NCERT Class 10 Political Science (Civics) Chapter 1, Power-sharing, introduces students to one of the core ideas in democracy—sharing of power among different groups and levels to avoid conflict and ensure good governance. The chapter explains this concept using real-world examples like Belgium and Sri Lanka, helping students understand why power-sharing is not only important but also necessary in a diverse society.
I am writing about this topic because it builds a foundation for understanding how democratic systems work in real life. Many students assume power is only held by elected leaders, but this chapter shows how it is distributed among communities, governments, and institutions. It gives practical knowledge about how power-sharing helps maintain peace, protect minority interests, and strengthen democracy. Whether you’re preparing for your board exams or simply want to understand how politics works in everyday life, it helps to Click Here to Download NCERT Class 10 Political Science Chapter 1: Power-sharing PDF for easy reading and revision.
NCERT Class 10 Political Science Chapter 1 Syllabus
- Case studies of Belgium and Sri Lanka
- Need for power-sharing in democracy
- Forms of power-sharing:
- Among different organs of government
- Among governments at different levels
- Among social groups
- Among political parties, pressure groups and movements
What You Will Learn in Chapter 1: Power-sharing
The chapter begins by comparing two countries—Belgium and Sri Lanka. Belgium successfully solved its ethnic tension by carefully sharing power between Dutch-speaking and French-speaking communities. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, ignored the demands of the Tamil-speaking population, which led to civil war and unrest. These examples clearly show why inclusive politics is better than majoritarianism.
Next, the chapter explains different forms of power-sharing that exist in a democracy:
- Power is shared among different organs of government like the legislature, executive, and judiciary. This is called horizontal distribution and ensures a system of checks and balances.
- Power is also shared among governments at different levels—central, state, and local. This vertical division is seen in federal structures like in India.
- Power can be shared among different social groups, especially in countries with diverse ethnic or religious backgrounds. This protects minority interests.
- Political parties and pressure groups also share power by representing different voices in society. Through elections and movements, they influence how power is used.
The idea behind power-sharing is simple—if power is concentrated in one group or person, it leads to inequality and possibly conflict. But when power is distributed, it creates balance and trust in the system.
Download PDF
Click Here to Download NCERT Class 10 Political Science Chapter 1: Power-sharing PDF
