Consider the following statements : A Constitutional Government is one which 1. places effective restrictions on individual liberty in the interest of State Authority 2. places effective restrictions on the Authority of the State in the interest of individual liberty Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- (a) 1 only
- (b) 2 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Why the answer is (b)
• Constitutionalism means limited government: the Constitution places effective restrictions on the authority of the State — through fundamental rights, separation of powers and judicial review — in order to protect individual liberty (statement 2).
• Statement 1 inverts this: a government that restricts liberty in the interest of State authority is authoritarian, not constitutional.
• Hence 2 only, option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) 1 only
- Statement 1 describes authoritarianism, not constitutionalism.
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- Statement 1 is wrong.
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- Statement 2 correctly describes constitutional government.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2014, held on 24 August 2014. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.