The course adopts a historical-analytical framework to foster a critical understanding of the constitutional design and governmental institutional framework in India, along with the insight on the changing nature of state, situating them within historical political processes. It seeks to acquaint students with the multifaceted manifestations of politics in India, examining the diverse mechanisms through which power is wielded and distributed across societal dimensions of caste, class, ethnicity, gender, region, language, and religion.
It aims at elucidating how social power shapes and mediates the political processes. Learners would explore the interplay between caste, religion, and politics, as well as constitutional provisions for self-governance, autonomy, and development, particularly for tribal communities under the Fifth and Sixth Schedules. The course also elucidates the legal and constitutional mechanisms aimed at empowering the marginalized groups. Further, the course delves into the complex interplay between political parties, electoral systems, and governance structures in India’s democratic landscape to render useful insights on the dynamics of Indian Politics.
Course Content
Unit I: Major Contestations in Indian Politics
a) Nation Building: Processes & Challenges
b) Changing Nature of Indian State:
Social Base of Power—Class, Caste, Ethnicity, & Gender;
Welfare State & Neo-liberal State
c) Social Justice and Affirmative Action Policies
Unit II: Identity Politics – I
a) Caste in Politics and Politicization of Caste, Dalits, and Backward Castes
b) Tribe: Constitutional Provisions—Fifth & Sixth Schedules, Development and Displacement, Forest Rights Act & Challenges
c) Gender: Participation and Representation of Women in Democratic Institutions
Unit III: Identity Politics – II
a) Religion: Debates on Secularism and Communalism, Minority Rights
b) Region and Regionalism: Autonomy and Statehood Movements
c) Language: Linguistic Diversity and Constitutional Provisions, Linguistic Reorganization of States
Unit IV: Party System and Electoral Process
a) Indian Party System: National and State Parties, Trends in Party System, Politics of Defection (91st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2003), Coalition Politics
b) Electoral Process in India: Electoral Reforms, Trends in Voting Behaviour
c) Electoral Politics: Participation, Representation, and Mobilisation of Different Sections
Essential Readings
- Chandhoke, Neera, & Priyadarshi, Praveen. (2009). Contemporary India: Economy, Society, Politics. Pearson.
- Chandra, Bipan, Mukherjee, Mridula, & Mukherjee, Aditya. (2000). India After Independence, 1947–2000. Penguin. (Chapter 6: The Initial Years, pp. 68–82; Chapter 7: Consolidation of India as a Nation, pp. 83–97).
- Jayal, Niraja Gopal, & Mehta, Pratap Bhanu. (2011). The Oxford Companion to Politics in India. Oxford University Press.
- Pai, Sudha (Ed.). (2013). Handbook of Politics in Indian States: Region, Parties, and Economic Reforms. Oxford University Press, India.
- Pai, Sudha. (2000). State Politics: New Dimensions (Party System, Liberalisation and Politics of Identity). Shipra.
- Singh, M. P. (2008). Reorganization of States in India. Economic and Political Weekly, 43(11), 70–75.
- Yadav, Yogendra, & Palshikar, Suhas. (2006). Party System and Electoral Politics in the Indian States, 1952–2002: From Hegemony to Convergence. In P. R. DeSouza & E. Sridharan (Eds.), India’s Political Parties. Sage.
Source: Undergraduate (UG) Political Science Syllabus – Core VIII (Semester IV): Indian Politics.