Cuet PG Political Science: Political Theory

Definition: Study of concepts and ideas that define politics and governance.
Key Concepts:
- Power: The ability to influence or control others.
- Authority: Legitimate power recognized by society.
- Legitimacy: Acceptance of authority as rightful and proper.
- Justice: Principles of fairness and moral rightness.
- Freedom: The state of being free from oppression or constraint.
Major Theorists:
- Plato: Idealism, philosopher-king concept.
- Aristotle: Empirical analysis of political systems, classification of governments.
- Hobbes: Social contract, nature of humanity (Leviathan).
- Locke: Natural rights, government by consent.
- Rousseau: General will, social contract theory.
Contemporary Theories:
- Feminist Theory: Examines gender power dynamics.
- Critical Theory: Challenges societal norms and power structures.
- Postmodernism: Questions grand narratives and ideologies.

Definition: Study of interactions between states and non-state actors on the global stage.
Key Theories:
- Realism: Focus on state power and national interests; emphasizes conflict.
- Liberalism: Advocates for cooperation, democratic governance, and international institutions.
- Constructivism: Emphasizes the role of social constructs and identities in shaping international relations.
Key Concepts:
- Sovereignty: Authority of a state to govern itself.
- Balance of Power: Distribution of power among nations to prevent dominance.
- Globalization: Increased interconnectedness of economies, cultures, and populations.
- Security Dilemma: Actions by a state to increase its security can lead to increased tensions with other states.
International Organizations:
- United Nations: Promotes peace, security, and cooperation among states.
- NATO: Military alliance for collective defense.
- World Trade Organization (WTO): Deals with global trade rules.

Key Historical Movements:
- Classical Political Thought: Focused on ethics, justice, and virtue (Plato, Aristotle).
- Medieval Political Philosophy: Integration of religion with politics (Augustine, Aquinas).
- Modern Political Thought: Rise of the state, individual rights (Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau).
- Enlightenment: Emphasis on reason, science, and individualism.
Major Philosophers:
- John Stuart Mill: Advocate for utilitarianism and individual liberty.
- Karl Marx: Critique of capitalism, theory of class struggle.
- Alexis de Tocqueville: Analysis of democracy in America and its impact on society.
- John Rawls: Theory of justice and the concept of the "veil of ignorance".
Contemporary Thoughts:
- Neoliberalism: Emphasis on free markets and minimal state intervention.
- Multiculturalism: Recognition and appreciation of diverse cultural identities.
- Environmental Political Theory: Interaction between politics and environmental issues.

Political theory explores fundamental concepts like power, authority, legitimacy, justice, and freedom that shape governance.
Power is the capacity to influence or control others.
Authority refers to power that is recognized as legitimate by society.
Legitimacy is the acceptance of authority as rightful and proper.
Justice involves principles of fairness and moral rightness in political contexts.
Freedom emphasizes the absence of oppression or constraint.
Plato introduced idealism and the concept of philosopher-kings.
Aristotle conducted empirical analysis of political systems and classified forms of government.
Hobbes proposed the social contract and examined humanity’s nature in "Leviathan".
Locke focused on natural rights and the consent of the governed.
Rousseau developed the theory of the general will within the social contract framework.
Contemporary theories include Feminist Theory, examining gender dynamics, and Critical Theory, which contests societal norms.
Postmodernism scrutinizes overarching narratives and ideologies.

International relations study entails interactions between states and non-state actors globally.
Realism emphasizes state power and national interests, focusing on conflict.
Liberalism promotes cooperation, democratic governance, and the role of international institutions.
Constructivism highlights social constructs and identity's influence on international relations.
Sovereignty is the authority of a state to self-govern.
The Balance of Power seeks to distribute power to prevent dominance by any one nation.
Globalization reflects the interconnectedness of economies, cultures, and populations.
The Security Dilemma shows how a state's security measures can escalate tensions with others.
Key international organizations include the United Nations for peace and cooperation, NATO for military alliances, and the World Trade Organization (WTO) which regulates international trade.

Classical Political Thought focused on ethics, justice, and virtue, emphasized by Plato and Aristotle.
Medieval Political Philosophy combined religious principles with governance, as seen in the works of Augustine and Aquinas.
Modern Political Thought marked the rise of state authority and individual rights, discussed by Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.
The Enlightenment championed reason, scientific inquiry, and individualism.
John Stuart Mill advocated for utilitarianism, emphasizing individual liberty.
Karl Marx critiqued capitalism and articulated the theory of class struggle.
Alexis de Tocqueville analyzed democracy's effects on society in America.
John Rawls introduced a theory of justice focusing on fairness and the "veil of ignorance" concept.
Contemporary political thoughts include Neoliberalism, advocating for free markets and minimal government, and Multiculturalism, recognizing diverse cultural identities.
Environmental Political Theory addresses the intersection of political action and environmental issues.