Politics and Ethics of the Indian Constitution

This collection of essays analyses the Indian Constitution as a political or an ethical document, from a political theory perspective, reflecting configurations of power and interest or articulating a moral vision. This study of the Constitution provides a platform on which extensive political deliberations and arguments over procedural and substantive issues relating to Indian society can take place. The essays discuss ideas of equality, freedom, citizenship and property, minority rights, democracy and welfare as found in the Constitution. It also asks questions like: Does the Constitution recognize all moral rights possessed by the citizens? What importance does the Constitution accord to the rights that it recognizes? Is the section on duties consistent with the section on fundamental rights? If so, then why do tensions between rights and duties still exist? Is it because the Constitution prescribes duties over rights? Does the Constitution support liberty, equality, and fraternity in equal measure? The contributors critically examine the potential, achievements, and limitations of the Indian Constitution. They further emphasize the need to examine whether or not a serious disjunction exists between the ideals as enshrined in the Constitution and their expression. The volume also aims to resuscitate political theory in India, evolve a form of political theory that is suitable in the Indian context, and to simultaneously open up Western political theory as it exists today.