Page 132 - DPOL201_WESTERN_POLITICAL_THOUGHT_ENGLISH

Western Political Thought

Notes 7.5 Key-Words

1. Contractualism : It is a theory of Justice centred around the propositions that political
decisions are justifiable only to the extent they are coherent with uncoered
agreements between moral agents.
2. Utilitarians : It is a theory in normative ethics holding that the proper course of action is
the one that maximizes overall happiness.
3. Patriarchy : Patriarchy is totally means “rule of fathers, from the Greek patriarkhes,
father or chief of a race, patriarch, Historically, the term Historiarchy was
used to refer to autocratic rule by the male head of a family. However, in
modern times, it more generally refers to social systems in which power is
primarily held by adult men.”

7.6 Review Questions

1. Critically examine the limitations on the ownership of property as defined by Locke.
2. Write a short note on John Locke’s ideas on consent, resistance and toleration.
3. What were Locke’s views on sovereignty?
4. Discuss Locke’s social contract theory.

Answers: Self-Assessment
1. (i) 2. (iii) 3. (i) 4. (ii)
7.7 Further Readings

1. Mukherjee, S. and Ramaswamy, S. 2004: A History of Political Thought, PHI
Learning Pvt. Ltd.
2. Mukhopadhyay, A.K. 1990 Western Political Thought, Calcutta - KP Bagchi and
Company.

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