Political Thoughts
Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya · LL.B. Semester 2 · LAIBTX3N
Unit I — Greek and Roman Political Thought
Plato: Ideal State and Theory of Justice · Aristotle: Theory of Justice, Rule of Law, Theory of State, Constitution
Unit II — Modern Western Political Thought
Niccolò Machiavelli: State, Power, Morality and Realism · Thomas Hobbes: Leviathan, Sovereignty and Absolute Authority · John Locke: Natural Rights, Limited Government, Consent · Jean-Jacques Rousseau: General Will, Social Contract, Popular Sovereignty · Jeremy Bentham and J.S. Mill: Utilitarianism, Liberty and Representative Government · T H Green: Liberty, Political Obligation and Punishment
- Machiavelli's view on Statecraft — Advices to Prudent Prince in ‘The Prince’
- Social Contract/Consent Theory. (Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau)
- J.S Mill views on Liberty — Influence on Indian Constitution
- Utilitarianism
- Meaning and Definition, Basic Principles, Arguments in Favour and Against
- Legal positivism Bentham's Utilitarian theory, Austin's Imperative/ Analytical theory, Prof. HLA Hart's Concept of Law, Hans Kelson's Pure Theory of Law
- Concept of Political Obligation
Unit III — Indian Classical Political Thought
Kautilya: Saptanga Theory, Mandala Theory, Rajadharma and Arthashastra · Dharmaśāstra and Smriti traditions
Unit IV — Modern Indian Political Thinkers – I
Pandita Ramabai: Women’s education, gender justice, and social reform · Savitribai Phule: Role in women’s empowerment, education, and caste reform · Bal Gangadhar Tilak: Assertive Nationalism and Swarajya · Rabindranath Tagore: Humanism, Cosmopolitanism, and critique of nationalism · Mahatma Gandhi: Swaraj, Non-violence, Ethical Politics, and Trusteeship
Unit V — Modern Indian Political Thinkers – II
Jawaharlal Nehru: Democratic Socialism, Secularism, Scientific Temper · B.R. Ambedkar: Annihilation of Caste, Social Justice, Constitutionalism · Ram Manohar Lohia: Socialism, Equality, and Caste Reforms · M.N. Roy: Radical Humanism and Partyless Democracy