Indian Constitution at Work:
· Understand the historical circumstances and the processes in which the Constitution was drafted.
· Be familiar with the diverse perspectives that guided the makers of the Indian Constitution.
· Analyze the working of the three pillars of democracy: Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary and their role with changing times.
· Identify the key features of the Indian Constitution and compare these to other constitutions in the world.
2. Political Theory:
· Recognize the ideas, concepts, and values inherent in the political life of a citizen.
· Systematic reflection and critical analysis of the political phenomenon.
· Provides a clarity on what is ‘political’ in relation to ‘social’, ‘economic’, ‘moral’, and the like.
· Augment the ability of students to build a good state in a good society, and create processes, procedures, institutions, and structures which could be rationally achievable. 3. Contemporary World Politics .· Enables an understanding of the nature of political interactions amongst the sovereign states in the World.
· Trace the key political events and processes in the post-cold war era.
· Analyze the all-encompassing impact of various global institutions, processes, and events.
· Promote international understanding and respect for humanity. 4. Politics in India since Independence · Understand and analyze constitutional institutions and their working in the post-independence era.
· Appreciate the contribution of political leaders in Nation Building.
· Develop the capacity to link Government structure, processes, and their policies with contemporary political realities.
· Acquaint the students to the changing trends and developments in India.
Political Science as a field of study in senior secondary classes enable students to get an exposure to political activities and
processes that they are exposed to in everyday life. The study of political science has emerged as a multifaceted discipline,
involving a contemporary interdisciplinary approaches and empirical framework, emphasizing more on field work rather than
theoretical perceptions. The connect between government and citizen ensures the emergence of an active and reflective
citizens and vibrant democracy. CBSE has therefore incorporated project work in Political Science to enable students to
extend their interest beyond textbooks and provide them with a platform to gather information, value the decisions made to
shape the community and visualize future course of action to be taken to ensure healthy democracy.
Objectives of project work:
To enable learners to probe deeper, initiate action and reflect on knowledge and skills acquired during the course of class
XI and XII
To analyze and evaluate real world scenarios using social constructivism, a theory based on observation and scientific
study
To become independent and empowered to choose their topic and gather data from a variety of source, investigate varied
viewpoints acquired during the course XI-XII and arrive at logical deductions.
To enquire into, and reflect on, issues independently /in collaboration with others and identify the limitations
To develop 21st century skills of communication, cooperation, coordination, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration
to produce an extended and independent work.
Quasi Federalism: In the context of special features and provisions of Indian federalism we use the phrase, ‘Quasi Federalism’, a concept given by K. C. Wheare. Quasi federalism represents a strong centre with comparatively less strong units. Wheare describes the Indian case in its formative phase as a ‘quasi federation – A unitary state with subsidiary federal features rather than a federal state with subsidiary unitary features’. Cooperative Federalism: Cooperative federalism is the concept which reflects the relationship between the Union and the States where both come together and resolve the common problems with each other’s cooperation in amicable manner thus contributing towards the growth of a strong federation. It shows the horizontal relationship between the Union and the States where none is placed over and above on the other. To ensure this strong relationship between the two, the Indian constitution has evolved and incorporated certain instruments and agencies like the Inter-State Councils, Zonal Councils, the 7th Schedule, etc. Competitive Federalism: Competitive federalism places all states vis a vis the Union on equal and competing footing where the best performing states can take the maximum benefits of the resources, services and taxes. It ensures a healthy competition among states leading towards better performance and delivery which constitute important part of governance. The post- liberalization era reflects the trend of competitive federalism where states are more autonomous, accountable, and efficient in their functioning.
We hear a lot around us that people appear to use the word liberty and freedom as synonyms of each other. But there are some fundamental differences between these two concepts that must be understood. Liberty comes from the Latin word “libertatem” which means “condition of a freeman”. While freedom come from the English word “freedom” which means “state of free will”. Liberty is power to act and express oneself according to one’s will while freedom is the power to decide one’s action. Freedom is more concrete concept than liberty which is more associated with an individual’s connection with the state rather than with other individuals and circumstances. State guarantees freedom through the liberty it grants to its citizens. The difference between these two concepts can briefly be outlined as follows: Liberty Freedom · Condition of a freeman State of freewill · Power to act Power to decide · Free to do something Free from something The common feature between these two concepts is that both remain unconstrained, which means that their realization is free from any constrain. Further, both follow rightful or ethical conformity in terms of their realization.
Till now we have tried to understand what the term justice means. After considering this, we need to know different dimensions of justice which may help us in establishing a just society. Legal, social, political and economic justice are the key dimensions of justice. Here, we will try to understand these dimensions in some details. Legal Justice: It is a narrow concept of justice which is associated with the legal system and legal procedure existing in a society. The court of law interprets the law and applies it after hearing the partners involved in a dispute. Here, justice is what administered by the court of law and the interpretation of the judge is considered to be an embodiment of justice. Political Justice: In any democratic society political justice means providing equal political rights. Political justice stands for a free and fair participation of people in the political sphere. Universal adult franchise is the expression of political justice. Equality of opportunity in getting elected and in holding public offices, freedom of expression and association are important pillars of political justice. Social Justice: It means to end all types of social inequalities and to provide proper opportunity to every citizen in every sphere of life, to develop her/his personality to ensure equality of law, prohibition of discrimination, social security, provision of equal political rights, etc. The concept of social justice is based on the belief that all human beings are equal and no discrimination should be made on the ground of race, religion, caste, gender and place of birth. Economic Justice: It means to provide equal opportunities to everyone to earn her/his livelihood. It also means to help such people who are not able to work and earn their livelihood. The basic need of every person such as food, cloth, shelter and education should be fulfilled. It stands for by assuring adequate means of livelihood to all, by making provisions for equal pay for equal work, fair distribution of resources, equal economic opportunity to all, etc. While the concept of political justice is closely linked with the ideal of “liberty”, economic and legal justice with “equality” and social justice with “fraternity”, a just combination of all these four dimensions will help in achieving justice in life.
Sub-Topic: ‘UNESCO’ The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was established on 4 November 1946. With its headquarter in Paris, France, UNESCO is a special body of the United Nations whose main objective is to promote education, natural science, society and anthropology, culture and communication. During past several years, the special work done by UNESCO has been to promote literacy, technical and educational training and independent media etc. all across its member nations. Sub-Topic: ‘UNICEF’ The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) was established in 1946 by the United Nations General Assembly as a body whose main task was to collect emergency funds for children and to help in their development work all across the world. Apart from this, UNICEF helps and encourages the works that promote children’s health and better life in all parts of the world. With its’ headquarter in New York, United States, UNICEF has been working successfully in almost all 193 countries of the world. Sub-Topic: ‘ILO’ The International Labour Organization (ILO), founded in October 1919 with its headquarter in Geneva, Switzerland, is a body of the United Nations which aims to promote efficient conditions of social justice and work for workers through international labour standards at the global level. In addition, there is an incentive for women and male workers to engage in productive work and to create safety, parity and self-respectful conditions for them at the workplace. Chapter-5: Security in the Contemporary World Sub-Topic: ‘Terrorism’ Terrorism refers to systematic use of brutal violence that creates an atmosphere of fear in society. It is used for many purposes, very prominently the politico-religious purposes.
Chapter-1: Challenges of Nation Building Sub-Topic: ‘Patel and National Integration’ The first deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, emerged as a major leader of the freedom movement after the Kheda Satyagraha (1918) and the Bardoli Satyagraha (1928). At the time of independence, the problem of integration of princely states was a big challenge for the national unity and integrity of India. Under such difficult times, Sardar Patel undertook the daunting tasks of uniting all 565 princely states of India. Known as an ‘Iron Man’ of India, Patel’s approach to the question of the merger of princely states into independent India was very clear. He was not in favour of any compromise with the territorial integrity of India. By his political experience, diplomatic prowess and foresightedness, out of India’s 565 princely states many had already given their consent to merge with India even before achieving the independence.
Chapter-3: Politics of Planned Development Sub-Topic: ‘NITI Aayog’ After independence, a Planning Commission based on socialist model was formed for the planned development of India. But in the era of globalization, especially in the 21st century, it was becoming ineffective and irrelevant, particularly in terms of coping with the pressing challenges of development. Hence, during his Independence Day speech on 15 August 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked about the abolition of the Planning Commission. NITI Aayog was constituted in place of Planning Commission on 1 January 2015 with the objective of providing the necessary and technical advice to the Union Government regarding policy making at the Central and State levels. The Prime Minister of India is the ex-officio Chairman of NITI Aayog and he appoints the Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog. The first Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog was Arvind Panagariya. Shri Suman Bery is the current Vice Chairperson of NITI Aayog. To harmonize the interests of national security and economic policy and to prepare strategic and long-term framework of policy and program, NITI Aayog acts as a think tank of the Union Government. By adopting a ‘Bottom-Up Approach’, the NITI Aayog acts in the spirit of cooperative federalism as it ensures equal participation of all states in the country.
Sub-Topic: National Development Council (NDC) The National Development Council (NDC) or Rashtriya Vikas Parishad is the apex body for decision creating and deliberations on development matters in India, presided over by the Prime Minister. It was set up on 6 August 1952 under the chairmanship of India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru to strengthen and mobilize the effort and resources of the nation in support of the Five Year Plans made by Planning Commission. The Council comprises the Prime Minister, the Union Cabinet Ministers and Chief Ministers of all States or their substitutes, representatives of the Union Territories and the members of the NITI Aayog (erstwhile Planning Commission). Objectives of the Council: · To secure cooperation of the states in the execution of the plan · To strengthen and mobilize the effort and resources of the nation in support of the Plan · To promote common economic policies in all vital spheres and · To ensure the balanced and rapid development of all parts of the country. Functions of the Council: · To prescribe guidelines for the formulation of the National Plan, including the assessment of resources for the Plan; · To consider the National Plan as formulated by the NITI Aayog. · To make an assessment of the resources required for implementing the Plan and to suggest measures for augmenting them. · To consider important questions of social and economic policy affecting national development; and · To review the working of the Plan from time to time and to recommend such measures as are necessary for achieving the aims and targets set out in the National Plan. · To recommend measures for achievement of the aims and targets set out in the national Plan.
Chapter-4: India’s External Relations Sub-Topic: ‘India-Israel Relation’ Nearly 45 years after independence, due to various reasons, India’s foreign policy with Israel remained largely unexplored notwithstanding the two nations gaining independence from the British colonial rule in 1947 and 1948 respectively. Though historical and cultural ties between India and Israel have gone back from times immemorial, diplomatic relations formally developed between the two after the opening of Israeli embassy in India in 1992. Relations between the two democratic nations further intensified with the visits of the Two Heads of Government in 2017and 2018. The two nations have started cooperation in various fields like cultural exchange, security and defense, counterterrorism, space research, water and energy and agricultural development. Sub-Topic: ‘India’s Nuclear Program’ (Updates) India’s nuclear policy has always been peace-oriented, whose clear impression is reflected in the policy of No First Use. Butin view of contemporary regional security challenges, the present government has made it clear that the policy of no first use can be reviewed and changed in consonance with India’s regional and national security. In addition, India is committed to ensuring its membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and opposing partisan and unjust nuclear treaties like CTBT and NPT.
