Chapter – 1

Political Theory: An Introduction

In this post we have given the detailed notes of class 11 Political Science Book 1 Chapter 1 (Political Theory: An Introduction) in English. These notes are useful for the students who are going to appear in class 11 board exams.

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Chapter 1: Political Theory: An Introduction

What is Politics?

• Politics arises from the fact that we have different visions of what is just and desirable for us and our society.  
• It involves the multiple negotiations that go on in society through which collective decisions are made.  
• It is not confined to the affairs of government but also includes how people struggle and influence decision-making.  
• People engage in political activity whenever they negotiate with each other and take part in collective activities which are designed to promote social development and help to resolve common problems.  
• Politics is an important and integral part of any society.  
• No society can exist without some form of political organisation and collective decision making.  
• Governments play an important part in fulfilling the multiple needs and interests of the members of society.  
• Politics affects the lives of the people in many different ways, such as determining economic policy, foreign policy and educational policy.  
• People can participate in politics by forming associations, organising campaigns, articulating their demands, negotiating with others, protesting and organising demonstrations.  

What do we study in Political Theory?

• Political theory deals with the ideas and principles that shape Constitutions, governments and social life in a systematic manner.  
• It clarifies the meaning of concepts such as freedom, equality, justice, democracy, secularism and so on.  
• It probes the significance of principles such as rule of law, separation of powers, judicial review, etc.  
• It examines the arguments advanced by different thinkers in defence of these concepts.  
• It also reflects upon our current political experiences and points out trends and possibilities for the future.  
• Political theory has its roots in the twin aspects of the human self: reason and the ability to reflect on their actions.  
• It analyses certain basic questions such as how should society be organised?
  • Why do we need government?  
  • What is the best form of government?  
  • Does law limit our freedom?  
  • What does the state owe its citizens?  
  • What do we owe each other as citizens?  
• Political theory systematically thinks about the values that inform political life, values such as freedom, equality and justice.  
• It explains the meaning and significance of these and other related concepts.  
• It clarifies the existing definitions of these concepts by focusing on some major political thinkers of the past and present.  
• It also examines the extent to which freedom or equality are actually present in the institutions that we participate in, everyday life such as schools, shops, buses or trains or government offices.  
• At an advanced level, it looks at whether existing definitions are adequate and how existing institutions (government, bureaucracy) and policy practices must be modified to become more democratic.  
• The objective of political theory is to train citizens to think rationally about political questions and assess the political events of our time.  

Putting Political Theory to Practice

• Political theorists clarify the meaning of political concepts by looking at how they are understood and used in ordinary language.  
• They also debate and examine the diverse meanings and opinions in a systematic manner.  
• They address questions like: When is equality of opportunity enough?
  • When do people need special treatment?  
  • How far and how long should such special treatment be given?  
  • Should poor children be given midday meals to encourage them to stay in schools?  
• They engage with everyday opinions, debate possible meanings and thrash out policy options.  
• The meaning of equality is dependent on the context.  
• Our idea of equality is quite complex.  
• When we are in a queue or playground, we want equal opportunity.  
• If we suffer from some disability, we want special provisions made.  
• When we cannot even afford basic needs, equal opportunity is not enough.  
• We must be enabled to go to school or get help through proactive measures such as fair distribution of resources (jobs, decent wages, subsidised hospitals, etc.).  
• This requires that some agency be made responsible to ensure fairness.  
• We have been doing political theory without realising it.  

Why should we study Political Theory?

• Political theory is relevant for all citizens, not just politicians, bureaucrats, teachers, lawyers, judges, activists and journalists.  
• It helps us to act responsibly and participate in gram sabhas or offer our views on websites and polls.  
• It helps us to understand and address discrimination and oppression in various spheres of life.  
• It encourages us to examine our ideas and feelings about political things and become moderate in our ideas and feelings.  
• It exposes us to systematic thinking on justice or equality so that we can polish our opinions and argue in an informed manner and for the sake of common interests.  
• It helps us to develop skills of debating rationally and communicating effectively which are likely to be great assets in the global informational order.  
• As high school students, we may choose one of the above professions in the future and so indirectly it is relevant for us even now.  
• In the information society, it is crucial that we learn to be reasonable and informed if we are to participate in gram sabhas or offer our views on websites and polls.  
• If we simply express arbitrary preferences, we will not be very effective.  
• But if we are thoughtful and mature we can use the new media to discuss and express our common interests.  
• As citizens, we are a bit like the audience in a music concert; we are not the main performers interpreting the song and melody.  
• But we set the agenda and appreciate the output and put in new requests.  
• Have you noticed that musicians perform better when they know the audience is knowledgeable and appreciative?  
• So also an educated and vigilant citizenry makes those who play politics more public-spirited.  

Important Definitions:

• Politics: It arises from the fact that we have different visions of what is just and desirable for us and our society. It involves the multiple negotiations that go on in society through which collective decisions are made.  
• Political Theory: It deals with the ideas and principles that shape Constitutions, governments and social life in a systematic manner. It clarifies the meaning of concepts such as freedom, equality, justice, democracy, secularism and so on.  

Examples:

• People protesting against government policies or discussing election results are engaging in political activity.  
• The Indian Constitution enshrines the values of freedom and equality, which are central to political theory.  
• The debate on whether to provide midday meals to poor children to encourage them to stay in schools is an example of putting political theory to practice.  

New challenges to freedom and equality in the 21st century:

• Though India is free and independent, questions regarding freedom and equality have not ceased to crop up.
• This is because issues concerning freedom, equality, democracy, arise in many areas of social life and they are being implemented in different sectors at different paces.
• For instance, although equality may exist in the political sphere in the form of equal rights, it may not exist to the same extent in the economic or social spheres.
• People may enjoy equal political rights but still be discriminated against socially because of their caste or poverty.
• Some people may have a privileged place in society while others are deprived even of basic necessities.
• Some are able to achieve whatever goals they set for themselves while many are unable even to go to schools so that they can have decent jobs in the future.
• For them, freedom is still a distant dream.
• The fundamental rights guaranteed by our Constitution are continually being reinterpreted in response to new circumstances.
• For instance, the right to life has been interpreted by the Courts to include the right to livelihood.
• The right to information has been granted through a new law.
• Societies frequently encounter new challenges which generate new interpretations.
• The fundamental rights guaranteed by our Constitution have been amended and expanded over time through judicial interpretations and government policies which are designed to address new problems.
• As our world changes, we may discover new dimensions of freedom as well as new threats to freedom.
• For instance, global communications technology is making it easier for activists to network with one another across the world for protecting tribal cultures or forests.
• But it also enables terrorists and criminals to network.
• Moreover, internet commerce is all set to increase in the future.
• This means that the information we give about ourselves online to buy goods or services must be protected.
• So even though netizens (citizens of the internet) do not like government control, they recognise that some form of regulation is necessary to safeguard individual security and privacy.
• As a result, questions are raised regarding how much freedom should be given to people using the net.
• For instance, should they be allowed to send unsolicited e-mails to strangers?
  • Can you advertise your products in chat rooms?
  • Should governments be allowed to read private e-mails to track down terrorists?
  • How much regulation is justified and who should regulate – governments or some private regulators?  
• Political theory has a lot to teach us about possible answers to these questions and is therefore very relevant.

The importance of reason and argument in political theory:

• Political theory encourages us to examine our ideas and feelings about political things.
• Just by looking at them more carefully, we become moderate in our ideas and feelings.  
• As students we enjoy debates and elocution competitions.
• We have opinions about what is right or wrong, just or unjust but do not know whether they are reasonable or not.
• Only when we argue with others, we realise the need to defend them and seek out reasons and arguments.
• Political theory exposes us to systematic thinking on justice or equality so that we can polish our opinions and argue in an informed manner and for the sake of common interests.
• Such skills of debating rationally and communicating effectively are likely to be great assets in the global informational order.

The role of political theory in a democracy:

• Vigilant citizens are a must for the successful working of a democracy.
• Political theory can help us to become vigilant citizens by:
  • Educating us about our political rights and responsibilities.
  • Encouraging us to think critically about political issues.
  • Empowering us to participate in the political process.

The relationship between political theory and mathematics:

• Studying political theory is not like studying mathematics.
• In mathematics, there is usually only one correct answer to a problem.
• In political theory, there are often many different answers to a question, and it is up to us to decide which answer we think is best.
• This is because political theory deals with human relationships, which are complex and ever-changing.
• Mathematics, on the other hand, deals with numbers and equations, which are more fixed and predictable.

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