17th October

SC bench strikes down NJAC act:

1. Executive always has a part in defining the rights of the people through various measures such as Political [Reservation] and economic policies [Liberalization]. And the government has the power to implement them through its force machinery.
2. So it seems harmless when SC decides that executive, which already plays a huge part in rights, does not interfere in review mechanism of its very own laws [Despite what is happening around the world].
3. The need for transparency and reform the existing will always be there.
4. I don't remember any theory which validates this view point, So if you guys have any, please do ell me in the comment section.

Single point feed:

1. Pakistan - Russia : Military and gas ties are strategic for Russia. But we should also remember that India-Russia ties, though still strong, has changed in balance with India over time gaining greater position.
2. Women share in total vote percentage is becoming higher despite the low number of women representatives - Women can only represent women, all men are the problem - These statement of feminists are put to rest. In fact, the inability to form women a single unified political force despite the numbers is one of the problems of feminism. 
3. Each countries self interests make and break international relations - So the concept of enlightened self interest - Long term vs Short term - Think Japan's investments in India. India needs the same with Nepal.

Mock questions:

1. Inter and Intra religious conflicts are emerging as the main source of conflicts all around the world? Do you agree? Discuss?

October 15th

Mumbai has rejected Sena's view of Pakistan:

1. The article has terms such as people, atmosphere, acceptance - These are some of the classical concepts in paper 1 section A - Link between political institutions and political culture.
2. How the culture of society effects its political institutions and vice versa. [Think of Afghanistan [It's troubled past], India, USA.].

EU refugee flow finds echo in India:

1. There is an interesting concept in globalization and world - That we are allowing free movement of land and capital but not labor. This mismatch in the factors of production is said to be the reason for the world's problem.
2. Granted labour movement is a complicated issue with concepts sch as national interest, security coming into picture - This is considered the fault in the international economic system.

Single point feed:

1. Debate on communal ism - It is important that we understand that debate is a continuous and evolving process - Much like rights, democracy, Justice.
2. Religion cant be basis o state - This is very important factor for India - Think Kashmir and Pakistan..
3. Climate Change - Countries accusing others of damaging the environment and trying to commercialize the climate change negotiations effort - Its working because people are accepting it - The democratic candidate debate just shows this in USA. 
4. EU - Its ability to stay together and face current crisis [England, Economic, Refugee] is going to shape the future of not just a political EU but also other unions. [Think of functionalist theory once and how these crisis fits into their explanation of unions.]

14th October

Is India softening stand after push up:

1. Democracy is assumed as good because in this people's wishes are translated to the elected leaders - But often can people's wishes can be influenced by externalities such as anti-India sentiment which led to the election of CPI leader. Remember communists they still maintain a youth army which parade during a CA meeting to show case their strength.
2. Concepts such as Global village or fusion of world without borders fail  in these instances. These show that the concept of national sovereignty is still a big issue for people, even in a small country such as Nepal.

Mock question:

1. National interests triumph any moral determinants in foreign policy? Discuss. [Think- Myanmar, Nepal for India = Many examples for world].
2. 
   

13th October

Plural India comes together to condemn attack:

1. The whole article clearly shows how there is an idea of India embedded in everyone based on which they think about out actions - Whether it might be Gandhi, Democracy, Plurality.
2. Also, this forms a good point in questions relating to federalism and international relations - How Shiv sena was able to influence India's relations with pakistan mostly even when they are mostly cricket matches.

Police wean 40 Kashmiri youth from militancy:

1. This shows the age old problem of Muslim lacking a progressive leader who can portray the problems faced by the in the larger picture of Indian problems.
2. The effectiveness of such a strategy based on progressive Muslim leader or the obvious religious tensions are not to be overseen - But one should realise that in politics most of the things boils down to getting votes.

Single point feed:

1. India - Palestine : Classic determinant of India's foreign policy [Mutual peace, Negotiations] and the ability of cross political party support for some aspects of International policies [Like Nuclear weapons, Globalization].
2. Military drills, Defence ties - Strong points for realists in international politics

Mock questions:

1. International politics is tending to become more realistic. Discuss?
2. The recent visits by PM to foreign nations is said to have bolstered India's image? Do such strategy work in long term national interest? Discuss?

12th October

D-Day and Bihar elections:

1. Importance of caste calculations in Indian elections can be seen here - Can also be linked to trends in electoral behaviour.
2. One can observe the style of campaigning focused around the leaders of the party.

Limited Finance - Level playing

1. Level playing field in purely representative as theoretically people have no say after elections - So a bonus point for deliberative.
2. The ability of candidates representing people is not solely based on socio economic conditions and especially true in India.
3. EC- Its job to create a level playing field - Finance, Code of conduct, Looking into Modi's address in other states while election time Bihar.

Turkey bombing:

1. Political movement in industrialized and industrializing societies societies - I think this was in the syllabus because we all assume a trajectory of unification when society gets industrialized and hence reduces the boundaries within and out of states.
2. This very assumption is challenged in both developing and developed societies - Climate Change, Labour movements, Ethnic movements - Idealist theory of globalisation falls apart when one looks closely. 

Single point feed:

1. Keep an eye on Pakistani election - Its failure or Success can be used to support or question the Indian strategy of Pakistani relation - Even though we consider it inconsistent, an incontinent Pakistani democracy would support of inconsistency.
2. Russia-Syria-USA : Not ideological but strategic bipolarity. The usual realists theorists.
3. Indian support of Russia, Palestine's cause while emphasizing negotiated settlement - This is one of the determinants of Indian foreign policy - Negotiations and political solution.
4. Sting operations and Indian politics - I don't know how to link yet but keep in mind.