Introduction to Political Theory

Paper Code: 
24CPOL 101
Credits: 
06
Contact Hours: 
19.00
Max. Marks: 
100.00
Objective: 

This course is meant to provide an introduction of Political Science to the students who have not had any exposure to the discipline. This is an introductory paper to the concepts, ideas, forms of Government and Political Theories. It seeks to explain the evolution and usage of these concepts and theories, both historically and analytically.This course is meant to provide an introduction of Political Science to the students who have not had any exposure to the discipline. This is an introductory paper to the concepts, ideas, forms of Government and Political Theories. It seeks to explain the evolution and usage of these concepts and theories, both historically and analytically.

18.00
Unit I: 
Introducing Political Theory

Political Theory: Meaning, Nature, Scope and Relevance; Distinction between Political Theory and Political Science; Approaches: Normative, Empirical, Behavioural and Post – Behavioural

18.00
Unit II: 
Basic Concepts

Liberty: Meaning, Positive and Negative Liberty, Liberal and Marxist view; Equality: Meaning, Nature, Types, Relationship between Liberty and Equality; 

18.00
Unit III: 
State and Sovereignty

Meaning and Elements of State: Difference between State and Society; Theories of Origin of State: Divine, Historical, Evolutionary and Social Contract; Sovereignty: Meaning, Theories: Monistic and Pluralistic

18.00
Unit IV: 
Civil Society, Democracy and Citizenship

Civil Society: Concept, Role and Issues; Democracy: Meaning, Types: Direct and Indirect, Challenges to Democracy; Citizenship

18.00
Unit V: 
Justice, Rights and Gender Rights

Meaning, Nature, Theories of Rights: Natural Rights, Legal Rights, Historical Theory and Marxist Theory; Justice: Procedural and Substantive, Nation state: conceptual framework, features and elements; Gender: Gender Roles, Gender based Violence and Representation 

Essential Readings: 

Ø  Heywood A.,(2022), Politics, United Kingdom , Red Globe Press

Ø  Gauba O.P., (2023), An Introduction to Political Theory, New Delhi, Macmillan Publications

Ø  Agarwal, R.C.,(2018), Political Theory, New Delhi, S. Chand & Co

Ø  Mahajan, V.D .,(2016), Political Theory:Principles of Political Science, New Delhi, Sultan Chand and Sons

Ø  Bhargava, R., and Ashok,A.,(2016),Political Theory:An Introduction, New Delhi, Pearson Education

Ø  Asirvatham,E.,(2015), Political Theory, New Delhi, S. Chand & Co. Pvt. Ltd

Ø  Vermani, R.C.,( 2014). Political Theory:Concepts and Debates, Geetanjali Publications, New Delhi,

Ø  Gupta R.L.,( 2014), Political Theory, New Concepts: New Perspectives, New Delhi, Sultan Chand and Sons

Ø  Jain, M.P.,(2013), Political Theory, New Delhi, Atlantic Publications

References: 

Ø  Johri, J.C.,(2019), Principles of Political Science, New Delhi,  Sterling Publishers

Ø   

Ø  Appadorai, A., (2015), Substance of Politics, Madrass, Oxford University Press

Ø  Hoffman, J. & Graham, P. (2015),Introduction to Political Theory,London, Dorling Kindersely Publishers

Ø  Ramaswamy, S., (2015)Political Theory: Ideas and Concept, Delhi , PHI,.

Ø  Christiano,Th.,(2008), Issues in Political Theory,New York, Oxford University Press

Ø  Vincet, A.,(2007), The Nature of Political Theory,New York, Oxford University Press

Ø  Das, H. H. & Choudhary, B.C.,(2005), Political Theory, Jaipur, National Publishing House

Academic Year: 
2024-25
  • Printer-friendly version
  • PDF version