UPSC Mains 2018 GS2 Q13 — Comparative Constitution
India and USA are two large democracies. Examine the basic tenets on which the two political systems are based. (Answer in 250 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Examine
- Scope keywords
- India and USAtwo large democraciesbasic tenetspolitical systems
- Implicit sub-parts
- Foundational principles common to both democratic systems
- Structural differences in the application of these tenets (e.g., Parliamentary vs Presidential)
- Comparison of Federalist features and Judicial Supremacy vs Parliamentary Sovereignty
- Shared values like secularism versus the 'separation of church and state'
- Common pitfalls
- Writing a generic essay on India-US bilateral relations or trade instead of focusing on political systems
- Ignoring the 'basic tenets' by listing only similarities and forgetting the fundamental differences in political philosophy
- Failing to mention the role of the Constitution as the source of power in both nations
- Spending too many words on the history of independence rather than the functional political mechanics
- Dimensions required
- Constitutional frameworkExecutive-Legislative relationshipFederalism (Symmetry vs Asymmetry)Judicial Review and Bill of Rights/Fundamental RightsNature of Secularism
- Marks allocation hint
Devote 50 words to a brief intro on constitutionalism. Allocate 150 words to a comparative analysis of at least four core tenets (Federalism, Separation of Powers, Fundamental Rights, and Judicial Review). Use the remaining 50 words for a concluding synthesis on how these systems converge despite structural differences.
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