本課程重點在於從思想層面探討西方民主理路，其中包括三條主軸。第一是真民主和假民主分別。第二是保障菁英和保護弱勢。第三是自利與共善的行為假設。

在講授順序方面，本學期分成兩個單元。第一是雅典民主的正反辯論。第二部份要討論專制王權思想及其反動，也就是社會契約說。在這方面，馬基維利和霍布斯強調自利是個人最重要的行為動機，霍布斯因此主張理性自保，促使個人將權力盡數交給主權者。洛克批評霍布斯的邏輯不合情理，主張社會契約是要保障，而非限制個人的自然權利。

This course focuses on exploring Western democratic principles from an ideological perspective, which includes three main axes. The first is the difference between true democracy and fake democracy. The second is to protect the elite and protect the vulnerable. The third is the behavioral assumption of self-interest and common good.

In terms of teaching sequence, this semester is divided into two units. The first is the debate for and against Athenian democracy. The second part will discuss the thought of autocratic kingship and its reaction, that is, the theory of social contract. In this regard, Machiavelli and Hobbes emphasized that self-interest is the most important behavioral motivation for individuals. Hobbes therefore advocated rational self-preservation and urged individuals to hand over all their power to the sovereign. Locke criticized Hobbes' logic as unreasonable and argued that the social contract was to protect, rather than restrict, individuals' natural rights.

胡祖慶，西洋政治思想史，台北：雙葉，2012.

Hu Zuqing, History of Western Political Thought, Taipei: Shuangye, 2012.