Class 9 Social Science — Chapter 2: Constitutional Design

What you'll learn

• ▸The System of Apartheid in South Africa
• ▸The Struggle Against Apartheid and Transition to Democracy
• ▸The Making of the South African Constitution
• ▸The Definition and Need for a Constitution
• ▸Functions of a Constitution

Chapter Summary

--- PAGE 1 --- 0972CH02 CHAPTER 2 CONSTITUTIONAL DESIGN OVERVIEW We noted in the previous chapter that in a democracy the rulers are not free to do what they like. There are certain basic rules that the citizens and the government have to follow. All such rules together are called constitution. As the supreme law of the country, the constitution determines the rights of citizens, the powers of the government and how the government should function. In this chapter we ask some basic questions about the constitutional design of a democracy. Why do we need a constitution? How are the constitutions drawn up? Who designs them and in what way? What are the values that shape the constitutions in democratic states? Once a constitution is accepted, can we make changes later as required by the changing conditions? One recent instance of designing constitution for a democratic state is that of South Africa. We begin this chapter by looking at what happened there and how the South Africans we…

Practice Questions from this Chapter

Tap "Get Solution" on any question to ask our AI tutor.

1. Explain constitutional rights simply. Get Solution →
2. Compare different government systems. Get Solution →
3. Discover why laws are needed. Get Solution →
4. What was the name of the system of racial discrimination unique to South Africa? Get Solution →
5. Who was the anti-apartheid leader sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 for opposing the regime? Get Solution →
6. For approximately how many years was Nelson Mandela imprisoned before his release? Get Solution →
7. What was the name of the umbrella organization that led the struggle against apartheid policies? Get Solution →
8. On what date did South Africa officially become a democratic nation, unfurling its new national flag? Get Solution →

Did you know?

• 💡 The world's shortest constitution is found in Monaco, with only 3,814 words.
• 💡 Ancient Greece created direct democracy where citizens voted on every law.
• 💡 New Zealand was the first country to grant all women the right to vote.
• 💡 Iceland once tried to design its new constitution using online crowd-sourcing.
• 💡 Even some animals, like meerkats, make decisions using a form of democracy.

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