Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Political Theory Syllabus - Mumbai University 2026
Syllabus for Political Theory
The University sets this paper under Scheme III only, so your college may not run it.
Module 1: Introduction to Political Theory
- 1 Meaning, Scope of Political Theory
- What is political theory? Normative vs. empirical theory; relevance of political theory today.
- 2 Traditional Approaches
- Philosophical, Institutional approaches; Liberal, Marxist.
- 3 Modern Approaches
- Behaviouralism, post-behaviouralism, Feminist Theory.
Module 2: State, Nation and Civil Society
- 1 State
- Definitions and elements; theories of the state (pluralist, elitist, Marxist, feminist);
- Sovereignty.
- 2 Nation
- Nation vs. state; determinants of nation, nationalism.
- 3 Civil Society
- Meaning and evolution; role in democracy; state-civil society relations.
Module 3: Political Values
- 1 Liberty
- Negative and positive liberty; freedom as autonomy; liberal and Marxist perspectives.
- 2 Equality
- Formal vs. substantive equality; equality of opportunity vs. equality of outcome
- 3 Justice
- Distributive vs Procedural Justice; social justice; gender justice.
Module 4: State and the Individual
- 1 Law
- Rule of law; Sources of Law, Relationship between Law and Morality.
- 2 Authority
- Types of authority; Legitimacy; Political Obligation
- 3 Rights
- Natural rights, Human Rights, Legal Rights; Individual vs. Group Rights.
Text Books
- 1 Bhargav,R., & Acharya, A.(2024). Political Theory- An Introduction. Pearson
- 2 Gauba O.P. (2021). An Introduction to Political Theory. Mayur Books
- 3 Dryzek, J.S. Honig B, & Phillips, A. (2018). The Oxford Handbook of Political Theory.
- 4 Mukhopadhyay, A.K.(2019). An Introduction to Political Theory. Sage Publications
- 5 Varma, S.P. (2018). Modern Political Theory. S. Chand Puiblications
- 6 Heywood, A. (2025). Political Theory-A Introduction. Bloomsbury Academic India.
- 7 Heywood, A.(2011). Key Concepts in Politics. Ane/Pal Exclusive
- 8 Heywood, A (2022). Politics. Bloomsbury Publications
- 9 Dere, G. (2025). Adhunik Rajkiya Vishleshan. Diamond Publications. (Marathi)
- 10 Bhole, B.L.(2018). Rajkiya Siddhant. Pimpalpure and Co. Publishers (Marathi)
- 11 Bhargav,R., & Acharya, A.(2024). Rajkiya Siddhant Parichay. Political Theory- An Introduction. Pearson Education (Marathi)
- 12 Gauba O.P. (2021). An Introduction to Political Theory. K’Sagar Publication. (Marathi)