N.

G COLLEGE, IMPHAL
POLITICAL SCIENCE
INTERNAL ASSESSMENT

2nd SEMESTER, PAPER-III

Title:
POLITICAL THEORY- CONCEPTS AND DEBATES

NAME: SHAICHAL JOSEL

CLASS ROLL-NO: 114

MU ROLL-NO: 22208586

ABC ID: 115450878234

DATE: 6th/11/2023.
A.
1. Who said that liberty is primarily absence of restraints
Ans: (B) Laski.

2. Who of the following is associated with the concepts of

positive equality
Ans: (A) Laski.
3. …… are the following forms of Indian constitution
Ans: (B) Social, Political, Economic

B.
1. Ans: The legitimacy of laws of a state refers to the belief or
acceptance by the citizens of that state that the laws and
government actions are just, fair, and in accordance with
established norms and principles. In other words, it's the
recognition that the government has the right to make and
enforce laws and that these laws are morally and ethically
sound. Legitimacy is essential for the authority of a
government, as it helps maintain social order and
cooperation within a society.

2. Ans: Negative liberty is a concept in political philosophy

that refers to the absence of external constraints or
interference on an individual's actions, allowing them to
act and make choices without external coercion or
limitations. In other words, negative liberty emphasizes the
 freedom from interference or restrictions imposed by
others or the government.
C.
2. Ans: Cultural relativism is a perspective in anthropology and
ethics that asserts that cultural practices, beliefs, and values
should be understood and evaluated within the context of their
own culture. While cultural relativism has its merits, it also faces
several problems and criticisms.

Here are some of the key issues associated with cultural

relativism:
i) Moral Relativism: Cultural relativism can be seen as a form of
moral relativism, suggesting that there are no objective moral
standards that apply universally. Critics argue that this stance
can make it difficult to condemn practices like slavery, genocide,
or human rights violations, as they may be considered morally
acceptable within certain cultures.

ii) Cultural Infallibility: Cultural relativism can imply that cultures

are infallible and that their practices and beliefs are beyond
critique. This can hinder efforts to address harmful or
discriminatory practices within a culture, as any external
criticism is often dismissed as ethnocentrism.

iii) Conflict Resolution: Cultural relativism may not provide a

framework for resolving conflicts between cultures. When
cultures have conflicting values or practices, it becomes
challenging to find common ground or principles to guide
peaceful coexistence or dispute resolution.

iv) Human Rights and Universal Values: Cultural relativism can

clash with the idea of universal human rights. The concept of
human rights is built on the belief that certain rights and
principles, such as the right to life, freedom from torture, and
equality before the law, should be respected and protected
universally, regardless of cultural differences.

v) Cultural Change and Progress: Cultural relativism can

discourage cultural change and progress. By insisting on
non-interference in cultural practices, it can hinder efforts to
reform or evolve societies, particularly in cases where change is
needed to address issues like gender inequality, discrimination,
or poverty.

In practice, many scholars and ethicists advocate for a more

nuanced approach that acknowledges the importance of
understanding cultural contexts while also upholding universal
moral standards and human rights. Balancing cultural sensitivity
with the protection of essential moral principles and rights is a
complex endeavor that goes beyond the strict application of
cultural relativism.
D.
1. Ans: Distributive justice is a concept in political philosophy
and ethics that deals with the fair allocation of resources,
benefits, and burdens within a society. It concerns how goods,
opportunities, and wealth should be distributed among
individuals or groups, with a focus on fairness and equity. Here
are the key features of distributive justice:

i) Fair Distribution: Distributive justice is concerned with the fair

and equitable distribution of goods and resources. It addresses
questions such as how income, wealth, opportunities, and
benefits should be distributed among the members of a society.

ii) Equality and Equity: It examines the balance between equality

and equity. While some theories emphasize equal distribution,
others advocate for unequal distribution based on factors like
merit, need, or effort. The goal is to ensure that the distribution
is just and serves the common good.

iii) Moral and Ethical Principles: Distributive justice is guided by

moral and ethical principles that help determine how resources
should be allocated. These principles may include equality,
need, merit, and contribution to society.

iv) Theories of Justice: Various theories of distributive justice

have been proposed. Notable ones include:
 a)Utilitarianism: This theory emphasizes maximizing
overall happiness or welfare. Resources are
distributed to achieve the greatest overall good for
society.
b) Egalitarianism: Egalitarian theories advocate for
equal distribution of resources, emphasizing equality
as a fundamental principle of justice.
c) Rawlsian Justice: John Rawls' theory of justice
focuses on the "veil of ignorance," where individuals
make decisions about resource distribution without
knowing their own positions in society. This approach
aims to create a more equitable society.

v) Scope of Distribution: Distributive justice can apply to various

aspects of society, including income, wealth, education,
healthcare, employment opportunities, and more. It addresses
how these benefits and burdens are allocated.

vi) Historical and Comparative Considerations: Some theories of

distributive justice consider historical factors and comparative
evaluations. Historical considerations take into account past
injustices and seek to rectify them, while comparative
evaluations compare the well-being of different groups within
society.

Vii) Government's Role: Distributive justice often raises

questions about the role of government in ensuring a just
distribution. It considers the need for policies and interventions,
such as taxation, welfare programs, and regulations, to rectify
inequalities.

Viii) Controversies and Trade-offs: Distributive justice involves

trade-offs and can be controversial. Balancing competing
principles and interests can be challenging, and different
individuals and groups may have divergent views on what
constitutes a fair distribution.

In summary, distributive justice is a fundamental concept in

political philosophy and ethics, focusing on the principles and
mechanisms for achieving a fair and equitable distribution of
resources and benefits within a society. It plays a critical role in
shaping policies, laws, and social systems to promote greater
fairness and reduce disparities in various aspects of people's
lives.