Political Science CUET UG Notes These notes are designed exactly as per CUET Political Science Syllabus for 2026 Contemporary World Politics Chapter 1: Disintegration of the ‘Second World’ and the Collapse of Bipolarity Chapter 2: Alternative Centers of Economic and Political Power Chapter 3: South Asia in the Post Cold War Era Chapter 4: International Organisations in a Unipolar World Chapter 5: Security in the Contemporary World Chapter 6: Environment and Natural Resources

Recent Issues and Challenges Contextual Shifts and the Transformation of Indian Politics The last two decades of Indian politics represent a phase of profound transformation marked by complexity, contestation, and structural change. These developments cannot be understood through a single causal explanation; rather, they emerged from the interaction of multiple political, social, and economic processes. As the chapter suggests, this period is not only difficult to interpret

Regional Aspirations and Conflicts Conceptual Foundations and Nature of Regional Aspirations Regional aspirations in India must be understood as an integral and continuing aspect of the process of nation-building. Nation-building is not a static or one-time achievement; rather, it evolves over time as new social, economic and political challenges emerge. In the decades following independence, India faced several such challenges, but it was particularly in the 1980s that regi

The Crisis of Democratic Order BACKGROUND AND BUILD-UP TO EMERGENCY The period between 1973 and 1975 represents one of the most critical phases in the history of Indian democracy. During these years, a series of political, economic, and institutional developments created a situation that culminated in the declaration of a National Emergency in June 1975 . Unlike conventional emergencies associated with war or natural disasters, this Emergency was declared on the grounds of

Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System Crisis of Succession and Decline of Congress Dominance (1964–1967) I. Introduction: Transition from Dominance to Uncertainty The Congress system, which had ensured political stability since independence, began to face serious challenges during the 1960s . Increasing political competition and internal factionalism weakened its earlier ability to accommodate diverse interests . The central question shifted from mere leadershi

India’s external relations International Context, Non-Alignment, and Nehru’s Foreign Policy Vision 1. India’s emergence in a complex international environment Independence occurred after a devastating world war, global reconstruction, the formation of international institutions, and rapid decolonisation. Newly independent states faced twin challenges of welfare and democracy , shaping India’s early external outlook. Partition-related disputes, poverty alleviation, and inherit

POLITICS OF PLANNED DEVELOPMENT Development as Political Choice and Ideological Debate 1. Introduction: The Third Challenge After Independence After addressing nation-building and democracy , independent India faced the deeper and more enduring challenge of economic development and public well-being . This challenge required political decisions , not merely technical solutions, because development involved conflicting interests, competing visions, and long-term social conseq

Nation The Democratic Beginning and the First General Elections 1. Challenge of Building Democracy after Independence Independent India faced simultaneous challenges of nation-building and democratic institution-building . Many newly decolonised nations abandoned democracy in favour of one-party rule, military rule, or authoritarian leadership , often justified in the name of national unity. Indian leaders deliberately chose the more difficult democratic path , rooted in the

Era of One-Party Dominance The Context of Independence and the First Challenge: Nation-Building in the Shadow of Partition I. Introduction: The Midnight of Freedom and the Burden of History 14–15 August 1947 marked India’s formal independence. Nehru’s “tryst with destiny” speech symbolised hope, democratic resolve, and collective aspiration. Yet independence was not born in tranquility — it arrived “in very difficult circumstances” Unlike many newly independent nations, Indi

Globalisation and its critics The Concept and Causes of Globalisation I. Introduction: Understanding Globalisation Introduce globalisation as a widely used but often imprecise concept . Refer to everyday illustrations (call centres, imported goods, new opportunities for women) to show how globalisation penetrates daily life. Emphasise: globalisation is not confined to economics; it affects work patterns, consumption, identity, and values . Highlight that globalisation may gen

Environment and Natural Resources in Global Politics Environmental Concerns in Global Politics and the Emergence of Global Environmental Governance 1. Expansion of the Meaning of World Politics Earlier understanding of world politics centred on wars, treaties, state power, and intergovernmental relations . Later expansion incorporated poverty, epidemics, and governance responsibilities . Environmental degradation now compels inclusion within world politics because: Many probl

Security in the Contemporary World CONCEPT AND TRADITIONAL NOTIONS OF SECURITY 1. Meaning and Nature of Security Security, at its most basic level, implies freedom from threats affecting human existence and the life of a country. Not every threat qualifies as a security threat; only those that endanger core values beyond repair are treated as security concerns. Security remains a slippery and context-dependent idea , varying across societies, historical periods, and politic

International Organisations in a Unipolar World Meaning, Need, and Evolution of International Organisations 1. Concept and Significance of International Organisations International organisations emerge from the recognition that conflicts among states need not always lead to war , as disputes can be addressed through dialogue and peaceful settlement. Such organisations are not super-states ; rather, they are created by sovereign states and operate through their consent. Their

South Asia in the Post Cold War Era Meaning, Political Systems, and Democratic Trends in South Asia 1. Regional Context and Significance: South Asia gained global attention particularly after India and Pakistan became nuclear powers, highlighting persistent regional conflicts and tensions. The region is marked simultaneously by conflict and cooperation , including border disputes, insurgencies, ethnic tensions, and resource-sharing issues. Yet, there exists a shared recogniti

Alternative Centers of Economic and Political Power Post-Cold War World and the European Union 1. Transformation of Global Power After the Cold War The collapse of the bipolar structure of world politics in the early 1990s created space for alternative centres of political and economic power . Regional organisations such as the European Union (EU) in Europe and ASEAN in Asia emerged as stabilising forces that fostered peaceful cooperation, economic prosperity, and institut

Disintegration of the ‘Second World’ and the Collapse of Bipolarity 1. Historical Background and Meaning of the End of Bipolarity The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 symbolised the collapse of the Cold War division between capitalism and communism and initiated the disintegration of the socialist bloc. The unification of Germany, democratic transformations in Eastern Europe, and the eventual breakup of the Soviet Union marked the end of the “second world.” These developments