Difference between Vertical and Horizontal Power Sharing

What is Power Sharing?

Power Sharing is the process of distributing power amongst different parts or organs of the government such as the three tiers of the government i.e, the legislative, executive, and judiciary. Power-sharing also involves the division of powers within different levels of the government like union, state, local, etc.
 

Is power sharing same as division of power?

Power sharing and division of power are similar concepts but they are not exactly the same. Power sharing refers to the distribution of power and decision-making authority among different individuals or groups in a society. It is a process of decentralization of power, where power is shared among different levels of government or different communities, religions, or linguistic groups within a country. The aim of power sharing is to promote harmony, stability, and democracy by giving different groups a stake in the political process. On the other hand, division of power refers to the separation of powers among different branches of government, such as the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The aim of division of power is to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of a single individual or group, and to ensure checks and balances on the exercise of power. However, both power sharing and division of power aim to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of a few individuals or groups and to ensure that power is distributed more broadly among a wider range of actors. 
 

What are the Different Types of Power Sharing?

There are mainly three forms of power-sharing. They are as follows:

1. Vertical Power Sharing

2. Horizontal Power Sharing

3. Distribution of powers amongst social groups
 

What is the Need for Power Sharing?

In this modern-day age, democratic governments are held accountable and have to be legitimate which is why power-sharing becomes so crucial. It tries to resolve any kind of conflicts that might be persisting between groups in society. In a democracy, people take part in the decision-making indirectly or directly and that is why power-sharing forms the very spirit of the democracy as it helps in the efficient working of a government without any disputes or conflicts.
 

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What is Horizontal Power Sharing?

In a horizontal power-sharing or division of power, the powers are divided between the organs of the government namely the executive, legislature, and judiciary. India is a country where there is a horizontal distributed of power. It is sharing the concept of separation of powers.
 

What is Vertical Power Sharing?

In Vertical power-sharing or division of power, the powers are divided between the different levels of the government. This is very prevalent in countries that follow a federal form of government. This means there is a union, state, and local government, and powers are divided amongst these layers of the government. The United States of America is an example of a federal state which follows the vertical division of power.
 

What is the difference between Horizontal and Vertical Power Sharing?

The following are some points that help us differentiate between horizontal and vertical division of power or power sharing:

1. Horizontal power sharing is the division of powers amongst the organs of the government. Vertical Power sharing is the division of powers amongst the different levels of the government.

2. Horizontal power sharing is the division of powers at the same level which possesses varied powers. Vertical Power sharing is the division of powers amongst different levels of the government.

3. In Horizontal power sharing each organ is a separate entity and keeps the other organ in check. Hence, there is a check-in power that is possessed by each organ. In Vertical power sharing, each unit is subordinate to the central unit. So, there is no balance as every unit is controlled and accountable to the central unit in the end.

4. Horizontal power sharing promotes the notion of having a democratic nation. Hence, it encourages the expansion of Democracy. Vertical Power Sharing promotes the notion of deepening the levels of democracy.
 

Power Sharing in India

India is a democratic republic with a quasi-federal government. In a country like India, there is a presence of both Horizontal and Vertical power-sharing. In a quasi-federal nation, there isn't an equal division of powers between the center and the state. Essentially, it means that the powers are divided between the center and the state but if there are disputes on particular issues the decision of the center prevails. Hence, there is an existence of Vertical power-sharing. The powers are also distributed between the Executive, Legislation, and the Judiciary with checks and balances of such powers thereby proving the existence of horizontal power sharing.

Advocate Chikirsha Mohanty

Greater Kailash - 1, Delhi
5 years

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