3 Review(s)

Political Science is concerned with the ideas, values and theories basic to the principles that guide the making of laws, administration and executive acts of government in internal and international matters. It is also concerned with political philosophy or the general issues of method and justification raised by political concepts and theories. It includes ‘political economy’ as well as aspects of sociology. It is a wide canvas and any attempt to present a concise overview of the subject is fraught with difficulties. Yet the writers of this book have endeavoured to rise above those difficulties to discuss various aspects of the subject briefly but effectively, leaving out no relevant detail, and emphasising those features which are particularly important from the point of view of the examination. Wide reading and painstaking research have formed the basis of the work, and we hope our readers are benefited by it.The present revised edition includes the topics prescribed by the latest UPSC syllabus for the subject.The candidates would do well to remember the following points that emerge from an analysis of recent test papers in this subject.Questions of late demand an indepth knowledge of the subject, not merely a superficial acquaintance with it.There is more emphasis on current trends of political theory.More weightage is being placed on comparative constitutions and theories of development and underdevelopment.Stress on Indian national movement has been reduced. (But do not ignore it on that basis, you never know when the trend changes!)As far as the Indian Constitution is concerned, a thorough grounding in the first six parts and Part IX is required. It is also advisable to have a fair idea of the article numbers and their contents.It is advisable to be aware of all the thinkers associated with a particular theory as well as all the ideas associated with a particular thinker.