Political Science-

8/11/2019 Political Science-

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Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law

Punjab, Patiala

PROJECT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

ON

POLITICAL SCIENCE: INTERDISCIPLINARY

RELEVANCE

Submitted to:

Ms. Shveta Dhalival

Submitted by:

Group I

First Year, B.A. LL.B (Honours)

Ashutosh Mishra-836

Navneet Kaur-860


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Introduction..4

2.

Need for Interdisciplinary Relevance..63. Relation of Political Science with other Disciplines9

4. Politics of International Law..17

5. Blue Star Operation1 9

6. Conclusion.24


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INTRODUCTION

Political Scienceis asocial science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government,

and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state.[1]

It deals extensively with the theory

and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior. Politicalscientists "see themselves engaged in revealing the relationships underlying political events and

conditions, and from these revelations they attempt to construct general principles about the way

the world of politics works."[2]Political science intersects with other fields; includingeconomics,

law, sociology, history, anthropology,public administration,public policy, national politics,

international relations, comparative politics,psychology,political organization, and political

theory. Although it was codified in the 19th century, when all the social sciences were

established, political science has ancient roots; indeed, it originated almost 2,500 years ago with

the works ofPlato andAristotle.

Interdisciplinarityinvolves the combining of two or moreacademic disciplines into one activity

(e.g. a research project). It is about creating something new by crossing boundaries, and thinking

across them. It is related to an interdiscipline or an interdisciplinary field, which is an

organizational unit that crosses traditional boundaries betweenacademic disciplines orschools of

thought,as new needs and professions have emerged.

This approach to teaching requires planning that looks at the foundational objectives of a number

of curriculum areas. Connecting curriculum in the interdisciplinary approach is an efficient way

to help teachers deal with knowledge that grows at exponential proportions (Jacobs). A unit of

study that uses the interdisciplinary approach enables teachers to teach the whole student and

make links between disciplines. One goal for this approach is to give students a more relevant,

less fragmented, and stimulating experience

the interdisciplinary approach has become an important and challenging technique in the in the

modern curriculum. The interdisciplinary approach synthesizes more than one discipline and

creates teams of teachers and students that enrich the overall educational experience. Many

researchers find many advantages, as well as disadvantages, of interdisciplinary studies. Student

education has suffered the inferior pedagogy of traditional methodologies that concentrate

specifically on only one discipline. The interdisciplinary approach provides many benefits that
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_sciencehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_science#cite_note-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_science#cite_note-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_science#cite_note-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_science#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_science#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_science#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_administrationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_policyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_relationshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparative_politicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_organizationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_theoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_theoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_centuryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_disciplinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interdisciplinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interdisciplinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_academic_disciplineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_of_thoughthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_of_thoughthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_of_thoughthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_of_thoughthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_academic_disciplineshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interdisciplinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academic_disciplinehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotlehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Platohttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19th_centuryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_theoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_theoryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_organizationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparative_politicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_relationshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_policyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_administrationhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthropologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociologyhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_science#cite_note-1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_systemhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politicshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_science#cite_note-0http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_science


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develop into much needed lifelong learning skills that are essential to a students future learning.

The Interdisciplinary approach has been used in many ways and at all levels of Education.

From early childhood to graduate school, interdisciplinary studies are becoming more and more

popular.

The Interdisciplinary approach has been used in many ways and at all levels of Education.

From early childhood to graduate school, interdisciplinary studies are becoming more and more

popular.

The purpose of this approach is to dissolve the boundaries of areas of study and encourage

learning across the curriculum. Educators must develop a plan where they can see the natural

areas for integration and develop thematic units. Student learning outcomes should include a

well-rounded education where critical thinking and transfer of knowledge is evident with the

school and the outside world. A constructivist approach to learning where creative thinking

processes are developed within a meaningful context will enhance the student's education and

encourage lifelong learning.

This approach is one of the many approaches used to study political science in the modern era. It

deals with the relationship of political science with the other social sciences like economics,

sociology, history etc. and helps us understand the subject in a better way. The intermingling of

various disciplines with one helps us understand how different fields of study are affected by

politics and vice versa.

This project is an approach to understand and elaborate this concept of interdisciplinary approach

to ourselves by studying the theoretical as well as practical aspects of the approach in the modern

world.


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NEED OF INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDY

The field of physical sciences is absolutely definite and delimited. The field of social sciences,

on the other hand, is neither definite nor delimited. Besides, the subject matter of social sciences

is much more complex. For example, economics studies the economic aspect of man, while

psychology studies the psychological studies the psychological aspect. Again, beside the view

point, each social science has a method peculiar to it, which distinguishes it from other sciences.

In other words, different aspects of these social problems may be studied in different social

sciences.

Need for interdisciplinary study

Nowadays one finds more and more use of of interdisciplinary approach in social sciences. In

fact, some studies are not possible without such an approach. The following are the main reasons

of the need of inter-disciplinary approach:

Mutual relationships of different sciences

Though each science is considered as distinct, most of the sciences are interconnected. As such

social science is directly or indirectly concerned with a man, it is obvious that they may be

interrelated. Therefore, studies and researches in one science are bound to influence other

sciences. Hence, the need of inter-disciplinary approach is obvious.

Imperfection of science

No social science is complete or perfect in itself. For example, economics cannot solve all the

social problems nor can medicine relieve all the tensions. Each social science is concerned only

with a limited aspect of society. Therefore, in order to study the total society one will have to


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take resource to several sciences. Therefore, the interdisciplinary approach is utilized in such

cases.

Several aspects of social phenomenon

Social phenomena are complex. Each social phenomenon has several aspects. The physical,

economic, political, psychological and other factors influence social phenomena. No social

phenomenon can be completely free from external influences. In such a situation, in order to

know the social phenomenon, it is necessary to find out different factors determining them. Now,

in order to know all these factors lying in the fields of different sciences, an interdisciplinary

approach is required.

Need of objectivity

In spite of all precautions it is difficult to claim objectivity in social sciences. Therefore, the need

to increase objectivity requires that the same problem should be studied by various aspects. Thus,

in order to make social research more objective and successful, an interdisciplinary approach is

required.

Types of Inter-disciplinary approach

Inter-disciplinary approach is used in social sciences in various ways. In these uses, the form of

method also changes. As a general rule, the following types of inter-disciplinary approach are

more prevalent these days:

1.

In inter-disciplinary approach various sciences coordinate. A type of this method is such

that in it the social investigator himself conducts research and seeks help from other

sciences wherever required. This help is secured in the form of expert advice from the

researchers of other sciences. Sometimes the help is secured by the study of the survey

reports in other social sciences.


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2. In a different type of inter-disciplinary approach, different experts of different sciences

conduct researches in their own field. They study a problem independently and

themselves prepare plan of study in their own field. However, they meet from time to

time and hold discussion. In the end, all of them send reports of their studies to the

central office where all these reports are coordinated to arrive at some sort of

interdisciplinary approach.

3. The third type of inter-disciplinary approach is somewhat different from the above

mentioned types. In it, the investigators from different sciences work in collaboration

right from the beginning to the end. They work as members of a research group or team

in which the functions are divided and every member is responsible to fulfill his function.

Process of Interdisciplinary Study

Inter-disciplinary approach is a complex method of research, since in its one is required to kind

methods of several sciences. Interdisciplinary approach requires a wider knowledge and deeper

insight. The main steps in the process of inter-disciplinary approach are as follows:

1.

Construction of the main plan of research: - First of all, a chief committee for research

is organized. The main function of this committee is to determine the problem of

research. It delimits area of social research and clearly defines its aims and objectives.

2. Determination of required social sciences: After the clarification of their problem,

field and aims and objectives of research, it is decided as to which science, the limits of

their cooperation are fixed.

3. Determination of roles of different social sciences: After the determination of required

sciences, the roles of different sciences are different. For example, if a particular social

research requires the collaboration of geography, then it is necessary to determine the role

of each of these social sciences in the particulars social research.


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4. Coordination of results: In inter-disciplinary approach, different scientists study a

problem from their own view points and arrive at different conclusions. These

conclusions provide knowledge limited to a particular aspect of a social problem.

Therefore, in order to achieve an integral knowledge of the problem, the different

conclusions must be coordinated. This function is very important and requires a lot of

precautions. Therefore, it should be entrusted only to the chief investigator.


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RELATIONSHIP OF POLITICAL SCIENCE WITH OTHER SOCIAL

SCIENCES

Politics has wider approach in the modern society. It is not just limited within the boundaries of

the functioning of a government and a state but also various other disciplines which effect social

life. These social sciences include sociology, economics, history; geography etc. there is a tinge

of politics in all these subjects and all these social sciences effect political science. There is a

close interrelation between these subjects. Political science does not stand alone as it is not the

only science which concerns itself with man in organized society. Being one of the many

sciences dealing with the relations of man to man, it has its close connections with other social

sciences. Thus Paul Janet remarks that political science is closely connected with political

economy or the science of wealth; with law, either natural or positive, which occupies itself

principally with the relation of citizens to one another; with history, which furnishes the facts of

which it was need; with philosophy, and especially with morals, which gives to it a part of its

principles1. A brief look at these relationships is as under.

Political Science and Sociology

Political Science and Sociology are no doubt, intimately connected. Both the sciences are

mutually helpful. Political activity is only a part of social activity. Thus, Political Science is

regarded as the branch of social science. The political activities influence and are influenced by

the social life of man. Political activities will have no meaning outside the social content.

Political Science gives Sociology facts about the organization and functions of the State and

Government.

Sociology studies various political institutions, associations and organizations by the help of

Political Science. Political Science studies the present social problems through Sociology. Moris

Ginsberg writes, "Historically, Sociology has its main roots in politics and philosophy of

History."

1Green, T. H.Lectures on the priciples of political obligation. London, Longmans


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The State in its early form was more a social institution than a political one. Moreover, a political

scientist must be also a sociologist. The laws of the State have a great influence upon society.

The laws are largely based on customs and traditions. Thus, Paulzannet says, "Political Science

is a part of Sociology. Sociology borrows Political Science and Political Science borrows

Sociology." It is rightly said that society is the mirror of political life of the country. Both are the

two sides of the same coin.

Sociology is concerned with what happened or does happen; and not with what ought to happen.

Political science, at least in one of its aspects, is concerned what ought to be done.2

Political Science and History

The relationship between Political Science and History is very close and intimate. John Seeley

expressed this relationship in the following coupletHistory without Political Science has no

fruit, Political Science without History has no root.

Seeleys emphasis seems to be rather exaggerated, yet no one can discount the dependence of the

two disciplines on one another. The State and its political institutions grow instead of being

made.

They are the product of history and in order to understand them fully one must necessarily know

the process of their evolution: how they have become what they are, and to what extent they have

responded to their original purposes. All our political institutions have a historical basis as they

depict the wisdom of generations. History furnishes sufficient material for comparison and

induction, enabling us to build an ideal political structure of our aspirations. In the absence of

historical data, the study of Political Science is sure to become difficult.

The writings of historians, in brief, form a vast reservoir of material which a student of Political

Science can analyze into meaningful patterns and guide him in understanding the present and

outlining the future. Moreover, with its chronological treatment, history offers a sense of growth

and development thereby providing a base or an insight into the social changes.

2Taking the opposte point of view, Heymans, quoted by Kranenburg, writes: the objection that sociology can offer

us nothing but bare facts, instead of ideals, and uniformities instead of values, can be answered in a single sentence:

Not so; the ideals infact live and act uniformly within us.


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Robson is of the opinion that some knowledge of History is clearly indispensable for Political

Science and cites the explanation offered by Professor R. Solatu at the Cambridge Conference

(from 6 to 10 April, 1952). Professor Solatu said, That he had been baffled all through his

teaching career, especially during the 20 years he had spent in the Middle East, about how to

teach the history of political philosophy to students whose historical background is usually

inadequate, and often limited to purelypolitical theory since the French Revolution.

Where Political Science is not approached through History, he remarked, The student may

easily get a confused outline, in which most historical allusions are lost on him, supplemented by

a slight acquaintance with a few classical texts of political philosophy, the background of which

he scarcely understands. Moreover, knowledge of History is particularly necessary in the sphere

of Comparative Government. History, in its turn, has much to borrow from Political Science. Our

knowledge of history is meaningless, if the political bearings of events and movements are not

adequate evaluated. The history of the nineteenth-century Europe, for example, is an

incompletely narration of facts unless full significance of the movements, like nationalism,

imperialism individualism, socialism, etc., are brought out.

Both Political Science and History are contributory and complementary. So intimate is the

affinity between the two that Seeley maintained: Politics is vulgar when not liberalized by

History, and History fades into mere literature when it loses sight of its relation to Politics.

Separate them, says Burgess, and the one becomes a cripple, if not a corpse, the other a will-o-

the-wisp.

The conclusion, then, is that political science must make use of history only to transcend it. The

historians task is not to pass moral judgements3, but the political scientis is bound to make such

judgements. It is there that political science joins hands with ethics and parts company with

economics and sociology.

Political science and Economics

Political science and economics are social sciences. Political science is the study of politics in

theory and practice, while economics is the study of how resources are produced, allocated, and

3In the words of Sidwick, history cannot determine the ultimate end and standard of good and bad, right and

wrong, in political institutions.


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distributed. As well as dealing with subjects that often relate to one another in everyday life,

political science and economics are commonly seen as sister subjects in academic terms.

Political science deals with a variety of topics related to politics. This includes differing political

philosophies about how society should operate. It also includes the way political systems work to

produce laws and government. Economics deals with two main areas. Microeconomics is the

study of how individual consumers and businesses make production, purchasing, investment, and

saving choices. Macroeconomics looks at how an entire economy works and the way policies

can affect the combined effects of microeconomic decisions. It can be argued that economics is a

social science rather than a pure science, because it is based around resolving an irresolvable

dilemma: how to meet people's unlimited wants with limited resources.

The most prominent link between political science and economics is in the practicalities of

government. For example, there may be a connection between whether a politician considers

himself left-wing or right-wing, within the context of the country concerned, and whether the

politician puts more weight into fiscal economics, which aims to stimulate the economy through

government spending, or monetarist economics, which aims to stimulate the economy by

influencing the price and availability of credit. There are many topics in which stances can have

both a political and economic element, such as whether a government should attempt to reduce

inequalities across society, work towards equalities of opportunity, or avoid any interference

wherever possible. Taken as a whole, political and economic views can't always be simplified

into two camps; for example, some politicians consider themselves economically conservative

but socially liberal.

One of the most common crossovers between political science and economics is rational choice

theory. This is the study of, and attempt to model, the ways in which individuals make choices. It

could be argued that rational choice theory is an economic theory that is contradicted by political

reality that is harder to objectify. For example, an economist would use rational choice theory inassuming that a consumer will always choose the cheapest supplier among those offering

identical goods. Politics might explain why some consumers will instead choose to pay a higher

price to get the goods from what they see as a more ethical supplier.


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Political Science and Geography

It is maintained by certain writers that geographical and physical conditions greatly influence the

character, the national life of the people, and their political institutions. Aristotle was of the

opinion that without geography neither political nor strategically wisdom can go far. Bodin was

the first modem writer who dwelt upon the relationship between Political Science and

Geography.

Rousseau tried to establish a relationship between climatic conditions and forms of government.

He argued that warm climates are conducive to despotism, cold climates to barbarism and

moderate climates to a good polity. Montesquieu, another French scholar, also emphasized the

influence of physical environments on the forms of government and liberty of the people, but

Buckle excels all. In his History of Civilization, he maintained that the actions of men, and

therefore of societies, are determined by reciprocal interaction between the mind and external

phenomena. He asserted that the actions of the individual and societies are influenced by the

physical environments, particularly climate, food, soil, and the general aspects of nature. In

short, Buckle repudiates the generally accepted idea that the free will of man determines the

action of the individual and society.

It is axiomatically true that geographical location is an important factor in mouldings the destiny

of every State, and it greatly influences its national and international policies and political

institutions. And to fathom the actual impact of geographical factors on the political life of a

nation, particularly in relation to its foreign policy, a new discipline of Geopolitics has

developed. Thus, an island nation may readily become a moral power whereas a nation with rich

natural resources may become more powerful in world politics. The nation controlling the Suez

Canal or the Panama Canal becomes by that very extremely important to other nations. The

geographical position of Germany, located as she is in the centre of Europe and without natural

boundaries, is a compelling reason for her to remain a great military power. Our historic -political destiny, wrote Professor Hintze, lies in our geographical position.

It is really no exaggeration to say that geographical conditions always influence in considerable

measure the determination of national policies and to some extent the character of the political

institutions. Bryce has aptly said that in any country physical conditions and inherited


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institutions so affect the political institutions of a nation as to give its government distinctive

character. The obvious reference is to Great Britain and Switzerland.

Political science and Psychology

Psychology is a comparatively new science and its advocates are trying to apply psychological

methods to every part of mans and individual and social life. There can be little doubt that the

psychological approach to politics upon much insistence is placed these days is very valuable.

We cannot go very far in our study of political science without understanding the way in which

human beings behave as individuals and as members of society when subjected to various kinds

of stimuli.

Government to be stable and really popular must reflect and express the mental ideas and moral

sentiments of those who are subject to its authority; in short, it must be in harmony with what Le

Bon calls the mental constitution of the race.4

A study of psychology, particularly social psychology, is of inestimable value to the student of

political science. It shows him clearly that men in general are not moved as much by ideas and

ideals, by theories, and the logic of facts as by their preconceived notions, and dispositions, and

their fear and prejudices. Man is more sub-rational and irrational than rational. L. Lipson argues

that while political science must embrace a theory of what the state ought to be, the latter

(ethics) must respect the limits of the possible.

Political Science and Law

The State is both a social phenomenon and a legal institution and any attempt to explain the State

in its entirety must include both these points of view. From the legal standpoint, the State is a

person in the sense that it is subject of rights and duties.

Jurisprudence may be defined as the science of law. Constitutional law defines the organs of thestate, their relations to one another, and the relations of the state to the individual. International

law regulates the relations of states to one another.

4Garner J. W., Introduction to Political Science, London, American Book Supply co. Ltd.


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Stoicism and Roman jurisprudence have made much contribution to the development of western

law. It is no coincidence that lawyers in India have made a great contribution to the development

of political institutions and the freedom movement in India. A study of law in some of its phases

is indispensable to a student of constitutions and public administration. Such concepts as

fundamental rights and directive principles of state policy impinge as much law as on ethics and

politics.


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POLITICS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW

The idea of an international Rule of Law has been a credible one because to strive for it implies

no commitment regarding the content of the norms thereby established or the character of the

society advanced. It was possible for 19th-century European powers to start thinking of their

relationships in terms of legal rules because they formalized inter-sovereign relationships and no

sovereign needed to feel that his substantive policies were excluded by them i t It was possible

for the UN General Assembly to accept by consensus the Declaration on the "Decade for

International Law" for precisely those same reasons. This is strikingly highlighted by the fact

that the Decade contained no substantive programme. The declaration merely calls for the

promotion of respect for the principles of international law and the peaceful settlement of

disputes and for the encouragement of the development and dissemination of international law.

For what purpose the law was to be put or what kinds of rules it should promote is not addressed

by it. Modem international law is an elaborate framework for deferring substantive resolution

elsewhere: into further procedure, interpretation, equity, context, and so on.

The 1982 Law of the Sea Convention is the typical example: in place of a list of do's and dont's it

establishes a framework for delimiting sovereign powers and allocating jurisdictions - assuming

that the substantive problems of the uses of the sea can be best dealt with through allocating

decision-power elsewhere, into context and usually by reference to "equitable principles."80 The

success of international law depends on this formality; this refusal to set down determining rules

or ready-made resolutions to future conflict. Though there is a distinctly legal "process" - and in

this sense a relatively autonomous and coherent system which can be abstracted in academic

treatises - there are no determining legal standards. Let me explain this somewhat schematically.

The Rule of Law constitutes an attempt to provide communal life without giving up individual

autonomy. Communal life is, of course, needed to check individualism from leading either into

anarchy or tyranny. Individualism is needed because otherwise it would remain objectionable for

those who feel that the kind of community provided by it does not meet their political criteria.From their perspective, the law's communitarian pretensions would turn out as totalitarian

apologies.

The law aims to fulfil its double task by becoming formal: by endorsing neither particular

communitarian ideals nor particular sovereign policies. Or, conversely, an acceptable legal rule,

argument or doctrine is one which can explain itself both from the perspective of enhancing


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community (because it would otherwise seem apologist) as well as safeguarding sovereignty

(because its implications would otherwise remain totalitarian). The problem is that as soon as

any of these justifications are advanced to support some particular kind of communal existence

or some determined limit for sovereign autonomy, they are vulnerable from an opposing

substantive perspective. So, while an advocate justifies his preferred substantive outcome by its

capacity to support community, it becomes simultaneously possible for his counterpart - not

sharing the same communal ideal - to challenge the very justification as totalitarian.

Correspondingly, a rule, principle or solution justified by resource to the way it protects

sovereignty may - for someone drawing the limits of "sovereignty" differently - be objected as

furthering egoism and anarchy.

The United Nations was formed to keep all the nations of the world together and treat them as

equals. But looking at the current state it seems that world politics is being dominated by only

few countries of the world and others have to blindly follow. The laws passes in UN resolutions

are such that it favours developed countries. The veto power is a boon or bane one can never tell.

USA has a lot of say in the working of the United Nations as it funds most of the programmes

and this is used as a weapon to target other nations. The president of the World Bank is mostly

American. Whys is that? Is USA the only country in the world or can no other country handle

money. The war on Iraq could not have happened but the USA has its way to make other

countries agree. It seems that the world is being run by just one country. Even it is a notion that

the president of the USA is the most powerful person on the planet. Why is that? The USA is

trying to dominate the world completely and other countries are letting it do so. An organisation

which was started to promote equality is being dominated by the nation which promoted this

notion. It is purely politics and the aim is to gain social power.

It can thus be seen that politics is inter related with every aspect of the society and even at the

international level and it shows the relevance of the interdisciplinary approach without which the

study of political science would have been limited.


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BLUE STAR OPERATION RELEVANCE OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

WITH SOCEITY


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WITH SOCEITY

Operation Blue Star was code given to the attack on Golden Temple. Most of the people and political

parties were against this operation led by Indira Gandhi. Operation Blue Star is considered as monstrous

event in the history of independent India by the Indian army to the Golden Temple at Amritsar in the firstweek of June, 1984. A few days before the action Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi and Home Minister

P.C. Sethi had been assuring members of both the houses of Parliament that the Government had no

intention of ordering the police to enter the Temple; at the same time it was evident that the Army had

been practising with models of the Temple on how to besiege it. A 36 hour curfew was clamped on the

entire state of Punjab. All air, road, rail traffic was suspended.5

According to Dr. Harjinder Singh Dilgeer, Indira Gandhi attacked Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) to

present herself a great hero for the forthcoming elections.

The operation was carried out by the Indian Army with tanks. Army used seven Vijayanta tanks in this

operation.

After the action, the Government started telling public through All India Radio and Doordarshan network

that there was no choice left to the Government except to send in the army; that Bhindrawale( Jarnail

Singh Bhindrawale , son of a local Akali) intended to proclaim an independent state of Khalistan( a

separate state for Sikhs demanded by Nirankaris and the National Council of Khalistan) and was in

contact with foreign governments which would give it immediate recognition. Army commanders patted

each other for having done a good job in very adverse circumstances with minimum loss of life and

damage to property.

In the words of Khushwant singh, a few days after Blue Star Operation, Rajiv Gandhi stated in Kanpur

that the army had lost over 700 men (He promptly denied having said so), but he did not give any

explanation for dead Sikhs. Even no explanation was given why it was necessary to assault the Temple on

the martyrdom anniversary of Guru Arjun Dev, the builder of the Temple, where 10,000 to 20, 000

pilgrims were present and why priceless manuscripts, handwritten copies of Granth Sahib were set on fire

after resistance had overcome.Some historians compare Blue Star Operation with Jallianwala Baghmassacre.

Relevance of Blue Star operation with society

5Harminder Kaur, Blue Star over Amritsar, published by Corporate Vision(2006)


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I realised what Jews must have felt like in Nazi Germany. The killing assumed the proportion of

genocide of the Sikh community. For the first time I understood what words likepogrom, holocaust and

genocide really meant. Sikh housesand shops were marked for destruction in much the same way as

those of Jews in Tsarist Russia or Nazi Germany.6

Restlessness

According to Khuswant Singh, the fact is very ironic that while a foreign government yielded to popular

demand for a high-powered non-official enquiry into the Jallainwala Bagh massacre in which 381 lives

were lost and published the commissions report censuring General Dyer for excessive zeal, the

government of independent India felt no compunction to hold an enquiry into Blue Star Operation in

which it deployed its army to fight their own countrymen and loss of life was more than thirteen times

than it was at Jallianwala Bagh. This sort of insensitivity had persuaded young Sikhs to believe that they

would get no justice from government unless they turn to terrorism. This frustration explains the dastardly

murder of Mrs. Gandhi and General A.K. Vaidya, former Chief of Army Staff and the wicked killings of

innocent Hindus. Even today impact of Blue Star Operation can be seen from attack on K.S. Brar.

One unpunished crime generates another.

Anti-Sikh Riots

As we were standing just near the house, where I was being sheltered, we saw a child of about ten,

dressed in a salvar-kameez, who was moving on the road. The child was walking quite normally down the

street. He was actually ayoung boy in the process of fleeing to safety and had been dressed as a girl.

Something about the childs appearancemade the mob suspect that the child was a boy and

someoneshouted sardar ka ladka hoga (it must be the son of a Sardar- a Sikh). The child panicked and

started running but the mob pursued him and caught him. They asked him where the othermembers of his

family were. The boy was really frightened andhe pointed in a certain direction and said that his father

waslying there and that he was dead. To my horror the mobdragged the boy up to the fathers body, threw

6Khushwant Singh, MyBleeding Punjab (1992), p 93.


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the child on himand burnt him saying yeh sap ka bachcha hai, ise bhi khatamkar do (This is the son of a

snake, finish him off also).7-

Anti-Sikh riots were taken place after the assassination of Indira Gandhi

Discrimination against Sikhs

Sikhs have faced discrimination for long time. Following are the quotes of Indian personalities that show

the discrimination against Sikhs:

To preserve the unity of India, if we have to eradicate 2 -karor (20 million) sikhs, we will do so

(Balram Jhakhar, Member of Indian Parliament & friend of former Prime Minister Narsimharao)

I dont give a damn if the Golden Temple and the whole of Amritsar is destroyed, I want Bhindranwale

dead

(Indira Gandhi, communicating to General Vaidya during operation Blue star)

Restrictions on the recruitment and promotion of Sikhs in the armed forces were imposed. This was an

insult as Sikhs being 2% of Indias population counted for the majority of sacrifices in the freedom

struggle against the British.

Relevance with economics

Farmers in Punjab paid higher prices for their agriculture inputs, but were offered lower prices for theirproduce in comparison with neighbouring states. The Central Government assumed complete control over

prices. Farmers were not allowed to cross state boundaries to get higher prices for their labours in the next

state.

Electricity generated by the Hydroelectric Bhakhra Dam on the Punjab borders was costlier and provided

in smaller amounts in Punjab than in its neighbouring states.

In my view, Operation Blue Star was major step according to that scenario. It cannot be justified as it has

led to social disturbance, but I do not defend Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale. In fact it was him who brought

disgrace o the name of Sikhs and Khalsa Panth by using hateful things about Hindus. Even today it is

7- Nandita Haksar and Uma Chakravarti Interview with Gurmit Singh Gill, THE DELHI

RIOTS


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seen that some young Sikhs are inspired by the thoughts of Bhindrawale, which is very painful to see.

Describing him a martyr is even more painful.

Even statements given by politicians like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi cannot be justified. In secular

country like India, they cannot ignore the interests of any community and utter hateful statements about

Sikhs.

This operation led to killing of innocent people. Anti-Sikh riots which were a consequence of Blue Star

Operation were even more painful. There was threat to life of Sikhs at that time, but the more threat was

to baptise Sikhs. There were mass rapes. Sikhs were burnt alive. Even no mercy was shown to children.

Attack on Lieutenant General Kuldeep Singh Brar, who led Operation Blue Star against Sikh militants

holed up inside the Golden Temple in 1984, in London shows the restlessness among Sikhs even today

because of Blue Star Operation.

When Hindus were killing Sikhs in Anti-Sikhs riots, they were also Hindus who saved their neighbour

Sikhs life by giving them shelterin their home and telling others as their relatives.


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CONCLUSION

The interdisciplinary approach of study is not only related with various subjects we study. It also

takes into account various aspects of life like religion, castes, race etc.

The Babri Majid demolition was an event that started as a conflict of two religions but later this

reference was used by the political parties to gain votes. The demolition itself was a dirty politics

of the political party in power. In India the conflict between religions has always been used as a

tool to gain political power. Starting from the British rule where the britishers used the policy of

divide and rule to remain in power to the present time where still the vote bank is focussed based

on religion. The partition of India and Pakistan i.e. the formation of two states was also based on

religion politics. Caste politics is also not far behind as can be seen in the case of Uttar Pradesh

where the BSP counts the Dalits as its vote bank and SP focuses and muslims and the yadav

caste in Hindus. The politics of religion is not limited to the national level but to the international

level too. The case of Ireland is an example of this where the conflict between the two sects of

Christianity is still prevailing. The splitting of Sudan is also a recent example. The racial

discrimination factor is also used in politics. America getting its first black president after almost

after 200 years of independence shows it all that in spite of the claim that there has been no racial

discrimination, it still exists.

The discussion of the Blue Star Operation was a reason to explain how various factors influence

politics. The rising inflation is being used as a tool by the opposition government to overthrow

the current government. The government in power uses the tool of giving reservation to muslims

to still remain in power shows how different disciplines of life are used to run politics.

The relevance of the interdisciplinary approach cannot be explained just in theory but looking at

the examples around us. It tells us that this approach of study gives to us wider scope of study of

the subject and without it the study of political science would be limited which is not desirable as

politics effects our lives in one way or the other every day and to improve our lives we need to

improve the politics and the interdisciplinary approach of study presents to us this opportunity to

promote the greater good.


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REFERENCES

Books-

Poltical Theory, Dr. Eddy Asirvatham & K. K. Mishra

Research methodology: Tools and Techniques, B. L. Kothari

Blue Star over Amritsar, Harminder Kaur

Article-

The politics of Internation law,Martti Koskenniemi

Websites-

www.google.co.in

Political Science-

Documents

Transcript of Political Science-