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What is Political Theory?
Political theory examines the organization of society, need of government, the best form of government and systematically thinks about the values such as freedom, equality and justice that inform political life. It clarifies the prevailing definitions of these concepts by concentrating on some major political thinkers of the past and present. Its objective is to train citizens to think rationally about political questions and assess the political events of our time.
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Major aspects of Political Theory
- Methodologies employed attempt to describe, explain and investigate a Political Phenomenon
- Political theory is limited to the various aspects of politics only:Influence of politics over citizen’s life, citizen’s choice of candidates and expectations from the government
- Theories attempt to establish a decent state, by dwelling into established methods of the past
- Political theory have both aspects of perspective and explanation
- Political Theory is all about Political things, but it tries to encompass social, psychological, moral, economic and ecological aspects from a political point of view
Scope of Political theory
- It deals with the ideas and principles that form the basis for Constitutions, governments, and social life in an organized manner
- It elucidates the meaning of concepts such as freedom, equality, justice, democracy etc
- It probes the meaning of principles such as rule of law, separation of powers, judicial review, etc. by investigating the arguments advanced by different thinkers in defence of these concepts
- Though Rousseau, Marx and Gandhi did not become politicians, their ideas influenced generations of politicians worldwide
- Political theorists also reflect upon our current political practices and argue trends and possibilities for the future
Relevance of political theory
The relevance of political theory lies with the purpose with which it is to be employed or hoped to be employed. As it tries to embrace all the parameters of a society with an attempt to establish a political reality, understand the same, and if necessary suggest improvements.
Relevant for All Target Groups
Students may choose professions like judges, political leaders etc. in the future and so indirectly it is relevant for them to study.
For Citizens
- To act responsibly, it is imperative to have a basic understanding of the political ideas and institutions that shape the world
- To contribute their views in the society at different levels, like In the gram Sabha, local body meetings etc, It is imperative that citizens have a logical and educated opinion and views on various matters
- An educated and attentive public makes those who play politics more public-spirited
Modern Human Values
- Freedom, Equality and Secularism are not abstract subjects. People encounter discrimination of various sorts in families, schools, colleges, etc. on a daily basis
- There are prejudices against people who are different from them
- Political theory encourages us to inspect our ideas and feelings about political issues
Assets in Global Information Order
Political theory exposes us to critically think about justice or equality so that one can polish his opinions and argue in an informed manner
Parameters in Political Theory
Freedom and Equality
- Different interpretations: Issues concerning opportunity, fairness, majority rule government, emerge in many areas of public activity, and they are being executed in various areas at various speeds
- For model Although balance might exist in the political circle as equivalent freedoms, it may not exist similarly in the monetary and social circles
Freedom Guaranteed in Our Constitution
- The fundamental rights guaranteed by our Constitution are constantly reinterpreted in order to be streamlined with new situations
- For example-Right to life has been interpreted by the Courts to include the right to livelihood
Emerging Dimensions of Freedom with Changing World
For example – Internet commerce is all set to increase in the future and the information people give about them online to buy goods or services must be protected.So even though netizens do not like government control, they recognize that some form of regulation is necessary to safeguard individual security and privacy.
Political Theory in Practice
- Political theorists have discussed what is freedom or equality and provided diverse definitions
- Terms like equality concern our relationships with other human beings and many opinions need to be understood and harmonized. Example – Meaning of equality
- It means equal opportunity for all, but sometimes special treatment may be justified
- Equality must involve fairness so that people are not exploited and disadvantaged by economic factors
- Equality has so many meanings because it is dependent on the context
- Political theorists clarify the meaning of political concepts by looking at how they are understood and used in everyday language
- They also debate and examine the various meanings and opinions systematically
- Engagement in day to day opinions, discussion about plausible definitions, and resolve policy matters
