Politics
Political Systems and Issues: India
Module code: L2093
Level 5
15 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Seminar, Lecture
Assessment modes: Essay
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 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:
- 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, alongside the link 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.
Module learning outcomes
- Analyse the structure and operation of an aspect of contemporary Indian politics
- Locate and evaluate academic literature related to a particular topic in contemporary Indian politics
- Identify and research a key issue or question relating to contemporary indian politics