Governing India: Institutions, Actors and Challenges Amidst Social Diversity (L2093)

15 credits, Level 5

Spring teaching

Politics and governance focus on the relationship between political institutions and the wider society.

On this module, you’ll examine how institutions, including structures of governance, bureaucracies and political parties, adapt to changing circumstances. You’ll explore how they respond to demands from interest groups while dealing with the ongoing pressures of social and economic development in India.

The module is divided into two main parts.

Part one covers India’s political history and independence, with a focus on analysing the institutional mechanisms of governance. You’ll investigate the design of the Indian constitution, including its key features such as:

federalism
secularism
political and electoral system.

You’ll also examine how these constitutional features have functioned to support governance and democracy. Analysing the evolution of India’s party system, you’ll focus on its key features, attributes, determinants and links between the national and the sub-national party systems.

Part two explores the main instruments of governance in India:

legislatures
bureaucracy
judiciary
army
election commission.

You’ll consider how these institutions operate in a complex political and social environment, focusing on relationships between:

politics and economy
politics and society
politics and conflict.

You’ll primarily use an empirical approach, alongside relevant theories and comparative analysis for a rich insight into India’s governance.

We regularly review our modules to incorporate student feedback, staff expertise, as well as the latest research and teaching methodology. We’re planning to run these modules in the academic year 2026/27. However, there may be changes to these modules in response to feedback, staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum.

We’ll make sure to let you know of any material changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.

Courses

This module is offered on the following courses: