School of Law and Governance

Central University of South Bihar

BALAW2003C04 Political Science-II L T P C
[Political Obligation]
Version: 1.1 4 0 0 4
Pre-requisites//Exposure Political Science-I
co-requisites Indian Constitution
Semester II
B.A. LL.B.(H)

1.0. Objective of the Course:

To provide an understanding of the Concept of Political Obligation in the Political

Philosophy of different Political Thinkers. To make students understand and develop
analytical skill of structural and functional dynamics of political system and the
significance of Political Obligation.
2.0 Pedagogy
A various learning methods will be used which will emphasize a cooperative learning
format. Student led discussions and presentations will be combined with instructor
facilitated experiences and lectures. Specific methods include:
 Class Room Discussion
 Lecture Method
 Presentations
 Case Studies
 Projects
 Court Room Exercise
 Problem method

3.0. Evaluation Scheme:

 30% - Continuous Internal Assessment (Formative in nature but also contributing

to the final grades).
 70% - End Term External Examination (University Examination).
4.0. Course Contents:

MODULE- I
Political Obligation: An Introduction
 Political Obligation-Meaning
 Concept and Philosophy of Political Obligation
1. Liberal Perspective
2. Marxist Perspective
Reference
1. Michie, Jonathan, (ed.) “Encyclopedia of Social Sciences”, “(London: Fitzray
Dearborn Publishers, 2001), Pp.1246-1247.
2. Gauba, O.P., “An Introduction to Political Theory” (New Delhi: Macmillan India
Ltd., 1995), Pp.323-360.
3. Johri, J.C., “Contemporary Political Theory”, (New Delhi: Sterling Publishers
Pvt. Ltd, 2000), Pp.373-392.

MODULE -II
[A] Grounds and Limits of Political Obligation
 The Doctrine of Force Majuere
 Devine Right Theory-Robert Filmer
 Principle of Consent-Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau
 Idealist View-Hegel, Green
 Conservative View-David Hume, Edmund Burke, Michael Oakeshott
 Marxian view-Karl Marx
 Anarchist View-Proudhon, Kroptkin
 Gandhian View

Reference
1. Gauba, O.P., “An Introduction to Political Theory” (New Delhi: Macmillan India
Ltd., 1995), Pp.177-185.
2. Coker, F.W., “Recent Political Thought” (Calcutta: World Press Ltd, 1993),
Pp.381-460.
3. Macpherson, C.B., “The Political Theory of Possessive Individualism: Hobbes to
Locke” (Delhi: Oxford University Press, 1988), Pp.70-81.

MODULE -III
The study of following texts from the point of view of Political Obligation
 Plato: The Republic
 Aristotle: Politics

Reference
 1. Barker, Earnest, “Greek Political Philosophy” (New Delhi: Surjeet Publications,
2001), Pp. 209-236, 239-262.
2. Ebenstein, William, “Introduction to Political Thinkers” (Belmont: Wadsworth,
2002), Pp.1-58, 50-99.
3. Plato, “The Republic” (Original Book)—Translated by T.A. Sinclair (Penguin
Books, 1962)
4. Aristotle, “The Politics” (Original Book)

MODULE -IV
Political Obligation: Medieval Political Philosophy
 General Background of medieval Political Philosophy
 Controversy between Church and State and Status of Political Obligation
 St. Thomas Aquinas-Theory of Obedience—Moral and Lawful Authority
 Marsilio of Padua- The Executive, No Separation of Power, Nature and End of
the State, Political Obligation

Reference
1. Coleman, Janet, “A History of Political Thought: From the Middle Ages to
Renaissance” (Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishers, 2000), Pp.5-115.
2. Sabine, G.H. & Thorson T.L., “A History of Political Theory” (New Delhi: Oxford &
IBH Publications, 1973), Pp.215-290.

MODULE -V
Political Obligation: Transition to Modern Political Philosophy
 Machiavelli: The Prince

Reference
1. Jones, W.T., “Masters of Political Thought” Vol.II, (Calcutta: Oxford University
Press, 1975), Pp.22-52.

MODULE -VI
Legitimacy of Power
 Legitimacy-Nature, Usurpation, Political Change, Loss of Legitimacy
Approaches to the study of Legitimacy of Power
 Thomas Hobbes
 John Locke
 J.J. Rousseau
 Robert Dhal
 Max Weber-Legal-Rational, Charismatic and Traditional power
 Contemporary Crisis of Legitimacy—Parallel Governments with specific
reference to India
Reference
i. Held, David, “Political Theory and the Modern State” (Delhi:
Worldview Publications, 1998), Pp.99-155.
ii. Mahajan, V.D. “Political Theory” (Delhi: S. Chand & Company,
2000), Pp.202-214.
iii. Jones, W.T., “Masters of Political Thought” Vol.II, (Calcutta:
Oxford University Press, 1975), Pp.85-150, 151-216, 248-327.
iv. Wayper, C.L., “Political Thought” (Bombay: B.I Publications,
1989), Pp.42-129.
v. Vermani, R.C., “An Introduction to Political Theory” (New Delhi:
Gitanjali Publishing House, 2000), Pp.46-67.

MODULE -VII
Civil Disobedience
 Henry David Thoreau- Civil Disobedience, Respect for Individual, Disobedience
to Unjust Laws, Right to Revolution, Abolition of Slavery
 Mahatma Gandhi-Satyagraha, Non-Cooperation
 Obedience of Unjust Laws-Revision of Positivism, Romantic Optimism, Internal
Morality and External Morality, Duty and Aspiration, Non-violent disobedience,
Law and Morality

Reference
1. Ray, Amal & Mohit Bhattacharya, “Political Thoery: Ideas and Institutions”
(Calcutta: World Press Ltd., 1976), Pp.391-397.
2. Varma S.P., “Modern Political Theory” (New Delhi: Vikash Publishing House,
1994), Pp. 365-398.
3. Appadorai, A., “Political Thoughts of India 400BC to 1980” (Delhi: Khanna
Prakashan, 2002), Pp. 187-218.

5.0. Suggested Readings

Books

 Green, T.H., “Lectures on the Principles of Political Obligation” (London:

Longmans Green and Co., 1917).
 Scwhartzmantal, Joseph., “Structures of Power: Introduction to Politics”,
 Sabine, George H., “A History of Political Theory” (New Delhi, Calcutta: Oxford
& IBH Publishing House Co., 1973).
 Asirvatham, Eddy and Mishra, K.K., “Political Theory” (New Delhi: S. Chand
and Co., 1998).
 Held, David, “Political Theory Today” (Cambridge: Polity Press, 1991).
 Barry, Norman P., “An Introduction to Modern Political Theory” (London:
Macmillan, 1989).
 Joad, C.E.M., “Introduction to Modern Political Theory” (Oxford: OUP, 1974).
 Parekh, B.C., “Contemporary Political Thinkers” (Oxford: Martin Robertson,
1982).
 Lipson, Leslie, “The Great Issues of Politics: An Introduction to Political
Science” (Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1993).
 Poggi, Gianfranco, “The State: Its Nature, Development and Prospects”
(Cambridge, Polity Press, 1990).
  Dahl, Robert A., “Modern Political Analysis” (New Delhi: Prentice-Hall, 1991).
 Vincent, Andrew, “Modern Political Ideologies” (Oxford: Blackwell, 1992).
 Dahl, Robert A., “Democracy and its Critics” (New Delhi: Orient Longman,
1991).
 Beetham, D., Max Weber and the Theory of Modern Politics” (Cambridge: Polity
Press, 1985).
 Mills, C.W., “Power, Politics and People”, (New York: Oxford University Press,
1963).
 Havel, V., “The Power of the Powerless: Citizen against the State in Central-
Eastern Europe” (London: Hutchinson, 1985).
 L.S.Rathore and S.A.H.Haqqi, Political Theory and Political Organizations
(Lucknow: Eastern Book Company, 1999).
 Mahajan, V.D., “Political Theory” (New Delhi: S. Chand and Co., 1988).
 Agarwal, N.N., Bhushan, Vidya and Bhagwan, Vishnoo, “Principles of Political
Science” (R. Chand and Co., 1964).
 Kapur, A.C., “Principles of Political Theory” (New Delhi: S. Chand and Co.,
1950).
 Johari, J.C., “Comparative Politics” (Delhi: Sterling Publications Private Ltd.,
1982).
 Subba Rao M.V., and Sastry, M. Srinivas, “Lectures on Political Science”
(Hyderabad: S. Gogia and Co., 2001).

Articles
 Beetham, D., “Beyond Liberal Democracy”, The Socialist Register 1981, edited
by R. Miliband and J. Saville (Merlin, London, 1981) pp.190-206.
 Beetham, D., “From Socialism to Fascism: The Relation Between Theory and
Practice in the work of Robert Michels”, Political Studies, vol.25, (1977), pp.3-24
& 161-81.
 Kariel, H.S., “Pluralism”, International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences,
edited by D.L.Shills (New York: Macmillan and Free Press, 1968).