CBSE Class 8 Social and Political Life III Chapter 1: The Indian Constitution NCERT Solutions

Solution: A democratic country requires a constitution for several crucial reasons:

1. Prevention of Power Misuse: A constitution establishes clear rules and boundaries that prevent those in power, including elected representatives, from misusing their authority.
2. Guarantee of Rights: It ensures that all citizens are guaranteed fundamental rights, such as the right to equality, protecting them from discrimination.
3. Fundamental Rights and Duties: The constitution outlines the basic rights and duties that every citizen possesses, fostering a sense of responsibility and entitlement.
4. Protection of Vulnerable Groups: It safeguards less powerful individuals or groups from being exploited or dominated by more powerful sections of society.
5. Governmental Balance: It establishes a system of checks and balances among the different organs of the government (like the legislature, executive, and judiciary), ensuring no single organ becomes too powerful.

Solution:

The key difference lies in the distribution of executive power. In the 1990 Constitution of Nepal, executive power was shared between the King and the Council of Ministers. However, in the 2007 Interim Constitution, the executive power is vested solely in the Council of Ministers, indicating a shift away from monarchical authority.

Nepal needs a new constitution today because the country has undergone a significant political transformation. It has moved from being a monarchy to establishing itself as a democracy. The older constitution, which granted substantial power to the King, is no longer suitable for a democratic system. A new constitution is necessary to reflect the democratic ideals that the people fought for and to establish a governance structure that is truly representative and accountable to the citizens, aligning with the aspirations of a modern democratic nation.

Solution: If there were no restrictions on the power of elected representatives, several negative consequences could arise, undermining the principles of democracy and justice:

1. Abuse of Power: Representatives could use their authority for personal gain, to favour their supporters, or to oppress those who disagree with them, leading to corruption and injustice.
2. Dictatorship: Unchecked power could lead to a situation where representatives act like dictators, making decisions arbitrarily without consulting the public or respecting the law.
3. Violation of Rights: Fundamental rights of citizens, such as freedom of speech, equality, and liberty, could be easily violated as there would be no legal or constitutional safeguards against such actions.
4. Erosion of Trust: The public would lose faith in the government and the democratic process if representatives consistently acted in their own self-interest rather than serving the people.
5. Instability: Such a system could lead to widespread discontent, protests, and social unrest, ultimately destabilizing the country.

Therefore, constitutional restrictions and a system of checks and balances are vital to ensure that elected representatives remain accountable to the people and govern justly.