Power Sharing: A Democratic Ideal

Power Sharing: A Democratic Ideal

• Power sharing is beneficial for democracies by reducing conflict between different social and political groups.
• Power sharing is a reflection of the very spirit of democracy, as it involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise, and who have to live with its effects.
• Tyranny of the majority can be oppressive for minorities and can ultimately cause harm to the majority as well.
• Prudential decisions for politics involve a careful calculation of gains and losses.
• Power sharing can be implemented through various means, including sharing power among different levels of government, as seen in federal systems, or among different social groups, as in Belgium.
• Power sharing can also occur through a system of political parties, pressure groups, and social movements.
• In many contemporary democracies, power sharing arises from competition among different political parties, ensuring that power does not remain concentrated in one hand.
• Coalition governments are formed when two or more parties form an alliance to contest elections and share power.
• Interest groups, such as those of traders, businessmen, industrialists, farmers, and industrial workers can also influence and share power in a democracy.
• The text highlights the case of Lebanon, where a power-sharing arrangement distributes key political positions among different religious communities.
• Khalil, a character in the story, opposes this arrangement and argues for a system based on majority rule, similar to other “normal” democracies.
• His elders highlight the importance of this system in maintaining peace after a civil war.

Federalism and Power Sharing

• Power sharing can be implemented to accommodate diverse communities and social groups, such as minority communities.
• In a federal system, power is divided between the central government and the regional or provincial governments.
• India is an example of a country with a federal system, where the Central or Union Government and State Governments share power.
• In some countries, there are no provincial or state governments, but the principle of federal division of power can still be applied to lower levels of government, such as municipalities and panchayats.

Example: Power Sharing in Belgium

• Belgium has a unique system of power sharing based on language and communities, where the community government empowers different religious and linguistic groups.
• The situation in Sri Lanka contrasts with Belgium, where a similar system of power sharing was proposed but rejected.

Power Sharing in India

• The text highlights the importance of power sharing in ensuring peace and stability in a diverse society.
• In India, power sharing is implemented through both federal and social means, such as the representation of weaker sections and women in legislatures and administration.
• The text uses a fictional story about a man named Khalil in Lebanon to illustrate the complexities and benefits of power sharing in diverse societies.
• The fictional story also explores different perspectives on power sharing and the need for a delicate balance between majority rule and representation of minority groups.

This quiz explores the concept of power sharing in democracies, emphasizing its significance in reducing conflicts among diverse social and political groups. It discusses how power sharing reflects the democratic spirit and examines its practical implementation in various political systems, such as federalism and party competition. Test your understanding of this crucial aspect of democratic governance.