UPSC Prelims 2021 Question:

Constitutional government means

Explanation:

• Constitutional government is defined by the existence of a constitution—which may be a legal instrument or merely a set of fixed norms or principles generally accepted as the fundamental law of the polity—that effectively controls the exercise of political power.
  
  
• Constitutions seek to limit and regulate the exercise of political power. Constitutional government is by definition limited government. It means government conducted according to rules and principles, which are binding on all political actors and which therefore help to constrain the unfettered exercise of power by separating or dividing it.  Constitutional government provides a framework in which the government can be both responsible and representative- managing conflicts, protecting rights, promoting participation and maintaining the security of its citizens.
  
  

Therefore, option (4) is the correct answer.

Subject: Polity | Features of the Constitution