NCERT Political Science Chapter 1 : Power Sharing PDF

Power Sharing is the introductory chapter of the Democratic Politics-II textbook, establishing the fundamental principle that democracy is not just about the rule of the majority but about the sharing of power. This chapter is vital for understanding why concentrating power in one hand is dangerous for the stability of a nation. It uses two contrasting case studies—Belgium and Sri Lanka—to illustrate the consequences of different approaches to power sharing. Students learn how Belgium successfully managed its ethnic diversity by amending its constitution to share power, whereas Sri Lanka’s majoritarian measures led to a devastating civil war.The chapter introduces the concept of Majoritarianism and contrasts it with the accommodative spirit of democracy. It further categorizes power sharing into different forms: horizontal distribution (Legislature, Executive, Judiciary), vertical distribution (Federalism), and sharing among different social groups and political parties. This classification helps students analyze the Indian political setup more effectively. The system of ‘checks and balances’ is explained in detail, showing how different organs of government regulate each other to ensure that no single organ becomes unlimited.For exam preparation, this chapter is crucial as it lays the groundwork for subsequent topics like Federalism. Key terms like ‘Prudential’ and ‘Moral’ reasons for power sharing are discussed, teaching students that power sharing is not just a political tactic to avoid conflict (prudential) but the very spirit of democracy (moral). The content is designed to prompt critical thinking about how power is distributed in their own country and local communities.