UPSC CSE Prelims 2024 - Political Concepts

Flashcards covering core political concepts including liberalism, secularism, justice, and the political thoughts of Gandhi, Ambedkar, and Marx.

Medieval Europe Social Context

A period characterized by religion dominating society, a lack of scientific progress, and general stagnation.

Habshi

Feudalism

An economic state where land is considered the only form of wealth, leading to economic stagnation.

Secularism (Western Concept)

The complete separation of state and religion involving separate spheres of influence and no intervention.

Sovereignty

The principle of one authority whose order is final across the three spheres: Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary.

State (Four Elements)

A political entity consisting of four essential components: Population, Territory, Sovereignty, and Government.

Negative Liberty

Defined as the "absence of restraint"; it views the state as a "necessary evil" that should only intervene for law and order and contract enforcement (Laissez Faire).

Positive Liberty

Defined as the "presence of conditions which are essential for fuller development of one's personality," viewing the state as a "Positive Good."

Indian Model of Secularism

A model with no strict separation where the state can intervene in religious matters for democracy, diversity, gender justice, and caste justice.

Principle Distance Model

A concept developed by Rajeev Bhargav to describe the relationship between the state and religion in the Indian context.

Scientific Socialism

A form of socialism given by Karl Marx based on the scientific analysis of society, eventually leading to Communism.

Monarchy

A system where the Head of the State is hereditary and the post is not open to all, though the Head of the Government may be elected.

Republic

A system where the Head of the State is elected and the post is open to all citizens, such as the President of India.

Federalism

A system featuring dual government where the provincial level derives its power from the Constitution, supported by a written constitution and independent judiciary.

Asymmetric Federalism

A system with unequal distribution of powers or representation among states, illustrated in India by Article $370$, Rajya Sabha seat distribution, and Article $371$.

Separation of Power

A concept discussed by John Locke to avoid authoritarianism by dividing government into three branches: Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.

Procedural Justice

The belief that if the procedures established by law are just, the outcome will also be just.

Substantive Justice

The belief that the outcome itself must be just and mere procedures are not sufficient, associated with "Due Process of Law" and the Maneka Gandhi case ($1978$).

Difference Principle

A principle of John Rawls stating that any unequal treatment must be in favor of the most disadvantageous person.

Capability Approach

An approach by Amartya Sen that focuses on improving the capacity of people so they can live life as per their own priority.

Direct Democracy Devices

The four mechanisms of direct exercise of power: Referendum, Initiative, Plebiscite, and Recall.

Doctrine of Trusteeship

Gandhiji's idea that wealthy people are not owners but trustees who should use wealth for the welfare of all.

Seven Sins

Gandhian ethical framework including Wealth without work, Pleasure without conscience, Knowledge without character, Commerce without morality, Science without humanity, Religion without sacrifice, and Politics without principle.

Dialectical Materialism

Karl Marx's theory involving the conflict between thesis and antithesis, focused on material forces rather than ideas.

Surplus Value

The basis of exploitation in Marxism, referring to value extracted by capitalists and accumulated as profit for further exploitation.

Alienation (Marxist Concept)

The state of being separated from society, from one’s own production, and eventually from oneself under capitalism.