Introduction to Political Science
Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya · LL.B. Semester 1 · LAIATX3N
Unit I — Nature and Scope of Political Science
Meaning, nature, significance and scope of Political Science · Interdisciplinary nature: Relationship with Law, Sociology, History, and Economics · Various interpretations of politics and power
Unit II — Approaches and Methods to Political Science
Traditional approaches: Normative and Philosophical · Behavioural and post-behavioural approaches · Systems and Structural-Functional approaches · Marxist and Feminist approaches · Methods: Philosophical, Historical, Institutional, Legal, Empirical, Deductive and Inductive, Normative and Empirical
Unit III — Concept and Theories of Origin of the State
Concept of State: Meaning, elements, and characteristics · Distinction between State, Government, Society, Nation, and Civil Society · Theories of Origin of the State: · Divine Right Theory · Force Theory · Social Contract Theories (Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau) · Historical/Evolutionary Theory · Marxist Theory
- The Concept of the State — Meaning and Definition
- Definitions of State
- Constituent Elements of State and importance of each Element
- Comparative Study — State and Government, State and Society, State and Association
- Social Contract/Consent Theory. (Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau)
- Divine Right Theory of Kings, Social Contract/ Consent Theory, Theory of Force
Unit IV — Sovereignty and the Role of the State
Concept, attributes, and evolution of Sovereignty · Types of Sovereignty: Legal, Political, Popular, Titular, De jure and De facto · Theories: Monistic and Pluralistic · Sovereignty in the era of globalisation and supranational organisations · Concept and features of the Welfare State
- Sovereignty as the Basic Element of the State
- Meaning and Definition of Sovereignty
- Two Aspects of Sovereignty: Internal and External
- Essential Characteristics of Sovereignty
- The Notion of Legal Sovereignty, Political Sovereignty and Popular Sovereignty
- John Austin's Theory of Sovereignty
- Challenges to State Sovereignty — Globalisation and R2P
Unit V — Core Political Concepts
Liberty: Meaning, types, and views of J.S. Mill and Isaiah Berlin · Equality: Meaning, types, and Dworkin’s theory · Justice: Meaning, types, and theories of Rawls and Amartya Sen · Rights and Duties: Legal and Political Rights · Political Obligation: Meaning, basis, and relevance in democratic societies
- Meaning and Definition, Basic Principles, Arguments in Favour and Against. Shift from Negative Liberty to Positive Liberty (Classical and Modern Liberalism)
- J.S Mill views on Liberty — Influence on Indian Constitution
- Rights and Duties Meaning of Rights Characteristics of legal Rights Rights and Duties correlations
- Concept of Political Obligation
- Grounds of Political Obligations-Why do people obey laws?
- Theories of Political Obligation