Lecture Notes: Political Science Overview

Introduction

• Lecturer: Ahmad Ali Navid
• Teaching political science for the last few years
• Emphasis on differences between political science and IR (International Relations)
• Lecture covers syllabus, paper patterns, and reading materials for exams
• Importance of understanding content and context across different sections

Syllabus Overview

Paper 1 Structure

• Divided into three main sections:
  1. Marx (20 Marks): Always the first compulsory question.
  2. Thinkers: Divided into Western Political Thinkers and Muslim Political Thinkers. Examples include Plato, Aristotle, Karl Marx, Imam Ghazali, Iqbal.
     • Focus on Western thinkers due to historical exam patterns.
  3. Basic Concepts: Concepts of state, law, liberty, parliamentary and presidential systems, sovereignty, federation, unitary systems, etc.
     • Three questions, two need to be attempted.

Paper 2 Structure

• Divided into three main sections:
  1. Marx (20 Marks): As with Paper 1.
  2. Developed States' Political Systems: Constitution, political systems of the UK, US, France, and Germany.
     • Includes a section on Global Governance and International Organizations.
  3. Developing States' Political Systems: Constitutions of Turkey, Iran, Malaysia, India, China, and Pakistan.
  • Covers Pakistan's constitutional history and current political issues.

Sections in Detail

Thinkers Section

• Most questions historically come from Western thinkers.
• Muslims thinkers fewer questions in recent exams.
• Important to focus more on Western thinkers.

Basic Concepts Section

• Covers fundamental political science concepts and terminologies.
• Important to have broad and deep understanding due to question variety.

Developed and Developing Political Systems Section

• Developed: Focus on constitutional texts and political systems of developed states.
• Developing: Constitutions of developing nations with historical focus on Pakistan’s formation and evolution.

Exam Strategies

• Focus more on Pakistan for Paper 2 due to exam patterns historically favoring such questions.
• Understand the core and theoretical outlines of each thinker and concept.
• Use diagrams, flowcharts, and tables where applicable for clarity and higher marks.

Key Thinkers and Concepts

Plato

• Born: 427 BC in Athens, Died: 347 BC
• Major Works: Republic, Statesman, Laws
• Student of Socrates, critical of direct democracy post execution of Socrates.
• Key ideas: Ideal State, Philosopher King, Critique of Democracy
• Biographical details important for contextual understanding but not needed in answers.

Other Thinkers (Western and Muslim)

• Examples: Aristotle, Immanuel Kant, Karl Marx, Imam Ghazali, Iqbal
• Focus varies based on historical question trends

Recommended Reading Materials

• Modern Political Thought by Herman (Western thinkers)
• Political Science Theory and Practice by Mazrail Hughes
• Modern Constitutions by S.L. Kelley
• Constitutional and Political History of Pakistan by Hamid Khan (Third Edition)
• Additional compiled notes may be helpful for structured understanding.

Study Techniques

• Extensive reading to cover broader concepts and context
• Use compiled notes or pre-selected materials for focused study
• Combine theoretical understanding with application through answer writing practice
• Leveraging multiple sources without causing confusion is crucial for effective learning

Final Tips

• Understand the impact and contextual reasons behind each thinker's philosophy
• Integrate theoretical insights with practical implications in answers
• Prepare thoroughly with a focus on understanding rather than rote learning