Constitution (VSAQs)
Political Science-1 | 10. Constitution – VSAQs:
Welcome to VSAQs in Chapter 10: Constitution. This page includes the most important FAQs for Very Short Answer Questions. Each answer is provided in simple English and follows the exam format. This helps you focus on key points and aim for top marks in your final exams.
VSAQ-1: What do you mean by constitution? (OR) What is the constitution?
A constitution is like the blueprint of a country, setting out the essential rules, principles, and laws that shape how the government operates and how people interact within the society. Think of it as the ultimate guidebook that outlines how the government should be structured, what powers different branches of government have, and what rights and responsibilities citizens possess. For example, just like a school has rules to ensure everything runs smoothly, a constitution ensures that a country functions fairly and justly. It acts as the highest authority, meaning that all other laws and government actions must align with the constitution.
VSAQ-2: What is a written constitution?
A written constitution is a formal document that clearly lays out all the essential rules, principles, and laws that govern a country. Imagine having all the important rules for how your school or a club operates written down in one single handbook. That’s what a written constitution does for a country—it consolidates everything into one place, making it clear and accessible. It’s created through a thoughtful process, often by a group of representatives who carefully draft it, ensuring that it covers everything from how the government is structured to the rights of citizens. For instance, the Constitution of India is a written constitution, where all the rules are documented in detail.
VSAQ-3: What is an unwritten constitution?
An unwritten constitution doesn’t exist as one single, formal document. Instead, it’s made up of various elements like traditions, legal rulings, customs, and conventions that have developed over time. Think of it like a set of house rules that aren’t written down but everyone knows and follows because they’ve been passed down from generation to generation. In countries with an unwritten constitution, like the United Kingdom, the rules that guide how the government works and how laws are applied come from multiple sources, not just one single document. This type of constitution is more flexible and can evolve more easily as society changes.
VSAQ-4: What is a Rigid Constitution?
A rigid constitution is one that’s hard to change. If you imagine a school rulebook where changing any rule requires a supermajority of teachers and students to agree, that’s similar to how a rigid constitution works. It’s written in a way that makes amendments challenging, often needing special procedures or a significant majority to make even small changes. For example, in the United States, changing the Constitution requires a two-thirds vote in Congress or a constitutional convention, making it difficult to alter the fundamental laws that govern the country. This rigidity helps protect important rights and principles from being easily changed.
VSAQ-5: What is a preamble?
A preamble is like the introduction to a constitution—it’s the opening statement that sets the tone and explains the fundamental goals and values of the document. Think of it as the mission statement for a country, outlining what the people aspire to achieve through their government. For instance, the Preamble of the Indian Constitution begins with “We, the people of India…” and goes on to express the core values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity that the constitution aims to uphold. The preamble helps guide how the rest of the constitution should be interpreted and implemented, serving as a reminder of the ideals that the nation strives to embody.