(1-10) The Alienation of Political Theory

Alfred Cobban

Critic of Western political theory's decline.

Value Freedom

Scientific approach avoiding moral judgments.

Relativism

Belief in multiple valid perspectives.

Disengagement from Political Facts

Separation of theory from practical politics.

Behavioral Revolution

Shift to scientific methods in political science.

Metatheoretical Themes

Philosophical discussions on theory's foundations.

Theoretical Divide

Separation of political theory and empirical research.

Political Theory's Roots

Originated from early 20th-century American scholars.

Progressive Political Science

Focus on democratic values and reforms.

German Influence

European scholars' critiques reshaped American political thought.

Émigré Scholars

Refugees influencing American political theory.

Critique of Liberalism

Skepticism towards liberal democracy's effectiveness.

Decline of Theory-Science Alliance

Separation of theoretical and scientific approaches post-1950s.

Behavioralism

Emphasis on empirical research in political science.

Empirical Political Facts

Data-driven analysis of political behavior.

Normative Theory

Theories prescribing how politics should be.

Descriptive Ideas

Theories explaining how politics operates.

Causal Ideas

Theories identifying causes of political phenomena.

Evaluative Ideas

Theories assessing political systems' effectiveness.

American Political Science

Discipline focused on empirical and practical solutions.

Historical Tradition

Continuity of political thought from Plato onward.

Critique of Science

Questioning the relationship between science and politics.

Political Practice

Application of political theory to real-world issues.

Behavioral Movement

Promoted scientific methods in political science.

Crisis in Political Theory

Erosion of theoretical and empirical political science.

Philosophical Influence

Philosophy shaped social sciences' justification and critique.

Natural Science Model

Dominant political science model pre-1950s.

Shift in 1950s-1960s

Political science sought to redefine its scientific identity.

Political Theory's Role

Central to debates surrounding behavioralism.

Ideological Underpinnings

Behavioral movement defended liberalism and American institutions.

Metatheoretical Self-Consciousness

Introduced self-awareness in political science theory.

Theory as Science's Hallmark

Theory defined and legitimized political science.

Scientific Legitimacy Continues

Political science maintained legitimacy through scientific methods.

Long-Term Impact

Behavioral revolution influenced political theory's distinct evolution.

Harold Lasswell

Key figure in political science transformation.

Abraham Kaplan

Influential in behavioral movement and empirical research.

David Easton

Criticized traditional political theory's relevance.

Traditional Political Theory

Study of historical political ideas from Plato onward.

Impoverishment of Tradition

Easton claimed historical scholars lacked contemporary relevance.

Theoretical Revolution

Easton's call to revitalize political theory's relevance.

Parasitic Historicism

Easton's term for excessive focus on historical context.

Hyper Factualism

Critique of overly simplistic empirical methods.

Crude Empiricism

Easton's term for inadequate empirical analysis.

Generalized Theory

Easton's vision for a framework in political study.

Contemporary Political Concerns

Modern issues not addressed by historical political theory.

Criticism of Easton

Misleading critique of figures like George Sabine.

Sabine

Scholar linking political theory and science.

Behavioralism

Focus on scientific, empirical political study.

Leo Strauss

Critic of behavioralism, emphasized political philosophy.

Hannah Arendt

Political theorist opposing American behavioralism.

Eric Voegelin

Critic of behavioralism, emphasized historical context.

Postwar Influences

Shift in political theory due to European ideas.

Traditional Political Theory

Historical approach to understanding politics.

Behavioral Critique

Criticism of traditional theory by behavioralists.

Ideological Divide

Split between behavioralists and traditionalists.

Metatheory

Study of political theory's conceptual framework.

Theoretical Controversy

Disagreements on politics and political theory.

Classic Texts

Historical works essential for political theory.

Myth of Tradition

Assumptions about a coherent political theory history.

Political Tradition

Organic development of political thought over time.

Political Science Evolution

Development influenced by behavioralism and traditionalism.

Critique of Liberal Values

Traditionalists' opposition to behavioralist principles.

Political Crises

Contemporary issues addressed through historical theory.

Great Dialogue

Ongoing discussion among significant political thinkers.

Historical Context

Understanding politics through past political ideas.

Behavioralists

Scholars advocating empirical methods in political science.

Traditionalists

Defenders of historical political theory's relevance.

Political Theory's Purpose

Debate on the role of political theorizing.

Political Identity

Evolving understanding of political science and theory.

Great Dialogue

A centuries-spanning conversation among political theorists.

Dynamic Conversation

Literature viewed as interactive among thinkers.

Myth of the Tradition

Historical narrative key to modern political understanding.

Pathology of Modernity

Analysis of decline from classical ideals to modernity.

Crisis of Western Politics

Contemporary issues explained through historical political thought.

Institutionalization of Political Theory

Formation of a structured field by the 1970s.

Interdisciplinary Approach

Integration of historical and scientific political studies.

Traditionalists

Scholars defending historical political theory's relevance.

Mythical Narrative

Connection of classic texts to modern political issues.

Metatheoretical Debates

Discussions on studying political theory's methodology.

Therapeutic Political Theory

Deconstructing and reconstructing modern political ideas.

Goal of Political Theory

Uncover insights to address modern political crises.

Mythology of Political Theory

Elevating key ideas to world-historical significance.

Heir to Tradition

Contemporary theory seen as successor to classical thought.

Theoretical Dimension

Political theory linked deeply to political action.

Determinative Historical Forces

Political ideas shape modern politics through classic texts.

Transcendental Truths

Political theory accessing deeper truths about politics.

Behavioralism

Scientific methodology applied to political theory.

Methodological Unity of Science

Belief in consistent scientific methods across disciplines.

Verifiability of Empirical Science

Empirical claims can be tested; evaluative claims cannot.

Natural Science Model

Political science modeled after natural scientific methods.

Generalization in Science

Organizing facts into theoretical constructs.

Behavioralism

A systematic approach emphasizing empirical data.

Logical Positivism

Philosophy focusing on observable phenomena.

Logical Empiricism

Philosophy combining logic and empirical evidence.

Scientism

Belief in the universal applicability of scientific methods.

General Theory of Politics

Aimed to model politics like natural sciences.

Philosophical Methodology

Study of methods used in philosophy.

Research Practices

Actual methods employed in scientific research.

Empirical Verification

Confirming theories through observable evidence.

Operational Definitions

Specific definitions used to measure variables.