In the global era, issues related to politics and governance have become central themes in the discourse of development. Neo-liberals have questioned the central political role of the state in the development process, as it failed to fully solve the problems (both in the socialist and non-socialist worlds) of poverty, unemployment, gender bias, ethnic or cultural oppression, marginalisation, environmental degradation and human rights. The proponents of this school are now advocating that the state should relinquish many of its previous roles, as it has limitations in optimizing efficiency, effectiveness and fair play. Similarly, the protagonists of civil society (ethnic, human rights, civil liberties, feminist and environmental movements, etc.) are highly critical of the state for its ineffectiveness in fulfilling the needs of the poor and of the common man. They are seeking to enhance the vitality of civil society to protect the weak and promote equitable and sustainable development.

Seen in the above context, issues concerning the study of social and economic development from the political and governance perspective are the main research agenda for the scholars in political science, public administration and international politics in the Centre.

• Perspectives, theories, philosophies, and paradigms related to politics, governance and development.

• Development Politics, State and Society relationships in historical, comparative and development perspective. Role of state, market and civil society in governance and development.

• Political and administrative institutions: Democracy, political parties, pressure groups, executive, legislature, judiciary, and Bureaucracy. Political and administrative reforms for good governance in the context of globalisation and technological revolution (constitutional, electoral and administrative reforms).

• Implications of globalisation on polity, governance and labour. Trade Regimes, International Organisations and Development agencies

• Political and governance issues at the national and sub-national level as well as at the sectoral and cutting edge level covering agriculture, education, health, industry, irrigation, natural resources, power, welfare and poverty, rural and urban governance, E-Governance, public and private partnership and citizen and governance.

• Issues pertaining to communalism, corruption, terrorism, fundamentalism, sub-nationalism, regionalism, inter-state disputes, gender, ethics, poverty and environment

• Local Welfare in Global Context: Slums and Urban Welfare in Karnataka’s Development

• Governance and Service Delivery in Karnataka

• Ethical Political Leadership and Good Governance: Role of Political Parties

• Eleventh Finance Commission Grants for Administrative Upgradation and Service Delivery in Karnataka

• Making Decentralisation and Local Governance Work for the Poor

• Hariyali Guidelines and Watershed Development: The Role of Panchayats in the Implementation Process