January 2025

Examine M.S. Golwalkar’s views on negative and positive Hindutva.

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M.S. Golwalkar (1906–1973) was a key figure in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a Hindu nationalist organization in India. Golwalkar wrote several books and delivered many speeches on what he believed to be the essence of Hindu identity, society, and culture. He spoke about Hindutva, which is often translated as “Hindu-ness” or the cultural essence […]

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Examine the arrival of nationalism in early 19th century India.

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Nationalism in India did not suddenly appear with the Indian National Congress in the late 19th century. Its roots can be traced back to various social, cultural, and political changes during the early 19th century. During this period, India was under the control of the British East India Company, which gradually established its power after

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Examine Sri Aurobindo’s critique of political moderates in Indian National Movements.

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Sri Aurobindo (1872–1950) was a key figure in India’s freedom struggle, known for his intellectual, nationalist, and spiritual contributions. In the early stages of his political life, he was actively involved in criticizing the “moderate” faction of the Indian National Congress. These moderates believed in petitioning the British rulers for gradual reforms and argued that

Examine Sri Aurobindo’s critique of political moderates in Indian National Movements. Read More »

Discuss the inter-relationship between religion and polity in pre-modern Indian Political Thought.

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In pre-modern India, religion and polity were deeply intertwined. Religious traditions often shaped political ideas, and rulers frequently used religious symbols and values to gain legitimacy. By “pre-modern,” we usually refer to the period before the major influences of colonialism and modern western ideas—roughly up to the 18th century. During this time, various dynasties, empires,

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Write a short note on each part of the following questions in about 250 words [A] Marx’s Historical Materialism [B] John Locke on social contract and civil society

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(a): Marx’s Historical Materialism Karl Marx (1818–1883) was a German philosopher, economist, and social theorist whose ideas have had a huge impact on politics, economics, and society. One of his most important contributions is Historical Materialism. This concept explains how human history is shaped by material or economic conditions. To keep it simple, Marx believed

Write a short note on each part of the following questions in about 250 words [A] Marx’s Historical Materialism [B] John Locke on social contract and civil society Read More »

Write a short note on each part of the following questions in about 250 words. (A) Plato’s methodology (B) Hegel’s theory of state

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(a): Plato’s Methodology Plato (427–347 BC) was an ancient Greek philosopher, a student of Socrates, and the teacher of Aristotle. He is famous for founding the Academy in Athens, one of the earliest known institutions of higher learning in the Western world. Plato’s work covers many areas—ethics, politics, metaphysics, and epistemology. However, one of his

Write a short note on each part of the following questions in about 250 words. (A) Plato’s methodology (B) Hegel’s theory of state Read More »

Write a short note on each part of the following questions in about 250 words (A) Immanuel Kant’s transcendental–idealist view of human nature (B) Alexis de Tocqueville on religion

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(a): Immanuel Kant’s Transcendental–Idealist View of Human Nature Immanuel Kant (1724–1804) was a German philosopher whose ideas transformed modern philosophy, particularly in the areas of ethics, epistemology, and metaphysics. One of his most notable contributions was his transcendental idealism, which examines how human knowledge and experiences are formed. Although Kant is best known for his

Write a short note on each part of the following questions in about 250 words (A) Immanuel Kant’s transcendental–idealist view of human nature (B) Alexis de Tocqueville on religion Read More »

Write a short note on each part of the following questions in about 250 words (a) J.S. Mill on Representative Government (b) Edmund Burke’s views on Religion and Toleration

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(a): J.S. Mill on Representative Government John Stuart Mill (1806–1873) was a British philosopher and economist known for his works on liberty, utilitarianism, and political theory. One of his key contributions is his book Considerations on Representative Government (1861). In this book, Mill discusses why democracy is valuable, how it should work, and what kind

Write a short note on each part of the following questions in about 250 words (a) J.S. Mill on Representative Government (b) Edmund Burke’s views on Religion and Toleration Read More »

Write a short note on each part of the following questions in about 250 words (a) Thomas Hobbes on the rights and duties of sovereign (b) Bentham’s political philosophy

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(a): Thomas Hobbes on the Rights and Duties of the Sovereign Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) was an English philosopher best known for his work Leviathan, where he explained his ideas about human nature, society, and government. Hobbes lived during a time of great political turmoil in England, including the Civil War. This shaped his belief that

Write a short note on each part of the following questions in about 250 words (a) Thomas Hobbes on the rights and duties of sovereign (b) Bentham’s political philosophy Read More »

Elaborate upon Machiavelli’s classification of governments.

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Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527) was an Italian diplomat, philosopher, and writer during the Renaissance period. He is often called the “father of modern political science” because he presented a practical view of politics and power. One of his most famous works is The Prince, where he advises rulers on how to gain and keep power. In

Elaborate upon Machiavelli’s classification of governments. Read More »