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CBSE Class 9 Political Science Notes Chapter 2 Constitutional Design

In this article we have provided CBSE Class 9 Political Science Notes Chapter 2 prepared by our experts to help students to prepare better for their examinations.
authorImageAnanya Gupta20 Jun, 2024
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CBSE Class 9 Political Science Notes Chapter 2

CBSE Class 9 Political Science Notes Chapter 2: CBSE Class 9 Political Science, Chapter 2 on Constitutional Design, teaches students about the Indian Constitution's basic principles and structure. It explains how the Constitution was created to ensure fairness and equality in India, considering its diverse society.

Students learn about the framers of the Constitution, their goals, and the important discussions that influenced its content. The chapter covers fundamental rights for citizens, the role of the courts, and how power is shared between the central government and states. Studying Constitutional Design helps students understand democracy, the rule of law, and how India protects everyone's rights.

CBSE Class 9 Political Science Notes Chapter 2 Constitutional Design Overview

These notes for CBSE Class 9 Political Science, Chapter 2: Constitutional Design, are created by subject experts from Physics Wallah. Students will learn about fundamental rights, how power is shared between the central and state governments, and the role of the judiciary in ensuring justice. Studying Constitutional Design helps students understand how democratic principles shape India's government, and teaches them about their rights and duties as citizens."

CBSE Class 9 Political Science Notes Chapter 2 PDF

You can find the PDF for CBSE Class 9 Political Science Notes, Chapter 2: Constitutional Design, by clicking on the link below. It covers topics such as how the Constitution protects people's rights, how power is divided among different levels of government, and how checks and balances ensure accountability. Understanding this chapter helps students learn about India's democratic system and their roles as responsible citizens.

CBSE Class 9 Political Science Notes Chapter 2 PDF

CBSE Notes Class 9 Political Science Chapter 2 Constitutional Design

Here we have provided CBSE Notes Class 9 Political Science Chapter 2 for the ease of students so that they can prepare better for their exams.

Constitutional Design

Democratic Constitution in South Africa

Apartheid

Apartheid in South Africa was a system of racial discrimination imposed by white Europeans starting from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. European trading companies used force to colonize South Africa and became its rulers. Under apartheid, people were categorized based on their skin color, with whites considering themselves superior. Non-whites, including blacks, coloureds, and Indians, were treated as inferior, denied voting rights, and barred from living in areas designated for whites. Resistance against apartheid grew, particularly from 1950 onward, led by the African National Congress (ANC). Nelson Mandela, among eight leaders, was tried for treason by the white South African government in 1964 and sentenced to life imprisonment for opposing apartheid.

Giving Rise to a New Constitution

As protests against apartheid intensified, the white government realized it could no longer suppress the black population through repression alone. In response, the regime began to change its policies: discriminatory laws were repealed, the ban on political parties was lifted, and restrictions on the media were relaxed. Nelson Mandela was released from Robben Island Prison after serving 28 years. Finally, on midnight of 26 April 1994, apartheid officially ended, marking the beginning of a multi-racial government in South Africa. With the dawn of democratic South Africa, the former oppressors and leaders of the freedom struggle came together to draft a new constitution. This constitution granted citizens extensive rights, unparalleled in many other countries. They emphasized inclusivity, ensuring that all voices were heard in finding solutions to the nation's challenges.

Why the Need for a Constitution?

The example of South Africa illustrates why a constitution is essential and what it accomplishes. In the transition to democracy, both the oppressors and the oppressed sought to coexist as equals. Each group aimed to protect its interests, including social and economic rights. Through negotiations, a compromise was reached: the white minority accepted majority rule and the principle of one person, one vote. In return, the black majority agreed to respect minority rights and property. To ensure this agreement was upheld and to build trust, they needed a set of rules that all parties would follow without exception. These fundamental rules, which no government can ignore, are known as a constitution. In every country, people are diverse with differing opinions and interests. A constitution acts as the supreme law that defines the relationships among citizens and between the people and their government. Here's what constitutions achieve:
  1. They outline how the government will be formed and who will wield which powers.
  2. They set limits on government authority and outline the rights of citizens.
  3. They reflect the collective aspirations of the people for creating a just society.
While not all countries with constitutions are democratic, all democratic countries have constitutions as foundational documents to guide their governance and protect the rights of their people.

Making of the Indian Constitution

India's Constitution was crafted under challenging circumstances, emerging from the partition that divided the country along religious lines, creating India and Pakistan. This partition was a deeply traumatic event for the people. Additionally, the British left it to the princely states to decide whether to join India, Pakistan, or remain independent, making the process of integration complex and uncertain. At the time of drafting the Constitution, the future of the newly independent India seemed precarious. Despite these challenges, the framers of India's Constitution had the advantage of a pre-existing consensus on the vision of a democratic India, which had evolved during the freedom struggle. As early as 1928, leaders like Motilal Nehru and others drafted a constitutional framework for India. The Karachi session of the Indian National Congress in 1931 further deliberated on the shape of independent India's Constitution. These early documents laid down key principles such as Universal Adult Franchise, the Right to Freedom and Equality, and safeguards for minority rights. These principles were widely accepted by leaders well before the Constituent Assembly convened to finalize the Constitution. The Constitution, India also drew upon institutional details and procedures from colonial laws, notably the Government of India Act 1935. Moreover, the ideals of the French Revolution, the parliamentary democracy of Britain, and the Bill of Rights in the US influenced many Indian leaders. These influences shaped the structure and content of India's Constitution, which remains a cornerstone of the country's governance and democratic principles.

The Constituent Assembly

The drafting of India's Constitution was undertaken by the Constituent Assembly, composed of elected representatives. Elections for the Constituent Assembly were held in July 1946, and its inaugural session took place in December 1946. Following the partition of India and Pakistan, the assembly was also divided into the Constituent Assembly of India and Pakistan. The Indian Constituent Assembly comprised 299 members. On 26 November 1949, the Assembly formally adopted the Constitution, which then came into effect on 26 January 1950, celebrated annually as Republic Day. Why should we still uphold the Constitution crafted by this Assembly more than six decades ago? Firstly, the Constitution is not merely the product of its members' opinions but represents a broad consensus of its time. Secondly, the Constituent Assembly was a representative body that reflected the diversity and aspirations of the Indian people. The Assembly first established fundamental principles and then entrusted a Drafting Committee led by Dr B.R. Ambedkar to prepare a draft Constitution for rigorous discussion. Every clause of the Draft Constitution underwent thorough deliberation, with over two thousand amendments considered.

Benefits of CBSE Class 9 Political Science Notes Chapter 2

  • Understanding Democratic Principles : Students learn about the principles that form the basis of a democratic government, such as equality, justice, and rights.
  • Insight into Constitutional Framework : They gain insight into how constitutions are framed, the key components of a constitution, and why it is necessary for a country to have a constitution.
  • Importance of Rule of Law : Students understand the importance of the rule of law in ensuring that governments function within legal limits and respect citizens' rights.
  • Critical Thinking Skills : Studying constitutional design encourages critical thinking and analysis about the structure and functioning of governments.
  • Historical Context : It provides a historical context, such as the making of India's Constitution, which is essential for understanding the evolution of democratic institutions in the country.
  • Awareness of Fundamental Rights : Students become aware of their fundamental rights and the mechanisms through which these rights are protected in a democratic setup.

CBSE Class 9 Political Science Notes Chapter 2 FAQs

What is a Constitution?

A constitution is a fundamental document that lays down the framework for governance, outlining the rights and duties of citizens, and defining the powers and limitations of the government.

Why do we need a Constitution?

A constitution is important to provide a framework for the functioning of government, ensure the protection of citizens' rights, promote equality, and establish mechanisms for resolving conflicts.

What are the key features of India's Constitution?

India's Constitution includes key features such as sovereignty, secularism, democratic principles, fundamental rights, directive principles of state policy, and a system of checks and balances among the executive, legislature, and judiciary.

How was India's Constitution framed?

India's Constitution was drafted by the Constituent Assembly, which included representatives from various sections of society. It was chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and after several rounds of discussions and amendments, it was adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into effect on January 26, 1950.

What are the principles of democratic constitutional design?

Democratic constitutional design principles include ensuring popular sovereignty (people's power), protecting minority rights, promoting social justice, fostering accountability and transparency in governance, and upholding the rule of law.
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