The Shape of the Course |

Course Overview

The three main intellectual traditions are the Enlightenment tradition, the Anti-Enlightenment reaction, and the democratic tradition.

The Enlightenment tradition is further divided into:

• Utilitarianism

• Marxism

• Social Contract Tradition Each branch addresses different aspects of political legitimacy and social organization.

Each tradition is examined through three stages:

1. Classic Statement

2. Historical Evolution to the present

3. Contemporary Applications in political debates

Two analytical perspectives are used:

• Internal analysis, which assesses the validity and soundness of arguments,

• External analysis, which considers the ideological and practical implications of these arguments in political contexts.
  A central theme is the concept of legitimacy—when governments deserve allegiance, when disobedience is justified, and how political arguments support or challenge institutional arrangements.