In Political Philosophy we will be exploring fundamental questions about government, politics, justice, rights, liberty, and the ideal organization of society. It examines how societies should be structured, what moral foundations guide political systems, and what principles justify the use of power and authority.

In Political philosophy you will become acquainted with influential thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Stuart Mill, Karl Marx, Hannah Arendt and contemporary thinkers like John Rawls and Hannah Arendt. In the class we will engage in discussions on the basis of a short presentation or lecture and you will learn about and analyze concepts including:

• The state and sovereignty
• Democracy, authoritarianism, and other forms of governance
• Justice and equality
• Human rights and freedom
• Social contract theory
• Power and legitimacy
• Ethics in politics

You will be encouraged to engage in critical thinking about current political systems and issues, asking questions on how societies should function and what role individuals play within them. We will bridge theoretical understanding with practical implications, whilst identifying and evaluating modern political challenges such as social justice, governance, policy-making, and international relations.