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Centers

CPIR

Center for Political Studies and International Relations

Mission

The Centre for Political Science is committed to advancing the study and practice of governance through a people-centric and accountable lens. We aim to foster political literacy among citizens, empower communities with knowledge, and engage critically with institutions and systems of power. Through interdisciplinary research, dialogue, and public engagement, we seek to envision innovative and sustainable models of governance that are responsive to the challenges of the present and the possibilities of the future.

Core Themes

Core Themes at the Centre for Political Science

At the Centre for Political Science, our research and teaching explore the complex and evolving dimensions of politics, governance, and society. Our key thematic areas include:

01

Political Philosophy & Thought

  • Classical and contemporary political theory
  • Debates on justice, liberty, democracy, and power
  • Capitalism and its critiques: Marxist, Keynesian, Neoliberal, and Post-colonial thought
  • Restorative justice and juvenile justice: Reimagining justice beyond retribution, centering repair, rehabilitation, and social transformation
02

Political Economy & Capitalism

  • Historical and modern schools of economic thought
  • Global capitalism, inequality, and development
  • Intersections of labor, markets, and policy
  • Financialisation and governance of economic institutions
  • Transformative economies and alternative solidarity economies: Cooperative models, mutual aid, commons-based systems, and resistance to extractive paradigms
03

Political Structures & Processes

  • Electoral and non-electoral politics
  • Political parties, movements, and democratic institutions
  • Governance at national, regional, and local levels
04

Institutions, Bureaucracy & Accountability

  • State structures and bureaucratic systems
  • Right to Information (RTI) and citizen engagement
  • Mechanisms of transparency and social accountability
  • Law, constitution, and society: Interactions between legal frameworks, constitutional values, and lived experiences of governance
05

International Relations & Area Studies

  • Theories of international relations
  • Geopolitical dynamics in South Asia and the Global South
  • Comparative and regional political analysis
  • Peace, conflict, and security studies: Understanding war, peacebuilding, disarmament, and the political economy of security
06

Urban Policy & Governance

  • Urban transformation and informal settlements
  • Municipal governance, planning, and participatory frameworks
  • Smart cities, mobility, and inclusive development
07

Public Policy & Regulatory Governance

  • Policy design, implementation, and reform
  • Regulatory bodies and their evolving roles
  • Evidence-based governance and accountability tools
08

Natural Resource Management & Environmental Politics

  • Commons, land, water, and forest governance
  • Political ecology and environmental anthropology
  • Resource conflicts and indigenous rights
09

Social Action, Mobilization & Rights

  • Grassroots movements and civil society
  • Strategies for democratic participation
  • Public interest litigation, RTI, and digital activism: Legal and technological tools for citizen empowerment and systemic change
Our Activities

Engaging with the Political World

At the Centre for Political Science, we go beyond classrooms and textbooks to engage with the political world as it unfolds. Our key activities include:

Political Conferences & Dialogues

We host national and international conferences, bringing together scholars, practitioners, and activists to deliberate on pressing political and policy challenges.

Debates & Public Forums

We curate open debates, town halls, and panel discussions to encourage critical thinking, civic dialogue, and student engagement with contemporary issues.

Solidarity & Movement Building

We stand in active solidarity with people’s movements and facilitate conversations across struggles — from grassroots activism to legal mobilizations and public campaigns.

Policy Briefings & Public Research

Our team produces policy briefs, background notes, and research reports that contribute to informed decision-making and participatory governance.

Connect with CPIR Who We Are