Difference between Political Philosophy and Political Theory

When you start studying political science, you notice some terms like political theory and political philosophy. These two terms are very important in the study of political science.

Many political scientists have used these terms interchangeably. Again, many have said that they are contradictory. This situation creates a problem for you.

The problem is that- are political theory and political philosophy used in the same sense? If not, what is the difference between political philosophy and political theory?

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According to the political scientists who supported the traditional or normative view, political philosophy and political theory were synonymous. It was not until the nineteenth century that a distinction was made between the two.

At that time, the theory was included in political philosophy. According to the prevailing idea, the role of political philosophy and political theory was the same.

In fact, no political theory can be understood without its philosophical basis. That is, no political theory is important without a prominent philosophical point of view.

As such, the German philosopher Hegel’s political theory cannot be realized without his idealistic perspective. Likewise, Karl Marx’s theory of class struggle makes sense through his dialectical materialist view.

Political philosophy is a philosophical vision of society and the state. Behind political philosophy, there are inquisitive visions, truth visions, and moral and reformist thinking.

Political philosophers go through arguments, rejections, and judgments. The work of a political philosopher is to evaluate state and social problems, to guide the way of solution, that is, to collect and recommend wisdom, and to maintain continuity of thought.

Political philosophy also follows the same pattern as political theory.

But what suddenly happened is that there is a need to differentiate between political philosophy and political theory.

The Source of the Difference between Political Philosophy and Political Theory

The main reason for the distinction between political theory and political philosophy is the emergence of positivism in the nineteenth century. The application of positivism in political science led to an attempt to differentiate between political philosophy and political theory.

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Then empirical political scientists turned their presence in political science into the twentieth century.

They reject philosophical ideas and engage in value-free political discussions and empirical discussions should be based on the application of the natural sciences and through the collection of factual information.

The aim is to turn political science into natural science. They seek to create real political theories that have nothing to do with philosophy.

Empirical political scientists are in favor of freeing the theoretical discussion of political science from philosophy. This initiative is observed among behaviorist political scientists.

Difference between Political Philosophy and Political Theory

Modern political scientists do not acknowledge that theory has a place in political philosophy. According to them, the difference between political philosophy and political theory is clear. They say –

• Political theory is the determinant, of independent power. There is no independent existence of theory in state philosophy.
• Although political theories come from political philosophy, they are not based on science or information. Political theory relies entirely on information.
• Political philosophy depends on customs, traditions, and values. Political theory is value-neutral and rational.
• While political theory plays a constructive role, theory cannot go beyond established beliefs in political philosophy. Mystery and superstition have no place in political theory.
• Philosophy is the main thing in political philosophy. In political theory, politics is anointed with its own role.

From the above discussion, you can differentiate between political philosophy and political theory in three ways.

1. The Objective Difference
2. The difference in terms of Subject Matter
3. Differences in Validity

1. The Objective Difference

The objective difference between political philosophy and political theory is present. The main goal of political philosophy is to develop a universal and general theory of life that should be ideal in nature.

Political theory, on the other hand, seeks to find the cause of something happening. Modern behavioral statesmen can be taken as an example. They want to build a theory through experimentation, analysis, conclusions, etc., along with the discussion of facts.

2. Difference in terms of Subject Matter

The purpose of political philosophy is to establish an ideal state system. The method or method of reaching this is discussed in political philosophy. That is to say, political philosophy is preoccupied with the way to reach certain goals. For example, Plato writes about ideal state and it speaks of the ‘Philosopher King’ for reaching that ideal state.

On the other hand, the scientific approach is applied to the analysis of the issues of political theory and the future is discussed through analytical review of content from contemporary events and history.

3. Differences in Validity

The validity of political theory can be judged. But the legitimacy of political philosophy cannot be judged.

Eager to see the difference between political philosophy and political theory, the writers offered some more explanations.

They said that political philosophy is purely partial. Cause, there is no reliance on judging or measuring and statistics of different elements.

 Although there is a theory, it is completely biased. Political philosophy judges what can or should happen without judging what is happening.

Its only goal is to suggest what the state will do without solving the problems of the state, without identifying the root of the problem.

Political philosophy, however, considers what is happening and goes deeper into the problem and finds a solution.

Is it Right to Differentiate between Political Philosophy and Political Theory?

According to many, it is not appropriate to artificially delineate the line between political philosophy and political theory. Political theory cannot be formed by completely excluding political philosophy.

The political scientists are simply influenced by some of his particular ideologies and meditative ideas. Both political philosophy and political theory are part of political science. So the existence of a normal relationship between the two cannot be denied.

Leo Strauss in his “What is Philosophy” has determined the relationship between political theory and political philosophy.

He opposes distinguishing between political philosophy and political theory and political science as well. In his opinion, the existence of political science without philosophy is impossible. Political philosophy and political theory are complementary.

According to him, the nature of political issues is reviewed in political theory. Again in political philosophy an attempt is made to understand the nature of the political subject as well as the ideal political subject. Concepts and discussions of values ​​are inextricably linked with political philosophy.

Conclusion

After the above discussion of the Difference between Political Philosophy and Political Theory, it can be concluded that Political theory cannot be separated from philosophy in the actual proposal.

Political theory is directly influenced by political philosophy. No political theory can be formed by ignoring political philosophy.

No political theory can be developed by denying its philosophical point of view. Because without any philosophical commitment, no theory can be widely accepted.