Question 5 from UPSC CSE 2014 - Polity

Question

Consider the following statements:
1. A Constitutional Government is one which places effective restrictions on individual liberty in the interest of State Authority.
2. A Constitutional Government is one which places effective restrictions on the Authority of the State in the interest of individual liberty.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. 2 only

Strategy: Focus on the phrases 'restrictions on individual liberty' versus 'restrictions on the authority of the State.' A true constitutional government limits state power to safeguard individual liberty, not the other way around. So Statement 1 describes an authoritarian system, not a constitutional one. Only Statement 2 aligns with the concept; mark option B.

Key Info: **Constitutional Government**

A constitutional government is defined by a constitution that limits state power and guarantees individual rights and freedoms. It operates within legal frameworks, such as the rule of law, to restrict the arbitrary use of power and prioritize fundamental rights.

**Key Principles and Doctrines**

- **Limited Government:** State authority is checked by laws, an independent judiciary, and protected civil liberties.
- **Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances:** These doctrines ensure that no single branch of government becomes too powerful.
- **Justiciable Rights:** This principle allows state actions to be challenged in court to protect individual liberties from overreach.

**Contrast with Authoritarian Systems**

This model contrasts with authoritarian or absolute governments, which often curtail individual liberty to achieve state objectives.

**Examples**

Modern constitutional states include established democracies like India, where Article 13 of the Constitution voids laws inconsistent with fundamental rights, and the United States, with its Bill of Rights.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: 1 only

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Both 1 and 2

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: Neither 1 nor 2