Course | Columbia Law School

This course analyzes the adoption of key concepts in contemporary political theory like democracy and equality in Indian constitutional law and politics. While many of these concepts emerged and were refined in European and North American historical settings, they have been integrated into Indian constitutional law doctrine and political practice in novel and unanticipated ways. We will focus on the ways in which Indian constitutional law and doctrine has dealt with constitutionalism and democracy; separation of powers; rights based limits to democracy; republicanism, equality and social justice; federalism and subsidiarity; nationalization and liberalization of the economy; secularism and the relationship of the state with religious groups. While we constantly refer to the politics literature on India we will read the text of the Indian constitution and selected judicial decisions closely right through the course.