2020 GS Paper I, all questions
UPSC Prelims 2020 · GS Paper I
Question 7: Polity and Governance
A constitutional government by definition is a
agovernment by legislature
bpopular government
cmulti-party government
dlimited government
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (d).
Constitutionalism means that governmental power is limited by a constitution: authority is divided and checked, and citizens hold rights that the government cannot override. A constitutional government is therefore a limited government, whether it is a monarchy or a republic, parliamentary or presidential. Being run by the legislature, being popular or having many parties are features of particular systems, not the defining test.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: government by the legislature describes an assembly system, not constitutional government as such.
- (b) Wrong: a popular government can still be unlimited; limits on power are what make it constitutional.
- (c) Wrong: a multi-party system is a feature of some democracies and is not required.
- (d) Right: a constitution limits the powers of those who govern.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2020, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.