This module will introduce various methodologies and approaches in political theory, such as conceptual analysis, utilitarianism, legal positivism, contractualism, reflective equilibrium, linguistic contextualism, Marxism, critical theory, feminism, and critical philosophy of race. We will explore and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches through close study of selected writings, each of which employs a particular approach to provide an influential account of one of the most pivotal concepts in political theory: liberty.
Some of the authors whose work we will consider are Isaiah Berlin, John Stuart Mill, H.L.A. Hart, John Rawls, Quentin Skinner, Karl Marx, Michel Foucault, Marina Oshana, and Charles Mills (this list may be subject to variation depending on developments in academic research and the interests of the class). In each case, we will reflect on two types of questions: (1) substantive questions about the nature and value of liberty (e.g. ‘What is liberty?’ ‘Are there different concepts of liberty?’ ‘Why is liberty important?’ ‘How much liberty should we have?’); (2) methodological questions about the approach at hand (e.g. ‘What method(s) does the author rely on?’ ‘What are the (dis)advantages of the method(s) employed?’ ‘What kinds of questions does the author ask?’ What kinds of questions should we ask in political theory?)
Each week there will be a lecture and a seminar. The lecture will provide a broad introduction to a particular method or approach in political theory. In the seminar you will ‘apply’ the method or approach introduced in the lecture to the understanding and critical examination of set texts that explore the concept of liberty.
This is a compulsory module for students registered on the MA Legal and Political Theory programme. Enrolment on this module is restricted to students on specific programmes of study or to those who have already completed specific modules, as detailed in the Restrictions box. You will not be able to join the module if you do not meet these criteria.
By the end of the module, you should:
• have a good understanding of the different approaches and explanatory strategies in legal and political theory, and of the disagreements between them;
• have a good understanding of the central debates about liberty;
• be equipped with the key methods and techniques of conducting political theory research at a graduate level;
• be in a position to develop and execute a research dissertation; and
• be aware of the ethical issues and practical impact of political theory research more generally.
The books below provide useful overviews of many of the topics we will cover, and several chapters from the first three books are included in the weekly readings. Depending on your background knowledge, you might find it helpful to consult one or more of these sources before the start of the term. They can all be found in the UCL Library.
• David Leopold and Marc Stears (eds.) (2008) Political Theory: Methods and Approaches
• Blau, A. (ed.) (2017) Methods in Analytical Political Theory.
• David Miller (ed.) (2006) The Liberty Reader (revised edition: Edinburgh).