MPS
MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAMME
IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
Assignment
(For M.A. II Year Courses)
For July 2008 and January 2009 Sessions
School of Social Sciences
Indira Gandhi National Open University
Maidan Garhi, New Delhi-110068
OPTIONAL COURSES: M.A. IInd Year (Political Science)
Dear Student,
Starting this academic session, you will have to do only one Tutor Marked Assignment for each of the courses in the Master Programme in Political Science. Each assignment has descriptive and short category questions. Descriptive Category Questions (DCQs) are meant for writing essay type answers, with an introduction and a conclusion. These are intended to test your ability to describe your understanding/knowledge about the topic in a systematic, to-the-point and coherent manner. Short Category Questions (SCQs) require you to first analyse the topic in terms of arguments and explanations and then write the answers in a concise manner. They are meant to test your ability to distinguish, compare and contrast, or clear understanding of the concepts and processes.
Before you attempt the assignments, please read the instructions carefully provided in the Programme Guide. It is important that you write the answers to all the TMA questions in your own words. Your answers should be within the approximate range of the word-limit set for a particular section. Remember, writing answers to assignment questions will improve your writing skills and prepare you for the term-end examination.
This booklet has assignments of all IInd year courses in Political Science. Do the assignments of only those courses for which you are enrolled and leave the rest.
Submission:
You need to submit all the assignments within the stipulated time for being eligible to appear in the term-end examination. The completed assignments should be submitted as per the following schedule.
Assignment Number / Date of Submission / Whom to sendAssignment (TMA) / 31st March, 2009 for July 2008 Session
30th September, 2009 for January 2009 Session / The Coordinator of the Study Centre allotted to you
Please obtain a receipt from the Study Centre for the assignments submitted and retain it. If possible, keep a xerox copy of the assignments with you.
The Study Centre will return the assignments to you after they are evaluated. Please insist on this. The Study Centre has to send the marks to the SR&E Division at IGNOU, New Delhi.
GUIDELINES FOR DOING ASSIGNMENTS
We expect you to answer each question as per guidelines for each category as mentioned in the assignment. You will find it useful to keep the following points in mind:
1)Planning: Read the assignments carefully, go through the Units on which they are based. Make some points regarding each question and then rearrange them in a logical order.
2)Organisation: Be a little selective and analytic before drawing up a rough outline of your answer. Give adequate attention to your introduction and conclusion.
Make sure that your answer:
a) is logical and coherent;
b)has clear connections between sentences and paragraphs, and
c)is written correctly giving adequate consideration to your expression, style and presentation.
3)Presentation: Once you are satisfied with your answer, you can write down the final version for submission, writing each answer neatly and underlining the points you wish to emphasize. Make sure that the answer is within the stipulated word limit.
Wishing you all the best,
COURSE: INDIA AND THE WORLD (MPSE-001)
TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT
TMA
Course Code: MPSE-001
Assignment Code: ASST/TMA/2008-09
Marks: 100
Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. Each question carries 20 marks.
SECTION - I
1.In recent times, India’s relations with the United States have not been as cordial as was expected of the two largest democracies in the world. Why?.
2.Critically examine the role of MNCs in contemporary international economic relations.
3.Critically examine India’s disarmament policy. Have the nuclear tests conducted by it have any impact on it?
4.West Asia is important for India because of its geographical proximity and historical-cultural affinity, as well as present day security concerns and economic interests. Elucidate.
5.Critically examine India-Russia relations since the end of the cold war.
SECTION– II
6.Answer the following in your own words:
a) Comment on the Nuclear Test of 1974
b) Critically examine India-EU relations in the post-cold war era
7.Comment on the following bringing out their significance for India:
a) BIMSTEC.
b) IOR- ARC.
8. a) Examine the rationale and implications of the nuclear tests conducted by India
and Pakistan in 1998.
b) Analyse the main features of the South Asian regional state system
9.Describe the changes in the relationships between the following two in the last two decades:
a) India and Central Asia
b) India Japan relations
10.Comment on the following recent developments
a) Nuclear deal between India and the United States
b) Business groups in India’s foreign policy process.
COURSE: STATE AND SOCIETY IN LATIN AMERICA(MPSE-002)
TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT
TMA
Course Code: MPSE-002
Assignment Code:ASST/TMA/2008-09
Marks: 100
Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. Each question carries 20 marks.
SECTION -I
1. Explain the main features of plantation economy in Guyana and Trinidad.
2. Explain the main characteristics of political traditions in Latin America. Analyse its relevance to the contemporary Latin American political process.
3. Examine the neo-liberal economic policies adopted by the Latin American countries.
4. What impact did the populist movements and regimes make on the Latin American political and economic development process?
5. Briefly explain the differentcomponents that make democracy workable with reference to Latin America.
SECTION-II
6. Write the following in your own words:
a)Chilean Economic Development during the 19th Century
b)Indigenous Societies and Political Culture in Latin America
7. Write short note on the following:
a) Church in Latin America since the Iberian colonisation
b) Revolutions in Latin America
8. Answer the following in your own words:
a)Contemporary process of democratization in Latin America
b)Role of Women’s movement in democracy in Latin America
9. Write a note on the following:
a) Military in Latin American Politics
b) Regionalism in Latin America
10. Comment on the following:
a)Latin America and India
b)Latin America and the European Union
COURSE: WESTERN POLITICAL THOUGHT (From Plato to Marx)(MPSE-003)
TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT
TMA
Course Code: MPSE-003
Assignment Code: ASST/TMA/2008-09
Marks: 100
Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. Each question carries 20 marks.
SECTION –I
1.Discuss the relationship between political thought and political science.
2.Write an essay on Plato’s theory of justice.
3.Discuss Aristotle’s views on property, family and slavery.
4.Discuss the influences that shaped St. Augustine’s thought.
5.Describe Machiavelli’s classification of government.
SECTON-II
6.Answer the following in your own words:
a)What were Thomas Hobb’s views on the state of nature?
b)On the Rights and Duties of the Sovereign
7.Write short notes on the following:
a)John Locke’s views on the social contract
b)The intellectual legacy of John Locke
8.Explain the following in your own words:
a)Rousseau’s concept of civil society
b)Rousseau’s Theory of General Will
9.Comment on the following:
a) Edmund Burke’s views on the limits of reason
b) Edmund Burke’s views on religion and toleration
10. Explain the following in your own words:
a)Immanuel Kant’s concept of the Universal Law of Right
b)Tocqueville’s views on women and family
COURSE: SOCIAL AND POLITICAL THOUGHT IN MODERN INDIA (MPSE-004)
TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT
TMA
Course Code: MPSE-004
Assignment Code: ASST/TMA/2008-09
Marks: 100
Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. Each question carries 20 marks.
SECTION –I
1.Write a note on the different ways in which Social and Political Thought in Modern India has been conceptualized.
2.Write an essay on the trajectory of Muslim Thought in Colonial India.
3.What was the early nationalist response to colonial intervention in India?
4.Examine the Moderate-Extremist comparison vis-à-vis the response to British Rule.
5.Discuss V D Savarkar’s views on Hindu Nationalism.
SECTION-II
6.Answer the following in your own words:
a)Write a note on M S Golwalkar’s views on the nation.
b)Write a note on MS Golwalkar’s views on social organization.
7.Answer the following in your own words:
a)Describe Sir Syed Ahmed Khan’s contribution to modern education.
b)What were Sir Syed Ahmed Khan’s views on Hindu-Muslim unity?
8.Explain the following in your own words:
a)What were Maulana Maududi’s ideas on nationalism?
b)M A Jinnha’s Two nation theory
9.Explain the following in your own words:
a)E V Ramaswamy Naicker’s critique of Hinduism
b)Pandita Rambai’s struggle against patriarchy
10.Write short notes on the following:
a)M K Gandhi’s views on human nature
b)M K Gandhi’s vies on religion.
COURSE: STATE AND SOCIETY IN AFRICA(MPSE-005)
TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT
TMA
Course Code: MPSE-005
Assignment Code:ASST/TMA/2008-09
Marks: 100
Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. Each question carries 20 marks.
SECTION - I
1.Examine the impact of European colonialism on politics and society in Africa.
2.Analyse the nature and growth of nationalism in Africa.
3.The challenges of legitimacy of modern state in Africa have unfolded through several distinct phases and state systems have adjusted accordingly. Elucidate.
4.Critically examine the challenges to nation building in Africa.
5.Define structural violence and bring out its dimensions in Africa.
SECTION - II
6.a) Describe the dimensions and impact of slave trade on African society.
b) Examine the factors contributing to the rise of authoritarian regimes in post-
colonial Africa.
7.Explain the following in your own words:
a) Comment on the SAPs in Africa.
b) What has been the response of domestic and international agencies to deal with
the problem of debt in Africa?
8.Write a brief note on the following:
a) Indian Diaspora in Africa.
b) OAU role in building peace and democracy
9.a) Asses the impact of regional integration efforts on development in Africa.
b) What has been the contribution of Africa to the Non-aligned movement?
10.Write short notes on the following:
a) Peacekeeping efforts in Africa in the post-Cold War era
b) Resurgence of ethnic identity in Africa
COURSE: PEACE AND CONFLICT STUDIES (MPSE-006)
TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT
TMA
Course Code: MPSE-006
Assignment Code: ASST/TMA/2008-09
Marks: 100
Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. Each question carries 20 marks.
SECTION - I
1.Trace the evolution of civil society in its relationship with the state. Asses its role in conflict containment and resolution.
2.What is war? Examine the theories or conceptions of war at the system, state and individual levels.
3.Critically examine the powers of the Security Council with respect to maintenance of international peace and security.
4.Critically examine the neo-realist and the post-modernist approaches to human security.
5.What are the main features and assumptions of functionalism? How does it differ from neo-functionalism?
SECTION - II
6.Write short notes on the following:
a) Meaning and forms of insurgency
b).Arbitration as a method of settlement of disputes
7.Write short notes on the following:
a) Asymmetric war and its relationship with terrorism
b) Adjudicatory role of the International Court of Justice
8.a) Examine the main features of the US nuclear strategy bringing out the
changes brought about by the SDI.
b) How does Clausewitz’s theory of war differ from the Eschatological and
Cataclysmic theories of war?
9.a) Describe the procedure adopted by the World Trade Organisation to
resolve disputes between nations.
b)Briefly describe Gandhi’s vision of peace.
10.a) Examine the role of regional organisations in conflict prevention and conflict
resolution.
b) Critically examine the major models of international peace based on the
distribution of power among nations.
COURSE: SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND POLITICS IN INDIA(MPSE-007)
TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT
TMA
Course Code: MPSE-007
Assignment Code:ASST/TMA/2008-09
Marks: 100
Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. Each question carries 20 marks.
SECTION –I
1.Discuss the differences between the social and political movements and the importance of these movements in democracy.
2. Critically assess the Marxist approach to the social movements.
3. Discuss the impact of globalization on the social movements.
4.What do you mean by a ethnic movement? Explain with some examples from north-east India.
5.Write an essay on the state’s response to regional movements.
SECTION-II
6.Comment on the following:
a) The new social movements
b) Ideology of the BSP
7.Answer the following questions:
a) How do the backward classes affect electoral politics?
b) What role are women playing in social movements?
8. Answer the following in your own words:
a) Discuss the main arguments in the discourse on the Indian state.
b) What are the main problems of the fisher folks? Discuss.
9. Comment on the following:
a) Characteristics of the farmers’ movements
b) Workers’ movements in the post-Independence period
10. Answer the following questions:
a) Discuss the main features of the Chipko movement.
b) Highlight the differences in the backward class movements in south and
northIndia.
COURSE: STATE POLITICS IN INDIA (MPSE-008)
TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT
TMA
Course Code: MPSE-008
Assignment Code: ASST/TMA/2008-09
Marks: 100
Answer any five questions in your own language in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. Each question carries 20 marks.
SECTION I
1.Write an essay on the development of state politics in India.
2.Discuss religious diversity in India.
3.Examine the determinants of electoral behavior in India.
4.Compare the self-determination movements and anti-development movements.
5.Discuss the meaning and relevance of sustainable development.
SECTION -II
6. Write notes on the following:
a) Assertion of identities in Indian states
b) Systemic framework to study state politics
.
7.Answer the following questions:
a) Discuss the role of the governor in relation to the autonomy of the states
b) What are the main reasons of the inter-state disputes?
8. Comment on the following:
a) Reasons for the demand of statehood
b) Electoral reforms
9. Answer the following questions:
a) Why did the Congress system (1967-1989) break down?
b) How did the land reforms contribute to the emergence of Kulaks?
Discuss.
10. Write notes on the following:
a) States and economic reforms
b) Organisations of the backward castes
COURSE: CANADA: POLITICS AND SOCIETY (MPSE-009)
TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT
TMA
Course Code: MPSE-009
Assignment Code: ASST/TMA/2008-09
Marks: 100
Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. Each question carries 20 marks.
SECTION-I
1.Evaluate the nature and significance of the Charter of Rights provided in the Constitution of Canada.
2.How is independence of Judiciary maintained in Canada? What is its importance?
3.Analyse the basic characteristics of Canadian Party System.
4.Describe the nature and ideology of anti-globalisation movement in Canada.
5.What steps has the Government of Canada taken since 1982 to deal with the question of self-government for aboriginal people.?
SECTION-II
6.Explain the nature, role and limitations of civil society participation in Canada’s
policyprocess.
7.What do you understand by Quiet Revolution? How has this encouraged the
Process of Quebec Nationalism?
8.Write an essay on Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism.
9.What constitutional safeguards have been provided for the protection of minorities in Canada?
10.How is liberal Internationalism reflected in the Foreign Policy of Canada?
COURSE: THE EUROPEAN UNIONIN WORLD AFFAIRS(MPSE-011)
TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT
TMA
Course Code: MPSE-011
Assignment Code: ASST/TMA/2008-09
Marks: 100
Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. Each question carries 20 marks.
SECTION-I
1.How has European Community formed? Discuss its implications for world trade.
2.Describe the constitution and functions of European Parliaments.
3.What are the main features of the Single Market? Describe its effects in Europe.
4.Describe the main provisions of the EU Constitutional Treaty and problems it has face in ratification.
5.Evaluate France’s attitude and role in the formation of the European Union.
SECTION-II
6.What steps have been taken to reform Common Agricultural Policy?
7.Critically evaluate European Security and Defence Policy.
8.Describe the political and economic relations between European Union and the U.S.A.
9.How have the political relations between European Union and India evolved.
10.Describe the attitude and role of the European Union in WTO.
COURSE: STATE AND SOCIETY IN AUSTRALIA (MPSE-012)
TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT
TMA
Course Code: MPSE–012
Assignment Code:ASST/TMA/2008-09
Marks: 100
Answer any five questions in about 500 words each. Attempt at least two questions from each section. Each question carries 20 marks.
SECTION I
1.Explain the main characteristics and cultural complexity of Australian Society.
2.Critically examine the social impact of the Australian colonial policy towards the aborigines.
3.Describe Australia’s Multicultural Policy. What impact did it have on immigrants to Australia?
4.What was the referendum of 1999 in Australia about and why did it fail? Discuss.
5.Examine the working of Federalism in Australia.
SECTION-II
6.Answer the following in your own words: