Introduction to Political Theory & Thought

Unit I — INTRODUCTION, APPROACHES TO THE STUDY OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

Political Science: Meaning, Nature, Scope and Significance · Traditional Approaches · Modern Approaches: Behavioralism, Post-Behavioralism, Systems Approach, Structural-Functional Approach · Marxist Approach

Unit II — STATE AND THEORIES OF ORIGIN OF STATE, SOVEREIGNTY

State – Meaning, Nature and Elements of State · Changing Notions of State · Theories of State: Divine Origin Theory, Force Theory, Social Contract Theory, Matriarchal and Patriarchal Theory, Marxist Theory · Meaning and Characteristics of Sovereignty Types of Sovereignty – Legal, Political, Popular, National, Titular; De jure and De facto Theories of Sovereignty: Monistic Theory and Pluralistic Theory

• The Concept of the State — Meaning and Definition
• Constituent Elements of State and importance of each Element
• 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
• Social Contract/Consent Theory. (Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau)

Unit III — DEMOCRACY, LIBERTY, EQUALITY AND JUSTICE

Democracy: Meaning, Definition and Characteristics Models of Democracy: Direct, Representative, Participatory and Deliberative ,Theories of Democracy: Classical Liberal and Elite Theory of Democracy · Liberty: Meaning and Definition Theories of Liberty: J.S. Mill and Isaiah Berlin · Equality: Meaning and Definition Types of Equality, Theories of Equality: Ronald Dworkin · Justice: Meaning and Definition Types of Justice, Theories of Justice: John Rawls and Amartya Sen

Unit IV — ANCIENT GREEK POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY

Plato: · Plato’s Concept of Ideal State and Its Principal Components: · Theory of Justice · Theory of Education and Rule of Philosopher King · Communism of Wives and Property · Aristotle: · Aristotle’s Concept of State, and Ideal State and the Best Sate · Theory of Justice and Revolution · Slavery · Citizenship

• Plato's Ideal State as given in ‘The Republic’ - Concept of Philosopher King

Unit V — MODERN POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY

Machiavelli: · Human Nature · Ideas on Morality and Religion · Ideas on State and Its Preservation as reflected in Prince · Machiavelli as a Modern Thinker · J.S. Mill: · Influence of Bentham’s Utilitarian Philosophy on Mill · Mill’s Ideas on Liberty · Ideas on State and Representative Government

• Machiavelli's view on Statecraft — Advices to Prudent Prince in ‘The Prince’

Unit VI — INDIAN POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY

Mahatma Gandhi: · Concept of Satyagraha and Non-violence ,Gandhi on End and Means · Gandhi on Religion and Politics - Spiritualization of Politics · Gandhi on Gram Swaraj, Swadeshi and the Theory of Trusteeship · Jawahar Lal Nehru: · Nehru on Democracy and Secularism · Nehru on Socialism and Mixed Economy · Nehru on Nationalism and Internationalism · B.R. Ambedkar: · Ambedkar as a Critic of Ancient Social Order and Inequality · Annihilation of the Caste System · Ambedkar and the Constitution of India