Polity Prelims 2024 Notes 1
Rule of Law - Clear and positive laws, equality before the law, and transparency are essential. - Gender equality and the right to participate in lawmaking are crucial. - Upholding the oath "without fear or favour, affection or ill-will" ensures impartiality. Democracy - Elections, political discourse, criticism, and protests are integral to democracy. - Gurujada Appa Rao's perspective emphasizes that a nation's progress depends on its people. Challenges to Democracy - India's status downgraded from "world's largest democracy" to "electoral autocracy." - Constraints on civil society, media, and press freedom are concerning. Procedural and Substantive Democracy - Procedural aspects include free and fair elections, constitutional governance, and effective institutions. - Substantive democracy involves social-economic equality, tolerance, and accountability. Free Speech and Sedition - Cases like journalist Siddiqui Kappan'…
