THE TOPICS TO BE COVERED IN THE FOUR COMPLEMENTARY LECTURES POLITICAL SCIENCE OPTIONAL PAPER I AND PAPER II
Lecture 1) Political Science – Theory, Practice and Institutions of State and Governance – National and International
• The origin and evolution of the study of political science – as a scientific study of the matters considered ‘political’.
• The concept of ‘Polity’ and ‘State’. A genealogical understanding of the emergence of the ‘Modern State’ from the Greek idea of ‘Polis’. 3000 years of evolution of Polity and State.
• A genealogical study of the Indian State establishing linkages of continuity and deviance from the pre independence to the post-independence political concepts in India
• A comparative study of the Indian State and Polity with foreign states – USA, UK, Israel, Pakistan, Myanmar, Bangladesh- the similarities and dissimilarities.
Lecture 2) Concepts and Ideas
• Power, Hegemony, Ideology and Legitimacy
• Liberalism, Socialism, Marxism, Fascism, Gandhism and Feminism
• A brief introduction to Indian Political Thought
• A brief introduction to Western Political Thought
Lecture 3) Theory Practice and dynamics of Indian Democracy
• The basic ideas at work at Indian Polity – Separation of Powers, Independence of Judiciary, Federalism, Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles
• Challenges of Governance – A general introduction with special reference to State under Article 370, 371, and the fifth and sixth schedule of the Constitution.
• An introduction to the institutional framework constituted under the State, their roles, duties and paradigms – Election Commission, CAG, Finance Commission, UPSC etc
• Emergency Provisions
• Armed Forces Special Power Act
Lecture 4) Discussion of selected question from previous years.
