Pashchatya Rajnitik Darshan has been written for B.A. third year Political Science (Semester-V; Western Political Philosophy–I DSC–13) students, in accordance with the latest curriculum of Delhi University and the New Education Policy (2020). This book will also benefit candidates preparing for the Civil Services Examination.

The book discusses the political philosophy and concepts of the early thinkers of the Greek and modern periods of European history. The book has six chapters. The first chapter deals with the interpretation of texts. It explains what interpretation means and why the interpretation of texts is important for human civilization. It also discusses different methods of interpretation and various approaches. The other chapters provide a detailed analysis of the important political concepts and ideas of five Western thinkers—Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes, and John Locke.

The book explains the thoughts of these philosophers in the context of their time and society, and analyses them from different ideological and political perspectives. The debates ongoing in contemporary times regarding the concepts of these philosophers are discussed at the end of each chapter. This helps students understand various interpretations and analyses.

Written in a simple and accessible style, this book also caters to the needs of students who are preparing for the Civil Services Examination with Political Science as an optional subject, as all these thinkers are also included in the UPSC Political Science syllabus. It is equally beneficial for those readers who are not from the academic field but are interested in knowing about these great philosophers.