Chapter 12, “Gravity Cannot Be Held Responsible for People Falling in Love: Political Theory, Public Policy, and the Distorted Methodology of Political Science” - Problem of Political Theory

Political theory is often viewed as archaic and disconnected from contemporary politics.
Critics argue political theorists fail to link political thinking with practical politics.
Dominance of Behavioralism in political science has emphasized quantitative methods, often at the expense of political theory.
Reclamation of political theory is crucial to restore its role in the discipline and make it more interdisciplinary.

In the twentieth century, political theory was marginalized within political science.
Articles occasionally appear in leading journals like the American Political Science Review (APSR), but their readership is limited.
Political theory articles face challenges gaining publication outside orthodox frameworks; often overlooked or dismissed as irrelevant.
The narrowing of political theory's focus limits its influence in political curricula and its relevance to broader political questions.

The rise of Behavioralism in the late 1940s shifted political inquiry towards empiricism and quantification.
Behavioralists prioritize testable and measurable approaches, often sidelining normative questions that political theory seeks to address.
Many political science disciplines now emphasize fields like quantitative political economy and political psychology, often at the expense of theoretical insights.

Textual and historical analyses are essential for understanding political phenomena and addressing moral questions.
Critique of purely quantitative studies suggests they can miss the qualitative dimensions of human behavior and political life.
Einstein’s assertion that gravity cannot quantify love illustrates the limitation of metrics in capturing complex human experiences, similar to politics.

Historical methodologies provide insights into moral capacities during crises, while current methodologies risk disconnecting from ethical implications.
Individual cases of moral courage against societal pressures, such as during genocides, cannot always be measured or predicted through behavioral metrics.
Psychological evaluations (e.g., Rorschach tests) often struggle to capture political ideologies effectively due to their inherent limitations.

Literature expresses nuanced understandings of human experience in ways quantitative analyses cannot match.
Works like those of Brecht and Orwell illuminate moral crises and societal challenges beyond mere numerical data.
Political theory can benefit from literary approaches that articulate complex realities and engage with people's lived experiences.

The increasing dominance of mass media impacts literacy and critical thought among students, leading to complicit conformity in education and society.
Students are inundated with simple, immediate content, which shapes their understanding and engagement with political realities.
The disconnect between educational practices and student needs necessitates a reevaluation of teaching methodologies that incorporate more complex critical thinking and justice-oriented education.

The analytical framework of political inquiry must include a moral dimension where justice is seen as a foundational principle of governance.
Historical analysis reveals how past political judgments can help in shaping modern public policies to combat injustices arising from systemic flaws in political and societal structures.
A combination of quantitative and qualitative methodologies can better inform political judgments and lead to more effective governance.

The concept of 'place' is often neglected, yet it significantly informs policy-making and local governance.
Decisions on urban and educational policies must integrate community input for justice to be effectively realized and enacted.
By understanding ‘place,’ political theory can contribute meaningfully to public policy that resonates with everyday realities, making the discipline relevant and impactful.