Explain how power is shared among political parties, pressure groups a...
Political parties are the organisation which aim to control power by contesting elections. In a democracy, citizens have the freedom to choose among the various contenders for power. Such a freedom of choice entails competition among the different parties, which in turn ensures that power remain in one hand, and is shared among different political parties representing different ideologies and social groups.
Pressure groups and movements also share governmental power, either through participation in governmental committiees or by influencing the decision making process.
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Explain how power is shared among political parties, pressure groups a...
1. In a democracy, power is also shared among different political parties, pressure groups and movements.
2. Democracy provides the citizens a choice to choose their rulers. This choice is provided by the various political parties, who contest elections to win them. Such competition ensures that power does not remain in one hand.
3. In the long run, power is shared among the different political parties that represent different ideologies and social groups. 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.
4. In a democracy, various pressure groups and movements also remain active. They also have a share in governmental power, either through participation in governmental committees or having influence on the decision making process.
Explain how power is shared among political parties, pressure groups a...
Power Sharing among Political Parties, Pressure Groups, and Movements
Political parties, pressure groups, and movements play a crucial role in a democratic society by representing the interests and concerns of different sections of the population. Power is shared among these entities in order to ensure a balanced and inclusive decision-making process. Let's explore how power is shared among political parties, pressure groups, and movements, along with examples.
1. Political Parties:
Political parties are the primary vehicles for citizens to express their political preferences and participate in governance. Power sharing among political parties happens through various mechanisms, such as:
- Elections: Political parties contest elections and form governments based on the majority support they receive from the electorate. This ensures that power is shared among different parties based on the will of the people.
- Coalition Governments: In situations where no single party obtains a majority, political parties often form coalitions to share power and govern collectively. For example, in India, the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are coalitions of multiple political parties.
2. Pressure Groups:
Pressure groups are organizations formed by individuals with similar interests to influence public policy and decision-making. Power sharing among pressure groups occurs in the following ways:
- Advocacy and Lobbying: Pressure groups engage in advocacy and lobbying activities, seeking to influence political parties and governments to address their concerns. They share power by influencing policy decisions without directly holding political office.
- Collaboration: Pressure groups may collaborate with political parties or other pressure groups to amplify their influence. By forming alliances, they increase their collective bargaining power. For instance, environmental pressure groups may collaborate with political parties advocating for sustainable development.
3. Movements:
Movements are collective actions by a group of individuals who share a common goal and seek social, economic, or political change. Power sharing among movements takes place through the following means:
- Mass Mobilization: Movements mobilize large numbers of people to create public awareness and generate pressure on political parties and governments. The power-sharing occurs when movements successfully influence policy decisions or bring about systemic change. An example is the Civil Rights Movement in the United States, which led to significant legislative changes and societal transformation.
- Coalition Building: Movements often ally with other movements or organizations to increase their reach and impact. By forming coalitions, movements share power and pool their resources to achieve their shared goals. The global climate justice movement is an example of various organizations and movements working together to address climate change.
In conclusion, power sharing among political parties, pressure groups, and movements is essential for a vibrant democracy. Through mechanisms such as elections, coalition governments, advocacy, lobbying, collaboration, mass mobilization, and coalition building, these entities ensure that power is distributed among different stakeholders and that diverse voices are represented in the decision-making process.
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