2/12/2020 chapter 1 political theory | class 11th political science material
22nd October 2012 chapter 1 political theory
chap 1
political theory
Introduction
there are questions which arise in our mind that how should
our society be? who should rule our society? Should there
be rulers or not? how should the problems in our society like
poverty, unemployment and violence be death with? what
kind of education be provided to us? should be act like
slave sor be treated us with respect and dignity? how can
we bring equality and respect in the society? These our
questions which constantly bog our mind. and political
theory examines and answers these questions.
Political Theory looks at these queries critically. and gives a
just and fair answer to it. when i say just answer it means
that it gives an answer which does justice to every individual
not only to a group of individuals. thus, it helps us in thinking
rationally about political questions
So, political theory talks about values and gives the
definition of these values. for example: ancient greece said
that justice means where people are divided into rulers and
slaves. And slaves have no right except working for the
comfort of rulers.
But, today in modern times, justice is defined as equal
treatment for everybody. so political theory also helps in
clarifying concepts. it also helps in making values more
democratic. for example: justice now has become more
democratic.
in short, political theory answers our questions related to
society and individual. It critically assesses the values and
makes them more democratic and inclusive.
Q&A
Q1. What is the significance of political theory?
A1. The importance of political theory is :
a. it critically evaluates values which are part of our life
freedom, equality and justice.
b. it defines the concepts and talks about its significance.
c. we will be all adults tomorrow and have a right to vote. So
we need to know which party is acting responsibly and in
the welfare of citizens. We need to have basic knowledge of
the political ideas and institutions.
d. tomorrow we may be lawyer, activists, teacher,
politicians, judges, bureaucrats, so we must be aware of the
political ideas.
e. political theory shapes our opinions and argue in an
informed manner .
c. it examines the extent to which freedom is resent in the
institutions.
d. it looks whether existing institutions are adequate and
how existing institutions can be made more democratic.
e. it trains individual to think rationally about political
questions.
Q2. How does political theory allow us to think rationally?
http://politicalscienceclass11.blogspot.com/2012/10/class11thpoliticaltheorychapter1.html 1/15
, 2/12/2020 chapter 1 political theory | class 11th political science material
Q2. How does political theory allow us to think rationally?
A2. Political Theory examines whether the system is correct
or not. it clearly define the values and sees whether the
current system i sdemocratic and fair or not. it informs an
individual of the values which should exist in the system.
Q3. How does political theory make society more
democratic?
A3. Political Theory examines whether the system is correct
or not. It clearly define the values and sees whether the
current system is democratic and fair or not. it informs an
individual of the values which should exist in the system.
What is Politics?
We identify politics with a negative connotation. When we
say somebody is playing politics, we say that person is dirty
or bad. but politics is not a negative word. It has become a
bad word because of the corruption, scams and scandals by
bureaucracy and politicians. we think that politics means
where a person follows his own interests at the cost of
public.
But Politics is a positive word. It means resolving conflicts
and allowing equal distribution of resources so that we are
able to have an equal and fair society.
Politics involves making and taking decisions so as to bring
a change in the lives of people.
so for politics to be carried out, we need important
institutions like family, school, economic institutions,
government.
Government is one such important institution. If the
government is good, then all decisions are taken in favor of
public. But if the government is corrupt, then people will
suffer because politicians will fill their own pockets.
So, we people then form associations and organise
campaigns to be clear in our demands. We negotiate with
the government reagrding our demands and if the
government does not hear us then we protest and take out
rallies. for example: Anna Hazare protested against
corruption in our political system.
In short, politics sees what is just and what is unjust. It
negotiate with different groups to form a decision which is
beneficial to all sections of society. therefore, they work
towards development and progress in society. and resolving
conflict among various sections over distribution of
resources.(distribution of resources means that various
groups want to have control over resources. for example:
you might have heard of cauvery water dispute where tamil
nadu and karnataka are fighting over share of water.
because each state wants water for their drinking, irrigation
and industrial purposes. so to resolve such conflicts we
require institutions like judiciary, government.)
Q&A
Q1. what is politics?
A1. Politics is a process by which decisions are taken in the
interest of people. institutions decide what is just and unjust.
and then they collectively remove unjust practices in the
system. it is important in resolving conflicts over distribution
http://politicalscienceclass11.blogspot.com/2012/10/class11thpoliticaltheorychapter1.html 2/15
22nd October 2012 chapter 1 political theory
chap 1
political theory
Introduction
there are questions which arise in our mind that how should
our society be? who should rule our society? Should there
be rulers or not? how should the problems in our society like
poverty, unemployment and violence be death with? what
kind of education be provided to us? should be act like
slave sor be treated us with respect and dignity? how can
we bring equality and respect in the society? These our
questions which constantly bog our mind. and political
theory examines and answers these questions.
Political Theory looks at these queries critically. and gives a
just and fair answer to it. when i say just answer it means
that it gives an answer which does justice to every individual
not only to a group of individuals. thus, it helps us in thinking
rationally about political questions
So, political theory talks about values and gives the
definition of these values. for example: ancient greece said
that justice means where people are divided into rulers and
slaves. And slaves have no right except working for the
comfort of rulers.
But, today in modern times, justice is defined as equal
treatment for everybody. so political theory also helps in
clarifying concepts. it also helps in making values more
democratic. for example: justice now has become more
democratic.
in short, political theory answers our questions related to
society and individual. It critically assesses the values and
makes them more democratic and inclusive.
Q&A
Q1. What is the significance of political theory?
A1. The importance of political theory is :
a. it critically evaluates values which are part of our life
freedom, equality and justice.
b. it defines the concepts and talks about its significance.
c. we will be all adults tomorrow and have a right to vote. So
we need to know which party is acting responsibly and in
the welfare of citizens. We need to have basic knowledge of
the political ideas and institutions.
d. tomorrow we may be lawyer, activists, teacher,
politicians, judges, bureaucrats, so we must be aware of the
political ideas.
e. political theory shapes our opinions and argue in an
informed manner .
c. it examines the extent to which freedom is resent in the
institutions.
d. it looks whether existing institutions are adequate and
how existing institutions can be made more democratic.
e. it trains individual to think rationally about political
questions.
Q2. How does political theory allow us to think rationally?
http://politicalscienceclass11.blogspot.com/2012/10/class11thpoliticaltheorychapter1.html 1/15
, 2/12/2020 chapter 1 political theory | class 11th political science material
Q2. How does political theory allow us to think rationally?
A2. Political Theory examines whether the system is correct
or not. it clearly define the values and sees whether the
current system i sdemocratic and fair or not. it informs an
individual of the values which should exist in the system.
Q3. How does political theory make society more
democratic?
A3. Political Theory examines whether the system is correct
or not. It clearly define the values and sees whether the
current system is democratic and fair or not. it informs an
individual of the values which should exist in the system.
What is Politics?
We identify politics with a negative connotation. When we
say somebody is playing politics, we say that person is dirty
or bad. but politics is not a negative word. It has become a
bad word because of the corruption, scams and scandals by
bureaucracy and politicians. we think that politics means
where a person follows his own interests at the cost of
public.
But Politics is a positive word. It means resolving conflicts
and allowing equal distribution of resources so that we are
able to have an equal and fair society.
Politics involves making and taking decisions so as to bring
a change in the lives of people.
so for politics to be carried out, we need important
institutions like family, school, economic institutions,
government.
Government is one such important institution. If the
government is good, then all decisions are taken in favor of
public. But if the government is corrupt, then people will
suffer because politicians will fill their own pockets.
So, we people then form associations and organise
campaigns to be clear in our demands. We negotiate with
the government reagrding our demands and if the
government does not hear us then we protest and take out
rallies. for example: Anna Hazare protested against
corruption in our political system.
In short, politics sees what is just and what is unjust. It
negotiate with different groups to form a decision which is
beneficial to all sections of society. therefore, they work
towards development and progress in society. and resolving
conflict among various sections over distribution of
resources.(distribution of resources means that various
groups want to have control over resources. for example:
you might have heard of cauvery water dispute where tamil
nadu and karnataka are fighting over share of water.
because each state wants water for their drinking, irrigation
and industrial purposes. so to resolve such conflicts we
require institutions like judiciary, government.)
Q&A
Q1. what is politics?
A1. Politics is a process by which decisions are taken in the
interest of people. institutions decide what is just and unjust.
and then they collectively remove unjust practices in the
system. it is important in resolving conflicts over distribution
http://politicalscienceclass11.blogspot.com/2012/10/class11thpoliticaltheorychapter1.html 2/15
