Important Questions: Political Theory: An Introduction | Political Science Class 11 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Q1: Explain the meaning of Political Theory.
Ans: Political theory is a generalised statement, it is a generalisation, it is a judgement about political leadership, political process, political event and political system, which is based on the study, reason and analysis, and which has utility for the society and which has got support and acceptance from the society. According to David Held, political theories are complex networks of concepts and generalisations about political life involving idea, assumptions and statements about the nature, purposes and key features of government, state and society and about political capabilities of a human being. It is also defined as an attempt to explain the attitudes and actions arising from ordinary political life.

Q2: Mention two important functions of Political Theory.
Ans: The theory is sort of tested the direction on which a society or a nation has to march. The theory is needed for every subject which is evolved and framed by the students and researchers of that subject. It performs a leading role in the advancement and development of that subject. Since everything or aspect of society comes in the arena of politics, political theory performs a decisive role for the subject and also for the. society. We can understand it in the following areas:

• Political theory formulates concepts and generalization.
• Political theory gives a definite direction to society by removing the prevailing confusion and uncertainties.
• Political theory works as an inspiration for society.

Q3: What should be the characteristics of a good theory?
Ans: A good theory should have the following characteristics.

• It should be free from subjectivity.
• It should be based on discussion, debate, rational thinking, and facts.
• Preferably it should be based on empiricism.
• The theory must be clear and relevant.
• It should have social, economic, and moral significance.
• It should be legitimate.

Q4: Discuss Gandhi as a Theorist.
Ans: Gandhi played a decisive role in the liberation movement of India, but we cannot put him in the category of politicians because he never played politics for power and authority. In the liberation movement also, he experimented his concept of truth, non-violence and satyagraha. In his analysis of contemporary problems, he discussed the nature and role of the state. He explained the relevance of peace and non-violence in solving the problems of mankind at large.

Q5: What is the importance of politics?
Ans: Politics has assumed great importance in today’s life. It has become the synonym of power. In fact, politics is art or capacity and capability to get power and authority. It is one’s ability to command obedience by influencing the people and by shaping the behaviour of the people according to their design. Politics is an important and integral part of any society. Mahatma Gandhi once observed that politics envelops us like the coils of a snake and there is no other way out but to wrestle with it.

Q6: What is the political role of a political theory?
Ans: Political theory is related to the study of every idea and institution which has political relevance. Politics arises from the fact that we have different visions of what is just and desirable for us and our society. It involves what the government should do or should not do. It conceptualises the political issues and systems of governance which are designed to promote social development.

Q7: Why different theories have been given on the same issues at a different point of time?
Ans: It is a fact that the same issue has been defined, theorised and understood differently at different point of time. In fact, no theory can ever be relevant. As time changes,’ its relevance may also get eroded. For example, the concept of equality has been understood differently from Plato to Marx. In the same way, justice has been defined differently by Plato and Aristotle who were otherwise Teacher and Pupil. A theorist is also the product of the age in which he or she lives. It is, therefore, they add the essentials of a concept or an institution as per the requirement of the need of the people and which may be accepted by the people of that age.

Short Answer Type Questions

Q8: What is Political Theory?
Ans: The political theory refers to the value of judicial decisions and a generalisation about the political issues like state, government, political leadership, based on the study and analysis and which is useful for the society and which is accepted by the society. According to Zemino, Political Theory is the critical study of the principles of right order in human social existence. The political theory attempts to explain the attitudes and actions arising from ordinary political life. The political theory is a generalised statement about political issues and political realities.

Q9: What are the essential characteristics of a good theory?
Ans: In fact, the ideal theory is one which offers the maximum and best solutions of the contemporary problems of the social, economic, and political life of the society. A good political theory should qualify the ‘ following characteristics:

• The theory should not be hypothetical.
• It should be based on study, facts, reason and analysis.
• It should be specific.
• It should be objective.
• It should be relevant.
• It should be supported by society.
• The theory should be reflective of contemporary issues.
• The theory should be based on scientific methods.

Q10: Discuss the utility of a political theory.
Ans: We can understand the significance and utility of a political theory in the following areas:

• It offers solutions to contemporary political problems.
• It helps in removing the prevailing confusion of society.
• It gives direction to the society.
• It acts as an inspiration for the society.
• It brings a change in society.
• It breaks the conservative character of the society.
• It brings reformation in society.
• It brings a revolution in society.
• It frames the policies for the future.
• It offers planning for the future.
• It helps in studying and understanding the political realities.
• It helps in research and conceptualization.

Q11: Discuss how politics operates.
Ans: Politics lies in the nature of man that is why we regard politics as natural. The interests of the people are different and they are bound to differ. All the people have different visions of what is just or what is unjust. What is desirable for us or what is undesirable for us and our- society? It involves the multiple negotiations that go on in a society through which the collective decisions are made. It is therefore regarded that politics is a mechanism of decision-making for society. It is a method of evaluating the relations between the people and the government. It is also a method of influencing the decision-making process at different levels. Through politics, people try to promote social development and help resolve common problems.

Q12: What is the difference between Politicians and Political Thinkers?
Ans: A politician is associated with the power game. He is involved in party politics. That means a politician is one who practices politics. A politician has a narrow approach. On the other hand, a political theorist offers a solution to the problems of society by studying and analysing them. Political thinkers have a broad view and give direction to society. There is a clear-cut difference between politicians and political theorists. Pt. Jawahar Lai Nehru and Stalin were politicians while Marx and M.K. Gandhi were political thinkers and theorists.

Q13: Discuss the features and characteristics of the Gandhian Theory of politics.
Ans: Gandhi is regarded as a great thinker and political theorist of his age. He has relevance even today not only in India but for the whole world. It can be said that his theory has more relevance today than ever before. Gandhi explained the hollowness of social evils like casteism. communalism and untouchability. In his approach, he was nearer to Marx. He also advocated for the removal of state because he regarded the state as a mechanical institution. He also was against the existence of the state. Gandhi’s philosophy is based on the principle of:

• Truth
• Non-violence and Satyagrah. He won the Indian independence by these weapons.

Q14: The government as a part of politics can affect on daily life of humans both in a useful and a harmful way. How?
Ans: 

• The government in a useful manner can frame foreign policy, educational policy and economic policy to benefit the people.
• The government in a harmful manner can lead to violent protests in response to various conflicts which may hamper the daily life of people.

Q15: ‘Human beings are unique’. Give any two arguments. 
Ans: 

• Human beings possess reasons for any action and they have the ability to react upon actions also.
• Human beings are capable to converse and debate and discuss issues.

Q16: Mention the characteristics of a class struggle.
Ans:

• The conflicts arisen are the result of society divided into various classes.
• The ownership of means of production originates the classes.
• The common interest is mainly associated with classes that are economically dominant.
• These classes keep fighting with each other in case of opposition with each other

Q17: ‘Politics works as a pursuit of common good of people’. Justify the statement.
Ans:

Politics implies to power to make laws and to enforce them for common good: 

• Common good is both an objective and a procedure to be followed.
• Common good has been evolved with the growth of democracy.
• Common good may be associated with the concept of welfare state.
• Developing nations reflect common good in the realization of objectives for a welfare’ state while developed nations believe to the common good to be the efforts of state.
  Politics as a pursuit of the common good:
• Politics discovers a ‘common’ in all and promoter the spirit of ‘common hood’ among people.
• Politics does not refer to class struggle but it is a class permeation.
• The common good serves all the people living in a society in place of individuals’ interests only.
• It begins with the establishment of social order and ends up in a state to serve all.

Q18: What is a class?
Ans:
A class may be defined as a larger group of people to be different from each other in the following manner:

• by the place to be occupied in social production, i.e. master or slaves.
• by their relations through the production activities, i.e. owners or non-owners.
• by their role in social organization, i.e. active members or followers.
• by the mode of acquiring a share of social wealth, i.e. entrepreneurs or wage earners.

Q19: What are the differences between politics and political science?
Ans:
Politics:

• Politics may have different ideas to be argued upon.
• Politics is associated with the satisfaction of wants.
• Politics is sometimes considered to be what politicians do. But it associates them with teams due to their false commitments, etc.
• Politics promotes the interests of an individual by all means.

Political Science:

• It is a scientific study of political ideas and principles.
• Political Science shapes the government and public opinion in a well-mannered way.
• Political science examines the defections, false commitment and false promises made by politicians.
• Political Science examines the validity of concepts of equality, justice, freedom, democracy, secularism, etc.
• The philosophers in political science can generate the new ideas to mould society.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q20: Discuss the meaning, scope and utility of the political theory.
Ans: Without a definite theory, no life, no society, no nation and no discipline can move ahead properly. The theory is a body of tested hypothesis in the form of conceptualized decisions, value judgement and useful generalisations for the society. It is based on rational discussion, debate and study and analysis. One learned political theorist has to define political theory as an attempt to explain the attitudes and actions arising from ordinary political life.
David Held says “Political Theories are complex networks of concepts and generalisations about political life involving idea, assumptions and statements about the nature, purposes and key features of government, state and society and about the political capabilities of human beings.” Political Theory has wide scope in its meaning and application. The political theory includes in its study the concepts like equality, freedom, liberty, justice, dignity are also the process and institutions like decision-making process, state, society and form of governments. It also includes in its study, the new concepts like power, authority, legitimacy, political socialization, political modernization, political communication, and elite, etc.
Political theory plays a very significant role in understanding, studying and analysing the political ideas, political situations and political realities. It gives the relevance to the political decisions taken on the basis of reason, debate and science. It gives proper direction to society and brings positive transformation by removing misunderstanding and confusion.

Q21: Define the meaning and need of the theory.
Ans: Theory can be defined as a tested hypothesis. It is a value judgement based on study, reason, facts, observation and analysis a particular situation or an issue. It is a generalisation on a particular aspect of social life, economic life or political life. The theory is a body of rules, regulations based on certain ideology and methodology to take society in a particular direction. The theory is needed for every discipline, area of study and also for every society. Without the existence of a theory, the study remains directionless and hypothetical. Theory removes the confusions prevailing in society. In every age, there have been theorists who have given their theories for the use of that society. Their methodology may be different. Ancient Greek thinkers like Plato and Aristotle gave their theory about the state society, justice, education and forms of Government. Marx and Gandhi gave their own theories on the prevailing problems of society. We can say that the theory is needed for every society of every time.

Q22: Explain the area of political theory.
Ans: Every political issue and action comes in the purview of the study of political theory. The political theory examines questions of political relevance systematically. These issues are like freedom, equality and justice and the institutions like state, government and the administrations. It explains the meaning and significance of these and other related concepts. It clarifies the existing definitions of these concepts by focussing on some major political thinkers of the past and present. Every political thinker has dealt with the problem of his time and gave his judgement to be followed by the society. The political theory also reexamines the meaning and definitions of the concepts and seeks to modify to the extent, it is desired. The very objective of a political theory is to train citizens to think rationally about political questions and assess the political events of the contemporary world.

Q23: What is politics?
Ans: Different people have a different understanding of politics. Politics is in fact power. It is one’s capability and capacity to obtain one’s command. It is an art. It is a methodology to get the position of authority. Some of the people regard it as a kind of public service. Many people associates politics with manipulation and intrigue undertook to pursue ambitions and satisfy wants. Politics is an art to get and retain one’s power and authority over others. Politics is generally understood in a negative sense. Politics has many aspects like:

• Politics as a power struggle.
• Politics as a service to mankind.
• Politics as an art of domination.
• Politics as an art of commanding obedience.
• Politics as a method of controlling the political process.
• In Marxism sense, politics is to control economic relations.

Q24: Discuss the Marxist Theory.
Ans: Marx in his famous book ‘Das Capital’ propounded his theory in which he analysed and diagnosed the origin and development of the system of capitalism and the role of the state in such a system. His theory has the following elements:-

• Two class theory: In which he was that there have ever been two classes. One exploitative class and Exploited class.
• Theory of class struggle: There is a constant struggle between these two classes, which will ever continue.
• An economic interpretation of history: Marx regarded history as the record of the struggle between the exploitative class and exploited class and not the record of war among kings.
• Theory of surplus value – He proves that the gap between the capitalist and labourer is due to the surplus-value which is in fact the share of the labourer.
• Establishment of communism – It means the establishment of a casteless; classless and stateless society.

Q25: What is the difference between traditional political theory and modern political theory?
Ans: Political Theory is the outcome of the approach which we adopt for the political issues and political problems. There have been mainly two approaches i.e. Traditional approach and Modem approach. Following are the features of the traditional and modern approach with their difference:-

1. Traditional approach

• It is subjective.
• It is descriptive.
• It is hypothetical.
• It is value-based.
• It is institutional.
• It is philosophical, legal and reformative.

2. Modern approach

• It is objective.
• It is empirical.
• It is scientific.
• It is inter-disciplinary.
• It is based on facts.
• It is analytical.

Q26:  Discuss the subject matter of Political Theory.
Ans: Political theory has a wide scope. In fact, the subject matter of the study of political theory is dependent on the approach which we adopt for the study of political issues. Following is the subject matter of political theory:

• State
• Government
• Political concepts like equality, freedom, liberty and justice
• Political institutions
• Authority
• Legitimacy
• Political parties
• Pressure groups
• Political process
• Power
• Policies.
• Contemporary problems