Book Description
Political Theory is about the description, observation, analysis and inquiry into the issues of political science. Divided into 15 chapters, the book captures all relevant aspects of political science and analyses them in the light of examples from India and the rest of the world. Through a thorough examination of various political institutions, the role of different social groups and the evolution of our politics, this book will help students understand the basic concepts and notions of political theory, and illustrate how these concepts apply to political systems across the world.
Table of Contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Contents
- About the Author
- Preface
- 1. Approaches, Methods and Models of Political Study and Analysis
- Introduction
- Analysis of Traditional Studies
- Analysis of Recent Studies
- Approaches and Methods
- Traditional Approaches and Methods
- Contemporary Approaches and Methods
- Review Questions
- 2. Concept of the State in Political Theory and International Relations
- Society, State, Constitution and Government
- Concept and Idea of the State
- Elements of the State
- Journey of the State
- Review Questions
- 3. Perspectives and Theories on the Origin of the State
- Introduction
- How did the State Originate?
- Liberal Theories of Origin of the State
- How is the State Viewed?
- Review Questions
- 4. Roles and Functions of the State and the Nature of State Power
- Introduction
- Liberal and Neo-Liberal Theories
- Negative Liberalism and Theory of Laissez-Faire State
- Theorists of the Laissez-Faire State
- Positive Liberalism and Theory of the Welfare State
- Marxian (Class) Theory of Nature and Functions of the State
- 5. Concept of Sovereignty in Political Theory
- Introduction to the Concept of Sovereignty
- Historical Perspective on the Concept of Sovereignty
- Rationalization of Natural Law and the Concept of Sovereignty
- Contractualists and the Concept of Sovereignty
- Legalists and the Concept of Sovereignty
- Characteristics of Sovereignty
- Aspects or Types of Sovereignty
- Review Questions
- 6. Concept of Sovereignty Challenged
- Critics of Sovereignty
- Political Pluralism and Pluralist Critiques of Sovereignty
- Society and the State: Primacy of the Social Over the Political
- Criticism of Monist/Austin's Theory of Sovereignty
- Concept of Pluralist Authority and Rejection of Absolute Sovereignty
- State and Government—Sovereignty of Fallible Men?
- Place of the State in the Great Society: State and Other Associations
- Internationalism and the State
- Critical Evaluation of Pluralist Theory
- Other Critiques of Sovereignty
- Contemporary Challenges to Sovereignty
- Review Questions
- 7. Principles of Liberty and Freedom
- Introduction
- Meaning and Sphere of Liberty and Freedom
- A Brief History of Liberty and Freedom
- Liberty and Freedom Defined
- Conditions for Realization of Liberty and Freedom
- Types of Liberty and Freedom
- Liberty, Liberation, Freedom, Licence, Anarchy and Authority
- Negative and Positive Liberty
- Liberalism: Classical and Modern, Neo-liberalism and Libertarianism
- Marxian Views of Freedom
- Review Questions
- 8. Principle of Rights
- Introduction: Rights of Individuals, Groups and Classes
- Definition and Meaning of Rights
- Theories of Rights
- Review Questions
- 9. Principle of Equality
- Introduction: Equity, Equality and Egalitarianism
- Formal Equality
- Procedural Equality
- Substantive Equality
- Civil Equality
- Legal Equality
- Political Equality
- Social Equality
- Economic Equality
- Liberty and Equality Are Incompatible and in Conflict
- Liberty and Equality Are Compatible and Complementary
- Review Questions
- 10. Principle of Justice
- Introduction: Equity, Fairness and Justice
- Diverse Perspectives on Justice
- Justice as Synthesis of Political Values
- Ambedkar's Social Justice Perspective
- Liberal-Egalitarian Perspective on Justice
- Libertarian Perspective
- Dimensions of Justice
- Review Questions
- 11. Concepts and Theories of Democracy
- Introduction
- Meaning and Definition of Democracy
- Forms of Democracy
- Contemporary and Recent Theories of Democracy
- Review Questions
- 12. Political Obligation, Resistance and Revolution
- Introduction: Political Obligation, Citizenship and Legitimate Authority
- Types of Obligation and Their Relationship with Political Obligation
- Political Obligation: Supporters and Opponents
- Grounds and Limits of Political Obligation
- Resistance and Revolution
- 13. Theories of Power, Dominance and Hegemony
- Introduction
- Power
- Political Power
- Economic Power
- Ideological Power
- Weber's Classification of Authority
- Limitation on Political Authority
- Perspectives on Distribution of Power
- Application of Elite Theory in the Indian Context
- Application of the Pluralist Model in the Indian Context
- Orthodox Marxian Position on Distribution of Power
- Neo-Marxian Revision on Distribution of Power in Capitalist Society
- Hegemony as Power
- Review Questions
- 14. Theory of Political Culture
- Introduction
- Political Culture and Public Opinion
- Political Culture as ‘Civic Culture’
- Types of Political Culture
- Political Sub-culture
- Political Socialization and Its Agencies
- Political Culture as a Framework of Comparative Study
- Political Culture, Political Socialization and Democratic Stability
- Political Culture in India: Myron Weiner's Analysis
- Review Questions
- 15. Theories of Political Economy
- Introduction: Economics of Politics
- Theories of Political Economy
- Political Economy of the Indian State
- Review Questions
- Notes
- Copyright