The Preamble of the Indian Constitution reflects itself as a 'social contract'. Elucidate. (UPSC CSE Mains 2022 - Political Science and International Relations, Paper 1)
Social contract theory states that people live together in a society in accordance with the mutually agreed agreement that establishes moral and political rules of behavior for collective peaceful existence saving people from anarchy and insecurity of the state of nature.
While Hobbesian contract favors absolute sovereignty like monarchic kings, Lockean contract favors a liberal democracy of limited government through constitutional checks and balances Indian constitution reflects the Lockean version of Contract.
In 1950 we the people of India collectively agreed to be bound by the contract among ourselves. This special contract specifies how we Indians live together by bounded rules. The consequences of breaking this rules have been dealt with in our constitution. “Rule of law”, Protection of Individual Rights, and Liberty were the main focus of John Locke and Indian constitution too.
Our social contract says in its preamble that we are sovereign, socialist, democratic and republic and we give ourselves Justice (social and economic), equality (of opportunity), Freedom (of speech and expression) and fraternity. Various organs of the government - legislature, Executive and the judiciary exist harmoniously with due checks and balances to protect the citizens of India through limited government.
Next
previous
Latest News
General Studies