How should the state ensure equality between citizens? Does equality mean getting an equal share of resources? Is equal citizenship compatible with, or does it require, minority rights? Contemporary political theory has focused on these central questions and this module will engage with the answers offered by liberalism, libertarianism, feminism, communitarianism and multiculturalism. This module introduces students to the central concerns of distributive justice and about the proper role of identity in politics. In examining these positions students will be invited to consider whether principles of justice are the same for everyone and how individuals relate to the communities that shape them. Unavoidably, this will involve discussions of the proper role of the state in contemporary society.

• Demonstrate a clear familiarity with a wide range of ideas and arguments from contemporary political theory
• Critically analyse and evaluate these arguments, to organise and consider them thematically and as part of traditions or schools of thought (e.g. liberalism, libertarianism, multiculturalism), and to demonstrate critical understanding of the relationships between these different theoretical positions
• Demonstrate critical awareness of important contemporary accounts of distributive justice, identity politics and the role of the state.

 The module will be delivered through a series of 22 lectures and 5-6 seminars.

Reading and analysing political and philosophical texts

Summarising and presenting the central arguments of complex texts

Understanding and evaluating complex concepts and arguments

Using the arguments of contemporary political theorists in oral debate and discussion and in written assignments

Oral and written communication skills

Essay (30%)
Examination (70%)

This module will examine the work of central thinkers in Contemporary Political Theory, focusing on their understanding of the role of the state, the relationship between state, community and individual, and on distributive justice.

Students will engage with the work of liberals such as John Rawls, Martha Nussbaum and Will Kymlicka, libertarians such as Robert Noziak and Phillippe van Parijs and with critics of these approaches such as Michael Walzer, Michael Sandel and Bhiku Parekh.

General textbook:

Kymlicka, Contemporary Political Philosophy: An introduction

Central texts include:

Rawls, A Theory of Justice

Rawls, Political Liberalism

Nozick, Anarchy, State & Utopia

Nussbaum, Frontiers of Justice

Okin, Justice, Gender and the Family

Van Parijs, Real Freedom for All: What (if anything) can justify capitalism?

Sandel, Liberalism and the Limits of Justice

Walzer, Spheres of Justice

Parekh, Rethinking Multiculturalism

Kymlicka, Multicultural Citizenship