Presentation

by
Dr. Subhash C. Kashyap

It is necessary that we, the people of India,

know about the political system under which
we live and are governed. In a democracy,
citizens have to be wide awake and aware of
their liberties, rights and responsibilities.
Ultimately, the success of our political system
will depend largely on our willingness to
understand the system and become active
participants in the democratic process.

Identifies and establishes the organs and units of

the state
Defines the roles and jurisdictions of the
Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary
Distributes powers between the Union and the
units and regulates relationships between them
Establishes accountability and relationship of the
organs of the State with the people
people..
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Political system generally denotes the structure of

institutions that constitute the State and its
Government. It delineates the framework and form of
inter--relationships between institutions and organs of
inter
the StateState-the Legislature, the Executive and the
Judiciary--and the linkage of each with the people.
Judiciary
Political system gives shape and form to some
fundamental principles round which politics and
political institutions have developed or are proposed to
be organized to govern the country. It also consists of
the manner in which the rulers are selected or elected,
governments are formed and political decisions taken.
Political interactions in society and structures and
procedures for decision making are all rooted in a
countrys political system.
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Sovereignty vesting in the people at large

uncontrolled and unregulated is like the vast
energy in a wild mountainous river running
down the hills in its full force and fury causing
extensive damage and devastation.
devastation.
Political system is like a dam that gives shape
and content to the sovereign will of the people
and institutionalises it to provide security and
public weal
weal..
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Political system is a dynamic, everever-growing

process, nothing static or inert.
inert.
A living organism of functioning institutions
getting new meanings and content from the
manner in which and the people by whom it is
worked from generation to generation
generation..
Changes and growth come through
Constitutional Amendments and laws by Legislatures
Interpretation by Courts
Operation by Executive institutions at various levels
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Monarchy
Aristocracy/oligarchy
Authoritarian/Totalitarian/Dictatorial
Democracy: Worst Form except that none better
About forms of government, let fools contest
whatever is best administered is the best
- Pope



Direct/Representative/Participatory
Federal/Unitary
Republican
Presidential/Parliamentary



Unique does not fit into any one model

Compromise between
Presidential and Parliamentary
Federal and Unitary
Republican & Parliamentary

Republican,
quasi
quasi--federal,
federal,
representative,
parliamentary..
parliamentary
Not built on the plinth of countrys past
continuation of the British colonial model
transfer of power not to the people
people..
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Very broadly the adult population, i.e., those

who have attained the age of 18,
18, constitute the
electorate;; they elect the members of the Lok
electorate
Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies of their
States.. The State Assemblies, in turn, elect the
States
members of the Rajya Sabha
Sabha.. The President is
elected by an electoral college consisting of the
elected members of the Rajya Sabha
Sabha,, the Lok
Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies of the
States.. He is the nominal or the constitutional
States
Continued

Continued

executive, the real or the political executive

being the Council of Ministers.
Ministers. The ministers are
from Parliament and collectively responsible to
the Lok Sabha.
Sabha. The judges of the Supreme Court
and of the High Courts are to be appointed by
the President but the Supreme Court has held
that the decisive authority in the matter would
vest in the Judicial Wing.
Wing.

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Survival potential
Dynamism
Dynamism,, resilience, conflict resolution mechanism

Ability to adjust and accommodate

Ability to face crises
- both internal and
external, natural and manman-made withstanding
several aggressions
Preservation of freedom, rule of law, democracy,
secularism and unity and integrity of the nation

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Preservation of Freedom of Institutions

Independence of Judiciary
Freedom of the Press
Integration and Reorganization of States
Liberation of French & Portuguese possessions in
India
Economic development, solving the food problem
Development of a meaningful foreign policy
15 Free & Fair General Elections
Peaceful Transfers of Power
Land Reforms & abolition of Zamindari
Local Self Govt.
Govt. Nagar Palikas & Panchayats
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95 Constitutional Amendments one every 7

months
Over 120 failures of Constitutional machinery
Presidents rule
Strains in Relations between Union and States
Judiciary, Legislature and Executive conflicts
and controversies
Misuse of Emergency provisions
Continued

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Continued

Disconnect between the people and the politicians

Democracy & Freedom under threat
Governance Deficit Disdain & disregard for
ordinary citizens
Insecurity, illiteracy, poverty, unemployment and
rising prices
Devaluation of values and de-institutionalization
of institutions
Parliament, Council of Ministers & Prime Minister
Judicial system- Delays, costs
Continued

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Continued

Criminalization, corruption, casteism and

communalism
Erosion of representational legitimacy of
representatives
Role of Money, Muscle and Mafia power 300
crorepatis in Lok Sabha,
Sabha, many multiplied their
wealth & assets in 5 yrs,
yrs, 175 with criminal
background..
background

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Nation is passing through critical times.

times.
Our political system is under severe strain.
strain.
There is a crisis of confidence.
confidence. Faith of the
people in the quality, integrity and efficiency of
governmental institutions and of public
functionaries stands seriously eroded.
eroded. The life of
the ordinary citizen is getting more and more
miserable.. The case for political reforms is
miserable
unassailable..
unassailable
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THANK
YOU
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