Qn. 20: Comment in 150 words: “…political theory is not an escape mechanism but an arduous calling,” (John Plamanetz) (2014/I/1a/10)
The given statement refers to the significance, purpose and status of political theory. That political theory has a crucial role to play – guiding policy makers in particular and enlightening society in general. It also points out that political theory has become a more demanding and challenging task, in recent decades. The statement has been made by John Plamanetz, a political philosopher and Oxford professor.
Political theory building has at the core of intelligentsia since a long period of time. Apart from being the oldest discipline, Aristotle called it a ‘ master science’. In its role as a lighthouse to the state or policy makers, it has a profound influence on the human community. Apart from that, it generates awareness and encourages political participation in the population. It helps in critical evaluation, explanation and prediction of political behaviour. For these reasons, there is a requirement of sound methodologies in politics.
A sound methodology is required as speculative views may not produce the desired result and fail to generate legitimacy. It has precipitated theoretical crises, which could be said to have contributed to real-world catastrophes. After all, it is the duty of the intelligentsia to guide the masses. Hence, the discipline has seen the persistent evolution of many approaches.
Traditional methods include philosophical approach, historical approach, empirical approach and institutional approach, inter alia. Other subsequent methodologies include contextual approach, neo- institutional approach, trans-empiricism, critical theory, communitarianism, social constructivism and postmodernism, among others. Main modern methodologies have been behaviouralism and post- behaviouralism. The most widespread methodology used today is post-behaviouralism, which combines action and relevance. It sought to strike a balance between values and facts. It focuses on substance, without undermining methods of analysis.
Political theory-building is the heart of political science. It has strived to perform its duty of preserving and promoting the worth and applicability of the discipline.