Political Ideas and Ideologies (Understanding Political Theory: Major Concepts and Debates)

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Political Ideas and Ideologies: Understanding Political Theory-Major Concepts and Debates is intended to examine the prominent issues of contemporary political theory in the light of the prevalent ideas and ideologies. It is divided into three sections. Section I deals with understanding political theory with a focus on the nature of politics, nature and significance of political theory. traditions of political theory with special reference to liberal. Marxist conservative and anarchist traditions. It elaborates the traditional and contemporary approaches to political theory with a focus on historical, normative, empirical behavioural and post-behavioural approaches, and critical perspectives on political theory with special reference to feminist and post-modern perspectives. Section II undertakes a critical examination of key concepts of political theory, particularly the concepts of Democracy (with a focus on procedural, deliberative and participatory democracy). Freedom (with a focus on negative v. positive liberty, and freedom as emancipation). Equality (with a focus on formal and substantive equality, equality of opportunity and grounds of differential treatment), Justice (with a focus on procedural y. distributive justice, and global justice), and Rights (with a focus on natural, moral and legal rights. three generations °frights, rights and obligations). Finally. Section Ill examines the prominent issues of debate in contemporary political theory including the essentials of democratic citizenship, freedom of thought and expression, justification of the affirmative action, vindication of the capital punishment, status of human rights, rights of the girl-child, grounds of political obligation, and the principle of multiculturalism. The book is written in a reader-friendly style. Intricate concepts are elucidated through explanatory diagrammes, flow charts and comparative charts. On-the-spot definitions of difficult terms, a brief description of historical contexts and some important quotations are g=iven in boxes. It contains study material for higher academic courses in political theory. particularly for B.A. (Hons.) course of various Indian universities including the University of Delhi.

Dr. O.P. Gauba studied at D.A.V. College, Dehradun and the University of Delhi. He obtained B.A. Degree in Literature and Philosophy, M.A. Degrees in Sociology and Political Science from Agra University, and Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Delhi. He taught in the University of Delhi from 1967 to 2004. Presently he is fully devoted to academic writing. His other important publications include: An Introduction to Political Theory; Western Political Thought; Indian Political Thought; Social and Political Philosophy; Reading Gandhi; Dimensions of Social Justice; and Constitutionalism in a Changing Perspective, apart from a host of academic books and standard reference works in Hindi.

**Contents and Sample Pages**