses of the Parliament in India.
2. Power sharing among various levels of governments: In various countries like India and USA, the power is shared between the state government and central government. The central government looks after the development of nation as a whole, while the state governments shoulder the responsibility of developing their own states. For example, while the central government looks after the finances of the entire country, the state government takes care of the finances of their own states.
3. Power sharing among different social groups: In some countries, power is shared among different social or religious groups. For example, in India, reservations are made for the socially weaker sections of society in legislatures and bureaucracy.
4. Power sharing among various pressure groups and political parties: In democratic countries, one political party remains in power for a fixed period of time. Sometimes, in a coalition government, different political parties share power and ensure the interests of every section of the society. Various pressure groups including trade unions and farmers may also share power by influencing decisions made by the government through movements or protests. For example, farmers are consulted before making new land and labour laws.

Prudent reason: One prudent or practical example of power sharing is the division of power into the three branches of the government. The legislature makes law, the executive implements the laws and the judiciary enforces the laws. This method of power sharing ensures that no branch of government becomes too powerful.

Moral Reason: Power sharing helps in maintaining the spirit of democratic structure of the country. When labourers are consulted before framing any labour laws, it adds to the democratic spirit of the country.

I agree with the view expressed by Ouseph.

Power sharing is the heart and soul of democracy. Any country whether big or small has diverse social, ethnic and religious groups. It is important to follow the principal of power sharing as this will minimise any kind of political, ethnic and social conflicts. This will also put a check on the power and authority of majority group and communities. This will lead to the establishment of peace and intellectual awakening of the society.

The measure taken by the Mayor of Merchtem in banning speaking of French language in the town's school is not in keeping with the spirit of Belgium's power sharing arrangements. It is because Brussels has a separate government where the French and Dutch speaking communities have equal representation and stake in the Central government. The banning of speaking in French will disturb the principle of power sharing and may lead to clashes between both the groups.

In the passage, sharing of power at the local level is a prudential reason. The sharing of power at the local level in the form of the Panchayati Raj depicts the true sense of the democratic spirit of the country. It is only when people themselves participate in maintaining the administration of the country, corruption will be eradicated to a large extent.

(a) ABDF

(d) B, C and D

(c) BDAC

B. Both A and B are true