Anxieties of Indian Democracy
One Day National Seminar on 18 January 2013
DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
GOVERNMENT BRENNEN COLLEGE.
Reaccredited by NAAC with “A” Grade
Affiliated to Kannur Univesity,Kerala,India.
Venue
Hindi seminar Hall
Seminar Concept Note
The national
seminar on ‘Anxieties of Indian
Democracy’ addresses crucial questions about the functioning of Indian
democracy and the seemingly intractable problems facing it. The survival of
Indian democracy for well over half a century is in many ways a remarkable
achievement. However, no one can deny that the country's contemporary socio-economic
and political problems are complex. There are a number of serious challenges
that needs to be sorted out in the years ahead.
The twentieth
century has witnessed a tremendous reinforcement of the concept of democracy.
In a period of about one hundred years, the virtues of democracy have been
greatly extolled and the world has witnessed a process of democratisation. In
the sixty six years since its inception, Indian democracy too has developed
indigenous roots and is emerging as a unique example of parliamentary
democracy. The important question today is not the survival of Indian
democracy, but the nature of India's democratic politics. The present seminar
is an attempt to understand the development of democratic polity in India. It
covers a wide range of issues, theoretical concepts, political institutions,
federalism, electoral process, individual and group rights and mass media
drawing attention to the significant broadening of Indian democracy.
Critical issues
to be examined include the persistence of
elitism in contrast to the ideals of constitutional democracy, the severe
decline of probity in public life, the gulf between the rulers and the ruled,
the paradox between public faith in the political process of democracy and the
failure of institutions, the dangers of judicial governance, the relationship
between democracy and education, and the adverse consequences of unbridled
economic liberalisation and globalisation, the development process and the
rights of indigenous peoples, caste oppression, patriarchy and gender
discrimination, the centralised structure of political parties and enduring “dynasticisation”,
mounting corruption, underdevelopment, inequality, and comprehensive security.
Indeed, a
question comes on most lips is: Are we
facing breakdown or is this an enormously difficult transition from the ‘basic
democracy’ phase to a functioning democratic one? Are we capable of preserving
democracy? Are we deepening and broadening it by moving to a more inclusive
brand of politics? If our Political participation has widened? Whether
Electoral alternation has intensified? If civil society strengthened?
Despite greater
journey in more than six decades, there seem many lapses and bottom cracks. The
benefits of political democracy are yet to reach the masses, political
institutions are dominated by the elite, civil society has been politicised and
the interventionist state has become an arm of the elite. The solution to these
problems lies in further democratisation of democracy and the political
process.
How
to send abstract
The scholars
planning to present papers have to send an abstract of 300 words, Times New
Roman, 12 font size, single line space, with key words. The last
date for submission of abstract is 15 December, 2012.
Abstract should
be sent to bijugayu@gmail.com. Acceptance of paper will be
communicated on 20 December 2012.
Full
Paper
The scholars
have to send the full paper to bijugayu@gmail.com
on or before 10 January 2013 with the writing style mentioned as
follows-
·
Body
Times New Roman,
Font size 12, Single Line Space (with Alignment Justify) and APA Style, 8000
Words.
·
Reference
End Notes with
11 Font Size at the end of the paper (Alignment Text Left), Reference with 11
Font Size (Alignment Text Left)
The submission of full paper is mandatory and only those scholars with full papers
will be selected for presentation.
Publication
Selected papers will be considered for
publication with ISBN Number. Not all papers will be considered for publication.
Contact
Convener
Biju P R,
Assistant Professor,
Department of Political Science ,
Government Brennen College, Thalassery,
Kannur ,Kerala.
670 106,
Mobile: 9847477116,
Email:bijugayu@gmail.com
How
to Reach the College
The college is
situated on the NH 17; 5 KM away from Thalassery Railway Station; 60 KM away
from Calicut Airport ;167 KM away from Mangalore Airport.