AP Inter 1st Year Civics Important Questions Chapter 11 Constitutions

Students must practice these AP Inter 1st Year Civics Important Questions 11th Lesson Constitutions to boost their exam preparation.

AP Inter 1st Year Civics Important Questions 11th Lesson Constitutions

Long Answer Questions

Question 1.
Define Constitution and explain the features of Constitution.
Answer:
Definitions:

  • Aristotle defines “Constitution is the arrangement of offices in a State, especially the highest of all.”
  • Lord Bryce defines “Constitution is a set of established rules embodying and enacting the practice of government.”
  • Stephen Leacock defines “Constitution is the form of government.”

The features of Constitution:
i) Preamble:
Every Constitution will have a Preamble. The Preamble explains the aims and aspirations of the Constitution. It is the soul of the Constitution. Hence, Preamble is considered to be an important feature of the Constitution.

ii) Clarity:
Clarity is another important feature of the Constitution. The Constitution clearly explains about the different policies and methods of governance. It is written in a simple and clear language.

iii) Incorporation of Fundamental Rights:
Every Constitution includes some fundamental rights. These fundamental rights are meant for safeguarding the freedoms of the citizens. They enable the citizens to realise their personality in various spheres. They help the citizens for leading a happy and honourable life in the state.

iv) Brevity:
Brevity is another feature of a Constitution. Brevity avoids confusion among the individuals in understanding and interpreting provisions. Unnecessary elements are not included in the Constitution. It should be precise. It must not contain large number of clauses.

v) Flexibility:
The Constitution must be flexible for adapting the wishes and aspirations of the people from time to time. There must be a scope for amending the provisions of the Constitution if necessary. Frequent changes in the Constitution tend to weaken the spirit of the Constitution. But, at the same time, the Constitution of a modern state should be adaptable to the progressive changes.

vi) Permanence:
Permanence is one more feature of the Constitution. The Constitution must have everlasting values for the welfare of the whole nation. It represents the actual structure of the state and its political institutions. It obliges the customs of the people.

vii) Mode of Amendment:
The Constitution specifies the mode of amendment. It will be relevant to the contemporary conditions of the state., It contains a special chapter on the constitutional amendment procedures. Usually the constitutional amendments are of three types, namely, i) rigid1 ii) flexible and iii) half rigid and half flexible.

viii) Explanatory:
The Constitution is explanatory in nature. It denotes and discusses all elements relating to the people, government and state. It contains separate provisions on the structure, powers and limitations of state activity.

AP Inter 1st Year Civics Important Questions Chapter 11 Constitutions

Question 2.
Define Constitution and point out the differences between Flexible and Rigid Constitutions. [March. 2016]
Answer:
Definitions:

  • Aristotle defines “Constitution is the arrangement of offices in a State, especially the highest of all.”
  • Stephen Leacock defines “Constitution is the form of government.”

Differences between Flexible and Rigid Constitutions

Flexible Constitution

  • Constitutional matters are not clearly mentioned.
  • Constitution can be easily amended.
  • Rights, freedoms and liberties of people may not be safeguarded by the Judiciary.
  • Not appropriate to a federal state.
  • Provides no scope for judicial review.
  • Possibility of unlimited legislative power.
  • Highly unstable.
  • It makes no differentiation between constitutional and ordinary laws.
  • Only one type of law is found.
  • More suitable to the politically advanced states.
  • No scope for revolutions.
  • Appropriate to small states.

Rigid Constitution

  • Constitutional matters are clearly written.
  • Constitution cannot be easily amended.
  • Rights, freedoms and liberties of people will be better safeguarded by the Judiciary.
  • Appropriate for a federal state.
  • Provides scope for judicial review.
  • Possibility of a limited legislative power.
  • Highly stable.
  • It makes differentiation between constitutional and ordinary laws.
  • Two types of laws are found. Constitutional and ordinary. Constitutional laws precede ordinary laws.
  • More suitable to the developing nations.
  • Scope for revolutions.
  • Appropriate to large states.

AP Inter 1st Year Civics Important Questions Chapter 11 Constitutions

Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
Define Constitution. Explain its features.
Answer:
Definition: Lord Bryce defines “Constitution is a set of established rules embodying and enacting the practice of government.”

Features of the Constitution:
i) Preamble:
Every Constitution will have a Preamble. The Preamble denotes the aims and aspirations of the Constitution. It is like the soul of the Constitution. Hence, Preamble is considered as an important feature of the Constitution.

ii) Clarity:
Clarity is another important feature of the Constitution. The Constitution clearly explains about the different policies and methods of government. It is written in a simple and clear language.

iii) Incorporation of Fundamental Rights:
Every Constitution includes some fundamental rights. These are meant for safeguarding the freedoms of the citizens. They enable the citizens to realise their personality in various spheres.

iv) Brevity:
Brevity is another feature of a Constitution. Brevity avoids confusion among the individuals in understanding and interpreting provisions. Unnecessary elements are not included in the Constitution. It should be precise.

Question 2.
What are the merits and demerits of a Written Constitution?
Answer:
Merits of Written Constitution:

  • A written Constitution carries more simplicity. It gives no scope for confusion and ambiguity among the people in understanding the structure and organization of various institutions.
  • It renders political stability due to its rigid nature.
  • It protects the fundamental rights of the people.
  • It maintains equilibrium between the centre and the states by allocating powers in a judicious manner.
  • It embodies the aspirations of the people. It cautions the government about the importance of the accomplishment of popular needs.
  • It puts limitations on the powers of the government.
  • It safeguards the sanctity and spirit of a fedaration.

Demerits of Written Constitution:

  • A written Constitution cannot provide a better government as it imposes some stipulated conditions on the party in power.
  • Its rigid nature is not helpful to the development of the state.
  • Its provisions cannot be changed according to the needs and wishes of the people. So the progress of the nations lags behind.
  • It makes the judiciary a predominant one.
  • It gives scope for conflicts among the government organs. .
  • It may not be conducive to the formation of a welfare state.

Question 3.
Explain the merits and demerits of Unwritten Constitution.
Answer:
Merits of Unwritten Constitution:

  • An unwritten Constitution paves the way for progressive legislation. It has development orientation.
  • It always undergoes the process of evolution as it aims at ‘bettering the best.’
  • Its provisions are elastic in nature. So changes in the Constitution are easily made.
  • It can be amended according to the popular needs and aspirations.
  • It gives no scope for revolutions and such other agitations. It concedes to the popular demands.

Demerits of Unwritten Constitution:

  • An unwritten Constitution may be changed frequently by the party in power for its political gains. This affects the political stability of the nation.
  • An unwritten Constitution is considered as a play tool of judges. This may lead to judicial manipulations.
  • It is npf suitable to democratic states.
  • It is also not suitable for federal states.
  • It fails to protect the rights and freedoms of people.
  • It is prone to frequent amendments.
  • It is more informal in nature.

Question 4.
Distinguish between Written and Unwritten Constitution. [Sep. 2021, May ’16; Mar. ’17,’15 – A.P]
Answer:
Differences between Written and Unwritten Constitutions:

Written Constitution

  • Written Constitution implies a document or few documents in which the rules regulating the main institutions of government are written down.
  • All the basic principles of the State are clearly written.
  • Written Constitution is framed by a special assembly convened at a particular point of time.
  • It cannot be easily amended.
  • Courts of law protect the liberties of the citizens.
  • It is formulated at a particular time.
  • It provides political stability.
  • It is suitable to the educated and literate people.
  • It is useful to federal states.

Unwritten Constitution

  • Unwritten Constitution denotes a sum of customs, conventions and usages which have not been systematically documented.
  • All the basic principles of the State exist in the form of customs and traditions.
  • Unwritten Constitution contains some written elements also in the form of enactments of fundamental characters made from time to time.
  • It can easily be amended.
  • Courts of law cannot provide much protection.
  • It is evolutionary in nature.
  • It could not ensure political stability.
  • It is suitable to the uneducated and illiterate people.
  • It is advantageous to the unitary states.

AP Inter 1st Year Civics Important Questions Chapter 11 Constitutions

Question 5.
Explain the merits and demerits of a Rigid Constitution. [Mar. 2018; May ’17; Mar. ’15-T.S]
Answer:
Merits of Rigid Constitution:

  • Rigid Constitution secures political stability.
  • It is a product of political experiences.
  • It avoids hasty and ill-considered legislation.
  • It protects the fundamental rights of the citizens.
  • It preserves and enhances the interests of the provinces in a federal state.
  • It is suitable for all kinds of people.

Demerits of Rigid Constitution:

  • Rigid Constitution cannot be easily amended to suit the changing needs.
  • It may affect the nation’s progress and growth.
  • It is not suitable for tackling the issues arising during emergencies.

Very Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
What do you mean by Constitution?
Answer:
There is a Constitution for every modern State. Constitution determines the structure of the State and the mode of government. Constitution is the basis for running a State. It is the basic law of the State. All other laws in the State must be strictly in accordance with the Constitution. Constitution is prepared by a specially constituted Constituent Assembly.

Question 2.
What is an Evolved Constitution? [May. 2022; Mar. ’19,’18]
Answer:
Evolved Constitution is also called Cumulative Constitution. It is the result of evolutionary changes. It may be the product of collected material. It acts as the basis to the political institutions of a country. Several customs, usages, traditions, principles and judicial decisions are the major sources of this Constitution. For ex. British Constitution.

Question 3.
What is an Enacted Constitution? [May. 2022, Sep. 2021; Mar. ’20,’16; May. ’17,’16; Mar. ’17,’15 – A.P.]
Answer:
Enacted Constitution is also known as Conventional Constitution. It is consciously made. It is the outcome of the deliberations of the Constituent Assembly specially constituted for that purpose. It is promulgated by the Sovereign Authority i.e. king or queen or Parliament. For ex. the Constitutions,of India and the U.S.A.

Question 4.
Write any three merits and demerits of Flexible Constitution.
Answer:
Merits of Flexible Constitution are i) It is elastic and adaptable in nature. Its provisions can be easily amended from time to time, ii) It protects the people from the dangers of revolutions, iii) It is responsive and responsible to the popular wishes.

The demerits of the Flexible Constitution are i) It is highly unstable, ii) It is not suitable to democratic states, iii) It is not suitable to the fedaral states, having rigid Constitution.

AP Inter 1st Year Civics Important Questions Chapter 11 Constitutions

Question 5.
Mention any two differences between Flexible and Rigid Constitutions. [Mar. ’20,’19, May ’17; Mar. ’15 – T.S.]
Answer:

  • Constitutional matters in the flexible Constitution are not clearly mentioned, whereas in rigid Constitution, constitutional matters are clearly mentioned.
  • Flexible Constitution can be easily amended, whereas the Constitution cannot be easily amended.

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