Modern Political Theory

Paper Code: 
POL 421
Credits: 
04
Contact Hours: 
60.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This paper seeks to provide an in-depth understanding of the nature of the discipline and its major concepts useful for analyzing political process and phenomena. It focuses on the political theory and provides an advanced insight into the discipline. It seeks to explain the evolution and usage of new concepts and theories.

12.00
Unit I: 
UNIT 1

Growth of Political Science as a Discipline- Traditionalism, Behaviouralism – Meaning, Origin, Nature, growth, role and limitations

Post- Behaviouralism- Causes for the Growth of Behaviouralism, Characteristics, Achievements and Limitations

12.00
Unit II: 
UNIT 2

System Theory (David Easton)- Historical Background, Input support and Output of Political System, Flow Model of Political System,  Criticism of David Easton’s viewpoint

Structural- Functional theory (Gabriel Almond)- Almond’s definition of system, Framework and concepts of structure and function , Characteristics, Criticism

12.00
Unit III: 
UNIT 3

Group Theory ( Bentley)- History of Group Approach, Group Approach in Political Science, Features and evaluation of Group Theory

Distributive Theory (Harold Laswell)- Basis of theory, Conceptual structure, ideas,  Critical analysis

12.00
Unit IV: 
UNIT 4

Political Development- Meaning, Characteristics, Indicators of Political Development, Marxian Model of Political Development

Political Modernisation- Meaning, Models, effect, Perspective and Approaches, Factors affecting Political Modernisation

12.00
Unit V: 
UNIT 5

Theories of Political Development - Welfare Model, Market model of Development and Gandhian Model

Essential Readings: 
  • OP Gauba, Political Theory, Mac Milan India LTD,2004
  • PB Rathod, Modern Political Theory, New Delhi,Commomwealth Publishers,2004
  • MP Jain, Political Theory, New Delhi,Authors Guild Publications,1993
  • RC Aggarwal, Political Theory, New Delhi, S. Chand &Co
  • JC Johri, Contemporary Political Theory, Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd,1997
References: 
  • D.Bell,The End of Ideology,New York,The Free Press,1960
  • J.Blondel,The Discipline of Politics, London Butterworths,1981
  • G.A.Almond and J.S. Coleman, The Politics of the Developing Areas,
  • Princeton NJ, Princeton University Press, 1960   
  • S.Verba,The Civic Culture : Political Attitudes and Democracy in Five Nations Princeton NJ, Princeton University Press, 1963
  • G.B.Powell Jr. Comparative Politics : A Development Approach, Boston, Little Brown, 1996
  • D.E. Apter, The Politics of  Modernization, Chicago, University of Chicago Press 1965
  •  Bebler and J. Seroka, Contemporary Political System : Classifications and Typologics, Boulder Colorado, Lynne Reinner Publishers, 1990
  •  Brinton, The Anatomy of Revolution, New York, Vintage Books 1952
  • J.C.Johari, Comparative Political Theory  : New Dimensions, Basic Concepts and Major Trends, New Delhi Sterling 1987.
  • D.Krishna, Political Development : A Critical Perspective, Delhi, Oxford University Press, 1979.
  •  Kamrava, Mehran, Politics and Society in the third world, London Routledge,1993.
Academic Year: 
2016-17
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