The Council on Political Science (CPS) explores how power is shaped, exercised, justified, and contested within society. It approaches politics beyond electoral cycles or state machinery, as a deeper inquiry into authority, public ethics, governance, and the moral imagination that guides collective life. CPS is attentive to how ideas travel across societies, from classical political philosophies to modern statecraft, and how these ideas influence the everyday realities of citizens.
In line with CSR’s broader aspiration to cultivate alternative ways of thinking, the council seeks perspectives that move beyond the dominant narratives. It looks toward Islam’s rich tradition of political thought, concepts of justice, consultation (shura), stewardship, accountability, and the moral bounds of power, to explore frameworks that speak to India’s complex pluralistic setting. The aim is not to replicate classical models, but to draw from their ethical depth to imagine political possibilities rooted in responsibility and human dignity.
CPS also studies contemporary Indian political dynamics: the changing nature of institutions, the role of public discourse, the experiences of marginalized communities, and the evolving relationship between the state and society. It pays particular attention to how Indian Muslims engage with democratic structures, navigate political pressures, and contribute to the country’s civic life.
Through research, mentoring, critical conversations, and collaborations, CPS hopes to cultivate political thinking that is principled, context-aware, and committed to the common good. Its work aims to illuminate pathways for more just, inclusive, and ethically grounded political arrangements.