How has federal division of power in India helped national unity?

Why power sharing is desirable :
(i)    Power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and political instablitiy, power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order. This is called prudentral power sharing.
(ii)    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.
(iii)    Tyranny of the majority is not just oppressive for the minority; it often brings ruin to the majority as well.
(iv)    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. This is called moral power sharing.
(v)    People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.
(vi)    A legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.
(vii)    Prudential reasons: It stress that power sharing will bring out better outcomes.
(viii)    Moral reason: emphasises the very act of power sharing as valuable.

Illustration 4
    (i)    What happens if powersharing in a country, is not proper?
    (ii)    How imposing will of majority undermines national unity
    (iii)    Why power sharing is called the ‘Spirit of Democracy’?
Solution
(i)    It leads to social conflicts, Voilence and Political instability.
(ii)    In long run minority community starts opposing the present system which leads to social clashes and disputes which hampers national unity.
(iii)    Because power sharing ensures the proper representation of all the social groups and communities providing a better partiapation of the people.

Try yourself :
11.    What can be the best example of prudential reason of power sharing?
12.    Decentralisation of power in India is an examples of which kind of reason of Power Sharing?
13.    “Giving Power of Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency” Which reason of power sharing has been shown in the above statement.

forms of power sharing :
(i)    One basic principle of democracy is that people are the source of all political power. In a democracy, people rule themselves through institutions of self-governance. 
(ii)    In a good democratic government, due respect is given to diverse groups and views that exist in a society. Everyone has a voice in the shaping of public policies.
(iii)    Therefore, it follows that in a democracy political power should be distributed among as many citizens as possible.

    This is called horizontal distribution of power because it allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers.
    Even though ministers and government officials exercise power, they are responsible to the Parliament or State Assemblies.
    Similarly, although judges are appointed by the executive, they can check the functioning of executive or laws made by the legislatures.
    This arrangement is called a system of checks and balances.
    Shared among governments at different levels :
    Federal Government ® State Government ® Local Self Government
    A general government for the entire country called federal government and governments at the provincial or regional level. We call them State Governments.
    This is called federal division of power. 
    The same principle can be extended to levels of government lower than the State government, such as the municipality and panchayat called local self government.
    Shared among different social groups
    Such as the religious and linguistic groups. ‘Community government’ in Belgium is a good example of this arrangement.
    For example : The system of ‘reserved constituencies’ in assemblies and the parliament of our country. Meant to give space in the government and administration to diverse social groups who otherwise would feel alienated from the governement.
    Power sharing by political parties, pressure groups and movements :
    The citizens must have freedom to choose among various contenders for power. Such competition ensure 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 coalition government and thus share power.
    In a democracy, we find interest groups such as those of traders, businessmen, industrialists, formers and industrial workers. They also will have a share in government power, either through participation in governmental committees or bringing influence on the decision making process.

Why power sharing is desirable :
(i)    Power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and political instablitiy, power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order. This is called prudentral power sharing.
(ii)    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.
(iii)    Tyranny of the majority is not just oppressive for the minority; it often brings ruin to the majority as well.
(iv)    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. This is called moral power sharing.
(v)    People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.
(vi)    A legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.
(vii)    Prudential reasons: It stress that power sharing will bring out better outcomes.
(viii)    Moral reason: emphasises the very act of power sharing as valuable.

Illustration 4
    (i)    What happens if powersharing in a country, is not proper?
    (ii)    How imposing will of majority undermines national unity
    (iii)    Why power sharing is called the ‘Spirit of Democracy’?
Solution
(i)    It leads to social conflicts, Voilence and Political instability.
(ii)    In long run minority community starts opposing the present system which leads to social clashes and disputes which hampers national unity.
(iii)    Because power sharing ensures the proper representation of all the social groups and communities providing a better partiapation of the people.

Try yourself :
11.    What can be the best example of prudential reason of power sharing?
12.    Decentralisation of power in India is an examples of which kind of reason of Power Sharing?
13.    “Giving Power of Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency” Which reason of power sharing has been shown in the above statement.

forms of power sharing :
(i)    One basic principle of democracy is that people are the source of all political power. In a democracy, people rule themselves through institutions of self-governance. 
(ii)    In a good democratic government, due respect is given to diverse groups and views that exist in a society. Everyone has a voice in the shaping of public policies.
(iii)    Therefore, it follows that in a democracy political power should be distributed among as many citizens as possible.

    This is called horizontal distribution of power because it allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers.
    Even though ministers and government officials exercise power, they are responsible to the Parliament or State Assemblies.
    Similarly, although judges are appointed by the executive, they can check the functioning of executive or laws made by the legislatures.
    This arrangement is called a system of checks and balances.
    Shared among governments at different levels :
    Federal Government ® State Government ® Local Self Government
    A general government for the entire country called federal government and governments at the provincial or regional level. We call them State Governments.
    This is called federal division of power. 
    The same principle can be extended to levels of government lower than the State government, such as the municipality and panchayat called local self government.
    Shared among different social groups
    Such as the religious and linguistic groups. ‘Community government’ in Belgium is a good example of this arrangement.
    For example : The system of ‘reserved constituencies’ in assemblies and the parliament of our country. Meant to give space in the government and administration to diverse social groups who otherwise would feel alienated from the governement.
    Power sharing by political parties, pressure groups and movements :
    The citizens must have freedom to choose among various contenders for power. Such competition ensure 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 coalition government and thus share power.
    In a democracy, we find interest groups such as those of traders, businessmen, industrialists, formers and industrial workers. They also will have a share in government power, either through participation in governmental committees or bringing influence on the decision making process.

Why power sharing is desirable :
(i)    Power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and political instablitiy, power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order. This is called prudentral power sharing.
(ii)    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.
(iii)    Tyranny of the majority is not just oppressive for the minority; it often brings ruin to the majority as well.
(iv)    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. This is called moral power sharing.
(v)    People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.
(vi)    A legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.
(vii)    Prudential reasons: It stress that power sharing will bring out better outcomes.
(viii)    Moral reason: emphasises the very act of power sharing as valuable.

Illustration 4
    (i)    What happens if powersharing in a country, is not proper?
    (ii)    How imposing will of majority undermines national unity
    (iii)    Why power sharing is called the ‘Spirit of Democracy’?
Solution
(i)    It leads to social conflicts, Voilence and Political instability.
(ii)    In long run minority community starts opposing the present system which leads to social clashes and disputes which hampers national unity.
(iii)    Because power sharing ensures the proper representation of all the social groups and communities providing a better partiapation of the people.

Try yourself :
11.    What can be the best example of prudential reason of power sharing?
12.    Decentralisation of power in India is an examples of which kind of reason of Power Sharing?
13.    “Giving Power of Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency” Which reason of power sharing has been shown in the above statement.

forms of power sharing :
(i)    One basic principle of democracy is that people are the source of all political power. In a democracy, people rule themselves through institutions of self-governance. 
(ii)    In a good democratic government, due respect is given to diverse groups and views that exist in a society. Everyone has a voice in the shaping of public policies.
(iii)    Therefore, it follows that in a democracy political power should be distributed among as many citizens as possible.

    This is called horizontal distribution of power because it allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers.
    Even though ministers and government officials exercise power, they are responsible to the Parliament or State Assemblies.
    Similarly, although judges are appointed by the executive, they can check the functioning of executive or laws made by the legislatures.
    This arrangement is called a system of checks and balances.
    Shared among governments at different levels :
    Federal Government ® State Government ® Local Self Government
    A general government for the entire country called federal government and governments at the provincial or regional level. We call them State Governments.
    This is called federal division of power. 
    The same principle can be extended to levels of government lower than the State government, such as the municipality and panchayat called local self government.
    Shared among different social groups
    Such as the religious and linguistic groups. ‘Community government’ in Belgium is a good example of this arrangement.
    For example : The system of ‘reserved constituencies’ in assemblies and the parliament of our country. Meant to give space in the government and administration to diverse social groups who otherwise would feel alienated from the governement.
    Power sharing by political parties, pressure groups and movements :
    The citizens must have freedom to choose among various contenders for power. Such competition ensure 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 coalition government and thus share power.
    In a democracy, we find interest groups such as those of traders, businessmen, industrialists, formers and industrial workers. They also will have a share in government power, either through participation in governmental committees or bringing influence on the decision making process.

Why power sharing is desirable :
(i)    Power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and political instablitiy, power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order. This is called prudentral power sharing.
(ii)    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.
(iii)    Tyranny of the majority is not just oppressive for the minority; it often brings ruin to the majority as well.
(iv)    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. This is called moral power sharing.
(v)    People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.
(vi)    A legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.
(vii)    Prudential reasons: It stress that power sharing will bring out better outcomes.
(viii)    Moral reason: emphasises the very act of power sharing as valuable.

Illustration 4
    (i)    What happens if powersharing in a country, is not proper?
    (ii)    How imposing will of majority undermines national unity
    (iii)    Why power sharing is called the ‘Spirit of Democracy’?
Solution
(i)    It leads to social conflicts, Voilence and Political instability.
(ii)    In long run minority community starts opposing the present system which leads to social clashes and disputes which hampers national unity.
(iii)    Because power sharing ensures the proper representation of all the social groups and communities providing a better partiapation of the people.

Try yourself :
11.    What can be the best example of prudential reason of power sharing?
12.    Decentralisation of power in India is an examples of which kind of reason of Power Sharing?
13.    “Giving Power of Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency” Which reason of power sharing has been shown in the above statement.

forms of power sharing :
(i)    One basic principle of democracy is that people are the source of all political power. In a democracy, people rule themselves through institutions of self-governance. 
(ii)    In a good democratic government, due respect is given to diverse groups and views that exist in a society. Everyone has a voice in the shaping of public policies.
(iii)    Therefore, it follows that in a democracy political power should be distributed among as many citizens as possible.

    This is called horizontal distribution of power because it allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers.
    Even though ministers and government officials exercise power, they are responsible to the Parliament or State Assemblies.
    Similarly, although judges are appointed by the executive, they can check the functioning of executive or laws made by the legislatures.
    This arrangement is called a system of checks and balances.
    Shared among governments at different levels :
    Federal Government ® State Government ® Local Self Government
    A general government for the entire country called federal government and governments at the provincial or regional level. We call them State Governments.
    This is called federal division of power. 
    The same principle can be extended to levels of government lower than the State government, such as the municipality and panchayat called local self government.
    Shared among different social groups
    Such as the religious and linguistic groups. ‘Community government’ in Belgium is a good example of this arrangement.
    For example : The system of ‘reserved constituencies’ in assemblies and the parliament of our country. Meant to give space in the government and administration to diverse social groups who otherwise would feel alienated from the governement.
    Power sharing by political parties, pressure groups and movements :
    The citizens must have freedom to choose among various contenders for power. Such competition ensure 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 coalition government and thus share power.
    In a democracy, we find interest groups such as those of traders, businessmen, industrialists, formers and industrial workers. They also will have a share in government power, either through participation in governmental committees or bringing influence on the decision making process.

Why power sharing is desirable :
(i)    Power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and political instablitiy, power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order. This is called prudentral power sharing.
(ii)    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.
(iii)    Tyranny of the majority is not just oppressive for the minority; it often brings ruin to the majority as well.
(iv)    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. This is called moral power sharing.
(v)    People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.
(vi)    A legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.
(vii)    Prudential reasons: It stress that power sharing will bring out better outcomes.
(viii)    Moral reason: emphasises the very act of power sharing as valuable.

Illustration 4
    (i)    What happens if powersharing in a country, is not proper?
    (ii)    How imposing will of majority undermines national unity
    (iii)    Why power sharing is called the ‘Spirit of Democracy’?
Solution
(i)    It leads to social conflicts, Voilence and Political instability.
(ii)    In long run minority community starts opposing the present system which leads to social clashes and disputes which hampers national unity.
(iii)    Because power sharing ensures the proper representation of all the social groups and communities providing a better partiapation of the people.

Try yourself :
11.    What can be the best example of prudential reason of power sharing?
12.    Decentralisation of power in India is an examples of which kind of reason of Power Sharing?
13.    “Giving Power of Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency” Which reason of power sharing has been shown in the above statement.

forms of power sharing :
(i)    One basic principle of democracy is that people are the source of all political power. In a democracy, people rule themselves through institutions of self-governance. 
(ii)    In a good democratic government, due respect is given to diverse groups and views that exist in a society. Everyone has a voice in the shaping of public policies.
(iii)    Therefore, it follows that in a democracy political power should be distributed among as many citizens as possible.

    This is called horizontal distribution of power because it allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers.
    Even though ministers and government officials exercise power, they are responsible to the Parliament or State Assemblies.
    Similarly, although judges are appointed by the executive, they can check the functioning of executive or laws made by the legislatures.
    This arrangement is called a system of checks and balances.
    Shared among governments at different levels :
    Federal Government ® State Government ® Local Self Government
    A general government for the entire country called federal government and governments at the provincial or regional level. We call them State Governments.
    This is called federal division of power. 
    The same principle can be extended to levels of government lower than the State government, such as the municipality and panchayat called local self government.
    Shared among different social groups
    Such as the religious and linguistic groups. ‘Community government’ in Belgium is a good example of this arrangement.
    For example : The system of ‘reserved constituencies’ in assemblies and the parliament of our country. Meant to give space in the government and administration to diverse social groups who otherwise would feel alienated from the governement.
    Power sharing by political parties, pressure groups and movements :
    The citizens must have freedom to choose among various contenders for power. Such competition ensure 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 coalition government and thus share power.
    In a democracy, we find interest groups such as those of traders, businessmen, industrialists, formers and industrial workers. They also will have a share in government power, either through participation in governmental committees or bringing influence on the decision making process.

Why power sharing is desirable :
(i)    Power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and political instablitiy, power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order. This is called prudentral power sharing.
(ii)    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.
(iii)    Tyranny of the majority is not just oppressive for the minority; it often brings ruin to the majority as well.
(iv)    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. This is called moral power sharing.
(v)    People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.
(vi)    A legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.
(vii)    Prudential reasons: It stress that power sharing will bring out better outcomes.
(viii)    Moral reason: emphasises the very act of power sharing as valuable.

Illustration 4
    (i)    What happens if powersharing in a country, is not proper?
    (ii)    How imposing will of majority undermines national unity
    (iii)    Why power sharing is called the ‘Spirit of Democracy’?
Solution
(i)    It leads to social conflicts, Voilence and Political instability.
(ii)    In long run minority community starts opposing the present system which leads to social clashes and disputes which hampers national unity.
(iii)    Because power sharing ensures the proper representation of all the social groups and communities providing a better partiapation of the people.

Try yourself :
11.    What can be the best example of prudential reason of power sharing?
12.    Decentralisation of power in India is an examples of which kind of reason of Power Sharing?
13.    “Giving Power of Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency” Which reason of power sharing has been shown in the above statement.

forms of power sharing :
(i)    One basic principle of democracy is that people are the source of all political power. In a democracy, people rule themselves through institutions of self-governance. 
(ii)    In a good democratic government, due respect is given to diverse groups and views that exist in a society. Everyone has a voice in the shaping of public policies.
(iii)    Therefore, it follows that in a democracy political power should be distributed among as many citizens as possible.

    This is called horizontal distribution of power because it allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers.
    Even though ministers and government officials exercise power, they are responsible to the Parliament or State Assemblies.
    Similarly, although judges are appointed by the executive, they can check the functioning of executive or laws made by the legislatures.
    This arrangement is called a system of checks and balances.
    Shared among governments at different levels :
    Federal Government ® State Government ® Local Self Government
    A general government for the entire country called federal government and governments at the provincial or regional level. We call them State Governments.
    This is called federal division of power. 
    The same principle can be extended to levels of government lower than the State government, such as the municipality and panchayat called local self government.
    Shared among different social groups
    Such as the religious and linguistic groups. ‘Community government’ in Belgium is a good example of this arrangement.
    For example : The system of ‘reserved constituencies’ in assemblies and the parliament of our country. Meant to give space in the government and administration to diverse social groups who otherwise would feel alienated from the governement.
    Power sharing by political parties, pressure groups and movements :
    The citizens must have freedom to choose among various contenders for power. Such competition ensure 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 coalition government and thus share power.
    In a democracy, we find interest groups such as those of traders, businessmen, industrialists, formers and industrial workers. They also will have a share in government power, either through participation in governmental committees or bringing influence on the decision making process.

Why power sharing is desirable :
(i)    Power sharing is good because it helps to reduce the possibility of conflict between social groups. Since social conflict often leads to violence and political instablitiy, power sharing is a good way to ensure the stability of political order. This is called prudentral power sharing.
(ii)    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.
(iii)    Tyranny of the majority is not just oppressive for the minority; it often brings ruin to the majority as well.
(iv)    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. This is called moral power sharing.
(v)    People have a right to be consulted on how they are to be governed.
(vi)    A legitimate government is one where citizens, through participation, acquire a stake in the system.
(vii)    Prudential reasons: It stress that power sharing will bring out better outcomes.
(viii)    Moral reason: emphasises the very act of power sharing as valuable.

Illustration 4
    (i)    What happens if powersharing in a country, is not proper?
    (ii)    How imposing will of majority undermines national unity
    (iii)    Why power sharing is called the ‘Spirit of Democracy’?
Solution
(i)    It leads to social conflicts, Voilence and Political instability.
(ii)    In long run minority community starts opposing the present system which leads to social clashes and disputes which hampers national unity.
(iii)    Because power sharing ensures the proper representation of all the social groups and communities providing a better partiapation of the people.

Try yourself :
11.    What can be the best example of prudential reason of power sharing?
12.    Decentralisation of power in India is an examples of which kind of reason of Power Sharing?
13.    “Giving Power of Panchayats is also a way to reduce corruption and increase administrative efficiency” Which reason of power sharing has been shown in the above statement.

forms of power sharing :
(i)    One basic principle of democracy is that people are the source of all political power. In a democracy, people rule themselves through institutions of self-governance. 
(ii)    In a good democratic government, due respect is given to diverse groups and views that exist in a society. Everyone has a voice in the shaping of public policies.
(iii)    Therefore, it follows that in a democracy political power should be distributed among as many citizens as possible.

    This is called horizontal distribution of power because it allows different organs of government placed at the same level to exercise different powers.
    Even though ministers and government officials exercise power, they are responsible to the Parliament or State Assemblies.
    Similarly, although judges are appointed by the executive, they can check the functioning of executive or laws made by the legislatures.
    This arrangement is called a system of checks and balances.
    Shared among governments at different levels :
    Federal Government ® State Government ® Local Self Government
    A general government for the entire country called federal government and governments at the provincial or regional level. We call them State Governments.
    This is called federal division of power. 
    The same principle can be extended to levels of government lower than the State government, such as the municipality and panchayat called local self government.
    Shared among different social groups
    Such as the religious and linguistic groups. ‘Community government’ in Belgium is a good example of this arrangement.
    For example : The system of ‘reserved constituencies’ in assemblies and the parliament of our country. Meant to give space in the government and administration to diverse social groups who otherwise would feel alienated from the governement.
    Power sharing by political parties, pressure groups and movements :
    The citizens must have freedom to choose among various contenders for power. Such competition ensure 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 coalition government and thus share power.
    In a democracy, we find interest groups such as those of traders, businessmen, industrialists, formers and industrial workers. They also will have a share in government power, either through participation in governmental committees or bringing influence on the decision making process.