Political Theory-Concepts and Debates

Section A: Concept

Importance of Freedom

Negative Freedom: Liberty

Positive liberty: liberty as liberation and development

II. importance of equality

Formal Equality: Equality of Opportunity

Political equality

Egalitarianism: Inequalities of background and differential treatment

III. imperative of justice

Procedural justice

Distributive justice

Global Justice

IV. universality of rights

natural rights

Moral and Legal Rights

Three generations of rights

rights and obligations

Section B: Major Debates

I. Why should we obey the kingdom? Political liability and issues of civil disobedience.

II. Are human rights universal? The issue of cultural relativism.

III. How do we accommodate diversity in a pluralistic society? Issues of multiculturalism and tolerance.

Political Process in India

I. Political parties and party system

Trends in the party system; From Congress System to Multi-Party Alliances

II. determinants of voting behavior

Caste, Class, Gender and Religion

III. regional aspirations

segregation and housing politics

IV. religion and politics

Debate on secularism

Minority and Majority Communalism

V. Caste and Politics

Politicization of Caste and Caste in Politics

VI. affirmative action policies

Women, Caste and Class

V.I. The changing nature of the Indian state

Developmental, Welfare and Resilient Dimensions