Presentationby Dr. Subhash C. Kashyap 0 Ultimately. the people of India. 1 . In a democracy. citizens have to be wide awake and aware of their liberties.It is necessary that we. know about the political system under which we live and are governed. the success of our political system will depend largely on our willingness to understand the system and become active participants in the democratic process. rights and responsibilities. . 2 . 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. Identifies and establishes the organs and units of the state Defines the roles and jurisdictions of the Executive. Political system generally denotes the structure of institutions that constitute the State and its Government. Political interactions in society and structures and procedures for decision making are all rooted in a country’s political system. 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. 3 . It also consists of the manner in which the rulers are selected or elected. governments are formed and political decisions taken. the Executive and the Judiciary--and the linkage of each with the people. It delineates the framework and form of inter--relationships between institutions and organs of inter the StateState-the Legislature. 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. 4 .. 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 5 . nothing static or inert. everever-growing process. Political system is a dynamic. let fools contest whatever is best administered is the best” . Monarchy Aristocracy/oligarchy Authoritarian/Totalitarian/Dictatorial Democracy: Worst Form except that none better “About forms of government.Pope 6 . Direct/Representative/Participatory Federal/Unitary Republican Presidential/Parliamentary 7 . Unique – does not fit into any one model Compromise between – – Presidential and Parliamentary – Federal and Unitary – Republican & Parliamentary Republican. federal. 8 . parliamentary Not built on the plinth of country’s past – continuation of the British colonial model – transfer of power not to the people people. representative.. parliamentary.. quasi quasi--federal. The President is elected by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of the Rajya Sabha Sabha. in turn... He is the nominal or the constitutional States Continued 9 .. the Lok Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies of the States. 18. they elect the members of the Lok electorate Sabha and the Legislative Assemblies of their States..e.. elect the States members of the Rajya Sabha Sabha. Very broadly the adult population.. constitute the electorate. The State Assemblies. those who have attained the age of 18. i. 10 . The ministers are from Parliament and collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. Ministers.Continued executive. Wing. 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. Sabha. the real or the political executive being the Council of Ministers. both internal and external. rule of law. Survival potential – Dynamism Dynamism. resilience. democracy.. secularism and unity and integrity of the nation 11 . natural and manman-made – withstanding several aggressions Preservation of freedom. conflict resolution mechanism Ability to adjust and accommodate Ability to face crises . 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. – Nagar Palikas & Panchayats 12 . Govt. Legislature and Executive – conflicts and controversies Misuse of Emergency provisions Continued 13 . 95 Constitutional Amendments – one every 7 months Over 120 failures of Constitutional machinery – President’s rule Strains in Relations between Union and States Judiciary. Continued Disconnect between the people and the politicians Democracy & Freedom under threat Governance Deficit – Disdain & disregard for ordinary citizens Insecurity. costs Continued 14 . poverty.Delays. Council of Ministers & Prime Minister – Judicial system. unemployment and rising prices Devaluation of values and de-institutionalization of institutions – – Parliament. illiteracy. background 15 . Muscle and Mafia power – 300 crorepatis in Lok Sabha.. many multiplied their wealth & assets in 5 yrs. Sabha. casteism and communalism Erosion of representational legitimacy of representatives Role of Money.Continued Criminalization. 175 with criminal background. corruption. yrs. . confidence. eroded. strain. There is a crisis of confidence. The life of the ordinary citizen is getting more and more miserable. integrity and efficiency of governmental institutions and of public functionaries stands seriously eroded.. Faith of the people in the quality. The case for political reforms is miserable unassailable. times.Nation is passing through critical times. unassailable 16 . Our political system is under severe strain. THANK YOU 17 .