MAHARASHTRA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY, NAGPUR

Course Outline

2.4 CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL SCIENCE

B.A.LL.B. (Honours in Adjudication and Justicing)
Five-Year Integrated Degree Course
Academic Year: 2023-24
1st YEAR, SEMESTER-II
Designed and Developed by:
Dr. Madhukar Sharma and Prof. Aditya Satpute

Course Instructor
Prof. Aditya Satpute,
Assistant Professor, Political Science
January 2024

(Strictly for Private Circulation)

 CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL SCIENCE

Semester- II January to May, 2024

Course Code BLJ2.4
Course Credit 3
Maximum Marks 100
Teaching Hours 48
Project Presentation 10-12
Medium of Instruction English
Course Compulsory

Introduction
Cotemporary Political Science is the second part of the political science course for the
students of B.A.LL.B. (Honours in Adjudication and Justicing) which includes modern
political thoughts and theories, it deals with political issues of the exiting generation.
Political Science is supposed to provide the superstructure from which law will emanate.
Both Political Science and the science of law influence each other; contemporary politics
shapes the legal developments. Legal studies will remain incomplete unless the study of its
political development of the contemporary world. Studies of Political Science in post-
world war era emerged as a behavioural discipline hence it became the essential part for the
socio-legal studies. For a student of law, it is necessary to have critical and analytical
understanding of the contemporary political science.
The course has four major parts political thought of modern thinkers, contemporary
global issues, contemporary Indian Politics and Democratic Practices in India. The course
contemporary political science has divided into four modules. Module I introduce Political
thoughts of India, along with the introduction to Indian Political approaches. It deals with
the philosophies of different Indian political thinkers; ideologies and theories related to
political science. It emphasizes the importance of Indian political theory, its history and
approaches, and critical assessment of its contemporary relevance. Module II deals with
the key issues of Indian National Politics in the post-independence era. It includes
democratic developments, social movements and various political incidents. It deals with
different aspects of psephology, political parties, elections, representation and voting
behaviour. It also deals with different political dimension of Indian national politics as
separatism, communalism, social movements and security issues. Module III deals with
emergence of the political order in twentieth century, it includes the introduction of
Political Thoughts and Political Philosophies evolved to describe the political systems and
trends of the contemporary world. It further deals with the modern issues and development
in the domain of the Political Science in milieu of contemporary concepts. It further deals
with the modern political thoughts in connection to socio-legal issues. It also focused on
the modern approaches for political analysis. Module IV introduces contemporary world
politics, it includes the various theories of the international politics as well conceptual
framework for the cold war era. It deals with the philosophies of different political
thinkers, different ideologies and theories related to global politics. It emphasizes on role of
big powers and different organisations to shape the world order. It includes the theories
Page 2 of 8
related to the peace, development and democracy in contemporary world. It also focusses
on the critical assessment of leading incidents with contemporary relevance.

Course Objectives
Contemporary Political Science has been incorporated for the law students to aware
them about the contemporary political environment. The course designed for the better
understanding of the political scenario of contemporary world as well as in India. The
course contemporary political science developed to introduce the students with basic
theoretical framework of modern political thoughts, theories, and philosophies including
contemporary Indian political thoughts and theories. Therefore, the precise objectives of
the course are to:
 Understand of various contemporary political thoughts, theories and concepts and
their relevance to the legal studies;
 Inculcate the political thinking of Indian tradition and its relevance;
 Understand the democratic practices in India with reference to party politics;
 Acquainted with the modern political philosophies and leading ideologies of
contemporary world; and
 Introduce the emergence of global politics in post-world war and cold war era.

Teaching Methodology

The teaching methodology is not a traditional lecture method but participatory teaching
with discussion in the classroom. The students informed in advance about the topic for
discussion and the topic of project/assignment they have to prepare. The students prepare
their topics from the sources suggested to them. The students are also encouraged to do
independent research on their respective assignments. In the classroom, every student is
required to present his/her topic and to have his/her doubt cleared through discussion. The
teachers will be helping and guiding the students in their pursuits of legal learning. The
teachers summarises after the students have completed their discussion, and clarifies their
doubts. In these unprecedented pandemic times prevailing globally, the utilization of
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools is encouraged which will make the
students familiar with the concepts efficiently. Further, teaching learning pedagogy will also
include a cooperative teaching, which will enhance and provide the students different
perspectives related to personal laws.
Course Evaluation Method
The Course is assessed for 100 Marks in total by a close book application-based
examination system. There shall be a Mid-Semester Exam for 20 Marks and End Semester
Exam for 40 Marks. 25 Marks are allotted for the Project work which includes 20 Marks
for written research work and 5 Marks for presentation of project, 10 Marks are for
Literature Review and 5 marks for attendance. The question papers shall be designed on a
decided or under-trial case based; therefore, students are advised to take
classroom exercise seriously and to develop their own application base skills.
Course Outcomes
On completion of the course, the students are expected to understand the nuances of
each module and thereby they shall be in a position to undertake political philosophies with
confidence. The course will also help students to have a clear understanding of the nature
Page 3 of 8
and functioning of various political theories as well as philosophical knowledge of the
different concepts of contemporary era. On the completion of the course, students will be
able to:
 Develop a wider understanding about the modern political system and contemporary
political discourses;
 Acquainted with the Indian political philosophies and leading ideologies;
 Enhance the understanding about the democratic practices of India with reference to
party politics;
 Learn the contemporary political theories and concepts for the better understanding
socio-political system; and
 Inculcate the knowledge of world politics, international issues and governance.

***

Page 4 of 8
 COURSE CONTENTS

Module-I: Contemporary Indian Political Thought [Teaching Hours 12]

1.1 Political thoughts of Modern India: Introduction to Indian political thoughts,

political ideologies of modern India: Social-reform, Nationalism, Gandhism,
Communism and Socialism.

1.2 Political Thought in Pre-Independence Era: M K Gandhi, V D Savarkar, M N Roy.

1.3 Political Thought in Post-Independence Era: Jawaharlal Nehru, Ram Manohar

Lohia, Jaiprakash Narayan, B R Ambedkar.

1.4 Contemporary Political Approaches: Subaltern and Dalit, and Economic

Development approaches.

1.5 Political ideologies of India: Socialism, communism, nationalism, liberalism and

welfarism in India, LPG era, and shift in political economy from socialism to
liberalism.

Compulsory Reading
 Bidyut Chakrabarty, MODERN INDIAN POLITICAL THOUGHT, Sage Publication,
Delhi, 2017.
 V. D. Mahajan, POLITICAL THEORY, S. Chand & Company New Delhi, 2014.
 Neera Chandhok and Praveen Priyadarshi, CONTEMPORARY INDIA, Person New
Delhi, 2009.

Module-II: Contemporary Indian Politics [Teaching Hours 12]

2.1 Democratic Politics in India: Democracy in India, issues and challenges.

2.2 Elections and Electoral System: Various Types of Elections, Voting Behaviour,
Determinants of voting and Clientelism.

2.3 Political Parties of India: Party system of India, National, State and Regional Parties,
trends in the party system.

2.4 Governing System of India: Various levels of Governance, Conflict and cooperation
in three-tier governance, division of functions.

2.5 Security Challenges to India: Internal and External Security challenges to India,
Border Disputes, and Insurgency in India.

Page 5 of 8
Compulsory Reading
 Paul R Brass, THE POLITICS OF INDIA SCIENCE INDEPENDENCE, 2017, Ch-1.
 S. Y. Quraishi, “AN UNDOCUMENTED WONDER”, Rupa Publication, Delhi,
2014, Ch-4
 Suhas Palshikar, K C Suri and Yogendra Yadev,
“PARTY COMPETITION IN INDIA”, Oxford, 2014, Ch-2
 Shah G. (ed.), “SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND THE STATE”, New Delhi Sage
Publication, 2017, Ch-1, 2.
 Zoya Hasan, “PARTIES AND PARTY POLITICS IN INDIA”, Oxford University
Press, New Delhi, 2002, Ch-1, 2.

Module-III Contemporary Western Political Thought [Teaching Hours 16]

3.1 Contemporary World: Defining contemporary world, Evolution of Modern states,

changing nature of the Political institution in Contemporary world.

3.2 Political Thinkers of Post-war Era: Charles Merriam, Harold Lasswell, Hans
Morgenthau, Habermas, Foucault, John Rawls.

3.3 Contemporary Political Thinkers: Robert Dahl, Morton Kaplan, Immanuel

Wallerstein, Kenneth Waltz, Fareed Zakaria.

3.4 Modern Political Thinkers: Fukuyama, Huntington, Amartya Sen

3.5 Contemporary Political Theories: Political Culture, Systems analysis, World System
Theory, Pluralism, Development and Globalization theories.
Compulsory Readings
 Andrew Heywood, “GLOBAL POLITICS”, Palgrave, 2016, Ch-1, 2, 8
 Adams Ian, “POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES TODAY”, Manchester University Press,
1993.
 Barry Norman, “AN INTRODUCTION TO MODERN POLITICAL THEORY”,
Palgrave Macmillan New Delhi, 2000, Ch-3

Module-IV Contemporary World Politics [Teaching Hours 10]

4.1 Development of world Politics: League of Nations and United Nations: Principles,
Objectives, Structures and Functions, Pre-World War Era, World War-II, Cold War,
Development of Third world and Post 9/11 world,

4.2 Contemporary International Politics: Cold War, Non-Alignment Movement,

Bipolarity and Multipolar World order, South-South Cooperation, Regional
Organisations.

Page 6 of 8
4.3 Theories of International Relation: Realism, Liberalism, Marxism, and Feminism as
theories of International Relations.

4.4 Global Political Issues: Proliferation of nuclear weapons and Disarmament, Balance of
Power, Collective Security, International Terrorism, Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), Peace and Security, New World Order.

4.5 Contemporary International Security Issues: International Terrorism, non-state

actors and Border Disputes.

Compulsory Reading
 Andrew Heywood, “GLOBAL POLITICS”, Palgrave, 2016, Ch-5
 V.N. Khanna, “INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS”, Vikas Publication, Delhi,
2015, Ch-9.
 Mahindra Kumar, “THEORETICAL ASPECTS OF INTERNATIONAL
POLITICS”, S A Company Agra, 2015, Ch-1, 3.

***

List of the suggested books:

 Barry, Norman. AN INTRODUCTION TO MODERN POLITICAL THEORY,
Palgrave Macmillan New Delhi, 2000.
 Bipin Chandra, IN THE NAME OF DEMOCRACY: JP MOVEMENT AND THE
EMERGENCY, 2003 (Penguin India New Delhi)
 Brass P. (ed.), HANDBOOK OF SOUTH ASIAN POLITICS, 2000 (London
Routledge)
 Chhibber Pradeep, RELIGIOUS PRACTICE AND DEMOCRACY IN INDIA,
Cambridge London, 2014.
 Gandhi M. K. AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY: THE STORY OF MY EXPERIMENTS
WITH TRUTH, 2012 Navjivan Trust Ahmadabad, 2012.
 Gandhi M. K., HIND SWARAJ, Navjivan Trust Ahmadabad, 2009.
 Ganguly S. Larry Diamond and Marc F. Plattner (eds.), THE STATE OF INDIA’S
DEMOCRACY, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2002.
 Guha Ramchandra, INDIA AFTER GANDHI: THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD'S
LARGEST DEMOCRACY, Picador New Delhi, 2008.
 Hasan Z. (ed.), PARTIES AND PARTY POLITICS IN INDIA, Oxford University
Press, 2015.
 Held, D. and Mcrew, A. (eds.), THE GLOBAL TRANSFORMATIONS READER,
Cambridge Polity Press, 2003.
 Heywood, A. Representation, ELECTIONS AND VOTING, IN POLITICS, Palgrave
New York, 2002.

Page 7 of 8
 Heywood, Andrew. POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES, Palgrave Macmillan New York,
2014.
 Indumati Kelkar, DR. RAM MANOHAR LOHIA: HIS LIFE AND PHILOSOPHY,
Anamika Publishers New Delhi, 2009.
 Kapoor Mastram, COLLECTED WORKS OF DR. RAM MANOHAR LOHIA vol 1-
9, 2009 Anamika Publishers New Delhi, 2009.
 Kumar Sanjay, INDIAN YOUTH AND ELECTORAL POLITICS: AN EMERGING
ENGAGEMENT, Sage Publication, 2014.
 Kumar Sanjay, MEASURING VOTING BEHAVIOR IN INDIA, Sage Publication,
2013.
 Kymlicka, W., INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY, 2nd ed. Oxford
University Press, 2002.
 Lohia R. M., GUILTY MEN OF INDIA'S PARTITION, B.R. Publishing Corporation
Delhi, 2012.
 Lohia Rammanohar, WHEEL OF HISTORY, B R Publishing Corporation New Delhi
2015.
 Mahajan Gurpreet, POLITICAL IDEAS AND MAKING OF A DEMOCRACY
DISCOURSE, Zed Books Landon, 2013.
 Mehta V.R. and Pantham, Thomas (eds.) A THEMATIC INTRODUCTION TO
POLITICAL IDEAS IN MODERN INDIA, Sage Publications, 2006.
 Nayar B.R.(ed.), GLOBALIZATION AND POLITICS IN INDIA, Oxford University
Press, 2007.
 Nayar Kuldip, EMERGENCY RETOLD, Konark Publiction New Delhi, 2013.
 Nehru, J. L., GLIMPSES OF WORLD HISTORY, Penguin India New Delhi, 2004.
 Nozick, Robert. ANARCHY, STATE, AND UTOPIA, New York: Basic Books,
1974.
 Omvedt Gail, UNDERSTANDING CASTE, Orient Black Swan Delhi, 2012.
 Ranjan Sudhanshu, JAI PRAKASH NARAYAN, National Book Trust New Delhi,
2005.
 Rawls, John. A THEORY OF JUSTICE, Universal Law Publishing New Delhi, 2010.
 Roy Arundhati, ANNIHILATION OF CASTE: THE ANNOTATED CRITICAL
EDITION, Nayayana New Delhi, 2015.
 Savarkar V D, HINDUTVA, Hindi Sahitya Sadan New Delhi, 2003.
 Sen, Amartya. THE IDEA OF JUSTICE, Penguin Books London, 2010.
 Shah G. (ed.), SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND THE STATE, New Delhi Sage
Publication, 2002.
 Swift, A. POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY: A BEGINNERS’ GUIDE FOR STUDENTS
AND POLITICIANS, Cambridge: Polity, 2006.
 Tharoor Shashi, Nehru: The Invention of India, Penguin India New Delhi, 2012.
 Varshney Ashutosh, BATTLES HALF WON: INDIA'S IMPROBABLE
DEMOCRACY, New Delhi Penguin, 2014.
 Worsley Peter, THE THREE WORLDS, University of Chicago Press, 1984.

***

Page 8 of 8