Chapter 15

प्रस्तावना

The preface introduces the structure, purpose, and scope of the Political Theory & Thought course designed by Vardhman Mahaveer Open University, Kota. This course is intended for undergraduate students in their third year, particularly those studying through distance education. The material is prepared using scientific methods and follows the terminology published by the Government of India. The course covers major streams of political theory and thought, including the study of the state, rights, liberty, citizenship, democracy, multiculturalism, and the thoughts of prominent Western political thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Karl Marx, and John Rawls. Each unit is structured with clear objectives and content to provide a comprehensive understanding of political concepts and theories. The preface emphasizes that the presentation of these units is contextually rich, ensuring that students gain a thorough conceptual foundation in political science. Suggestions for future editions are welcomed to improve the quality of the material.

• Course is designed for third-year undergraduate students, especially in distance education.
• Focuses on both political theory (state, rights, liberty, citizenship, democracy, multiculturalism) and political thought (major Western thinkers).
• Units are structured with objectives and content for thorough understanding.
• Scientific and technical terminology as per Government of India standards is used.
• Feedback for future editions is encouraged.
• 📌 Political Theory: The systematic study of concepts such as state, rights, liberty, citizenship, and democracy.
• 📌 Political Thought: The analysis of ideas and philosophies of major political thinkers.

इकाई 1: राजनीति : परिभाषा एवं विषय क्षेत्र

This unit introduces the foundational concepts of politics, its definition, and its scope. The unit is organized into several sub-sections, each addressing a key aspect of political science. The outline includes: (1) Objectives, (2) Introduction, (3) What is Politics?, (4) Negative and Positive Aspects of Politics, (5) Definition of Politics, (6) Main Approaches to Politics (including politics as the art of government, as public affairs, as compromise and consensus, as the distribution of power and resources, and the Marxist approach), (7) Summary, (8) Practice Questions, and (9) Reference Books. The objectives clarify that after studying this unit, students will understand what politics is, why it is called the 'Master Science,' its negative and positive aspects, how it can be defined, and the main perspectives on politics. The introductory section compares politics to religion as a uniquely human activity, emphasizing that people in society agree and disagree on various matters, such as how to live, how to distribute resources, and how to resolve disagreements. It also raises questions about collective decision-making and the implementation of those decisions.

• Unit covers the definition, scope, and various perspectives on politics.
• Objectives include understanding what politics is and why it is called the 'Master Science.'
• Explores both negative and positive aspects of politics.
• Introduces different approaches to defining and understanding politics.
• Emphasizes the role of agreement, disagreement, and collective decision-making in society.
• 📌 Politics: The activity through which people make, preserve, and amend the general rules under which they live.
• 📌 Master Science: A term often used for politics, signifying its overarching influence on other social sciences.