Consider the following statements regarding the relationship between democracy and constitutions: 1. All countries that have a constitution are necessarily democratic. 2. All countries that are democratic will have a constitution. 3. The practice of having a written constitution became common only after the Russian Revolution. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Option The correct option is (b). Explanation A constitution is a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed. While it is a prerequisite for a democratic order to ensure the rule of law, the mere existence of a constitution does not guarantee a democratic political system. Statement-wise Analysis - Statement 1 is Incorrect. Having a constitution is not a sufficient condition for being a democracy. Many non-democratic or authoritarian regimes (e.g., China, North Korea) possess constitutions that define the structure of the state but do not necessarily uphold democratic principles or limit the power of the state effectively. - Statement 2 is Correct. It is a fundamental principle that all democratic countries require a constitution. A democracy relies on a supreme law to define the powers of the government, limit those powers to prevent tyranny, and safeguard the rights of the citizens. Therefore, every modern democracy adopts a constitution. - Statement 3 is Incorrect. The practice of adopting a written constitution became popular after the American War of Independence (late 18th century), not the Russian Revolution (1917). The United States Constitution (1787) and the French Constitution (1791) set the precedent for written constitutions in the modern world. Key Takeaway: While every democracy must have a constitution to ensure limited government and rule of law, not every country with a constitution is a democracy; authoritarian regimes often use constitutions to formalize their power structures.

Consider the following statements regarding the relationship between… - NCERT Class 9 Political Science MCQ

NCERT Class 9 Political Science — Chapter 2: Constitutional design

mcqmedium

Consider the following statements regarding the relationship between democracy and constitutions:

All countries that have a constitution are necessarily democratic.
All countries that are democratic will have a constitution.
The practice of having a written constitution became common only after the Russian Revolution.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

NCERT textbook question

From NCERT Political Science: Democratic Politics Part – I · Page 22

Options

A1 only
B2 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Did you get this right?

Solution

Correct Option

The correct option is (b).

Explanation

A constitution is a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed. While it is a prerequisite for a democratic order to ensure the rule of law, the mere existence of a constitution does not guarantee a democratic political system.

Statement-wise Analysis

Statement 1 is Incorrect. Having a constitution is not a sufficient condition for being a democracy. Many non-democratic or authoritarian regimes (e.g., China, North Korea) possess constitutions that define the structure of the state but do not necessarily uphold democratic principles or limit the power of the state effectively.
Statement 2 is Correct. It is a fundamental principle that all democratic countries require a constitution. A democracy relies on a supreme law to define the powers of the government, limit those powers to prevent tyranny, and safeguard the rights of the citizens. Therefore, every modern democracy adopts a constitution.
Statement 3 is Incorrect. The practice of adopting a written constitution became popular after the American War of Independence (late 18th century), not the Russian Revolution (1917). The United States Constitution (1787) and the French Constitution (1791) set the precedent for written constitutions in the modern world.

Key Takeaway: While every democracy must have a constitution to ensure limited government and rule of law, not every country with a constitution is a democracy; authoritarian regimes often use constitutions to formalize their power structures.

Your note

More from Chapter 2: Constitutional design

The "Apartheid" system was particularly oppressive for blacks because: 1. They were forbidden from living in white areas without a permit. 2. They were allowed to form associations and protest freely. 3. They were permitted to worship in the same churches as whites. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

medium

In the context of the South African transition to democracy, the "Rainbow Nation" refers to:

medium

Who among the following was the President of the Constituent Assembly?

easy

What was the total membership of the Constituent Assembly of India immediately following the partition?

medium

Which of the following functions are performed by a constitution in a democracy? 1. It generates a degree of trust and coordination among diverse people. 2. It specifies how the government will be constituted. 3. It lays down limits on the powers of the government. 4. It expresses the aspirations of the people about creating a good society. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

medium

Keep practising Chapter 2: Constitutional design

Work through every question from this NCERT chapter.

Browse all NCERT Class 9 Political Science chapters