UPSC CSE Prelims
Keywords of the Preamble Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 1 — the final goal of a stateless society

Both Gandhism and Marxism, despite their fundamentally different approaches, share the ultimate vision of a stateless society. Gandhism envisions a decentralized, self-governing society based on non-violence, cooperation, and village-level autonomy (often referred to as Ramarajya), where the state becomes unnecessary. Marxism advocates for a classless, communist society where the state eventually "withers away" after the abolition of class distinctions and private property, leaving a self-governing collective society.

❌ Option 2 – Incorrect: Gandhism rejects class struggle and advocates for class cooperation and trusteeship, whereas Marxism is fundamentally based on class struggle.

❌ Option 3 – Incorrect: While Marxism calls for the abolition of private property, Gandhism supports the concept of trusteeship where property owners act as trustees of wealth for societal welfare, not complete abolition.

❌ Option 4 – Incorrect: Gandhism does not accept economic determinism; it emphasizes moral and spiritual values as the primary drivers of social change, unlike Marxism which views economic factors as the base of social structure.

📝 Short Notes: Gandhism vs Marxism

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 4 — limited government

A constitutional government is, by definition, a limited government where the powers of the state are restricted and regulated by a constitution. The constitution establishes a legal framework that defines the scope and limits of governmental authority, ensuring that the government operates within prescribed boundaries. This system prevents arbitrary exercise of power through mechanisms like separation of powers, checks and balances, and protection of fundamental rights, thereby upholding the rule of law.

📝 Short Notes: Constitutional Government

• Definition: A government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution, operating under the rule of law rather than arbitrary rule.
• Separation of Powers: Division of governmental authority into three distinct branches—Legislature (makes laws), Executive (implements laws), and Judiciary (interprets laws)—to prevent concentration of power.
• Checks and Balances: Each branch has mechanisms to check the powers of the other branches, ensuring no single branch becomes supreme.
• Fundamental Rights: Constitutional guarantees that protect individual liberties against governmental encroachment.
• Rule of Law: The principle that government authority must be exercised in accordance with established laws, and no one is above the law.
• Judicial Review: The power of courts to examine the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions.
• Written or Unwritten: Constitutions may be written (like India, USA) or unwritten/partly written (like UK), but they all limit governmental power.