Introduction Flashcards
What is political theory?
Political philosophy done in the realm of political sciences.
The study of the concepts and principles that people (philosophers & political actors) use to describe, explain, and evaluate political events, institutions, and phenomena.
- democracy
- community
- justice
- liberty
- equality
- responsibility
Political theorists are concerned with…
Taking moral and normative positions on issues through developing abstract ideas. Making value-judgements based on facts.
What characterizes philosophical problems?
- Not black and white. No definitive solutions.
- Contradictory conceptions of human nature and its ends with no defined authority to guide the answer
- Based on theorization and conceptualization.
Isaac Berlin on the link between democracy and political theory
Berlin thinks political theory can only thrive in a democratic society - where individuals and groups are relatively free to judge for themselves, not subjugated to religion or political power.
Two conceptions of politics in political theory
Politics as what brings people together: focus on the common.
Politics as what brings people against each other: focus on conflicts.
Politics & the common
The Greek version– Aristotle
Man is a political animal that is inclined to participate in politics.
This is allowed by their capacity for language and reason.
Therefore, politics is the sum of affairs of the community, what brings people together.
The polis is thus a supreme achievement of existence — the final frontier of civilization.
Hannah Arendt’s conception of politics
Politics as action-based.
Humans are generally capable of “doing things” and engagement is politics is the 3rd type, which requires interactions with others. (Hierarchy of types to be seen as types of work that lengthen life span by each step)
Politics in “the space of appearances”. Action as symbolic, politics is mostly about speech and discussion and the collective decisions that emerge from it.
Politics & conflicts
Politics as a way of resolving conflicts of interests and ends between groups and individuals in situations of complexity.
If there were no conflicts, there would be no need for political debates, political institutions, laws and regulations, activism, etc.
Weber’s definition of politics
Hence, ‘politics’ for us means striving to share power or striving to influence the distribution of power…
Politics as an art of making enemies
Carl Schmitt
Politics can be reduced to distinction between friend / enemy.
Enemy must be constructed if not organically existing.
Chantal Mouffe on Carl Schmitt
Politics is about creating us/they distinction: Every consensus is based on an act of exclusion.
Social Identity Theory in politics.
Many aspects of social life can become political: become the object of an antagonism articulated by groups.
Criticism of representative democracy using Arendt’s “space of appearances”
Representative democracy and the professionalization of politics pushes people out of politics.
Politics should be “acting in common”, inclusive.
We are losing the essence of politics by forcing people to make a living out of politics — politics as a vocation.
Criticism of centrist politics using Mouffe’s “antagonisms”
Centrists are not engaging in antagonization anymore when that’s what politics is about.
We are leaving antagonization to the extremes, which is dangerous.
Should political philosophists try to be neutral?
No.
Arendt: political claims are not truth claims. Rather, they are closer to opinions.
