Democracy: Ancient Greece, Elitism, and Participation
Definition of Democracy
The word Democracy means ‘government of the people’. In a democratic society, government is by a majority of elected representatives. However, there are differing views on the limits of this majority rule. Some believe the majority should govern without restriction, while others believe it should be limited. The legitimacy of democracy as a political order is not enough to determine the sovereignty of a country.
The Roots in Ancient Greece
In the 6th century BC, government was
Read MoreUnderstanding Scientific and Technical Texts: Key Features
Scientific and Technical Texts: An Introduction
Scientific and technical texts are a collection of writings produced within the major branches of knowledge, encompassing physical and natural sciences. These sciences study physical reality independent of human influence.
The primary purpose of these texts is to transmit established knowledge and new discoveries about the external world. The intended audience is often specialized, reflecting the complexity and constant advancements in science, which
Read MoreThe Origins and Evolution of Sociological Theory
1. The Origins of Sociological Theory
Background: The Greeks – Plato and Aristotle
While the origins of sociological theory are often traced to Revolutionary France (late 18th century), the roots of Western thought lie in ancient Greece. In Miletus, at the end of the 7th and beginning of the 6th century BC, the first physicists emerged, often speculating on the nature of reality. Key figures in ancient Greece include Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.
Plato
In his work, The Republic, Book VII presents
Read MoreUnderstanding Democracy: Requirements, Types, and Limitations
The Current State of Democratic Requirements
For a state to be considered democratic, it must meet certain requirements:
- A state law where no one is exempt from obeying the laws.
- Power is divided into a tripartite system:
- Legislative branch: Drafting and passing laws.
- Judicial branch: Monitoring compliance with the law.
- Executive branch: Running the government itself.
- Political elections are planned to allow for changes in the legislature and executive branches, often with limits on the time a person may
Political Theory and the Modern Nation-State
Political theory is a branch of political science that involves the systematic study of ideas, concepts, and ideologies related to politics, governance, power, justice, and authority. It is concerned with both the theoretical and normative aspects of politics, addressing fundamental questions about how societies should be organized, what principles should guide political action, and what constitutes a just or legitimate government.
Nature of Political Theory
Normative and Descriptive: Political theory
Sociological Interpretation of Statements: Micro & Macro Levels
Socio-Hermeneutic Analysis and Sociological Interpretation of Statements
Theoretical and Methodological Basis
- General theory of information systems
- Linguistic theory and comparative logic
- Theories of individual and social action
Analysis Units, Codes, and Context
| Informal Usage | Structural Usage | Socio-Hermeneutic Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Words, signs, content units, etc. | Codes, rules of composition, etc. | Use of speech, intentions, motivations, etc. |
| Omit the subject of the enunciation | Subject without history (synchronic analysis) |