The Philosophy of the Constitution | Class 11 Political Science Notes

CRITICISMS

This section discusses three major criticisms often leveled against the Indian Constitution. First, it is criticized as unwieldy due to its large size and detailed provisions. However, this criticism overlooks the fact that constitutions are not always confined to a single compact document; many countries have constitutional statements and practices outside their main constitutional text. India’s Constitution includes detailed provisions such as the Election Commission and Civil Service Commission within the document itself, making it appear large. Second, the Constitution is said to be unrepresentative because the Constituent Assembly was not elected by universal adult franchise but by a restricted electorate, mainly from advanced social sections. This raises questions about the 'voice' component of representation. However, the Assembly did include a wide range of opinions, reflecting diverse social concerns. Third, the Constitution is sometimes criticized as alien to Indian conditions, being a product of borrowing from Western constitutions. While the Indian Constitution is modern and partly Western, it was not a blind borrowing but an innovative adaptation. Indians have adopted and adapted modern ideas to their context, creating a hybrid culture and an alternative modernity. The Constitution amalgamates Western and traditional Indian values selectively, making it not entirely alien. These criticisms highlight challenges but do not negate the Constitution's core philosophy.

📊 Diagram: Of course! Isn't it what we learnt in the first chapter? That there should be a valid reason for every section of society to go along with the Constitution?

🔗 Connection: Leads to acknowledging the limitations of the Constitution.