Political Theory (P1SA) PYQ Analysis

Political Theory: Meaning and Its approaches

1.       Discuss the significance of normative approach to political theory. (2020) 15

2.       Difference between normative and empirical theories of politics. (2012) 10

3.       Comment on Difference between normative and empirical theories of politics. (2012) 10

4.       Normative approach in Political Science. (2023) 10

5.       Examine the significance of the behavioural revolution in politics. (2011)

6.       Examine the importance of behavioural approach in political theory. What led to its decline? (2021) 15

7.       Comment on: The Post-Behavioural Approach. (2016) 10

8.       'Credo of Relevance' in post-behaviouralism advocates the importance of action science. Analyze. (2023) 15

9.       Comment on: Decline of Political Theory (2018) 10

10.   Decline of Political theory. (2023)

11.   Comment on: Resurgence of political theory. (2019) 10

12.   Comment on: " ... political theory is not an escape mechanism but an arduous calling." (John Plamanatz) (2014) 10

13.   Comment on Systems Approach (2022) 10

14.   Discuss David Easton’s model of systems analysis. (2015) 15

15.   Eurocentrism is both the target and the motive force of the post-colonial political theory. Discuss. (2023) 15

16.   Comment on Postmodernism. (2017) 10

17.   Behavioural approach to Political Science. Comment (2024) (10 Marks)

18.   Elucidate the meanings inherent in the term ‘political’ with appropriate illustrations. (2024) (20 Marks)

Theories of State

1.       Examine the challenges to sovereignty of the State in the contemporary world (15) (2015)

2.       Examine the liberal theory of State in contemporary politics. (2022) (15 Marks)

3.       Comment on: Neo-liberal perspective of State. (10) (2017)

4.       Critically examine the Neoliberal theory of state. (2018) (20)

5.       Discuss in what sense Max’s understanding of state can be considered as materialistic. (15) (2013)

6.       What is meant by ‘relative autonomy’ of State in Marxist analysis? (2012) 20

7.       Make an assessment of the post-colonial understanding of State. (2011)

8.       Comment on: Post-colonial theory of the State (10 Marks) (2020)

9.       Comment on: Pluralist theory of the State. (10 Marks) (2019)

10.   Discuss feminist theory of state. (10) (2016)

11.   Comment on: Feminist critique of the State (2021) (10 Marks)

12.   Pluralist theory of State. Comment. (2024) (10 Marks)

Justice

1.       Comment on Original position (2013)

2.       Comment on Distributive Justice. (2018)

3.       Comment on Difference Principle in Rawls Theory of Justice. (2015) 10

4.       Examine the entitlement theory of justice. (15 Marks) (2022)

5.       How has Rawls enriched the idea of justice in liberalism? (20 Marks) (2021)

6.       Examine Communitarian Perspectives on Justice. (15 Marks) (2019)

7.       Explicate the conception of justice in the critiques of Communitarian theorists. (20 Marks) (2014)

8.       Rawls Theory is both contractual and distributive. Examine (2017) (15)

9.       Analyze the Rawlsian justification of discrimination to achieve goals of social justice. (2018) (15) (Theme – Two Principles)

10.   Critically examine John Rawls’s argument for democratic equality. (2016) (15) (Theme – Two Principles)

11.   Rawl's idea of 'liberal self' is too individualistic. Explain, in this context, the communitarian critique of Rawl's theory of Justice. (15 Marks) (2023)

12.   Make a comparative assessment of Greek perspective of Justice with the Rawlsian concept of justice. (2020) (20)

Equality

1.       It is said where there is no law there is no liberty. Give your views on this statement. (2011) 30

2.       Difference between equality of opportunity and equality of outcome. (2012) 12

3.       Why is ‘affirmative action’ important in provision of equal opportunity? (2012) 10

4.       Comment: Equality of opportunity (2020) (10 Marks)

5.       Comment on Equality of outcome as a political idea. (2021)

6.       Comment on: Affirmative Action. (2016) (2021) [It was asked twice]

7.       Affirmative action policies draw as much strong criticism as strong support. Analyze this statement in the context of equality. (2023) 15

8.       “Equality of estates caused equality of power, and equality of power is liberty.” Comment (2022) (Theme – Relation between Equality and Liberty)

9.       Equality means fair treatment rather than equal treatment. Comment. (2018)

10.   Compare negative and positive concepts of liberty. (2019)

11.   How is liberty a precondition for equality? Explicate the relationship between equality and liberty. (2014)

12.   The nature of the relationship between equality of democratic citizenship and liberty of citizens is influenced by economic equality. Comment. (2024) (15 Marks) (Theme is Relationship between equality and liberty)

Rights

1.       Examine the multi-cultural perspectives on rights. (2012) 10

2.       Multicultural perspective on rights. (2023) 10

3.       Comment on Cultural Relativism. (2022)  0

4.       Comment on: Idea of Natural Rights (2015)

5.       Analyse the relationship between natural rights and human rights. (2013) 15

6.       What do you understand by three generations of Human Rights? (2018)

7.       Can there be universal conception of human rights? Give your arguments. (2021) 15

8.       Human Rights are complex and contested social practice that organises relations between Individuals, Society and the State. Comment. (2022) 15

9.       "The implementation of human rights is regarded as a matter of changing the conduct of States." Comment. (2016)  15

10.   Discuss the doctrine of 'rights as trumps'. (2019)

11.   Assess the significance of the right to property in political theory. (2020)

12.   The debate on human rights is caught between the limitations of both universalism and cultural relativism. Comment. (2024) (20 Marks)

Democracy

1.       Examine the ‘Participatory Model of Democracy. (2011)

2.       Issues of debate in contemporary democratic theory. (2012)

3.       Comment on Deliberative democracy (2019) (10 Marks)

4.       Explicate the features of deliberative democracy. (15) (2014)

5.       Deliberative democracy does not have its salience without the participation and participatory democracy does not have its credence without deliberations. Comment. (2017) (15)

6.       Comment on Difference between Participatory and Deliberative Democracy. (10) (2015)

7.       Free and fair deliberation is key to the foundation of democracy." Explain. (2021) (15 Marks) (Theme – Deliberative Democracy)

8.       Comment on Substantive Democracy. (10) (2018)

9.       Critically examine Macpherson's views on Democracy. (15) (2018)

10.   Explicate the features of Representative Democracy. (2016) (15 Marks)

11.   The goal of good governance will be achieved only by strengthening the grass root level democracy. (20) (2016)

12.   Elitist theory of democracy denies the possibility of democracy as ‘rule of the people’. Elucidate. (2022) (15)

13.   Deliberative democracy seeks to promote democratic decision making about public issues among the citizens. Discuss. (2024) (15 Marks)

Power, Hegemony and Legitimacy

1.       Attempt a Comparative examination of the views of Marx and Weber on ‘Power’. (2011)

2.       Examine the nature and meaning of power (2020)  15

3.       Distinguish between Power and Authority (2015)

4.       Explain the relationship between power, authority and legitimacy. (2018)

5.       Discuss the “Crisis of Legitimacy” in capitalist societies. (2015) 10

6.       Distinguish between the concepts of legitimacy and hegemony. (2012) 15

7.       Comment on Tools for the legitimation of state. (2021)

8.       Examine the conditions that are required for the maintenance of legitimacy in modem societies. (2014)

9.       “Power is never a property of individual; it belongs to a group and remains in existence only so long as the groups keep together” (Hannah Arendt) Comment (2014)  15 (Theme – Hannah Arendt concept of Power)

10.   Comment on Bases of Power. (2022)

11.   Foucault's concept of power. (2023)

12.   Linkage between Power and Hegemony. Comment. (2024) (10 Marks)

13.   Legitimacy adds positive value to political authority and obligation. Discuss. (2024) (20Marks)

Political Ideology

Concept of Ideology and Liberalism

1.       Examine the debate on the ‘End of Ideology’. (2011)

2.       Comment on: End of ideology debate (10) (2019)

3.       Write a brief note on The End of History debate. (10) (2017)

4.       Discuss Hannah Arendt's analysis of the role of Ideology in modern totalitarian regimes. (20) (2018)

5.       "The Political ideology of Globalization is Neo-liberalism." Comment. (2016) (10 Marks)

6.       Factors like community, culture and nation weaken the hegemony of neo-liberalism today. Discuss. (20) (2022)

7.       Political ideology is primarily concerned with the allocation and utilization of power. Comment. (2021) (15)

8.       Explain Berlin’s notion of value pluralism. (2013) (20)

9.       What do you understand by Multiculturalism? Discuss Bhikhu Parekh's views on Multiculturalism. (2017) (20)

10.   Comment on Liberalism as a revolutionary idea. (2020) (10)

11.   Decline of Liberalism. Comment. (2024) (10Marks)

Socialism and Fascism

1.       Comment on the view that socialism in the 21st century maybe reborn as anti-capitalism. (2014) (20)

2.       Discuss the key features of pre-Marxist socialist theory. (2015) (15)

3.       Define Socialism. Discuss the salient features of Fabian Socialism. (2017) (15)

4.       Fascism displays an ambivalent stance towards parliamentary democracy. Explain.  (20 Marks) (2023) (Theme -Features of Fascism)

5.       Comment on, “Nothing against the state nothing over it nothing beyond it -Mussolini.” (2018) (10) (Theme -Features of Fascism)

Marxism

1.       Explain Marx 's understanding of Human Alienation. (2016) (15 Marks)

2.       Discuss Marx’s concept of class (10) (2020)

3.       What is the contemporary relevance of Marxism? (15) (2019)

4.       Comment on: “Revolution in Permanence” (2022) (10 marks)

5.       Examine the conception of the State in the ideologies of Fascism and Marxism. (2014) (15)

6.       Marx's concept of 'alienation' is an essential part of the reality in capitalism. Explain. (2021) (15)

7.       Discuss the relationship between base and superstructure in Marxist theory. (2015) (15)

8.       Explain Marx's understanding of Human Essence and Alienation. (2016) (15)

9.       Differentiate between Freedom and Liberty. Discuss Marx's notion of freedom. (2017) (15)

10.   Marxism is a political theory of action demanding strict compliance with its core principles. Comment. (2024) (15 Marks)

Gandhism

1.       Examine the Gandhian idea of village community as an ideal unit of self-governance. (2012)

2.       MK Gandhi’s concept of Swaraj. Comment. (10 Marks) (2019)

3.       Gandhi’s views on State. Comment (10 Marks) (2015)

4.       The panchayats with Gram Sabha should be so organized as to identify the resources locally available for the development in agricultural and industrial sectors. Examine the statement in the context of Gram swaraj. (2022) (15)

5.       Examine Gandhi’s critique of Modernism. (15) (2016)

6.       Explicate the ideological components of Gandhism. (2020) (20)

Feminism

1.       Difference between Liberal and Radical forms of Feminism. (2012) 10

2.       Distinguish between liberal feminism and radical feminism. (15) (2019)

3.       Comment on Personal is political. (2013) (10)

4.       Comment on Eco-feminism. (2017) (10).

Indian Political Thoughts

Dharma shastra, Artha Shastra and Buddhist Tradition

1.       Draw parallels between Arthashastra tradition and the ‘Realist’ tradition represented by Machiavelli. (2012) 20

2.       Write a note on the Buddhist tradition in Indian political thought. (2012) 15

3.       Analyse, as per Kautilya, the Saptanga theory of the state. (15 Marks) (2013)

4.       Discuss Kautilya's views on the elements of the State. (2019) (15)

5.       Examine the significance of Dharma in Ancient Indian political thought (15 Marks) (2017)

6.       Do you think that the Buddhist traditions have lent greater ethical foundation to the ancient Indian political thought? Give your arguments. (20 Marks) (2021)

7.       Buddhist thought on Dhamma facilitates the emancipation of political action. Explain. (20 Marks) (2023)

8.       Evaluate the contribution of Buddhist tradition to Indian political thought. (2014) (15)

9.       What do you understand by the notion of Statecraft? Discuss the theory of statecraft as given by Kautilya. (2017) (15)

10.   Explain the sources of Ancient Indian political thought. (2020) (15)

11.   Dharma shastra presents a duty-centric worldview for individuals and communities. Comment. (2024) (15)

M N Roy and Sir Syed Ahmed Khan

1.       Comment on the Marxist and Radical Humanist phases of M.N. Roy’s thought. (2012) 15

2.       Syed Ahmed Khan as a moderniser. Comment. (10 Marks) (2013)

3.       “When a nation becomes devoid of arts and learning, it invites poverty.” (Sir Syed Ahmad Khan). In the light of this statement, assess the role of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan as a in as a reformer in modern India. (2021) (15)

4.       Manabendra Nath Roy’s political thought highlighted the humanistic aspects of Marxism. Discuss (2024) (15 Marks)

Sri Aurobindo

1.       Discuss Sri Aurobindo’s views on cultural nationalism. (2016) (20 Marks)

2.       Comment: ‘Nationalism is not a mere political program, but a way of life like religion’. (Aurobindo). (10 Marks) (2014)

3.       Comment on Sri Aurobindo’s idea of freedom. (2013) (10)

4.       According to Sri Aurobindo, Swaraj is a necessary condition for India to accomplish its destined goal. Comment. (2017)

5.       Sri Aurobindo's idea of Swaraj has deep significance in the Indian social, political and cultural history. Analyze. (15 Marks) (2023)

Gandhi Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

1.       Comment on Views of Gandhi and Ambedkar on ‘social justice’. (2011) 15

2.       Comment on Ambedkar’s ideas on constitutionalism. (2020) (10 Marks)

3.       ‘Political democracy could not last unless social democracy lay at its base’. (BR Ambedkar). Comment. (20 Marks) (2017)

4.       Discuss Ambedkar’s ideas on Annihilation of Caste. (2018) (10)

5.       Discuss Dr. BR Ambedkar’s idea of state socialism. (2016) (10)

6.       Examine Ambedkar’s critique of Marxism. (2013) (15)

7.       Dr. Ambedkar’s idea of social justice leads to ‘egalitarian justice’ as compared to Rawis’ ‘justice as fairness’ which aims at the notion of ‘pure procedural justice’. Comment. (2022) (20)

Western Political Thoughts

Plato

1.       Plato was an enemy of open society.” (Popper) Comment. (2015) (10 Marks)

2.       Explain Aristotle's critique of Plato's Idealism. (20) (2019)

3.       Examine Plato's perspective on gender equality in education and governance in 'The Republic.' To what extent were his ideas progressive for his time, and what contemporary lessons can be drawn? (20 Marks)

4.       Critically examine Plato’s theory of Forms. (2024) (15 Marks

Aristotle

1.       “The State is a creation of nature and man is by nature a political animal.” (Aristotle) (2011)

2.       Everywhere, inequality is a cause of revolution- Aristotle. Comment. (2017) (10 Marks)

3.       Explain the Aristotelian view of politics. To what extent do you think it has contributed to the development of modern-day constitutional democracies? (2021) (15 Marks)

4.       Aristotle’s conception of equality. (2015) (10)

Machiavelli

1.       Machiavelli’s secularism. Comment. (2020)

2.       Compare and contrast the views of Kautilya and Machiavelli on Statecraft. (2015) 15

3.       Critically examine Machiavelli's views on religion and politics (2018) 15

4.       Explain how Machiavelli's application of empirical method to human affairs marks an important stage in the evolution of political science. (2014) (15 Marks)

Thomas Hobbes and John Locke

1.       Comment on Hobbies as an individualist. (2011)

2.       Hobbesian notion of Political obligation. Comment (2017) (10 Marks)

3.       “Covenants without swords are but words and of no strength to secure a man at all.” (Hobbes) Comment (2013) (10 Marks) (Theme – Sovereignty)

4.       “How would I and my fellow human beings behave if we were to find ourselves in a state of nature, and what does this behavior tell us about our innate predispositions?” (Hobbes) Comment (2016) (15 Marks)

5.       Individualism is inherent in Hobbes’ absolutist ideology. Comment (2022) (15)

6.       State of Nature as State of War (Hobbes). (10 Marks) (2023)

7.       ‘Locke is an individualist out and out’. Substantiate this statement. (2012)

8.       John Locke is the father of liberalism. Explain (2018) (20 marks)

9.       Comment on Locke’s Social Contract (2022) (10)

10.   Comment on the assertion of Laslett that Filmer and not Hobbes was the main antagonist of Locke. (2013) (10)

11.   Locke’s views on Revolution. Comment. (2024) (10 Marks)

J S Mill and Hannah Arendt

1.       “The worth of a State... is the worth of individuals composing it.” (J.S.Mill) (2011)

2.       Comment on: John Stuart Mill is a 'reluctant democrat'. - C. L. Wayper. (2018) (10 Marks)

3.       JS Mill’s idea on Women suffrage. Comment. (2021) (10 Marks)

4.       Comment on: "All silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility." (J.S. Mill) (10 Marks) (2014) (Theme - Individualism)

5.       "The legal subordination of one sex to another is wrong in itself, and now one of the chief hindrances to human development." (J.S. Mill). Comment. (2023) (Theme – J S Mill as a Feminist) 15

6.       Representative democracy……means the people as a body must be able to control the general direction of government policy. (J. S. Mill) comment. (2020) (15)

7.       Critically analyze Hannah Arendt’s conceptual triad of labour, work and action. (2019) (15 Marks)

8.       Power is never the property of an individual; it belongs to a group and remains in existence only so long as the group keeps together. “(Hannah Arendt) (2014) (15 Marks)

Gramsci

1.       Discuss Gramsci’s notion of ‘organic intellectuals. (2015) (10 Marks)

2.       According to Gramsci, hegemony is primarily based on the organization of consent.' Comment. (2019) (10 Marks)

3.       Explain, as per Gramsci, the distinction between hegemony and domination. (2013) (15 Marks)

4.       Critically examine Gramsci's concept of Hegemony. (2008) (15)

5.       Comment on Gramsci's concept of Hegemony. (2016) (10)