Question

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.

1. How do pressure groups influence the government? (1)
2. How do social groups benefit from power sharing? (1)
3. Explain the contributions of citizens in the power sharing process? (2)

Answer 1

1. Pressure groups influence the government by participating in governmental committees or exercising influence on decision-making to represent their interests (for example, those of traders, farmers, or workers).
2. Power sharing benefits social groupings by ensuring that diverse ideologies and social interests are represented in government. This prevents power from being concentrated in a single hand and allows many groups to have a role in how the country is run.
3. Citizens play an important role in the power-sharing process by exercising their right to vote for candidates in elections. The competition ensures that power is not concentrated in a single hand, but rather divided among several political groups representing various views. Furthermore, citizens participate through interest groups and movements, such as those for farmers, traders, and workers, allowing them to influence decision-making or to serve on governmental committees, ensuring that the government remains accountable to the social groups it represents.