• In Narrow Sense: Political is confined to the state, government, law-making, and administration.
• In Broad Sense: Political refers to all power relations in society, including family, economy, community, and international affairs.

Essential Features

1. Power and Authority – Politics decides who gets what, when, and how (Harold Lasswell).
2. State and Government – Political activity occurs within the framework of institutions.
3. Decision-Making – Politics provides binding decisions for society.
4. Conflict and Consensus – Politics manages disputes and creates cooperation.

Thinkers’ Views

• Aristotle: Man is a political animal; politics is the master science.
• David Easton: Politics is the authoritative allocation of values in society.
• Lasswell: Politics is about “who gets what, when, how.”

Conclusion

Thus, the political is not limited to elections or governments but includes all power relations in society. It is the process through which individuals and groups shape collective life and resolve conflicts.

b) Political Philosophy, Political Theory, Political Science

Introduction

Political thought has developed over centuries through philosophy, theory, and scientific study. While all three deal with politics, they differ in focus and method.

1. Political Philosophy

• Concerned with normative questions: What is justice? What is the ideal state?
• Deals with values and principles: liberty, equality, rights, democracy.
• Classical examples: Plato’s Republic (ideal state), Aristotle’s Politics (forms of government).
• Modern examples: Rousseau’s Social Contract, Marx’s theory of class struggle.

👉 It studies what ought to be, not what is.

2. Political Theory

• Provides conceptual clarity and explains political ideas.
• Two branches:
  • Normative theory: Concerned with ideals and standards (Rawls’ theory of justice).
  • Empirical theory: Based on observation and explanation of real behavior (voting, power structures).
• Bridges the gap between philosophy and science.

👉 Political theory is both descriptive and prescriptive.

3. Political Science

• A modern, systematic, and empirical study of politics.
• Uses scientific methods: observation, survey, comparison, statistics.
• Focuses on institutions (state, government, parliament, courts) as well as processes (elections, parties, public opinion).
• Subfields: Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Thought, Public Administration.

Comparison Table

Conclusion

• Political Philosophy = Normative, ideal-based.
• Political Theory = Conceptual bridge between ideals and reality.
• Political Science = Empirical, scientific study of politics.
  Together, they provide a complete understanding of politics.

c) Politics and Society, Politics and Economy

Introduction

Politics is not isolated; it is deeply connected with social and economic life. A complete understanding of politics requires studying its relationship with society and economy.

1. Politics and Society

• Society is the foundation where politics operates.
• Political institutions reflect social structures like class, caste, gender, religion.
• Social movements (e.g., civil rights in USA, Dalit movement in India, women’s movement) reshape politics.
• Social divisions often lead to political conflicts (e.g., communalism, caste politics).

👉 Politics and society are interdependent: society gives shape to politics, and politics regulates social order.

2. Politics and Economy

• Economy determines how wealth is produced and distributed; politics decides who controls this process.
• Marxist View: Economy determines politics (base-superstructure). State is an instrument of the ruling class.
• Liberal View: Politics and economy should be separate (free market, limited government).
• Modern Welfare State: Politics and economy are interdependent (government regulates economy through planning, taxation, welfare schemes).
• Example: Economic reforms in India (1991) were political decisions; global trade policies are influenced by political negotiations (WTO, IMF).

Conclusion

Politics is inseparable from society and economy. Social structures influence political behavior, while economic policies are political decisions. Thus, politics is the meeting point of values, power, society, and resources.