MPS 04
COMPARATIVE POLITICS: ISSUES AND TRENDS
MPS 04 Solved Free Assignment 2023
MPS 04 Solved Free Assignment January 2023
Answer five questions in all, selecting at least two questions from each section
SECTION-I
Q 1. Briefly describe the main approaches to nationalism.
Ans. Nationalism is a complex and multifaceted concept, and there are many different approaches to understanding and defining it.
Broadly speaking, however, there are three main approaches to nationalism that are commonly recognized: cultural, political, and civic.
Cultural nationalism
Cultural nationalism emphasizes the importance of shared cultural characteristics and values as the basis for national identity.
This approach emphasizes the importance of language, religion, traditions, and customs as defining elements of a nation.
Cultural nationalists argue that nations are not merely political entities, but rather communities of people who share a common culture and heritage.
Cultural nationalism can be seen in the examples of many European nations, such as Germany, France, and Italy, which were formed on the basis of shared cultural characteristics and language.
Cultural nationalism can also be seen in the example of Ireland, which gained independence from Britain in the early 20th century largely as a result of cultural and linguistic differences. MPS 04 Solved Free Assignment 2023
One of the criticisms of cultural nationalism is that it can exclude those who do not fit the dominant cultural norms of the nation.
For example, immigrants or minority groups may find it difficult to fully participate in a cultural nationalist society if they do not share the dominant cultural values and traditions.
Political nationalism
Political nationalism emphasizes the importance of political institutions and structures as the basis for national identity. This approach sees the nation as a political community, defined by a shared system of government and political values.
Political nationalists argue that nations are not defined by cultural or linguistic characteristics, but rather by the political structures and institutions that they share.
Political nationalism can be seen in the examples of many post-colonial African nations, which were formed largely on the basis of political structures and institutions that were established by colonial powers.
Political nationalism can also be seen in the example of the United States, which was founded on the principles of democracy and political equality.
One of the criticisms of political nationalism is that it can be overly reliant on the state as the primary institution for promoting national identity.
This can lead to authoritarianism and a lack of democratic accountability if the state becomes too powerful. MPS 04 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Civic nationalism
Civic nationalism emphasizes the importance of shared civic values and institutions as the basis for national identity.
This approach sees the nation as a community of individuals who share a commitment to certain political and social ideals, such as democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
Civic nationalists argue that nations are not defined by cultural or political characteristics, but rather by a shared commitment to these universal values.
Civic nationalism can be seen in the example of many Western democracies, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, which are often characterized as “multicultural” or “pluralist” societies.
These countries have diverse populations that are united by a shared commitment to democratic values and institutions.
One of the criticisms of civic nationalism is that it can be overly abstract and disconnected from the lived experiences of people who belong to the nation.
Without a shared cultural or political heritage, it can be difficult for individuals to feel a strong sense of national identity or belonging.
In conclusion, nationalism is a complex and multifaceted concept that can be approached from many different perspectives.
Cultural, political, and civic nationalism are the three main approaches that are commonly recognized, each emphasizing a different set of values and institutions as the basis for national identity.
While each approach has its strengths and weaknesses, they all share a common goal of promoting a sense of national identity and belonging among individuals who share a common heritage, culture, or set of values.
Q 2. Analyse the impact of regional integration on the state and its sovereignty.
Ans. Regional integration refers to the process of countries coming together to form a regional bloc with the aim of fostering closer economic, social, and political ties.
It involves the creation of a common market, harmonization of policies, and the removal of barriers to trade, among other things.
While regional integration has several advantages, such as increased trade and investment, there are concerns that it may negatively impact state sovereignty. This essay will analyze the impact of regional integration on the state and its sovereignty.
The concept of sovereignty refers to the supreme authority of a state to govern itself without external interference. It is a fundamental principle of international law that recognizes the independence and autonomy of states.
Sovereignty is often considered a key aspect of statehood, and its erosion could undermine a state’s legitimacy and its ability to govern.
Therefore, any factor that could negatively impact state sovereignty must be carefully analyzed. MPS 04 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Regional integration can impact state sovereignty in various ways. Firstly, it can lead to the creation of supranational institutions that can undermine state authority.
Supranational institutions are organizations that are authorized to make decisions that are binding on member states.
These institutions can limit a state’s ability to make decisions on its own, thereby undermining its sovereignty.
For example, the European Union (EU) has created several supranational institutions, such as the European Parliament and the European Court of Justice, that have the power to make decisions that are binding on member states.
These institutions can overrule decisions made by individual member states, limiting their sovereignty.
Secondly, regional integration can lead to the harmonization of policies and laws, which can limit a state’s ability to make independent decisions.
Harmonization involves the process of aligning policies and laws across different states to create a uniform framework.
While harmonization can lead to greater cooperation and coordination, it can also limit a state’s ability to make independent decisions.
For example, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the EU requires member states to follow a common agricultural policy, limiting their ability to make independent decisions on agricultural matters.
Thirdly, regional integration can lead to the creation of regional courts that can overrule decisions made by national courts.
Regional courts are established to resolve disputes between member states and ensure that regional laws are implemented. However, they can also limit a state’s ability to make independent decisions.
For example, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) can overrule decisions made by national courts, limiting their sovereignty.
However, while regional integration can limit state sovereignty, it can also have positive impacts. Firstly, regional integration can lead to increased economic growth and development, which can benefit member states.
The creation of a common market can lead to increased trade and investment, which can boost economic growth. MPS 04 Solved Free Assignment 2023
For example, the creation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) led to increased trade and investment between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, benefiting all three countries.
Secondly, regional integration can lead to increased political stability and security. By fostering closer ties between member states, regional integration can help to prevent conflict and promote cooperation.
For example, the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has helped to promote political stability and cooperation in Southeast Asia.
Thirdly, regional integration can lead to increased cooperation on issues such as climate change, human rights, and poverty reduction.
By working together, member states can pool resources and expertise to tackle these global challenges. For example, the African Union (AU) has established several initiatives to promote sustainable development and poverty reduction in Africa.
Furthermore, regional integration can be a tool for strengthening state sovereignty, rather than weakening it.
By working together with other states in a regional bloc, a state can increase its bargaining power in international negotiations and promote its national interests.
Regional integration can also help to promote the rule of law and respect for human rights, which are essential components of state sovereignty.
Finally, it is important to note that regional integration is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
The success of regional integration depends on a variety of factors, such as the level of economic development of member states, their political systems, and their willingness to cooperate.
Therefore, each regional integration initiative must be carefully tailored to the specific needs and circumstances of its member states.
In conclusion, regional integration can have both positive and negative impacts on state sovereignty. MPS 04 Solved Free Assignment 2023
While it can limit a state’s ability to make independent decisions, it can also lead to increased economic growth, political stability, and cooperation on global challenges.
Therefore, it is important for states to carefully consider the impact of regional integration before joining a regional bloc.
States should also work to ensure that their sovereignty is not unduly undermined by regional integration.
This can be achieved by negotiating favorable terms for membership and ensuring that supranational institutions are accountable to member states.
SECTION-II
Q 6. a) Gramsci’s conception of civil society
b) Marxist conception of political economy
Ans. Antonio Gramsci was an Italian Marxist philosopher and political theorist who developed the concept of civil society in the early 20th century. Gramsci’s conception of civil society is a critical component of his theory of cultural hegemony.
He argued that civil society was an essential element of social and political life and that it played a crucial role in the maintenance of the dominant ideology.
According to Gramsci, civil society is the realm of social life that is not controlled by the state. It is made up of a complex network of institutions, organizations, and associations that exist between the state and the family.
Civil society includes everything from the media, trade unions, and churches to schools, sports clubs, and cultural institutions. These institutions play a vital role in shaping people’s values, beliefs, and attitudes.
For Gramsci, civil society was a battleground for the contestation of power. He believed that the dominant ideology was maintained through a combination of force and consent.
While the state used its coercive power to maintain control, civil society played a crucial role in securing the consent of the population.
Gramsci argued that the dominant ideology was maintained through the construction of a cultural hegemony, where the ruling class was able to persuade the population to accept its values and worldview as natural and legitimate.
Gramsci’s conception of civil society has been influential in Marxist theory and has influenced many subsequent theories of social and political change.
His emphasis on the importance of cultural power and the role of civil society in the maintenance of the dominant ideology has been particularly influential.
In addition, Gramsci argued that civil society was not a neutral space but was instead deeply embedded in the existing power relations of society.
He believed that civil society was an integral part of the state and that it could be used to challenge and subvert the dominant ideology.
Through the formation of counter-hegemonic alliances, Gramsci believed that civil society could challenge the power of the ruling class and bring about social and political change. MPS 04 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Furthermore, Gramsci’s conception of civil society has been criticized for being too focused on the state and its relationship to civil society.
Critics argue that his theory neglects the role of the economy and the importance of class struggle in shaping social and political change.
Ans (b) Marxist conception of political economy is a theoretical framework developed by Karl Marx, which analyzes the relationship between economic systems and political power.
According to Marx, political power is closely linked to economic power, and those who control the means of production also control political institutions. Thus, political economy is a study of the relationship between economics and politics.
Marx believed that capitalism is inherently exploitative, and that it creates a class system in which a small ruling class benefits at the expense of the working class.
In Marxist theory, the means of production are owned by the ruling class, who exploit the labor of the working class to generate profits. The working class, in turn, is alienated from their work and from society as a whole.
Marx believed that the capitalist system is driven by the pursuit of profit, and that the market is the primary mechanism by which economic activity is organized.
However, Marx saw the market as an inherently unstable and crisis-prone system, which inevitably leads to periodic economic downturns and recessions.
Marx argued that capitalism’s inherent contradictions would ultimately lead to its downfall, as workers became increasingly exploited and disenfranchised.
Marxist political economy also emphasizes the importance of class struggle in shaping economic and political systems. MPS 04 Solved Free Assignment 2023
According to Marx, social change is driven by the conflict between the ruling class and the working class, with the ruling class using its economic and political power to maintain its position of dominance.
Marx believed that the working class had the potential to overthrow the ruling class and create a more equitable society, but that this would require a revolution and the establishment of a socialist or communist system.
One of the key concepts in Marxist political economy is the labor theory of value. According to this theory, the value of a good or service is determined by the amount of labor that goes into producing it.
Marx argued that the working class creates all value in the economy through their labor, but that they receive only a fraction of the value they produce as wages. The rest is appropriated by the capitalist class as profit.
Finally, Marxist political economy also critiques the notion of a “free market” as a myth, arguing that economic systems are always shaped by political power relations.
In Marxist theory, the state plays a key role in regulating the economy and shaping economic outcomes, often in the interests of the ruling class.
Thus, Marxist political economy sees economic and political systems as fundamentally intertwined and mutually reinforcing.
Q 7.a) State building and nation building
b) Cultural deprivation as an inducement to ethnicity
Ans. State building and nation building are two closely related concepts that refer to the process of constructing and consolidating political entities and cultural communities, respectively.
While the two concepts share some similarities, they also have distinct differences in terms of their goals and methods. MPS 04 Solved Free Assignment 2023
State building refers to the process of creating and strengthening the institutions of government and governance within a specific territory.
This may involve establishing the rule of law, building a bureaucracy, creating a tax system, and developing a military and police force.
The aim of state building is to establish a stable and effective system of government that can provide for the needs and interests of the population.
Nation building, on the other hand, refers to the process of creating a shared sense of identity and belonging among a group of people who share cultural and historical ties.
This may involve promoting a common language, creating cultural institutions, and celebrating shared traditions and values.
The aim of nation building is to foster a sense of solidarity and unity among a population, which can help to overcome divisions and conflicts.
While state building and nation building may have different goals and methods, they are often closely interconnected.
For example, a strong and effective state can help to promote nation building by providing the infrastructure and resources necessary to support cultural institutions and promote a shared sense of identity.
Similarly, a strong sense of national identity can help to promote political stability and effective governance. MPS 04 Solved Free Assignment 2023
However, state building and nation building can also come into conflict. In some cases, efforts to establish a strong and centralized state may be seen as threatening to local cultures and identities, leading to resistance and conflict.
Similarly, efforts to promote a sense of national identity may be seen as divisive or exclusionary, particularly in multicultural societies.
Overall, state building and nation building are complex and ongoing processes that require careful attention to the needs and interests of diverse populations.
While they may have different goals and methods, both are essential for creating stable, prosperous, and inclusive societies.
Ans (b) Cultural deprivation refers to the lack of access to cultural resources and experiences that are essential for the development of an individual’s cultural identity.
Ethnicity, on the other hand, refers to a person’s membership in a particular ethnic group, which is characterized by shared cultural practices, beliefs, and values.
In some cases, cultural deprivation can lead to an inducement to ethnicity, where individuals or groups may seek to strengthen their ethnic identity as a means of coping with or compensating for the cultural deprivation they have experienced.
One way in which cultural deprivation can induce ethnicity is by creating a sense of isolation and alienation from mainstream culture.
Individuals who lack access to cultural resources and experiences may feel disconnected from the dominant culture, leading them to seek out alternative forms of cultural identity that are more meaningful to them.
This can lead to the formation of ethnic enclaves, where individuals of a particular ethnic group come together to share cultural practices, beliefs, and values.
Another way in which cultural deprivation can induce ethnicity is by fostering a sense of cultural pride and nationalism. MPS 04 Solved Free Assignment 2023
When individuals are deprived of access to mainstream cultural resources and experiences, they may develop a strong attachment to their own cultural heritage and traditions.
This can lead to the development of a strong sense of cultural pride and nationalism, where individuals may seek to promote and celebrate their own culture as a means of compensating for the cultural deprivation they have experienced.
Cultural deprivation can also induce ethnicity by creating a sense of cultural insecurity and vulnerability.
When individuals lack access to cultural resources and experiences, they may feel that their cultural identity is under threat or at risk of being erased.
This can lead to a sense of cultural insecurity and vulnerability, where individuals may seek to assert their cultural identity more strongly as a means of protecting it from outside influences.
In some cases, cultural deprivation can lead to the formation of subcultures within ethnic groups.
When individuals within a particular ethnic group are deprived of access to mainstream cultural resources and experiences, they may develop their own unique subculture that is distinct from the dominant culture of their ethnic group.
This can lead to the formation of subcultures within ethnic groups that are based on shared cultural practices, beliefs, and values.
Finally, cultural deprivation can induce ethnicity by creating a sense of cultural resistance and rebellion. MPS 04 Solved Free Assignment 2023
When individuals are deprived of access to mainstream cultural resources and experiences, they may develop a sense of cultural resentment and rebellion.
This can lead to the formation of countercultural movements within ethnic groups, where individuals may seek to challenge and subvert the dominant cultural norms and values of their ethnic group in order to assert their own cultural identity.
Q 8. Critically evaluate Maurice Duverger’s classification of Party Systems
Ans. Maurice Duverger was a French political scientist who is best known for his contributions to the study of political parties and electoral systems.
One of his most influential works is his classification of party systems, which he first introduced in his 1951 book, “Political Parties.”
This classification system has since become a standard framework for analyzing party systems around the world. In this essay, I will critically evaluate Duverger’s classification of party systems.
Duverger’s classification system is based on two primary criteria: the number of parties and the degree of institutionalization of those parties.
According to Duverger, there are three types of party systems: single-party systems, two-party systems, and multi-party systems.
Single-party systems are characterized by the dominance of a single political party, which holds a monopoly on political power.
Two-party systems are characterized by the dominance of two major parties, which compete for political power. Finally, multi-party systems are characterized by the presence of multiple political parties, which compete for political power.
One of the strengths of Duverger’s classification system is its simplicity and clarity. By focusing on just two primary criteria, Duverger is able to provide a clear and concise framework for analyzing party systems.
This makes it easy for researchers and analysts to compare party systems across different countries and contexts. MPS 04 Solved Free Assignment 2023
Moreover, Duverger’s classification system is flexible enough to accommodate different variations and nuances within each type of party system.
However, Duverger’s classification system has also been criticized for its simplicity and lack of nuance. Some scholars have argued that the three-party system classification oversimplifies the complex realities of party systems in many countries.
For example, some two-party systems may actually be more diverse than some multi-party systems, depending on the number and diversity of interest groups represented within each party.
Moreover, the degree of institutionalization of political parties can vary widely within each type of party system, making it difficult to draw clear distinctions between them.
Another weakness of Duverger’s classification system is its emphasis on the number of parties, to the exclusion of other important factors.
For example, Duverger does not take into account the ideological diversity of political parties, which can be a significant factor in shaping the dynamics of a party system.
Moreover, the classification system does not account for other institutional factors, such as the electoral system or the role of interest groups, which can also influence the behavior of political parties.
Despite these limitations, Duverger’s classification system has proven to be a useful framework for analyzing party systems in many different countries and contexts.
The system has been widely adopted by scholars and analysts, and has generated a significant amount of research and debate.
Moreover, Duverger’s work has helped to draw attention to the important role that political parties play in shaping democratic systems around the world.
One of the key strengths of Duverger’s classification system is its applicability to a wide range of political systems. MPS 04 Solved Free Assignment 2023
The system has been used to analyze party systems in countries with very different political histories, cultures, and economic conditions.
By providing a universal framework for analyzing party systems, Duverger’s classification system has helped to make political science more accessible and relevant to a broader audience.
Another strength of Duverger’s classification system is its ability to highlight the differences between different types of party systems.
By identifying the key characteristics of each type of party system, the system helps to draw attention to the unique challenges and opportunities that arise in each system.
This can be especially helpful for policymakers, who can use this information to develop more effective strategies for building and sustaining democratic systems.
However, one limitation of Duverger’s classification system is that it tends to focus on the formal institutions of party politics, such as party structure and electoral systems.
This can sometimes lead to an overemphasis on the mechanics of party politics, to the detriment of other important factors, such as social and economic conditions, cultural attitudes, and historical legacies.
As a result, the system may sometimes miss the nuances and complexities of party systems in different countries.
Another limitation of Duverger’s classification system is that it assumes a static and fixed relationship between the number of parties and the stability of the party system.
According to Duverger, two-party systems are inherently more stable than multi-party systems, and single-party systems are even more stable than two-party systems.
However, this assumption has been challenged by some scholars, who argue that the relationship between the number of parties and the stability of the party system is much more complex and contingent on a variety of factors.
MPS 03 Solved Free Assignment 2023
MPS 02 Solved Free Assignment 2023
MPS 01 Solved Free Assignment 2023