Representative Western Thinkers

Paper Code: 
DPOL801(A)
Credits: 
06
Contact Hours: 
90.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

The objectives of this course are to make learners familiarise with the various schools of political thoughts. Acquaint the students with knowledge advocated by various political philosophers on state and politics. Provide a framework to enable critical thinking and analysis of the state-society relations.

Course Outcomes: 

Course

Learning outcomes

(at course level)

Learning and teaching strategies

Assessment Strategies

Course Code

Course Title

25DPOL 801(A)

Representative

Western Thinkers

(Theory)

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

CO85:   Demonstrate knowledge and  able to analyze the political and social thought of various prominent Western thinkers

CO86: Understand the various schools of political thought of Western Political Philosophy

CO87: Understand existing, contemporary and emerging trends in Politics with reference to how thinkers viewed them in the context of their times

CO88:  Acquaint them with the relevance of these thoughts in contemporary times

CO89: Analyze the ideological thoughts of thinkers

CO90: contribute effectively in Course specific interaction

Approach in teaching:

Interactive Lectures, Discussion, Tutorials, Reading assignments, Power Point Presentation

 

Learning activities for the students:

Self-learning assignments, Effective questions, Seminar presentation, Giving tasks.

Class test, Semester end examinations, Quiz, Solving problems in tutorials, Assignments, Presentation, Individual and group projects
 
18.00
Unit I: 
Greek Political Philosophy

                                                                                   

Plato: Justice, Education, Communism of Wives and Property, Philosopher King, Theory of Best state, Second Ideal State

Aristotle: State, Slavery, Citizenship, Resolution, concept of Best State,

18.00
Unit II: 
Middle Age Philosophy

                                                                                    

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, Morality and Politics. Jean Bodin: Concept of Sovereignty

18.00
Unit III: 
The Contractualists

                                                                                     

Thomas Hobbes: Social Contract Theory, Human Nature, State of Nature, Social Contract, Sovereignty, Resistance of Individual against State

John Locke: Human nature, State of Nature, Theory of Social Contract, Natural rights, Rousseau Social Contract, Doctrine of General Will

18.00
Unit IV: 
Utilitarians and Idealist

                                                                          

Bentham- Basic principles of Utilitarianism, State and Punishment, Prison reforms,

J. S Mill - Liberty, revisions of Bentham’s Utilitarianism

T.H.Green- Theory of State, Resistance to State, War

18.00
Unit V: 
Socialists

 

Marx- Basic Principles of Marxian Philosophy, Materialistic Interpretation of History, Theory of Surplus value, State,  Theory of class struggle

Lenin-, Lenin’s contribution to Marxism, Theory of Party Organisation, Theory of Imperialism,

Mao Zedong- Communism and Cultural Revolution

Essential Readings: 

          

  • Gauba, O.P., (2023), Western Political Thought, New Delhi, Mayur Paperbacks
  • Sharma, U., & Sharma, S.K.,(2021), Western Political Thought: From Plato to Burke, New Delhi , Atlantic Publishers
  • Wayper, C.L.,(2021), Political Thought, India, Aitbs Publishers
  • Suda, J.P.,( 2020), History of Political Thought: (Vol. I&II), Merrut, K. Nath & Co
  • Boucher, D.,&  Kelly, P.,(2017)Political Thinkers, London,Oxford University Press
  • Mukherjee S. (2015), History of Political Thought: Plato to Marx, New Delhi,Prentice Hall of India

 

                                                                        

References: 
  • Sabine,G.H.,(2019), History of Political Theory,New Delhi, Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd.
  • Nelson B.R.,(2017),Western Political Thought, Second Edition, New Delhi, Pearson Education
  • Skoble,A. & Machan,T., (2007), Political Philosophy: Essential Selections, New Delhi, Pearson Education
  • Adam, I., & Dyson, R.W.,(2004),Fifty Great Political Thinkers, London, Routledge
  • Coleman,J., (2000), A History of Political Thought: From Ancient Greece to Early Christianity, London, Blackwell
  • Berki,R.N., (1977),The History of Political Thought: A Short Introduction, United States,  Rowman and Littlefield
  • Parekh ,B., & Pantham, T., (1987), Political Discourse: Explorations in Indian and Western Political Thought, New Delhi, Sage Publications
  • Barker, E.,The Political Thought of Plato and Aristotle, Dover Publications, New Delhi, 1964.
  • Hallowell, J.H., Main Currents in Modern Political Thought, Holt, New York, 1960.
Academic Year: 
2025-26
  • Printer-friendly version
  • PDF version