Question

Explain the growth of political science in the medieval period

Answer 1

From the standpoint of political thought, the medieval period has certain special features about political thought which need specific consideration. It is said that this period was un-political. Neither political theory nor any ideology developed in the middle Ages. Of course, various institutions and organizations were set up. But all these centred around religious dogmas and beliefs.

The church was the most dominating institution. All other institutions remained under its control. As a result, independ­ent thinking in the political arena could not flourish at all.

Hearnshaw holds different view so far as the unproductiveness in political thought of the Middle Ages. He says that although in this period there was no political theory, worthy of its name there was political thought. What is the difference between the two? In the words of Hearnshaw “Political theory is the speculation of particular thinkers which may be remote from the actual facts of the time. Political thought is the immanent philosophy of a whole age which determines its actions and shapes its life.” There was abundant political thought in the middle Ages.