What are the two problems of modern political theory?
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The problem of values is a key factor in the determination and growth of political theory. Some of them want to see Political Science as a pure ‘science’ keeping values at a distance. Others are in favour of giving a proper place to values. Thus, there are two groups or academic cultures on methodological perspectives from the viewpoint of values in the study of politics.
A comprehensive and general theory is yet to emerge. Till then, scholars have to bear with available traditional theories, and engage themselves in building up a new empirical theory. Political scientists badly suffer on account of non-existence of modern political theory for the 21st century: lack of coherence, direction, comparison, and empiricism in the discipline. Absence of a scientific theory hurts the status and self-respect of the academic community.
English-speaking people have stopped their efforts to build a theory and live in their dead past like ghosts. Because of several constraints, it could not grow in past and present communist countries. Scholars elsewhere are unable to identify it. At many other places, some do not feel any need to develop it, rather oppose it.
There are a large number of theoretical formulations masquerading as a general political theory, but none of them deals with the political system, both micro and macro, as a whole. Number of approaches is increasing and can be regarded as a sign of growing, health of the discipline. But some protagonists of these approaches, advocating them as ‘theory’, display rigid orthodoxy, conservatism, and parochialism.
They fail to adopt an integrative and constructivist attitude. In fact, there is a great dearth of political scientists having interdisciplinary outlook, multi-methodologism, and commitment to empirical research. All this requires intensive education, training, and facilities. A good number of scholars would have to work like Easton in the field.
A comprehensive and general theory is yet to emerge. Till then, scholars have to bear with available traditional theories, and engage themselves in building up a new empirical theory. Political scientists badly suffer on account of non-existence of modern political theory for the 21st century: lack of coherence, direction, comparison, and empiricism in the discipline. Absence of a scientific theory hurts the status and self-respect of the academic community.
English-speaking people have stopped their efforts to build a theory and live in their dead past like ghosts. Because of several constraints, it could not grow in past and present communist countries. Scholars elsewhere are unable to identify it. At many other places, some do not feel any need to develop it, rather oppose it.
There are a large number of theoretical formulations masquerading as a general political theory, but none of them deals with the political system, both micro and macro, as a whole. Number of approaches is increasing and can be regarded as a sign of growing, health of the discipline. But some protagonists of these approaches, advocating them as ‘theory’, display rigid orthodoxy, conservatism, and parochialism.
They fail to adopt an integrative and constructivist attitude. In fact, there is a great dearth of political scientists having interdisciplinary outlook, multi-methodologism, and commitment to empirical research. All this requires intensive education, training, and facilities. A good number of scholars would have to work like Easton in the field.
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