User:Yalaguresha

PSIR Test 01 Model Answers (Q1) Discuss in details the distinction between political thought, political theory, political ideology & Political science. • A distinction can be made between political theory and similar terms such as political thought, political ideology and political science, though they’re mostly used inter changeably. • Political theory implies an intellectual effort to attain a systematic knowledge about the ends and means of political action. It is a set of specified concepts that focus to describe, explain and predict political processes, events and institutions. Political theory & Political science • The differentiation between political theory and political science arises because of the general shift in intellectual perceptions brought about by modern science. Political science has tried to provide plausible generalizations and laws about politics and political behavior. On the other hand, political theory reflects upon political phenomenon, processes and institutions and on actual behavior by subjecting it to philosophical/ethical criterion. • However, Andrew Hacker, in his work, ‘political Theory: Philosophy, ideology, science’ (1961), points to the dual nature of political theory. According to him, every political theorist has a dual role of a scientist as well as of a philosopher. • According to Hacker, in the realm of science, political theory uses the empirical approach to describe & explain the realities of political behavior. Its object is to obtain reliable knowledge about facts and give explanation of political events. Behavioral approach, given by Robert Dahl, exemplifies the scientific approach to the study of politics. Political theory and Ideologies • Political ideology is a systematic and all embracing doctrine, which attempts to give a complete and universally applicable theory of human nature and society along with