Presentationby Dr. Subhash C. Kashyap 0

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. 1

Identifies and establishes the organs and units of the state Identifies and establishes the organs and units of the state Defines the roles and jurisdictions of the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary 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 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. Establishes accountability and relationship of the organs of the State with the people. 2

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 the State-the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary-and the linkage of each with the people. 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 country’s political system. 3

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. 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. 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. 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. 4

Political system is a dynamic, ever-growing process, nothing static or inert. Political system is a dynamic, ever-growing process, nothing static or 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. 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. Changes and growth come through Changes and growth come through – Constitutional Amendments and laws by Legislatures – Interpretation by Courts – Operation by Executive institutions at various levels 5

Monarchy Monarchy Aristocracy/oligarchy Aristocracy/oligarchy Authoritarian/Totalitarian/Dictatorial Authoritarian/Totalitarian/Dictatorial Democracy: Worst Form except that none better Democracy: Worst Form except that none better “About forms of government, let fools contest whatever is best administered is the best” - Pope - Pope 6

Direct/Representative/Participatory Direct/Representative/Participatory Federal/Unitary Federal/Unitary Republican Republican Presidential/Parliamentary Presidential/Parliamentary 7

Unique – does not fit into any one model Unique – does not fit into any one model Compromise between – Compromise between – – Presidential and Parliamentary – Federal and Unitary – Republican & Parliamentary Republican, quasi-federal, representative, parliamentary. Republican, quasi-federal, representative, parliamentary. Not built on the plinth of country’s past – continuation of the British colonial model – transfer of power not to the people. Not built on the plinth of country’s past – continuation of the British colonial model – transfer of power not to the people. 8

Very broadly the adult population, i.e., those who have attained the age of 18, constitute the electorate; they elect the members of the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies of their States. The State Assemblies, in turn, elect the members of the Rajya Sabha. The President is elected by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of the Rajya Sabha, the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies of the States. He is the nominal or the constitutional Very broadly the adult population, i.e., those who have attained the age of 18, constitute the electorate; they elect the members of the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies of their States. The State Assemblies, in turn, elect the members of the Rajya Sabha. The President is elected by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of the Rajya Sabha, the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies of the States. He is the nominal or the constitutionalContinued 9

Continued executive, the real or the political executive being the Council of Ministers. The ministers are from Parliament and collectively responsible to the Lok 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. 10

Survival potential Survival potential – Dynamism, resilience, conflict resolution mechanism Ability to adjust and accommodate Ability to adjust and accommodate Ability to face crises - both internal and external, natural and man-made – withstanding several aggressions Ability to face crises - both internal and external, natural and man-made – withstanding several aggressions Preservation of freedom, rule of law, democracy, secularism and unity and integrity of the nation Preservation of freedom, rule of law, democracy, secularism and unity and integrity of the nation 11

Preservation of Freedom of Institutions Preservation of Freedom of Institutions Independence of Judiciary Independence of Judiciary Freedom of the Press Freedom of the Press Integration and Reorganization of States Integration and Reorganization of States Liberation of French & Portuguese possessions in India Liberation of French & Portuguese possessions in India Economic development, solving the food problem Economic development, solving the food problem Development of a meaningful foreign policy Development of a meaningful foreign policy 15 Free & Fair General Elections 15 Free & Fair General Elections Peaceful Transfers of Power Peaceful Transfers of Power Land Reforms & abolition of Zamindari Land Reforms & abolition of Zamindari Local Self Govt. – Nagar Palikas & Panchayats Local Self Govt. – Nagar Palikas & Panchayats 12

95 Constitutional Amendments – one every 7 months 95 Constitutional Amendments – one every 7 months Over 120 failures of Constitutional machinery – President’s rule Over 120 failures of Constitutional machinery – President’s rule Strains in Relations between Union and States Strains in Relations between Union and States Judiciary, Legislature and Executive – conflicts and controversies Judiciary, Legislature and Executive – conflicts and controversies Misuse of Emergency provisions Misuse of Emergency provisions Continued 13

Continued Disconnect between the people and the politicians Democracy & Freedom under threat Democracy & Freedom under threat Governance Deficit – Disdain & disregard for ordinary citizens Governance Deficit – Disdain & disregard for ordinary citizens Insecurity, illiteracy, poverty, unemployment and rising prices 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 14

Continued Criminalization, corruption, casteism and communalism Erosion of representational legitimacy of representatives Role of Money, Muscle and Mafia power – 300 crorepatis in Lok Sabha, many multiplied their wealth & assets in 5 yrs, 175 with criminal background. Role of Money, Muscle and Mafia power – 300 crorepatis in Lok Sabha, many multiplied their wealth & assets in 5 yrs, 175 with criminal background. 15

Nation is passing through critical times. Our political system is under severe strain. There is a crisis of confidence. Faith of the people in the quality, integrity and efficiency of governmental institutions and of public functionaries stands seriously eroded. The life of the ordinary citizen is getting more and more miserable. The case for political reforms is unassailable. 16

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