Understanding Political Philosophy: Key Concepts & Theories
Understanding Political Philosophy
Political philosophy is a branch of philosophy concerning reason and knowledge in practice.
Aristotle divided knowledge into three sections:
- Theoretical knowledge: Seeking the truth.
- Practical knowledge: Guiding human behavior individually and collectively.
Political Ethics
Ethics is individual, while policy concerns collective behavior. It critically judges the knowledge society and what is productive, producing things based on rules, techniques, and principles (e.g., mechanical technology, architecture, medicine).
The foundations of Western culture lie in ancient Greece and Christianity.
The first political theories are found in Greek philosophy, particularly among the Sophists. Plato and Aristotle were founders of early political theories.
Plato was an activist who sought to apply his expertise to politics. Aristotle sought to implement it.
Activity distinguishes political philosophy from political science. Today, we differentiate between the two.
Political science explains, analyzes, describes, and predicts the functions of politics.
Political philosophy studies our political relations and desirable political organizations.
The Nature of Politics
Politics is the activity of decision-making within a group, association, or society. For example: “The policy of this company…”
Social organization (customs, ideas, traditions) differs from political organization. Political organization can exist within social organization.
The word “policy” comes from the Greek word “polis” (city), an independent self-governing city.
Politics is also the activity of those who aspire to govern or regulate public affairs and citizens who want to participate. Aristotle believed that the purpose of politics is to achieve the greatest good for everyone. Machiavelli believed that the role and purpose pursued by political power and social cooperation is preservation. Politics involves both conflict and cooperation.
The Modern State
Condition: All organs of government of a sovereign country (the modern state that arises from the 16th century). The state is an impersonal entity, represented by an individual. Conditions that define a State:
- A territory bounded by a boundary where all citizens are governed by the same laws.
- An administrative and legal structure providing essential services.
- A monopoly on the legitimate use of violence to ensure compliance with the law.
- Sovereignty, meaning no higher body can overrule its decisions.