Free Printable Worksheets for learning Political Theory at the College level

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Political Theory

Political theory is the study of political ideas, values, and concepts. It seeks to understand the nature of political power, the sources of political authority, and the role of the state in society. Political theory also examines the relationship between the individual and the state, and the moral and ethical questions raised by political life.

Key Concepts

  • Power: the ability to influence or control the behavior of others
  • Authority: the right to exercise power
  • Sovereignty: the supreme authority within a territory
  • State: a political entity with sovereignty over a defined territory
  • Liberty: the freedom to act without interference from others
  • Equality: the idea that all individuals are equal in moral status and should have equal opportunities
  • Justice: the fair and equal treatment of individuals under the law
  • Democracy: a system of government in which power is held by the people, usually through elected representatives
  • Totalitarianism: a system of government in which the state has total control over all aspects of society

Key Thinkers

  • Plato: Greek philosopher who explored the nature of justice and the ideal form of government in his book The Republic
  • Aristotle: Greek philosopher who wrote extensively on political theory, including the formation and function of different types of government
  • Thomas Hobbes: English philosopher who argued that individuals are naturally selfish and require a strong central authority to maintain social order, famously in his book Leviathan
  • John Locke: English philosopher who believed in individual liberty and natural rights, and argued that government should be limited and founded on the consent of the governed, famously in his book Two Treatises of Government
  • Jean-Jacques Rousseau: French philosopher who explored the idea of the social contract, a hypothetical agreement between individuals and the state, famously in his book The Social Contract
  • Karl Marx: German philosopher who developed the idea of communism, a social and economic system in which property and resources are communally owned and distributed according to need, famously in his book The Communist Manifesto

Important Theories

  • The Social Contract: the idea that individuals enter into an agreement with the state, giving up some of their freedom in exchange for protection and security
  • Marxism: the theory that all social and economic relationships are based on class struggle and that the state should be overthrown to create a classless society
  • Liberalism: a political philosophy that values individual freedom and limited government intervention in the economy
  • Conservatism: a political philosophy that values tradition and stability, and advocates for gradual change rather than revolution

Conclusion

Political theory is a rich and complex field that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human society. By understanding key concepts, thinkers, and theories, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the role that politics plays in our lives, and for how we can engage with and shape our political systems.

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Word Definition
Government The group or system of people governing an organized community, often a state
Democracy A system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives
Monarchy A form of government with a monarch at the head
Totalitarianism A system of government that is centralized and dictatorial and requires complete subservience to the state
Oligarchy A small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution
Authoritarianism Favoring or enforcing strict obedience to authority, especially that of the government, at the expense of personal freedom
Fascism A political philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader
Communism A political theory advocating class war and leading to a society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs
Republic A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch
Federalism The federal principle or system of government
Constitution A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed
Liberalism A political and social philosophy advocating individual freedom, representative government, and equality before the law
Conservatism A commitment to traditional values and ideas with opposition to change or innovation
Socialism A political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole
Anarchism A political theory favoring the abolition of governments
Neoliberalism A modified form of liberalism tending to favor free-market capitalism
Libertarianism An extreme laissez-faire political philosophy advocating only minimal state intervention in the lives of citizens
Nationalism Patriotic feeling, principles, or efforts, especially marked by a feeling of superiority over other countries
Sovereignty Supreme power or authority
Theocracy A system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god

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Study Guide: Political Theory

Introduction

In this study guide, we will cover the basic concepts of political theory, including the various political ideologies and theories that shape political discourse. With a clear understanding of political theory, you will be able to better engage with political issues and analyze political events critically.

What is Political Theory?

  • Basic definition of political theory as the study of political concepts and ideas
  • Role of political theory in shaping political ideologies and discourse
  • Examples of political theories and ideologies (e.g. liberalism, conservatism, socialism, anarchism)

Core Concepts in Political Theory

  • State - definition, types of states (e.g. democratic, authoritarian), relationship between state and society
  • Power - definition, types of power (e.g. physical, economic, ideological, etc.), relationship between power and authority
  • Justice - definition, different theories of justice (e.g. utilitarianism, libertarianism, communitarianism, etc.), the role of justice in political theories
  • Citizenship - definition, rights and responsibilities of citizenship, how citizenship varies across different political systems

Key Political Theorists

  • Thomas Hobbes - social contract theory and the state of nature
  • John Locke - natural rights and limited government
  • Jean-Jacques Rousseau - the general will and popular sovereignty
  • Karl Marx - communism, capitalism, and the class struggle
  • Friedrich Nietzsche - critique of traditional morality and the will to power
  • Michel Foucault - power and knowledge, critique of modern institutions

Modern Political Ideologies

  • Liberalism - classical and modern liberalism, principles (e.g. individual rights, limited government, free markets)
  • Conservatism - principles (e.g. tradition, order, moral values, limited government), different types of conservatism (e.g. fiscal, social, neo-conservatism)
  • Socialism - principles (e.g. social ownership, equality, communalism), different types of socialism (e.g. democratic socialism, Marxism)
  • Anarchism - principles (e.g. opposition to the state, decentralization, direct democracy), different types of anarchism (e.g. individualist, collectivist, anarcho-communism)
  • Feminism - principles (e.g. gender equality, women's rights, intersectionality), different types of feminism (e.g. liberal feminism, radical feminism, postcolonial feminism)

Conclusion

This study guide provides a basic overview of political theory concepts and ideologies that will help you engage with political issues and events critically. Understanding political theory is crucial for anyone interested in politics and political science.

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Political Theory Practice Sheet

Short Answer Questions

  1. What is the difference between normative and empirical political theory?
  2. Define power and its different forms in political theory.
  3. Discuss the concept of justice in political theory.
  4. What is the role of the state in political theory?
  5. Define political obligation and its different types.

Essay Questions

  1. Discuss the different types of democracy in political theory. Which form of democracy do you think is the most effective and why?
  2. Discuss the concept of human rights in political theory. What are the different types of human rights and how they have evolved over time?
  3. Define liberalism and discuss its key principles. What critiques of liberal theory have been made and how have they been addressed by liberal theorists?
  4. Discuss the concept of social justice in political theory. What are the different theories of social justice and how do they differ from one another?
  5. Define the concept of global governance. How has globalization impacted the role of the state and the concept of sovereignty in political theory?

Practical Applications

  1. Research a current political issue and analyze it through the lens of one of the political theories discussed in class.
  2. Analyze a real-world case study of a political system and evaluate its strengths and weaknesses based on the principles of political theory.
  3. Debate a current political issue with a classmate, using political theory to support your argument.
  4. Attend a political rally or event and analyze the speeches of the speakers, assessing their use of political theory concepts and ideas.
  5. Develop a proposal for a new political system based on one of the political theories discussed in class. Provide a rationale for why this system would be effective and how it would address current political issues.

Political Theory Practice Sheet

Sample Problem

Analyze the following statement:

The government should be responsible for providing healthcare to all citizens.

Step 1: Identify the key concepts in the statement.

The key concepts in this statement are government, responsible, providing, healthcare, and citizens.

Step 2: Identify the normative claims being made.

The normative claim being made is that the government should be responsible for providing healthcare to all citizens.

Step 3: Analyze the statement in terms of political theory.

This statement can be analyzed in terms of various political theories, such as liberalism, socialism, and communitarianism. From a liberal perspective, the government should provide healthcare to citizens to ensure that everyone has access to basic necessities. From a socialist perspective, the government should provide healthcare to citizens to ensure that everyone has access to the same level of care. From a communitarian perspective, the government should provide healthcare to citizens to ensure that everyone is taken care of and that the community is healthy.

Practice Problems

  1. Analyze the following statement:

The government should be responsible for providing education to all citizens.

  1. Analyze the following statement:

The government should be responsible for ensuring economic equality among citizens.

  1. Analyze the following statement:

The government should be responsible for protecting citizens' civil rights.

  1. Analyze the following statement:

The government should be responsible for providing a basic income to all citizens.

  1. Analyze the following statement:

The government should be responsible for protecting the environment.

Political Theory Practice Sheet

Questions

  1. What are the core principles of liberalism?
  2. What is the difference between civil society and the state?
  3. How does the concept of the social contract relate to the modern nation-state?
  4. What is the role of the individual in the Marxist theory of society?
  5. What is the relationship between power and authority in political theory?
  6. What is the purpose of the rule of law?
  7. What is the concept of the public sphere?
  8. What is the meaning of the term ideology?
  9. What is the relationship between democracy and freedom?
  10. How does the concept of justice relate to political theory?

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Political Theory Quiz

Test your knowledge of Political Theory with this challenging quiz.

Problem Answer
Define Political Theory The study of political ideas and concepts that explains and analyzes political systems, philosophies, and ideologies.
Who wrote the book The Leviathan? Thomas Hobbes
What is the main idea of Social Contract Theory? The idea that individuals surrender some of their natural freedoms in exchange for the protection provided by the government.
Who is the author of The Republic? Plato
What is the difference between Liberalism and Socialism? Liberalism emphasizes individual freedom and free-market capitalism, while socialism prioritizes collective ownership of the means of production and social welfare.
What are the two main types of Democracy? Direct Democracy and Representative Democracy
What is Power according to Max Weber? Power is the ability to get someone to do something they wouldn't do otherwise.
What does Aristotle believe about the state? Aristotle believed that the state is a natural and necessary institution for human society, and that the purpose of the state is to promote the common good.
Who is considered the father of Classical Liberalism? John Locke
What is Marxism? A political and economic theory that proposes the establishment of a classless society through the abolition of private property and the means of production.

Political Theory Quiz

Problem Answer
What is the definition of Political Theory? Political Theory is an academic discipline that examines the origin, nature, and development of political systems and ideas.
What is the difference between Political Theory and Political Science? Political Theory is a sub-discipline of Political Science, focusing on the analysis of political ideas, ideologies, and systems. Political Science is a broader field of study, encompassing the study of the political process, institutions, and behavior.
What is the purpose of Political Theory? The purpose of Political Theory is to understand the origin and development of political systems and ideas, and to analyze the implications of different political systems and ideologies.
What is the relationship between Political Theory and Political Philosophy? Political Theory is closely related to Political Philosophy, which is the study of the fundamental principles of politics and government. Political Theory is concerned with the application of political principles to the real world.
What are the main components of Political Theory? The main components of Political Theory are: political philosophy, political ideology, political systems, and political behavior.
What are the main schools of Political Theory? The main schools of Political Theory are: liberalism, conservatism, socialism, anarchism, and communitarianism.
What is the relationship between Political Theory and International Relations? Political Theory is closely related to International Relations, which is the study of the interactions between states and other international actors. Political Theory is concerned with the analysis of the underlying principles of international relations.
What is the relationship between Political Theory and Political Economy? Political Theory is closely related to Political Economy, which is the study of the economic and social aspects of political systems. Political Theory is concerned with the analysis of the underlying principles of political economy.
What is the relationship between Political Theory and Public Policy? Political Theory is closely related to Public Policy, which is the study of the implementation of government policies. Political Theory is concerned with the analysis of the underlying principles of public policy.

Political Theory Quiz

Questions Answers
1. What is the main concept of liberalism? Liberty, individual rights, and limited government.
2. What is the main concept of conservatism? Respect for tradition, limited government, and the promotion of social order.
3. What is the main concept of socialism? Collective ownership of the means of production and the redistribution of wealth.
4. What is the main concept of anarchism? Rejection of all forms of government and authority.
5. What is the main concept of Marxism? Class struggle, the overthrow of capitalism, and the establishment of a classless society.
6. What is the main concept of fascism? Nationalism, authoritarianism, and the promotion of a strong leader.
7. What is the main concept of communitarianism? A focus on the importance of community and social solidarity.
8. What is the main concept of postmodernism? A rejection of grand narratives and the privileging of personal experience.
9. What is the main concept of realism? A focus on power and the pursuit of national interests.
10. What is the main concept of constructivism? A focus on the role of ideas and norms in international relations.
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