eSikhya : Political Philosophy, Political Theory and Political Science – Complete Notes | BA Political Science Honours NEP 2020

Title

Learn the meaning, definitions, scope, differences, characteristics, and relationship between Political Philosophy, Political Theory, and Political Science for +3 Political Science Honours (NEP 2020).

Political Philosophy, Political Theory, and Political Science

Political Science is a broad discipline that studies the state, government, politics, power, authority, public policy, political institutions, and the relationship between citizens and the state. Within Political Science, two important branches are Political Philosophy and Political Theory. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings, objectives, and methods of study.

Understanding the relationship between Political Philosophy, Political Theory, and Political Science is essential for +3 Political Science Honours students under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, as these concepts provide the foundation for the study of democracy, governance, justice, liberty, equality, rights, political institutions, and public administration.

This article explains these concepts in detail with definitions, features, scope, importance, differences, examples, and examination-oriented notes.

What is Political Philosophy?

Political Philosophy is the branch of Political Science that studies fundamental political values, ideals, and ethical principles. It seeks to answer questions about how society should be organized and what constitutes a just political order.

Political Philosophy is primarily normative, meaning it focuses on what ought to be rather than what actually exists.

It examines questions such as:

What is justice?
What is the ideal state?
Why should people obey laws?
What is liberty?
What are rights?
What is equality?
What is the best form of government?

Definitions of Political Philosophy

Plato

Plato believed that politics should aim to establish justice through the rule of wise philosopher-kings.

Aristotle

Aristotle considered Political Philosophy as the study of the good life and the best possible state that enables citizens to achieve happiness and virtue.

John Rawls

Modern philosopher John Rawls viewed political philosophy as the search for justice as fairness, where social and political institutions ensure equal opportunities and protect individual rights.

Characteristics of Political Philosophy

Political Philosophy possesses several distinctive features.

1. Normative Nature

It focuses on ideals and values, discussing what politics should be rather than describing existing political systems.

2. Ethical Foundation

Political Philosophy is closely connected with ethics and moral reasoning. It evaluates political institutions based on principles such as justice, equality, liberty, and fairness.

3. Idealistic Approach

It seeks to imagine the best possible political system and proposes models for an ideal society.

4. Universal Perspective

Political Philosophy addresses questions that are relevant across different societies and historical periods.

5. Rational Inquiry

Arguments in Political Philosophy rely on logic, reasoning, and philosophical analysis rather than empirical observation alone.

Scope of Political Philosophy

Political Philosophy includes the study of:

Justice
Liberty
Equality
Rights
Democracy
Sovereignty
Citizenship
Authority
Power
Law
Political obligation
Human rights
Welfare state
Social contract
Ideal government

Importance of Political Philosophy

Political Philosophy helps individuals:

Understand ethical foundations of politics.
Evaluate governments critically.
Protect democratic values.
Promote justice and equality.
Develop informed citizenship.
Build responsible leadership.
Understand constitutional morality.

What is Political Theory?

Political Theory is the systematic study of political concepts, institutions, and processes using logical analysis, historical interpretation, and empirical evidence.

Political Theory acts as a bridge between Political Philosophy and Political Science. It develops concepts and frameworks that explain political life.

Unlike Political Philosophy, Political Theory is concerned with both:

What is
What ought to be

Therefore, Political Theory combines normative and empirical approaches.

Definitions of Political Theory

David Held

Political Theory is the study of concepts and principles used to explain political institutions and political behavior.

Andrew Heywood

Political Theory examines ideas, values, concepts, and institutions that shape political life.

George Sabine

Political Theory provides a systematic explanation of political ideas and institutions.

Characteristics of Political Theory

1. Analytical

Political Theory studies political concepts carefully and logically.

2. Scientific

Modern Political Theory uses evidence, research, observation, and comparative methods.

3. Conceptual

It explains concepts such as:

State
Government
Power
Sovereignty
Authority
Democracy
Rights

4. Interdisciplinary

Political Theory draws knowledge from:

Sociology
Economics
History
Psychology
Philosophy
Law

5. Dynamic

Political Theory changes according to social, economic, technological, and political developments.

Scope of Political Theory

Political Theory studies:

State
Government
Democracy
Political parties
Elections
Public policy
Political participation
Justice
Liberty
Equality
Rights
Nationalism
Globalization
Political ideologies

Importance of Political Theory

Political Theory helps students:

Understand political systems.
Analyze public policies.
Interpret constitutions.
Evaluate democratic institutions.
Explain political behavior.
Prepare for civil service examinations.
Develop critical thinking.

What is Political Science?

Political Science is a social science that studies the state, government, political institutions, public administration, political behavior, international relations, public policy, and governance.

Political Science combines philosophy, theory, observation, data, and practical governance.

It seeks to explain:

How governments function.
How policies are made.
How citizens participate.
How political institutions operate.
How international relations shape world politics.

Definitions of Political Science

Garner

Political Science begins and ends with the State.

Gettell

Political Science studies the organization and functions of the State.

Gilchrist

Political Science examines the State, government, and political institutions.

Characteristics of Political Science

Scientific discipline
Empirical and analytical
Studies political institutions
Examines political behavior
Includes comparative politics
Covers international relations
Uses research methods
Practical and policy-oriented

Scope of Political Science

Political Science includes:

Political Theory
Political Philosophy
Comparative Politics
Public Administration
International Relations
Indian Government and Politics
Political Sociology
Public Policy
Human Rights
Governance
Political Economy
Environmental Politics
Global Politics

Relationship between Political Philosophy, Political Theory, and Political Science

The three disciplines are closely connected but differ in their focus.

Political Philosophy provides ethical ideals and normative principles such as justice, liberty, equality, and rights.
Political Theory develops concepts, frameworks, and explanations that connect philosophical ideas with political realities.
Political Science studies political institutions, political behavior, governance, and public policy through systematic research and empirical analysis.

Thus, Political Philosophy inspires values, Political Theory explains concepts, and Political Science applies them to understand real political life.

Difference between Political Philosophy, Political Theory, and Political Science

Basis	Political Philosophy	Political Theory	Political Science
Nature	Normative	Normative + Empirical	Scientific
Focus	Ideals and values	Political concepts and explanations	Political institutions and governance
Main Question	What ought to be?	What is and what ought to be?	What is?
Method	Philosophical reasoning	Analytical and empirical	Scientific research
Objective	Justice and ideal state	Explain political concepts	Study political systems
Basis	Ethics	Concepts and analysis	Observation and evidence
Examples	Justice, liberty, equality	Democracy, sovereignty	Elections, governance, public policy

Key Thinkers

Political Philosophy

Plato
Aristotle
Thomas Hobbes
John Locke
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
John Stuart Mill
John Rawls

Political Theory

David Easton
Andrew Heywood
George Sabine
David Held
Harold Lasswell

Political Science

Garner
Gettell
Gilchrist
Robert Dahl
Gabriel Almond

Relevance under NEP 2020

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes:

Critical thinking
Constitutional values
Research-based learning
Interdisciplinary education
Ethical leadership
Democratic participation
Problem-solving skills
Active citizenship

Studying Political Philosophy, Political Theory, and Political Science equips students with the knowledge and analytical abilities needed for higher education, civil services, public administration, law, journalism, policy research, and governance.

Examination-Oriented Important Points

Political Philosophy focuses on values and ideals.
Political Theory explains political concepts and institutions.
Political Science studies real political systems and governance.
Political Philosophy is normative.
Political Theory is both normative and empirical.
Political Science is scientific and empirical.
Aristotle called humans Political Animals.
Plato emphasized justice.
John Rawls proposed Justice as Fairness.
Political Theory links philosophy with practical politics.
Political Science is the broad discipline encompassing both Political Philosophy and Political Theory.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is Political Philosophy?

Political Philosophy is the branch of Political Science that studies justice, liberty, equality, rights, authority, and the ideal state using ethical and philosophical reasoning.

Q2. What is Political Theory?

Political Theory is the systematic study of political concepts, ideas, institutions, and processes through both normative and empirical approaches.

Q3. What is Political Science?

Political Science is the scientific study of the state, government, political institutions, public policy, governance, and political behavior.

Q4. What is the main difference between Political Philosophy and Political Theory?

Political Philosophy emphasizes ethical ideals and what politics ought to be, whereas Political Theory explains political concepts using both normative reasoning and empirical analysis.

Q5. Why are these concepts important for Political Science Honours students?

They form the intellectual foundation for understanding democracy, governance, constitutional values, public policy, comparative politics, international relations, and political institutions.

Conclusion

Political Philosophy, Political Theory, and Political Science are three interconnected yet distinct pillars of the study of politics. Political Philosophy explores ideals such as justice, liberty, equality, and the ideal state through ethical reasoning. Political Theory builds conceptual frameworks that explain political ideas, institutions, and processes by combining philosophical inquiry with empirical analysis. Political Science, the broadest discipline, applies these ideas to the systematic study of governments, political institutions, public policy, political behavior, and international relations. Together, these fields provide students with a comprehensive understanding of political life, democratic governance, constitutional values, and the functioning of modern societies. For +3 Political Science Honours (NEP 2020) students, mastering these foundational concepts is essential for academic success and for preparing for careers in public administration, law, research, journalism, and civil services.