Constitution & Constitutionalism: Foundations, Challenges, and Democratic Safeguards

Constitution and Constitutionalism: Pillars of Democratic Governance

The Constitution of a country provides the basis for the governance of the country. The Constitution contains the law and principles according to which a State is governed. A Government which is controlled or limited by a Constitution, is called a Constitutional Government. 

Whereas ‘Constitutionalism’ means belief in a constitutional Government or belief in constitutional principles. Constitutionalism establishes a constitutional government which is controlled or ruled by a Written Constitution.

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Constitution: Framing Rules, Building Trust, and Defining Government Powers

Constitution determines the relationship between the people and the government, in this aspect function of the Constitution can be derived as below:

• Set of Basic Rules: To provide a set of basic rules that allow for minimal coordination amongst members of a society which avoid conflicts and prosper growth and development.
• Trust and Coordination: It generates a degree of trust and coordination that is necessary for different kinds of people to live together. 
• Constitution of Government: It specifies how the government will be constituted. 
• Limits on the Powers of the Government: It lays down limits on the powers of the government and tells us what the rights of the citizens are.
• Expresses the Aspirations: It expresses the aspirations of the people about creating a good society.
• Institutional Arrangements: The Constitution and Constitutionalism describes the institutional arrangements in a very legal language
• Authority and Power: It defines who will have how much power to take which decisions.

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What is the distinction between Constitution and Constitutionalism and how do they form the legal foundations of governance?

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Constitutionalism: Safeguarding Democracy and Individual Freedoms

• Definition: Constitutionalism is the unwavering faith in the concept of a Constitutional Government. 
  • This philosophy is fundamental and indispensable for the functioning of a democratic system. 
  • It forms the bedrock upon which modern democratic societies, governed by Constitution and Constitutional Governance.
• Core Tenets: Protection of individual freedoms. 
  • It places paramount importance on ensuring that the rights and liberties of every citizen, under the principles of Constitution and Constitutional Governance, are upheld and preserved. 
  • The State, under the principles of Constitution and Constitutionalism, is bound to respect and protect these fundamental rights, refraining from any unwarranted encroachment on the personal freedoms of its citizens.
  • This is the essence of democracy and it fosters a society where the rights and dignity of individuals, guided by Constitution and Constitutional Governance, are revered above all.

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Democracy’s Pillars: Dr. Basu’s Principles of Constitutionalism in Governance

According to Dr. Basu’s writings, Constitution and Constitutionalism is based on the Democratic Principles which include,

• Protection of Fundamental Rights. 
• Separation of Power: It means avoiding concentration of power in single hands for smooth functioning of government.
• Diffusion of Powers: It necessitates different independent centres of decision-making(Like creation of The Panchayat and The Municipality)
• Principle of Legality: It requires the courts to interpret legislation on the assumption that Parliament would not wish to legislate contrary to fundamental rights.
• Limits and Aspirations: The Constitution and Constitutionalism embody aspiration to social justice, brotherhood, and human dignity. 
• Legalism meant a commitment to these principles rather than to a strict interpretation of the text. 

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Imperative of Constitutionalism: Safeguarding Democracy, Liberties and Diversity

• Primacy of Democratic Principles and Individual Freedom: The very existence of Constitutional Governance hinges on the unwavering commitment to Constitution and Constitutionalism, democratic ideals, and individual freedom. 
  • To ensure that the rights and liberties of each individual are upheld and cherished. 
  • In its absence, the Constitution and the commitment to its principles cannot endure as a guiding philosophy in governance.
• Safeguarding Individual Rights: Countering Erosion of Freedoms
  • Threats to individual rights, particularly the freedom of speech and expression, and invasions of privacy through measures like sedition laws and surveillance legislation, pose a significant challenge to the Constitution and the commitment to its principles. 
  • These attacks undermine the very foundation of this doctrine, which is built on respecting and safeguarding the liberties of citizens.
• Embracing Diversity: Constitution and Constitutionalism is also about acknowledging and respecting the rich tapestry of diversities, be it racial, religious, linguistic, or cultural. 
• Failing to honor these diversities has historically led to major conflicts worldwide. 
• The strength lies in its ability to accommodate these diversities within a democratic framework, fostering unity amid differences.
• Restraining Government Power: Preventing Authoritarianism
  • A key role of the Constitution and Constitutionalism is to impose limitations on governmental authority. This limitation acts as a safeguard against the transformation of a democratic system into an autocratic or authoritative regime.
  • The commitment to constitutional governance ensures that the government operates within defined boundaries, preventing any abuse of power.
•  Written Constitutionalism: A Precise and Defensible Framework
  • The tradition of a written constitution provides a clear and codified framework for governance. 
  • This approach makes it possible to apply concepts and doctrines that are not easily discernible under the doctrine of an unwritten, living constitution. 
  • Written constitutionalism strengthens the rule of law and enhances the predictability of legal and political processes, fostering stability and accountability.

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Challenges to Constitutionalism: Shadow of Authoritarianism

• Authoritarian Constitutionalism: A Subversion of Democracy
  • The concept, as noted by Professor Guenther Frankenberg, is not merely a deficient or deviant version of liberal constitutional governance but a distinct and alarming phenomenon.
  • It stands as an important and unique phenomenon in its own right. 
  • One of the significant limitations of governance is the emergence of authoritarian constitutionalism. 
  • This phenomenon gradually erodes democratic principles within the constitutional framework, ultimately leading to authoritarian forms of government. 
  • Authoritarian constitutionalism should not be dismissed as a mere deviation from liberal governance.
  • Historical examples, such as the fascist regimes in Germany, Italy, and Spain or the perpetuation of dynasty rule in India, and Xi Jinping’s life term presidency in China, underscore the real-world implications of this form of governance.
• Constitution vs. Constitutionalism: No Guarantee for Democratic Values
  • In cases like Nazi Germany, a constitution existed, but it did not adhere to the principles of constitutional thought, whether positive or negative. 
  • This highlights that the mere existence of a legal document is not sufficient to ensure the adherence to democratic values and principles.

Conclusion

• While constitutionalism seeks to uphold democratic ideals, it can be undermined by authoritarian governance, where the outward appearance of a constitution masks the erosion of democratic principles.
• This serves as a cautionary reminder that the spirit of constitutionalism is as vital as the written constitution itself.

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