BA 3rd Sem. (New) Introduction to Political Theory (DSC)
UNIT I: FOUNDATIONS OF POLITICAL THEORY 1. Meaning of Political Theory Introduction Political theory is one of the foundational areas of Political Science. It deals with fundamental questions about politics, power, authority, freedom, equality, justice, rights, democracy, the state, citizenship and the common good . Human beings have always lived in organised communities. Whenever people live together, questions arise: Who should govern? Why should people obey the government? What makes a government legitimate? What is freedom? Should everyone be treated equally? What does justice mean? What rights should individuals have? What is the relationship between the individual and the state? What kind of political system is desirable? Political theory attempts to answer such questions systematically. For example, suppose a government introduces a law restricting freedom of speech in the name of national security. Political theory asks: Is individual freedom more important than national securi...
