The course seeks to foster a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of political theory, its significance within the discipline of Political Science, and its profound influence on conceptualizing and interpreting various facets of social life. Through a critical examination of influential traditions and perspectives, students will gain insights into how theoretical frameworks shape debates and discourses on socio-political issues. Furthermore, the course aims to equip learners with the ability to critically analyse and deconstruct contemporary theories and perspectives that delve into the intricate interplay between politics and social constructs.
It begins with an overview of why we study political theory and what are the approaches and forms of political theory. It then proceeds to elaborate in a detailed manner on the key concepts in political theory such as ‘Liberty’, ‘Equality’, ‘Rights’, ‘Justice’, and ‘Democracy’. It will also focus on recent trends of Political Theory. Each concept is explained through the thoughts and writings of noted theorists who have deliberated at length on that particular issue with emphasis given on readings of original writings.
Course Content
Unit I: Introduction
a) What is Political Theory? Why do we need Political Theory?
b) Approaches to Political Theory: Normative and Empirical
c) Modernity and Political Theory
Unit II: Traditions
a) Liberalism
b) Neo-Liberalism
c) Marxism
d) Neo-Marxism
Unit III: Recent Trends
a) Feminism
b) Post-Modernism
c) Green Political Theory
d) Multiculturalism
Unit IV: Concepts
a) Citizenship
b) Civil Society
c) Welfare State
d) Idea of Swaraj
Essential Readings
- Adams, I. (2001). Political Ideology Today. United Kingdom: Manchester University Press.
- Bhargava, Rajeev, and Acharya, Ashok. (2008). Political Theory: An Introduction. New Delhi: Pearson Longman.
- Farrelly, Colin. (2003). Contemporary Political Theory: A Reader. Sage Publications.
- Goodin, Robert E., and Pettit, Philip (Eds.). (1997). Contemporary Political Philosophy. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers.
- Kymlicka, Will. (2014). Contemporary Political Philosophy. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
- Miller, David, and Siedentop, Larry (Eds.). (1983). The Nature of Political Theory. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
- Ramaswamy, Sushila. (2014). Political Theory: Ideas and Concepts. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd.
- Rawls, John. (1971). A Theory of Justice. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Sandel, Michael. (2002). Liberalism and the Limits of Justice. Cambridge University Press.
- Vinod, M. J., and Deshpande, Meena. (2013). Contemporary Political Theory. PHI Learning Private Limited, Delhi.
Source: Undergraduate (UG) Political Science Syllabus – Core III (Semester II): Introduction to Political Theory.