Question

What is meant by horizontal distribution of power ?

Hint:

Think of "horizontal" as a flat line with three points: Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary. They are all at the same level of authority, each with its own job, and they keep each other in check. This is different from "vertical" distribution, which is the sharing of power between different levels of government (e.g., central, state, and local).

Answer 1

Horizontal distribution of power is a system of governance where power is shared among different organs of the government that are placed at the same level. This system is a core feature of most modern democracies and is also known as the principle of separation of powers.
\[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{The Three Organs: In this arrangement, the power of the government is divided among three main branches:} \\ \bullet & \text{The Legislature: Responsible for making laws (e.g., Parliament in India).} \\ \bullet & \text{The Executive: Responsible for implementing and enforcing laws (e.g., the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister).} \\ \bullet & \text{The Judiciary: Responsible for interpreting laws and administering justice (e.g., the Supreme Court and other courts).} \\ \bullet & \text{Purpose: The purpose of this horizontal distribution is to ensure that no single organ can exercise unlimited power. Each organ acts as a check on the others, creating a system of checks and balances. For example, the judiciary can strike down laws made by the legislature if they are unconstitutional, and the legislature can impeach judges or the head of the executive.} \\ \bullet & \text{Outcome: This separation ensures the protection of individual liberties and prevents the abuse of authority, which is essential for a democracy.} \\ \end{array}\]