Constitutional Design Class 9 Civics | Chapter 3 Overview | CBSE 2025-26 Social Science
CONSTITUTIONAL DESIGN: AN OVERVIEW A constitution serves as the supreme law of a country , outlining the basic rules that both citizens and the government must follow. It defines the rights of citizens, the powers of the government, and how the government should operate. Key questions about constitutional design include: Why is a constitution needed? How are constitutions drafted? Who designs them and by what methods? What values shape constitutions in democratic states? Can a constitution be changed after its acceptance to adapt to new conditions? 2.1 DEMOCRATIC CONSTITUTION IN SOUTH AFRICA The recent process of designing a constitution for a democratic state in South Africa provides a significant example. Struggle Against Apartheid Nelson Mandela's Imprisonment: Nelson Mandela, a key figure in the struggle, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1964 for opposing the apartheid regime and spent 27 years in Robben Island prison. His ideal was a democratic and free soc...