Political Theory Overview

A way of explaining and understanding politics using abstract ideas.

The study of politics focusing on observable facts and data.

A broad approach to studying politics focusing on values, morals and knowledge.

An explanation, idea, or set of ideas meant to make sense of something.

Thinking about what ought to be, not just what is in politics.

The idea that a political thinker's ideas are influenced by their own time and place.

The study of politics that emphasizes the role of history and culture.

A period of renewed interest in political theory, particularly starting from the 1970’s.

Political thought, since the modern era, has been significantly influenced by liberal ideology, often being virtually synonymous with it.

A critique questioning the rationality at the core of conventional political theory, emphasizing the contingent nature of ideas.

A general idea, expressed in a short phrase or single word, about a political idea, not a single object, but rather a 'general idea'.

Political concepts that reflect values, stating what 'ought' to be or what is morally ideal.

Political concepts that describe current conditions or political viewpoints objectively.

A crucial step in political analysis; creating general ideas or concepts to think about complex political ideas.

Moral principles or ideals that guide political action, often explicitly stated in prescriptive theories.

Concepts like justice, liberty, and equality, guiding political thought.

The essential, unchanging characteristics of human beings.

Philosopher who rejected the idea of a fixed human nature.

Concepts regarding political phenomenon: power, authority, order, law, These are about 'what is', not 'what ought to be'

Treating concepts like tangible objects, separate from the people who use them.

Human beings create their own nature through their actions.

A belief that individuals are more important than any group, and that individual freedom is paramount.

A group of people living together in a defined area, with shared norms and interactions.

The patterned ways people interact, defining how society functions.

A group with a shared identity and loyalty, often based on proximity or interests.

The idea that global interconnectedness creates a broader social structure.

The ongoing debate about whether human behavior is primarily determined by innate biological factors ('nature') or by environmental influences ('nurture').

The belief that human nature is fixed and unchanging, suggesting that political theories should be based on this inherent core.

The belief that human nature is malleable and shaped by societal experiences, emphasizing the importance of social structures in shaping individuals.

The concept that human nature is flexible and adaptable, capable of being changed and molded by environmental factors.

The theory that organisms evolve through a process of random genetic mutations, where those best suited to their environment survive and reproduce.

Darwin's theories implied that social and political systems should reflect the natural order of evolution, suggesting a 'scientific' justification for societal structures and hierarchies.

If nature dictates human behavior, progress may be limited. If nurture shapes us, progress becomes potentially boundless.

The study of political behavior reveals more about the structure of society than about an unchanging human core.

The idea that social issues like poverty, inequality, and conflict can be addressed and resolved because they are rooted in social structures and processes, making them potentially modifiable.

The ongoing debate about the relative influence of reasoned thinking versus innate impulses and drives in human behavior.

A period of intellectual and cultural movement emphasizing rational thought and scientific inquiry, primarily in the 17th and 18th centuries, where reason was seen as the primary tool for understanding the world.

A French philosopher who championed rationalism, emphasizing the power of human reason and advocating for a dualism of mind and body.

The belief that all human beings share certain fundamental characteristics and intrinsic worth, regardless of social background, race, religion, gender, or other social distinctions.

The extent to which rational thinking influences human behavior, leading to a distinction between those prioritizing logical thought and those emphasizing instinct and emotion.