Public Reason and Reasoned Argumentation
The Constitution derived its authority from the rigorous engagement of assembly members in public reason. Emphasizing discussion and reasoned argumentation, members presented principled justifications for their positions.
By engaging in reasoned discourse, they transcended personal interests and worked towards consensus-building based on shared values and principles.
Class 11 Polity Chapter 1: The Principle of Deliberation
The authority of the Constituent Assembly, responsible for drafting the Indian Constitution, stemmed not only from its representativeness but also from the ethos of deliberation it embraced.
Members participated not merely as representatives of their communities but as stewards of the nation’s collective well-being. This ethos ensured that deliberations transcended narrow interests, focusing instead on the broader national interest.