Disclaimer : I am not a political scientist. Nor a legal expert.
What does a Republic mean? I tried remembering the definition from my grade 9 political science/civics book, but failed. All I could remember was the preamble : WE THE PEOPLE OF INDIA. So I decided to go on a mission to understand the term and its implications.
After many articles, trash videos and wikipedia readings later, I understand that the concept of a republic came into inception as an alternative to a monarchy. That the business of running a country/nation/whatever have you cannot be vested with a particular individual (or family) and it cannot be passed down from one generation to another. Governance is a public issue.
In more tangible terms, a republic usually has a head of state. She is either directly or indirectly elected and in some cases nominated to the post; but people usually have a say in it and its not by the virtue of blood.
But the most crucial finding is that a republic is rule by law. That law is supreme and nothing can override it. The governing body must comply with the law and function within the limits set by it. This law is usually enshrined in a charter, declaration and in India's case the Constitution. The bodies/arms of the government are bound by these laws and cannot perform an ultra vires act.
A republic is different from a democracy. In a democracy, the rule of the majority is supreme - whatever the majority decides is final. This is what the people want and this what they will get; or a more correct representation would be : this is what the elected representatives decided and this is what will be done. In a republic, however, there are certain principles that cannot be violated. For example, you cannot enact laws that violate the fundamental rights. I am not sure of this, but I hope that you cannot transform India into a Hindu nation, because the constitution upholds the ideals of a secular nation.
In a more spiritual sense, a democracy can be seen as the mind. The mind drives you to fulfill the greatest of your desires, whatever your mind wants the most you chase for it. But it is the intellect that tames the mind. Informs the mind of the pros and cons of the action and at times stops us from doing some things. That is a republic. While our intellect is guided by our principles, morals and information available; a republic is guided by a set of laws - the constitution, the guardian of which is the judiciary.
A democratic republic can be a very tricky place. The two have been and will always be in conflict; however that does not mean that they are antithetical. India has seen tons of constitutional amendments (and even one successful attempt to modify the preamble) and tussles between the judiciary and legislative. But the Supreme Court of India has correctly remarked that not all amendments are valid, especially if they go against the "basic structure" of the Constitution. So even if you have majority in parliament but try and fiddle with the basic structure - you are doomed.
That is what republic means. I regret that till now I was ignorant about this. That the constitution guaranteed me this and I didn't know. Know your rights, that's what I say on all days - republic, independence, consumer, voters etc.
On a completely different note, I was listening to a particular address this morning and I couldn't bear the disconnect between our elected representatives and us. Before he had even started speaking, I refused to believe him or his words. And it pains me to think that these people run our country. How can you allow someone who you don't trust to govern you? How can you?
Think beyond yourself.
What does a Republic mean? I tried remembering the definition from my grade 9 political science/civics book, but failed. All I could remember was the preamble : WE THE PEOPLE OF INDIA. So I decided to go on a mission to understand the term and its implications.
After many articles, trash videos and wikipedia readings later, I understand that the concept of a republic came into inception as an alternative to a monarchy. That the business of running a country/nation/whatever have you cannot be vested with a particular individual (or family) and it cannot be passed down from one generation to another. Governance is a public issue.
In more tangible terms, a republic usually has a head of state. She is either directly or indirectly elected and in some cases nominated to the post; but people usually have a say in it and its not by the virtue of blood.
But the most crucial finding is that a republic is rule by law. That law is supreme and nothing can override it. The governing body must comply with the law and function within the limits set by it. This law is usually enshrined in a charter, declaration and in India's case the Constitution. The bodies/arms of the government are bound by these laws and cannot perform an ultra vires act.
A republic is different from a democracy. In a democracy, the rule of the majority is supreme - whatever the majority decides is final. This is what the people want and this what they will get; or a more correct representation would be : this is what the elected representatives decided and this is what will be done. In a republic, however, there are certain principles that cannot be violated. For example, you cannot enact laws that violate the fundamental rights. I am not sure of this, but I hope that you cannot transform India into a Hindu nation, because the constitution upholds the ideals of a secular nation.
In a more spiritual sense, a democracy can be seen as the mind. The mind drives you to fulfill the greatest of your desires, whatever your mind wants the most you chase for it. But it is the intellect that tames the mind. Informs the mind of the pros and cons of the action and at times stops us from doing some things. That is a republic. While our intellect is guided by our principles, morals and information available; a republic is guided by a set of laws - the constitution, the guardian of which is the judiciary.
A democratic republic can be a very tricky place. The two have been and will always be in conflict; however that does not mean that they are antithetical. India has seen tons of constitutional amendments (and even one successful attempt to modify the preamble) and tussles between the judiciary and legislative. But the Supreme Court of India has correctly remarked that not all amendments are valid, especially if they go against the "basic structure" of the Constitution. So even if you have majority in parliament but try and fiddle with the basic structure - you are doomed.
That is what republic means. I regret that till now I was ignorant about this. That the constitution guaranteed me this and I didn't know. Know your rights, that's what I say on all days - republic, independence, consumer, voters etc.
On a completely different note, I was listening to a particular address this morning and I couldn't bear the disconnect between our elected representatives and us. Before he had even started speaking, I refused to believe him or his words. And it pains me to think that these people run our country. How can you allow someone who you don't trust to govern you? How can you?
Think beyond yourself.
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