2. INTRODUCTION
Core areas in political science
Recent times that it has emerged as an academic discipline.
Earlier, those who engaged in this enterprise styled themselves as
philosophers or scientists.
sphere of immediate practical concerns and ‘viewing’ man’s societal
existence from a critical perspective.
Political theory was political science in the full sense, and there could be no
science without theory
3. POLITICAL THEORY AND OTHER
INTERRELATED TERMS
Political
Theory
reflects upon political
phenomenon, processes and
institutions and on actual
political behaviour by
subjecting it to philosophical or
ethical criterion
considers the question of the
best political order, which is a
part of a larger and a more
fundamental question
Political
Science
tried to provide plausible
generalisations and laws about
politics and political behaviour
Political
Philosophy
provides general answers to
questions such as what is
justice and deals with various
other concept; also the
distinction between ‘is’ and
‘ought’ and the larger issues of
politics
is a part of normative political
theory, for it attempts to
establish inter-relationships
between concepts
Political
Ideology
thought of the whole
community that includes the
writings and speeches of the
articulate sections such as
professional politicians,
political commentators,
society reformers and ordinary
persons of a community.
4. What is Political Theory: Two Approaches –
Normative and Empirical Political theory
What is just?
What is Fair?
What is good?
Justice,Liberty
& Equality
Statistical
Analysis,
Game Theory
and
Experiments
Normative
Theory
Empirical
Theory
5. DEVELOPMENTS IN POLITICAL THEORY
Always reflect the changes which occur in society.
Produced in response to the challenges which emerge at different times
6. Meaning of Polity
A polity is an identifiable political entity—any group of people who have a collective identity,
who are organized by some form of institutionalized social relations, and have a capacity to
mobilize resources. A polity can be any other group of people organized for governance (such as
a corporate board), the government of a country, country subdivision, or a sovereign state.
7. Meaning of Governance
Governance is all the processes of interaction be they through the laws, norms,
power or language of an organized society over a social system (family, tribe,
formal or informal organization, a territory or across territories). It is done by the
government of a state, by a market, or by a network.
8. Difference between Polity and Governance
Polity
The form of government of a nation, state or
organization.
An organized society, such as a nation, having a specific
form of government
An organizational structure of the government of a
state, church, etc.
A politically organized unit; a state.
The form or constitution of the civil government of a
nation or state; the framework or organization by which
the various departments of government are combined
into a systematic whole.
Hence: The form or constitution by which any institution
is organized; the recognized principles which lie at the
foundation of any human institution.
Governance
The action, manner, or power of
governing
The process, or the power, of governing;
government or administration.
The specific system by which a political
system is ruled.
The group of people who make up an
administrative body.
The state of being governed.
(management) Accountability for
consistent, cohesive policies, processes
and decision rights.
9. CONSTITUTION
The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India.
The document lays down the framework that demarcates
fundamental political code, structure, procedures,
powers, and duties of government institutions and sets
out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the
duties of citizens.
It is the longest-written national constitution in the world.
It was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India on 26
November 1949 and became effective on 26 January 1950.
10. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CONCEPTS TO THE
STUDY OF LAW
Jurisprudence comes from the Latin word ‘jurisprudential’ meaning “knowledge of
Law”.
Bentham and Austin provided the earliest description of this term.
Jurisprudence binds laws to other fields, such as psychology, politics, economics etc.
The scale of that always varies. It is not derived from any legislative act or state
assembly.
Lord Tennyson calls it the “topic of Lawless Law”.
12. Political Thought
• Political thought involves the study of ideas, philosophies, and theories about
politics, government, and society. Thinkers like Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli,
Rousseau, Marx, and many others have contributed to shaping political
thought.
• This field explores concepts such as justice, freedom, equality, democracy,
authority, rights, and the role of the state.
13. Governance:
• Governance refers to the mechanisms, processes, and structures through
which political power is exercised, decisions are made, and policies are
implemented.
• Different forms of governance include democracy, authoritarianism, monarchy,
socialism, and more. These systems vary in terms of citizen participation,
accountability, and the role of institutions.
14. Law:
• Law encompasses the rules and regulations that govern human behavior within
a society. It provides a framework for resolving conflicts, protecting rights, and
maintaining order.
• Legal systems can include constitutional law, criminal law, civil law, international
law, and more. Legal principles often reflect societal values and norms.
15. POLITICAL THOUGHT, GOVERNANCE AND LAW
It has implications
for policy-making,
human rights,
social justice, and
the overall well-
being of a
community or
nation.
How political
power is
distributed
How societies
are organized,
How laws and
regulations are
formulated and
enforced.
16. Indian Political Thoughts, Law and
Governance
1. Historical Evolution: India's political thought, influenced by figures like Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence and civil disobedience, played a
pivotal role in shaping the nation's governance and legal framework. The Indian Constitution, adopted in 1950, reflects these ideals by emphasizing
democratic principles, individual rights, and social justice.
2. Constitutional Governance: The Indian Constitution establishes a parliamentary democratic system with a clear separation of powers among the
executive, legislative, and judicial branches. This governance structure aligns with the principles of accountability, representation, and checks and
balances found in India's political thought.
3. Legal Pluralism: India's legal system is characterized by legal pluralism, wherein various personal laws coexist alongside a unified legal framework.
This accommodates the diverse religious and cultural practices of the population, reflecting the country's commitment to secularism.
4. Social Justice and Rights: Indian laws have been shaped by the political thought of social justice and equality. The Constitution includes provisions
for affirmative action to uplift historically marginalized groups through reservation policies in education, employment, and political representation.
5. Governance and Policy Implementation: Governance in India involves a complex interplay of federal and state governments. Laws are implemented
through administrative agencies and institutions. Governance principles derived from political thought emphasize accountability, transparency, and citizen
participation.
6. Rule of Law and Judicial Interpretation: The Indian judiciary plays a crucial role in upholding the rule of law and protecting citizens' rights. Judicial
interpretation often draws from the principles of justice, equity, and human dignity present in India's political thought.
7. Political Ideologies and Legislative Process: India's diverse political landscape is reflected in the legislative process. Different political ideologies
influence the formulation of laws, with debates and discussions reflecting the multiplicity of viewpoints. Laws addressing economic policies, social welfare,
and environmental protection are rooted in political thought and governance principles.
8. Challenges and Reforms: Challenges such as corruption, inefficiency in governance, and delays in legal proceedings highlight the need for continuous
reforms. Reforms in administrative procedures, legal processes, and judicial systems aim to align governance and law with evolving political thought and
societal needs.
9. International Law and Relations: India's foreign policy and international engagements are guided by its political thought, which emphasizes non-
alignment, peaceful coexistence, and respect for sovereignty. Treaties and agreements are entered into to promote mutual cooperation and uphold India's
values.
