History of political Theory- From Plato to Marx

Paper Code: 
POL 124
Credits: 
04
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

Thinkers belonging to diverse intellectual persuasions opened up refreshingly new ways of envisaging the self, public life and possibilities of crafting a new world and these endeavors offer a window to understand the complex tapestry of political life.

12.00
Unit I: 
UNIT 1

Greek Political Philosophy. The fundamentals of Greek Political Philosophy, Philosophical ideas of Socrates, Plato-Justice, Education, Communism of Wives and Property, Philosopher King, Theory of Best state, Second Ideal State

12.00
Unit II: 
UNIT 2

Aristotle- State, Slavery, Citizenship, Resolution, concept of Best State, Trends in Political Philosophy after Aristotle- Influence of Christianity on Theory of State

12.00
Unit III: 
UNIT 3

St. Thomas Aquinas- Political Theory, Views about Laws and Justice, Nature of State, The Church and the State; Machiavelli- Views about human nature, Child of Renaissance, Nation State and power Politics, Religion Morality and Politics

12.00
Unit IV: 
UNIT 4

Jean Bodin- Political Ideas and Concept of Sovereignty, Thomas Hobbes- Development of Social Contract Theory, Human Nature, State of Nature, Social Contract, Sovereignty, Resistance of Individual against State

12.00
Unit V: 
UNIT 5

John Locke- Human nature, State of Nature, Theory of Social Contract, Private Property, Theory of Revolution, Natural rights and Natural Law, Rousseau and his views about Social Contract, Doctrine of General Will

Essential Readings: 
  • Gauba, O.P., (2017), Western Political Thought, New Delhi, Mayur Paperbacks
  • Mukherjee S. (2003), History of Political Thought: Plato to Marx, New Delhi,Prentice Hall of India
  • Parekh ,B., & Pantham, T., (1987), Political Discourse: Explorations in Indian and Western Political Thought, New Delhi, Sage Publications
  • Sharma, U., & Sharma, S.K.,(2016), Western Political Thought: From Plato to Burke, New Delhi , Atlantic Publishers
  •  Suda, J.P., ( 2016), History of Political Thought: (Vol. I&II), Merrut, K. Nath & Co
  • Wayper, C.L.,(2018), Political Thought, India, Aitbs Publishers
References: 
  • Adam, I., & Dyson, R.W.,(2004),Fifty Great Political Thinkers, London, Routledge
  •  Boucher, D.,&  Kelly, P., Political Thinkers, London,Oxford University Press
  • Jones, W.T.,( 1959), Masters of Political Thought, (Vols.2 & 3), London, George Harrap & Co
  • Nelson B.R.,(2006),Western Political Thought, Second Edition, New Delhi, Pearson Education
  • Sabine,G.H.,(1997), History of Political Theory,New Delhi, Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd.
  • Skoble,A. & Machan,T., (2007), Political Philosophy: Essential Selections, New Delhi, Pearson Education

 

Academic Year: 
2019-20
  • Printer-friendly version
  • PDF version