Q1. [4]
Forms of Power-sharing
The idea of power-sharing has emerged in opposition to the notions of undivided political power. For a long time, it was believed that all power of a government must reside in one person or group of persons located at one place. It was felt that if the power to decide is dispersed, it would not be possible to take quick decisions and to enforce them. But these notions have changed with the emergence of democracy. 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-government. 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. Therefore, it follows that in a democracy, political power should be distributed among as many citizens as possible.
Read the given source carefully and answer the questions that follow :
- 28.1 How does power sharing promote stability of political order ? [1]
- 28.2 How are pressure groups part of the power sharing mechanism ? [1]
- 28.3 How does power sharing contribute to the spirit of democracy ? [2]
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2026 32/5/1 Q28
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:00 · grounding stimulus
Model Answer
(28.1) Power-sharing promotes stability by reducing the risk of conflict. When power is shared among diverse groups, no single group feels excluded, which reduces social tensions and prevents political instability.
(28.2) Pressure groups represent the interests of specific sections of society. By influencing government decisions and policies from outside the formal structure, they ensure that power is not concentrated in one place, making them part of the power-sharing mechanism.
(28.3) Power-sharing is the very spirit of democracy because people are the source of all political power. It gives due respect to diverse groups and ensures everyone has a voice in shaping public policies. Distributing power among as many citizens as possible reflects the democratic principle of self-governance and prevents authoritarian concentration of power.
Source: Chapter 1 – Power Sharing, Political Science (Democratic Politics II)
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Explanation
- 28.1 focuses on the "prudential reason" for power-sharing — stability and conflict reduction. One crisp line is enough for 1 mark.
- 28.2 is slightly beyond the passage (pressure groups are from a different section of the chapter), so use your textbook knowledge. Examiners expect you to link pressure groups to the idea of dispersed power.
- 28.3 requires 2 marks, so give 2 clear points: (i) people as the source of power / self-governance, and (ii) respect for diversity / voice in policy. Always tie back to the passage for source-based questions.
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