RBSE Class 11 Political Science Notes Chapter 1 Political Theory: An Introduction

These comprehensive RBSE Class 11 Political Science Notes Chapter 1 Political Theory: An Introduction will give a brief overview of all the concepts.

RBSE Class 11 Political Science Chapter 1 Notes Political Theory: An Introduction

→ Meaning of Politics:
In ancient times, the word ‘Politics’ was used for the term ‘Political Science’. The term politics is derived from the Greek word ‘Polis’ which means the City- State, the general form of political organisation prevalent in ancient Greece. In ancient Greece there were small City-States. ‘Politics’ therefore meant to be in ancient Greece, the science of the ‘City-State’ or pertaining to State and Government. Aristotle concentrated his study on these City-States. He drew his practical and theoretical conclusion in his study in his famous book ‘Politics’. Now, in place of City-State, we have big territorial states. Nowadays, Political Science is the science which studies the origin, necessity, development, nature and future of the State.

→ Meaning of Political Theory:
Political Theory is a branch of political science. In simple words, political theory is a theory about what is political science and the philosophy of something that is political. According to Alan Issak, “A Political Theory might be defined as a set of generalisations containing concepts with which we are directly acquainted and those which are operationally defined, but in addition  and more important theoretical concepts that although not directly tied to observation and logically related to those concepts that are.”

Bluntschli states that, “Political Theory is the science which is concerned with the State which endeavours to understand and comprehend the State in its fundamental conditions, its essential nature, its various forms of manifestations, its developments.” David Held defines Political Theory as a “complex network of concepts and generalisations about fife involving ideas, assumptions and statements about the nature, purpose and key features of government, State and society and about the political capabilities of human beings.”

→ Scope of Political Theory:
The scope of Political Theory is as discussed below:
1. State and Government are the Main Subjects of Political Theory. State is the main subject of political science and theory because the machinery of political science revolves around the State.
In the sphere of political theory we study the nature and size of existing State and the practicability of the fundamental principle of the present government. But the nature of State and government have changed with the time. Now, their present nature is different from their past. Political theorists study the reasons for the origin of State and its process of development.

2. Study of Power. The political theory also includes the study of power. In other words, “Political theory is the study of power process.” Power has many forms - political, economical and social power, individual and public power, national and international power, etc.

3. Wider Scope of the Subject. The study of political theory consists of study in different fields i.e.formal, informal, economy, social, psychological, geographical, ethical, political, religion and cultural.

→ Why should we study Political Theory ?
We should study Political Theory for the following reasons :

• It helps to understand Political Reality.
• Political Theory simplifies the knowledge.
• It legitimises the Government.
• Political Theorists encourage people to use adequate means to fulfil their objectives and needs.
• It helps to resolve problems.