Assignment-2

Q1. Write a note on different types of constitutions.

A: Constitutions can be written or unwritten. The British Constitution has many different
documents and many unwritten conventions. There are constitutions that are written in a
single document and conventions explaining it and there can be a constitution that is
entirely unwritten.
Q2. Every Polity has a constitution. Explain.
A: Yes, every polity has a constitution. Consider an absolute monarchy or some kind of tribal
community. Even they have a basic rule like everything the tribal head or the Monarch says
is a law. Now, this polity has a constitution with only one rule stating whatever a person of a
certain position says is a law. So, we can say that every Polity has a constitution no matter
what polity it is, even if it has a single rule or a single limit.
Q3. How does the Constitution of 1950 differ from previous Constitutions?
A: Before 1950, we had the Government of India Act 1935, Government of India Act 1919,
Mughal Constitutionalism, and so on. The Mughal empire was created and sustained by
military warfare, it did not vigorously suppress the cultures and peoples it came to rule;
rather it equalized and placated them through new administrative practices, and diverse
ruling elites, leading to more efficient, centralized, and standardized rule. The Government
of India Act 1919 is passed down by the U.K. government. The Government of India Act
1935 was passed by the British Government. The latter implemented Bicameralism and
distribution of power which were not there in the former.
Q4. Write a note on Constitution and Democracy.
A: The idea of the Constitution being democratic is a kind of paradox. Democracy means
giving the Government which is the representative of the people of the state complete
power to change the constitution as they see fit. But the constitution places a restriction
and limits on the government and the extent to which the constitution is amendable. This is
very essential for the stability of the state. So, we can kind of agree that the Constitution is
undemocratic.
Q5. If you were on constituent assembly, what will you suggest?
A: Well, I personally believe our constitution is well structured and thorough in many
different aspects, but I didn’t exactly get the idea of democracy in the essence itself. It is
true that every person should have a say in the decisions made by the government but the
majority need not be always correct. Sometimes, very few experts in a particular field come
up with an argument, that people who don’t have knowledge cannot comprehend and
declare wrong. So, I think votes are to be considered by the people who at least have
prerequisite knowledge in that field.