Political Theory: Concepts and Debates

Overview

This course introduces the basic normative concepts of political theory and follows them into the debates where they are tested. Treating ideas such as freedom, equality, justice, rights and democracy as values that organise our collective life, it builds a conceptual framework for analysing political issues, arguments and policy from their core values outward—and asks how those values themselves are reshaped by the demands of contemporary times.

Learning objectives

Learning outcomes

On completing the course, students will be able to:

• Understand the dimensions of shared living through core political values and concepts.
• Appreciate how these values enrich political discourse, sharpening analytical skills in the process.
• Extend and develop these concepts in new ways.
• Gain insight into some of the central problems of political life.
• Build the critical-analytical skill to evaluate key political debates and issues.
• Bring conceptual clarity to social, political, economic and cultural questions.

Syllabus & units

Five units, twelve hours each, each pairing a concept with a live debate.

Essential readings

A selection of the prescribed readings from the University of Delhi syllabus, arranged by unit. The full reading list, including additional resources, is in the official syllabus linked below.

I · Freedom

• Riley, J. (2008) 'Liberty', in McKinnon, C. (ed.), Issues in Political Theory. New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 103–125.  Internet Archive ↗
• Knowles, D. (2001) Political Philosophy. London: Routledge, pp. 69–132.  Routledge ↗
• Swift, A. (2001) Political Philosophy: A Beginner's Guide for Students and Politicians. Cambridge: Polity Press, pp. 51–88.  Internet Archive ↗
• Sethi, A. (2008) 'Freedom of Speech and the Question of Censorship', in Bhargava & Acharya (eds.), Political Theory: An Introduction. New Delhi: Pearson Longman, pp. 308–319.  Google Books ↗

II · Equality

• Swift, A. (2001) Political Philosophy. Cambridge: Polity Press, pp. 91–132.  Internet Archive ↗
• Casal, P. & Williams, A. (2008) 'Equality', in McKinnon, C. (ed.), Issues in Political Theory. OUP, pp. 149–165.  Internet Archive ↗
• Acharya, A. (2008) 'Affirmative Action', in Bhargava & Acharya (eds.), Political Theory: An Introduction. Pearson Longman, pp. 298–307.  Google Books ↗

III · Justice

• Menon, K. (2008) 'Justice', in Bhargava & Acharya (eds.), Political Theory: An Introduction. Pearson Longman, pp. 74–86.  Google Books ↗
• Wolf, J. (2008) 'Social Justice', in McKinnon, C. (ed.), Issues in Political Theory. OUP, pp. 172–193.  Internet Archive ↗
• Brock, G. (2008) 'Global Justice', in McKinnon, C. (ed.), Issues in Political Theory. OUP, pp. 289–312.  Internet Archive ↗

IV · Rights

• Talukdar, P.S. (2008) 'Rights', in Bhargava & Acharya (eds.), Political Theory: An Introduction. Pearson Longman, pp. 88–104.  Google Books ↗
• McKinnon, C. (2003) 'Rights', in Bellamy & Mason (eds.), Political Concepts. Manchester University Press, pp. 16–27.  Internet Archive ↗
• Campbell, T. (2008) 'Human Rights', in McKinnon, C. (ed.), Issues in Political Theory. OUP, pp. 194–217.  Internet Archive ↗

V · Democracy

• Srinivasan, J. (2008) 'Democracy', in Bhargava & Acharya (eds.), Political Theory: An Introduction. Pearson Longman, pp. 106–128.  Google Books ↗
• Christiano, T. (2008) 'Democracy', in McKinnon, C. (ed.), Issues in Political Theory. OUP, pp. 80–102.  Internet Archive ↗
• Mookherjee, M. (2008) 'Multiculturalism', in McKinnon, C. (ed.), Issues in Political Theory. OUP, pp. 218–240.  Internet Archive ↗
• Galeotti, A. E. (2008) 'Toleration', in McKinnon, C. (ed.), Issues in Political Theory. OUP, pp. 126–148.  Internet Archive ↗

Additional resources

• Mill, J. S. (1991) On Liberty and Other Essays, ed. John Gray. Oxford: Oxford University Press.  Read online — Project Gutenberg ↗
• Berlin, I. (1969) 'Two Concepts of Liberty', in Four Essays on Liberty. Oxford University Press, pp. 118–172.  Read online (PDF) — The Isaiah Berlin Literary Trust ↗

Examination scheme

Assessment follows the University of Delhi scheme for a four-credit course: continuous internal assessment together with an end-semester written examination.

Note: weightings reflect the standard UGCF four-credit pattern (3 lectures + 1 tutorial). The exact internal-assessment breakdown is announced by the department at the start of the semester.

Course guidelines

• Attendance of at least 66% of lectures and tutorials, in line with University of Delhi requirements.
• Tutorials are used for close reading, discussion and writing; come prepared with the assigned text.
• Internal assessment is continuous—keep up with reading and submission deadlines through the term.
• Cite all sources. Plagiarism is treated seriously under University norms; submit original work.
• Engage with primary readings first; secondary readings support, but do not replace, the texts themselves.
• Office-hour consultation is encouraged for essays, references and difficult concepts.

Official resources