1. Political Theory: Meaning and Approaches

1. ‘Political Science is a master-science, “architectonic” in its character, from which all other practical sciences take their cue’ (Ernest Barker). Discuss. (1991)
2. Discuss the Normative and Behavioural Approaches to the study of political science and examine the limitations of Behavioural Approach. (1991)
3. Examine the limitations of Behaviouralism as an approach to the study of politits. (1992)
4. Estimate the utility of the systems theory in social sciences. (1993)
5. What is the nature of the crisis in political theory? Suggest remedies to overcome it. (1994)
6. Examine the fact-value dichotomy in political science. To what extent has post behaviouralism resolved the conflict in the dichotomy? (1995)
7. Examine the place of ‘obligation’ in political theory. (1995)
8. Discuss the basic assumptions of behaviouralism. In what way post behaviouralism differs from behavioural theory? (1996)
9. Discuss the importance of the Systems Theory in modern political analysis. (1997)
10. What is meant by “behavioural approach” to politics ? Is it a fool-proof approach ? How far is it correct to say that the behavioural approach to political analysis appeared in order to counteract the Marxist approach. (1998)
11. “A scientific politics can develop only if the materials of politics are treated in terms of systems of actions.” In the light of this statement of Kaplan with regard to application of systems theory to political science, critically examine the drawbacks of its application. (1999)
12. Critically evaluate and bring out the weakest aspects of behavioural and post-behavioural approaches to the analysis of political system. What measurable and quantifiable criteria are available in political science to evaluate political behaviour? (1999)
13. “Post-behaviouralism is not a negation of the behavioural revolution but only, its corrective.” How does it seek to raise the status of the discipline of Political Science? (2000)
14. Comment: Relevance of contextualist approach to the study of political theory. (2001)
15. Examine the arguments in ‘the Normative vs. Empirical debate’ in the study of political theory. (2002)
16. Explain the changing analytical perspectives in the development of political theory. (2008)
17. Comment: “Political Theory is, quite simply, man’s attempts to consciously understand and solve the problems of his group life and organization……. It is the disciplined investigation of political problems….. not only to show what a political practice is, but also to show what it means. In showing what a practice means, or what it ought to mean, political theory can alter what it is.” (Sabine). (2009)
18. Examine the significance of the behavioural revolution in politics. (2011)
19. Comment on difference between normative and empirical theories of politics. (150 words) (2012)
20. Comment in 150 words: ” … Political theory is not an escape mechanism but an arduous calling.” John Plamanetz) (2014)
21. Discuss David Easton’s model of systems analysis. (2015)
22. Comment: The Post-Behavioural Approach. (2016)
23. Comment in 150 words: Decline ·of Political Theory. (2018)
24. Comment: Resurgence of the political theory (150 words) (2019)
25. Discuss the significance of normative approach to Political theory. (2020)
26. Examine the importance of behavioural approach in political theory. What led to its decline? (2021)

2. Theories of the State: Liberal, Neo-liberal, Marxist, Pluralist, Post-colonial and Feminist

1. Examine critically the pluralist arguments against the theory of sovereignty. (1993)
2. Examine the main issues involved in the Church- State controversy. What were its consequences? (1993)
3. Comment: “As soon as a nation appoints representatives, it is no longer free, it no longer exists.” (Rousseau) (1994)
4. Comment: “I give the name to every state that is governed by laws, no matter what the form of its administration.” (Rousseau) (2000)
5. Critically examine Marxist theory of the state with reference to the dictatorship of the proletariat. (2001)
6. Comment: “Will, not force, is the basis of the state.” (T. H. Green) (2002)
7. Comment: “The reason why men enter into civil society is the preservation of their property.” (Locke) (2003)
8. Comment: “Society is federal, authority must be federal.” (Laski) (2004)
9. Comment: “The discovery of Sovereign in a federal state is an impossible adventure.” (Laski) (2005)
10. Comment: Impact of Globalisation on State Sovereignty. (2006)
11. Comment: “State is the result of the irreconcilability of class antagonism”. (Lenin) (2007)
12. Comment: “Because the society is federal, the authority must also be federal”. (Laski) (2007)
13. Critically examine Hamza Alavi’s formulation of the overdeveloped State. (2009)
14. Evaluate Marx’s instrumentalist approach to the State. (2010)
15. Do you think that the modern nation-state has been declining in the wake of globalization? Justify your answer. (2010)
16. Make all assessment of the post-colonial understanding of State. (2011)
17. What is meant by ‘relative autonomy of State in Marxist analysis? (2012)
18. Discuss in what sense Marx’s understanding of state can be considered as materialistic. (2013)
19. Examine the challenges to sovereignty of the State in the contemporary world. (2015)
20. Discuss Feminist theory of the State. (2016)
21. Comment on Neo-liberal perspective of State (150 words) (2017)
22. Critically examine the neo-liberal -theory of State. (2018)
23. Comment: Pluralist theory of the State (150 words) (2019)
24. What is the contemporary relevance of Marxism? (2019)
25. Comment in 150 words: Post-colonial theory of the state. (2020)
26. Comment in about 150 words: Feminist critique of the State. (2021)