Constitution Why And How

The Constitution does many things like guaranteeing rights, distributing powers, and expressing shared values. But it cannot ensure that only good people come to power. Elections and political processes decide that, not the Constitution itself.

A constitution is higher than Parliament because it specifies how Parliament is to be formed and what its powers are. So Parliament gets its authority from the Constitution, not the other way round.

a. True — a constitution is a written document about the formation and power of government.

b. False — constitutions are not needed only in democratic countries; all kinds of states may have constitutions.

c. False — a constitution also deals with ideals and values, not just legal rules.

d. True — a constitution gives citizens a new political identity by defining them as members of a nation/state.

a. Incorrect — the Constituent Assembly was not elected by universal suffrage, but it was still made broadly representative. Members of different religions and communities, including Scheduled Castes, were represented.

b. Incorrect — constitution making involved major decisions and debates about centralisation, federalism, judiciary, property rights, and more. Only universal suffrage was passed with little debate.

c. Incorrect — while much was borrowed from other countries, it was not mere copying. The framers adapted ideas to Indian needs and gave them original meaning suited to India.

a. The Constitution was made by credible leaders who commanded respect because they were associated with the nationalist movement and had public trust.

b. The Constitution distributed power by fragmenting it among different institutions like the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary, along with checks and balances.

c. The Constitution is the locus of people's hopes and aspirations because it guarantees equality, liberty and fraternity and also provides for Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, and welfare goals such as dignity and education.