Political theory / Hoveyda Abbas, Ranjay Kumar.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Abbas, Hoveyda.

Contributor:

Kumar, Ranjay.

Series:

Always learning.

Always learning

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political science.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (1 v.) : ill.

Edition:

1st edition

Place of Publication:

New Delhi, India : Pearson, 2012.

System Details:

text file

Summary:

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.

Contents:

Cover

Contents

Preface

About the Authors

Chapter 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

Philosophical Approach

Historical-Analytical Approach

Legal-Institutional Approach

Descriptive-Taxonomic Approach

Contemporary Approaches and Methods

Behavioural Approach

The 'Intellectual Foundation Stones' of Behaviouralism: David Easton

Regularity

Verification

Techniques

Quantification

Values

Systematization

Pure science

Integration

Traditionalist Critique of Behaviouralist Assumptions

Achievements of the Behavioural Approach

Subjective awareness

Focus on both formal institutions and informal political processes

Inter-disciplinary approach

Revolt against traditional methods of political science

Search for stable units of analysis

Revolution in methods and techniques of political enquiry

Elements of Behavioural Analysis in Kautilya, Machiavelli and Hobbes

Post-behaviouralism

'Credo of Relevance': David Easton55

Substance over technique

Change orientation

Relevant research

Value-laden research

Political scientist as critical intellectual

Action-oriented research

Politicization of the profession

Post-behaviouralism: Revolt or Continuity?

Review Questions

Endnotes

Chapter 2: Concept of the State in Political Theory and International Relations

Society, State, Constitution and Government

Concept and Idea of the State

Concept of the State

Idea of the State

Defining the State in Terms of 'Concept' and 'Idea'

Elements of the State

Population

Territory

Government

Sovereignty

Certain Considerations on the Elements of the State

Constitution.

International recognition

Permanence of the state and the doctrine of continuity of the state

Kautilaya's Saptang theory or the seven elements of the state

Journey of the State

Pre-state Societies and Oriental Empires

City-States

The Roman Empire

Feudal States

The Modern Nation-state and Its Discontents

Doctrine of the national basis of the state

Doctrine of the right of self-determination

Nation-states, national-states and state-nations

Ideal Type of Nation-state

The nation as the basis of the state

Mono- or poly-nationality as basis of nation

Attributes of the state

Citizenship as the basis of relationship between population and the state

Basis of public good, welfare and security of its citizens

Nation-state as the primary economic, political and cultural actor31

Right to recognize and get recognized

Equality of nation-state

Reluctant States, Missing Nations and Shared Sovereignty: Nation-states in the Developing World

A Brief Note on the Evolution of the State in India

Chapter 3: Perspectives and Theories on the Origin of the State

How did the State Originate?

Force Theory of the Origin of the State

Theory of the Divine Origin of the State

Kautilaya's Arthasastra on Origin of the State

Liberal Theories of Origin of the State

Social Contract Theory

Human nature and psychology of man

Condition in the state of nature

Nature and terms of social contract

Nature and type of state in the civil/political society

Critical Evaluation of the Social Contract Theory

Historical and sociological possibility

Philosophical tenability

Legal soundness

Historical-Evolutionary Theory of Origin of the State

Contributions to the theory

Factors which influenced the historical evolution of the state.

Religion and customary laws

Institution of property and emergence of social classes

Force/power and conquest

Political consciousness

Citizenship

Nationality and race

Urbanization

Development of Science

Marxian (Class) Theory of Origin of the State

Critical evaluation of Marxian theory

How is the State Viewed?

Organismic Theory: The State as Organism

Juridical Theory: The State as Law Giver

Idealistic Theory

Chapter 4: Roles and Functions of the State and the Nature of State Power

Liberal and Neo-Liberal Theories

Negative Liberalism and Theory of Laissez-Faire State

Thomas Hobbes and John Locke: Theorists of the Possessive Individual

Theorists of the Laissez-Faire State

Physiocrats

Adam Smith

Thomas Robert Malthus and David Ricardo

Jeremy Bentham

Herbert Spencer

The Mills

Positive Liberalism and Theory of the Welfare State

John Stuart Mill

Utilitarianism revised

Liberty: Positive and negative

Positive state

Thomas Hill Green

Freedom as positive power

Theory of rights: Ideal and natural

Role of the state: Idealist and positive

Leonard T. Hobhouse

R.H. Tawney

Harold Joseph Laski

Positive liberty

Social welfare state

R.M. Maciver

Other Positive Liberals: Theorists of the Thick State

Neo-Liberals or Libertarians: Theorists of the Thin State

Marxian (Class) Theory of Nature and Functions of the State

Orthodox Marxian Perspective

Two Accounts of the Class-State Relationship

State as executive committee of the dominant class

Base-Superstructure relationship

State as an Instrument for the Exploitation of the Oppressed Class

'Withering Away' of the State

Critical Evaluation of the Orthodox Marxian Theory

Neo-Marxian Perspective

Endnotes.

Chapter 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

Jean Bodin

Johannes Althusius

Hugo Grotius

Contractualists and the Concept of Sovereignty

Thomas Hobbes

John Locke

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Legalists and the Concept of Sovereignty

John Austin and the Monist Theory of Sovereignty

Critical evaluation of Monist theory

Characteristics of Sovereignty

Absoluteness or Illimitability of Sovereignty

Indivisibility of Sovereignty

Inalienability of Sovereignty

Permanence or Perpetuity of Sovereignty

Universality or All-Comprehensiveness of Sovereignty

Aspects or Types of Sovereignty

Titular Sovereignty

Legal Sovereignty

Political Sovereignty

Popular Sovereignty

National Sovereignty

De Jure and De Facto Sovereignty

Internal versus External Sovereignty

'Instituted Sovereignty' versus 'Acquired Sovereignty'

Sovereignty and the Indian Constitution

Chapter 6: Concept of Sovereignty Challenged

Critics of Sovereignty

Political Pluralism and Pluralist Critiques of Sovereignty

A Brief Introduction to Political Pluralism

Sovereignty, Power and Authority

Possible Reasons for Emergence of Doctrine of Political Pluralism

Features of Political Pluralism and Its Underlying Principles

Doctrine of real or juristic/corporate personality of groups

Society not the state as the source of law

Characteristic of the State: Not power or sovereignty but the purpose or end it serves

State as coordinator of interests in society

Prominence to political federalism and decentralization of authority

International law and internationalism limits sovereignty.

Basis of pluralism

Views of exponents of political pluralism

Society and the State: Primacy of the Social Over the Political

State and Other Associations in Society: Is the State First Among the Equals?

Authority of Law and its Social Basis

End of the State and Basis of Sovereignty

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

Guild Socialism

Syndicalism

Anarchism

Modern Individualism

Marxist Critique of State Sovereignty

Contemporary Challenges to Sovereignty

Neo-colonialism

Supra-national and Para-statal Organizations and Sovereignty

Global Concerns and Sovereignty

Globalization and Challenge to Sovereignty

Internal Strife and External Intervention

Internal strife

External intervention

Chapter 7: Principles of Liberty and Freedom

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

Natural Liberty

Civil or Social Liberty

Economic Liberty

Political Liberty

Negative and Positive Liberty

National Freedom or National Liberation

Liberty, Liberation, Freedom, Licence, Anarchy and Authority

Negative Liberty

Positive Liberty

Liberalism: Classical and Modern, Neo-Liberalism and Libertarianism

Neo-liberal Views on Liberty

Marxian Views of Freedom

Freedom as Freedom of the Human Being Not the Individual.

Critique of Capitalist Mode of Production as Inimical to Human Freedom.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references.

Description based on online resource; title from title page (Safari, viewed Oct. 31, 2014).

ISBN:

9788131797617

8131797619

OCLC:

894514195