Approaches to the study of Political

Thought
• An approach takes hold of the method i.e. how to study or inquire along with bringing
into focus the relevant data i.e. what to study for the purpose of understanding the
particular phenomenon. In the words of Vernon Van Dyke: “An approach consists of
criteria of selection—criteria employed in selecting the problems or questions to
consider and in selecting the data to bring to bear; it consists of standards governing
the inclusion and exclusion of questions and data.”
• In brief, approaches consist of criteria for selecting problems and relevant data,
whereas methods are procedures for getting and utilizing data. It must also be added
that an approach brings along its method too. This cannot be always true about a
method because a method is not usually committed to a particular approach. In other
words an approach suggests its own method while the vice versa is not true. For
instance, behavioural approach is linked to scientific method and normative approach
has association with philosophical method.
Approaches to the study of Political
Thought
Normative approach
• Normative approach poses questions based on ‘norms’ or ‘standards’ in the study of social
sciences with an aim to appraise values. The normative approach emphasises ‘what should
have happened’.
• Occasionally, the normative approach may be based on empirical postulations to elicit how or
what a particular situation should be or what the state of affairs in a country should have
been. In addition to empirical assumptions, the normative approach also comprises the social
value system or moral standards widely endorsed in a particular society on which it sets up its
edifice of questions. For instance, if the issue of war is the major theme of inquiry, the
normative approach may seek help from the empirical assumptions to explain the causes of
war or the prospects of peace along with the basic normative question whether war as a
means of resolving international disputes is justified or not.
• The normative approach highlights its inclination towards a specific arrangement of things or
an order that emanates from a commitment to a moral duty or universal necessity.
Approaches to the study of Political
Thought
► Institutional Approach
• As the name suggests, a thorough investigation of political institutions in order to study the discipline
of political science is called the institutional approach. The approach is almost as old as the discipline
of politics and most political scientists since the times of Aristotle have defined and restricted the
scope of the discipline only to the study of state and government.
• In this respect a particular feature of the approach is that it does not usually make use of other social
sciences such as philosophy, history, or law to analyse political phenomena. It, therefore, assigns an
independent individuality to the organized inquiry of political science. Institutional approach allocates
the fundamental status to the institution of state in the study of politics and its agency, the
government along with its various organs such as legislature, executive, judiciary and bureaucracy are
also identified for close scrutiny as important political institutions.
• There are also many other institutions such as political parties, trade unions, nongovernmental
organisations, educational institutions, religious and cultural organisations etc. which may interest a
scholar who is employing institutional approach if they directly or indirectly have some bearing on
political processes.
Approaches to the study of Political
Thought
► Marxist approach
• Marxist approach to political theory is to take into consideration not only the major works of
Karl Marx, Friedrich Engels and Lenin but also refer to a huge body of Marxist literature
produced by Marxist intellectuals such as Rosa Luxemburg, Trotsky, Antonio Gramsci. Marx
believed that an individual in society was, in fact, without society.
• The worth of an individual seems to be of no consequence which makes Marx comment that
“society does not consist of individuals only but expresses the sum of interrelationship and
relations within which these individuals stand.” The Marxist theories that were propounded in
the twentieth century, for instance the one advanced by the Italian thinker, Antonio Gramsci
argues that though economics is the foremost determinant of relations in society, it is not the
only factor that ensures the dominance of the capitalists.
• Gramsci has brought into focus the political, cultural and ideological factors that support the
dominance of the capitalist class. In this context Gramsci’s concept of hegemony assumes
greater significance that strives to maintain a balance between economic determinism and
human prejudice and consciousness.
Approaches to the study of Political
Thought
► Inductive and deductive approach
• This approach begins by collecting data that is relevant to their topic. Once a
substantial amount of data have been collected, it step back and get a bird’s eye view
of the data. At this stage, it looks for patterns in the data, working to develop a theory
that could explain those patterns. Thus, when researchers take an inductive approach,
they start with a set of observations and then they move from those particular
experiences to a more general set of propositions about those experiences. In other
words, they move from data to theory, or from the specific to the general.
• The deductive approach will start with a compelling social theory and then test its
implications with data. In other words, they utilize the same steps as inductive, but
they will reverse the order, moving from general to more specific levels. Deductive
research approach is most associated with scientific investigation. The researcher
studies what others have done, reads existing theories of whatever phenomenon they
are studying, and then tests hypotheses that emerge from those theories.
PLATO

►  
Plato -Introducing Plato, his works, Ideal State

► In the history of political thought no thinker evoked the admiration, reverence and criticism
that Plato did. This outstanding Greek philosopher has left behind many important works, out
of which three, the Republic, the Statesman and the Laws are of perennial interest to all those
interested in the history of political ideas. Plato has been generally regarded as the founder of
philosophical idealism by virtue of his conviction that there is a universal idea in the world of
eternal reality beyond the world of the senses. He was the first to formulate and define political
ideas within a larger framework of a philosophical idea of Good. He was concerned about ...
human life and human soul or human nature, and the real question in it is as Plato says, how to
live best, what is the best life? is to him inseparable from the question, what is the best order or
organization of human society.
►
Early life of Plato

► Plato was born in May-June 428/27 BC in Athens in a distinguished, aristocratic,

though not affluent, family. His father, Ariston, traced his ancestry to the early kings of
Athens, even to Poseidon, the God of the Sea. His mother, Perictione, was a descendant
the famous lawgiver of Athens. The trial and execution of Socrates in 399 BC proved to
be a turning point in Plato’s life. For Plato, the search for truth was not through mere
instruction and theoretical knowledge, but with the guidance of an advanced mind.
► Through the academy, Plato kept alive the Socratic legacy. In course of time the
Academy also became the prototype for subsequent universities and institutions of
higher learning. The founding of the Academy is a turning point in Plato’s life and in
some ways the most memorable event in the history of European science. It was the
culmination of his efforts.
Works of Plato

The Republic
► The Republic is the greatest and most well-known work of Plato. It was written in the form of a
dialogue, a method of great importance in clarifying questions and establishing truth. It was one
of the finest examples of the dialectical method as stated.
► The Republic in Greek meant “justice”, and should not be understood in its Latin sense meaning
“the state or the polity”. It began with the quest of understanding the Idea of Good, and explained
how a perfect soul could be developed. Its core has been succinctly summarized as follows.
Philosophy meant to him what it meant to his master. The Socratic philosophy, analyzed and
formulated in the early dialogues, was not the study of nature or logic or metaphysics; it was the
pursuit of wisdom, and to achieve wisdom would be to achieve human perfection, well being and
happiness. This again meant not merely “caring for one’s own soul” as an isolated individual,
saving himself and leaving society to its fate.
►
Ideal State

• Rule of Philosophy
Plato was of the view that in an ideal state the philosopher-ruler should be prominent. He
should has a broaden vision of unity of knowledge. Philosopher-kings are immune from the
provisions of law and public opinion.
• No unqualified absolutism
Though, neither, there is any restraint of law nor of public opinion over philosopher-rulers but
that is not an unqualified absolutism. It is not all despotism, because rule of philosophy is not
free from the basic articles of the constitution.
• Control over the education system
Philosopher ruler should control the education system in an ideal state.
► Justice in ideal state
Justice is the main feature of Plato’s Republic and it is also present in his ideal state. Justice is
the bond which binds every member of society together. It forms a harmonious union of
individuals.
Ideal State

• Censorship of art and literature

In ideal state, there should be a complete censorship of art and literature. It is necessary so that nothing
immoral things might falls into the hands of the young individuals.
• System of Communism
Plato was of the view that guardian class should live under the system of communism of property and
family. The rulers and soldiers do not possess any property of their own.
• Equality among men and women
► According to Plato, equal opportunities should be given to both men and women for their economic,
social, intellectual and political uplift. We can say that Plato was the first feminist of his time.
► Principle of Functional Specialization
Plato was of the view that due to multiple wants, an individual could not fulfill all his desires by
himself alone due to lack of capacity. Thus co-operation among individuals should be necessary to
satisfy their mutual desires. Some people are specialized in performing some certain tasks.