POLI 1300: Intro to Political Thought & Action

Flashcards covering key definitions and concepts from the introductory lecture on Political Theory and Politics.

Political Theory

The business of expanding the scope of political thinking; it grapples with the past, present, and future of society through the analytical, critical, and normative study of ideas, concepts, and arguments.

Politics (Harold Lasswell's definition)

"The process of determining who gets what, when, and how".

Politics (Heywood & Chin's definition)

"What we contest and cooperate over: what we think is of common concern".

Politics (Sheldon Wolin's view)

A created field where the designation of activities as political and the way we think about them are legacies of historical political philosophers.

Political Science

An approach to the study of politics that uses the scientific method to describe, analyze, and explain government, political institutions, and political behavior, aiming for objective, value-free truth.

Political Theory (vs. Political Science)

An approach that describes knowledge and focuses on the conceptual clarification of political ideas to aid empirical science, emphasizing normative aspects, ideas, and concepts.

Political Philosophy

The search for wisdom and understanding that attempts to clarify and evaluate political concepts, their assumptions, coherence, and implications, often providing normative justification or refutation.

Political Theory (as explication)

Encompasses both the description (from political science) and normative justification (from political philosophy) of political ideas, concepts, and arguments.

Repeated Problems/Themes in Political Theory

Core issues studied, including power between ruler and ruled, authority, social conflict, ends of politics and government, nature of political knowledge, and justice.

Ancient/Classical Political Thought

An era characterized by Greek and Roman thought, focusing on city-states, empires, republics, politics as freedom, "The Good Life," ethics, and virtue.

Modern Political Thought

An era in Western Europe & North America marked by social hierarchy, centralized power vs. individual liberty, and concepts of rights, justice, and equality.

Contemporary Political Thought

An era examining the role of history and culture, often anti-foundationalist, critical of existing institutions, and analyzing power dynamics, including critical theory.

Raw Material of Political Theory

Primarily consists of theoretical texts from other political theorists and related fields (e.g., political philosophy, social theory), including their words, concepts, ideas, and arguments.

Problem of Political Change

A recurring theme in political theory exploring how and why political systems and societies transform.

Problem of Human Nature

A recurring theme in political theory investigating the fundamental characteristics and motivations of individuals relevant to political life.

Problem of Power

A recurring theme in political theory examining the dynamics, legitimacy, and implications of power structures and relationships.

Problem of Politics

A recurring theme in political theory delving into the definition, scope, and purpose of political activity itself.

Problem of Law

A recurring theme in political theory exploring the nature, source, and function of legal systems and their relation to justice and governance.

Problem of Citizenship

A recurring theme in political theory examining the rights, duties, and identity associated with being a member of a political community.

Problem of Democracy

A recurring theme in political theory investigating the principles, practices, and challenges of democratic governance.

Problem of Political Community

A recurring theme in political theory exploring the formation, nature, and maintenance of shared identity and collective life within a political entity.

Problem of Property

A recurring theme in political theory addressing the concepts of ownership, distribution, and rights related to possessions and resources.

Problem of Equality

A recurring theme in political theory examining the different forms of equality (e.g., social, economic, political) and their implications for justice and government.