Directive Principles of State Policy
ICSE Class 7 · History & Civics · Chapter 13
What this chapter covers
- Welfare state: features
- Directive Principles: meaning
- Principles promoting economic equality
- Gandhian principles
- General principles
- Importance of the Directive Principles
- Fundamental Rights vs Directive Principles
Key definitions
A welfare state is a state in which the government takes active responsibility for the well-being of all its people, especially the poor and the weak, and does not limit itself to keeping law and order.
A police state is a state whose government concerns itself mainly with keeping order, collecting taxes and defending the country, and leaves the welfare of the people to themselves.
Directive Principles of State Policy are the guidelines written in the Constitution that the government must keep in mind while making laws and policies, so that India becomes a welfare state.
A justiciable right is a right that a person can ask a court to protect or enforce.
A non-justiciable provision is a part of the Constitution that a court cannot order the government to carry out, even if the government ignores it.
Economic justice is the fair sharing of a country's wealth and opportunities, so that every person can earn enough for a life of dignity.
A living wage is a wage that covers not only food and shelter but also a decent standard of life, including health, education for the family and some leisure.
Gandhian principles are the Directive Principles that reflect Mahatma Gandhi's vision of self-reliant villages, simple living and care for the weakest members of society.
A cottage industry is a small industry run by a family or a few workers, usually in their own home, with simple tools and local materials.
A co-operative society is a group of people who join together of their own free will, pool their money and effort for a common purpose, run it democratically, and share its benefits fairly, each member gaining in proportion to what he or she puts in or uses.
A uniform civil code is a single set of laws on marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption that would apply to all citizens, whatever their religion.
Arbitration is a way of settling a dispute in which both sides agree to let a neutral person or body hear them and give a decision, instead of going to war or to court.
Key points
- A welfare state is a state whose government takes responsibility for the well-being of all its people, not only for law and order.
- Rulers such as Ashoka, Firoz Shah Tughlaq and Sher Shah Suri carried out welfare work, but it depended on one ruler's will.
- Directive Principles of State Policy are in Part IV of the Constitution, Articles 36 to 51; the idea came from the Constitution of Ireland.
- They are non-justiciable but fundamental in the governance of the country.
- Principles promoting economic equality include livelihood for all, equal pay for equal work, no concentration of wealth, a living wage and free legal aid.
- Gandhian principles include village panchayats, cottage industries, co-operatives, care of weaker sections, prohibition and the protection of cattle.
- General principles include a uniform civil code, early childhood care, protection of the environment and monuments, separation of the judiciary from the executive, and international peace.
- The Directive Principles have guided many laws and welfare schemes; much still remains to be done.
- Fundamental Rights give political freedom and are enforced by courts; Directive Principles aim at social and economic justice and guide the government.