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