Flash Cards: CONSTITUTION: WHY AND HOW?

A constitution is a body of fundamental principles according to which a state is constituted or governed.

The functions of a constitution include providing basic rules for governance, allocating power, limiting government authority, and expressing the aspirations of society.

'Allocation of power' refers to how a constitution specifies who has the authority to make decisions and create laws within a society.

The government is constituted according to the constitution, regulates relations among people, and enforces the laws made by it.

Fundamental rights are basic human rights enshrined in the constitution that protect individuals from abuses by the state.

Constitutions limit government power by specifying fundamental rights and establishing procedures for law-making that the government must follow.

Directive Principles of State Policy are guidelines in the Indian Constitution aimed at creating a just society and enabling governments to fulfill the aspirations of the people.

A 'living document' refers to a constitution that can adapt and evolve with changing societal values and conditions while maintaining its fundamental principles.

The legitimacy of a constitution is promoted through the credibility of its framers, the procedural fairness of its creation, and the extent of public consensus on its principles.

The Constituent Assembly was elected to draft the Indian Constitution, comprising representatives chosen based on population and communities.

The Objective Resolution, moved by Nehru in 1946, outlines the aims and values that the Constitution seeks to uphold, including equality, liberty, democracy, and sovereignty.

A monarchical constitution is one where the monarch has the authority to make laws, often without the input of the citizenry.

A constitution expresses the fundamental identity of a people by establishing a set of norms and principles that define governance and collective identity.

Checks and balances are mechanisms that ensure no single branch of government can dominate, maintaining the integrity of the Constitution.

A democratic constitution allows the people to have a say in governance, often through elected representatives, while a non-democratic constitution concentrates power with a single entity.

An effective constitution is one that is actively enforced, commands respect, and adapts to societal changes while preserving core values.

A rigid constitution may struggle to adapt to societal changes and can become obsolete, leading to conflict or noncompliance by the populace.

A 'just' constitution is one that promotes equality and fairness, offering protection and rights to all individuals within society.