How is the Indian constitution selective adaptation and not borrowing?
Embracing Modern Thinking:
The Indian Constitution embraces contemporary democratic principles, such as individual rights, rule of law, separation of powers, and universal adult franchise. These modern concepts were selectively adapted from various sources, including Western democracies, to suit the needs and aspirations of independent India. By incorporating these progressive ideas, the Constitution ensured that India stayed abreast of global democratic trends while tailoring them to its own circumstances.
The Evolution of a Hybrid Culture:
India’s cultural heritage is a rich amalgamation of diverse influences, shaped by centuries of interaction with various civilizations. The Indian Constitution reflects this hybrid culture by selectively adapting elements from different sources and blending them with India’s unique traditions and values. For instance, the parliamentary system was adopted from the British model, but it was combined with the federal structure inspired by the US Constitution, and infused with India’s own principles of secularism, social justice, and respect for diversity.
Political Philosophy of Indian Constitution
The Indian Constitution is a comprehensive document that lays the foundation for the country’s democratic and secular principles. It enshrines individual freedoms, social justice, respect for diversity, secularism, universal adult franchise, federalism, and national identity as its core values.
The Constitution’s procedural achievements lie in reinventing liberal individualism, upholding social justice without compromising individual liberties, recognizing group rights, and promoting an inclusive approach. Let us learn more about the political philosophy of the Indian Constitution!