Unit 2494: Comprehensive Political Science

1. Definition and Scope of Political Science

• Introduction to Political Science
  • Definition and meaning
  • Importance and relevance in contemporary society
• Scope of Political Science
  • Areas of study: power, governance, policy, political behavior
  • Interdisciplinary connections (sociology, economics, history)
• Subfields within Political Science
  • Political Theory
  • Comparative Politics
  • International Relations
  • Political Economy
  • Public Administration

2. Evolution of Political Thought

• Ancient Political Thought
  • Contributions of Plato, Aristotle
  • Political ideas in ancient civilizations (Greece, Rome, India, China)
• Medieval Political Thought
  • Augustine, Aquinas, Machiavelli
• Modern Political Thought
  • Enlightenment thinkers: Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau
  • Marx, Mill, Bentham and utilitarianism
• Contemporary Political Theories
  • Liberalism, socialism, feminism, postmodernism

3. Systems of Government

• Democracy
  • Types: direct, representative, participatory
  • Characteristics, advantages, and challenges
• Monarchy
  • Absolute vs constitutional monarchy
  • Historical and modern examples
• Dictatorship
  • Features and types
  • Impact on society and governance
• Socialism
  • Principles and variations
  • Socialist states and policies

4. Political Institutions

• Executive Branch
  • Roles and powers
  • Presidential vs parliamentary systems
• Legislative Branch
  • Structure and functions
  • Lawmaking processes
• Judiciary
  • Judicial review and independence
  • Role in upholding constitution and rights
• International Organizations
  • United Nations, WTO, IMF, regional bodies
  • Functions and influence on global politics

5. Political Ideologies

• Liberalism
  • Core beliefs and historical development
• Conservatism
  • Principles and variations
• Socialism
  • Ideological spectrum: democratic socialism to communism
• Fascism
  • Origins, characteristics, and impact
• Other ideologies
  • Feminism, environmentalism, anarchism

6. Political Behavior

• Voting Patterns
  • Factors influencing voter behavior
  • Electoral systems and their effects
• Public Opinion
  • Formation and measurement
  • Role in policy-making
• Political Participation
  • Forms: protests, civic engagement, activism
• Social Movements
  • Causes, types, and impacts

7. International Relations

• Theories of International Relations
  • Realism, liberalism, constructivism
• Diplomacy
  • Concepts and practices
• Conflict Resolution
  • Negotiation, mediation, peacekeeping
• Globalization
  • Political, economic, cultural dimensions
• Role of Non-state Actors
  • NGOs, multinational corporations, terrorist groups

8. Comparative Politics

• Comparative Methodology
  • Case studies, qualitative and quantitative approaches
• Political Systems Comparison
  • Federal vs unitary states
  • Electoral and party systems
• Policy Analysis
  • Domestic and foreign policy comparisons
• Patterns in Governance and Decision-making

9. Political Economy

• Theories of Political Economy
  • Classical, Marxist, neoliberal perspectives
• Relationship between Politics and Economics
  • Influence of economic structures on political power
• Public Policy and Economic Decisions
  • Welfare, taxation, regulation
• Impact of Economic Factors on Politics
  • Economic crises, development, inequality

10. Current Issues in Political Science

• Globalization Challenges
• Environmental Politics
  • Climate change policy, sustainability
• Human Rights
  • Universalism vs cultural relativism
• Role of Technology in Politics
  • Social media, surveillance, cyber warfare
• Contemporary Political Debates
  • Populism, nationalism, migration