Political Theory Vs.

Political Philosophy
Political theory and Political Philosophy

The primary aim of all social sciences is

the examination of the ways in which
individuals are organized into a collective
social system. Political science, as an
academic discipline, focuses upon how
this achieved by the agency of government
.
 History
 According to the political scientists who supported the
traditional or normative view, political philosophy and
political theory were synonymous. It was not until the
nineteenth century that a distinction was made between the
two.
 Atthat time, the theory was included in political philosophy.
According to the prevailing idea, the role of political
philosophy and political theory was the same.
 In fact, no political theory can be understood
without its philosophical basis. That is, no
political theory is important without a
prominent philosophical point of view.
 Political Theory

Political Theory is a branch of Political

Science, which deals with theories aspects. It
gives the meaning, origin and development of
various concepts that are dealt in Political
Science.
Ex : STATE , CITIZENSHIP , LIBERTY ,
EQUALITY, SOVEREIGNTY, and so on.
 Political Philosophy
Is a philosophical vision of society and
the state. Behind political philosophy, there
are inquisitive visions, truth visions, and
moral and reformist thinking.
Political Philosophy deals with “
what is” and what “what ought”
to be. It deals with good and
virtues, ideal and real etc.
Ex : Plato’s theory of Justice
The Source of the Difference between Political
Philosophy and Political Theory
The Source of the Difference between Political
Philosophy and Political Theory
The main reason for the distinction between political
theory and political philosophy is the emergence of
positivism in the nineteenth century. The application
of positivism in political science led to an attempt to
differentiate between political philosophy and
political theory.
They reject philosophical ideas and engage in
value-free political discussions and empirical
discussions should be based on the application
of the natural sciences and through the
collection of factual information
The aim is to turn political science into natural
science. They seek to create real political
theories that have nothing to do with
philosophy.
Empirical political scientists are in
favor of freeing the theoretical
discussion of political science from
philosophy. This initiative is
observed among behaviorist
political scientists.
 Similarities of Political Theory and Political Philosophy

Political Theory and Political Philosophy are closely related fields that share several
similarities.
Here are some of the key similarities between the two;

1. Subject Matter : Both political theory and

Political philosophy deal with the study of political
ideas, concept and Theories
 Analytical Approach ; Both Disciplines we use critical
thinking and analysis to examine political concepts and
theories

Historical Perspective : Political theory and political

philosophy both have a historical Dimension. They study the
Ideas and Theories put forth by political Thinkers Throughout
History , such as Plato, , Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes,
Locke, Rousseau, and many others. They analyze the historical
context in which these ideas emerged and their impact on
political thought.
Normative Dimension: Both fields have a
normative aspect, meaning they explore
questions of what ought to be. They examine
ethical and moral principles, ideals, and values
in relation to politics and governance. They
seek to provide guidance and insights on how
societies should be organized and how political
systems should function.
 Interdisciplinary Nature: Political
theory and political philosophy draw from
various other disciplines such as history,
sociology, economics, psychology, and
ethics. They integrate insights from these
disciplines to develop a comprehensive
understanding of political phenomena.
Influence on Political Practice: Both
disciplines aim to have an impact on political
practice. They seek to inform policymakers,
politicians, and citizens about the principles
and theories that underlie political systems
and decision-making processes. They
contribute to debates on policy issues, social
justice, democracy, and governance
 While there are similarities between political
theory and political philosophy, it is important to
note that they are not interchangeable terms.
Political theory often refers to a more specific and
narrower area of study, focusing on analyzing and
developing theories about politics. Political
philosophy, on the other hand, is a broader field
that encompasses the study of political ideas,
values, and principles from a philosophical
perspective.