Politics is a discipline that studies power and its exercise in society. Political ideas refer to the various philosophical and ideological conceptions regarding the organization and functioning of society. Thus, the history of political ideas is the study of the different political doctrines that have emerged throughout the history of humanity.

This course on the history of political ideas aims to trace the major currents of political thought from antiquity to the present day. We will see how these ideas have influenced political systems and institutions, as well as their impact on society and individuals.

In this first part, we will discuss the political ideas developed by thinkers of antiquity, such as Plato and Aristotle. We will study their conceptions of justice, virtue, democracy, and citizenship. We will also see how these ideas influenced the early political systems of ancient Greece.

We will also analyze the political ideas of ancient Rome, focusing on the notion of law and the dichotomy between Republic and Empire.

In this second part, we will focus on the political ideas that emerged during the Middle Ages, notably with the thought of Thomas Aquinas and his theory of royal power. We will also study the different conceptions of sovereignty, particularly that of Jean Bodin.

Then, we will transition to the Renaissance period, characterized by a revival of political ideas. We will explore the thoughts of Machiavelli, particularly his work "The Prince", as well as those of Thomas More and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

In this third part, we will study the political ideas of modern times, marked by the Enlightenment and revolutions. We will analyze the thoughts of John Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau on freedom, the separation of powers, and the social contract.

We will also address the political ideas that emerged during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic period, particularly with republican ideologies and the struggles for the emancipation of social classes.

Finally, in this last part, we will study the political ideas that have emerged over the last two centuries. We will cover liberalism, socialism, communism, fascism, as well as national liberation movements and feminist currents.

We will also discuss the current challenges faced by political ideas, such as globalization, environmental issues, and populist movements.