PSIR - Strategy, resources & discussion
Hi peeps. Let’s do this!
1. Previous papers from 2009 (both papers are in the same PDF):here2. Topic-wise PYQs: here
3. Look for PDFs of books here: b-ok.cc, http://libgen.rs/, archive.org
4. Model answers from SR:here
5. OnlyIAS notes, if you need extra matter for a few topics:here
6. SR notes, typed:politicsforindia.com
What are the weaknesses of representative democracy? Hit me with points. I have some points of my own but I wanna see if I'm missing something.- profile of representatives - generally limited to males with law background or public service, at times criminals
- oratory skills / public perception of representative - plays a major role
- Elitist Theory of Power
- procedural aspects - In India, votes secured in percentage terms has no relation with number of representatives elected
- divide between representative and represented - is increasing
- once a representative, becomes representative for 5 years.
while writing these, I feel the flaw is in practise, not in theory.
theoretically, i feel flaw can be just what Derrida says, every communication is miscommunication. Implying every representation is mis representation.
14 tarik ke test ki tyari achhi lag rhi hai :P
Jai Shree Ram !
What are the weaknesses of representative democracy? Hit me with points. I have some points of my own but I wanna see if I'm missing something.- profile of representatives - generally limited to males with law background or public service, at times criminals
- oratory skills / public perception of representative - plays a major role
- Elitist Theory of Power
- procedural aspects - In India, votes secured in percentage terms has no relation with number of representatives elected
- divide between representative and represented - is increasing
- once a representative, becomes representative for 5 years.
while writing these, I feel the flaw is in practise, not in theory.
theoretically, i feel flaw can be just what Derrida says, every communication is miscommunication. Implying every representation is mis representation.
Theoretical criticism should definitely mention Rousseau. He insists that men are only free when they live under laws that they have created themselves, through active participation. Thus, he claimed that citizens of England are only free once in 5 years. Rousseau asserts that sovereignty comes from the people and stays with the people even after the creation of civil society. Sovereignty cannot be represented since it cannot be alienated. The delegates of citizens are their agents, not their representatives. All decisions taken by them must ultimately be approved by the citizens to be legitimate.
BTW, Elitist Theory is also a theoretical critique. It describes a "market model" of democracy where groups of elites compete for power, and power never flows to the masses. Schumpeter says that not only is democracy not a governmentby the people (only the elite can govern), it doesn't even reflect thewill of the people. The only power with the people is the choice of the group of elites who will represent them.
AJ_,whatonlyWhat are the weaknesses of representative democracy? Hit me with points. I have some points of my own but I wanna see if I'm missing something.
@whatonly Do you have any good theory we could place in here?
What are the weaknesses of representative democracy? Hit me with points. I have some points of my own but I wanna see if I'm missing something.
i don't have psir optional and also a beginner(just started) but still trying to answer from gs perspective
- we don't choose our representative which is opposed to the definition in which we choose it.
- change of thought of representative due to indirect process( money, muscle power).
- less interaction among people ( representative like pm cm, before elections).
- difference in winning ( we chose to vote party A but the PM become of party B) we haven't chosen them still he is our PM.
- distortion representation of all people, a person may represent more people still has the same value of the person who represents few( in PM case).
take the points if you find good by moulding as per your needs of optional
whatonly,What are the weaknesses of representative democracy? Hit me with points. I have some points of my own but I wanna see if I'm missing something.- profile of representatives - generally limited to males with law background or public service, at times criminals
- oratory skills / public perception of representative - plays a major role
- Elitist Theory of Power
- procedural aspects - In India, votes secured in percentage terms has no relation with number of representatives elected
- divide between representative and represented - is increasing
- once a representative, becomes representative for 5 years.
while writing these, I feel the flaw is in practise, not in theory.
theoretically, i feel flaw can be just what Derrida says, every communication is miscommunication. Implying every representation is mis representation.
Are you sure about the Derrida quote? I couldn't find it online
What are the weaknesses of representative democracy? Hit me with points. I have some points of my own but I wanna see if I'm missing something.- profile of representatives - generally limited to males with law background or public service, at times criminals
- oratory skills / public perception of representative - plays a major role
- Elitist Theory of Power
- procedural aspects - In India, votes secured in percentage terms has no relation with number of representatives elected
- divide between representative and represented - is increasing
- once a representative, becomes representative for 5 years.
while writing these, I feel the flaw is in practise, not in theory.
theoretically, i feel flaw can be just what Derrida says, every communication is miscommunication. Implying every representation is mis representation.
Are you sure about the Derrida quote? I couldn't find it online
It was not in context of Representative Democracy. I think this is the mistake that I’ve become habitual of doing.
It must be in your notes under Post Modernism as Rule of Deconstruction that every communication is mis communication.
’Implying representation as misrepresentation’ was a personal comment.
What are the weaknesses of representative democracy? Hit me with points. I have some points of my own but I wanna see if I'm missing something.@whatonly Do you have any good theory we could place in here?
Would you recommend writing points for this particular question as theory wise with substantiating key scholars like Feminist says this, Rousseau, then Elitist, etc
or just mentioning points as GS answers and writing scholarly intro and conclusion.
What are the weaknesses of representative democracy? Hit me with points. I have some points of my own but I wanna see if I'm missing something.- profile of representatives - generally limited to males with law background or public service, at times criminals
- oratory skills / public perception of representative - plays a major role
- Elitist Theory of Power
- procedural aspects - In India, votes secured in percentage terms has no relation with number of representatives elected
- divide between representative and represented - is increasing
- once a representative, becomes representative for 5 years.
while writing these, I feel the flaw is in practise, not in theory.
theoretically, i feel flaw can be just what Derrida says, every communication is miscommunication. Implying every representation is mis representation.
Theoretical criticism should definitely mention Rousseau. He insists that men are only free when they live under laws that they have created themselves, through active participation. Thus, he claimed that citizens of England are only free once in 5 years. Rousseau asserts that sovereignty comes from the people and stays with the people even after the creation of civil society. Sovereignty cannot be represented since it cannot be alienated. The delegates of citizens are their agents, not their representatives. All decisions taken by them must ultimately be approved by the citizens to be legitimate.
BTW, Elitist Theory is also a theoretical critique. It describes a "market model" of democracy where groups of elites compete for power, and power never flows to the masses. Schumpeter says that not only is democracy not a governmentby the people (only the elite can govern), it doesn't even reflect thewill of the people. The only power with the people is the choice of the group of elites who will represent them.
Rousseau’s point of sovereignty is inalienable is beautiful. Calling them agents, not representatives.
KropotkinSchmopotkin,What are the weaknesses of representative democracy? Hit me with points. I have some points of my own but I wanna see if I'm missing something.- profile of representatives - generally limited to males with law background or public service, at times criminals
- oratory skills / public perception of representative - plays a major role
- Elitist Theory of Power
- procedural aspects - In India, votes secured in percentage terms has no relation with number of representatives elected
- divide between representative and represented - is increasing
- once a representative, becomes representative for 5 years.
while writing these, I feel the flaw is in practise, not in theory.
theoretically, i feel flaw can be just what Derrida says, every communication is miscommunication. Implying every representation is mis representation.
14 tarik ke test ki tyari achhi lag rhi hai :P
I’ve not enrolled anywhere.
@Jammu You should take SR's "quotes" with a grain of salt. Often it's her interpretations of their theory, which in case of someone as incomprehensible and misunderstood (even within the academic community) as Derrida should probably not be used without verification.
What are the weaknesses of representative democracy? Hit me with points. I have some points of my own but I wanna see if I'm missing something.i don't have psir optional and also a beginner(just started) but still trying to answer from gs perspective
- we don't choose our representative which is opposed to the definition in which we choose it.
- change of thought of representative due to indirect process( money, muscle power).
- less interaction among people ( representative like pm cm, before elections).
- difference in winning ( we chose to vote party A but the PM become of party B) we haven't chosen them still he is our PM.
- distortion representation of all people, a person may represent more people still has the same value of the person who represents few( in PM case).
take the points if you find good by moulding as per your needs of optional
Dost, these are all beautiful points. You can consider choosing PSIR as optional.
@KropotkinSchmopotkin Identity Politics from 1B can be very well quoted 😅
THE_MECHANIC,What are the weaknesses of representative democracy? Hit me with points. I have some points of my own but I wanna see if I'm missing something.@whatonly Do you have any good theory we could place in here?
Would you recommend writing points for this particular question as theory wise with substantiating key scholars like Feminist says this, Rousseau, then Elitist, etc
or just mentioning points as GS answers and writing scholarly intro and conclusion.
The former. You could first broadly divide the answer into "theoretical criticisms" and "weaknesses in practise". In 1A the answer should be theory heavy imo, but the other points also help, especially when you don't have a lot of theoretical content.
Jammu,What are the weaknesses of representative democracy? Hit me with points. I have some points of my own but I wanna see if I'm missing something.@whatonly Do you have any good theory we could place in here?
@KropotkinSchmopotkin what about Hannah Arendt's critique when she says lack of action in public sphere she says we transfer our decision making powers in this sphere to bureaucrats. Also she is a supporter of direct democracy , so in a way she is criticizing representative democracy.
I am not sure about it, what do you think?
KropotkinSchmopotkin,whatonly
whatonly,HeNeArKr
What are the weaknesses of representative democracy? Hit me with points. I have some points of my own but I wanna see if I'm missing something.- profile of representatives - generally limited to males with law background or public service, at times criminals
- oratory skills / public perception of representative - plays a major role
- Elitist Theory of Power
- procedural aspects - In India, votes secured in percentage terms has no relation with number of representatives elected
- divide between representative and represented - is increasing
- once a representative, becomes representative for 5 years.
while writing these, I feel the flaw is in practise, not in theory.
theoretically, i feel flaw can be just what Derrida says, every communication is miscommunication. Implying every representation is mis representation.
Me who has finished SR paper 1booklets dreaming to have such fingertips PSIR wisdom...
How you people manage to have brilliant points.. I know one has to think after reading theory.. But this simultaneously undermine me and motivate too...
@HeNeArKr That's a great point. You can mention how "Action in the highest sphere of human activity" "public sphere is true home of man" yada yada highlighting that active citizenship, as opposed to mere voting, is essential for the moral improvement of humans.You can go mention how lack of participation in RepDem leads to an erosion of Power (people acting in concert) which allows Violence (totalitarian govt) to replace it.
@KropotkinSchmopotkin Yeah true . I was thinking can we add critic of party democracy by gandhi, mnroy and jp as a point here ?
whatonly,
What are the weaknesses of representative democracy? Hit me with points. I have some points of my own but I wanna see if I'm missing something.- profile of representatives - generally limited to males with law background or public service, at times criminals
- oratory skills / public perception of representative - plays a major role
- Elitist Theory of Power
- procedural aspects - In India, votes secured in percentage terms has no relation with number of representatives elected
- divide between representative and represented - is increasing
- once a representative, becomes representative for 5 years.
while writing these, I feel the flaw is in practise, not in theory.
theoretically, i feel flaw can be just what Derrida says, every communication is miscommunication. Implying every representation is mis representation.
Me who has finished SR paper 1booklets dreaming to have such fingertips PSIR wisdom...
How you people manage to have brilliant points.. I know one has to think after reading theory.. But this simultaneously undermine me and motivate too...
Mujhe toh 2 saal ho gye even after multiple revisions cant write even 10 marker and subah ka padha bhi yaad nhi rehta. Not demotivating you but achhi tarah se padho :). Jo achhe se padhte hai unhe yaad rehta hai.
Jai Shree Ram !
nerdfighter,@HeNeArKr That's a great point. You can mention how "Action in the highest sphere of human activity" "public sphere is true home of man" yada yada highlighting that active citizenship, as opposed to mere voting, is essential for the moral improvement of humans.You can go mention how lack of participation in RepDem leads to an erosion of Power (people acting in concert) which allows Violence (totalitarian govt) to replace it.
@KropotkinSchmopotkin Yeah true . I was thinking can we add critic of party democracy by gandhi, mnroy and jp as a point here ?
Which points were you thinking of specifically? The points specifically to parties (power gets concentrated with leaders instead of rank and file) will be irrelevant. The points related to reduced participation and rule by elites will be better covered through Elitist theorists. If there's any other good point that we can quote Roy on I'm all for it
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