TOPIC INFO (UGC NET)
TOPIC INFO – UGC NET (Political Science)
SUB-TOPIC INFO – Political Theory (UNIT 3)
CONTENT TYPE – Short Notes
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1. Introduction
1.1. Democratic socialism
1.2. Nehru: A True Democratic Socialist
2. Building of A Socialist Thinker
2.1. Socialists vs Conservatives
2.2. Achieving the Socialist State in India
3. Features of the Socialistic Pattern of Society
3.1. Belief in Parliamentary Democracy
3.2. Peaceful Solution to Class Conflict
3.3. Social Development Through Planning
3.4. Belief in Democratic Institutions
3.5. Belief in Cooperative Society
4. Nehru View regarding Indian Revolution
5. Goal of Socialism and Theory of Two instruments
5.1. Rejection of “coat and necktie” mentality
5.2. Vision of making Congress a Mass Party
6. Criticism
6.1. As a Democratic Socialist
6.2. As a Radical Socialist
6.3. On Equality
7. Relevance of Nehru’s Vision in Today (Concept of Marxism and Mixed Economy)
8. Deviation from Gandhi’s Idea
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J.L. Nehru
Indian Political Thought (UNIT 3)
Introduction
Democratic socialism
Democratic socialism is a political ideology that advocates for political democracy alongside social ownership of the means of production.
It emphasizes democratic management of enterprises within a socialist economic system.
The term “democratic socialism” is sometimes used interchangeably with socialism, with the adjective “democratic” distinguishing it from the Marxist-Leninist brand of socialism, which is often considered non-democratic in practice.
Democratic socialism is sometimes viewed as a synonym for social democracy, but this is debated.
The key distinction is that democratic socialism advocates for social ownership of the means of production, while social democracy does not.
Democratic socialism as an ideology is an extension of liberal democracy, altered to fit the needs of countries worldwide.
The ideology asserts that democracy and socialism are inseparable; true democracy cannot exist without true socialism, and true socialism cannot exist without true democracy.
The union of democracy and socialism emphasizes equality, social justice, fair share for all, and an irreversible shift in the balance of wealth and power towards workers and their families.
Nehru: A True Democratic Socialist
Jawaharlal Nehru was one of the main exponents of Democratic Socialism in India.
He believed that Democratic Socialism could mitigate the evils faced by third-world countries.
Nehru was a key figure in promoting the socialist trend in the Indian National Movement and was instrumental in guiding India towards socialism.
Nehru aimed to achieve socialism gradually within the democratic framework.
He was one of the few leaders who did not take democracy for granted, instead explaining how it could harmonize with his vision of socialism and how it could be implemented.
Nehru was influenced by the British socialists of his time.
He was deeply moved by the suffering of his countrymen, especially due to poverty, ignorance, and disease.
Nehru saw socialism as the only solution to the prevalent ills in Indian society.
He brought a modern mind and scientific temper to address India’s problems, using scientific socialism tempered by his intense humanism as his intellectual tool.
Nehru was a practical idealist in his approach to socialism.
In a 1963 address to the All India Congress Committee, Nehru stated: “Political Democracy has no meaning if it does not embrace economic democracy. And economic democracy is nothing but socialism.”
Nehru emphasized free and fair elections and the importance of suffrage for all citizens.
The goals of Democratic Socialism included the nationalization of the means of production, raising minimum wages, removal of poverty, securing a national health plan, checking the concentration of economic power, and passing welfare legislations for workers.