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Unit 6: Socio-Economic Bases and Salient Features of the Constitutions

economy to that of the most highly industrialised and probably the most powerful nation of Notes
the world.
• The Constitution distributes powers of government between the Central and cantonal
governments. It specifies the powers of the Centre, which include foreign relations, military
affairs, declaration of war and peace, railways and federal roads, bridges, aerial navigation,
posts and telegraph, wireless communication, banking and commerce, conservation of natural
resources, coinage, paper money, higher education, settlement of cantonal disputes, laws
relating to marriage, naturalisation and extradition etc.
• The Council of States represents the cantons on the basis of equality and in this respect
corresponds to the American Senate. The cantonal governments maintain law and order and
manage for education, elections, public works etc. They also execute laws made by the
Central legislature. The legal personality of the units is thus preserved and they have not
been ‘finished’ owing to the paramount fact that the “reserve of power is left with the
cantons.”

6.5 Key-Words

1. Direct Democracy : It is a form of democracy in which people vote on policy initiatives
directly, as opposed to a representative democracy in which people
vote for representatives who then vote on policy initiatives.
2. Bi-cameralism : It is the practice of having two legislatives or parliamentary chambers
compromise bills.
6.6 Review Questions

1. Write a note on the constitution of UK, USA and Russia.
2. What are constitutional conventions? Discuss.
3. Discuss the features of Russian constitutions.
4. Briefly describe American constitutionalism.
5. Explain French constitutionalism. Discuss its features.
6. What are the salient features of Chinese constitution?
7. Write briefly about the Swiss constitutionalism.
Answers: Self-Assessment

1. (i)(a) (ii)(a) (iii)(c) (iv)(a) (v)(b)
6.7 Further Readings

1. Almond, G.A. et., 2000: Comparative Politics: A World View, New York: Harper/
Collins.
2. Palekar, S.A., 2009: Comparative Politics and Government, New Delhi, PHI
Learning Pvt. Ltd.
3. Johari, J.C., 2006: New Comparative Government, New Delhi: Lotus Press

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