Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Democracy - Evolution and Challenges



2021

A comment by me on an Harvard Business School article.

I hope every body with the role of representative of the people in the political system think they are the representatives and make arrangements to collect public opinion on various issues and present them in various legislative bodies. Each representative has to present the current opinion of the people genuinely. He may be a party member and can communicate his wishes to the electorate on a continuous basis. But once he collects their opinion on any issue, he has to present it in the legislature as the opinion and wish of the people. If such a spirit is truly followed, democracies are likely to represent the majority opinion and hard positions can be easily reversed.

Prof. K.V.S.S. Narayana Rao
NITIE, Mumbai, India
21 January 2021



2020

25/DEC/2020
Abraham Lincoln defined democratic government as a government of, for and by the people. This definition was true to the spirit of the origin of democracy in the ancient Greek city states, where all males above 18 years were participating in the day to day affairs of the government.

The essence of democracy is the participation of the people in the day to day affairs of the state. 

Elections and Parliaments are not democracy if  participation of the people in the day to day affairs of the state is not allowed and not encouraged.


Democracy and pluralism are under assault.

WRITTEN BY
Sarah Repucci
Democracy and pluralism are under assault. Dictators are toiling to stamp out the last vestiges of domestic dissent and spread their harmful influence to new corners of the world. At the same time, many freely elected leaders are dramatically narrowing their concerns to a blinkered interpretation of the national interest. In fact, such leaders—including the chief executives of the United States and India, the world’s two largest democracies—are increasingly willing to break down institutional safeguards and disregard the rights of critics and minorities as they pursue their populist agendas.

As a result of these and other trends, Freedom House found that 2019 was the 14th consecutive year of decline in global freedom.




India falls to 51st position in EIU's Democracy Index


NEW DELHI: India slipped 10 places to 51st position in the 2019 Democracy Index's global ranking, according to The Economist Intelligence Unit, which cited "erosion of civil liberties" in the country as the primary cause for the downtrend.

Read more at:


2017

THE GLOBAL STATE OF DEMOCRACY

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) presented the first edition of The Global State of Democracy. The theme is ‘Exploring Democracy’s Resilience’.

The publication analyses global and regional democracy trends and challenges based on International IDEA’s newly developed Global State of Democracy (GSoD) indices, which capture global and regional democratic trends between 1975 and 2015.

https://www.idea.int/gsod/files/IDEA-GSOD-2017-REPORT-EN.pdf

https://www.idea.int/gsod/

International Idea
https://www.idea.int/

FaceBook Page
https://www.facebook.com/pg/InternationalIDEA/posts/


Google Books on Democracy

Democratic Stability in an Age of Crisis: Reassessing the Interwar period
By Agnes Cornell, Jørgen Møller, Svend-Erik Skaaning

Democracy in Europe: A Political Philosophy of the EU
By Daniel Innerarity


Change Elections to Change America: Democracy Matters: Student Organizers in Action
Jay R. Mandle, Joan D. Mandle
Easton Studio Press, LLC, 23-Sep-2014 - Political Science - 168 pages

A social movement is needed to reduce the excessive power of wealth to influence politics. Democracy Matters organizes students in the hope of building such a social movement. It seeks to achieve the enhanced political equality that could be secured with the public funding of election campaigns. Historically, young people have provided a moral compass for their elders, highlighting the need for social change.

Change Elections to Change America is a report on the ongoing experiences of Democracy Matters. It was founded in 2001 when the professional basketball player Adonal Foyle provided initial funding. It has grown and brought the issue of the distorting impact of private wealth to the attention of literally thousands of students on campuses all over the United States. But at the same time it has not yet succeeded in bringing to life the kind of a social movement needed for such a radical change.

Change Elections to Change America describes the activities of Democracy Matters on campuses. It concludes with a positive assessment of the prospects for building a social movement in the digital age. Social media are invaluable tools that facilitate organizing. But they are no substitute for face to face dialogue and persuasion. Success will require a scaling up of organizing efforts. This book is written with the hope that the Democracy Matters experience will inspire others to do the political work that democratizing politics in the United States requires.
https://books.google.co.in/books?id=IP08BAAAQBAJ


Leading For Democracy: A Case-Based Approach to Principal Preparation
By Patrick M. Jenlink, Lee Stewart, Sandra Stewart
https://books.google.co.in/books?id=c40iJMTCw4wC

The Conceptual Politics of Democracy Promotion
edited by Christopher Hobson, Milja Kurki

The Future of Representative Democracy

edited by Sonia Alonso, John Keane, Wolfgang Merkel


Democracy Distorted: Wealth, Influence and Democratic Politics
By Jacob Rowbottom
https://books.google.co.in/books?id=9H4I4TSoRAcC

The Truth of Democracy
By Jean-Luc Nancy
https://books.google.co.in/books?id=ZAubBGp3cC8C









Money in Politics - Problems and Issues
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International Idea - YouTube Channel 


27 Jan 2021

24 Nov 2017

Friday, January 24, 2020

Max Weber's Theory - IAS Sociology Study Notes

Max Weber - Social action, ideal types, authority, bureaucracy, protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism.

I recently read a book on Sociology Thinkers. I read one long back.


Video starts after 2 minutes.
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Empiricism (Locke, Berkeley, Hume) - IAS Philosophy



In Britain, philosophy was dominated by an alternative and more scientific view that knowledge is gained primarily or mainly through the five senses.  Direct experience is foundational for obtaining knowledge, and this position is known as empiricism.

During the first half of the 18th century, three great philosophers—Locke, Berkeley and Hume—argued for this approach, thus forming a philosophical movement known as British empiricism.


https://www.utm.edu/staff/jfieser/class/110/8-empiricism.htm



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Hindi lecture - Anubhavvaad

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Buddhivaad - anubhavvaad

Thursday, January 23, 2020

Sociology as Science - Research Methods and Analysis - IAS Sociology Notes



UPSC Civil Services
Paper I - Topics 2 & 3

2. Sociology as Science:

Science, scientific method and critique.
Major theoretical strands of research methodology.
Positivism and its critique.
Fact value and objectivity.
Non- positivist methodologies.

3.  Research Methods and Analysis:

Research Methods and Analysis:
Qualitative and quantitative methods.
Techniques of data collection.
Variables, sampling, hypothesis, reliability and validity.


Notes

2. Sociology as Science:

Science, scientific method and critique.
Major theoretical strands of research methodology.
Positivism and its critique.
Fact value and objectivity.

Non- positivist methodologies.

Phenomenology - Explanation by Karin Klenke

3.  Research Methods and Analysis:

Research Methods and Analysis:
Qualitative and quantitative methods.
Techniques of data collection.
Variables, sampling, hypothesis, reliability and validity.



Sociology Research Methodology and Methods
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rrny0sq2gWw

Channel cec  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA7OQkX9AEIVQ6j9i0OSQhA

Sociology - IAS Mains Syllabus and Study Materials



Anu Kumari - 2017 All India Rank 2 explains how to prepare for Sociology

Mainly in Hindi

She did a lot of reading. She is from science background. But did well in Sociology.
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Sociology – Main Syllabus
Paper – I
FUNDAMENTALS OF SOCIOLOGY



1. Sociology - The Discipline

Modernity and social changes in Europe and emergence of sociology.
Scope of the subject and comparison with other social sciences.
Sociology and common sense.


2. Sociology as Science:

Science, scientific method and critique.
Major theoretical strands of research methodology.
Positivism and its critique.
Fact value and objectivity.
Non- positivist methodologies.


Research Methods and Analysis:
Qualitative and quantitative methods.
Techniques of data collection.
Variables, sampling, hypothesis, reliability and validity.


4. Sociological Thinkers:

Karl Marx- Historical materialism, mode of production, alienation, class struggle.
Emile Durkheim- Division of labour, social fact, suicide, religion and society.
Max Weber- Social action, ideal types, authority, bureaucracy, protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism.
Talcolt Parsons- Social system, pattern variables.
Robert K. Merton- Latent and manifest functions, conformity and deviance, reference groups.
Mead - Self and identity.


5. Stratification and Mobility:
Concepts- equality, inequality, hierarchy, exclusion, poverty and deprivation.
Theories of social stratification- Structural functionalist theory, Marxist theory, Weberian theory.
Dimensions – Social stratification of class, status groups, gender, ethnicity and race.
Social mobility- open and closed systems, types of mobility, sources and causes of mobility.


6. Works and Economic Life:
Social organization of work in different types of society- slave society, feudal society, industrial /capitalist society.
Formal and informal organization of work.
Labour and society.


7. Politics and Society:
Sociological theories of power.
Power elite, bureaucracy, pressure groups, and political parties.
Nation, state, citizenship, democracy, civil society, ideology.
Protest, agitation, social movements, collective action, revolution.


8. Religion and Society:
Sociological theories of religion.
Types of religious practices: animism, monism, pluralism, sects, cults.
Religion in modern society: religion and science, secularization, religious revivalism, fundamentalism.



9. Systems of Kinship:
Family, household, marriage.
Types and forms of family.
Lineage and descent.
Patriarchy and sexual division oflabour.
Contemporary trends.


10. Social Change in Modern Society:
Sociological theories of social change.
Development and dependency.
Agents of social change.
Education and social change.
Science, technology and social change.


Paper - II: Sociology Syllabus


1 INDIAN SOCIETY: STRUCTURE AND CHANGE A. Introducing Indian Society:

(i) Perspectives on the study of Indian society:
Indology (GS. Ghurye).
Structural functionalism (M N Srinivas).
Marxist sociology (A R Desai).


(ii) Impact of colonial rule on Indian society :
Social background of Indian nationalism.
Modernization of Indian tradition.
Protests and movements during the colonial period.
Social reforms.

B. Social Structure:

(i) Rural and Agrarian Social Structure:
The idea of Indian village and village studies.
Agrarian social structure - evolution of land tenure system, land reforms.

(ii) Caste System:
Perspectives on the study of caste systems: GS Ghurye, M N Srinivas, Louis Dumont, Andre Beteille.
Features of caste system.
Untouchability - forms and perspectives.

(iii) Tribal communities in India:
Definitional problems.
Geographical spread.
Colonial policies and tribes.
Issues of integration and autonomy.


(iv) Social Classes in India:
Agrarian class structure.
Industrial class structure.
Middle classes in India.


(v) Systems of Kinship in India:
Lineage and descent in India.
Types of kinship systems.
Family and marriage in India.
Household dimensions of the family.
.
(vi) Religion and Society:
Religious communities in India.
Problems of religious minorities.
Patriarchy, entitlements and sexual division of labour


https://www.civilserviceindia.com/subject/Sociology/notes/index.html


https://www.examrace.com/IAS/IAS-Free-Study-Material/Sociology/

Akshat Kaushal - Paper 1

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nnnrQNaMFyIeXnhUW7M8nX9rvtNR3UoA/view

Links to Sociology Notes for IAS
https://reliableandvalid.com/2018/09/08/handmade-notes-of-upsc-sociology-toppers/

Philosophy - IAS Syllabus and Study Materials




PHILOSOPHY
PAPER-I
History and Problems of Philosophy
1.  Plato and Aristotle : Ideas; Substance; Form and Matter; Causation; Actuality and
Potentiality.
2.  Rationalism (Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz); Cartesian Method and Certain Knowledge;
Substance; God; Mind-Body Dualism; Determinism and  Freedom.
3.  Empiricism (Locke, Berkeley, Hume) : Theory of Knowledge; Substance and Qualities; Self
and God;  Scepticism.
4.  Kant: Possibility of Synthetic a priori Judgments; Space and Time; Categories; Ideas of
Reason; Antinomies; Critique of Proofs for the Existence of  God.
5.  Hegel : Dialectical Method; Absolute  Idealism.
6.  Moore, Russell and Early Wittgenstein : Defence of Commonsense; Refutation of Idealism;
Logical Atomism; Logical Constructions; Incomplete Symbols; Picture Theory of Meaning;
Sying and  Showing.
7.  Logical Positivism : Verification Theory of Meaning; Rejection of Metaphysics; Linguistic
Theory of Necessary  Propositions.
8.  Later  Wittgenstein  :  Meaning  and  Use;  Language-games;  Critique  of  Private  Language.
9.  Phenomenology  (Husserl):  Method;  Theory  of  Essences;  Avoidance  of  Psychologism.
10.  Existentialism  (Kierkegaard,  Sarte,  Heidegger):  Existence  and  Essence;  Choice,
Responsibility  and  Authentic  Existence;  Being-in-the-world  and Temporality.
11.  Quine  and  Strawson  :  Critique  of  Empiricism;  Theory  of  Basic  Particulars  and  Persons.
12.  Carvaka : Theory of Knowlegde; Rejection  of Transcendent Entities.
13.  Jainism : Theory  of Reality; Saptabhanginaya; Bondage and  Liberation.
14.  Schools  of  Buddhism  :  Prat Ityasamutpada; Ksanikavada,  Nairatmyavada.
15.  Nyaya—Vaiesesika : Theory  of Categories; Theory of Appearance; Theory of Pramana; Self,
Liberation; God; Proofs for the Existence of God; Theory of Causation; Atomistic Theory of
Creation.
16.  Samkhya; Prakrit; Purusa; Causation;  Liberation.
17.  Yoga; Citta; Cittavrtti; Klesas; Samadhi; Kaivalya.
18.  Mimamsa: Theory of  Knowlegde.
19.  Schools of Vedanta : Brahman; Isvara; Atman; Jiva; Jagat; Maya; Avida; Adhyasa; Moksa;
Aprthaksiddhi; Pancavidhabheda.
20.  Aurobindo: Evolution, Involution; Integral  Yoga.

PAPER-II
Socio-Political Philosophy
1.  Social and Political ldeals : Equality, Justice,  Liberty.
2.  Sovereignty : Austin, Bodin, Laski,  Kautilya.
3.  Individual and State : Rights; Duties and   Accountability.
4.  Forms of Government : Monarchy; Theocracy and  Democracy.
5.  Political Ideologies: Anarchism; Marxism and  Socialism.
6.  Humanism; Secularism; Multi-culturalism.
7.  Crime  and  Punishment  : Corruption,  Mass  Violence,  Genocide,  Capital Punishment.
8.  Development and Social  Progress.
9.  Gender  Discrimination  : Female  Foeticide,  Land  and  Property  Rights;  Empowerment.
10.  Caste Discrimination : Gandhi and  Ambedkar.

Philosophy of Religion
1.  Notions  of  God :  Attributes;  Relation  to  Man  and the  World.  (Indian  and  Western).
2.  Proofs for  the Existence of God and their Critique (Indian  and  Western).
3.  Problem  of  Evil.
4.  Soul : Immortality; Rebirth and  Liberation.
5.  Reason, Revelation and Faith.
6.  Religious Experience : Nature and Object (Indian and  Western).
7.  Religion  without  God.
8.  Religion  and  Morality.
9.  Religious Pluralism and the Problem of Absolute  Truth.
10.  Nature  of  Religious  Language  :  Analogical  and  Symbolic;  Cognitivist  and  Non-cognitive.


YouTube Videos on Philosophy - Hindi Videos - Playlist


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKdjPO0pBHg&list=PLNsppmbLKJ8JO7xdg4XGfxAu93OLAiQXq