Nature of Political Theory
• The nature of political theory has changed with the time. The followings are the nature of Political Theory.
No Single Definition: There is no single or universal definition of political theory. Different political theorist have given a range of definition.1. According to G.H Sabine: "Political theory is quite simply, man's attempts to consciously understand and solve the problems of his group life and organization".
2. According to Andrew Hacker: "Political Theory is a body of philosophical and scientific knowledge which, regardless of when and where it was originally written, can increase our understanding of the world in which we live today and will live tomorrow".
3. According to David Held: "It is the network of concepts and generalizations about political life involving, purpose and key features of governments, State and society and about the political capabilities of human beings".
2. Dynamic in nature: The methodology of political theory has been changing si its inception, on the basis of methodology applied and time-period. We can clas the Political Theory into four categories. Classical Political Theory, Medieval Political Theory, Modern Political Theory and Contemporary Political Theory.
3. Political Theory generally include three types of Statements, Empirical and logical Statements based on description and facts. It also include Evaluative Statements based on values and prescriptions.
4. Inter-disciplinary: Political Theory, apart from political science, also include other disciplines such as Sociology, Economy, History etc.
5. Multi-Conceptual: Political Theory not just help to understand one concept, rather it is multi-conceptual; it includes liberty, equality, justice, rights etc.
6. Eurocentrism: Most of the political theories are Eurocentric in nature. Eurocentrism simply means the suprema of European culture and history in the interpretation of all the concepts. Most of the political theories are propounded keeping the Europe in the centre. Therefore, they are unable to explain non- western way of life.
