Political Science Books for Class 11th, 12th, UG and PG Students

‘One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.’ These were the words of Plato – a great philosopher and the author of the book ‘The Republic.’ Political science books like The Communist Manifesto, The Prince, The Social Contact, etc. give you a basic understanding of the political scenario. Political science has no boundaries and no borders. So, you must read books not limited to your country only. 

Indian political science books like India After Gandhi, The Emergency, etc. give you a brief overview of the political scenario of the 18th to 20^th centuries. You can read these books to enhance your political knowledge and wisdom. You will be surprised to know that politics has a strong relation with philosophy. Enjoy these political science books and know more.

Top 10 Political Science Books for Everyone to Read

Sometimes, when you love reading, you don’t see the academic level of the book. So, the subject is Political Science. Anyone can read political science books irrespective of their age and academic level. Here is a list of the top 10 books for political science to read:

Name of the Book	Author	Book Ratings
The Prince	Niccolò Machiavelli	3.84/5
The Communist Manifesto	Karl Marx	3.66/5
The Republic	Plato	3.96/5
Leviathan	Thomas Hobbes	3.71/5
Why Nations Fail	Daron Acemoğlu	4.08/5
The Origins of Totalitarianism	Hannah Arendt	4.30/5
The Federalist Papers	Alexander Hamilton	4.10/5
The Social Contract	Jean-Jacques Rousseau	3.78/5
On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons	Timothy Snyder	4.19/5
Politics	Aristotle	3.98/5

These are some of the popular political science books for everyone to read. These books have amazing conceptual ideas and theories that will blow your mind. Let’s now look at the academic books for political science for students.

Political Science Books for 11th and 12th Class Students

Political Science explores the theory and practice of politics and government. It covers a wide range of topics including political ideologies, institutions, policies, processes, and behavior. This subject helps students develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of how societies are governed and how political decisions impact the world.

Class 11^th Political Science Books

Here are some of the recommended books for class 11^th class students:

NCERT Political Science Textbooks

• Indian Constitution at Work: This book covers the fundamental aspects of the Indian Constitution, including its formation, key features, and functioning.
• Political Theory: This book introduces students to the basic concepts of political theory, such as freedom, equality, social justice, rights, and citizenship.

Reference Books

• “Indian Polity” by M. Laxmikanth: A comprehensive guide to Indian polity, useful for understanding the intricacies of the Indian political system.
• “Introduction to Political Theory” by O.P. Gauba: This book provides a detailed explanation of various political theories and concepts.

Class 12^th Political Science Books

Here are some of the recommended books for class 12^th class students:

NCERT Political Science Textbooks

• Contemporary World Politics: This book covers global political developments post-World War II, including the Cold War, globalization, and international organizations.
• Politics in India Since Independence: This book discusses the political developments in India post-independence, including challenges and changes in the political landscape.

Reference Books

• “Global Politics” by Andrew Heywood: A comprehensive book that covers international relations and global political issues.
• “Politics in India” by Rajni Kothari: An insightful book on the political dynamics and changes in India.

These political science books provide a solid foundation for understanding political science and are aligned with the CBSE curriculum. It also ensures students are well-prepared for their exams.

Political Science Books for UG Students

Political science is a fascinating field that explores the systems of governance, political activities, thoughts, and behaviors. For undergraduate students, diving into this subject can be both enlightening and challenging. 

You will explore a series of political science books in the BA Political Science course. Here are some essential books that provide a solid foundation in political science:

1. The Republic by Plato
2. The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
3. Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes
4. Democracy in America by Alexis de Tocqueville
5. On Liberty by John Stuart Mill
6. India’s Struggle for Independence by Bipan Chandra and others
7. The Indian Constitution by Granville Austin
8. The State of India’s Democracy by Sumit Ganguly and others
9. Poverty and Famines by Amartya Sen
10. The Emergency by Coomi Kapoor

These political science books for graduation students will help you understand the fundamental principles and diverse perspectives within political science.

Political Science Books for PG Students

For postgraduate students, political science explains more complex theories, comparative politics, and advanced research methodologies. An MA in Political Science course will allow you to read books from multiple authors. Here are some essential books that will enhance your understanding and analytical skills in political science:

1. India After Gandhi by Ramachandra Guha
2. The Argumentative Indian by Amartya Sen
3. The Discovery of India by Jawaharlal Nehru
4. Politics in India by Rajni Kothari
5. The Idea of India by Sunil Khilnani
6. The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
7. The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt
8. An Introduction to Political Theory by John Hoffman and Paul Graham
9. Politics by Andrew Heywood
10. The Globalization of World Politics by John Baylis, Steve Smith, and Patricia Owens

These were some of the best academic political science books for postgraduate studies. These books will help you have an in-depth knowledge of Indian and the world polity.

Conclusion!

No matter your level—high school, undergraduate, or postgraduate—the right political science books can significantly deepen your understanding of politics. Key books like Plato’s The Republic and Machiavelli’s The Prince build the foundation, while advanced books like Guha’s India After Gandhi and Arendt’s The Origins of Totalitarianism provide deeper insights into political theory and global issues. 

High school students should start with NCERT textbooks and reference guides, while undergraduates should explore different political ideas and historical contexts. Postgraduates can dive into more complex theories and current issues.

FAQs

ce Books for 11th and 12th Class Students, Class 11th Political Science Books, Class 12th Political Science Books, Political Science Books for UG Students, Political Science Books for PG Students”, “itemListElement”: [{ “@type”: “ListItem”, “position”: 1, “name”: “Home”, “item”: “https://idreamcareer.com/” },{ “@type”: “ListItem”, “position”: 2, “name”: “Blog”, “item”: “https://idreamcareer.com/blog/” },{ “@type”: “ListItem”, “position”: 3, “name”: “political science books”, “item”: “https://idreamcareer.com/blog/political-science-books/” }] }