6th marks question & Answer

1. Write a note on constitutionalism ?

ans: constitutionalism is the idea that government should be limited in its powers and that its authority depends on its
observation of these limitations. The focus is not just on the creation of a constitution but on ensuring that the
government adheres to the principles and rules outlined within it. Constitutionalism is a crucial tenet that aids in the
prevention of arbitrary governance and promotes the rule of law. The philosophy of constitutionalism is rooted in the
belief that the power to govern should not be concentrated in one place. This is often accomplished through a system
of checks and balances, with the various arms of the government—legislature, executive, and judiciary—each
checking the powers of the others to maintain a balance
Principles of Constitutionalism: As we unravel the complexities of constitutionalism, it is essential to identify and
understand its core principles. These principles are the heart of constitutionalism, guiding its function and application
in governance.

Popular Sovereignty: One of the fundamental principles of constitutionalism is 'Popular Sovereignty.' This principle
states that the ultimate power resides with the people.
Independent Judiciary: An 'Independent Judiciary' is another pillar of constitutionalism. It signifies that the judiciary
should operate independently of the other branches of government.
Separation of Powers: 'Separation of Powers' is a principle that prevents the concentration of authority in one branch
of government. Instead, the power is divided amongst different branches - typically the legislative, executive, and
judicial branches.
Responsible and Accountable Government: Constitutionalism demands a 'Responsible and Accountable
Government.' Every government official, from the highest-ranking to the lowest, is answerable to the public and the
law.
Features of Constitutionalism
While the specifics of constitutionalism can vary from country to country, there are several key features that are
generally consistent:
o A Written Constitution: A codified, written constitution is often a key feature of a constitutional
state. This document outlines the principles and rules that the government must follow.
o Separation of Powers: As previously mentioned, the principle of separating powers between
different branches of government is central to constitutionalism.
o Rule of Law: Constitutionalism upholds the idea that every citizen, including government officials, is
subject to the law.
o Protection of Rights: The constitution often includes a bill or charter of rights that outlines
the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens.
o Judicial Review: This is the process by which courts can review the actions of the government to
ensure they are constitutional.
o Regular Elections: Regular elections are a fundamental feature, ensuring that the government
remains representative and accountable to the people.
2, compare british cabinet system with US cabinet system?
Ans : Cabinet, in political systems, a body of advisers to a head of state who also serve as the heads of government
departments. The cabinet has become an important element of government wherever legislative powers have been
vested in a parliament, but its form differs markedly in various countries, the two most striking examples being
the United Kingdom and the United States. The cabinet system of government originated in Great Britain. The cabinet
developed from the Privy Council in the 17th and early 18th centuries when that body grew too large to debate affairs
of state effectively. The English monarchs Charles II (reigned 1660–85) and Anne (1702–14) began regularly
consulting leading members of the Privy Council in order to reach decisions before meeting with the more unwieldy full
council. By the reign of Anne, the weekly, and sometimes daily, meetings of this select committee of leading ministers
had become the accepted machinery of executive government, and the Privy Council’s power was in inexorable
decline. After George I (1714–27), who spoke little English, ceased to attend meetings with the committee in 1717, the
decision-making process within that body, or cabinet, as it was now known, gradually became centred on a chief,
or prime, minister. This office began to emerge during the long chief ministry (1721–42) of Sir Robert Walpole and was
definitively established by Sir William Pitt later in the century.

U.S CABINET: The U.S. president’s cabinet is entirely different from the British-style cabinet. It is composed of the
heads of executive departments chosen by the president with the consent of the Senate, but the members do not hold
seats in Congress, and their tenure, like that of the president, does not depend on favourable votes on administration
measures in the national legislature. Cabinet meetings are not required under the U.S. Constitution, which in fact
makes no mention of such a body. The existence of the cabinet and its operations are matters of custom rather than of
law, and the cabinet as a collective body has no legal existence or power. However, through the fourth section of
the Twenty-fifth Amendment, a majority of the cabinet, acting jointly with the vice president, may declare that the
president is unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office, though even that amendment never mentions the
cabinet specifically—instead vesting the power in “either the principal officers of the executive department or of such
other body as Congress may by law provide. The first U.S. president, George Washington, began the custom of
consulting regularly with the department heads as a group. The term cabinet was first used for the heads of the State,
Treasury, and War departments by James Madison in 1793. Gradually, as administrative duties increased and
different problems arose, new executive departments were created by Congress; by the early 21st century the U.S.
cabinet consisted of 15 department heads, or secretaries.

UK CABINET: In Great Britain today the cabinet consists of about 15 to 25 members, or ministers, appointed by
the prime minister, who in turn has been appointed by the monarch on the basis of ability to command a majority of
votes in the Commons. Though formerly empowered to select the cabinet, the sovereign is now restricted to the mere
formal act of inviting the head of Parliament’s majority party to form a government. The prime minister must put
together a cabinet that represents and balances the various factions within his or her own party (or within a coalition of
parties). Cabinet members must all be members of Parliament, as must the prime minister. The members of a cabinet
head the principal government departments, or ministries, such as Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, and
the Exchequer (treasury). Other ministers may serve without portfolio or hold sinecure offices and are included in the
cabinet on account of the value of their counsel or debating skills. The cabinet does much of its work through
committees headed by individual ministers, and its overall functioning is coordinated by the Secretariat, which consists
of career civil servants. The cabinet usually meets in the prime minister’s official residence at 10 Downing
Street in London.