The Indian Constitution Cornerstone of a Nation

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Book Description
MORE than twenty years have now passed since the adoption of the Indian Constitution. A thorough study of its working-going
beyond the few books that have been written about developments under certain parts-would be welcome. Perhaps, on the occasion of
this edition, I may offer some brief comments. The Constitution, it seems to me, has worked very much as the framers intended it should. All their hopes have not been fulfilled; nor was their foresight perfect. Yet a constitution, no matter how well conceived, can only establish institutions on paper. Breathing life into them is up to the succeeding generations. In India, the creation of parliamentary political institutions by the Constitution has itself provided an impetus for their strengthening and growth. The people of India have accepted and worked these institutions. Despite attacks by the radical left and government breakdowns in the states at various times, government in India has operated under the Constitution. Perhaps most important, the institutions of the Constitution have  accommodated, to use Professor Morris-Jones' phrase, the languages' of Indian politics. One test of a Constitution is whether it can  provide a durable framework for government in the midst of great social and economic change.
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Contents
1.    The Constituent Assembly—Microcosm in Action
2.    Which Road to Social Revolution? 
3.    The Conscience of the Constitution — The Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles
        of State Policy—I
4.    Fundamental Rights—II
        Social Reform and State Security Versus 'Due Process'
5.    The executive—Strength with Democracy
6.    The Legislature—Unity Through Popular Government 
7.    The Judiciary and the Social Revolution
8.    Federalism—the Amicable Union 
9.    Federalism—II
10.  Federalism—III
11.  Amendment—The Flexible Federation
12.  Language and the Constitution—The Half-Hearted Compromise From the
        Coming of Gandhi to the Constituent Assembly Early Skirmishes in the Assembly 
13.  Conclusion—Comments on a Successful Constitution India's Original Contribution
Appendix I     The Cabinet Commission Plan
Appendix II    Members of Assembly Committees
Appendix III   A. Biographical Sketches
                           B. List of Assembly Members Mentioned
Bibliography
Index
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Author Details
Granville Austin is an independent historian living in Washington DC. He is the author of Working a Democratic Constitution: A History of the Indian Experience.
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