Class 11 political science chapter 4 executive notes

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 Executive 

Intro 

The Executive is one of the key organs of the government, primarily responsible for the implementation of laws and policies passed by the legislature. It plays a crucial role in shaping the administration of a country and ensuring that governance remains effective and responsive.

Types of Executive Systems

1. Parliamentary Executive:

In a parliamentary system, the head of the government is separate from the head of state. This structure is prominent in countries like Canada (a constitutional monarchy) and Japan. In Japan, the Emperor is the ceremonial head of state, while the Prime Minister holds real governing power.
India is a well-known example of a parliamentary executive system, where the President is the constitutional head of state and the Prime Minister is the head of government. The Council of Ministers, led by the Prime Minister, exercises actual executive authority.

2. Semi-Presidential Executive:

This system combines elements of both presidential and parliamentary frameworks. France is a notable example, where the President holds substantial authority, yet the Prime Minister cannot be dismissed by the President.
Sri Lanka: The 1978 constitutional amendment established an executive presidency. The President is both head of state and government, with powers like appointing and removing the Prime Minister and being elected for a six-year term. The President can only be removed by a parliamentary resolution with a two-thirds majority.

3. Presidential Executive:

In a presidential system, such as in the United States and Brazil, the President serves as both head of state and government, enjoying significant executive powers independent of the legislature. The separation of powers is a hallmark of this system, emphasizing checks and balances.

The Parliamentary Executive in India

India follows a parliamentary form of governance, modeled on the British system, which emphasizes the collective responsibility of the executive to the legislature.

The President of India

Election: The President is elected for a five-year term through an electoral college, which includes elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the Legislative Assemblies of States.
Roles and Responsibilities:

• The President acts as the formal head of state but exercises powers based on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
• The President can be impeached for violating the Constitution. Impeachment requires a two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament.

Constitutional Powers:

• Veto Power: The President can withhold assent to bills (excluding Money Bills) and send them back for reconsideration. The "pocket veto" allows the President to keep a bill pending indefinitely.
• Discretionary Powers: These include appointing the Prime Minister when no party has a clear majority in the Lok Sabha and sending back advice from the Council of Ministers for reconsideration.

• Emergency Powers: During a national emergency, the President can assume extensive powers, overriding state authority and legislative oversight.

The Vice President of India

Election: The Vice President is elected by an electoral college comprising members of both Houses of Parliament. State legislatures do not participate in this election.
Roles:
Acts as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and presides over its sessions.
Takes over the office of the President in case of a vacancy due to death, resignation, or impeachment.

Term: The Vice President serves a five-year term and can be removed by a resolution passed by the Rajya Sabha and agreed upon by the Lok Sabha.

The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers

• The Prime Minister is the real executive authority in India and plays a central role in the governance of the country.
• Responsibilities:
• The Prime Minister selects members of the Council of Ministers and assigns them portfolios.
• Must command the confidence of the majority in the Lok Sabha to remain in office.

Council of Ministers:

• Includes cabinet ministers, ministers of state, and deputy ministers.
• Ministers must be members of Parliament, and if not, they must be elected within six months.
• The size of the Council is limited to 15% of the total members of the Lok Sabha, as per a constitutional amendment.

Collective Responsibility:

• The Council is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. A no-confidence vote against one minister leads to the resignation of the entire Council.
• Solidarity of the cabinet ensures that all ministers support cabinet decisions or resign.

The Indian Bureaucracy: The Permanent Executive

The bureaucracy functions as the permanent executive, responsible for implementing the policies of the elected government.

• Structure: It includes All-India services (e.g., IAS, IPS), State services, and employees of local governments. Public sector undertakings also fall under its domain.
• Recruitment: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts civil service examinations to ensure a professional and competent bureaucracy. State Public Service Commissions recruit for state-level services.
• Challenges:
• Accountability: The bureaucracy is often criticized for being unresponsive and inefficient. Political interference can lead to corruption and reduced effectiveness.
• Measures like the Right to Information Act have been introduced to enhance transparency and make the bureaucracy more accountable to the public.

Balancing Political Control and Bureaucratic Autonomy

• While the government must maintain control over the administration to implement its policies, excessive interference can make the bureaucracy a political tool.
• Conversely, lack of accountability mechanisms can lead to bureaucratic inefficiency and insensitivity to public needs.

Principles of the Parliamentary System

1. Collective Responsibility:

• The Council of Ministers operates as an executive committee of Parliament, governing on its behalf.
• If the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence vote, the entire Council must resign. This ensures that the executive remains accountable to the legislature.

2. Solidarity of the Cabinet:

• All ministers must agree on policies or resign. A disagreement with a cabinet decision cannot be publicly expressed.
• The death or resignation of the Prime Minister leads to the dissolution of the Council of Ministers.

3. Prime Minister’s Role:

• Acts as the link between the President, the Council of Ministers, and Parliament.
• Involved in all significant decisions, exercises influence over the bureaucracy, and represents the country internationally.

State-Level Executive: The Governor and Chief Minister

Governor: Appointed by the President, the Governor serves as the constitutional head of the state and has more discretionary powers compared to the President.
Chief Minister: Functions like the Prime Minister but at the state level, leading the Council of Ministers and ensuring governance aligns with the legislative assembly’s will.

Conclusion

The Executive Branch of India is a complex system that balances authority between elected leaders and a professional bureaucracy. It ensures that governance is both accountable and efficient, aiming to serve the democratic interests of the nation while maintaining stability and continuity in administration.

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