Political Theory Chapter 1 Political Theory: An Introduction

If the citizenry is vigilant, politics becomes much more public-spirited.

For example: As citizens, we are a bit like the audience in a music concert; we are not the main performers interpreting the song and melody. But we set the agenda and appreciate the output and put in new requests. Have you noticed that musicians perform better when they know the audience is knowledgeable and appreciative.

(i)Vigilant citizens are a must for the successful working of a democracy because they possess awakening, reason and ability to reflect on the actions of their representatives.

(ii)If vigilant citizens see politicians defecting from parties, making false promises and tall claims, manipulating different sections of the society, pursuing personal or group interests ruthlessly, these vigilant citizens can challenged this by taking various public platform.

(iii)They can protest and organise demonstrations to persuade the government to change the existing outdated laws or to frame or pass new laws and regulations.

(iv)Vigilant citizens have the capability to check wrong policies and corruption persisting among government officials and leaders.

The explaination:

(i)As students we enjoy debates and elocution competitions. We have opinions about what is right or wrong, just or unjust but do not know whether they are reasonable or not.

(ii)Only when we argue with others, we realize the need to defend them and seek out reasons and arguments.

(iii)This capabality exposes us to systematic thinking on justice or equality so that we can polish our opinions and argue in an informed manner and for the sake of common interests.

(iv)Such skills of debating rationally and communicating effectively are likely to be great assets in the global informational order.

Studying political theory is not like studying methematics for the reasons mentioned below:

(i)Unlike in mathematics where there can be one definition of a triangle or square, we encounter many definitions of equality or freedom or justice.

(ii)This is because terms like equality, freedom or secularism are not abstract issues in our lives. Rather, we daily encounter discrimination of various sorts in families, schools, colleges, shopping malls etc. 

(iii)For instance, when we are in a queue for goods and services, we want equal opportunity. We resent people who jump the queue in order to get services first.

(iv)However, if there are special counters for the old and disabled, we understand that equality of opportunity is not enough and such special treatment is justified to ensure fairness in society.

Political theory:

(i)Political theory examines questions of governance, its type, limitation on freedom etc of kind and systematically thinks about the values that inform political life – values such as freedom, equality and justice.

(ii)It explains the meanings and significance of these and other related concepts. It clarifies the existing definitions of these concepts by focusing on some major political thinkers of the past and present.

(iii)It also examines the extent to which freedom or equality are actually present in the institutions that we participate in everyday such as schools, shops, buses or trains or government offices.

(iv)At an advanced level, it looks at whether existing definitions are adequate and how existing institutions (government, bureaucracy) and policy practices must be modified to become more democratic.

The objective of political theory is to train citizens to think rationally about political questions and assess correctly the political events of our time.

The two level of politics:

At one level, it involves what governments do and how they relate to the aspirations of the people; at another level, it involves how people struggle and influence decision making.

Human beings are unique in two respects:

(i) They passess reasons and the ability to reflect on their actions.

(ii) Human beings have the capacity to use language and communicate with each other.

Politics refers to the operation of a constitutional system of government and publicly defined institutions and procedures.

The features:

(i)Politics is about power.

(ii)Politics includes government and its institutions.

Identification of political principle:

(a) Principle of  freedom 

(b) Principle of equality 

(c) Political principle of equaltiy

(d) Educational and Cultural Rights 

(e) Principle of participation 

(f) Freedom of expression 

(g) Principle of Swaraj

(h) Fundamental duty 

The drawbacks are:
(i)The voteres are educated.

(ii)Election pattern are determined by caste and religion.