Worksheet No: 02 Subject: Political Science Month: June 2025

Name: Topic: Constitution: Why and How Class XI (Hum)

Topic: Why Do We Need A Constitution? Specification of decision making powers (Page 3-4)

© Copyright : Aditi Ghosh

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1. A Constitution is the foundational framework of governance
• It consists of core principles that form the basis for the establishment and functioning of a state.
• These principles are considered "fundamental" because they are prior to and higher than ordinary laws—
they constitute the authority of law-making bodies.
2. The Constitution specifies who has the authority to make laws
• The central question is not just what laws should exist, but who gets to decide them.
• In any society, differing opinions (e.g., Rule X vs Rule Y) make it essential to establish a mechanism for
legitimate decision-making.
• This primary authority allocation is what the Constitution defines.
3. Different forms of government answer this question differently
• Monarchical Constitutions (e.g., absolute monarchies) allocate law-making power to the monarch.
• Single-party states (like the former Soviet Union) give exclusive power to a ruling party.
• Democratic constitutions grant law-making authority to the people—but the implementation of this ideal
is complex.
4. Even in democracies, ‘people’s rule’ needs clarification
• Should laws be decided by direct democracy (as in ancient Greece) where citizens vote on every law?.
• Or through representative democracy, where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their
behalf?
• If through representatives, then the Constitution must also define how they are elected, how many there
should be, and what their powers are.
5. Example: The Indian Constitution defines the structure and authority of Parliament
• It clearly states that Parliament is the key law-making body.
• But for Parliament to have such authority, the Constitution must first grant that authority—thus it is the
source of legitimacy for all government institutions.
6. The Constitution constitutes the government itself
• Without the Constitution, there would be no legal basis for Parliament, judiciary, or executive to function.
• It defines who makes decisions, how they are made, and under what limits.

Keyword of the Page 3-4

*Authority: The legally recognised power or right to make decisions, especially in governance and law-
making.
* Representative Democracy : A system where citizens elect representatives to make laws and policies on
their behalf.
* Law-making Power: The authority to formulate, enact, and implement rules that govern society, usually
vested in legislatures.

SECTION A
ASSERTION AND REASONING
For the questions (1- 5), two statements are given – one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other labelled as
Reason (R). Read these statements carefully and choose the correct option as the answer from the options
(A), (B), (C) and (D) given below:
Options:
(A) Both Assertion (A) and Reasoning (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of the
Assertion (A).
(B) Both Assertion (A) and Reasoning (R) are true but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of the
Assertion (A).
(C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false.
(D) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

1. In a newly formed democratic country, the citizens are debating whether laws should be made through
public voting or by elected representatives.

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 Assertion (A): A constitution is essential to clarify who has the authority to make laws in a democratic
society.
Reason (R): Without a constitutional provision, there would be confusion over whether laws are passed
by the people directly or through their chosen representatives.
2. A country decides that its laws will be made by a central committee, despite being called a "democratic
republic".
Assertion (A): In a democracy, the constitution ensures that power is not concentrated in one individual
or group.
Reason (R): Most democratic countries follow a presidential system where the president has absolute
power to make laws.
3. Assertion (A): A constitution is necessary to specify who holds the power to make decisions in a
society.
Reason (R): In a democratic setup, the decision-making power is always vested only in the head of the
state.
4 Assertion (A): Only monarchs can decide laws under a democratic constitution.
Reason (R): The Indian Constitution allows only the monarch to create rules for society.
5. Assertion (A): A constitution lays the foundation for the structure of government.
Reason (R):It defines how representatives are elected and what powers they will have.
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION
6. What does “who gets to decide” mean in constitutional terms?
(a) Which judge will deliver the verdict (b) Who can form political parties
(c) Who has the authority to make laws and policies (d) Who can break laws
7. In the village of Sundarpur, why was a “Rules Committee” elected instead of letting the Sarpanch make
all decisions alone?
(a) Because the Sarpanch was old and unable to govern
(b) To ensure democratic participation in rule-making
(c) Because the Constitution prohibits Sarpanch from making rules
(d) To make the village a monarchy
8. What is the primary function of a constitution?
(a) To define religious beliefs
(b) To provide financial aid
(c) To specify fundamental rules and decision-making authority
(d) To enforce punishments
9. In the Indian Constitution, who is generally empowered to make laws?
(a) The President (b) The Judiciary (c) The Parliament (d) The PM’s Office
10. Why can’t all decisions in a large democracy be taken through direct public voting?
(a) Because the public cannot read laws (b) b) Because it is costly and logistically unfeasible
(c) Because leaders don’t trust people (d) Because constitutions prohibit voting

SECTION-B
Instruction: Very Short Answer Type- I, answer the question in 50 to 60 words. Write the answer in
points. These are 2 marker question
11. What is the primary function of a constitution in any country?
12. Why can’t people directly vote on every law in a modern democracy?
13. Can a country be democratic if it holds elections but laws are made by an unelected leader?
14. In village Devgram, a dispute arises over school fees. The villagers argue about who should set the
rules. How should the Constitution guide the decision?
15. Before Parliament enacts a law, which unseen law authorises it—and why is that important?
16. Why does giving power to ‘the people’ still require limiting them?
SECTION-C
Instruction: Long Answer Type- II, answer the question in 150 to 200 words. Write the answer in
points. These are 6 marker question

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17. Why can’t ‘power’ reside with everyone equally at the same time?
18. Before any rule is made, what must first be decided and why?
19. Why is direct public decision-making replaced by indirect methods in a democracy?
20. How does a Constitution allow people to control the government without doing everything themselves?

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