Balance of power (politics)
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Balance of power refers to the division, distribution, or separation of powers within a national political system.
[edit] Parliamentary politics
In parliamentary politics, balance of power usually refers to the position held by one political party, or a coalition of minor parties, whose support of a minority parliament, can give a major party enough votes to be able to form a stable government. This can be achieved either by the formation of a coalition government, or by voting with the party in power to prevent its defeat in a motion of no confidence. A party or person can also hold the balance of power in a chamber that does not form government, in which case the government will still need to bargain with that party or person to have legislation passed, but the government is not at risk of votes of no confidence.
[edit] Federalism
In federations, the term "balance of power" is used in reference to which level of government is favoured in the division of power. In confederations (decentralised federations), it is more likely that the balance of power will be in favour of the sub-national level of government (that is, states or provinces). Canada is an example of such a federation. The Commonwealth of Australia is an example of a federation in which the balance of power has shifted in favour of the central (federal) government; although the states were constitutionally intended to be preponderant, the federal government has become dominant through various means.
