What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies? Give an example of each of these.

In modern democracies, power sharing arrangements have taken different forms:

a) Horizontal division of power: In this division, the government is divided into the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. In such a power sharing arrangement, different organs of government, placed at the same level and exercise different powers. This separation of powers ensures no organ exercises unlimited power. The Prime Minister heads the division of powers between the council of ministers.

e.g: Some of its examples are Parliament of India and the Indian Supreme Court

b) Vertical division of power: In this division, the sharing of power among governments at different levels — a general government for the entire country and governments at the provincial or regional level. In this form, there are certain matters on which only the Central government can take decisions.

e.g: In our country, the Constitution defines the way power is to be shared between the Central or Union government and the various State governments

c) Community government: Community government is that that form of government which is elected by people belonging to one culture, one language and any other common community or property. Community government has the power regarding cultural, educational and other language related issues.

e.g: The best example of this type of government is the form of government in Belgium

d) Coalition government: It is the form of government in which multiple parties cooperate which reduces the dominance of any party due to that coalition. The main reason of forming that type of government is that no party on its own can achieve a majority in the parliament.

e.g: Various interest groups such as traders, businessmen industrialists etc have their share in governmental power either through participation in governmental committees or bringing influence on the decision-making process.