UPSC Prelims 2020 Q7: Indian Polity – Constitutional Framework & Development
- (a) government by legislature
- (b) popular government
- (c) multi - party government
- (d) limited government
Answer: (d) limited government
Explanation
Constitutional Government: Definition & Core Principle
| Option | Defines Constitutional Government? |
|---|---|
| Government by legislature | No - about who governs, not how |
| Popular government | No - elected but can be tyrannical |
| Multi-party government | No - can have multiple parties but be unconstitutional |
| Limited government | YES - power is bounded by constitution |
Constitutional government means a government whose powers are limited by the Constitution and the rule of law. This is the ESSENCE of constitutionalism - no branch can act beyond constitutional bounds. Even democracies become non-constitutional when they violate constitutional limits (example: India's Emergency 1975-77).
Answer: (d) limited government.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Describing how laws are made (by legislature), not what constrains the government.
- (b) Incorrect. Elected/popular government can still be unconstitutional if it violates limits.
- (c) Incorrect. Multi-party presence does not make it constitutional - need constitutional limits on power.
- (d) CORRECT. Constitutional government = government limited by Constitution. This is the foundational definition of constitutionalism and the rule of law.
Key point
Constitutional Government = Limited Government. Power is bounded by Constitution, not absolute. Contrast: Totalitarianism = unlimited power. India's Basic Structure Doctrine (Kesavananda Bharati 1973) protects constitutionalism against amendment abuse.
Remember
A constitutional government by definition is a LIMITED GOVERNMENT - one whose powers are restricted by the terms of the Constitution and the rule of law. This is the core principle of constitutionalism.
Common mistakes
- Assuming elected government is automatically constitutional. Electoral mandate does not override constitutional limits.
- Confusing types of government (legislative, democratic, federal) with constitutional government (power-limited).
- Missing that many authoritarian regimes have constitutions but do not practice constitutionalism (USSR example).
Exam tip
Constitutionalism vs Constitution: A constitution is a document; constitutionalism is the practice of limiting government power by that document. USSR had a constitution but no constitutionalism. India has both since 1950.
Sources
- A.V. Dicey - Introduction to the Study of the Law of the Constitution
- Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala (1973) - Basic Structure Doctrine