Political Theory Lecture Review

Flashcards covering key definitions, schools of thought, and major political thinkers from Classical to Modern Political Theory.

Political Theory

A body of knowledge related to the phenomenon of the state that seeks to understand, explain, analyze, and prescribe interventions to rectify political problems in both philosophical and empirical terms.

Political Thought

General thought comprising theories and values of all persons or sections of a community who think or write on day-to-day activities, policies, and decisions of the state.

Political Philosophy

A branch of study dealing with universal political issues such as the nature and purpose of political organization, the basis of political authority, and the nature of rights.

Political Science

A comprehensive discipline concerned with describing and explaining the realities of political behavior, making generalizations based on empirical evidence, and analyzing the role of power in society.

Andrew Hacker's Approaches to Political Theory

A classification dividing political theory into the Traditional Approach (history of political ideas) and the Modern Approach (modern political behavior and scientific study).

David Easton's Categories of Political Theory

A division consisting of Value Theory (focusing on human preferences) and Causal Theory (discussing the relationship between political events to make knowledge reliable).

Ronald Pennock's Five Types of Theory

A framework categorizing political theory into Speculative Theory, Ethical Theory, Legal Theory, Sociological Theory, and Scientific Theory.

Contemplative Theory

Rajeev Bhargava's category drawn from Hannah Arendt involving deeply contemplative investigations into the general condition of mankind over long periods from the vantage point of recent experiences and fears.

Man Writ Large

Plato's core concept in The Republic mapping the human soul to the state: Head (Reason/Rulers - Wisdom), Chest (Will/Warriors - Courage), and Abdomen (Appetite/Craftsmen - Temperance), resulting in Justice when in harmony.

Philosopher Kings

Plato's ideal, intellectually and morally excellent rulers who undergo specific training and must renounce private property and individual wives to focus on the general interest.

Political Naturalism

Aristotle's core concept stating that man is by nature a political and social animal and that the state is a natural phenomenon necessary for humans to reach the good life.

Four Causes of the State

Aristotle's hylomorphic framework for the state comprising the Material Cause (population and resources), Formal Cause (constitution), Efficient Cause (lawgiver), and Final Cause (aim or goal of the city-state).

Five Key Virtues (Confucius)

The moral foundation of Confucian politics: Ren (Benevolence), Yi (Righteousness), Li (Ritual Propriety), Zhi (Wisdom), and Xin (Trustworthiness).

Mandate of Heaven

The Confucian political rule stating that Heaven grants the right to rule based on virtuous character, which is non-permanent and justifies rebellion against tyrannical rulers.

Zhengming

The Confucian doctrine of the Rectification of Names, asserting that social titles and offices must correspond directly to actual behavior and responsibilities.

Three Requisites of Government

Confucius's requisites for governance: Sufficiency of food, sufficiency of military equipment, and confidence of the people in their ruler (identified as the most vital).

The Two Cities (St. Augustine)

The dual framework in The City of God consisting of Jerusalem (City of God, concerned with obedience and love of God) and Babylon (Earthly City, manifested by sin, pride, and lust).

Just War Theory (St. Augustine)

A doctrine permitting war due to Original Sin, defined by Jus ad bellum (just cause, right intention, last resort) and Jus in bello (proportionality, non-combatant discrimination, good faith).

Summa Theologica

St. Thomas Aquinas's masterwork synthesizing Western Christian theology with Aristotelian philosophy, containing the Five Ways to argue for the existence of God.

Four Types of Law (Aquinas)

The legal classification by St. Thomas Aquinas consisting of Eternal Law, Natural Law, Human Law, and Divine Law.

Virtù (Machiavelli)

The capacity of a political ruler to adapt and respond effectively to the demands of political power and navigate the unpredictable forces of fortune, distinct from moral virtue.

Machiavellian Realism

A political approach outlined in The Prince asserting that the primary goal of the state is to preserve power and stability using any necessary means, prioritizing practical efficacy over traditional morality.