Politics

Political Change: India

Module code: L2095
Level 6
30 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Seminar
Assessment modes: Essay, Coursework

This module explores key themes in Indian politics and society to understand the process of political change since its independence. You'll analyse how the relationship between political actors and the wider society has been transformed through the rise of ethnic parties and identity politics, the growing importance of state-level parties and civil society movements. It explores how political parties are faced with the need to respond to demands from these organised interests and social movements. 

The key themes analysed in this module are:

• the transformation of Indian party system from single party dominated system to a fragmented and multi-party competitive system
• political importance of socially underprivileged groups, ethnic parties and identity politics
• the increased prominence of regional parties and emergence of coalition politics
• the growing influence of civil society, mass movements and media
• the key challenges facing the Indian nation

While exploring the key themes above the module analyses major factors that have led to political change and the ways in which this change has affected political actors in India. The module primarily uses an empirical approach but also presents relevant theoretical constructs and some comparative analysis to provide you with a rich insight into the politics of change in India.

Module learning outcomes

• Be able to account for political change in India since independence
• Develop an argument based on academic sources in an organised and structured way
• Evaluate and use appropriate theories or approaches to the study of politics to account for change in India
• Organise and use evidence from a range of sources to illustrate political change in India