Category: political-science

Antonio Gramsci, an Italian Marxist philosopher and political theorist, developed the concept of the base-superstructure interrelationship as a key component of his theory of cultural hegemony. Gramsci’s ideas were influential in Marxist thought and offered a nuanced understanding of how power operates in society, particularly in relation to the state, culture, and ideology. The base-superstructure…

The interrelationship between duties and rights is a fundamental aspect of political and moral philosophy, reflecting the complex and reciprocal nature of individual and societal obligations. While rights confer entitlements and freedoms upon individuals, duties impose corresponding responsibilities and obligations that individuals owe to each other and to society as a whole. Understanding the interplay…

Neoliberalism is a political and economic ideology that emerged in the late 20th century as a response to the perceived failures of Keynesianism and the welfare state. Neoliberalism advocates for free market principles, limited government intervention in the economy, deregulation, privatization, and the promotion of individual liberty and entrepreneurship. While the term “neoliberalism” is often…

John Rawls’ theory of justice, articulated in his seminal work “A Theory of Justice” (1971), has had a profound impact on political philosophy and continues to shape debates about justice, equality, and the role of the state in contemporary society. Rawls presents a comprehensive framework for understanding justice as fairness, grounded in principles of political…

Democracy, as a form of government, has been both celebrated as the epitome of political freedom and criticized for its inherent weaknesses and limitations. Assessing democracy requires examining its advantages and disadvantages, its ability to fulfill its core principles, and its performance in practice. 1. Advantages of Democracy:    a. Political Freedom: Democracy provides citizens…

Modern political theory encompasses a wide range of ideas and approaches that have emerged since the Enlightenment period in the 17th and 18th centuries. While it is difficult to encapsulate all its features in a brief overview, several key themes and characteristics define modern political theory: 1. Individual Rights and Liberty:    Modern political theory…

Edmund Burke, an Anglo-Irish statesman, political theorist, and philosopher, is often regarded as one of the founding figures of modern conservatism. His writings and speeches during the late 18th century laid the intellectual groundwork for conservative thought and provided a critique of the radicalism of the French Revolution. Burke’s conservative philosophy emphasized the importance of…

The term feminism emerged in the late 19th century, although the ideas and movements it encompasses have roots in earlier periods of history. The word “feminism” is derived from the French word “féminisme,” which was first coined by utopian socialist Charles Fourier in the 1830s. However, it was not until the late 19th and early…

Vladimir Lenin’s theory of imperialism, developed in his seminal work “Imperialism, the Highest Stage of Capitalism,” provides a Marxist analysis of the economic and political dynamics of imperialism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Building upon the writings of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, Lenin argued that imperialism represents the highest stage of…

The statement “The government that governs the least is the best” encapsulates a core principle of classical liberalism, a political ideology that emphasizes individual freedom, limited government intervention, and the protection of private property rights. Rooted in Enlightenment philosophy and the writings of thinkers such as John Locke, Adam Smith, and John Stuart Mill, liberalism…

Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian independence movement, developed the concept of Satyagraha as a powerful tool for nonviolent resistance and social change. Satyagraha, which translates to “truth force” or “soul force” in Sanskrit, embodies Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence, moral courage, and spiritual strength. Rooted in the principles of truth, love, and compassion, Satyagraha…

Individualism is a philosophical and cultural ideology that emphasizes the importance of individual freedom, autonomy, and self-reliance. It places the individual at the center of moral, social, and political life, prioritizing personal rights, aspirations, and interests over collective or communal values. Individualism celebrates the uniqueness and agency of each person, asserting the primacy of individual…