Politics might be about the battle over a country’s resources, but it also extends to contesting social norms. Each day, we debate what is deemed ‘good’, ‘bad’, ‘moral’, ‘immoral’, who is ‘right’, who is ‘wrong’, and who lacks understanding. Each generation must contemplate what holds significance for them within the context of the world they live in. Simultaneously, political parties endeavour to influence their constituents’ perspectives by defining and promoting social norms aligned with their beliefs. These norms are often intertwined with the parties’ specific viewpoints, yet they frequently reflect widely held opinions, sending individuals to polarising sides of the political spectrum.
While conflict is inherent in the democratic process, the power struggle can perpetuate societal inequalities. In this context, political theory is crucial in comprehending the complexities of political ideas, the social policies that arise from political struggle and the diverse landscapes of political systems. Rather than focusing on the development of normative theories, political theory scrutinises political predicaments, employing various methodologies for a deeper understanding of political knowledge. Ultimately, political theory matters because it gives us a guide for action.
Politically minded 