INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THEORY, FOR ASPIRATIONS

Political theory is a branch of political science that focuses on the study and analysis of ideas, concepts, and principles related to politics, governance, and power. It examines the foundations of political systems, the nature of political authority, and the ethical and philosophical questions surrounding political life.

1. MOOC ON POLITICAL THEORY: CONCEPTS & DEBATES   POLITICS & POLITICAL SCIENCE MODULE 1

2. Political Theory deals with the matters related to politics both by normative and explanatory ways. Some of the Basic Concepts of Political Theory

3. From the ancient Greek city-states, which were known as ‘polis’ came the word ‘ politika ’ and politics, which means affairs of the city-states. Now, it means everything related to state. The remnants of ancient Greek City State of Athens.

4. Most of the traditional theories of politics emphasised the importance of State and Government over other elements. State and Government

5. The Glorious Revolution in England introduced Constitutional Monarchy, i.e. from then, Monarchy became bound by the constitutional laws made by Parliament. Glorious Revolution, 1688

6. The French Revolution, which established the first French Republic, championed the ideals of Equality, Fraternity and Liberty The French Revolution, 1789

7. “Politics, in its broadest sense, is the activity through which people make, preserve and amend the general rules under which they live”. ( Heywood , Politics ) Andrew Heywood’s Politics was first published in 1987.

8. Election of Government at regular intervals by universal votes (vote of every adult citizen) became the foundation of modern democracies. Universal Adult Suffrage

9. All the matters that affect ‘public’ (in the sense of General/Universal) is also a matter of politics. Politics as Public Affairs

10. In politics there is never all-win or all-losses. Politics also involves compromise and consensus.

11. Miller views “conflict as the root of politics”. J.D.B. Miller, The Nature of Politics (1962)

12. The  Rajiv– Longowal Accord , was signed by then Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi and  Akali   leader, Harchand Singh Longowal . The government accepted the demands of  Shiromani Akali Dal  who in turn agreed to withdraw their agitation. The Rajiv- Longowal Accord ,1985

13. The  Mizoram Peace Accord, 1986  was an official agreement between the Government of India and the  Mizo National Front (MNF) to end insurgency and violence in Mizoram. The Mizoram Peace Accord, 1986

14. Machiavelli was an Italian Renaissance diplomat, philosopher and writer, best known for  The Prince . He is called the father of modern   Political Science. Nicco Machiavelli (1469-1527)

15. Aristotle wrote Politics and is considered as the ‘father’ of Political Science. Aristotle (385 BC-323 BC), political philosopher of ancient Greece