Course Catalogue

Module:          PS201 – Eastern Political Thought

Credit value:                         12

Programme:                          B.A. PS

 General objective:

This module extends the scope of the political thinkers from  western to Eastern Political thinkers. Usually the eastern political thought is submerged in to the overall western political thought.  However,  here  we  are  building  a  separate  module  on  various  eastern  thinkers ranging from ancient thinkers to recent ones.

Learning outcome:

On the successful completion of the module the students will be able to:

           Demonstrate a basic understanding of the developments in Indian Political Thought.

           Understanding of the current debates of both east and west.

           Compare major themes of eastern and western political thought.

           Have a basic understanding of Chinese political thought with special reference to

Confucius and Mao.

           Have a comprehensive understanding of Bhutanese political thought with its focus and nature.

           Have an introductory knowledge about the religious political thought.

           State the important themes in the Japanese political thought

Learning and teaching approach:

Lectures (60 hours) Tutorials (15 hours)

Group Discussion (15 hours) Assignments (30 hours)

This module counts for 120 credits, divided over a period of 15 weeks. With a maximum of 8 hours per week, the number of teaching hours is four per week. There will be a one-hour tutorial, once per week, and three hours are being reserved for self-study and research.

 

 

Assessment:

End Semester Examination (40%) Mid Semester Examination (15%) Written assignments (2×15= 30%) Assignment presentation (10%) Class Participation (05%)

Subject matter:

Part 1: Indian Political Thought

         i. Kautiliya : Saptang Theory, Rajmandal Theory, King

        ii. Gandhi: Criticism of western civilization, Truth and Non Violence, Sarvodaya,            Gram Swarajya

iii. B.R. Ambedkar: Democracy, Caste system

iv. Nehru: Democracy and socialism, scientific temper, Internationalism v. Savarkar Hindu rashtra and cultural Nationalism

 vi. M.N.Roy: Marxism, Humanism

 vii. Sri Aurobindo: Nationalism

Part 2: Chinese Political Thought

I. Confucius

ii. Mao-tse-tung

Part 3: Japanese Political Thought: An overview of the modern Japanese political history

Part 4: Bhutanese Political Thought

Zhebdrung Ngwang Namgyel

Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuk

His Majesty King Jigme Singay Wangchuck

Part 5: Religious Political thought

          i. Islamic Political Thought  ii. Hindu Political Thought

         iii. Buddhist Political thought

Reading list:

Text Books

Chandra, Prakash(1998)Modern Indian Political Thought, Sangam Books, New Delhi.

Chen, Y.P (2007) Chinese Political Thought, Buy.com.

Varma, V.P.,(1959) Hindu Political Thought. Motilal Banarsidas, Delhi.

Ward, Graham (2006)  Religion and Political Thought: Key Readings - Past and Present, Continunm Publishing,New york.

Aris, M. (2005) The Raven Crown: The Origins of Buddhist Monarchy in Bhutan. Serindia

Publications, delhi.

Reference Books

Allain Bouc(1996) Mao : A guide to his Thought, St. Martin’s Press, New York.

Bell,  D.A.,(2007)   Confucian  Political  Ethics.  Ethikon  Series  in  Comparative  Ethics, Princeton University Press, New York.

Das,B.S (1995) Mission to Bhutan: A Nation in Transition. Kay Kay Printers, Delhi

Iver, R.I. (2000) Moral and Political Thought of Mahatma Gandhi. Oxford University Press, Delhi.

Jones,  C.,(2005)   Political  Philosophy  in  Japan:  Nishida,  the  Kyoto  School  and  Co- prosperity. Routledge/Leiden Series on Modern East Asian History and Politics, Routledge Curzon, London.

Khan, S (2003)Muslim Reformist Political Thought: Revivalists, Modernists and Free Will.

Central Asia Research Forum, Routledge Curzon, London.

Thaye,Yonten; Jamtsho,Kunga (2003) The Necklace of Pearls: Biography of the 13th Druk

Desi Sherab Wangchuk 1697-1765, Thimpu.

Varma, V.P.,(1974)  Studies in Hindu political thought  and its metaphysical foundations.

unknown binding, Motilal Banrsidas, New Delhi

Wuthnow,R.(1992) The encyclopedia of Politics and Religion, CQ Press, New york