MASTER'S DEGREE PROGRAMME IN POLITICAL SCIENCE ...

MPS

MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMME

IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

Assignments

( M.A. Second Year Courses)

July 2015 and January 2016 Sessions

School of Social Sciences

Indira Gandhi National Open University

Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068

2

OPTIONAL COURSES: M.A. II Year (Political Science)

Dear Student,

You will have to do one Tutor Marked Assignment for each of the courses in the Master’s

Degree Programme in Political Science. Each assignment has descriptive and short

category questions. Descriptive Category Questions (DCQs) are meant for writing essay

type answers, with an introduction and a conclusion. These are intended to test your

ability to describe your understanding/knowledge about the topic in a systematic, to-

the-point and coherent manner. Short Category Questions (SCQs) require you to first

analyse the topic in terms of arguments and explanations and then write the answers in

a concise manner. They are meant to test your understanding of the concepts and

processes, and your capacity to critically analyse them.

Before you attempt the assignments, please read the instructions carefully provided in

the Programme Guide. It is important that you write the answers to all the TMA

questions in your own words. Your answers should be within the approximate range of

the word-limit set for a particular section. Remember, writing answers to assignment

questions will improve your writing skills and prepare you for the term-end

examination.

This booklet has assignments of all II year courses of Master’s in Political Science. Do the

assignments of only those courses for which you are enrolled and leave the rest.

Submission:

You need to submit all the assignments within the stipulated time for being eligible to

appear in the term-end examination. The completed assignments should be submitted

as per the following schedule.

Last date of Submission Whom to submit

March 31, 2016 for July 2015 Session

September 30, 2016 for January 2016

Session

The Coordinator of the Study

Centre allotted to you

Please obtain a receipt from the Study Centre for the assignments submitted and retain

it. If possible, keep a Xerox copy of the assignments with you.

The Study Centre will return the assignments to you after they are evaluated. Please

insist on this. The Study Centre has to send the marks to the Student Evaluation Division

(SED) at IGNOU, New Delhi.

3

INDIA AND THE WORLD (MPSE-001)

Tutor Marked Assignment

Assignment Code: ASST/ MPSE-001/2015-16

Marks: 100

Answer five questions in all, selecting at least two questions from each section.

Answer each question in about 500 words. Each question carries 20 marks.

SECTION –I

1. Distinguish the realist and interdependence approaches to the study of

Indian foreign policy.

2. Describe the role of governmental and non-governmental organisations in

the promotion and protection of human rights.

3. India’s endeavours at conducting good neighbourly relations with Southeast

Asia are paying dividends in economic and strategic terms. Elaborate.

4. Examine the major determinants of India’s foreign policy.

5. Identify some of the important aspects of India’s contribution to world peace

and security through the United Nations.

SECTION –II

Write a short note on each part of the question in about 250 words.

6. a) Parliament and its Committees in the making of India’s foreign policy

b) Role of business groups in India’s foreign policy

7. a) Nehru’s contribution to India’s foreign policy

b) Key elements of India’s nuclear policy and doctrine

8. a) Role of MNCs in international economic relations

b) Role of NGOs in the UN Human Rights system

9. a) Indo-Russia relations in the post-cold war years

b) Issues in India-US relations

10. a) Indo-China relations in the post-cold war years

b) India-South Africa relations

4

STATE AND SOCIETY IN LATIN AMERICA (MPSE-002)



Marks: 100


Answer each question in about 500 words. Each question carries 20 marks.

SECTON-I

1. Examine the causes for the revolutionary movements in Latin America.

2. Critically examine the legacy of the institution of slavery in Latin American.

3. Describe the main characteristics of Latin American political traditions and

their contemporary relevance.

4. Unregulated markets are leading to social chaos and catastrophes. Discuss

with suitable examples from Latin America.

5. Describe the nature and features of bureaucratic –authoritarian regimes in Latin America.

SECTION-II


6. a) Populist movements and their impact on economic development in Latin

America

b) Role of the Church in the development of Latin America.

7. a) Indentured labour in Guyana and Trinidad

b) New social movements in Latin America

8. a) Plantation economy in Cuba

b) Consolidation of democracy in Latin America

9. a) Third wave of regionalism in Latin America

b) Inward development strategy

10. a) Movimento Sem Terra

b) Women’s movement and transition to democracy

5

WESTERN POLITICAL THOUGHT (From Plato to Marx) (MPSE-003)



Marks: 100

Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two

questions from each section. Each question carries 20 marks.

SECTION –I

1. Write an essay on the nature and content of western political thought.

2. What were the philosophical foundations of Plato’s political theory? Explain.

3. Discuss Aristotle’s theory of state.

4. Discuss ‘The Prince’ by Machiavelli.

5. Describe Thomas Hobbes’s view on the Laws of Nature.

SECTION –II


6. a) John Locke on consent, resistance and toleration

b) Rousseau’s theory of General Will

7. a) Edmund Burke on citizenship and democracy

b) Immanuel Kant on human reason

8. a) Bentham and Utilitarianism

b) Alexis de Tocqueville on religion

9. a) John Stuart Mill on individual liberty

b) Hegel’s theory of individual freedom

10. a) Marx’s vision of a communist society

b) Marx’s theory of surplus value

6

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL THOUGHT IN MODERN INDIA (MPSE-004)



Marks: 100



SECTION –I

1. Discuss state and sovereignty in medieval India.

2. Write an essay on nationalism and colonial modernity in the 19th century

India.

3. Write a note on social reforms in 19th century India.

4. Examine Swami Vivekananda’s views on nationalism.

5. What were the salient features of V.D. Savarkar’s Hindu nationalism?

Elaborate.

SECTION –II


6. a) Political activities of Mohammad Iqbal

b) Two nation theory of M.A. Jinnah

7. a) E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker and Dravidian Mobilisation

b) Pandita Ramabai on Patriarchy

8. a) Gandhi’s concept of Swaraj

b) Gandhi on relationship between means and ends

9. a) Jawaharlal Nehru on Socialism

b) Ideological orientation of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

10. a) Rabindranath Tagore’s differences with M.K. Gandhi

b) M.N. Roy’s Radical Humanism

7

MPSE-005: STATE AND SOCIETY IN AFRICA



Marks: 100



SECTION-I

1. Assess the impact of European colonialism on politics and society in Africa.

2. Critically examine the challenges to nation building in Africa.

3. Describe the features of foreign trade and investment in Africa.

4. Briefly examine the legacy of big powers involvement in African politics.

5. Examine the response of the domestic and international agencies to deal with the

problem of African debt.

SECTION-II


6. a) Growth of nationalism in Africa.

b) Indian diaspora in Africa.

7. a) Features of state system in Africa.

b) Structural violence in Africa

8. a) Regional integration efforts in Africa. b) Contribution of Africa to Non-aligned Movement.

9. a) Prospects of sustainable development in Africa.

b) Problem of women’s security in Africa

10. a) Post-Cold war peacekeeping efforts in African.

b) Resurgence of ethnic identity in Africa.

8

PEACE AND CONFLICT STUDIES (MPSE-006)



Marks: 100



SECTION–I

1. Describe the theories or conceptions of war at the system, state and

individual level.

2. Just and equitable conditions are a necessary for achieving peace. Discuss.

3. Examine the powers of the Security Council with respect to maintenance of

international peace and security.

4. Describe the political and judicial methods of settling international disputes.

5. In the long run, one would have to fight the mind-set that is likely to generate

terrorism and not simply try to contain it. Elucidate.

SECTION –II


6. a) Negative and Positive conceptions of Peace

b) Operational and structural aspects of civil war

7. a) CBMs in Asia and Europe

b) Role of Civil Society in conflict containment and resolution

8. a) Asymmetric war and its relationship with terrorism

b) Models of international peace based on the distribution of power

among nations

9. a) Gandhi’s views on war

b) Main principles of peacekeeping operations

10. a) Peace research and Peace studies

b) Basic assumptions of Functionalism

9

SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND POLITICS IN INDIA (MPSE-007)



Marks: 100



SECTION–I

1. Write an essay on the relationships between peoples’ movements and social

change.

2. Critically evaluate the Gandhian approach to social movements.

3. Discuss the response of the state to regional movements in India.

4. Give a general view of ethnic mobilisation during the post-colonial period.

5. How do you relate state, market and social movements to each other? Explain.

SECTION–II

6. Write notes on the following in about 250 words each:

a) Meaning of components of social movements

b) Politics of reservation

7. Answer the following questions in about 250 words each:

a) Limitations of the BSP

b) Differences between the backward class movement in south and north

India

8. Comment on the following in about 250 words each:

a) Limitations of formal democracy

b) Genesis of farmers’ movements

9. Analyse the following in about 250 words each:

a) Fisher folks’ organisations

b) Chipko movement

10. Discuss the following in about 250 words each:

a) Marxian perspective on Indian state

b) Caste in electoral mobilisation

10

STATE POLITICS IN INDIA (MPSE-008)



Marks: 100



SECTION–I

1. Discuss the dominant features of state politics in the first two decades of

independent India.

2. Critically analyse the factors which determine electoral behavior in India.

3. Analyse the reasons for the breakdown of “Congress System”.

4. Critically examine the impact of land reforms on agrarian transformation.

5. Discuss the meaning and relevance of sustainable development.

SECTION–II

6. Write notes on the following in about 250 words each:

a) Post-modernist frameworks

b) Electoral reforms

7. Answer the following questions in about 250 words each:

a) Chhattisgarh Mukti Morcha

b) Development as freedom

8. Comment on the following in about 250 words each:

a) Green Revolution

b) National Industrial Policy

9. Anlyse the following in about 250 words each:

a) Politics of water disputes

b) The Bahujan Samaj Party

10. Discuss the following in about 250 words each:

a) Ethnic minorities and politics

b) The Janata Phase (1977-1979)

11

CANADA: POLITICS AND SOCIETY (MPSE-009)



Marks: 100

Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from

each section. Each question carries 20 marks.

SECTION –I

1. Analyse the powers, functions and role of the Prime Minister of Canada.

2. Trace the evolution and changing nature of Canadian Party System.

3. Explain the factors leading to decentralization and provincialism in Canada.

4. Describe the Constitutional provision for the self–government of Aboriginal people in Canada and bring out the challenges towards fulfilment of the demand

of self–government by Aboriginals.

5. Write an essay on the structure and role of the Public Administration in Canada.

SECTION –II

6. What do you understand by “Quite revolution”? Why is it considered an

important factor in the rise of Quebec nationalism?

7. Describe the important milestones in the women’s movement in Canada.

8. What do you understand by Canada’s integrated approach to development?

9. Describe and assess the nature of relationship between Canada and European

Union.

10. Write short notes on the following in about 250 words each

(a) Canada and the WTO.

(b) Charlotte town Accord

12

EUROPEAN UNION IN WORLD AFFAIRS (MPSE-011)



Marks: 100



SECTION-I

1. Comment on the observation “European Union is neither a federation nor a

confederation”.

2. Describe the key elements of the Treaty of European Constitution and

rectification difficulties it has faced.

3. Examine intergovernmentalism as a core theory of the European integration.

4. Analyse the powers, functions and role of the European Parliament.

5. Describe the evolution of Economic and Monitory Union and its importance

for European Union.

SECTION-II

6. “The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is one of the most integrated and the

most controversial policies of the European Union”. Comment.

7. Describe the factors that facilitated the development of European Security

and Defence Policy.

8. What are the challenges European Union faces in its eastward enlargement?

9. Write an essay on European Union –China relations. .

10. Write short notes on the following in about 250 words each:

(a) EU’s role in environmental protection

(b) EU in World Trade Organization (WTO)

13

STATE AND SOCIETY IN AUSTRALIA (MPSE-012)



Marks: 100

Answer five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions

from each section. Each question carries 20 marks.

SECTION-I

1. Discuss changing concept of Australian aboriginal identity.

2. Explain the main characteristics of Australian population.

3. Explain Australia’s multicultural policy. What impact did it have on immigrants

to Australia?

4. Briefly explain the working of federalism in Australia.

5. Critically examine the political representation and participation of ethnic

minorities in Australia.

SECTION-II


6. a) Constitutional crisis 1975 b) The referendum 1999

7. a) Major and minor parties in Australia

b) Pressure groups in Australian politics

8. a) Development strategy in Australia

b) Domestic economy and globalisation in Australia

9. a) Structure of Australian economy prior to 1980 b) Australia’s engagement with World economics

10. a) Aboriginal people and nationalism in Australia

b) Gender issues in Australia

14

AUSTRALIA’S FOREIGN POLICY (MPSE-013)



Marks: 100



SECTION-I

1. Examine the importance of studying Australia’s foreign policy.

2. Discuss the external determinants of Australia’s foreign policy.

3. Explain the social factors contributing on Australia’s foreign policy.

4. Explain Australia’s in bilateral and regional trade agreements.

5. Examine the challenges that Australia faces in respect of its trade and

investment in the era of Globalisation.

SECTION-II


6. a) Australia’s role in Americas war against international terrorism

b) India-Australia strategic relations

7. a) China-Australian economic relations b) Indo-Australian economic cooperation

8. a) Human rights concerns in Australia

b) Australian Environmental investments

9. a) Post-Cold War cooperation b) Australia and its neighbours in the South Pacific

10. a) Australian and the Indian Ocean b) Australia and Nuclear Arms Control

15

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES (MED-002)


Assignment Code: ASST/ MED-002/2015-16

Marks: 100



SECTION- I

1. Explain the origin of the concept of sustainable development. What are its

fundamental principles?

2. Discuss the major challenges confronting sustainable development.

3. Discuss the various socio-economic political and ethical issues to be taken into consideration for natural resources conservation and management.

4. Explain the industrialisation and sustainable development from regional

perspective.

5. Examine the following in your own words:

a) Gandhian Gram Swarajya

b) Deep Ecology

SECTION- II


6. a) Desertification and Droughts b) Challenges faced in the implementation of environmental laws in India

7. a) Civil society initiatives for Environmental Protection and Sustainable

Development b) International initiatives for Environmental Protection and Sustainable

Development

8. a) Technology for sustainable development

b) Traditional knowledge for sustainable development

9. a) Community participation for sustainable development

b) Information and Communication Technology and sustainable rural

development

10. a) Foreign Direct Investment

b) WTO policy for Sustainable Development

16

GLOBALISATION AND ENVIRONMENT (MED-008)


Assignment Code: ASST/ MED-008/2015-16

Marks: 100



SECTION- I

1. Explain the emerging global environmental challenges and effectiveness of

global environmental initiatives.

2. Discuss the aims and strategies to mitigate the sufferings caused by natural

disaster.

3. Explain the global environmental negotiations highlighting the salient features of major declarations.

4. Explain the importance of environmental law and standards on South Asian

states.

5. Examine the following in your own words:

a) Rio declaration on environment and development

b) Bretton Woods instructions in environmental protection

SECTION- II


6. a) WTO and World Bank in protecting the global environment

b) MNCs and TNCs for environmental protection

7. a) NGOs and their impact on global policies

b) Environmental concerns to the developing countries

8. a) Chilka Bachao Andolan

b) Peoples resistance against globalisation

9. a) India’s role in biodiversity protection

b) Concept of sustainable human development

10. a) Economic reforms and Food security

b) Right to clean environment

17

GANDHI’S POLITICAL THOUGHT (MGP-004)


Assignment Code: ASST/MGP-004/2015-16

Marks: 100


Each question is to be answered in about 500 words. Each question carries 20

marks.

SECTION-I

1. Gandhi provides a framework for a participatory, functional and a development state with maximum inclusion. Elucidate.

2. Discuss Gandhi’s conception of Gram Swaraj.

3. Examine the nature of Indian political institutions and practices during British rule.

4. What was Gandhi’s assessment of Indian National Congress and British political

institutions in Hind Swaraj?

5. Critically examine Gandhi’s criticism of machinery

SECTION-II

Write a short note of each part of the question in about 250 words each.

6. a) Gandhi’s concept of individual autonomy

b) Gandhi’s concept of rights and duties

7. a) Importance of purity of means in Gandhian thought

b) Gandhi’s concept of Power

8. a) Gandhi’s non-violent struggle against colonialism

b) Gandhi’s concept of World Order

9. a) Gandhi’s views on constitutionalism

b) Gandhi’s critique of socialism and communism

10. a) Main elements of Gandhian pacifism

b) Gandhian perspective on economic equality and the means to realize it.

18

NON-VIOLENT MOVEMENTS AFTER GANDHI (MGPE-007)


Assignment Code: ASST/ MGPE-007/2015-16

Marks: 100



marks.

SECTION-I

1. Discuss the role of leadership in peace movements in India.

2. Assess the non-violent movements in post-Gandhian era.

3. Critically examine the various social problems confronting India today.

4. Discuss the major concerns of liquor policy and public health related issues in

India.

5. Critically examine the contemporary relevance of Bhoodan movement.

SECTION-II

Write a short note on each part of the question in about 250 words each.

6. a) Total revolution

b) Democracy and social revolution in India

7. a) Farmers movement in India

b) Non-violent environmental movements in India

8. a) Non-violent struggle against large Dam constructions

b) Chipko Andolan movement

9. a) Silent Valley movement

b) National water awareness campaigns

10. a) Black civil rights movements in the US

b) Anti-apartheid movement in South Africa

19

GANDHIAN APPROACH TO PEACE AND CONFLICT

RESOLUTION (MGPE-008)



Marks: 100



marks.

SECTION- I

1. Critically evaluate the different approaches of peace building.

2. Forgiveness and tolerance are pre-requisites for harmony. Discuss.

3. Write a short note on the following:

a) People’s participation in peace process

b) Gandhi’s views on Shanti Sena

4. Discuss the various sources of conflict.

5. Briefly discuss some of the non-Western approaches to conflict resolution.

SECTION- II


6. a) Gandhi’s non-violence and pacifism

b) Functional approach to peace and its limitations

7. a) Gandhian approach to tolerance

b) Gandhi’s vision of community peace

8. a) Relevance of dialogue and negotiation in the contemporary world

b) Gandhian approach to resolving social conflicts

9. a) Importance of dialogue and negotiation in conflict resolution

b) Gandhi’s views on fasting as a means for resolving conflicts

10. a) India’s role in Sri Lanka ethnic conflict

b) Relevance of Gandhism in Tibet, Myanmar and Bhutan

20

CONFLICT MANAGEMENT, TRANSFORMATION AND

PEACE BUILDING (MGPE-010)



Marks: 100



marks.

SECTION-I

1. Briefly examine the nature of conflicts in the contemporary society.

2. Critically examine the various theoretical arguments on conflict and their impact on the study of peace.

3. Explain each of the following in about 250 words:

a) Conflict resolution

b) Role of UN in peace-building

4. Explain the main characteristics of conflict management.

5. Describe Gene Sharp’s approach to strategic non-violence conflict

transformation.

SECTION-II


6. a) Approaches to conflict transformation

b) Edward Azar on social conflict

7. a) Problem of violence in Nagaland. b) Main causes of terrorism in Punjab

8. a) Gandhi’s idea of Swaraj

b) Conflict in Afghanistan

9. a) Describe the idea of Trusteeship as propounded by Gandhi

b) Characteristics of Gandhi’s Satyagraha campaigns in South Africa

10. a) Post-conflict reconstruction and peace building strategies

b) Role of NGOs in the post-conflict reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts of

Sri Lanka.

21

HUMAN SECURITY (MGPE-011)



Marks: 100



marks.

SECTION-I

1. Explain the human rights approach to human development and security bringing

out its contribution to inclusive development.

2. Explain the state of human security and human development in India.

3. Explain the following in your own words:

a) Characteristics of terrorism

b) State violence in South Asia

4. Briefly describe Galtung’s idea on structural violence.

5. Critically examine state violence in India

SECTION-II


6. a) Human security and peace building

b) National Food Security Act

7. a) Significance of global warming

b) Gandhi’s internationalism for human security

8. a) Food security and global concerns

b) Problems of unorganized labour in India

9. a) Gender development and human security

b) Different dimensions of violence

7. a) Human security and poverty eradication in South Asia

b) Problems of child labour in India

22

CIVIL SOCIETY, POLITICAL REGIMES AND CONFLICT (MGPE-013)



Marks: 100



marks.

SECTION-I

1. Discuss Hegel’s notion of civil society.

2. Critically examine the issue of accountability of civil society organizations.

3. Discuss the relevance of civil society in Asia.

4. Describe the Gramscian concept of civil society.

5. Briefly describe the major theories on the modern state.

SECTION-II


6. a) Contemporary non-violent protest movements.

b) Global peace movements.

7. a) Role of NGO’s in peace process

b) Evolution and concept of peace

8. a) Peace movements in India.

b) Gandhi’s views on capacity building and empowerment.

9. a) Role of social movements for mobilizing voluntary action

b) Accountability of civil society organisations

10. a) Anti globalization movements

b) Peace education

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