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2009 Course Handbook

POL264: Modern Political Thought

What are the limits of the legitimate use of force by political authorities? How should the power of government be limited? When is a government or political regime legitimate? These and related questions have been the subject of a continuous debate in political theory since the 16th century. This unit examines the various theories of human rights and of social contract as well as theories which reject the liberal/democratic approach to the question of legitimacy. Among the authors to be read are Machiavelli, Hobbes, Rousseau, Burke, Marx, Rawls, Schmitt, and Foucault.

Credit Points:4
Contact Hours:3
When Offered: D2 - Day; Offered in the second half-year
X2 - External study; Offered in the second half-year (On Campus session: No session)
Staff Contact: Associate Professor Aleksandar Pavkovic
Prerequisites:

12cp

Corequisites:

NCCWs:

Unit Designations: --
Assessed As: Graded
Offered By:

Department of Modern History, Politics, International Relations and Security

Timetable Information

For unit timetable information please visit the Timetables@Macquarie Website.

Recent Updates

17 Oct 2008 - EDUC80P

Program title amended