CSS Political Science Paper I: Political Thought, Theory and Institutions Syllabus

What did Hannah Arendt distinguish between 'power,' 'violence,' and 'authority'?

Power arises from people acting in concert (collective and legitimate); violence is instrumental and the antithesis of power; authority commands obedience through recognized legitimacy without coercion or persuasion.

What is John Rawls's theory of justice, including the 'original position' and 'veil of ignorance'?

Justice as fairness: principles chosen in an 'original position' behind a 'veil of ignorance' (unaware of one's own status). Two principles: (1) equal basic liberties; (2) the Difference Principle—inequalities allowed only if they benefit the least advantaged.

What is the central claim of existentialism, especially Sartre's 'existence precedes essence'?

Humans first exist, then define themselves through free choices; there is no predetermined essence or nature. Humans are 'condemned to be free' and bear full responsibility for creating meaning in an indifferent universe.

What is Michel Foucault's concept of power/knowledge and the 'Panopticon'?

Power and knowledge are inseparable; power is diffuse, productive, and operates through discourse and discipline. The Panopticon symbolizes modern disciplinary power: constant possible surveillance makes individuals self-regulate.

What is Nietzsche's idea of the 'will to power' and the Übermensch (Superman)?

The will to power is the fundamental driving force of life—self-overcoming and self-assertion. The Übermensch creates his own values beyond conventional/'slave' morality after the 'death of God.'

What were the main political ideas of Al-Farabi in 'Al-Madina al-Fadila' (The Virtuous City)?

Al-Farabi (the 'Second Teacher') synthesized Greek philosophy with Islam, describing a virtuous city led by a philosopher-prophet ruler (combining wisdom and revelation), analogous to Plato's Philosopher-King.

What is Al-Ghazali's theory of the Caliphate (Imamate)?

Al-Ghazali stressed necessity of the Imam/Caliph to uphold Sharia and order, accepting the rule of the powerful Sultan to avoid anarchy. He held that an unjust order is better than chaos and linked the Caliph's legitimacy to support of the ulema and military.

What did Ibn Rushd (Averroes) argue about philosophy and religion?

He defended the harmony of philosophy (reason) and religion (revelation) as two paths to the same truth, refuting Al-Ghazali in 'Tahafut al-Tahafut' (The Incoherence of the Incoherence) and emphasizing demonstrative reasoning.

What is Al-Mawardi's contribution in 'Al-Ahkam al-Sultaniyya'?

He systematized the classical theory of the Caliphate, laying out qualifications of the Caliph, methods of election (by an electoral college—Ahl al-Hall wal-Aqd—or nomination), and duties, providing the orthodox Sunni constitutional theory.

Explain Ibn Khaldun's concept of 'Asabiyyah' and the cycle of dynasties.

Asabiyyah is group solidarity/social cohesion that drives the rise of states. Dynasties pass through a cycle: strong nomadic Asabiyyah builds the state, then sedentary luxury weakens cohesion over roughly three generations, leading to decline and replacement.

Why is Ibn Khaldun considered a founder of sociology and the philosophy of history?

In the 'Muqaddimah,' he developed 'Ilm al-Umran' (the science of society/civilization), treating history scientifically by analyzing causes of the rise and fall of civilizations through social, economic, and environmental factors.

What were the main reformist ideas of Shah Waliullah of Delhi?

He sought to revive Islam in 18th-century India through reconciling Islamic schools, translating the Quran into Persian, emphasizing ijtihad, social-economic justice (balance/Irtifaqat stages of society), and reform of Muslim political decline.

What was Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab's revivalist (Wahhabi) doctrine?

A puritanical movement emphasizing strict Tawhid (monotheism), rejection of bid'ah (innovation), shirk, saint-worship, and a return to the Quran and Sunnah as understood by the early generations (Salaf).

What was Jamal al-Din al-Afghani's central political idea?

Pan-Islamism—uniting Muslim peoples against Western imperialism. He stressed Muslim solidarity, modernization, rationalism, ijtihad, and anti-colonial resistance to revive the Ummah's strength.

What was Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's reformist program (Aligarh Movement)?

Modern Western education for Muslims, reconciliation of Islam with modern science and reason, loyalty to British rule, and the Two-Nation idea that Hindus and Muslims were distinct nations. He founded MAO College (later Aligarh University).

What is Allama Muhammad Iqbal's concept of 'Khudi' (Selfhood/Ego)?

Khudi is the development and strengthening of the individual ego/self through love, action, and faith, leading to the ideal of the 'Mard-e-Momin' (perfect/complete believer) who realizes divine attributes.

What was Iqbal's contribution to the idea of Pakistan?

In his 1930 Allahabad Address, he proposed a consolidated Muslim state in northwest India (Punjab, NWFP, Sindh, Baluchistan), giving philosophical foundation to the Two-Nation Theory and Muslim self-determination.

Summarize Abul A'la Maududi's concept of an Islamic State (Theo-democracy).

Maududi advocated 'Theo-democracy': God's sovereignty (Hakimiyyah) is supreme; humans are vicegerents (Khilafah) governing within the limits of Sharia. The state is ideological, with rule by pious Muslims and consultation (Shura).

What are the defining features of the modern nation-state, per Weber and the Westphalian model?

A defined territory, permanent population, government, and sovereignty, plus Weber's criterion: a monopoly on the legitimate use of physical force. The 1648 Peace of Westphalia established sovereign equality and non-interference.

What is the Islamic conception of sovereignty (Hakimiyyah) versus Western legal sovereignty?

In Islam, ultimate sovereignty belongs to Allah alone; the state and ruler exercise delegated authority (Khilafah) bound by Sharia. Western legal sovereignty (Austin) vests supreme, unlimited law-making power in a human determinate authority.

What are the core institutions/principles of the Islamic state?

Sovereignty of God (Tawhid), human vicegerency (Khilafah), rule of Sharia, consultation (Shura), justice (Adl), accountability, and protection of rights of Muslims and non-Muslims (Dhimmis). The Caliph/ruler is bound by, not above, the law.

Define sovereignty and distinguish its legal and political aspects (Austin vs. pluralists).

Sovereignty is the supreme power of the state. Legal sovereignty (Austin) is the determinate human superior whose commands are law—absolute and indivisible. Political sovereignty resides in the electorate/public opinion behind the legal sovereign. Pluralists reject indivisible sovereignty.

List the four classical characteristics of Austin's monistic theory of sovereignty.

Sovereignty is absolute/unlimited, permanent, universal (over all persons and associations), indivisible, and inalienable. Law is the command of the sovereign backed by sanction.

Distinguish between negative and positive liberty (Isaiah Berlin).

Negative liberty is freedom FROM external interference/constraint (absence of restraint). Positive liberty is freedom TO be one's own master—self-mastery and self-realization, often involving rational self-direction and capacity to act.

Distinguish the main types of equality.

Natural, civil (equality before law), political (equal voting/participation), social (no privilege by birth/caste), and economic equality (reducing wealth/income disparities and ensuring equal opportunity).

What is the relationship and tension between liberty and equality?

They can conflict: absolute liberty (especially economic) breeds inequality, while enforced equality can curtail liberty. Liberals prioritize liberty; socialists prioritize equality. Many hold they are complementary—real liberty requires a measure of equality.

Distinguish among the main theories of rights (legal, natural/moral, and the modern welfare view).

Legal theory: rights are creations of and enforced by the state. Natural/moral theory: rights are inherent, pre-state (life, liberty, property). Modern/welfare view: rights are social claims recognized by the state and essential for the development of personality.

Distinguish authority, power, and legitimacy.

Power is the capacity to influence or compel behavior (may rest on force). Authority is rightful, recognized power—the right to command and be obeyed. Legitimacy is the belief that authority is valid and rightful, converting power into authority.

What are Max Weber's three types of legitimate authority?

Traditional authority (based on custom and inherited status), Charismatic authority (based on the exceptional personal qualities of a leader), and Legal-Rational authority (based on impersonal rules and legally established office).

Define political culture and its three types per Almond and Verba's 'The Civic Culture'.

Political culture is the pattern of attitudes, beliefs, and orientations toward the political system. Three types: Parochial (little awareness), Subject (passive awareness/obedience), and Participant (active involvement). The ideal mix is the 'civic culture.'

Define political socialization and name its principal agents.

Political socialization is the lifelong process by which individuals acquire political values, attitudes, and orientations. Principal agents: family, school/education, peer groups, religion, mass media, political parties, and the workplace/state.