5. Republic:
The democratic polity may be monarchical or a republic. In a “monarchy,” the rule is hereditary and largely depends on one person, like a king or queen. In a Republican System, no office of the state is held on the basis of hereditary prescriptive rights. In India, the government is managed by the elected representatives of the people for a particular period of time. The head of the state is not a hereditary monarch, but is elected by the people for a fixed term. Thus, the headship of the state is not hereditary, as in England, nor is it based on military power as in dictatorial regimes. In India every office of the state, from the highest to the lowest, is open to every citizen. Any citizen may occupy any office on the basis of merit. Anyone without any discrimination can be elected. There is no privileged class. All government offices and positions are open to every citizen without any discrimination. Thus, the political sovereignty is vested in the hands of people. At the same time, in India those who are elected to govern and those who are appointed to assist in governance will carry out their sacred duty, not merely following ‘majoritarianism,’ but abiding by the constitutional principles and values.
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Fr Ravi Sagar SJ
