IGNOU MA Political Science Syllabus

University Name

Indira Gandhi National Open University

Course Name

MA Political Science (MPS)

Course Duration 

2 years (4 semesters) 

Approvals and Accreditations

UGC-DEB, AICTE, NAAC with A++ Grade

Age Criterion

No Age Limit

Medium 

English/ Hindi 

Tuition Fee

INR 15,400

MPS-1

Political Theory

8

MPS-2

International Relations: Theory and Problems

8

MPS-3

India: Democracy and Development

8

MPS-4

Comparative Politics: Issues and Trends

8

MPS-1 Political Theory 

Block I 

1. What is Political Theory and Why Study It?,
2. Democracy, 
3. Rights, 
4. Liberty, 
5. Equality, 
6. Justice, 
7. Idea of Duty, 
8. Citizenship, 
9. Sovereignty, 
10. State and Civil Society, 
11. Power and Authority, 
12. Legitimation and Obligation, 
13. Civil Disobedience and Satyagrah, 
14. Political Violence

Block II

1. Classical Liberalism, 
2. Welfare State, 
3. Libertarianism, 
4. Marxism – I – Marx, Lenin, Mao, 
5. Marxism – II – Lukacs, Gramsci, Frankfurt School, 
6. Socialism, 
7. Conservatism,
8. Fundamentalism, 
9. Nationalism, 
10. Multi-Culturalism, 
11. Fascisms, 
12. Feminism, 
13. Gandhism and Pacifism, 
14. Communitarianism and Civic Repulicanism, 
15. Political Theory in a Globalising World

MPS-2 International Relations: Theory and Problems

Block I 

1. Realist and Neo-Realist Approaches: Concepts of National Interest, National Power and National Security Theories of Conflict, Balance of Power, Deterrence and Inter-dependence, 
2. Liberal and Neo-Liberal Approaches: Concepts of World Order and Globalism, Search for legal-institutional mechanisms, Theories of Communication and Conflict Resolution, Functionalism and Neo-Functionalism, 
3. Marxist and Other Radical Approaches: Theories of Imperialism, Colonialism, Neocolonialism and Hegemony, 
4. Neo-Radical Approaches: Theories of Underdevelopment, Centre-Periphery and Dependencia, 
5. Post-Structuralist and Post-Modernist Approaches: Interrogating Nation-State; PostColonialism: Culture, Ideology and Hegemony, 
6. Feminist Approaches to questions of Power, State, Peace & War, Human Rights, Genocide, 
7. Environmental Approaches: Critiques of Development and Progress; Sustainable Development,
8. Worldviews from Asia, Africa and Latin America, 
9. End of the Cold War,
10. Post-Cold War Issues: Nation-State, Security, Peace and Development Initiatives, Restructuring of the UN, 
11. Emerging Powers: Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Japan and South Africa, 
12. Regional Groupings: (a) Economic, (b) Security, 
13. Globalisation: Meanings and Dimensions, 
14. International Inequities: Conflict, Cooperation, Processes of Divergence and Convergence, 
15. Elements of International Economic Relations – Trade, Factor Movements (Capital and Labour), and Monetary and Credit Relations, 
16. Management of International Relations: Institutions and Instruments, 
17. India in the New Global Order

Block II

1. Right to Self-determination, 
2. Intervention/Invasion, 
3. Nuclear Proliferation, 
4. International Terrorism,
5. Role of Science and Technology in International Relations,
6. Inequality among Nations, 
7. Global Corporatism and State Sovereignty, 
8. Human Rights and International Trade, 
9. Changing Nature of American Power, 
10. China as an Emerging Power, 
11. Emergence of Central Asian Republics, 
12. Ethnic Resurgence and ‘Identity’ Wars,
13. Aboriginal/Indigenous Movements, 
14. Displacement of Population: Intra-state and Inter-state, 
15. Transnational Movements: Cultural and Civilizational, 
16. Role of NGOs, 
17. Concept of Justice in International Relations, 
18. Human Security

MPS-3 Indian Democracy and Development 

Book I

1. Legacy of National Movement with reference to Development, Rights and Participation, 
2. Debates on Models of Development, 
3. Constitution and Social Transformation, 
4. Diversity and Pluralism, 
5. Inequality: Caste and Class, 
6. Political Economy of Development, 
7. Structure and Growth of Economy (Poverty, Surplus and Unevenness), 
8. Legislature, 
9. Bureaucracy, Police and Army, 
10. Legal System and Judiciary, 
11. Federalism, 
12. Devolution of Powers and Local Self-Government,
13. Political Parties and Participation, 
14. Workers and Peasants Movements, 
15. Media and Public Policy, 
16. Interest Groups and Policy Making, 
17. Identity Politics (caste, religion, language and ethnicity), 
18. Civil Society: Social Movements, NGOs and Voluntary Action

Book II

1. Human Development: Health, Education and Social Security,
2. Gender and Development, 
3. Regional Imbalances, 
4. Migration and Development, 
5. Environment and Sustainable Development, 
6. Economic Reforms and Globalisation, 
7. Religious Politics, 
8. Ethnicity and Nation–State, 
9. Democracy and Development in India: An Assessment

MPS-4 Comparative Politics: Issues and Trends

Book I

1. Comparative Politics: Nature, Significance and Evolution,
2. Comparative Approaches and Methods: Systems, Structural–Functional, Public Policy,
3. Comparative Approaches: Political Economy, Dependency and World Systems,
4. Theories of State,
5. State in Developing Societies: Asian, African and Latin American Experiences,
6. State – Civil Society Relations: Evolving Patterns,
7. Globalisation and the State,
8. Regional Integration and State,
9. International Organisations and the State,
10. Transnational/Multinational Corporations and the State,
11. Nationalism: Approaches,
12. Forms of Nationalism,
13. Anti-Colonial Movements,
14. Nationality and Self-Determination,
15. State Building and Constitutionalism

Book II

1. Ethnicity, Politics and State,
2. Politics of Community Identities,
3. Ethnic Movements,
4. Political Regime,
5. Bureaucracy,
6. Military in Politics,
7. Federalism: Patterns and Trends,
8. Parties and Party Systems,
9. Interest Groups, Pressure Groups and Lobbying,
10. Poverty and Human Development,
11. Gender Question,
12. Environment,
13. Science, Technology and Politics,
14. Decentralisation and Participation,
15. Human Rights

MPSE-1

India and the World

04

MPSE-2

State and Society in Latin America

04

MPSE-3

Western Political Thought

04

MPSE-4

Social and Political Thought in Modern India

04

MPSE-5

State and Society in Africa

04

MPSE-6

Peace and Conflict Studies

04

MPSE-7

Social Movements and Politics in India

04

MPSE-8

State Politics in India

04

MPSE-9

Canada: Politics and Society

04

MPSE-11

The European Union in World Affairs

04

MPSE-12

State and Society in Australia

04

MPSE-13

Australia’s Foreign Policy

04

MED-2

Sustainable Development: Issues and Challenges

04

MED-8

Globalisation and the Environment

04

MGP-4

Gandhi’s Political Thought

04

MGPE-7

Non-Violent Movements after Gandhi

04

MGPE-8

Gandhian Approach to Peace and Conflict Resolution

04

MGPE-10

Conflict Management, Transformation & Peace Building

04

MGPE-11

Human Security

04

MGPE-13

Civil Society, Political Regimes and Conflict

04

MPSE-1 India and the World 

1. Evolution of India’s World View,
2. Approaches to the Study of India’s Foreign Policy,
3. Objectives and Determinants,
4. Decision-Making Institutions with Special Reference to: MEA, National Security Council, PMO, Parliament and Parliamentary Committees,
5. Policy Development Process: Role of Political Parties and Pressure Groups: Media, Social Movements, NGOs, Business, Diaspora, Think Tanks,
6. India’s Foreign Policy: An Overview,
7. U.S.A. and European Union,
8. Russia, China and Japan,
9. India and Its Neighbours,
10. India and South-East Asia, and the Pacific,
11. India and Central and West Asia,
12. India, Latin America and the Caribbean,
13. India and Africa, 
14. Politico-Security Issues: Arms Control, Disarmament, Nuclear Issues and Global Terrorism,
15. Economic Issues: International Trade and Investment, Multinational Corporations and Regional Cooperation,
16. Socio-Cultural Issues: Ethnic and Religious Movements, Human Rights and Humanitarian Intervention and Environment,
17. Political and Diplomatic Issues: United Nations and Regional Organisations (Non-economic), Non-Aligned Movement, Globalisation

MPSE-2 State and Society in Latin America 

1. Colonial Legacy: Struggle for Independence - Movements, Ideas and Personalities,
2. Resource Endowment and the Impact on Social and Economic formations: Pampas and its social and economic impact - Argentina; Cycles of ‘boom and bust’ - Brazil, Importance of minerals - Chile,
3. Resource Endowment and the impact on Social and Economic formations: Issue of Land Ownership; the Indigenous Peoples-Mexico Plantation Economies-Cuba and Guyana/ Trinidad,
4. Political Traditions and Political Culture: Centralism; Personalismo; Patrimonialism; Slavery; Mestizo Mobility; Indigenous Resistance; Challenges in Nation-building,
5. ‘Inward-looking’ Development Strategies,
6. Economic Liberalisation and Global Dependence,
7. Current Discourse on ‘State and Market’,
8. ‘Populist’ Movements and Regimes,
9. Agrarian and Land Rights Movements,
10. Church and Social Transformation,
11. Revolutionary Movements and Social Change,
12. Dramatic Transitions: Patterns, Mechanisms, and Processes, 
13. Democratic Constitutions and Institution-Building
14. Civil Society and New Social Movements - Environment, Women, Indigenous People, and Human Rights
15. Military in Politics
16. Trends towards Regionalism 
17. Latin America and the Developing Countries (including India)
18. Latin America and the Developed Countries/ Regions

MPSE-3 Western Political Thought (Plato to Marx)

1. Significance of Western Political Thought,
2. Plato,
3. Aristotle,
4. St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas,
5. Niccolo Machiavelli,
6. Thomas Hobbes,
7. John Locke,
8. Jean Jacques Rousseau,
9. Edmund Burke,
10. Immanuel Kant,
11. Jeremy Bentham,
12. Alexis de Tocqueville,
13. John Stuart Mill,
14. Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel,
15. Karl Marx

MPSE-4 Social and Political Thought in Modern India 

1. Pre-Modern Socio-religious and Political Thought in India: Diverse Strands,
2. Orientalist Discourse and Colonial Modernity,
3. Salient Features of Political Thought in Modern India,
4. Early Nationalist Responses: Ram Mohan Roy, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Jyotiba Phule, and Dayanand Saraswati,
5. Moderates and Extremists: Dadabhai Naoroji, M.G. Ranade, B.C. Tilak,
6. Hinduism: Swami Vivekananda and Sri Aurobindo Ghosh,
7. Hindutva: V.D. Savarkar and M.S. Golwalkar,
8. Muslim Thought: Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Mohammed Iqbal, Maulana Maudoodi, and Mohammed Ali Jinnah,
9. Nation and Identity Concerns: E.V. Ramaswamy Naicker, Nazrul Islam, Pandita Ramabai, Jaipal Singh, Kahn Singh,
10. M.K. Gandhi,
11. Jawaharlal Nehru,
12. B.R. Ambedkar, 
13. Rabindranath Tagore,
14. Communist Thought: MN Roy and EMS Namboodiripad
15. Socialist Thought: RM Lohia and Jayaprakash Narayan

MPSE-5 State and Society in Africa 

1. Introducing Africa,
2. Colonial Legacies,
3. Nationalism and Its Legacies,
4. Problems of Statehood: Integration and Legitimisation,
5. Issues of Development,
6. Types of Regimes,
7. Military and Political Parties,
8. Africa and World Economy,
9. Cold War, Non-Alignment and Africa,
10. United Nations, Peacekeeping and Africa,
11. Post-Cold War Africa,
12. Human Securities,
13. Deterritorialisation and Problems of Social Identities,
14. Violence and Its Manifestations,
15. Economic Cooperation: Continental and Regional,
16. India and Africa 

MPSE-6 Peace and Conflict Studies

1. Peace and Conflict Studies: Nature and Scope,
2. Conceptual Analysis of Peace and Conflict,
3. Nature and Forms of Conflict: Intra-state, Inter-state and Global,
4. Theories of War,
5. Types of War: Conventional War, Limited War and Nuclear War,
6. Types of War: Revolutionary War, Civil War, Guerrilla War, Insurgency and Counter Insurgency, Proxy War & Asymmetrical War and Terrorism,
7. U.N. System: Pacific Settlement of Disputes,
8. U.N. System: Peacekeeping, Peacemaking and Adjudication,
9. Disarmament and Arms Control,
10. Confidence-Building Measures,
11. Conflict Management and Conflict Resolution,
12. Functional Approaches and Regionalism,
13. Gandhian Approach,
14. Human Security,
15. Peace Research and Peace Movements 

MPSE-7 Social Movements and Politics in India

1. Social Movements: Meaning, Significance and Components,
2. Approaches to the Study of Social Movements: Liberal, Gandhian and Marxian,
3. Classification of Movements, including New Social Movements,
4. Democratisation and the Changing Nature of the Indian Society,
5. Globalisation and Social Movements,
6. State, Market and Social Movements,
7. Dalit Movement,
8. Backward Class Movements,
9. Ethnic Movements with a special reference to Tribals,
10. Women’s Movement,
11. Regional Movements,
12. Religious and Communal Movements,
13. Agrarian Movements,
14. Working Class Movements,
15. Fisher Folk’s Movement,
16. Environmental and Ecological Movements, 
17. Social Movements and Democracy: An Assessment 

MPSE-8 State Politics in India 

1. Development of the Study of State Politics in India,
2. Frameworks for Analysis,
3. Nature of Indian Diversities and Nationalist Response,
4. States in the Constitutional Scheme,
5. Development of the State System,
6. Elections and Electoral Politics,
7. Political Parties and Party Systems,
8. Patterns of Dissent and Protest in States,
9. Developmental Issues and Regional Disparities,
10. Agrarian Transformation and Land Reforms,
11. Industry and Labour,
12. Liberalisation and Globalisation: Implications for State Politics,
13. Inter-State Disputes: Water and Territorial Boundaries,
14. Patterns of Communal Politics,
15. Assertion of Dalits and Backward Castes,
16. Linguistic and Ethnic Minorities in State Politics
17. State Autonomy Movements

MPSE-9 Canada: Politics and Society

1. A Settlers’ Society and Staples Economy,
2. Constitutionalism, BNA Act of 1867, Constitutional Act of 1982, Charter of Rights and Freedoms,
3. Parliamentary Federal Institutions: Executive, Legislature and Judiciary,
4. Federalism: Inter-governmental Relations (including local governments), Fiscal Federalism,
5. Public Administration and Dispensation of Welfare,
6. Political Parties, Pressure Groups and ‘Policy Communities’,
7. Social Movements and NGOs: Environment, Anti-Globalisation and Gender,
8. Aboriginals and Aboriginal Self-Government,
9. Civil Society: Policy Development and Service Delivery,
10. Language, Culture and Politics: Quebec,
11. Ethnic and Racial Issues and Multiculturalism,
12. Regionalism and Provincialism,
13. Immigrants, Refugees and Minorities,
14. ‘Liberal Internationalism’ of Canada
15. Human Security Agenda 
16. Canada in the International Political Economy 
17. India-Canada Partnership

MPSE-11 The European Union in World Affairs

1. History and Evolution of European Integration,
2. Theories of Integration: Federalism, Inter-governmentalism, Neo-functionalism, Neo-Realism and other Theories,
3. France, Germany, the United Kingdom and European Integration,
4. Institutions of the European Union: European Council, Council of Ministers, Commission, Parliament, European Court of Justice,
5. Decision-making in the European Union,
6. Single European Act and Single Market,
7. Treaties: Maastricht Treaty on European Union, Amsterdam Treaty, Nice Treaty and subsequent treaties, Convention of the Future of Europe,
8. European Monetary Union,
9. Common Agricultural Policy,
10. Common Foreign and Security Policy,
11. Regional and Social Policy,
12. Globalisation, Trade and the WTO,
13. Enlargement of the European Union 
14. United States, Russia, China and Japan
15. India and the European Union
16. Comparative Regional Integration: EU and ASEAN, SAARC; EU as a Model of Regional Integration; Nature and Future of European Integration 

MPSE-12 State and Society in Australia 

1. Australia: Land and People,
2. Aboriginal People and European Settlers' Colonisation,
3. Immigrants,
4. Identity and Citizenship,
5. Constitutional Developments - A Historical Perspective,
6. Federalism in Australia,
7. Political Parties and Pressure Groups in Australia,
8. Australian Nationalism,
9. Development Strategies,
10. Social and Political Impact of Developmental Strategies,
11. Australia in the World Economy,
12. Current Debates on Aborigines,
13. Immigration and Ethnicity,
14. Australian Multiculturalism,
15. Gender and Women's Issues,
16. Indians in Australia 

MPSE-13 Australia’s Foreign Policy 

1. Importance of Studying Australian Foreign Policy,
2. Approaches to the Study of Australia’s Foreign Policy,
3. Determinants of Australia’s Foreign Policy,
4. Policy-Making Processes,
5. Economic Profile of Australia: Implications of Globalisation,
6. Trade, Investment and Services,
7. United States,
8. China,
9. India,
10. Indonesia,
11. Pacific Islands Forum and ASEAN,
12. APEC and the Indian Ocean,
13. Immigration and Refugees,
14. Environment,
15. Human Rights,
16. Nuclear Weapons Proliferation

MED-2 Sustainable Development: Issues and Challenges

1. What is Sustainable Development?,
2. Parameters of Sustainable Development,
3. Approaches to the Study of Sustainable Development,
4. Issues and Challenges,
5. Natural Resources Exploitation,
6. Patterns of Industrialisation,
7. Inequitable Growth,
8. Global and Regional Dimensions,
9. State Initiatives,
10. Regional Initiatives,
11. Global Initiatives,
12. Civil Societies and Community Initiatives,
13. Community Knowledge,
14. Harness Technology,
15. Innovative Practices,
16. Cooperation and Partnership

MED-8 Globalisation and Environment

1. Environmental Dimensions of Globalisation,
2. Environmental Calamities,
3. Man–made Disasters,
4. MNCs, TNCs and Developing Countries,
5. International Summits and Declarations,
6. International Environmental Laws and Agreements,
7. Role of the United Nations Agencies,
8. Environment in Multilateral Perspective,
9. South Asian Responses to Environmental Concerns,
10. Non-Governmental Agencies Initiatives,
11. People’s Initiatives,
12. Case Studies and Alternatives,
13. Biodiversity: Problems and Prospects,
14. Sustainable Human Development: Issues and Livelihood, Health and Education,
15. Greening of Business: Global and Local,
16. Right to a Clean Environment

MGP-4 Gandhi’s Political Thought

1. Introduction to Gandhian Political Thought,
2. Gandhi’s Views on State and Citizenship (Ramrajya),
3. Gandhi’s Views on Democracy (Gramswaraj),
4. Gandhi’s Concept of Nationalism,
5. Rights and Duties,
6. Means and Ends,
7. Liberty and Equality,
8. Power and Authority,
9. Gandhi’s Views on Colonialism and Imperialism,
10. Gandhi’s Views on Liberalism and Constitutionalism,
11. Anarchism,
12. Gandhi’s Views on Socialism and Marxism,
13. Gandhi on Structural Violence,
14. Satyagraha as a Means of Conflict Resolution,
15. Gandhi on Pacifism,
16. World Order

MGPE-7 Non-Violent Movements After Gandhi

1. Post-Gandhian Scenario,
2. Leadership and Organisational Pattern,
3. Dynamics, Strategies and Outcomes,
4. Social and Ecological Issues,
5. Bhoodan Movement,
6. Total Revolution,
7. Prohibition Movements,
8. Farmers’ Movements,
9. Chipko Movement,
10. Narmada Bachao Andolan/Tehri Dam,
11. Silent Valley,
12. Water Conservation Movement,
13. Civil Rights Movements in the United States,
14. Green Peace Movements in Europe,
15. Anti-Apartheid Movement in South Africa,
16. Solidarity Movement in Poland

MGPE-8 Gandhian Approach to Peace and Conflict Resolution 

1. Understanding Peace,
2. Tolerance, Harmony and Forgiveness,
3. Community Peace,
4. Peace among Nations,
5. Understanding Sources of Conflict,
6. Approaches to Conflict Resolution,
7. Gandhian Approach to Conflict Resolution,
8. Applications of the Gandhian Approach to Peace and Conflict Resolution (Case Studies),
9. Fasting,
10. Strike,
11. Dialogue and Negotiation,
12. Mediation and Reconciliation,
13. Noakhali,
14. North-East/Kashmir,
15. Sri Lanka/Palestine,
16. Tibet/Myanmar/Bhutan

MGPE-10 Conflict Management, Transformation and Peace Building

1. Nature of Conflicts,
2. Sources of Conflicts,
3. Methods of Conflict Analysis,
4. Conflict Assessment and Prognosis,
5. Responses to Conflicts,
6. Objectives of Conflict Management,
7. Methods and Techniques,
8. Case Studies (Punjab and Nagaland),
9. Approaches and Perspectives,
10. Theories of Conflict Transformation Johan Galtung, Lederach and Gene Sharp),
11. Gandhian Vision,
12. Case Studies (Champaran and South Africa),
13. Meaning and Significance of Peacebuilding,
14. Approaches to Peacebuilding,
15. Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Rehabilitation,
16. Case Studies Afghanistan

MGPE-11 Human Security 

1. Defining Human Security,
2. Human Development, Rights and Security,
3. Human Security and Peace Building,
4. Gandhian Visions of Human Security,
5. Structural Violence (Eco, Socio, Political),
6. State Violence (Terrorism, Dictatorship, Military etc.),
7. Non-State Violence (Terrorism),
8. Disaster and Displacement,
9. Food Security,
10. Unorganised Labour (Rural and Urban),
11. Empowerment of the Marginalised (Women, Children, etc.),
12. International Cooperation and Security,
13. Measuring Human Security,
14. Global State of Human Security,
15. Human Security in South Asia,
16. Human Security in India

MGPE-13 Civil Society, Political Regimes and Conflicts 

1. Understanding Civil Society,
2. Elements of Civil Society,
3. Civil Society: Local and Global,
4. Gandhi and Volunteerism,
5. Civil Society and State: An Interface,
6. Civil Society in a Globalised Market,
7. Civil Society and Political Regimes,
8. Civil Society, Resistance and Protest,
9. Global Peace Movements,
10. Role of NGOs in the Peace Process,
11. Human Rights and Culture for Peace,
12. Peace Movements in India,
13. Gandhi, Capacity Building and Empowerment,
14. Grassroots/People’s Initiatives,
15. Mobilising Voluntary Action,
16. Gandhian Civil Society for Global Peace,
17. Gandhi’s Programme on Social Reforms,
18. Satyagraha for Our Time