Detailed Syllabus Outline
- Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Montesquieu, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Kant, Mill, Bentham, Hegel, Marx, Lenin, Mao, Gramsci, Kai Popper, Pierre Bourdieu, John Rawis, Frances Fukuyama, Foucault, Derrida Kierkegard, Jean Paul Sartre, Rene Descarte
- Al-Farabi, Al-Marawardi, Abne-Rushid, Imam Ghazali, Ibne-Taymiyya, Nizam-ul-MulkTusi, Al-Ghazali, Ibn-i-Khuldun, Shah Waliullah, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Jamaluddin Afghni, Rashid Rida,
- The nature and emergence of modern nation-state system, Islamic concept of state and
- Ummah
- Sovereignty, Justice, Law, Liberty, Freedom, Equality, Rights and Duties, Human Rights, Political authority and Power.
- Political Socialization, Political Culture, Political Development, Political Recruitment, Social Change, Civil Society, Violence and Terrorism in Politics, Gender and Politics, Women Empowerment.
- Political Change and Revolution, Elections, Electoral System, Public Opinion, Propaganda, Political Parties, Pressure Groups and Lobbies.
- Legislature, Executive, Judiciary, Political Elites, Civil-Military and Bureaucracy.
- Monarchy, Democratic, Dictatorship, Totalitarian/Authoritarian, Unitary, Federal, Confederation, Presidential and Parliamentary
- Capitalism, Marxism, Communism, Socialism, Totalitarism, Fascims, Nationalism, Islamic
- Political Ideology
- Theory and practice of Local Self-Government with special reference to Pakistan, Comparative analyses of systems of local governance, Public Administration and Public Policy
- Political System of U.S.A, U.K, France and Germany
- Globalization and Politics, Global Civil Society, Regional politico-economic integration and organizational structure of the European Union, SARRC, ECO, International Financial Regimes IMF and WTO
- Political system of Turkey, Iran, Malaysia, India and China
- Rise of Muslim Nationalism in South Asia and Pakistan Movement (with special reference to the role of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Iqbal and Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah)
- Constitution making from 1947 -1956, A comparative and critical analysis of 1956, 1962,
- 1973 Constitutions of Pakistan, Constitutional Amendments up-to-date, Federal structure in
- Pakistan, and Central-Provincial relations after 18th amendments,
- Political Culture of Pakistan, political developments and the Role of civil and military Bureaucracy, Judiciary, feudalism, Dynastic Politics, Political Parties and Interest Groups, elections and Voting Behavior, Religion and Politics, Ethnicity and National Integration,
- History of International Relations: Post WWII Period
- Foreign Policy of Pakistan: National Interests and Major Determinations i-e
- 1). Size/Geography
- 2). Economic Development
- 3). Security
- 4). Advancement in Technology
- 5). National Capacity
- 6). Political Parties/Leadership
- 7). Ideology
- 8). National Interest
- 9). Role of Press/Bureaucracy
- 10). Social Structure
- 11). Public Opinion
- 12). Diplomacy.
- Also external factors like International Power Structure, International Organizations, World
- Public Opinion and reaction of other states. Foreign Policy-making Process in Pakistan
FPSC Recommended Books
| Book Title | Author |
|---|---|
| Pakistan’s Foreign Policy, 1947-2005 | Abdul Sattar, |
| Democracy and Authoritarianism in South Asia | Ayesha Jalal |
| Military, Civil Society and Democratization in Pakistan | Akbar Zaidi |
| The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam | Allama Iqbal |
| A history of Pakistan and its origins | Christophe Jaffrelot, |
| Greek Political Thought: Plato & Aristotle | Eearnest Barker, |
| Political Thought From Plato to Present | Ebenstein |
| Political Thought in Medieval Islam | Erwin I.J. Rosenthal |
| Constitutional Developments in Pakistan | G.W.Choudhury, |
| Comparative Politics Today: A Theoretical Framework | Gabriel A. Almond, G.Bingham Powell, |
| Contemporary Political Analysis | Garles Worth James, |
| A History of Political Theory | George Holland Sabine |
| Studies in Muslim Political Thought and Administration | H K Sherwani, |
| Modern Islamic Political Thought | Hamid Enayat, |
| Constitutional and Political History of Pakistan | Hamid Khan, |
| Politics Among Nations: The Struggle for Power and Peace | Hans J. Morgenthau, |
| Military and Politics in Pakistan | Hasan Askari Rizvi, |
| Pakistan Foreign Policy: An Overview 1947-2004 (PILDAT) | Hasan Askari Rizvi |
| Pakistan and Geostrategic Environment : A Study of Foreign Policy | Hasan Askari Rizvi |
| International Politics: A Framework for Analysis | Holsti, K.J. |
| Pakistan: A Modern History | Lan Talbot, |
| 21st Century Political Science: A Reference Handbook | John T.Ishiyama, Marijke Breuning, |
| Political Thought from Plato to Present | Judd Herman, |
| The Political System of Pakistan, | K.B.Sayeed, |
| Pakistan: A Political Study | Keith Callard, |
| Pakistan: An Enigma of Political Development | Lawrance Ziring, |
| Pakistan in the Twentieth Century | Lawrance Ziring, |
| Pakistan: At the Crosscurrent of History | Lawrance Ziring, |
| History of Muslim Philosophy | M M.Sharif, |
| History of Local Government in Pakistan | Masudul Hasan |
| Nationalism: The Nation-State and Nationalism | Monserrat Guibernau, |
| Politics and the State in Pakistan | Muhammad Waseem, |
| Government and Politics in Pakistan | Mushtaq Ahmad |
| Making of Pakistan | Noor ul Haq |
| Pattern of Government | Samuel H. Beer & Adam B. Ullam |
| Political Thinkers: From Socrates to the Present | Paul Kelly (Ed) |
| Introduction to Political Science, Islamabad, National Book Foundation, | Rodee Anderson etc. |
| Pakistan’s Foreign Policy : An Historical Analysis | S.M. Burke |
| State & Society in Pakistan | Shahid Javed Burki |
| Islami Riyasat | Syed Abul Aala Maudoodi |
| Khilafat O Malookeyat | Syed Abul Aala Maudoodi |
| Ethno National Movements of Pakistan | Tahir Amin |
| Politics, Parties and Pressure Groups | V.O. Key Jr. |
| Democratization in Pakistan | Waseem, M. |
| Contemporary Political Philosophy: An Introduction | Will Kymlicka |
| History of Political Theories (Three Volumes) | Willaim A. Dunning, |
| International Relations: Politics and Economy in the 21st Century | William Nester |
Preparation Strategy for Political Science (CSS)
Political Science is historically one of the most reliable and high-scoring optional subjects in Group 1, carrying 200 marks. It is conceptually grounded yet deeply analytical, making it an excellent overlap with Current Affairs and Pakistan Affairs.
1. Paper I — Philosophy and Theory: Paper I focuses heavily on Western and Muslim political philosophy. The trick is not rote memorization, but understanding the core premise of each philosopher. Relate modern democratic issues to Plato's Republic or Machiavelli's statecraft. Use comparative headings like 'Aristotle vs. Al-Farabi on the Ideal State'.
2. Paper II — Comparative Politics: Paper II demands a comparative analysis of global political systems (US, UK, France, Russia) alongside Pakistan's constitutional evolution. Frame your answers using constitutional articles and standard political frameworks.
3. Interlinking Concepts: Examiners look for candidates who can seamlessly link political theories from Paper I to the modern realities tested in Paper II. Applying realism or institutionalism to a contemporary Pakistani political crisis secures premium marks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many marks does Political Science carry in the CSS Exam?
Political Science is a 200-mark subject in the FPSC CSS examination.
2. What are the core topics covered in Political Science?
The syllabus primarily revolves around Part-A (50 Marks), Part -B (50 Marks), Part-A (30 Marks) and related topics. Check the detailed syllabus breakdown above for the exact structure.
3. Is Political Science a scoring subject?
Yes, Political Science is generally considered highly scoring if you stick strictly to the official FPSC syllabus, practice past papers, and use strong analytical arguments rather than generic statements.
4. How long does it typically take to prepare for Political Science?
For a 200-mark subject, a strategic preparation plan typically requires 4 to 6 weeks of dedicated, consistent study and note-making.
5. What are the best recommended books for Political Science?
FPSC recommends referring to authentic textbooks and journals. Some key referenced authors include Abdul Sattar, and Ayesha Jalal. Avoid purely relying on local guidebooks.
6. Do I need a university degree in Political Science to opt for it?
While an academic background provides a massive advantage, it is not strictly mandatory. Many candidates successfully prepare for Political Science from scratch by consulting thoroughly recommended readings.
7. Are past papers important for Political Science preparation?
Absolutely. Analyzing the last 5 to 7 years of CSS past papers for Political Science is critical. It helps identify recurring themes, examiner traps, and high-frequency syllabus blocks.
8. How should I structure my answers in the Political Science subjective paper?
To score highly, structure your subjective answers with clear introductions, relevant headings, bullet points, flowcharts (if applicable), and a balanced, critical conclusion.
9. Does Political Science overlap with Compulsory CSS subjects?
Many concepts in Political Science can build a strong analytical foundation for the English Essay and Current Affairs papers. Always look for cross-disciplinary linkages while studying.
10. Is coaching necessary to pass Political Science?
No, professional coaching is not mandatory. With immense discipline, standard syllabus tracking, and self-evaluation via mock exams, candidates can secure excellent marks on their own.