Explanation:

5 ideological basis of INDIA

The Constitution of India has been lauded as a normative instrument towards social transformation. This viewpoint has led many to explore the philosophical underpinnings of the Constitution especially with respect to the Preamble. In this paper, I outline the basic values and ideals set out in the Preamble to the Constitution and the way it has impinged on the Indian state’s evolution of its ideologies, programmes and policies. The paper also LOOKS into the nuanced discussions on the ‘basic STRUCTURE’ doctrine, particularly in terms of the debate between constitutionalism and democracy. This becomes important as the doctrine does unravel the complexities in the ideologies of the state as it tries to negotiate the tensions between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy that are VITAL for securing and promoting the values embodied in the Preamble. It also represents issues of RECONCILING parliamentary democracy with constitutionalism.