Introduction to Western Political Thought

Type

Course

Institution

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati

Platform

National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL)

Cost

Free (certificate fee: USD$ 12, optional)

Available in

English

Description*

This course presents key debates and ideas in Western political thought. It is offered by the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati through the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL), an online education platform.

The course is designed to illustrate major developments and perspectives in the political debates taking place in any contemporary society and polity. It discusses ideas of some major western political thinkers to expose students to different perspectives and approaches to state, politics, government, sovereignty, and citizenship.

Some of the course contents are:

  • Plato: Justice; philosopher king; communism; state
  • Aristotle: State; citizenship
  • Machiavelli: Religion and republicanism
  • Hobbes: Human nature; political obligation; sovereignty
  • Locke: Natural rights; limited government, dissent
  • Rousseau: Social contract; general will
  • Kant: Enlightenment; morality, autonomy and freedom
  • Hegel: Freedom; rights; state
  • Marx: Historical materialism; state; class