IGNOU MPS-004 Important Questions with answers- IGNOU MPS-004 refers to the course code for Comparative Politics: Issues and Trends in Indira Gandhi National Open University’s Master of Arts (Political Science) program.
- Course code: MPS-004
- Course name: Comparative Politics: Issues and Trends
- Program: Master of Arts (Political Science)
Course Description
IGNOU MPS-004 Important Questions with answers- This course provides a comprehensive understanding of comparative politics, analyzing the political processes, institutions, and ideologies of various countries. It examines contemporary issues and trends such as democracy, globalization, development, human rights, and social movements in a comparative perspective.
- It focuses on various contemporary issues and trends in comparative politics.
- The course examines different approaches to the study of comparative politics, including comparative government, comparative political systems, and comparative public policy.
- It analyzes key concepts like democracy, federalism, nationalism, ethnicity, and civil society in a comparative context.
- The course explores critical issues like globalization, human rights, environmental challenges, and terrorism from a comparative perspective.
Course Structure
- Block 1: Introduction to Comparative Politics
- Block 2: Contemporary Issues in Comparative Politics
- Block 3: Comparative Political Institutions
- Block 4: Comparative Political Processes
Course Syllabus
- Introduction to Comparative Politics: Concepts, methods, and approaches in comparative politics.
- Comparative Democracies: Types of democracies, democratic institutions, and challenges to democracy.
- Comparative Political Systems: Analysis of different political systems (e.g., presidential, parliamentary, federal)
- Contemporary Issues in Comparative Politics: Globalization, development, human rights, social movements, and environmental politics.
- Case Studies in Comparative Politics: In-depth analysis of specific countries or regions.
Q:1 How do you distinguish between the concepts of ‘state building’ and ‘nation building’? What are their respective components?
“State building” and “nation building” are related concepts, but they refer to different aspects of political development and governance.
- Institutional Development: This involves the establishment and enhancement of key state institutions, such as the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Building strong institutions is crucial for governance and the rule of law.
- Capacity Building: Developing the administrative and technical capacity of government agencies is essential for effective service delivery and policy implementation.
- Security Sector Reform: Ensuring the establishment of a professional and accountable security apparatus is part of state building. This includes the police, military, and other relevant security agencies.
- Rule of Law: Promoting and upholding the rule of law is fundamental to state building. This involves ensuring that laws are just, enforced impartially, and accessible to the population.
Nation building is a broader concept that involves fostering a sense of national identity, unity, and social cohesion among diverse populations within a given territory.
- Cultural Integration: Encouraging the acceptance and understanding of diverse cultures within the nation helps build a shared national identity.
- Social Cohesion: Promoting social harmony and inclusivity among different ethnic, religious, and social groups is crucial for nation building.
- Education and Communication: Education plays a vital role in shaping a national identity. Effective communication and public discourse contribute to a shared understanding of national values and goals.
- Civic Engagement: Encouraging citizens to participate in civic activities, such as elections, community development, and public service, fosters a sense of belonging and shared responsibility.
While state building and nation building are distinct concepts, they are often interconnected. A stable and effective state can provide a conducive environment for nation building, and a cohesive national identity can contribute to the stability and legitimacy of state institutions. Successful development often requires attention to both aspects, recognizing their interdependence in shaping a resilient and prosperous society.
Q:2 Discuss the meaning of ‘constitutionalism.’ Is there any contradictionbetween the concepts of ‘constitutional government’ and ‘democracy?’
Q:3 Discuss the constitutional models of the major Western democracies.
Q:4 Discuss the evolutionary’and the revolutionary modes of the growth of constitutionalism. What are the structural implications of their differences?
Q:5 What isthe relevance of constitutionalism tostate buildingtoday?
Q:6 Discuss the meaning of nationality and the factors behind its growth.
Q:7 Analyse the concept of self-determination in its historical setting.
Q:8 Evaluate the debate on the question of national self-determination.
Q:9 What do Marxism and the programme of globalisation have to do with national self- determination?
Q:10 At the core of nationalism are ideas of social solidarity and popularsovereignty. Show how these core ideas manifest themselves in different forms In English and French nationalisms. ,
Q:11 Explain how the idea of the ‘people’ gets constituted in different ways in French and
German nationalisms.
Q: 12 What is the relevance of Anderson’s notion of nationalism forms? How far do you thinkthe notion of formscan be sustained by actual experiencesof nationalisms?
Q: 13 What according to you are the virtues and limits of categorisation of nationalisms as civic and ethnic?
Q:14 Explain the significance of state theory in the contemporary political theory?
Q:15 Analyse the main tenets of the pluralist liberal theory of the state.