166-241 Political Theory

Note

Available as 166-341 at 3rd-year level.

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Normally 25 points of first-year Politics; students with only 12.5 points in Politics may apply to the 2nd/3rd-year coordinator.

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

The purpose of this introductory subject is to challenge common assumptions about the liberal tradition. It identifies major misconceptions on both the left and the right of the political spectrum, and compares recent liberal political philosophers (such as John Rawls, Ronald Dworkin and Friedrich Hayek). Students who complete this subject should: understand the major arguments about political life that inform debates within the liberal tradition, and have acquired a good grasp of how to analyse political ideologies; appreciate the diversity of opinions in dealing with controversies in recent political theory (such as whether hate speech codes are desirable; question whether governments should search motor vehicles without warrant, use breathalysers to test drivers, undertake electronic surveillance in combating crime; question whether individuals have a right to use recreational drugs in private; be in a position to evaluate major criticisms put forward to challenge liberalism; attain new skills of philosophical analysis that will serve as a preparation for all subjects that deal with political theories.

Assessment

Essay work or equivalent totalling 5000 words.