Deconstructing Attributes of Constitutional Legitimacy: A Case Study of Indian Constitution

Authors

  • Abhishek Negi Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai, India, India
  • Mohammed Irshad NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, India
  • Resti Dian Luthviati Program Study of Demography and Civil Registration, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Surakarta, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53955/jhcls.v4i1.114

Abstract

This study aims to critically investigate the common perception of constitutional adherence and trace it to the Constitution's legitimacy. However, the existing literature on the subject highlight lacunae in the predominant approaches to legitimacy. Concretizing a theoretical framework to address such lacunas, the authors claim that constitutional legitimacy is a dimensional non-constant and cannot be restricted to one principle or theory. The study adopts a doctrinal research methodology. The study results show that constitutional legitimacy should be understood holistically and not just through the instrumentalities of the 'We the People' paradigm of the Indian Constitution. The representative legitimacy or the idea of 'We the people' is an aspirational ideal; hence, dynamic and aspiration may become a reality as more and more citizens get socialized into the institutions created by constitutional democracy. In this context, the study argues that the legitimacy of the Indian Constitution cannot be put strictly within the brackets of representational legitimacy because it may safely claim legitimacy under reason-based, substantive, negligible, and motivated-consent models.

Author Biographies

Abhishek Negi, Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai, India

Mr. Abhishek Negi is an Assistant Professor of Law at Maharashtra National Law University, Mumbai. He is also a visiting faculty of Law at Bombay Stock Exchange, Mumbai and teaches courses on Law and Justice. He is an alumnus of NUSRL, Ranchi from where he pursued B. A, LL. B (Hons.); and NALSAR, Hyderabad where he completed his studies of masters in Law (LL. M). Abhishek began his academic journey from DNLU Jabalpur as Teacher Associate in Law in 2018 and later taught as Assistant Professor of Law at Katni Arts and Commerce College, Katni; DNLU, Jabalpur and Department of Legal Studies at Mangalayatan University, Jabalpur. He cleared UGC NET (Law) in 2019. He is also pursuing his doctoral studies from NALSAR, Hyderabad in the domain of 'Crimmigration Studies'. His research and teaching interests include Criminal Law, Tort Law, Constitutional Law, Legal Theory, Administrative Law, etc. Abhishek has to his credit, good publications in reputed journals (Indexed in SCOPUS, HeinOnline, UGC Care Listed and International Peer Reviewed Journals) and has also written book chapters and Op-eds. He has also authored a handbook on "Criminal Trial" which is under process for publication. He is also part of a National level project on 'Police System in India' (sponsored by Menon Institute of Legal Advocacy and Training) as Co-Investigator for the State of Madhya Pradesh. During his previous work experience in different academic institutions, Abhishek has also shouldered various administrative responsibilities. Apart from his academic interests, Abhishek is a sports enthusiast.

Mohammed Irshad, NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad

Doctoral Candidate in Law, NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, India.

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2024-02-07

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Vol. 4 No. 1 (2024): Journal of Human Rights, Culture and Legal System

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