Have you ever wondered why political theory still matters today? Even though modern politics relies heavily on data and empirical research, the study of political ideas and values remains essential.
Some scholars once claimed that political theory was declining, but in reality, it has made a strong comeback. This revival, known as the resurgence of political theory, highlights the importance of ethics, justice, and governance in political discussions.
The resurgence of Political Theory refers to the revival of the normative or value-based political theory in political science.
In the middle of the twentieth century, many thinkers (David Easton, Alfred Cobban) have written about the decline of political theory. Again, many concluded (Lasslett, Dahl) as a political theory is dead.
It is true; however, that much of the earlier philosophical political theory has lost its significance. However, the nature of political theory has changed in line with the changing times and needs. This change in the nature of motion cannot be called the end of political theory.
The real proposition does not eliminate the influence of political theories on philosophy or values. Even political scientists have not been able to overcome the influence of values. They speak of liberal democracy as the best political system. Moreover, sophisticated research also tends to take a particular value as a basis.
This article explores the resurgence of political theory, focusing on key thinkers who contributed to its revival. Scholars like Michael Oakeshott, Hannah Arendt, Leo Strauss, Bertrand de Jouvenal, Sheldon Wolin, and John Rawls played crucial roles in bringing political philosophy back into the spotlight.
The Resurgence of Political Theory [6 Views]
In the mid-20th century, many scholars argued that political theory was in decline. However, in the second half of the century, thinkers revived value-based political theory. Let’s explore their contributions.
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Michael Oakeshott on the Revival of Political Theory
Michael Oakeshott, in his book Experience and Its Modes (1933), examined how different perspectives shape human experience. He believed that reducing politics to just facts and numbers ignored its deeper meaning.
He identified four keyways people experience the world:
- History – Understanding past events.
- Science – Focusing on measurement and data.
- Practice – Engaging in actions and desires.
- Poetry – Using imagination and creativity.
Oakeshott argued that treating politics as a purely scientific field ignores its ethical and philosophical dimensions.
According to him “The understanding of politics as an empirical activity is, then, inadequate because it fails to reveal a concrete manner of activity at all. And it has the incidental defect of seeming to encourage the thoughtless to pursue a style of attending to the arrangements of their society which is likely to have unfortunate results, to try to do something which is inherently impossible is always a corrupting enterprise.”
Hannah Arendt and the Need for Political Theory
Hannah Arendt, in her book The Human Condition (1958), criticized how modern life devalues human experience. She believed that political theory was necessary to restore freedom and responsibility in human actions. Arendt was also a strong critic of behaviorism, which she saw as limiting human agency.
She stated, “The unfortunate truth about behaviorism… is that the more people there are, the more likely they are to behave and less likely to tolerate non-behavior.” This means that when political theory is ignored, society risks becoming robotic, losing its ability to think critically.
Leo Strauss and the Importance of Political Philosophy
Leo Strauss believed that politics and philosophy are deeply connected. He argued that modern political science had become too focused on data and had lost sight of big questions about justice and morality.
In his book Natural Right and History (1953), Strauss emphasized that political theory should guide society’s ethical decisions. He was especially critical of behaviorism, which he saw as undermining moral judgment.
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Bertrand de Jouvenal’s Concern for Political Engagement
Bertrand de Jouvenal warned that politics was being reduced to administrative tasks. Like Arendt, he believed that politics should focus on ethical decisions rather than just management.
In his book On Power: The Natural History of Its Growth (1945), he explored the dangers of political power becoming too centralized.
Sheldon Wolin and the Value of Traditional Political Thought
Sheldon Wolin strongly opposed behaviorism and argued that classical political theories still offer valuable insights for modern politics. In his book Politics and Vision (1960), he emphasized that past political ideas, from Plato to modern times, help us understand contemporary challenges.
He has presented in support of the former political tradition. He is known as a big critic of behaviorism. Under the influence of behaviorism, the old political theory has fallen, this idea is not correct.
He has interpreted the usefulness of the traditional style of political theory that has developed from the time of the Greek scholar Plato to the present day. At the same time, he has become aware of how to revive political theory or political philosophy.
According to Wolin, large-scale political theories of the past shed light on recent problems and current conditions.
The political theories of the past can be easily used to better understand the politics of the present. But judging in the light of contemporary standards alone is not necessary.
Recent political theories have abandoned the critical criterion due to the overemphasis on methodology. But this feature of political theory has always been an essential feature.
John Rawls and Resurgence of Political Theory
John Rawls played a major role in reviving political theory with his book A Theory of Justice (1971). He argued that justice should be based on fairness and that societies should create systems that benefit everyone, especially the disadvantaged. Rawls combined ideas from thinkers like John Locke and Immanuel Kant to develop his influential theory of justice.
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Conclusion
Since the 1970s, the resurgence of political theory has been evident in the works of scholars like Rawls, Habermas, Nozick, Walzer, and Sandel. Modern political theory now explores issues like social justice, democracy, feminism, and pluralism.
Political theory continues to evolve by building on classical ideas while adapting to contemporary challenges. It remains essential in shaping discussions on governance and justice, proving that philosophy and politics are inseparable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the resurgence of political theory?
The resurgence of political theory refers to the revival of discussions on values, ethics, and justice in political science, especially in response to the limitations of behaviorism and empirical analysis.
2. Why was political theory considered to be in decline?
During the mid-20th century, some scholars argued that political theory was declining because political science was focusing more on empirical data and less on philosophical questions.
3. Who are the key thinkers behind the revival of political theory?
Major contributors include Michael Oakeshott, Hannah Arendt, Leo Strauss, Bertrand de Jouvenal, Sheldon Wolin, and John Rawls
4. What role did John Rawls play in the resurgence of political theory?
John Rawls’ A Theory of Justice reintroduced discussions on fairness, justice, and equality, significantly influencing modern political philosophy.
5. How does the resurgence of political theory impact modern governance?
The revival of political theory has shaped discussions on democracy, human rights, and social justice, influencing policymaking worldwide.
6. How does political theory differ from political science?
Political theory focuses on philosophical and ethical questions, while political science often emphasizes empirical research. However, both fields are interconnected.
References
- Arendt, Hannah. The Human Condition. University of Chicago Press, 1958.
- Jouvenal, Bertrand de. On Power: The Natural History of Its Growth. Viking Press, 1945.
- Oakeshott, Michael. Experience and Its Modes. Cambridge University Press, 1933.
- Rawls, John. A Theory of Justice. Harvard University Press, 1971.
- Strauss, Leo. Natural Right and History. University of Chicago Press, 1953.
- Wolin, Sheldon. Politics and Vision: Continuity and Innovation in Western Political Thought. Princeton University Press, 1960.
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