POLITICS & SOCIETY

1) POLITICS & SOCIETY

A. Power, Authority & Legitimacy

1. How is ‘power’ different from ‘authority’? Discuss various types of authorities as theorized by Max Weber. (2024)
2. Explain the concept of power. Distinguish between power and authority. (1998)
3. List the sources of power and explain the various indicators based on which power can be measured. (2010)
4. Write short note: Sources of legitimacy of power. (2001)
5. Write short note: Authority and Legitimacy. (2004)
6. Write short note: Legitimacy. (1987)
7. Write short note: Power. (1985)

B. Bureaucracy

1. Is Weber’s idea of bureaucracy a product of the historical experiences of Europe? Comment. (2023)
2. Write short note: Bureaucracy in New Capitalist Economy. (2004)
3. Write short note: Informal structure of Bureaucracy. (2001)
4. Write short note: Dysfunctions of bureaucracy. (1993)
5. Write short note: Informal structure of bureaucracy. (1992)
6. Write short note: Bureaucracy and economic development. (1990)
7. Write short note: Community power structure. (1990)
8. Write short note: Formal and Informal Structure of Bureaucracy. (1989)
9. Write short note: Bureaucracy in developing societies. (1986)

C. Elites & Circulation of Elites

1. What would you identify as the similarities and differences in the elite theories of Mosca, Michels and Pareto? Discuss their main/crucial issues. (2025)
2. What, according to Robert Michels, is the iron law of oligarchy? Do lions and foxes in Vilfredo Pareto’s theory, essentially differ from each other? (2023)
3. Critically examine the relevance of Vilfredo Pareto’s theory of Circulation of Elites in the present scenario. (2021)
4. According to Mills, “Elite’s rule in institutional terms rather than psychological terms.” Comment. (2020)
5. Discuss the concept of circulation of elite. (2019)
6. What, according to Pareto, are the basic characteristics of elites? Discuss. (2018)
7. Discuss the importance of ‘power elite’ in democracy. (2016)
8. Write short note: Power Elite. (2011)
9. Write short note: C. W. Mills’ Power Elite. (2009)
10. Write short note: Power elite in society and the emergence of new elite in power structure. (2005)
11. Write short note: Power of the Elite. (1989)
12. Write short note: Power of the elite and the masses in democratic societies. (1983)

D. Civil Society & Democracy

1. Democracy needs a vibrant culture of civil society in order to strengthen its foundation of citizenship. Comment. (2024)
2. How is civil society used in deepening the roots of democracy? (2023)
3. Highlight the roles and function of civil society in a democratic system. (2021)
4. What is civil society? Present a note on civil society engagement with science and technology policy in India. (2019)
5. Discuss the changing interface between state and civil society in post-independent India. (2017)
6. Evaluate how do civil society and democracy mutually reinforce each other. (2013, repeated in 2010)
7. Critically examine the role of civil society in democracy. (2013)
8. Write short note: Citizenship and Civil Society. (2012)

E. Citizenship & Participation

1. Discuss T. H. Marshall’s views on citizenship. (2014)
2. Explain democracy as an order of society. What are the factors preventing people’s participation in politics? (2020)
3. Explain the meaning and modes of political participation. What are the factors preventing people’s participation in politics in India? (2007)
4. Discuss modes of political participation and voting behaviour in India. (2005)
5. Write short note: Social Structure and Political Participation. (2003)
6. Impact of the democratic political system on the traditional social structure. (1999)
7. What role can the power of unorganised masses play in bringing about social change in a democratic society? (1991)

F. Political Parties & Pressure Groups

1. Are pressure groups a threat to or a necessary element of democracy? Explain with suitable illustrations. (2025)
2. Illustrate with examples the role of pressure groups in the formulation of social policies. (2022)
3. Examine the dynamics of pressure groups in multi-party political system. (2017)
4. Examine the role of pressure groups in parliamentary democracy. (2013)
5. Distinguish between Political Parties and Pressure Groups. (2014)
6. Write short note: Role of pressure groups in democracy. (2000)
7. Write short note: Pressure groups and economic development. (1982)

G. Social Movements, Collective Action & Protest

1. Underline the role of social media in contemporary social movements and describe its challenges. (2023)
2. Do you think that the social media has brought significant changes in the forms of protest? (2023)
3. Discuss how ‘environmentalism’ can be explained with new social movements approach. (2022)
4. Highlight prerequisites of social movement. Bring out the difference between social movement and revolution. (2011)
5. “Collective action in politics can bring integration and disintegration in society.” Comment. (2011)
6. Explain the conditions under which a collective action transforms into a social movement. (2015)
7. Write short note: Social movement as an expression of protest. (2008)
8. Are social movements always influenced by ideologies? Discuss. (2012)

H. Nation, State & Identity Politics

1. Analyse the nature of transition from ideology to identity politics in India. (2022)
2. Caste ideology appears to have strengthened democracy. Comment. (2015)
3. “Ideology is crucial for social transformation in a democracy.” Discuss. (2015)
4. “Globalization involves deterritorialization.” Examine with reference to the nation–state. (2015)
5. What do you understand by nation? Is the nation same as the state? Discuss. (2012)
6. Write short note: Identity Politics. (2010)

I. Terrorism & Asymmetrical Warfare

1. How is terrorism a new form of asymmetrical warfare? What are some of the challenges in trying to win the war on terrorism? (2019)

J. Miscellaneous

1. Critically examine the statement, ‘A study of power inevitably involves an investigation of social class’. (1987)
2. Write short note: Social disorganization. (1995)
3. Evaluate the functioning of political parties in the democracies of the Third World. (1993)
4. Write short note: Merits and demerits of secret ballot in democracy. (1992)
5. What do you understand by community power structure? Discuss the major changes in recent times in the pattern of the distribution of power in Indian society. (1988)
6. Write short note: Authoritarian Personality. (1987)
7. Explain the role of community power structure in the political decision-making processes in the society. Are power and authority getting broad based in India today? (1984)