Day 11 – Q 3.Do you think the American Constitution provides for a more representative democracy than its Indian counterpart? Critically comment.
3.Do you think the American Constitution provides for a more representative democracy than its Indian counterpart? Critically comment.
क्या आपको लगता है कि अमेरिकी संविधान अपने भारतीय समकक्ष की तुलना में अधिक प्रतिनिधिक लोकतंत्र प्रदान करता है? समालोचनात्मक टिप्पणी करें।
Introduction:
American constitution is one of the oldest written constitution in the world and also one of oldest democracy. India has borrowed several features from the American constitution. Both have representative democracy but the features are different.
Body:
Representative features of American constitution:
- Equal representation: The upper house also known as Senate has equal representation from all 50 states irrespective of size and population.
- Constitution: Rigid constitution and states have their own constitutions.
- Dual Polity: Strict demarcation of powers and government.
- Dual citizenship: People are citizen to particular state and also the country.
- Judiciary: Clear cut demarcation of powers of judiciary. Central judiciary deals only with central subjects and respective states subject have no appeal in federal courts.
- Amendment to constitution: Even states can initiate amendment to constitution.
- Elected Head of State: The president is elected indirectly by people and he also serves as head of government.
- Indestructible state: Unlike Indian states, in USA the states have their own identity.
Representative features of Indian Constitution:
- Reservation: Even weaker and Vulnerable sections of society are provided with reservations. SC, ST and Women.
- Nomination: We have a unique feature where people who cannot win elections are also provided facility to represent their interests.
- Three-tier government: The government is split up into three tiers and powers are demarcated accordingly.
- Equal representation: Based on population states have share in upper house seats i.e. Rajya Sabha.
- Multi-Party and coalition party system: After 1989, we have coalition system where even regional parties have been given due representation.
- Sharing of power: The ministers are picked in such a way each state and communities are given due representation.
- Directly elected government: The head of government i.e. Prime minister and his council are directly elected by people unless representing from lok sabha.
- Responsibility: The executive is responsible to legislature who are direct representatives of people.
Conclusion:
Depending on the necessities and requirements, the representative features of both democracies were formed. In certain areas US constitution provides more and in some areas Indian constitution provides more representative features. But both have preserved their democratic feature till date.
Best Answer: raymond
