Course: Contemporary Political Science Theory I

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Course title Contemporary Political Science Theory I
Course code KPF/B069
Organizational form of instruction Lecture
Level of course Bachelor
Year of study 2
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 5
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Maškarinec Pavel, doc. Mgr. Ph.D.
  • Charvát Jan, Mgr. Ph.D., M.A.
Course content
1) Historical roots of contemporary political science theories 2) What is majority decision and its origin 3) Majority rule in ancient Greece 4) Majority rule in ancient Rome 5) Risks of majority rule - tyranny of majority 6) Alexis de Tocqueville - the threat of velvet despotism 7) John Stuart Mill - liberal majority 8) Mill as a forerunner of modern political theories 9) Lijphart's interpretation of Mill 10) Consensus decision-making and its origins 11) Hobbes's criticism of consensus decision-making 12) Bodin and Montesquieu

Learning activities and teaching methods
unspecified
Learning outcomes
The knowledge of contemporary political science theories is essential for understanding the functioning of political systems and especially for understanding the different types of political decision-making. Each of these types has its philosophical and historical roots that have an influence on today's politics.
Students will get acquainted with essential basics of the major contemporary political science theories; especially the main ways of political decision- making in a democracy, which are applied nowadays. They will acquire the ability to see deeper basis of today's discussions about further development of democracy.
Prerequisites
None

Assessment methods and criteria
unspecified
Students will prepare 6 - 8 pages of seminar paper. The topic will be approved by the lecturer in advance.
Recommended literature
  • DAHL, R. Demokracie a její kritici. Praha, 1995.
  • DAHL, R. O demokracii. Praha, 2001.
  • KUČERA, R. Filosofické kořeny politiky a politické vědy. Ústí nad Labem, 2014.
  • KUČERA, R. Politologická historie demokracie. Ústí nad Labem, 2012.
  • LIJPHART, A. Patterns fo Democracy, Government Forms and Performance in Thirty-six Countries. 1999.
  • LIJPHART, A. Thinking about Democracy. London - New York, 2008.
  • MILL, J. S. O slobode. Bratislava, 1995.
  • MILL, J. S. Úvahy o vládě ústavní. Praha, 1992.
  • NOVÁK, M. Politiocké sstrany, jejich geneze, současné trendy a výhledy do budoucna, in: Střední Evropa, č. 136. Praha, 2012.
  • SARTORI, G. Strany a stranickésystémy. Schéma pro analýzu. Brno, 2005.
  • SCHMITT, C. Pojem politična. Praha, 2007.
  • SWIFT, A. Politická filosofie. Základní otázky moderní politologie. Praha, 2005.
  • TOCQUEVILLE, de A. Demokracie v Americe, díl I a díl II. Praha, 1992.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Arts Study plan (Version): Political Science (Two-Subject Combination) (A14) Category: Social sciences 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: Winter