Every time you start to study political science, the first thing you need to know about and understand is political theory. And in order to understand political theory, you have to face many problems.
Political Theory theory shapes our thought process toward society from where we belong to. That is why as a student of political science we should study political theory. because it helps-
- To explain what is going on around us.
- To understand our rights and duties.
- To decide what should be or not should be.
- To solve ethical problems.
- To understand political development and political crisis in the world.
So it became necessary to clearly understand the concept of political theory. Once we understand the meaning of political theory and what its functions are, then it will be easy for us to figure out why should we study political theory in detail.
Political theory is the combination of two words.
let’s start with the theory.
Table of Contents
What is Theory?
The first term is a theory that you need to know; otherwise, you will not understand anything about political theory.
The English word ‘Theory’ comes from the Greek word ‘Theoria’ which means “looking at, viewing, beholding”. In a sense of ancient Greek, the theory is to gain knowledge of a particular phenomenon through thoughtfulness and intellectual insight. In general, the theory implies an analytical framework.
But proponents of empiricism think that knowledge, which is based on some predetermined self-reflection and making a conclusion based on that, cannot be called a theory.
According to them, theory refers to Determining the inter-relationship between the various information obtained from the experience and presenting it in a coherent and meaningful way. But the problem is that if the theory is based on only information from experiences then how do we define the concept of Freedom, Equality, Justice, and so on?
So in general you can say that theory is a systematic study for systematic knowledge about a particular phenomenon based on abstract ideas, rational character, generality, and non-speculation in nature. The prime goal of the theory is to find out the human achievable truth.
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What is Political?
Now you have to understand what politics is. Political mainly refers to power or authority. It also refers to the influence, control, and use of physical force or threat.
In the Newspaper, we see a variety of issues related to rape, racism, gender equality, political party, March against the government. Now the question is, are these political issues?
Yes, these issues are political because of all these issues related to power. And all these are linked to government institutions.
So it can be said that Political refers to the power to take decisions by the government institutions about common life or society. Here political refers to power with (a government institution) and power to (common people and society).
But is it, not 100 percent true? Rajeev Bhargava in his book (Political Theory: An Introduction) explains it very accurately. He has used an example of women’s organizations protesting against the exclusion or unequal treatment of women.
So far as Political has meant that the Woman Organization has never belonged to the political. Because the Woman Organization is not part of the government organization.
But protest by women’s groups is political. Their act is political. Women have long struggled against some social practices. Unequal treatment over them means the use of power over them by men or any social practices. Exercise of power in any type linked to the political and it refers to power over also.
What is Political Theory?
The main point of this article is political theory. You have already got the meaning of Theory and Political and now you will learn what it means when these two words sit together.
If theory refers to the systematic study of systematic knowledge about a particular phenomenon or issue then, political theory is the systematic study of systematic knowledge about political phenomena or issues.
Again, it can be said that political theory is a theory that deals with political matters. Political theory is related to the science and philosophy of political affairs.
A British political scientist David Held nicely defines political theory as “a network of concepts and generalizations about political life involving ideas, assumptions and statements about the nature, purpose and key features of government, state, and society and about the political capabilities of human beings”.
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Why Should We Study Political Theory?
At the beginning of this post, I have highlighted some points about why should we study political theory. Now it’s time to explain those points clearly so that you are able to understand the importance of political theory.
No political theory means problems without a solution. You are part of a particular society. You should understand that society from where you belong. Political theory makes it easy for you.
People in every society carry ideas. From those ideas, you can understand your position in that society. Political theory helps us understand those concepts and helps us to realize our identity.
You ask yourself who are you? If your answer is you are a citizen of a particular country. Then what do you mean by citizenship? The idea of citizenship is shaped by political theory and it has its universal applicability.
Just like this our concepts of equality, freedom, rights, justice, etc, all are shaped by political theory. Political theory decides how we look at our society as a political animal.
Suppose you are a worker and your question yourself why are you so deprived? To find the answer, you need to understand the classes of society or the hierarchy of society. Karl Marx’s theory of class struggle helps you to understand the notion of class. And you will also get the answer to why you are so deprived of this hierarchical structure of society.
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The functions of political theory need to be discussed to understand why we should study political theory.
Functions of Political Theory
Political theory performs several functions that are very needful for our society as well as the world.
Understanding what is going on in the society and the world as well
Political theory helps to understand what is actually happening surrounding us and throughout the world as well. Political theory tells you how you collect data from those political events and how to study it systematically.
Political Theory Plays Explanatory Role
Now, it’s time to find out why those events are happening.
When women’s organizations protest against the government, there are definitely some reasons behind those protests. Political theory gives us theoretical/conceptual frameworks to explain the reasons for those protests. When we study women’s protests, the maximum time we use conceptual frameworks like equality, empowerment, rights, justice, and so on.
Solving Ethical Questions
Political theory always tells us that the political events surrounding us are good or bad, right or wrong for all of us. The prime goal of political theory is to find out the truth from our society. The political theory also gives the criterion of how good and bad that truth is.
It tells what ought to be or not to be
It helps us to understand good-order society and what makes society perfect. If anything wrong is happening related to politics then what will is the best solution also given by political theory?
Justification of Human Actions
Political theory justifies the action of humans. Through this human action can be explained and it provides the proper reasons for those actions. For example, in 2003 invasion of Iraq has justified by the just war theory. Just war theory has given the reasons to the USA for that action.
Again, when we take action to think about our country, such as the Poverty Alleviation Program, and the participation in the Decision-making Process of Governance, the idea of nation encourages us to do more.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that how much need for political theory in our life, society, and the world as well. It helps to think, helps to find out the solution to problems that are happening in our political world and it also gives the reasons for our every action of political life.
Again it can say that no political theory means political problems without solutions. Every subject grows because of its theoretical dimension. The theory makes a subject a separate academic discipline.
I hope you understand why should we study political theory as political creatures.
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