Read the given source carefully and answer the questions that follow :
POWER SHARING
Power sharing arrangements can also be seen in the way political parties, pressure groups and movements control or influence those in power. In a democracy, the citizens must have freedom to choose among various contenders for power. In contemporary democracies, this takes the form of competition among different parties. Such competition ensures that power does not remain in one hand. In the long run, power is shared among 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. In a democracy, we find interest groups, such as those of traders, businessmen, industrialists, farmers and industrial workers. They also will have a share in governmental power, either through participation in governmental committees or bringing influence on the decision-making process.
Read the given source carefully and answer the questions that follow :
POWER SHARING
Power sharing arrangements can also be seen in the way political parties, pressure groups and movements control or influence those in power. In a democracy, the citizens must have freedom to choose among various contenders for power. In contemporary democracies, this takes the form of competition among different parties. Such competition ensures that power does not remain in one hand. In the long run, power is shared among 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. In a democracy, we find interest groups, such as those of traders, businessmen, industrialists, farmers and industrial workers. They also will have a share in governmental power, either through participation in governmental committees or bringing influence on the decision-making process.
This source-based passage carries no marks of its own; it sets up Q.44-46. It explains that power sharing in a democracy goes beyond institutions like Centre-State relations — it also occurs through:
- (i) Competition/alliances among political parties, which may form coalition governments after winning elections.
- (ii) Interest/pressure groups (traders, businessmen, industrialists, farmers, industrial workers) who share in governmental power either by sitting on official committees or by influencing decision-makers, without themselves contesting elections.
Marking Scheme
- 1No independent marks are allocated to the source passage itself.
- 2Marks are awarded separately for sub-questions 44 (1 mark), 45 (1 mark) and 46 (2 marks), each assessed on the basis of this passage plus NCERT understanding of power sharing.
Hint
Read the whole passage first — note the two distinct mechanisms mentioned: (1) political party competition/coalition, and (2) interest/pressure group influence — before answering Qs 44-46.
Quick Oral Answer
This passage shows that besides sharing power between government organs and levels, democracies also share power through competing political parties (who may form coalitions) and through pressure groups like traders' or farmers' associations who influence policy without holding office.
Analysis & Explanation
This source passage from NCERT Class 10 'Power Sharing' introduces a third form of power sharing beyond horizontal and vertical division.
Concept
- Power sharing also happens through competition/alliance among political parties and through pressure groups influencing those in power.
- Political parties contest elections directly; alliances that win form coalition governments.
- Pressure/interest groups (traders, industrialists, farmers, workers) do not contest elections but influence decisions via committees or lobbying.
Key points
- This sets up sub-questions 44, 45 and 46; carries no independent marks.
- Distinguishes 'sharing power by contesting' (parties) from 'sharing power by influencing' (pressure groups).
Common mistakes
- Treating pressure groups as if they contest and win elections — they only influence, never hold office directly.
- Ignoring the passage's exact wording while answering sub-questions.
Real-world
- 2020-21 farmers' protests, trade unions like AITUC/BMS, and industry bodies like CII/FICCI illustrate pressure-group influence on policy.
Common Mistakes
- 1Treating pressure groups as identical to political parties — pressure groups do not contest elections or seek to directly control governmental power.
- 2Not referring back to the specific examples given in the passage (traders, businessmen, industrialists, farmers, industrial workers) while answering sub-questions.
- 3Skipping the passage and answering only from memorised textbook lines, missing passage-specific cues.
Interesting Facts
India's coalition era formally began in 1989 when no single party won a majority in the Lok Sabha, making alliance-based power sharing a defining feature of Indian politics for over two decades.
The 2020-21 farmers' protest against the three farm laws is a modern real-life example of a pressure/interest group influencing government policy without contesting elections, eventually leading to repeal of the laws in November 2021.
Industry pressure groups like the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and FICCI are regularly consulted by the Finance Ministry before the Union Budget is framed.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a political party and a pressure group?
A political party contests elections and seeks to directly hold governmental power, whereas a pressure group (e.g., trade union, trader association) does not contest elections but tries to influence government decisions through lobbying, protest, or participation in committees.
What is a coalition government?
A coalition government is formed when two or more political parties come together, contest elections as an alliance (or join together after results), and jointly form the government because no single party has a clear majority on its own.
Give an example of an interest group mentioned in the passage.
The passage mentions traders, businessmen, industrialists, farmers and industrial workers as examples of interest groups that seek a share in governmental power.