A constitutional government by definition is a

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UPSC Civil Services Exam (Prelims) GS Official Paper-I (Held On: 2020)
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  1. government by legislature
  2. popular government
  3. multi-party government
  4. limited government

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 4 : limited government
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The Correct Answer is option 4.
Key PointsLimited government:

  • The powers of the government are constrained by the Constitution, particularly through the Fundamental Rights enshrined in Part-III of the Indian Constitution, which protect citizens against state actions.
    • Hence, Statement 4 is correct.
  • Government Structure:
    • A constitutional government does not necessarily require a legislature. For instance, the USA operates under a constitutional framework but has a presidential form of government.
    • Hence, option 1 is not correct.
  • Types of Government:
    • A constitutional government can take various forms, including a bi-party system or a monarchy. It does not need to be a popular government.
  • Hence, options 2 and 3 are not correct.

Additional Information

  • Popular Government:
    • A popular government is characterized by the control of the people through the election of executives and legislators. However, it may not always equate to a democratically elected government.
  • Example of China:
    • China has a constitution but lacks a multiparty system, highlighting that a constitutional government can exist without popular electoral mechanisms.
  • Therefore, a constitutional government primarily embodies the concept of limited governance.
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