Political theory is a foundational discipline within political science that examines the concepts, principles, and ideas underpinning political systems, governance, and human behavior within society. It seeks to address fundamental questions about power, authority, justice, liberty, and equality, providing the intellectual framework for ...

This chapter gives us a basic overview of the sub-discipline of political theory by situating it within normative inquiry. This makes political theory unique among the sub-disciplines which have a greater emphasis on “scientific” social and political inquiry.

Feb 21, 2020 · According to David Held, political theory is 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’1.

Jan 5, 2024 · Key concepts like justice, power, and democracy form the basis of theoretical frameworks that interpret and explain political realities. These concepts help in understanding the underlying principles that shape institutional arrangements and societal norms.

Jan 4, 2024 · At its core, political theory is a systematic and dispassionate examination of political phenomena. It goes beyond mere observation, delving into the factual, causal, and valuational aspects of politics.

Peter Steinberger addresses such questions by considering a variety of important developments in the history of political thought – ancient, modern and contemporary – introducing readers to important and on-going debates about the idea of prudence or practical wisdom as it functions, or should function, in the realm of public affairs.

Political theory is a branch of political science that explores ideas, concepts, and principles underlying political systems, behaviours, and structures. It delves into fundamental questions about governance, justice, rights, and the role of individuals and institutions in society.

This extensive article has explored the foundational concepts, texts, and thinkers of early modern Western political theory. Beginning with the state of nature and social contract theories of seminal philosophers like Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau, we have examined the origins of crucial ideas like popular sovereignty, political legitimacy ...

In this section, supported by the ECPR Political Theory Specialist Group, we will discuss recent work on key political concepts, including – but not limited to - freedom, equality, solidarity, power, legitimacy, authority, rights, citizenship, civil society.

According to the British political scientist David Held, political theory is 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 …