School of Law

Department of Governance and Development Studies

Program BA in Governance and Development Studies
1. Course Information
Course Title Political Thought
Course Code GaDS 2041
Program Governance and Development Studies
Module Name Governance and Politics
Module No. 4
Chair Holder Name:
Office location:
Mobile: ; e-mail:
Consultation Hours:
Instructor/Tutor Name:
Office location:
Mobile: ; e-mail:
Consultation Hours:
Credit Points 6
Contact Hours Lecture Tutorial Lab/Practica Home Total
(per semester) l Study
4 2 0 0 6
Lecture days, 32/64
Hours & Room:
Tutorial/Lab 32/0
days & Hours
Target Group: Regular
Year /Semester Year IV Semester I
Pre-requisites if None
any
Status of the Compulsory
course
2. Course Description
The course political thought is designed to acquaint you to major political thoughts that have
influenced human history at different ages. It is intended to teach students to know the
philosophical ideas that have shaped human life and belief which enables to understand how
they shaped and reshaped human relations, man’s relations with society and state and man’s
relation with God, in the past, present and future. In the field of Political Science, no other
issue is of utmost importance than the nature and relationship between state and society.
Renowned political thinkers have focused their attention on the issue as a result of which
political thought as a field of study emerged. Political theories that have been developed to
justify the best political order have been diversified and numerous as the political thinkers
themselves. Consequently, there has not been agreement among political thinkers on the ways
of creating and preserving the best political order for society; the sources of political authority,
and the major principles that should govern the relationship between the rulers and the ruled.
Political ideas and theories have always informed practical political change and it is believed
that a detailed understanding of political concepts helps to create a more just and peaceful
world.

The course is divided into six chapters. The first chapter is concerned with classical political
thought. It focuses on the origin and nature of Greek political thought; the concept of
philosophy and political philosophy; the origin and evolution of Greek political philosophy;
political ideas of Sophists, Socrates political thought, Plato’s political thought, and Aristotle’s
political thought. The second chapter is about medieval political thought. This chapter
incorporates the rise of Christianity and the fall of the Roman Empire; the essence of Christian
political thought; the fall of the Roman Empire; the Christian political ideas of St. Augustine,
and the political ideas of St. Thomas Aquinas. Chapter three- is concerned with modern
political thought. Machiavelli’s political realism, Thomas Hobbes’ political thought, the
political thought of John Lock, Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s political thought, Utilitarianism and
Socialism and Marxism-Communism are the main contents of this chapter. The fourth chapter
deals with the concept of Fascism and Anarchism. The origin and features of fascism, national
socialism, major principles of fascism, Giovanni Gentile and his fascist philosophy, anarchism,
anarchist views on authority and anarchist philosophers are also part of this chapter. Chapter
five is about contemporary political thoughts. Among others, this chapter contains political
thought of John Rawls and Mohandas Gandhi. The last chapter deals with Feminism focusing
on liberal feminist and radical feminists.
3. Course Objectives
By the end of the course student will be able to:
 Realize the contribution of different political thinkers to the development of modern
political theories and practices
 Explain the different philosophical bases and justifications of various political thinkers
 Analyze the significance and legitimacy of various political systems to different stages of
human history
 Critically examine various ideas that philosophers proposed to redress socio-economic,
political, legal and moral problems that mankind has experienced over centuries
 Analyze the character and relationships between the state, society and the individual.

4. Syllabus Components
Schedule Instructors’ Students’ Reading
Content Lecture Task Task Materials/
 Resource
Week 1 Unit one Classical Political  Brainstormi  Attend Leo Strauss’ and
( Lecture Thought ng the Joseph Cropsey’s
4hrs, 1.1. The Origin and  Gaped lesson History Political
Home Nature of Greek Lecture, and Philosophy
study Political Thought  Group take Colin Bird’s An
6hrs) 1.1.1. The Concept of Discussion, short Introduction to
Philosophy and  Pair notes, Political
Political Philosophy Discussion,  Askin Philosophy
1.1.2. The Origin and  Peer- g and Aristotle,
Evolution of Greek Learning answer Nicomachean
Political Philosophy  Self- ing Ethics, W.D
 Thales, Reading. questi Ross (trans.),
 Anaximander  Debate ons, From
 Anaximines  Doing The Works of
1.1.3. Evolution of Western class Aristotle,
Political Thought works Oxford,
1.1.4. Characteristics of  Partici Clarendon
Greek Philosophy pating Press, 1925.
1.2. Classical Political in Weber, Max
Thought group (2005) The
1.2.1. Political Ideas of discus Protestant
Sophists sions. Ethic and
 Art of Rhetoric the Spirit of
 Skepticism and Capitalism
Empiricism Routledge,
- Taylor and
Francis Group,
London
and New York (
2005) The
Theory of Moral
Sent ment.1st
ed.
MetaLibri, Sao
Paulo
- Smith, Adam
(1790) The
Wealth of
Nations
Week 2 1.2.2. Socrates Political Brainstormi  Attend Cohen, Martin,
(Lecture Thought ng the Political
4hrs,  The quest for wisdom  Gaped lesson Philosophy:
Home  Dialectical method Lecture, and From Plato to
study  Socrates and the Greek  Group take Mao, Pluto
6hrs) Leaders Discussion, short press,
1.2.3. Plato’s Political Pair notes, London, 2001.
Thought Discussion,  Askin -M.L. Clarke,
 Human Nature  Peer- g and The Roman
 Justice Learning answer Mind:
 Virtue  Self- ing Studies in the
 Truth Reading. questi History of
 The City-State  Debate ons, Thought
 The best political order  Preparing  Doing from Cicero to
 Private Property and Assignment class Marcus
Family works
 Political System  Partici
 Plato and Democracy pating
in
group
discus
sions.
 Worki
ng
Assign
ment
Week 3 1.2.4. Aristotle’s Political  Brainstormi  Attend J.G. Dawson
(Lecture Thought ng the (trans.), Thomas
4hrs,  Human Nature  Gaped lesson Aquinas:
Home  The Polis Lecture, and Selected Political
study  Political System  Group take Writing,
6hrs)  Citizenship Discussion, short Oxford, 1948.
 Private Property  Pair notes, John Neville
Discussion,  Askin Figgis, The
 Peer- g and Political
Learning answer Aspects of St.
 Self- ing Augustine’s City
Reading. questi of
 Debate ons, God, London,
 Doing 1921.
 class
works
 Partici
pating
in
group
discus
sions.
Week 4 Chapter Two-Medieval  Brainstormi  Attend Ewart Lewis,
(Lecture Political Thought ng the Medieval
4hrs, 2.1. The Rise of Christianity  Gaped lesson Political
Home and the Fall of the Roman Lecture, and Ideas, Second
study Empire  Group take Vol., New York,
6hrs) 2.1.1. The Essence of Discussion, short 1951.
Christian Political  Pair notes,
Thought Discussion,  Askin
2.1.2. The Fall of the Roman  Peer- g and
Empire Learning answer
2.2. The Christian Political  Self- ing
Ideas of St. Augustine Reading. questi
 Augustine’s Idea of the  Debate ons,
Two Cities  Doing
 Authority class
 War and Peace works
2.3. The Political Ideas of St.  Partici
Thomas Aquinas pating
 Aquinas’ Religious in
Doctrine group
 Forms of Government discus
and Opposition to sions.
Tyranny
 Aquinas’s Theory of
Law
Week 5 Chapter Three- Modern  Brainstormi  Attend Ewart Lewis,
(Lecture Political Thought ng the Medieval
4hrs, 3.1. Machiavelli’s Political  Gaped lesson Political
Home Realism Lecture, and Ideas, Second
study  The Prince and the Art of  Group take Vol., New York,
6hrs) Politics Discussion, short 1951.
 The Art of Politics  Pair notes, Strauss, Leo and
 Morality, Religion, Virtue Discussion, Joseph Cropsey
 and Political Power  Peer-  Askin (1972) History
 Unique Qualities of a Learning g and of Political
Prince  Self- answer Philosophy
 The Analogy of the Fox Reading. ing University of
and Lion  Debate questi Chicago
 The Issue of Keeping ons, Press, Chicago.
Faith with the People  Doing - Smith, Paul
 To be Loved or Feared? class (2008) Moral and
 The Issue of Becoming works Political
Cruel or Merciful  Partici Philosophy: Key
pating Issues, Concepts
in and Theories.
group Palgrave
discus Macmillan, New
sions. York.
Samuel Richard
(2007), (ed.)
Lectures on the
History of
Political
Philosophy,
Harvard
University Press;
the President and
Fellows of
Harvard College.

Week 6 3.2. Social Contract Theory  Brainstormi  Attend Miller, David

(Lecture 3.2.1. Thomas Hobbes’ ng the (2003) Political
4hrs, Political Thought  Gaped lesson Philosophy: A
Home  The Socio-Political Lecture, and very short
study Background to Hobbes’  Group take Introduction.
6hrs) Political Philosophy Discussion, short Oxford
 Human Nature and State  Pair notes, University
of Nature Discussion,  Askin Press Inc., New
 Social Contract  Peer- g and York.
 Powers of the Sovereign Learning answer Lerch,
 Forms of Government  Self- ing Hubert(2011) An
 Is the Hobbesian State a Reading. questi Introduction to
Totalitarian?  Debate ons, Political
Philosophy.Creat
  Doing espace.com
class Knowles, Dudley
works (2001) Political
 Partici Philosophy.
pating Rutledge,
in London.
group Philosophy,
discus Vol.3, Oxford
sions. University Press
Inc., New York
Week 7 3.2.2. John Lock’s Political  Brainstormi  Attend Miller, David
(Lecture Thought ng the (2003) Political
4hrs,  Lock’s State of Nature  Gaped lesson Philosophy: A
Home Theory Lecture, and very short
study  Natural Rights and  Group take Introduction.
6hrs) Ownership of Private Discussion, short Oxford
Property  Pair notes, University
 Lock’s Theory of Consent Discussion,  Askin Press Inc., New
and Political Power  Peer- g and York.
 The Nature of Learning answer Lerch,
Government  Self- ing Hubert(2011) An
 Disobedience and Reading. questi Introduction to
Revolution  Debate ons, Political
 Doing Philosophy.Creat
class espace.com
works Knowles, Dudley
 Partici (2001) Political
pating Philosophy.
in Rutledge,
group London.
discus Philosophy,
sions. Vol.3, Oxford
University Press
Inc., New York
Week 8 3.2.3. Jean-Jacques Rousseau  Brainstormi  Attend - Cohen,
(Lecture Political Thought ng the Martin,
4hrs,  Human Nature and the  Gaped lesson Political
Home State of Nature Lecture, and Philosophy:
study  Social Contract  Group take From
6hrs)  Rousseau’s General Will Discussion, short Plato to Mao,
 Rousseau’s Legitimate  Pair notes, Pluto press,
 Government Discussion,  Askin London, 2001
 Peer- g and
Learning answer
 Self- ing
Reading. questi
 Debate ons,
 Doing
class
works
 Partici
pating
in
group
discus
sions.
Week 9 3.2.4. Utilitarianism  Brainstormi  Attend Kenny, Anthony
(Lecture  Definition of ng the (2006) The Rise
4hrs, Utilitarianism and Its  Gaped lesson of Modern
Home Variants Lecture, and Philosophy: A
study  Early Utilitarian Thought  Group take New History of
6hrs)  Modern Theory of Discussion, short Western
Utilitarianism: Act and  Pair notes, - Bird, Colin, An
Rule Utilitarianism Discussion,  Askin Introduction to
 Jeremy Bentham’s  Peer- g and Political
Utilitarian Thought Learning answer Philosophy,
 Pleasure and Pain  Self- ing Cambridge
Calculus Reading. questi University Inc.,
 Natural Rights and the  Debate ons, New York,2006.
Best Political Order  Preparing  Doing
 J.S. Mill’s Utilitarian Assignment class
Thought works
 Pleasure and Pain  Partici
 Best Political Order pating
 Idea of Liberty in
 Emmanuel Kant and the group
Birth of Idealism discus
 Definition and Origin of sions.
Idealism  Worki
 The State and Perpetual ng
Peace assign
 ment
Week 10 3.2.5. Socialism and  Brainstormi  Attend Kenny, Anthony
(Lecture Marxism- ng the (2006) The Rise
4hrs, Communism  Gaped lesson of Modern
Home  Hegelian Dialectical Lecture, and Philosophy: A
study Idealism  Group take New History of
6hrs)  Hegel’s Dialectics Discussion, short Western
 Origin and Evolution of  Pair notes, - Bird, Colin, An
Socialism and Communism Discussion,  Askin Introduction to
 Definition of Socialism and  Peer- g and Political
Communism Learning answer Philosophy,
 Self- ing Cambridge
Reading. questi University Inc.,
 Debate ons, New York,2006.
 Doing
class
works
 Partici
pating
in
group
discus
sions.
Week 11  Karl Marx and Dialectical  Brainstormi  Attend
(Lecture Materialism ng the
4hrs,  Gaped lesson
Home  The Genesis of Marxist Lecture, and
study Philosophy  Group take
6hrs) Discussion, short
 Marx’s Material Forces  Pair notes,
Discussion,  Askin
 Economics as a Motor  Peer-
g and
Force of History Learning answer
 Self- ing
 Class Antagonism
Reading. questi
 Debate ons,
 Marx’s Theory of
Alienation  Doing
class
 Social Revolution and the works
Role of the Proletariat  Partici
 pating
 Soviet-Style Communism in
group
 Imperialism and the Need discus
for a Vanguard sions.
Communist Party

 Features of a Marxist-
Leninist State
Week 12 Chapter Four – Fascism and  Brainstormi  Attend Kenny, Anthony
(Lecture Anarchism ng the (2006) The Rise
4hrs, 4.1. The Origin and Features  Gaped lesson of Modern
Home of Fascism Lecture, and Philosophy: A
study 4.1.1. Origin and Evolution  Group take New History of
6hrs) 4.1.2. Features of Fascism Discussion, short Western
 Hypernationalism  Pair notes, - Bird, Colin, An
 Racism Discussion,  Askin Introduction to
 Totalitarianism  Peer- g and Political
4.1.3. National Socialism Learning answer Philosophy,
4.1.4. Major Principles of  Self- ing Cambridge
Fascism Reading. questi University Inc.,
4.1.5. Giovanni Gentile and  Debate ons, New York,2006.
His Fascist Philosophy  Doing
class
works
 Partici
pating
in
group
discus
sions.
Week 13 4.3. Anarchism  Brainstormi  Attend Kenny, Anthony
(Lecture 4.3.1. Meaning and Features ng the (2006) The Rise
4hrs, of Anarchism  Gaped lesson of Modern
Home 4.3.2. Anarchist Views on Lecture, and Philosophy: A
study authority  Group take New History of
6hrs) 4.3.3. Anarchist Discussion, short Western
Philosophers  Pair notes, - Bird, Colin, An
 Pierre-Joseph Proudhon Discussion,  Askin Introduction to
(1809-1865)  Peer- g and Political
 Peter Kropotkin (1842- Learning answer Philosophy,
 1921)  Self- ing Cambridge
Reading. questi University Inc.,
 Debate ons, New York,2006.
 Doing
class
works
 Partici
pating
in
group
discus
sions.
Week 14 Chapter Five - Contemporary  Brainstormi  Attend - Rawls, John
(Lecture Political Thought ng the (1972),
4hrs,  Gaped lesson A Theory of
Home 5.1. John Rawls’ Theory of Lecture, and Justice. Harvard
study Justice  Group take University
6hrs) 5.1.1. The Essence of the Discussion, short Press,
Theory of Justice  Pair notes, Cambridge, MA.
5.1.2. Rawls’ Conception of Discussion,  Askin - (2001) Justice
Justice  Peer- g and as Fairness.
5.1.3. Principles of Justice Learning answer ARestatement.
5.3.4. The Original Position  Self- ing Belknap Press.
and Just Institutions Reading. questi Kenny, Anthony
 The Basic Structure of  Debate ons, (2006) The Rise
Society  Doing of Modern
 The Original Position class Philosophy: A
 Just Institutions works New History of
 Partici Western
pating - Bird, Colin, An
in Introduction to
group Political
discus Philosophy,
sions. Cambridge
University Inc.,
New York,2006.
Week 15 5.2. Mohandas Gandhi’s  Brainstormi  Attend Kenny, Anthony
(Lecture Civil Disobedience Theory ng the (2006) The Rise
4hrs, 5.2.1. Civil Disobedience  Gaped lesson of Modern
Home Theory Lecture, and Philosophy: A
study  The Origins and Essence  Group New History of
6hrs) of Civil Disobedience Discussion, take Western
 The Nature and Role of  Pair short - Bird, Colin, An
the State Discussion, notes, Introduction to
 Peer-  Askin Political
Learning g and Philosophy,
 Self- answer Cambridge
Reading. ing University Inc.,
 Debate questi New York, 2006.
ons,
 Doing
class
works
 Partici
pating
in
group
discus
sions.
Week 16 Chapter Six - Feminism  Brainstormi  Attend
(Lecture 6.1. The Meaning of ng the
4hrs, Feminism  Gaped lesson
Home 6.2. Strands of Feminism Lecture, and
study 6.2.1. Liberal Feminist  Group take
6hrs) 6.2.2. Radical Feminists Discussion, short
 Pair notes,
Discussion,  Askin
 Peer- g and
Learning answer
 Self- ing
Reading. questi
 Debate ons,
 Doing
class
works
 Partici
pating
in
group
discus
sions.
5. Assessment Strategies & Techniques and Course Policy
Assessme  Group / Individual Assignments/Quizzes /Tests………………………...25%
nt  Mid………………………………………………………….…..……… .
25%.
 Final Exam ……………………………………………………...……….50%
 Total………………………………………………..…………….….……
100%
Course A student has to:
policy - Attend at least 85% of the classes.
- Take all continuous assessments and mid Exam.
- Take final examination.
- Respect all rules & regulations of the university.
6. References
- Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, W.D Ross (trans.), From the Works of Aristotle, Oxford,
Clarendon Press, 1925.
- Bird, Colin, An Introduction to Political Philosophy, Cambridge University Inc., New York,
l 2006.
- Cohen, Martin, Political Philosophy: From Plato to Mao, Pluto press, London, 2001.
- Ernest Barker, Greek Political Theory: Plato and His Predecessors, Fourth edition,
London, 1951.
- Ewart Lewis, Medieval Political Ideas, Second Vol., New York, 1951.
- J.G. Dawson (trans.), Thomas Aquinas: Selected Political Writing, Oxford, 1948.
- Ernest Barker (trans.), The Politics of Aristotle, Oxford, 1946.
- John Neville Figgis, The Political Aspects of St. Augustine’s City of God, London, 1921.
- Knowles, Dudley, Political Philosophy, Rutledge, London, 2001.
- M.L. Clarke, The Roman Mind: Studies in the History of Thought from Cicero to Marcus
Aurelus, Cambridge, Mass Publish, 1956.
- N.R. Murphy, The Interpretation of Plato’s “Republic”, Oxford, 1951.
- Strauss, Leo and Joseph Cropsey, History of Political Philosophy, University of Chicago
Press,Chicago,1972.
- William L. Newman, The Politics of Aristotle, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1948.
- Balibar, Etienne (2007) The Philosophy of Marx. Courier Stoughton Inc., New York.
- Bird, Colin (2006) An Introduction to Political Philosophy. Cambridge University Inc.,
New York.
- Cohen, Martin (2001) Political Philosophy: From Plato to Mao. Pluto press, London.
- Jain, Ashok (1995) Landmarks in Political Thought. Sheth Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
- Kenny, Anthony (2006) The Rise of Modern Philosophy: A New History of Western
Philosophy, Vol.3, Oxford University Press Inc., New York.
- Knowles, Dudley (2001) Political Philosophy. Rutledge, London.
- Lerch, Hubert(2011) An Introduction to Political Philosophy.Createspace.com
- Miller, David (2003) Political Philosophy: A very short Introduction. Oxford University Press
Inc., New York.
- Rawls, John (1972), A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.
- _____________(2001) Justice as Fairness. ARestatement. Belknap Press.
- _____________ (2007), Samuel Richard (ed.) Lectures on the History of Political Philosophy,
Harvard University Press; the President and Fellows of Harvard College.
- Smith, Paul (2008) Moral and Political Philosophy: Key Issues, Concepts and Theories. Palgrave
Macmillan, New York.
- Strauss, Leo and Joseph Cropsey (1972) History of Political Philosophy. University of
Chicago Press, Chicago.
- Smith, Adam (1790) The Wealth of Nations
- ____________( 2005) The Theory of Moral Sentiment.1st ed. MetaLibri, Sao Paulo
- Weber, Max (2005) The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. Routledge, Taylor
andFrancis Group, London and New York.