Q13. India and the USA are two large democracies. Examine the basic tenets on which the two political systems are based.
Model Answer:
Introduction
India and the United States are both large democracies but have distinct political systems based on their historical, cultural, and institutional contexts. India follows a parliamentary system, while the USA has a presidential system, each with its unique set of principles and mechanisms of governance.
Body
Basic Tenets of India’s Political System:
- Parliamentary System: India follows a Westminster-style parliamentary democracy, where the executive is drawn from and accountable to the legislature. The Prime Minister, as the head of the government, is responsible to the Parliament.
- Federalism with a Strong Center: India’s federal structure, as defined in the Constitution, divides powers between the Union and State governments. However, the central government holds more power, particularly during emergencies (Article 356).
- Secularism: India’s political system is based on the principle of secularism, where the state maintains neutrality in religious matters.
- Judicial Review and Constitutionality: The Indian judiciary, especially the Supreme Court, plays a crucial role in reviewing the constitutionality of laws and protecting fundamental rights, as enshrined in the Constitution.
- Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles: India’s political system ensures individual rights through the Fundamental Rights (Part III) while promoting socio-economic objectives via the Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV).
Basic Tenets of the USA’s Political System:
- Presidential System: The USA follows a presidential system where the President is the head of state and government, elected independently of the legislature. This provides a clear separation of powers between the executive, legislature, and judiciary.
- Federalism with Equal Powers: The USA has a strong federal system where both the federal and state governments exercise equal sovereignty in their respective domains, as outlined in the 10th Amendment.
- Checks and Balances: The US Constitution enshrines a system of checks and balances, where the three branches of government—executive, legislative, and judiciary—are designed to monitor and limit each other’s powers, preventing any single branch from becoming too powerful.
- Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments to the US Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights, guarantee individual liberties, including freedom of speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial.
- Judicial Review: The principle of judicial review, established in Marbury v. Madison (1803), empowers the judiciary to invalidate laws that violate the Constitution, a key check on legislative and executive power.
Key Differences Between India and USA’s Political Systems:
- Head of Government: In India, the Prime Minister is a part of the legislature and is accountable to it, whereas in the USA, the President is independent of the legislature.
- Nature of Federalism: Indian federalism is tilted toward the central government, while US federalism grants more autonomy to states.
- Bicameral Legislature: Both countries have bicameral legislatures, but in India, the Rajya Sabha has limited powers compared to the Lok Sabha, while in the USA, the Senate holds significant power, equal to the House of Representatives.
Conclusion
While India and the USA share a commitment to democratic values, their political systems are shaped by different institutional frameworks. India’s parliamentary system ensures legislative accountability, while the USA’s presidential system emphasises the separation of powers. Both systems, however, strive to maintain a balance between authority and liberty, ensuring democratic governance.
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