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System of Government
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UPSC Prelims 2021 Paper-1 📅 10 Oct, 2021

Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty in a liberal democracy?

A
A committed judiciary
B
Centralization of powers
C
Elected government
D
Separation of powers
Result Summary
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UPSC Prelims
2021 • 10 Oct, 2021 • Paper-1
Which one of the following factors constitutes the best safeguard of liberty in a liberal democracy?
Correct Answer
Separation of powers
Theoretical Foundation: The fundamental essence of a liberal democracy lies in preventing tyranny and protecting individual freedom from arbitrary state action.......
Ref/Book : UPSC Prelims 2021
Ref. Subject Polity
Chapter -
Ref. Topic System of Government
Pg. No -
💡 Analysis & Explanation
Theoretical Foundation ▼
The fundamental essence of a liberal democracy lies in preventing tyranny and protecting individual freedom from arbitrary state action.
Analyzing the Threats ▼
An 'elected government' alone is insufficient, as a democratic majority can easily become tyrannical against minorities. 'Centralization of powers' is the antithesis of liberty, creating a monolithic structure ripe for abuse. A 'committed judiciary' (committed to the ruling ideology rather than the constitution) completely obliterates objective justice.
The Ultimate Shield ▼
The doctrine of 'Separation of Powers', prominently theorized by Montesquieu, divides state authority among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. This architecture ensures structural checks and balances, guaranteeing that no single organ can amass absolute power to crush human liberties.
Conclusion ▼
Separation of powers serves as the strongest structural bulwark for democratic liberty.
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