Concepts and Theories in Political Science

Key Concepts
(a) Law: meaning, sources, kinds, law and morality
(b) Liberty: Meaning, kinds, law & liberty.
(c) Equality: meaning, kinds, liberty & equality
(d) Justice: meaning & dimensions.

Major Political Theories
(a) Liberalism
(b) Socialism
(c) Fascim
(d) Gandhism

Sphere and Limits of State Activity
(a) Changing concept of State activity
(i) Idealist
(ii) Individualist
(iii) Anarchist
(iv) Collectivist
(b) State Activity in Modern Times
(i) Welfare
(ii) Developmental

India-A welfare state (including directive principles of State policy)
Directive Principles of State Policy and their relevance.

Rights and Duties
(a) Meaning and kinds of Rights.
(b) Meaning and kinds of Duties.
(c) Relation between Rights & Duties.

Fundamental rights and Duties in India
(a) Fundamental Rights.
(b) Fundamental-Rights and Directive Principles_Distinction and relation.
(c) Fundamental Duties.

Indian Democracy at Work

Electorate and Representation
(a) Adult Franchise.
(b) Systems of Representation.
(i) Territorial - Functions.
(ii) Simple Majority.
(iii) Proportional Representation-Single Transferable vote and List system.
(iv) Minority Representation-Cumulative vote system, second vote Plan.

Electoral System in India
(a) Election Commission-Composition, Powers and Functions.
(b) Adult Franchise.
(c) Election Procedure
(d) Electoral Reforms

Party System and Public Opinion
(a) political Parties - meaning, functions and role.
(b) Party System - one party, two party, multi-party.
(c) Public Opinion-meaning and role.
(d) Agencies of Public Opinion-Political Parties, Interest Groups, Press, Electronic Media, Educational Institutions.

Party System in India
(a) Nature of party system in India.
(b) National and regional parties.
(c) Study of major political parties.
(d) Role of opposition in Indian democracy.
(e) Interest Groups in India.

Local Self-Government in India
(i) Urban Local Government
(a) Muncipal Corporation: Composition, Functions and Role.
(b) Muncipal Committee/Muncipal Boards: Composition, Functions and Role.
(ii) Rural Local Government
(a) Panchayati Raj - Structure and Functions.
1. Gram Panchayat
2. Panchayat Samiti
3. Zila Parishad
Note: The above topics are to be taught in the light of 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments.

Challenges to Indian Democracy
(a) Inequality: social and economic.
(b) Illiteracy, Population explosion
(c) Regional imbalances, Linguism, Communalism, Casteism.
(d) Violence & Separatism.

Socio-Economic Development in India
(a) Planning for Socio-Economic Development.
(i) Planning Commission: functions and role.
(ii) National Development Council: functions and role.
(b) Development of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes.
(i) Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Commission: function and role.
(c) Development of backward classes-implementation of the Mandal Commission Report
Unit 14: India and the World 20 Pds.
(a) Foreign Policy of India.
(b) (i) India and her neighbors - Bangladesh, China, Nepal, Pakistan & Sri Lanka.
(ii) India, Russia and U.S.A.
(c) United Nation-its principal organs.
(d) India and the U.N. system.
(e) India and selected world problems, e.g. human rights, disarmament and NIEO (New International Economic Order)