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.