POLITICAL THEORY

1. POLITICAL THEORY

A. Nature & Scope of Political Theory

1. ‘Political Science is a master-science, “architectonic” in its character, from which all other practical sciences take their cue’ (Ernest Barker). Discuss. (1991)
2. What is the nature of the crisis in political theory? Suggest remedies to overcome it. (1994)
3. Comment in 150 words: Decline of Political Theory. (2018)
4. Comment: Resurgence of the political theory (150 words). (2019)
5. Comment in 150 words: ” … Political theory is not an escape mechanism but an arduous calling.” (John Plamanetz). (2014)
6. Comment: “Political Theory is, quite simply, man’s attempts to consciously understand and solve the problems of his group life and organization……. It is the disciplined investigation of political problems….. not only to show what a political practice is, but also to show what it means. In showing what a practice means, or what it ought to mean, political theory can alter what it is.” (Sabine). (2009)

B. Normative vs Empirical Approaches

1. Discuss the Normative and Behavioural Approaches to the study of political science and examine the limitations of Behavioural Approach. (1991)
2. Examine the fact-value dichotomy in political science. To what extent has post-behaviouralism resolved the conflict in the dichotomy? (1995)
3. Examine the arguments in the ‘Normative vs. Empirical debate’ in the study of political theory. (2002)
4. Comment on difference between normative and empirical theories of politics. (150 words). (2012)
5. Discuss the significance of normative approach to Political theory. (2020)
6. Comment on normative approach in political science. (2023)

C. Behaviouralism & Post-Behaviouralism

1. Examine the limitations of Behaviouralism as an approach to the study of politics. (1992)
2. Discuss the basic assumptions of behaviouralism. In what way post-behaviouralism differs from behavioural theory? (1996)
3. What is meant by “behavioural approach” to politics? Is it a fool-proof approach? How far is it correct to say that the behavioural approach to political analysis appeared in order to counteract the Marxist approach? (1998)
4. Critically evaluate and bring out the weakest aspects of behavioural and post-behavioural approaches to the analysis of political system. What measurable and quantifiable criteria are available in political science to evaluate political behaviour? (1999)
5. “Post-behaviouralism is not a negation of the behavioural revolution but only, its corrective.” How does it seek to raise the status of the discipline of Political Science? (2000)
6. Examine the significance of the behavioural revolution in politics. (2011)
7. Comment: The Post-Behavioural Approach. (2016)
8. Examine the importance of behavioural approach in political theory. What led to its decline? (2021)
9. Write approximately 150 words on Behavioural approach to Political Science. (2024)
10. ‘Credo of Relevance’ in post behaviouralism advocates the importance of action science. Analyse. (2023)

D . Systems Theory

1. Estimate the utility of the systems theory in social sciences. (1993)
2. Discuss the importance of the Systems Theory in modern political analysis. (1997)
3. “A scientific politics can develop only if the materials of politics are treated in terms of systems of actions.” In the light of this statement of Kaplan with regard to application of systems theory to political science, critically examine the drawbacks of its application. (1999)
4. Discuss David Easton’s model of systems analysis. (2015)
5. Write on the Systems Approach. (2022)

E . Other Core Themes

1. Examine the place of ‘obligation’ in political theory. (1995)
2. Comment: Relevance of contextualist approach to the study of political theory. (2001)
3. Explain the changing analytical perspectives in the development of political theory. (2008)
4. Elucidate the meanings inherent in the term ‘political’ with appropriate illustrations. (2024)