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The Executive in Democracy: A Simple Guide

November 25, 2023 477 0

India’s Constitutional Framework: The Dynamics of its Three Pillars

India, the world’s largest democracy, operates under a framework meticulously laid down by its Constitution, which was adopted in 1950. The government consists of three primary organs: the Legislature, the Executive, and the Judiciary. Together, these organs maintain law and order and cater to the welfare of the people. A crucial component of this system, is responsible for implementing laws, administering the country, and maintaining public order. 

Executive Roles in Political Institutions 

  • Meaning: Institutions are established arrangements in democracies that oversee specific tasks.
  • Executive Smooth Conduct: Their efficient functioning ensures the smooth operation of a democracy.
  • Institutional Roles: Constitutions usually outline the basic roles and powers of each institution.

Political Institutions

Why Do We Need Political Institutions?

  • To Govern Country: Executive governing a country involves multiple activities, such as providing security, education, and health facilities to citizens.
    • It also encompasses tax collection and spending on various sectors like administration, defense, and welfare schemes.
  • For Decision Making and Implementation: Some individuals decide on governmental activities, and others carry out these decisions.
    • In case of disputes regarding decisions or their execution, an executive mechanism should exist to determine the right course of action.
  • To Maintain Consistency Amidst Change: It’s crucial for a nation’s executive operations to continue smoothly even if key personnel change.

Institutional Challenges: Rules, Delays, and Frustrations

  • They often entail numerous rules and regulations.
    • Institutions can be seen as constraining for leaders and might lead to delays due to meetings, committees, and routines.
  • Navigating through institutional processes can be tedious and sometimes frustrating.

Why are Institutions Essential in a Democracy?

  • Ensuring Accountability: Institutions follow a set of procedures, ensuring decisions are not hasty or impulsive.
  • Inclusive Decision Making: They allow a broader group of people to be involved, ensuring diverse viewpoints.
  • Balancing Speed and Quality: While executive institutions might slow down decision-making, they ensure both good and bad decisions take time, ensuring thoughtfulness.

More About Executive:

  • The designation varies from country to country, extending from Presidents and Prime Ministers to the administrative machinery.
  • The heads of government and ministers, in charge of overarching government policy, constitute the political, while those managing day-to-day operations form the permanent.

The Executive: Decision-Making and Implementation in Governance 

  • Smooth Decision-Making: Every organization, including schools and universities, requires chief administrators or executives for decision-making and its subsequent implementation.
  • Implementation Role: A body is responsible for overseeing the actual implementation of rules and regulations.
  • Governance: In the context of the government, one organ formulates policy decisions and rules, while another ensures their implementation.

Executive Duties: Implementing Laws and Shaping Policies

  • The executive ensures the implementation of laws and policies adopted by the legislature.
  • They are often involved in the framing of policies.

Types of Executive System

  • The powers and functions vary across countries; for instance, the President of the USA has different powers from the President of India.
  • Various countries have different systems:
Type of Executive System Description
Presidential System The President plays both roles of the Head of state and the head of government, making the office highly influential. Example: USA
Parliamentary System There’s a ceremonial head of state (e.g., monarch or President), but the Prime Minister is the Head of government with effective powers. Example: Canada, Japan, Germany, Italy.
Semi-Presidential

System

Both a President and a Prime Minister are present. The President might also have significant day-to-day powers. Example: France, Russia, Sri Lanka.

 

Description of Presidential, Parliamentary and Semi-Presidential System

Types of Executives

Difference Between the Indian System and the US Presidential System

Aspect Indian System US Presidential System
Head of State & Government The President is the head of state; the Prime Minister is the head of government. The President is both the head of state and the head of government.
Election of Head of State The President is elected by MPs and MLAs, not directly by the people. The President is directly elected by the people.
Appointment of Ministers The Prime Minister appoints the ministers. The President personally chooses and appoints all ministers.
Veto Power The President can delay a bill and send it back to Parliament for reconsideration, but if the bill is passed again, then the President has to sign it. The President can veto any law.
Tenure of Head of State The President has a fixed tenure, but the

Prime Minister’s tenure depends on the majority in the Lok Sabha.

The President has a fixed tenure, irrespective of the majority in Congress.
System of Government Parliamentary system of government, where the Parliament is supreme. Presidential form of

government.

Role of Head of State The President exercises nominal powers and has a largely ceremonial role. The President exercises wide-ranging powers and has an active role in the government.

Conclusion
The Executive is central to a democracy’s functioning, ensuring the implementation of laws and smooth governance. Despite challenges, political institutions, including the are crucial for decision-making, accountability, and maintaining a nation’s constancy amid change.

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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 Final Result – CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2023.   Udaan-Prelims Wallah ( Static ) booklets 2024 released both in english and hindi : Download from Here!     Download UPSC Mains 2023 Question Papers PDF  Free Initiative links -1) Download Prahaar 3.0 for Mains Current Affairs PDF both in English and Hindi 2) Daily Main Answer Writing  , 3) Daily Current Affairs , Editorial Analysis and quiz ,  4) PDF Downloads  UPSC Prelims 2023 Trend Analysis cut-off and answer key

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध
Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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