(IGNOU) MPSE- 007 Most Important Questions with answers English Medium- MPSE-007 is a course code for Social Movements and Politics in India offered by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) as part of their Master of Arts (MA) in Political Science program. It’s a compulsory course for the second semester of the MPS program.
- Course code: MPSE-007
- Course name: Social Movements and Politics in India
- Credits: 4
- Level: Postgraduate
Course Description
MPSE-007 examines the diverse and ever-evolving landscape of social movements in India. It explores their origins, ideologies, strategies, and impact on the nation’s political discourse and development. The course provides a critical analysis of various social movements, ranging from historical struggles for independence and social justice to contemporary movements addressing issues like environmentalism, gender equality, and indigenous rights.
Course Structure
- Social Movements: Meanings, Significance and Components
- Approaches to Study Social Movements: Liberal, Gandhian and Marxian
- Classification of Social Movements Including New Social Movements
- Democratisation and Changing Nature of Indian Society
- Globalisation and Social Movements
- State, Market and Social Movements
- Dalit Movement
- Backward Class Movements
- Ethnic Movements with Special Reference to Tribals
- Women’s Movements
- Regional Movements
- Religious and Communal Movements
- Agrarian Movements
1) What is the importance of a study of social movements in understanding politics?
Ans. Many political philosophers and leaders conceive the ideal political system and social order. They plead for a necessity and sometimes inevitability of social movements including a revolutionary movement to oppose the ‘present’ political regime and the system and to establish the system which they consider ‘ideal’ and perfect capable to resolve the problems of society. So once the ‘new’ or ideal social order is established social movements have no place to exist. What at the most requires is changes in institutional mechanism to resolve conflict that may arise. They find social movements not only redundant but also detrimental in the ideal social order. Often such movements are looked upon either as ‘counter revolutionary’ and reactionary and/or impulsive, and naïve and/or irresponsible. In this view dissent is not appreciated and even not tolerated. This is what happened in soviet Russia after the October Revolution in 1917. (IGNOU) MPSE- 007 Most Important Questions with answers
During the 1950s and 1960s not only several leaders of the ruling party but also political scientists in India looked down strikes, demonstrations and mass movements as disruptive and therefore ‘illegal’. One of them argued: ‘One can understand if not justify the reasons which led the people in a dependent country to attack and destroy everything which was a symbol or an expression of foreign rule. But it is very strange that people should even now behave as if they continue to live in a dependent country ruled by foreigners.’ The assumption that the ideal political system is ipso facto capable of resolving all conflict in society is simplistic. Such view is dangerous for democratic social order. There is not, and cannot be an end of history; the final destination and fool proof system.
(IGNOU) MPSE- 007 Most Important Questions with answers English Medium- This is not a static concept of political system and society. Each society has its own contradictions. The system may resolve some issues but also can generate new areas of conflict among different segments of society. The leaders and the members of their class or social group leading the movements are likely to occupy seat of power and reap benefits. That situation generates conflict between the beneficiaries and the deprived. Moreover, those who dominate and occupy seat of power tend to claim to have ultimate and all wisdom for the ‘good of society’. There is a tendency among the political leaders not to step down from power. Sometimes they feel that without them others would harm society. Such a tendency leads to intolerance towards dissent and opposition. Dissent is a spirit of democracy. And social movement is one form of organised dissent. (IGNOU) MPSE- 007 Most Important Questions with answers English Medium
2) Explain difference between riot and social movement.
3) What are the common elements of different definitions of social movement?
4) Which are the main components of social movements?
5) What is the difference between ‘social’ and ‘political’ movements?
6) What is the importance of theoretical framework in understanding social movements?
7) What is the significance of “class conflict” in Marxist framework to analyse social movements?
8) How ‘subaltern studies’ approach differs from the mainstream Marxist approach?
9) Is social movement dis-functional to the functioning of political system? Why?
10) “Purity of means is the central to Gandhian approach” Explain.
11) Explain the main features of Gandhian form of Satyagraha.
12) Discuss Resource Mobilisation theory in social movement literature.
13) Explain the importance of Relative Deprivation theory in the analysis of social movements.
14) Explain the meaning of “dalit” and discuss dalit mobilisation during the pre-colonial period.
15) Critically evaluate the growth, ideology and the social base of the Bahujan Samaj Party.