Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

Imagine a young girl in a small Indian village. From birth, her behaviour, choices, and aspirations are subtly shaped by family norms, caste expectations, school education, and societal rules. Even her self-perception—what she thinks she can achieve—is influenced by these structures. This illustrates that the “individual” is not born fully formed, but shaped and constituted by power relations embedded in society.

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Explain the Concept

• Elaborate on what it means to be “constituted through power relations.”
• Discuss Michel Foucault’s Perspective: Classical liberal thought treats individuals as autonomous entities, yet modern social and political theory, particularly Michel Foucault, argues that the self is constructed through networks of power—discourses, institutions, and social practices.
  • Power is productive, not merely repressive. It shapes identities, norms, and social roles.

Theoretical Anchoring

• Judith Butler: Identity, especially gender, is performative and constituted through repeated social norms.
• Antonio Gramsci: Cultural hegemony molds consciousness, showing how dominant ideologies shape individual subjectivity.

Power in Social Institutions

• Family: The primary site of socialisation, families impose norms regarding behaviour, gender roles, and responsibilities.
  • For instance, in many patriarchal societies, girls are socialised to prioritise domesticity over career, while boys are encouraged toward leadership and risk-taking.
• Education System: Schools produce “docile bodies” through discipline, hierarchical structures, and examinations.
  • The curriculum determines what knowledge is legitimate, shaping not only intellect but also values and aspirations.
  • For example, meritocratic systems in elite schools create a sense of self-worth tied to academic success, while marginalized children may internalize exclusion.
• Religion and Culture: Religious doctrines and cultural norms prescribe roles and behaviors.
  • In caste-ridden societies, individuals’ self-perception and career choices can be shaped by centuries-old social hierarchies, demonstrating the subtle, pervasive nature of power in constituting the self.

Power in Political and Economic Structures

• Governance and Law: The state exerts power through laws, surveillance, and civic norms. Citizens’ identities are shaped through civic responsibilities, rights, and institutionalised regulations.
  • For instance, citizens living under authoritarian regimes may internalise obedience and self-censorship, illustrating how political power shapes individual subjectivity.
• Economic Systems: Capitalist economies shape individuals’ aspirations and lifestyles.
  • Consumer culture, advertising, and work hierarchies construct desires and self-concepts.
  • A young professional may define success entirely through income and material accumulation, reflecting the constitutive power of economic structures.

Power in Contemporary Digital Spaces

• In the 21st century, technology and social media constitute new sites of power. Algorithms, influencer culture, and digital surveillance subtly mold opinions, values, and self-perception.
• Social media not only shapes behavior but also constructs the self as performative, measured through likes, followers, and online validation.
• Here, power is decentralized but immensely productive, shaping individuals globally.

Counter-Perspective

• Some argue that individuals possess agency and autonomy, capable of resisting power structures.
• While individuals are shaped by power, agency exists within constraints. Historical examples—such as the Indian freedom struggle, civil rights movements in the US, or feminist movements worldwide—illustrate that individuals can resist, negotiate, and transform existing power structures.
• Even in digital spaces, grassroots activism or whistleblowers demonstrate that individuals are not passive recipients but active participants in constituting and contesting power.

Conclusion

The individual is neither autonomous nor pre-given; the self emerges through social, political, cultural, and technological power relations. While these structures shape beliefs, choices, and aspirations, individuals retain agency to resist and transform them. Societies should promote critical thinking, inclusivity, and ethical digital literacy, alongside participatory institutions, to empower individuals. Awareness of power dynamics enables people to actively engage with and reshape societal structures rather than be merely constituted by them.

Introduction

Imagine a young engineer attempting to build a bridge purely based on personal trial-and-error, without consulting principles of civil engineering. The bridge might collapse, highlighting that experience without theory is blind. Conversely, if a scholar spends decades writing treatises on bridge construction without ever observing or applying practical techniques, the knowledge remains abstract and disconnected. This illustrates the inseparable link between theory and experience, where each complements and validates the other.

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• Experience without Theory:
  • Pure practice without understanding the underlying principles can lead to errors.
  • Example: A doctor trying experimental treatments without medical knowledge risks patient health.
  • Example: Farmers using traditional methods without understanding soil science may have reduced yield.
• Theory without Experience:
  • Abstract knowledge without practical application remains speculative.
  • Example: Economic models predicting rural income patterns may fail if not tested against real-world data.
  • Example: Engineers or architects studying design principles without actual construction experience may design impractical structures.
• Integration of Theory and Experience:
  • Theory guides experimentation; experience refines theory.
  • Example: Newton’s laws emerged from observation and experimentation.
  • Example: Policymakers rely on theoretical frameworks but adjust policies based on field feedback.
  • Example: AI algorithms are developed using theoretical models but require real-world data for training and accuracy.

Conclusion

Neither theory nor experience alone is sufficient to generate meaningful knowledge or effective action. Experience without theoretical guidance can be misguided, while theory without practical application remains abstract and detached from reality. By continuously testing theory against reality and reflecting on experience through theoretical insights, individuals and societies can achieve informed, effective, and sustainable outcomes.