What is Political Theory - Introduction to Political Theory - Notes | PLPT 1010, Study notes of Political Theory

Download What is Political Theory - Introduction to Political Theory - Notes | PLPT 1010 and more Study notes Political Theory in PDF only on Docsity! Intro to Political Theory 8/29/11 What is political theory?  The simple answer: The effort to reflect critically about how best to organize human association. This question, of course, quickly fragments into many sub-questions, e.g.: Who should rule? Does private property liberate or oppress people? Where do states get their authority from? When may citizens resist their government? (When) Is war okay? Is a welfare state justified? Three myths about ‘Political Theory’: 1. Political theory, because it is a kind of ‘theory’, must be abstruse, remote, obscure, unfamiliar, inaccessible, and alien to everyday experience. 2. In politics, there is a clear distinction between ‘theory and ‘practice’. 3. The questions addressed by political theorists are inherently ‘subjective’, just matters of ‘personal opinion’, so the whole enterprise is vain and pointless. Human beings are political animals because we argue with each about what the right or the wrong track is. Our structures are impregnated with ideas, beliefs, and thoughts. The sword represents power and the scepter represents authority or power to rule. 8/31/11 Theory Practice  The word theory is a lot broader than just plans.  Political theorists present arguments thoughtfully and clearly. Subjective Objective Challenge  Various views on specific topics which will cause it to be difficult to get past different perspectives. Emmanuel Joseph Sieyes  1748-1836  Author of What is the Third Estate? 