Indian Political Thought

Indian political thought (IPT) is a diverse and rich tradition that has evolved over centuries, drawing from various philosophical, religious, and cultural influences. The development of Indian political thought can be traced through different historical periods, each contributing to the formation of distinct ideas and perspectives.

Here is a brief overview of IPT in CUET PG syllabus.

1. Ancient Indian Political Thought:
   • Kautilya
2. Modern Indian Political Thought:
3. Raja Ram Mohan Roy
4. Rabindra Nath Tagore [not in CUET PG syllabus but questions have been asked]
5. Mahatma Gandhi*
6. B.R. Ambedkar*
7. V.D. Savarkar
8. Post-Independence Indian Political Thought:

Indian political thought encompasses a wide spectrum of ideologies and perspectives, reflecting the diversity of India's cultural and intellectual heritage.

* Represents areas of more importance

Relevance for CUET PG

• Type of questions asked - More factual (less conceptual)

• 5-6 questions expected

Comparative Politics

Comparative Politics

Political Theory

Political theory dives deep into the heart of politics, asking fundamental questions about power, justice, rights, and how societies ought to be governed. It's a journey through history and across cultures, exploring diverse ideas from ancient philosophers to contemporary thinkers. You'll grapple with:

• The foundation of government: What justifies its existence and who should wield its power?
• The ideal society: What principles should guide its structure and distribution of resources?
• Individual rights vs. collective good: Where do we draw the line between individual liberties and societal needs?
• The role of law and ethics: How do these concepts shape political systems and individual actions?

Public Policy

Public Policy

Western Political Philosophy

Western political philosophy refers to the tradition of political thought that has developed in the Western world, primarily in Europe and North America. It encompasses a wide range of ideas and perspectives on the nature of politics, government, justice, and the role of individuals in society. Western political philosophy has evolved over centuries and has been influenced by various historical, cultural, and intellectual developments.

Key thinkers from Western political philosophy in CUET PG(Political Science) syllabus

1. Ancient Greek Political Philosophy:
   • Plato
   • Aristotle
2. Medieval and Renaissance Political Philosophy:
3. St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas (not in CUET PG syllabus)
4. Niccolò Machiavelli
5. Thomas Hobbes
6. John Locke
7. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
8. Karl Marx
9. John Rawls
10. Early Modern Political Philosophy:
11. Enlightenment Political Philosophy:
12. 19th Century Political Philosophy:
13. 20th Century Political Philosophy:

Western political philosophy continues to evolve as new thinkers engage with and respond to contemporary challenges and developments.

Relevance for CUET PG

• One of the very important and easy-to-score areas in Political science.
• 10-11 out of 75 questions in CUET PG (Political Science) 2023 asked from this section.

Type of questions asked- Both factual and conceptual

International Relations

International Relations (IR) is generally understood as a discipline that covers relations of states with each other. It focuses on the working of the international system and involves study of politics, economics, sociology, law, history, etc; making it an interdisciplinary subject. As an independent discipline, IR emerged after the First World War, mainly in the western nations.

Besides, what happens beyond our national borders could have immediate effect on our society and livelihood. The COVID-19 Pandemic could be cited as an example. No country in the world can live in isolation and think of prosperity and well-being of its citizens. This is why it is important to study IR.

Key Theories of IR in CUET PG (Political Science)

1. Liberalism
2. Classical Liberalism
3. Neo-Liberalism
2. Realism
3. Classical Realism
4. Neo-Realism
3. Cold War Politics
   • Beginning of the Cold War
   • Phases of the Cold War
   • End of the Cold War
4. International and Regional Organisations (IRO)
5. United Nations Organisations (UNO)
6. European Union (EU)
7. Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN)
8. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
9. Non-Alignment Movement (NAM)

6. Introduction to Indian Foreign Policy (IFP)
7. India-US Relations
8. India-Russia Relations (not in CUET PG)
9. India-China Relations
10. India-Pakistan Relations

IR continues to evolve as new approaches keep on emerging to address the contemporary geopolitical developments as well as challenges.

Relevance for CUET PG

• One of the important and easiest sections in Political Science.
• Approximately 15 out of 75 questions in CUET PG (Political Science) 2023 asked from this section.

• Type of questions asked – Both factual and conceptual.